American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
Find information about conditions and treatments that include asthma, allergies, immunodeficiency, as well as a conditions dictionary and drug guide, even a virutal allerist; you will also find education and training and practice resources. (aaaai.org)
Asthma Allergy Foundation of America
AAFA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases through education, advocacy and research. Information, resources and networking activities for patients with asthma and allergies.(www.aafa.org)
Allergy Wristband Resources
This is a guide to Allergy Awareness Wristbands. A number of allergies can be life-threatening for the people afflicted with these issues. People with potentially life-threatening allergies can make their medical sensitivity known to those who might unknowingly expose them to the allergen in question by wearing medical bracelets or wristbands. A wristband alerts others that the person has a sensitivity that could make them ill. (wristband.com)
American Speech and Hearing Association
The association's website contains information for professionals but also for parents about normal language and development. (asha.org)
Autism Society
The Autism Society exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. They do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. (autism-society.org)
Boston Children's Hospital
Conditions & Treatments sections gives access to the vast specialty services provided by Boston Children's Hospital. (childrenshospital.org)
Cough
Cough is often a sign of a cold or respiratory infection. Cough medicines are not recommended for children under 5 years of age, they are not safe and are not effective. Sometimes a cough can be a sign of allergies or other disorders. Call us if the cough has lasted more than 2 weeks, your child appears very ill, or your child is having troubles breathing.
A soothing home remedy can be used for children older than 12 months: Mix 1/3 cup of honey with the juice of one lime, give 1-2 tsp as needed for sore throat or dry cough. Honey should not be given to infants due to higher risk of botulism.
Fever
A fever is a temperature greater than 38 C or 100.4 F(rectally). If you measure the temperature under the arm, or in the ear or forehead, just add 0.5 degrees to what you measured. Fever by itself is not harmful to your child, it simply is a sign that the immune system is reacting to something. Most often in kids, a fever is due to an infection.
If your child is playful and well appearing despite having a fever, you do not have to use medicines to bring the temperature down. If however, your child is fussy or uncomfortable, then medicines such as ibuprofen and acetominophen can be helpful to make them feel better. Pleas call us if our baby is less than 4 months and has a fever or if he/she is very ill appearing.
Bringing the Fever Down - avoid over bundling as this will make your child hotter sponge your child forehead or face with lukewarm water. Do not use cold water as this may make your child shiver, which in itself maky make your child hotter.
If your child's temperature is above 101 f or if your child is uncomfortable you may want to use medicines such as acetominophen or ibuprofen to bring the fever down or to decrease aches and pains. The dose of these medicines depend on your child's weight. Be sure to follow the instructions on the medication packet about proper dosing. Pleas call us if our baby is less than 4 months and has a fever or if he/she is very ill appearing.
Runny Nose
A runny nose is often a sign of a cold or respiratory infection. Medicines for congestion are not safe for children less than 12 years old. Helpful measures include:
- Raise the head of the bed so your child is not laying flat, your child may sleep better this way
- Use a humidifier to ensure the air is not overly dry. Dry air can make it harder for a child with a runny nose, by causing the mucus to dry up and block the flow of air in and out of the nose.
Sore Throat
A sore throat is often a sign of a throat infection. Viruses are responsible for most throat infections, especially if your child also has signs of a cold, such as running nose, hoarseness and cough. Nevertheless, sometimes sore throats are caused by a bacteria and antibiotics may be required. Call us if the sore throat has lasted more than 3 days or if your child has a sore throat after being exposed to someone with Strep.
A soothing home remedy can be used for children older than 12 months: Mix 1/3 cup of honey with the juice of one lime, give 1-2 tsp as needed for sore throat or dry cough. use a humidifier to ensure the air is not overly dry. Dry air can make it harder for a child with a runny nose, by causing the mucus to dry up and block the flow of air in and out of the nose.
National Down Syndrome Society
Resources for new and expectant parents, helpline, local support, healthcare and wellness, therapies and development, research and more. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities. (www.ndss.org)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
A complete list of all national drugs and detail information on statistics and trends, signs of abuse and drug facts. (drugabuse.gov)
EasyRead DrugAbuse
Information and resources for parents about abuse of substances. (teens.drugabuse.gov)
Environmental Working Group
The key issues covered are: consumer products, energy, farming, food, water, toxins, and more. As a program of EWG, Healthy Child Healthy World’s purpose is to empower parents to take action and protect their children against harmful chemicals. EWG is educating and empowering consumers to make safer and more informed decisions about the products they buy and the companies they support. (ewg.org)
The Center for Environmental Therapeutics (CET)
has authoritative information and resources for patients, consumers, health care providers and workplace managers about effective use of environmental therapies and non-medication treatments for seasonal affective disorder, nonseasonal depression, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders. It also fosters research on environmental interventions that promote alertness, energy, and performance—while combating fatigue, stress, depression, and sleep disturbances that affect millions of people. It also offers Self Assessments for a variety of disorders. (cet.org)
Healthy Children.org
Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this website has a wealth of information and resources for parents about nutrition, development, behavior, ADHD, immunizations, and more. (healthychildren.org)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sponsored by the Center for Disease Control, this website is a terrific source of health information about vaccinations, international travel immunizations and prevention, nutrition, the flu, and diseases and conditions afflicting American and other nations. (cdc.gov)
Product Safety
To check the latest news on product safety and recalls. (cpsc.gov)
Meditation & Mindfulness
Meditation has great and many benefits. Meditation may help you and your children in the journey towards health and well-being. The practice may help individuals with depression, anxiety disorders; it may also improve focus, attention, and ability to work under stress; nourish mental strength, resilience and emotional intelligence -- and more.
Yoga Journal: 10-Minute Meditation
Mothers sacrifice sleep, diet, love life to care for their kids. Take a moment to pause and recalibrate yourself for better balance.
Institute of Noetic Sciences, Mindful Motherhood Online Course
Mindfulness can help you meet the challenge and approach each day with your new baby with open eyes and an open heart. Mindful Motherhood teaches you how mindfulness practices can be integrated into your everyday life during pregnancy and early motherhood to help you stay balanced, healthy, and connected with your baby, even in difficult moments.
Mind Body Green's 5 Tips to Teach Children Mindfulness & Meditation
There is an increasing interest in teaching children these methods to help them relax, de-stress and learn how to connect to their own inner source of calm.
The Art of Living's 5 Reasons Why Children Should Meditate
It’s time to give them the best gift of their life – something which they will cherish lifelong and be grateful, for it will change their life for the better. A simple yet very effective technique called meditation - one of the most valuable skills we can teach our children.
Some benefits of yoga that you may allow yourself to share are:
- Asthma: The American College of Sports Medicine found a 43% improvement in patients’ symptoms after ten weeks of yoga practice. Yoga’s emphasis on posture and deep, lengthened breaths improves lung capacity, efficiency, and overall airflow, which can reduce the frequency and severity of asthmatic attacks.
- Arthritis: The slow, controlled movements of a yoga practice have been shown to decrease chronic pain and joint swelling in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers at Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
- Back pain: A study at the West Virginia University School of Medicine found that, after practicing yoga for three months, people reported 70% less lower-back pain, and 88% of them reduced or stopped taking pain medication. Alignment and body awareness during yoga practice has been shown to reduce numerous types of acute and chronic back pain, including scoliosis, sciatica, and herniated discs.
- Blood pressure: Yale School of Medicine found “significantly reduced” systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in hypertension patients who practiced yoga and meditation therapies—results that were comparable to drug therapy. Increased circulation and oxygenation of the blood are important outcomes of a continuous yoga practice.
- Depression and anxiety: Boston University’s School of Medicine discovered a 27% increase of the neurotransmitter GABA within the brain after just one sixty-minute yoga practice. Low levels of GABA have been tied to anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Yoga’s mood-enhancing benefits are similar to those for asthma—slowing the breath and heart rate to reduce the body’s stress response.
- Insomnia: Regular physical activity has been proven to improve sleep, and yoga is no exception. Calming for both the body and the mind, restorative yoga poses are often recommended for those finding it difficult to fall or stay asleep. A small study on yoga practitioners at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found “statistically significant improvements” in all aspects of falling, staying, and awaking from sleep.
- Nutrition: The Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported a unique connection between a regular yoga practice and eating healthier. Yoga is believed to increase mindful eating: being aware of why you eat and when to stop. Curiously, no other type of physical activity produced the same mindful eating effects.
Yoga centers that may be helpful to you and your family
Find a studio near you...
Here is a list of yoga studios that have yoga classes for kids of all ages, from babies to teens, as well as prenatal classes for soon-to-be moms in and near to Boston.