My 2 year old has eczema... it is a nightmare to watch him suffer. What can I do?
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is the most common skin condition in children under 5. It’s an itchy rash that gets worse when scratched or rubbed. The majority of cases develop during the first year and most often affects children with a family history of allergies. Medical help is essential and treatment usually includes antibiotics and steroid creams for inflammation as well as antihistamines for itching which helps with sleeping at night. If a food allergy is suspected then food testing and an elimination diet is recommended. Dairy and eggs are often the most common food culprits but not always; followed by soy, wheat, peanuts and fish. A recent study shows that vitamin C can be helpful, but check with your doctor. In the meantime here are some things you can do to alleviate your toddler’s symptoms.
1. Prevent scratching by clipping your toddler’s nails very short.
2. Reduce baths to no more than 5 minutes; avoid very hot baths. Don’t use soap on the affected area. Try using a mild cleanser (Dove or Neutrogena). Long baths causes the skin to dehydrate and prune, which disturbs the moisture layer of the skin. Avoid rubbing the skin and pat dry. Apply a doctor recommended moisturiser after the bath. (Do not use vegetable fats or oils).
3. Add a soothing colloidal oatmeal bath product to the bath water or make your own, see below.
4. During a flare-up apply cool compresses, and then moisturise.
5. Choose cotton organic clothes for softness and breathability, rather than wool or synthetics.
6. Be scrupulously hygienic to avoid the open sores from becoming infected. Ensure that any caregiver at school or otherwise is advised of the extra need for hygiene.
7. Wash clothes with a soap based product ie a non bio detergent.
8. Use a humidifier to moisturise the air in the room where he sleeps. Reduce situations which cause sweating.
Make your own oatmeal bath. For toddlers use 1 cup oatmeal (any oats, quick or slow). For babies 1/3 cup.
Blend the oats on the highest setting in a food blender until powder fine. To test whether fine enough, stir 1 tablespoon of the fine oats into a glass of warm water. The oats should readily absorb into the water which then becomes milky and feels silky. If not, continue blending.
Sprinkle the oatmeal into the bath while the tap is still running and swirl around with your hand. Break up any clumps. Note; the oatmeal colloid will make the bath slippery, so support your child so that he doesn’t slip. Bath for 5 minutes. Pat dry with a soft towel.

Nappy Changing Etiquette:

You may think that changing your baby's nappy while out in public is no big deal, but many people are not happy to witness this baby custom.

That's why it's very important to ask yourself, "Who might be offended if I change my baby's nappy right here, right now?" This may seem like a common sense thing to you, but you'd be surprised at how many parents are discourteous of others when it comes to changing their baby's nappies while away from home. You should also consider the health implications for both your baby and those of others.

Parents have been seen changing their baby’s nappies on mall benches, park benches, library floors and other very inappropriate places. Nappies are germy and that's why you should always change your baby in the bathroom wherever possible when you're away from home. Baby changing stations aren't always sanitary, so it’s important to remember your changing mats, like Cherubs Care Mats – they are disposable changing mats which provide a clean, hygienic surface for care-free nappy changes. Give your baby a toy or something to hold onto to so that they don’t touch the wall but also always remember to wash your and your baby’s hands after every nappy change.

If you're at a friend or family member’s house, they probably won't mind if you change your baby's nappy on the floor or bed (as long as you have a change mat) but always ask first.
There will undoubtedly be times where you will have to make do in a less than ideal situation. Use your best judgment and be sanitary. If you're in a pinch or if there is not a bathroom around, go to your car to change your baby or another safe well lit area away from large groups of people. Always carry disposable hand wipes in case there is nowhere that you can wash your hands – we suggest Cherubs Kiddies Wipes, affectionately known as ‘Sticky Fingers’, they are alcohol free and moisturised for gentle yet thorough cleansing.

What to do with the dirty nappy… Well, obviously if your baby wears cloth nappies you’ll need to contain the wet nappy in a plastic bag to take home. Disposables should first be placed in a nappy sack before being thrown in the garbage bin. Nappy sacks are a hygienic and fragrant way to dispose of soiled nappies. Try Cherubs Perfumed Nappy Sacks – they seal in wetness and bacteria, neutralise odours and makes visiting or travelling with baby a pleasure.Why practice nappy etiquette? The bulk of germs are hiding where you least suspect - playground equipment, the phone receiver, ATMs, and elevator buttons. People have a false sense of security when it comes to germs. 80% of infections are spread by hand. The solution is proper hand hygiene. In public places, playground equipment, escalator handrails, shopping trolley handles, picnic tables, and Port-A-Potties are top germ carriers.

Practicing nappy etiquette is just common courtesy. It assures that you won't offend others and most importantly that you don't spread germs!

For further information please contact sales@unsgaard.co.zaOr visit our website at www.cherubs.co.za

Work – The downside of working from home:

I have been lucky enough to be able to carry on with my job from home. But I am finding it really hard to keep my self esteem up. I miss the office banter, and oddly enough, the office politics. When I find myself at lunch time and I am still in my pyjamas, and the shoulders are full of baby throw-up, I just feel disgusted with myself. I feel annoyed that I am so ungrateful because I do realise how lucky I am to be able to work from home. Any suggestions?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. It is hard to remember who you are when you haven’t slept well and you are trying to be everything to everyone. There is no doubt that working from home is not easy. There is no clear cut division between work and home, and so you find yourself torn between the work you are completing and the washing which is waiting to be hung out!
Perhaps what you need is to schedule regular work meetings, say once or twice a week. Find a suitable carer for your child for a couple of hours, and go to the office. It will help to get some routine into your day and motivate you to actually brush your hair!

Other than that you have to be a bit firmer with yourself. You will look back at this time and long for the days when you could still be in your pyjamas at lunch time. But if it makes you feel horrible, then you will have to get your routine a bit tighter and include shower time for the mommy, so that you are dressed and at the computer like a normal working person.

Walking- Helping the process

The first thing you can do is stop putting pressure on baby. The baby will walk when he is ready, and if you try to speed that process up you can actually end us making baby anxious, and then he will take longer to walk as he will have to recover his confidence. This is especially the case if you try and speed him up and he has a nasty fall.

The speed at which you baby takes to walking is related to his genetics, his build and his personality. A plump and quiet little chap is unlikely to walk before a lively bouncy handful of a baby with a thin build. Some babies are willing to explore and risk more easily than others. The other interesting thing is that babies who are accomplished crawlers can take longer to learn to walk, as they may be perfectly content to crawl as it gets them around so well. There are babies that never really enjoy crawling or don’t quite master it. For these babies, the urge to walk may be stronger.

What you can do is make sure that baby has all the opportunities he needs to progress at his own pace. Make your home safe for crawling and for cruising – the furniture walking that babies love so much. Loose rugs, wobbly or delicate furniture and breakables will all have to be put away temporarily. Make your home as easy as possible for baby to thrive in. Let baby go barefoot as much as possible – it helps him to grip and balance without slippery socks or chunky shoes to hinder him. Have study furniture for him to hold onto, and have some pieces of furniture close enough together that he can move across the gaps easily. This is an aid to balance skills.
Sometimes parents rely on things like play pens and walking rings too much, without realising that this can interfere with baby’s progress. Make sure that you baby does not spend more than a little time in each of these every day.

If you baby isn’t walking by the time he is eighteen months old, it is worth having him checked out. The fact is, many babies do not walk till they are close to two, but for your own peace of mind it is a good idea. If there is a problem, picking it early can be a bonus in addressing it.