Colic in babies is one of those conditions that the medical community cannot seem to figure out. Colic occurs in up to 28% of infants. Babies with colic cry for hours, unconsolable, sometimes every day. The cause of colic is unknown and the treatment of colic is uncertain. So many infants suffer from colic and parents are at a loss for how to deal with it. A colicky baby can be quite a handful for new parents who may not feel equipped or emotionally able to handle the situation, especially when doctors don’t provide many answers.

A new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center has found that babies with colic are more likely to have higher amounts of gut inflammation and a bacteria called Klebsiella in their intestines. They also found that the babies who did not have colic had a greater diversity of bacteria in their guts. The lead researcher also suggested that colic may prove to be a precursor to other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and other gut allergies.

This study is exciting because the next step, researchers say, is to investigate the use of a probiotic to control gut inflammation in these babies. Now they are on to something.

The establishment of healthy gut bacteria, in a vaginally born baby, begins at birth. It then continues during breastfeeding and through contact with the outside world. Many factors can inhibit this process leaving the infant with less-than-optimal gut flora. In many ways these beneficial bacteria act as a partial immune system for the infant. The importance of establishing a healthy and diverse bacterial population in those little guts is vitally important, as this study has pointed out. Renew Life’s Flora Baby was developed specifically for babies and toddlers. It contains five strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and comes in a powder that can be mixed with liquid.

Learn the ABC’s of Probiotics.

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Bifidobacteria, celiac disease, colic, Flora Baby, gut allergies, IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Probiotics, University of Texas Health Science Center

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a recent study published in the journal “Pediatrics” that suggest a very odd way to help children that have eczema. What do they suggest? What are some other options? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Can you imagine putting your infant or young child into a bath of bleach water with the raw skin associated with eczema? Well that is exactly what a study published in the journal Pediatrics is suggesting. The bleach, being an antibacterial will help eliminate bacteria on the skin as a result of so much scratching.

Julie Block, of the National Eczema Association says this type of suggestion “will help people learn options that they can do at home to empower themselves”.

Sounds more like a punishment to me.

How about all the studies out there now showing that probiotic supplements can greatly reduce eczema in children. Or how about getting your child tested for food allergies and sensitivities, which play a huge role in the development of eczema.

If your worried about the bacteria try getting a natural anti-bacterial cream from your local health food store. I’m willing to bet it won’t contain bleach!

In the meantime, ReNew Life Formulas has an award-winning line of probiotic supplements for children and adults.

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allergies, bacteria, bleach, Brenda Watson, eczema, national eczema association, pediatrics, Probiotics, sensitivities

Summer is quickly approaching and I’m sure everyone is starting to think about their family vacation. You might be going to a state park, an amusement park or visiting friends and family. No matter where you are planning to spend your family vacation, you are sure to think of your family’s safety first. With that said, one part of your family’s safety is keeping them healthy during travel.

During your vacation it is important to have your children wash their hands before eating, use the antiseptic wipes at crowded places and avoid contact with anyone coughing or sneezing. But, equally, if not more important, is for you and your children to take a probiotic supplement daily.

I would recommend starting one a week before your scheduled travel and take it religiously throughout your trip. A good probiotic supplement will help keep your family’s immune system stay strong and ready to fight off bacteria and viruses you may come into contact with on your vacation.

I would suggest ReNew Life brand FloraSmart probiotic. This probiotic supplement is great for travel because it is “shelf stable” so it does not need refrigeration. Plus, the tablets are individually wrapped, which makes them easy to shove into your purse or pocket. There are several different strengths including a 6, 12 and 24 billion culture strengths. For travel I would suggest at least the 12 billion culture strength. This is suitable for your entire family. This means that children from age 3 and up can take the same adult probiotic supplement. This will make your travels easier knowing you only need one option on hand.

So, go out there, have fun and enjoy your family vacation.

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Brenda Watson, Children, family vacation, FloraSmart, Probiotics, Summer Vacation, Supplements

During these tough economic times every penny counts. That is why I am doing a new series on “Staying Healthy in an Unhealthy Economy.” In part three I discuss some easy and inexpensive ways to lessen the toxic burden on your children.

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Brenda Watson, Children, Cleansing, detoxification, economy, unhealthy economy

On my recent trip to Canada I was reading Newsweek and came across a small article about getting kids to pick healthier foods in school cafeterias. One suggestion was to get rid of all the junk food choices available in most schools. This would be highly unlikely to happen and most kids, depending on their age may starve until they reach the 7-Eleven after school. Another suggestion in the article was to rename foods for the younger crowd. “X-ray vision carrots, bulk-up broccoli, groovy green beans…could this get kids to eat more vegetables? According to a Cornell researcher kindergarten kids ate the renamed vegetables 50% more than “plain” vegetables.

I don’t see this being as successful on the older kids.

How do we really get our kids to make better food choices, not only at school but at home? We educate them on nutrition starting at a very early age. This means nutritional education in school as well as at home. Very few schools include any kind of nutritional courses, and most that do start them at the teenage years which may be too late to teach the value of foods. Most children will mimic what they learn in the home environment. If at home you are serving mostly processed foods, high starches and sugar, that is what your kids will learn. And those are the types of foods they will choose when given the opportunity.

In most cases it is a matter of educating the parents as well.

Maybe some of you have seen a show that was running on The Learning Channel called “Honey, we’re killing the kids”. In this show the nutrition expert goes to a typical family’s home with children who may be overweight, unhealthy or just eating all kinds of junk food. Using computer images she shows the parents what their children will look like as adults if they continue the diet and lifestyle path they are currently on. She then goes through their kitchen and teaches the parents and the children about good nutritious food choices verses what they may be eating. She teaches not only about a healthy diet but about a more active lifestyle. She then challenges them within a three week course to use these changes and suggestions. The difference at the end of just three weeks in how these families feel and look are amazing. She then shows the parents again by computer imaging and statistics how their children may look as adults on this healthier, more active lifestyle.

Getting back to the point of where do we start, what do we do NOW to start helping our children eat better? Even if your children are older, it is never too late to start setting a good example. Try starting a program like my Fiber 35 healthy eating plan. The foods suggested, although healthy, are still delicious and allows the kids to have healthy tasty snacks. Although I target weight loss with my Fiber 35 Diet, it is a great, healthy way of eating for your whole family. The recipes are terrific and so are the eating-out tips.

Check out my fiber35diet.com website for more fiber recipes and snack ideas for your whole family. Do you have some tasty healthy treats? Share your ideas and thoughts here.

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children eat healthy, Digestive Health, fiber 35 diet, groovy green beans, healthy eating plan, healthy foods in schools, high fiber foods, the learning channel, x ray vision carrots