Uber Links (10/11/2008)
Acetaminophen is Bad for Babies
The use of acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) in the first year of life is associated with an increased risk for asthma, eczema and allergic runny nose.
Flu Shots for Young Children are Useless
Reports show the flu vaccine may not be effective in preventing health problems in young children.
Fans Lower Risk of Sudden Baby Death (SIDS)
It’s the circulating fresh air that helps. Hmm, interesting. This lines up with the toxic mattress theory.
When Abigail starting teething, I bought some Infant Tylenol. I thought it might come in handy late at night or something. The one time I went to use it I was looking for the dosage recommendation for her age, and there wasn’t one. It said to consult a doctor. I then realized that it was “concentrated”, meaning more medicine per drop. I was so frustrated for having bought what I thought was infant Tylenol that I couldn’t use on my infant. Since then I am so glad I didn’t, I have never like taking meds of any kind, though I am definitely not completely opposed to it, and am very cautious of them with Abigail. I also wish you could simply just trust that what’s put on the shelf is safe!
I have always tried to be very cautious with giving my kids any type of medication. Especially when they are under 1. I’ve only used Hyland’s Teething Tablets for them during teething times. We’ve used Tylenol very rarely, and not at all with our 1 year old. Our 3 year old has had it a few times. You have to be really careful with medicines now since so many of them are becoming “unapproved”. However, this Medicine Cabinet at Dr. Sears website has been very helpful for us in knowing the correct dosages when they aren’t on the bottle. http://askdrsears.com/html/8/T089900.asp#T089902
I try to use all of these remedies instead of OTCs as much as possible. Another great one from our pediatrician is chewing gum with Xylitol in it (Trident) for stuffy noses, sore throats, it helps get stuff moving and keeps the ear tubes open and happy. It works like a charm and we just give our 5 year old a pack whenever she gets a cold to chew when her ears/nose/throat feel yucky and it works like a charm. I do it now when I have a cold too!