Alternative Health

Nutrition

Your child should be learning to feed himself. He will use his fingers and maybe start using a spoon. This will be messy. Make sure to cut the food up into small pieces so your child won’t choke. Children need nutritious snacks like cheese, fruit, and vegetables. Do not use food as a reward.

By now, most toddlers should be using a cup only. If your child is still using a bottle, it will soon start to cause problems with his teeth and might cause ear infections. A child at this age will be sad to give up a bottle, so try to replace it with another treasured item–perhaps a teddy bear or blanket. Never let a baby take a bottle to bed.

Development

Toddlers are very curious and want to be the boss. This is normal. If they are safe, this is a time to let your child explore new things. As long as you are there to protect your child, let him satisfy his curiosity. Stuffed animals, toys for pounding, pots, pans, measuring cups, empty boxes, and Nerf balls are some examples of toys your child may enjoy.

Toddlers start to have temper tantrums at about this age. Trying to reason with or punish your child may actually make the tantrum last longer. It is best to make sure your toddler is in a safe place and then ignore the tantrum. You can best ignore by not looking directly at him and not speaking to him or about him to others when he can hear what you are saying.

Toddlers may want to imitate what you are doing. Sweeping, dusting, or washing play dishes can be fun for children.

Normal Development: 15 months

Reading to your child should be a part of every day. Children that have books read to them learn more quickly. Choose books with interesting pictures and colors.

Safety Tips

Avoid Choking and Suffocation

* Keep plastic bags, balloons, and small hard objects out of reach.

* Use only unbreakable toys without sharp edges or small parts that can come loose.

* Cut foods into small pieces. Avoid foods on which a child might choke (popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs, chewing gum).

Prevent Burns and Fires

* Keep lighters and matches out of reach.

* Don’t let your child play near the stove.

* Use the back burners on the stove with the pan handles out of reach.

* Turn the water heater down to 120[degrees]F (49[degrees]C).

Car Safety

* Never leave your child alone in the car.

* Use an approved toddler car seat correctly and wear your seat belt.

Pedestrian Safety

* Hold onto your child when you are around traffic.

* Supervise outside play areas.

Prevent Drowning

* Never leave an infant or toddler in a bathtub alone–NEVER.

* Continuously watch your child around any water, including toilets and buckets. Keep toilet seats down, never leave water in an unattended bucket, and store buckets upside down.

Poisons

* Keep all medicines, vitamins, cleaning fluids, etc. locked away.

* Put the poison center number on all phones.

* Ask your doctor about syrup of Ipecac. Use it only if you are told to do so.

* Purchase all medicines in containers with safety caps.

* Do not store poisons in drink bottles, glasses, or jars.

Immunizations

At the 15-month visit, your child may receive shots. Your child may run a fever and be irritable for about 1 day and may have soreness, redness, and swelling in the area where the shots were given. You may give acetaminophen drops (1 dropperful, or 0.8 ml, every 4 to 6 hours) to prevent fever and irritability. For swelling or soreness, put a wet, warm washcloth on the area of the shots as often and as long as needed to provide comfort.

Latin name: Piper methysticum

A Remedy For

Anxiety

Insomnia

Nervousness
In the past, Kava Kava has been taken for a host of ailments on which it has no appreciable effect, including asthma, arthritis, indigestion, cystitis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. For tension and sleeplessness, however, it is now considered a proven remedy.

What It Is; Why It Works
One of the “new” herbs that have recently gained considerable media attention, Kava Kava has actually been around for centuries in the South Seas, where it’s used as a ceremonial beverage. The plant’s fleshy underground stem is mildly intoxicating when chewed. Prepared as a nonalcoholic drink, it is said to foster a sense of contentment and well-being, while sharpening the mind, memory, and senses.
Research shows that the active ingredients in Kava Kava (kava pyrones) do in fact have a calming, sedative effect. They also appear to relax the muscles, relieve spasms, and prevent convulsions. At least two scientific studies have confirmed the herb’s ability to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety. In a third study, researchers rated it as effective as prescription tranquilizers.

Avoid If…
Do not use Kava Kava if you are pregnant or nursing. Also avoid it if you have a depressive disorder; it can deepen a depressed mood.

Special Cautions
When first taking Kava Kava, you may notice a slightly tired feeling in the mornings.
In rare cases, Kava Kava can cause an allergic reaction, a slight yellowing of the skin, gastrointestinal complaints, impaired or abnormal movement, loss of balance, pupil dilation, and difficulty focusing. Because of the possibility of visual disturbances, drive with caution while using this herb.

High doses of the herb have been known to trigger hepatitis. Heavy long-term use can also cause an unusual scaly rash, and may lead to unwanted weight loss. Do not take this herb for more than 3 months without consulting a physician.

Possible Drug Interactions Do not take Kava Kava when using other substances that act on the brain, such as alcohol, barbiturates, or other mood-altering drugs. It may increase their effect. Be especially wary of taking it with the tranquilizer Xanax; the combination has caused coma.
Kava Kava also has an antagonistic effect on dopamine. If you are taking a levodopa-based medication for Parkinson’s disease, avoid this herb.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Remember, Kava Kava should be avoided during pregnancy and nursing.

How To Prepare
Commercial extracts are the predominant form of Kava Kava. The crushed root can also be used.

Typical Dosage
Daily doses delivering between 50 and 240 milligrams of the active ingredients are the customary recommendation. Commercial capsules containing between 150 and 300 milligrams of root extract may be taken twice a day. Because the potency of commercial preparations may vary, follow the manufacturer’s directions whenever available.

Overdosage
An overdose is usually signaled by a lack of coordination, followed by tiredness and a tendency to sleep. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.