Dealing with Aggressive Children

Children with aggressive behavior constitute one of the most common and difficult challenges for parents, particularly for young parents. To work on this issue it is crucial that parents have developed a relationship (with the child) based on solid communication and trust.

Parents must be willing to take a step back from the situation and view their child’s behavior in context. What is unacceptable behavior to a parent may seem logical and appropriate to a child. The key to helping a child manage their own behavior is to teach them realistic, constructive alternatives to the behavior habits they have already developed.

A child with consistently aggressive behavior may be taught how to identify when they are feeling angry and then learn strategies to apply in such situations. Children, for example, may be taught to count-to-ten, take deep breaths, run around the oval or visualize a peaceful scene. Children should not be discouraged from feeling angry but rather taught how to deal appropriately with anger when it arises.

In this article, we will take a look at some practical examples of aggressive children and provide tips to deal with this challenge.

childhood habits

Many kids have habits that can be downright annoying. Four of the most common ones that children develop and parents complain about are:

• nail biting
• thumb sucking
• hair twirling
• nose picking

Although your child's habits may bother or even worry you, relax. In most cases, a habit is just a phase in the normal developmental process and is not cause for alarm.

What's a Habit?

A habit is a pattern of behavior that's repeated, and the person usually isn't even aware of it. Although kids may be blissfully unaware of a habit, their parents aren't so lucky.

And if your little one usually has one hand stuffed in the mouth and the other entwined in the hair, don't be surprised: Habits tend to occur in clusters.

Here's the lowdown on the most common habits among kids and teens:

Nail Biting

If nails chewed to the nub are familiar to you, you're not alone. One of the most common childhood habits is nail biting or picking.

Some studies estimate that 30% to 60% of kids and teens chew on one or more fingernails. And, occasionally, a child may also bite his or her toenails.

Boys and girls appear equally prone to the habit in earlier years; however, as they get older, boys are more likely to be nail biters.

Hair Twirling

If one of your kids is a hair twirler, odds are it's your daughter. The majority of children who twist, stroke, or pull their hair are girls.

Hair twirling may appear in early childhood as a precursor to hair pulling, either with or without hair loss. But many hair twirlers and pullers stop as they get older. For those who don't, simple behavior modification can help them break the habit.

However, for those who start hair pulling as older kids or teens, the habit is harder to break and may be a sign of anxiety,depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Developing a sense of identity

During early childhood, the desire among children to ‘fit in’ with those around them is overwhelming. The developing identity has a massive impact on all aspects of a child’s life, influencing what they buy and how they use their purchases to make statements about themselves.

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Children position themselves in existing stereotypes such as arty, sporty or clever.

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When a child is determining which particular product they desire, the image of a product is probably the largest factor in most children’s purchasing decision. The child will subconsciously assess the product according to numerous criteria such as whether other children will like the product or will they be better liked due to owning the product. Peer pressure plays a large part in purchasing decisions as the need to be accepted and fit in is a primary motive behind actions in group settings.

While the stereotype of the rebellious teenager is common in contemporary society, children are in fact developing a strong sense of self from as young as five. As such, rambunctious toddlers are more likely to argue with a parent about choice of clothing, the timing of a play-date or the purchase of a toy or game than ever before.

heat rash in children

Heat rash is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing. It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. Heat rash is most common in babies, but it may affect adults in hot, humid climates.

What causes heat rash?

In babies, heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather.

What are the symptoms of heat rash?

Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, and, in rare cases, a secondary skin infection may develop.

How is heat rash diagnosed?

Heat rash can usually be identified by its appearance and does not usually require medical attention. But if it doesn't go away after 3 or 4 days, or if it appears to be getting worse, or if your child develops a fever, contact your doctor right away.

When you or your child has a rash, be sure to watch for signs of infection, including:

urinary system infection in children

 A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that occurs in the urinary tract (any part of the body used to make and get rid of urine).

Symptoms of a UTI in babies and infants include:

• vomiting
• high temperature of or above 38°C (100.4°F)
• irritability
• appearing lazy and sluggish (lethargic)

Symptoms of a UTI in older children include:

• frequent passing of urine
• complaining of pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
• Read more about the symptoms of a urinary tract infection in children.
• When to seek medical advice
• Always contact your GP if you think your child has a UTI. This is not usually a serious type of infection but it does need to be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Treatment

• Most cases of UTIs can be successfully treated withantibiotics.
• As a precaution, babies under three months old are usually admitted to hospital, as are children with more severe symptoms.
• Many older children can be treated safely at home.
• Read more about the treatment of urinary tract infections in children.

First Aid for choking in child

If your child is choking but can still cough, talk, cry or breathe, it means his airway is only partially blocked; trying to dislodge the object with your finger could make the situation worse. Instead, you need to get someone to call 911, and start CPR rescue steps if he shows any sign of blue lips or skin, inability to swallow, talk, cry, or make noise, inability to breathe (chest doesn't rise up and down), or he loses consciousness. If you’re alone, attempt CPR for two minutes first, then stop and call 911, and then continue rescue efforts until help arrives.

Choking but Conscious Baby Under One Year

• Lay your baby facedown on your forearm, resting your arm on your thigh to hold him steady. Support his chin firmly with one hand, and be sure his head and neck are lower than his torso.
•  Using the heel of your free hand, deliver five quick, firm blows right between his shoulder blades.
•  If he doesn't cough up the object, turn him onto his back. Rest him on your forearm, using your thigh to support his body and your hand to steady his head and neck. Make sure that both his head and her neck are lower than his torso.
• Using two fingers, deliver five quick, firm thrusts to the center of his chest, right on the breastbone, about one finger-width below the nipples. Stop if he starts to cough so he can cough up the object.
•  If he still can't breathe, continue to alternate five back blows with five chest thrusts until the airway is unblocked. If this doesn't work or he loses consciousness, start CPR and rescue breathing.

First Aid For Snake Bites

If a snake bites your child, for goodness' sake, don't get inspired by Hindi movies and start sucking venom from the wound!  There's a lot else you can do to prevent the poison from spreading and reaching the 

heart. 

• Try and get a good look at the snake. This would help the doctor identify it, and treat the bite accordingly. 
• Get your child away from the snake and try to calm her down. 
• Make her lie down on a bed or mattress. 
• She should move as little as possible. The more she moves, the quicker the venom will spread through the body. 
• It is important to remember that most snakes are not poisonous, and it is likely that your child has been bitten by a non-poisonous snake.  However, if fang marks are visible, the snake was probably of the poisonous variety. 
• Keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart. This slows down the spread of the poison to the heart. So if your child has been bitten on the leg, she could lie down with her leg on a lower level than the mattress, perhaps on a stool. 
• Some advise that you should wash the bite with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic, while others advise that it is better not to wash the bite. The doctor will be able to treat your child much better if he has traces of the venom. It is a good idea to wipe the area clean with an antiseptic and retain the wipe for venom traces. 
• Don't apply ice to the bite. 

Coping with an autistic child

Autism is a learning disability in children. A little patience, some professional help and a lot of love can help cope with an autistic child.

Sometimes realities are hard to accept but it is in your hands to change your reality. Amongst the many normal children if one child turns out to have a disability parents find their world collapsing under the weight of a million questions, doubts and anxieties. For a child diagnosed with a problem like Autism life seems uphill. But there is hope. Studies and real life incidents have proved that remarkable improvement is possible in children with autistic disability.Children are just like clay, you can start shaping them in a way that makes them a model of inspiration for others. 

If your child has been diagnosed with Autism you can do a lot to improve his condition. Even Einstein and Newton showed signs of autism. All your child needs is constant support and encouragement to do better. Encourage your childby showing interest in his interests, embracing his errors with patience, be there for him and see him soar to the skies. Read on, to learn how you can cope better with an autistic child.

Coping with autism 

To be the parent of an autistic child is not easy. With the diagnosis comes a daily struggle and unique challenges that parents face everyday. The question 'why my child', stresses parents the most. Autism is a learning disability that can be dealt with. Worried parents first need to come to terms that a problem exists and the problem has various solutions. 

A large part of coping with an autistic child comes from patient parents who co-operate and give time to their child to heal. Comparing one child to another child is the most dangerous thing that even a normal child's parent must avoid. However, parents must talk about their grief, seek help when required and appreciate their child's ways of doing things everyday.

Understanding your child 

Imagine if you were forced to do things that you do not like. Would it motivate you to do any better? The same applies to your child. Your child needs you to understand his emotions, feelings, his like and dislikes. Try to note down the small things related to the behaviour of your child. Check his gestures, find out what he likes doing best and spend time communicating. Find out the areas where you see the maximum scope of improvement. Try to keep track on the activities for the development of your child. You may never know but sometimes a problem itself can become a solution. 

First Aid For Bee Stings in child

Bee stings, especially in the metro cities, are not very common, but are not freakish incidents either. Almost everyone has had bees buzzing around their living rooms at some time.  

Here's what to do in case your child gets stung by a bee. 

•  Remove the stinger. It should be scraped out, and not pulled out. Pulling out a stinger with your fingernails or with a tweezer causes squeezing, and this releases more venom into your body. Scrape it out with your fingernail or a knife blade. 
•  Remember, the venom gland remains attached to the sting, and if it is not removed it will continue to release venom into the body for up to 20 minutes. 
•  Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. You could even apply a splash of antiseptic like Dettol. 
•  Apply  some calamine lotion. A better substitute however, would be a baking soda and water mixture for bee stings, and vinegar for wasp stings.
•  Relieve pain and swelling by applying a cold compress on the spot. Put ice in a cloth or plastic wrap. Don't apply ice directly on the skin. 
•  Leave the ice wrap on your skin for at least 15 minutes.    

Sometimes, your child may have an allergic reaction to the sting. Severe allergic reactions even cause death, so it is important to carefully observe your child for an allergic reaction.  

First Aid For Nosebleeds in child

Even though nosebleeds are not usually a cause of worry, they could still be scary, especially as they could cause a lot of blood to flow. It's important to remember that rarely are nosebleeds a cause for alarm.  

How are they caused?

Anterior Nosebleeds 

Nosebleeds usually occur when the blood vessels in the septum (separates the nostrils) break due to a blow, by picking the nose or even by harsh blowing of the nose. These are common in dry climates. They may even occur during winter, as the dry air from heaters could dehydrate the nasal membranes. Dryness may result in crusting, cracking, and bleeding. 

Posterior Nosebleeds 

These begin high and deep within the nose, and can flow down the back of the mouth and throat. These nosebleeds are more common in adults, and are caused due to high blood pressure or an injury to the nose or head.  

What to do?

•  First, help your child stay calm. If your child is screaming, her blood pressure will be higher and the bleeding will continue longer. 
•  Make your child sit upright in a chair or lie back with her head elevated with the help of a cushion. Her head should be higher than the level of the heart. 
•  Do not have your child lean back. This may cause the blood to flow down the back of the throat and initiate coughing or even vomiting. Her head should be tipped slightly forward. 

Choosing Eyeglasses for Children

When a doctor prescribes glasses for your child for near-sightedness, far-sightedness or amblyopia, he is not likely to tell you how you go about choosing frames. An optician, with his knowledge of the products available in the market, is at a better position to advice you on this. Adults can pay more attention to style and fashion when it comes to eyewear and accessories, as they can instantly judge what is comfortable for them. But it is not that simple in case of children. Children are unable to tell you what fits well and is comfortable; you have to make an intelligent choice for them.

Here are some guidelines for parents to choose the right eyeglasses for their children:

LENSES: 

Lenses come in three types - glass, plastic and polycarbonate.

Glass 

Ideally, glass is the perfect material for lens as it is crystal clear and does not scratch, but it obviously ranks the lowest on the safety scale.

Plastic 

Plastic lens, then, is the second choice. These are also light compared to glass and come with a scratch-resistant coating. But they are priced slightly higher than glass lenses.

Lactose Intolerance in Infants

Sometimes lactose intolerance is mistaken with food allergy in babies. Therefore, parents of babies must understand what lactose intolerance in infants exactly is. Read on to find more about the causes and symptoms of lactose intolerance in infants and what parents should do when they observe the symptoms. 

Before starting it is vital to know what exactly lactose intolerance is. Lactose is a type of sugar that is actually found in milk and other dairy products in different proportions. Lactose intolerance is found in some infants and they are unable to digest lactose. It is a matter of deep concern as this is the major source of energy for infants especially in their first few months.

Milk is very essential for healthy bones as well as nerve tissues. So, babies suffering from lactose intolerance have frequent watery stools and the child gets deprived of the major source of energy. When the child is deprived of energy, the energy is provided to him by the stored fats of the body and the result is weight loss.

Foreign Objects

"Foreign" means "originating elsewhere" or simply "outside the body." Foreign bodies typically become lodged in the eyes, ears, nose, airways, and rectum of human beings. Both children and adults experience problems caused by foreign objects getting stuck in their bodies. Young children, in particular, are naturally curious and may intentionally put shiny objects, such as coins or button batteries, into their mouths. They also like to stick things in their ears and up their noses. Adults may accidentally swallow a non-food object or inhale a foreign body that gets stuck in the throat. Even if an object like a toothpick successfully passes through the esophagus and into the stomach, it can get stuck inside the rectum. Airborne particles can lodge in the eyes of people at any age.

Foreign bodies can be in hollow organs (like swallowed batteries) or in tissues (like bullets). They can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause inflammation and scarring. They can bring infection with them or acquire it and protect it from the body's immune defenses. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be toxic.

Entertaining Your Newborn

You're home from the hospital, and for the first few weeks, you're main goal is to survive; little to no sleep, healing from labor, house guests, no time to eat, and of course, you're trying to figure out how to care for this tiny, helpless little being. But you do survive! And a few weeks later, once you get into the groove, you start wondering what you're supposed to be doing with your bundle of joy when she or he isn't sleeping, eating, crying, or filling that little diaper.

Stimulating your baby's senses is an important task for you, just as all the other essentials. Babies learn about the world through us, so we need to present it to them. Also, experts suggest that showing your baby different colors and shapes help them to develop their sense of vision. So one way you can entertain your baby is to hold different toys close to them. Remember, infants can only see about 12 inches in front of them, so make sure they can see what you're holding.

Making up a bottle

Make a fresh bottle of formula every time you feed your baby. At first, this can seem fiddly. So take your time, measure everything carefully, and once you've made up a few feeds, you'll find it becomes second nature. 

What do I prepare for my baby's feed?

Before you make your baby’s feed, follow these hygiene steps: 

• Sterilize your baby’s feeding equipment. This includes bottles, nipples, lids, retaining rings and caps.

• Clean and disinfect the work surface you're going to use.

• Wash and dry your hands.

• Put a sterilized bottle on the clean surface.

• Use sterilized tongs to place the sterilized nipple, lid, retaining ring and cap out ready. Health Canada recommends putting all the items in a pot of water and bringing in to a rolling boil for two minutes.

Once you've done this, you’re now ready to make your baby’s feed. 

Preparing baby formula

Even when tins and packets of powdered infant formula are sealed, they can sometimes contain bacteria such as Cronobacter sakazakii (formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii) and, more rarely, Salmonella. Although these bacteria are very rare, the infections they cause can be life-threatening.

To reduce the risk of infection, make up each feed as your baby needs it, using boiled water at a temperature of 70ºC or above. Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.

Make up feeds, one at a time, as your baby needs them. Always use boiled water at a temperature of at least 70ºC, but remember to let the feed cool before you give it to the baby. Bacteria multiply very fast at room temperature. Even when the feed is kept in a fridge, bacteria can still survive and multiply, although they do this more slowly. The risk of infection increases over time so that is why it is important to make up the feed only as your baby needs it. 

Sterilising bottle-feeding equipment

During the first year of your baby’s life, he’s at his most vulnerable to illnesses. If you don’t sterilize your baby’s bottles, viruses, bacteria and parasites can gather on his bottle and in his milk and make him ill. Your baby could develop anything from mild thrush to a more serious bout of vomiting and diarrhea.  It's not possible or practical to create a totally germ-free environment for your baby. But by sterilizing your baby’s feeding equipment, you can reduce the risks while he's at his most vulnerable.

There are several methods you can use to sterilize your baby’s feeding equipment. Microwave and electric sterilizing are the most popular. However, for times when you don’t have access to electricity, use traditional methods, such as boiling and cold water sterilizing.

Shock in children

Shock is a general term used to describe the clinical condition that results from damage to any or all tissue and/or organs in the body. The physiological response to such damage, often stemming from loss of blood volume or other trauma, results in a cascade of events that can lead to multiple organ system failure and, in some cases, death. Acutely ill children are particularly vulnerable to shock because their small body size limits the amount of reserve they have, which may be insufficient to meet the physiological demands of the trauma or illness.

The four basic types of shock include hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic and obstructive shock.

1. Hypovolemic shock

Hypovolemic shock generally results from diarrhea, vomiting, poor fluid intake, hemorrhage, heat stroke or burns. The leading cause of shock worldwide is hypovolemia—or loss of blood volume—due to diarrhea. Accordingly, hypovolemic shock is a major cause of infant mortality.

Clinical signs of hypovolemic shock include rapid breathing and or heart rate, abnormally low blood pressure, weak peripheral pulses, cool pale skin, increased urine output and changes in mental status.

Choking Prevention for Children

A child may be choking and need help right away if he or she: 

• is unable to breathe

• is gasping or wheezing

• is unable to talk, cry, or make noise

• turns blue

• grabs at his or her throat or waves arms

• appears panicked

• becomes limp or unconscious

In those cases, immediately start abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), the standard rescue procedure for choking, if you've been trained to do it properly. 

Gastroenteritis in children

Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection which causes diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea is runny, watery bowel motions. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhea may last up to 10 days. Bouts of gastro can cause dehydration which can be dangerous for very young babies.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis in babies 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the classic signs of a stomach bug. Your little one will probably have a decreased appetite, which is good because when the stomach is that upset, whatever goes in almost inevitably comes out. Kids who have a stomach bug may also have a low-grade fever, abdominal pain and muscle aches.  

Tests for gastroenteritis in babies

Most of the time, the “stomach flu” is diagnosed based on baby’s symptoms. (Is he throwing up frequently? Having lots of loose, runny stools? He probably has a stomach bug -- especially if symptoms subside in a day or so.)

If your child’s symptoms aren’t improving and you take him in to the doctor, they may collect a stool sample, which can be sent to a lab to determine the cause of infection. A stool sample can be helpful in ruling out a bacterial or parasitic infection (which could cause similar