Health Zone..some health tips for your little one! Babys health It's a bugs life! Did you know that some bacteria are benificial to your health. Friendly bacteria are found in foods such as live yoghurts and fermented milk drinks_and they can actually prevent illness. These foods can also stave off stomach upsets and diarrhoea, especially those caused by antibiotics. Ears Recurrent ear infections are very distressing and many parents worry about the long term effects on their childs speech and language. But 2 seperate studies in the US have suggested that even severe infections have no effect on childrens development. Both studies compared children who had a history of ear infections with those of children who'd had no problems and found no difference in their speech, language or cognitive skills. However, if you think your child has an ear infection it's always best to get it checked out as if left untreated it can cause damage to the ear cavity and result in hearing loss. Head on To keep cradle cap at bay, gently rub a little olive oil into your babys scalp before you wash his hair. Mouthwash safety Mouth wash may seem harmless but could be dangerous to your child. According to a report in the british medical journal, a 3 yr old was rushed to hospital unconscious after swallowing some. The boy recovered with treatment but when the mouthwash was analysed it contained nearly as much alcahol as a bottle of spirits. Keep mouthwash out of babys reach and for extra safety buy one which is alcahol free. Did you know Weight for weight , a newborn needs 3x more calories than an adult Top tip smear vaseline under your babys nose to help prevent chapped skin if he has a cold. Pop goes the vitamins. Children as young as 2 are deficient in essential vitamins because they drink too many fizzy drinks, say researchers in the US_and parents aren't aware that this could be damaging their childrens health. The study showed that many under fives get well below the recommended daily amounts of vitamin A and calcium, among other vital vitamins and minerals, mainly because of the lack of milk and fruit juice in their diets. Walky worry. In britain, more than 3000 babies end up in casualty every year with an injury inflicted while using a baby walker. Generally parents are advised to avoid baby walkers as findings suggest that they discourage babies from supporting their own weight and place their legs in an unatural position and may do more harm than good. Chilly troubles Theres no need to feel guilty about when you rushed out in the cold with baby for milk/bread etc. Colds are caused by a virus not the cold or wet...needless to say though you should still wrap baby up from those winter elements. WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR! *He's very hot or cold *Her breathings fast and laboured *He refuses more than 2 feeds *He vomits persistantly or forcefully *He has diarrhoea for more than one day *He has an unusual rash. PHONE AN AMBULANCE IF: *He turns blue/has a convulsion *you can't wake him *He stops breathing *You think he's dehydrated( dry mouth, sunken eyes/fontanelle, lethargy, and urine abscence