How to Care for Your Baby's Teeth

The habits your children learn as babies will help them keep their teeth for life. Good habits promote good health.

During pregnancy it is really important for you to have a dental check-up to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. This is because babies are not born with the decay-causing bacteria. The bacteria is passed to them from others, especially parents. This can happen through kissing, food tasting and cleaning their dummy in your own mouth.

Really good cleaning of your own teeth and gums every day will help to stop passing bacteria to your baby and help keep your baby's teeth healthy. As a parent, have regular dental check-ups.
When will my baby get their teeth?

The teeth will usually start to come through between 3 and 15 months of age. Usually the front teeth come through first, the back ones later. By the time your baby is two and a half years old all 20 first teeth should have come through.

When your child is about six years old, new teeth called the "six year old molars" will pop up at the very back. These new teeth are adult teeth that have to last for the rest of your child's life.

What will I do when my baby starts to get teeth?

As soon as baby's teeth begin to come through clean them with either a small toothbrush or a clean face washer. Be sure to do this at least once a day.

How can I help at teething time?

Giving your child something cold to chew on helps. You could try using a teething ring from the fridge. If you give your child teething rusks, make sure they don't contain any sugars and stay with them while they suck or chew them.

First teeth are very important because they:

* allow your baby to chew more solid food
* help in the development of your baby's speech
* make baby look good
* keep space for when the adult teeth are ready to come through.

What causes holes in my baby's teeth?

The biggest cause of holes in babies teeth is putting them to bed with a bottle that has a sugary drink or fruit juice or even milk in it—in fact anything but water. This can cause what is called "bottle caries". Letting your baby walk around with these drinks in a bottle, or a training cup, all day also causes holes.

Why?

The sugary drinks, milk and juice lie around the teeth all night, and maybe all day, slowly rotting the teeth away. This can happen so quickly (maybe just a few months) that the teeth may look like they have come through rotten because the decay starts near the gum. We could call this toddler tooth decay.

How can I stop my baby getting holes in their teeth?

Follow this checklist to help your baby have healthy teeth for life:

* Use the bottle only when your baby is hungry. When they have had enough to eat, take the bottle away.
* Encourage your baby to use a cup as early as possible
* Please don't let your baby eat lollies and sugary foods between meals, although something sweet at the end of a meal is OK. It is a good idea to read the labels on all foods to see how much sugar they contain.
* Clean your baby's teeth every day.
* Look in your child's mouth regularly to check for any problems.
* Take your baby for a dental check-up when they are about two years old.
* Remember to keep your own teeth and gums healthy.

If you don't have fluoride in the water supply you should ask your dentist or dental therapist for advice on other possible ways to provide enough fluoride to make your child's teeth tough.

When teaching your child how to brush their teeth, seat them on your lap facing away from you and brush their teeth from behind, using a small soft toothbrush and junior toothpaste.

What about breast feeding, bottles and sippy cups?

Breast feeding is good for your baby's teeth. If you give your baby a bottle, always hold the baby when you feed him or her. Do not leave a bottle in the crib. Do not put juice in a bottle.

Your baby can start using a sippy cup when he or she is 6 months old. Stop giving your baby a bottle when he or she is a year old. Do not let your baby walk around with a sippy cup unless it has only water in it. Do not give your baby a sippy cup of juice or milk in the crib.

After your child is one year old, give only water or plain milk between meals instead of other drinks. If you give your child juice or flavored milk (like sweetened milk products), only give it with meals. Juice and flavored milk have a lot of sugar in them.
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?

Start cleaning your baby's teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth appears. Until your child is 1 year old, you can use a wet washcloth or gauze to clean your baby's teeth and gums. At about a 1 year to 18 months of age, you should start using a soft baby toothbrush and a small dab of toothpaste that does not have flouride in it. (This type of toothpaste is safe for your baby to swallow.)
When should I take my baby to the dentist?


Be sure to take your baby to a dentist by his or her first birthday, especially if there is a high risk for cavities or any other problems with his or her teeth. It is better for your child to meet the dentist and see the office before he or she has a tooth problem.

Developing Your Child"s Self-Esteem

Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.

In contrast, for children who have low self-esteem, challenges can become sources of major anxiety and frustration. Children who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If they are plagued by self-critical thoughts, such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response is "I can't." Read on to discover the important role you can play in promoting healthy self-esteem in your child.

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the collection of beliefs or feelings that we have about ourselves, or our "self-perceptions." How we define ourselves influences our motivations, attitudes, and behaviors and affects our emotional adjustment.

Patterns of self-esteem start very early in life. For example, when a baby or toddler reaches a milestone, he or she experiences a sense of accomplishment that bolsters self-esteem. Learning to roll over after dozens of unsuccessful attempts or finally mastering getting the spoon into his or her mouth every time he or she eats are experiences that teach a young child a "can do" attitude. The concept of success following persistence starts early.

As a child tries, fails, tries again, fails again, and then finally succeeds, he or she is developing ideas about his or her own capabilities. At the same time, he or she is creating a self-concept based on interactions with other people. This is why parental involvement is key to helping a child form accurate, healthy self-perceptions.

Self-esteem can also be defined as the combination of feelings of capability with feelings of being loved. A child who is happy with an achievement but does not feel loved may eventually experience low self-esteem. Likewise, a child who feels loved but is hesitant about his or her own abilities can also end up with a low self-esteem. Healthy self-esteem results when the right balance is attained.

Signs of Unhealthy and Healthy Self-Esteem

Self-esteem fluctuates as a child grows. It is frequently changed and fine-tuned, because it is affected by a child's experiences and new perceptions. It helps for parents to be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem.

A child who has low self-esteem may not want to try new things. He or she may frequently speak negatively about his or herself, saying such things as, "I'm stupid," "I'll never learn how to do this," or "What's the point? Nobody cares about me anyway." The child may exhibit a low tolerance for frustration, giving up easily or waiting for somebody else to take over. Children with low self-esteem tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves. Kids with low self-esteem see temporary setbacks as permanent, intolerable conditions. A sense of pessimism predominates.

A child who has healthy self-esteem tends to enjoy interacting with others. He or she is comfortable in social settings and enjoys group activities as well as independent pursuits. When challenges arise, he or she is able to work toward finding solutions. He or she voices discontent without belittling herself or others. For example, rather than saying, "I'm an idiot," a child with healthy self-esteem says, "I don't understand this." He or she knows his or her strengths and weaknesses, and accepts them. A sense of optimism prevails.

What Parents Can Do to Help

How can a parent help to foster healthy self-esteem in a child? Here are some tips that can make a big difference:

* Watch what you say. Children are very sensitive to parents' words. Remember to praise your child not only for a job well done, but also for effort. But be truthful. For example, if your child doesn't make the soccer team, avoid saying something like, "Well, next time you'll work harder and make it." Instead, say something like, "Well, you didn't make the team, but I'm really proud of the effort you put into it." Reward effort and completion instead of outcome.

* Be a positive role model. If you are excessively harsh on yourself, pessimistic, or unrealistic about your abilities and limitations, your child may eventually mirror you. Nurture your own self-esteem, and your child will have a great role model.

* Identify and redirect your child's inaccurate beliefs. It's important for parents to identify kids' irrational beliefs about themselves, whether they are about perfection, attractiveness, ability, or anything else. Helping your child set more accurate standards and be more realistic in evaluating himself or herself will help your child have a more healthy self-concept. Inaccurate perceptions of self can take root and become reality to a child. For example, a child who does very well in school but struggles with math may say, "I can't do math. I'm a bad student." Not only is this a false generalization, it's also a belief that will set your child up for failure. Encourage your child to see the situation in its true light. A helpful response might be: "You are a good student. You do great in school. Math is just a subject that you need to spend more time on. We'll work on it together."

* Be spontaneous and affectionate with your child. Your love will go a long way to boost your child's self-esteem. Give your child hugs. Tell your child you're proud of him or her. Leave a note in your child's lunch box that reads, "I think you're terrific!" Give praise frequently and honestly, without overdoing it. Kids can tell whether something comes from the heart.

* Give positive, accurate feedback. A comment such as, "You always work yourself up into such a frenzy!" will cause a child to start believing he or she has no control over his or her outbursts. A better statement is, "You were really mad at your brother. But I appreciate that you didn't yell at him or hit him." This acknowledges your child's feelings and rewards the choice that your child made, encouraging your child to make the right choice again next time.

* Create a safe, nurturing home environment. A child who does not feel safe or is being abused at home will suffer immensely from low self-esteem. A child who is exposed to parents who fight and argue repeatedly may become depressed and withdrawn. Always remember to respect your child.

* Make your home a safe haven for your family. Watch for signs of abuse by others, problems in school, trouble with peers, and other potential factors that may affect your child's self-esteem. Deal with these issues sensitively but swiftly.

* Help your child become involved in constructive experiences. Activities that encourage cooperation rather than competition are especially helpful in fostering self-esteem. For example, mentoring programs in which an older child helps a younger one learn to read can do wonders for both children.

Finding Professional Help

If you suspect your child has low self-esteem, you can get professional help. Family and child counselors can work to uncover underlying issues that are preventing your child from feeling good about himself or herself. Therapy can adjust the way a child views himself or herself and the world. This can enable a child to first see himself or herself in a more realistic light, and then to accept who he or she truly is. With a little help, every child can develop healthy self-esteem for a happier, more fulfilling life.

Gaming Addiction

The "Violence" theme in most computer games is a hot topic for discussion & debate not only with Indian parents & but from Parents all over the world. Yes, there are a lot of games which show killings in graphic details.

And all it takes is a just few clicks for your child to get hooked on to them.

But it's not really 'the element of violence' that a child is getting hooked on here-it's the sense of having power and being in control. It is a known & accepted fact that computer games are addicting, specially the ones which have 'violence themes'.
Why are some computer games so violent?

Games are violent because that's what the kids prefer. Research & surveys indicated that children prefer violent video games involving human or fantasy violence. Very few kids prefer educational games. So it stands to reason that the more violent the game is, the better it will sell. Kids are no longer interested in simple animation, and educational games.


What effects do Violent games have on children?
Advantages v/s Disadvantages

Some experts believe that violent games are a means of interaction between children. It can be a release of violence and aggression which they may have within them. While many believe these games make children oriented towards violence. Some also believe these games make kids uncompassionate and insensitive towards death. Violent games are generally action packed & Manufacturers of such games insist that their games Improve coordination, reflexes, and skills ! A point which educational games manufacturers disagree with. Violent games can hold children ( & even adults !) spellbound in amazement. This can lead to them sitting on the computer for hours and hours sometimes leading to neck problems and eye damage.



GAME ADDICTION-Some signs to watch out for.

* Is your child playing computer games most of the time?
* Is your child playing for long periods?
* Doesn't like to play outdoor games like before?
* Get restless if they can't play?
* You make him get up but he/she comes back to the PC?
* plays instead of doing homework?
* sacrifices social activities, friends.
* Doesn't watch his favorite TV programmers like before, want to be play on the computer.
* School report shows & teachers begin to complain.


If the answer is "yes" to most of these questions, your child may be playing video games excessively and limits should be placed. The best way to help avoid addiction is to take breaks and set time limits allotted for playing. Most children cannot set their own limits so it is up to the parents to set restrictions and take notice of how much their child plays such games.

What does it all mean?

For many, computer games are usually fun and relaxing. But for some, games can become consuming and addicting, taking away from day to day activities and social behavior. So what is the best way to keep the situation under control? Banning materials is definitely not the answer. Probably the most important aspect to take note of is:

Like We always insist, " PARENTS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY"
What can be done?

If you believe that computer games are bad for your kids you might be closing your child to a world that teaches them many good things. This is because good computer games can enhance computer skills and may be a way to make your child interested in computers. There are enough games that are not ultra violent but can be as interesting & and enjoyable as violent games.

Encourage your children to play Educational games.

You will find lots of interesting educational games for your kids on grammar, math, sports, spellings etc. You as a parent may sometimes have to tolerate a certain amount of violence in games. For example some amount of shooting in games is okay. As a parent you should know where to draw the line for your child.

Play with the kids.


Your kids love games & they love you too. So, why not pull a chair & sit with them & enjoy. Yes, your little kid will love it, especially when they beat you hands down. And you too would get to learn something about games and computers.
Set the time limit.


You have to set time limits & see that your child follows it. Be strict if necessary & see they don't neglect their homework.

Keep a watch.

Kids are smart these days. It is possible your smart kid may be enjoying games at his friends home ! Keep a check & remind him not to play violent games.

What about games for girls?
Not surprisingly most girls prefer creative games & dislike violent games. There are games like ' Barbie' which girls love. Girls also enjoy games on coloring, words & puzzles, grammar.


Remember that all games are not bad. Nor do all games incite violence. What is important is find good games & monitor your child when he plays on the PC. Like we always say,You, as a parent must be aware of what's there in the game and spend some time checking them out before you let your kids see the game. Parental involvement is always a MUST. There is no substitute .

web games @ http://binbrain.com/games/

Health Benefits of Eating Fish

It is important to include fish and shellfish within an healthy diet. Seafood provides protein, fats and oils, vitamins and minerals and fish is a unique source of the Omega 3 fatty acid. In terms of nutritional value to the human body; fish can be classified into different groups, with each group providing a slightly different nutritional value than the next.

White Fish

Demersal fish feed in deep water or on the seabed. Examples of such fish are cod, haddock, plaice, whiting, sole, coley and monkfish. Their meat tends to be white and relatively low in fats. Nutritionally, the demersal group provide mainly protein. Demersal fish in general do not have a lot of lipid in their flesh, generally lipid stores are found in the liver. The high levels of lipid found in the liver of the Gadidae family (including cod, coley and haddock) is exploited to produce cod liver oil, a rich source of the Omega 3 long chain polyunsaturates as well as vitamins A and D.


Oil Rich Fish

Pelagic fish feed near the surface and have higher levels of lipid in their flesh giving them a non-white colour, they are often referred to as 'fatty', 'oily' or 'oil-rich' fish.. Examples of pelagic species are sprats, pilchard, tuna, herring and mackerel. Nutritionally trout and salmon are very similar to pelagic fish. Levels of protein in pelagic fish are similar to those in demersal fish.

The major proteins in fish are actin and myosin, which combine in muscle to form actomyosin. The amino acid composition of fish protein is such that it can provide the sole source of protein for humans. The actual amino acid pattern is comparable to that of other proteins of high biological value, such as beef, egg or milk protein.
Shellfish

The term "Shellfish" is often used to describe a very broad range of aquatic organisms. All living organisms are classified / identified using the same methods. They are grouped according to their biological appearance and structure and genetic make up.

The nutrient content of shellfish is much more variable than in fish and true comparison is difficult since analytical data is not available on all species in the same state. Generally, protein levels are a little lower and lipid levels a little higher than in demersal fish. Shrimp and crab are notable for a relatively high amount of lipid (2.5-5.5g/100g) and oysters and scallops for a significant amount of carbohydrate (2.7-3.4g/100g). There is no doubt that the crustaceans as a group contain quite high levels of cholesterol. Prawns in particular contain about 195mg of cholesterol per 100g of meat. In the context of a recommended maximum cholesterol intake of 300-600mg per day, this is significant, though it is still less than the cholesterol contained in an egg. At one stage it was thought that molluscs also contained high levels of cholesterol however this was caused by an analytical error. What was identified as cholesterol is now known to include other plant derived sterols or phytosterols. Cholesterol levels in molluscs range from 40-60mg in mussels, scallops and oysters up to 150-200mg in cuttlefish and squid. The phytosterols, though not yet widely studied are considered to be beneficial in the diet since they interfere with the absorption of cholesterol.
Vitamins Provided by Fish

Fish and shellfish are best known as sources of the fat soluble vitamins A and D, though they can also provide significant amounts of some B vitamins. Seafoods generally provide little or no vitamin C. The B vitamins are represented to varying extents, with the supply of thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine being the most significant nutritionally. 100g portions of most seafoods will supply 10% or more of the adult Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for these nutrients. Seafoods are especially rich in vitamin B12, supplying 100% or more of the adult RNI in a 100g portion.
Minerals Provided by Fish

Seafoods are better known nutritionally for the dietary minerals they supply than for vitamins. This is because minerals such as iodine and selenium, which are supplied by seafoods are not readily available at the same levels in many other non-marine foods. In general the balance between sodium and potassium is favourable in fish. In shellfish there is more sodium so the ratio is not so favourable. Calcium levels are low in most seafoods, though sprats, sardines and oysters are exceptions. Iron levels are also generally low, however iron is easily absorbed from white fish, and is therefore a useful dietary source. The level of iron in molluscs is similar to that of red meat. Zinc is also especially rich in molluscs, particularly oysters. Seafood is the richest source of iodine in the normal diet and one or two seafood meals per week will supply 100-200mcg per day, enough to meet the adult RNI of 140mcg.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Fish also contains the right type of fats, known as Omega 3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fats that have a range of health benefits. In the human diet, omega 3 is a preferred substitute for Omega 6 fatty acids, the fats commonly found in other red meat and plants. The right balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids also seems to be a factor in our getting the most health benefits.

The human body has evolved to run best on a mixture of Omega 3 and Omega 6 type polyunsaturates. While it can survive in the short term without either, long term optimal health requires that both be present in the diet. A growing body of evidence indicates that Omega 3 molecules help maintain cardiovascular health because they play a role in regulating blood clotting and vessel constriction. They may reduce tissue inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Other maladies in which Omega 3 may play a beneficial role include depression and irritable bowel syndrome. Various studies have shown that fairly small amounts of Omega 3 can make a big difference to heart risks. Current thinking is that around 400mg a day is enough to reduce risk quite substantially. You can get it by eating oil-rich fish or by simply taking one or more concentrated fish oil capsules a day. Eating oil-rich fish once or twice a week will make a good contribution towards supplying the right amount of Omega 3 you need to improve general health. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in high concentrations in finfish and shellfish that eat plankton and smaller fish with Omega 3 in their tissues. Good sources are bluefish, striped bass, smelt, shark tuna, salmon, mackerel, oysters, mussels, shrimp and squid.

Signs of Good Quality Fish

Fish is very easy and quick to cook. At Island Seafare all our products are readily prepared for you so that you do not have to worry about how to prepare our products for cooking. We have also produced a recipe book which is available upon request, all recipes are also available on the website. If you have any queries regarding the cooking of your fish do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e.mail and our in house chef will be pleased to pass on his knowledge.

Island Seafare is a company dedicated to quality and we take great pride in the products we produce. At first people were sceptical of receiving seafood by mail order, but we have proved that with our chilled packaging delivered to your door by noon next day the quality in no way suffers. We have also taken into account the higher summer temperatures and to ensure our produce reaches you in the best condition possible we have improved the insulation of our packaging and included extra gel packs to combat the summer temperatures.

What to Look for when Buying Fish Whole Fish

* Clear bright eyes, not sunken
* Bright red gills
* Scales should not be missing
* Skin is moist and feels slightly slippery
* Skin is shiny with bright natural colouring
* Tail is stiff and the flesh feels firm
* Fish has a sea fresh smell
Fillets
* Neat, trim fillets with firm flesh
* Closely packed together
* White fish should have a white translucent colour

Smoked Fish
* Glossy appearance
* Firm flesh, not sticky
* Pleasant, smoky smell
Shellfish

* Shells not cracked or broken
* Shells of oysters and mussels are tightly shut
* Lobsters, crabs and prawns have good colour and be heavy for their size
* Lobsters and crabs have all their limbs

Fish has a shelf life of 10 to 12 days. At Island Seafare we recommend that upon receipt of our products they are kept for a maximum of 5 days in the refrigerator (between 0 and 5 degrees C). Fresh fish should be covered with cling film and stored in the bottom of a refrigerator, it should be eaten as soon as possible. Ready to eat cooked fish such as our hot smoked mackerel, smoked salmon, kippers, prawns, dressed crab and lobster, should be stored on shelves above raw foods to avoid cross contamination. Smoked fish should be well wrapped up and kept separate from other fish to prevent the smell and dye penetrating other foods. Fish should not be stored at temperatures lower than -18 degrees C. In should be thawed overnight in a refrigerator. Defrosting fish in water is not recommended as the taste and texture are easily spoiled and valuable water soluble nutrients are lost.