Upgraded Toddler Eczema Bath Treatments
Thats the standard procedure for Soak and Seal, but what if your child has had a MASSIVE flareup and you need to kick up the potency of your evening bath? Try one of these upgraded toddler eczema treatments:
- Sprinkle baking soda into the bath water.
- Kill off any bacteria triggering this toddler eczema by adding ¼ cup of bleach to a half-full tub of water. Soak your toddler for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Do this 2-3 times a week, but since some people can be sensitive to bleach or chlorine fumes, you should check with your doctor before using this method. I wouldnt add any toys to the tub, and watch carefully to make sure he doesnt drink the water. Bath crayons are a good 10-minute distraction here!
- If your toddler cries that the bathwater is stinging his open sores, add 1 cup of table salt to the lukewarm water. It will make a big difference!
Simple Toddler Eczema Treatment #: Smarter Bath Time
Ditching the fragrances and taking a long hard look at your toddlers diet are great treatments, but they are largely preventative. What do you do when your toddlers eczema has already flared up?
Stick that little man in a bath.
Dry skin isnt dry because it doesnt have enough oil, its dry because its not retaining water. Enter something amazing called Soak and Seal. Heres how it works on toddler eczema:
If your child has eczema on his hands, follow this procedure and then encourage him to put on his superhero/princess cotton gloves before climbing into bed for the night.
Could It Be Cows Milk Protein Allergy
Babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one another.
If you think that your baby has eczema, it could be CMPA.You may have even noticed other symptoms , which may affect other parts of your babys body.
For a simple and easy way to check common symptoms associated with CMPA, you can use our symptom checker.
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A Note About Soy Milk
There is a lot of conflicting evidence on the consumption of soy products, such as tofu, edamame and soy milk, and there is limited research on their effects in children. The debate stems from soy containing isoflavones or phytoestrogens, which are chemically similar to estrogen. On a positive note, soy has been linked to lowering the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and breast cancer, but because it resembles estrogen, it has also been thought to be associated with infertility. The AAP states that there is no conclusive evidence in animal or human studies that soy will have a negative effect on development, immune, thyroid or reproductive functions. We agree that more studies in children are needed before a definite recommendation can be made, but as many cultures have been safely eating soy products for years, soy is likely safe to consume in moderation as part of a well-balanced, diverse diet.
Are You Using Pediasure As A Substitute For Real Food
The kids I am talking about are generally healthy but eat a lot of processed, pro-inflammatory foods as well as PediaSure® . The children with medical issues like a G-tube or poor growth are in an entirely different category because these kids need high-density calories in a small volume of liquid. I wrote a post on G-tubes, PediaSure® , and pureed whole foods for these families.
But if you are a parent who is giving your child PediaSure® to be sure she is getting adequate vitamins and minerals from her food, this information are for you.
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How One Mouthful Of Pediasure Changed My Clinical Practice
Despite my gnawing hunger, I immediately threw the bottle away. There was no way I was putting that chemical tasting, sugar laden drink into my body. And to throw away a perfectly good can of ANYTHING goes fully against my nature I normally dont waste a thing.
From that day forward, anytime a family came to see me in the clinic and the child was on PediaSure® , I did everything in my integrative pediatric power to get them off of it.
First, we would move them onto smoothies made with real food. Next, we would decrease the amount of processed foods they were eating. And ultimately, we would get them predominantly eating fresh whole foods with smoothies used as an adjunct to a healthy diet.
Once these kids were off processed foods, the clarity, energy, and vibrancy astounded everyone who knew them.
Nutritional Comparison Of Pediasure Vanilla And Dr Kilbanes Liquid Vitality
This is a very crude comparison of the nutrient content between Dr. Kilbanes Liquid Vitality and PediaSure® . I used an online nutrient calculator www.nutritiondata.self.com.
Albeit a rough estimate, I thought it was important to walk you all through this exercise to see what nutrients nature puts together versus what man synthesizes in a lab.
I do not advocate using protein powders for children, so I kept it out of this recipe and gave a nut butter option, which would add 3 to 4 grams of protein depending upon which type of nut butter is used. I dont even like using the processed milks , but as I transition many of my patients onto real foods and off of dairy, these milks give smoothies the creaminess the kids were previously getting with yogurt or cows milk.
Even though we do not have a true PediaSure® equivalent here, I think this is a great start! When I am seeing patients in my clinic, I make up the nutrient difference using whole food supplements, Vitamin D , and a small handful of other supplements that help to fill in the gap that you see between the PediaSure® and Dr. Kilbanes Liquid Vitality.
So hop on over to my site where I have more information on nutrition, and health in general. You can also sign up for my newsletter and online course.
If you want to become a patient, youll find all the information you need there, too. To inquire about becoming a patient call 704-708-4404.
A special thanks to the following health coaches for their input:
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The Best Time To Healtoddler Eczema Is Now
Remember the old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?
That is absolutely the case when it comes to toddler eczema. If you know that your child has struggled with eczema in the past, the best time to prevent the next outbreak is now.
Start tossing out those triggering soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents. Start adjusting his diet and remove the cows milk for lunch and replace it with a deliciously sweet cup of goats milk formula instead.
Then stock up on ointments and fluffy towels for your Soak and Seal emergency toddler eczema treatment plan.
Wouldnt it be nice if your toddler no longer had to wear his cranky pants all the time?
Getting ahead of your toddlers eczema NOW is the key to watching him spend most of the day lounging in his happy pants. Or giggle pants. Or even, my personal favorite, his napping pants.
Yeah, those pants are O-mazing.
What Milk Substitute Is Best For Toddlers
The best milk substitute for toddlers is one that your child is not allergic to. It will also contain a good assortment of nutrients they need to grow like calcium.
Theres a long list of plant-based milk alternatives. While soy milk may be good for some children, almond milk may be the best for others. To decide what milk substitute is best for your toddler make a quick list of pros and cons.
Start with checking the allergen label and go from there.
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Simple Toddler Eczema Treatment #: Toss Out Fragrances
The first thing the dermatologist said when I brought Elena and Bella in was to go through my bathroom cabinets and clean house.
Here are the things he asked me to toss:
Its time to pay attention to those labels, ladies!
Do Not Switch Babys Milk Without Consulting Your Doctor First
Watching your baby suffer and struggle with sleep is extremely difficult. Nonetheless, you must absolutely stay calm and avoid making any rash decisions that could do more harm than good this includes switching over to plant-based milk without a doctors advice.
Alternatives to cows milk are recommended by doctors only in certain cases, such as a proven allergy to cows milk proteins.
An allergy to cows milk proteins can be tested
The doctor will conduct exams that include tests . Additional tests may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis .
ADVICE CATEGORIES
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Reading The Nutrition Labels/ingredients
This chart compares nutrition content and ingredients for several dairy alternatives:
If you look at the ingredient information on each type of milk, youll see where Ive changed the font to emphasize various groups within the ingredients. Basically, each of the dairy alternatives is composed of a combination of 3 or 4 types of ingredients. Its good to be aware of each of these ingredients when gauging how you or your little is reacting to the drink:
If there is no allergy or sensitivity to the base ingredient, it should not present a problem. Although some of the base ingredients are more nutritious than others , the ingredients have been pretty highly processed so that a lot of the original nutrient content is probably diminished.
2. Some have an added oil in order to increase the fat content
I personally prefer to avoid the milk that has added oil to make up fat content because the oils used have a high ratio of omega-6s compared to omega-3s. Although we need some omega 6 fatty acids, the standard American diet is very heavy in omega-6 fats compared to omega-3s which can lead to inflammation. Vegetable oils are also highly processed, using chemicals for extraction as well as heat which can damage the oil. The amount of oil in dairy alternatives is not a lot, but its still good to be aware of the facts- especially when dealing with an inflammatory condition.
3. Added vitamins and minerals
4.Thickening agents
A Beginners Guide To Dairy Free Cooking For Eczema Babies And Kids
Dairy allergies are a common trigger for eczema in babies, children and adults. In some cases, eczema can be largely controlled by avoiding milk. Allergic reactions, including eczema and asthma, are associated with milk proteins rather than the lactose content .
Some eczema children are able to use goats milk due to the different proportions of the proteins, whereas others are allergic to both cow and goat milk so its worthwhile excluding all dairy products in the first instance. Cutting milk out can seem daunting, hopefully, our beginners guide to dairy-free cooking for babies and kids will show that, with a bit of home cooking and careful shopping, its not that hard. And it can make such a difference to your childs eczema.
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Organic Baby Formula: The Bottom Line
Breast milk is absolutely the best choice when it is possible. Good lactation consultants can help moms who are struggling with breast feeding to work through most problems. You can find trained lactation consultants in your area here.
Many times, an underlying tongue or lip tie can be the cause of breast feeding problems and a professional specifically trained in correcting these is needed.
For the cases where breastfeeding is truly not possible, and donor milk is not an option, homemade baby formula can be an alternative to store-bought highly processed formula to provide baby necessary nutrients. It wouldnt be my first choice, but if I was unable to breastfeed at any point, it is the option Id turn to.
What was your experience? Were you able to nurse or did you have to turn to other options? Please share below!
Does Milk Aggravate Eczema
Some studies show that these might make eczema worse especially for babies and children. Peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, fish, and eggs are the most common culprits. Because kids need a well-rounded diet, dont stop giving them foods you think might cause eczema flares. Talk to a pediatrician or dermatologist first.
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What Kind Of Milk Is Good For Eczema
What kind of milk is good for eczema? The allergens in goats milk or sheeps milk are so similar to cows milk that they are not usually advised to be given as a cows milk alternative for eczema. Occasionally older children with mild eczema will find their skin is better with sheeps or goats milk rather than cows milk.
Can you drink milk if you have eczema? Dairy products are a common source of food allergies, and consuming dairy may make eczema symptoms worse if youre allergic. As a result, many people who experience eczema exclude dairy from their diet.
Is drinking oat milk good for eczema? Aside from hugely nourishing dry and eczema-prone skin due to oat milks anti-inflammatory qualities, which enables the skin to be gently exfoliated, there are so many benefits of oat milk on a plethora of skin types.
Does milk make eczema worse? Some studies show that these might make eczema worse especially for babies and children. Peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, fish, and eggs are the most common culprits. Because kids need a well-rounded diet, dont stop giving them foods you think might cause eczema flares. Talk to a pediatrician or dermatologist first.
What Can I Feed My Toddler With A Milk Allergy
You can feed your toddler with a milk allergy any kind of non-dairy milk, hypoallergenic toddler formula, or whole foods.
At this point, toddlers dont need as much milk as babies. You may not need to search for a cow milk substitute for a one-year-old. Big kids will thrive off of foods that have all the nutrients they need.
Try allowing them to wash down dinner with one milk at a time until they find one that they enjoy.
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Dairy Recommendations For Toddlers
Dairy provides fat, protein, vitamins and minerals for infants and young children. In infancy, the majority of calories come from breast milk or formula, but starting at age one, you can start to introduce cows milk into their diet. Dairy is still an important source of dietary fat, which continues to be important for brain development. From 1 to 2 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers consume two servings of dairy per day, which is the equivalent of 16 ounces of milk.
Most children will continue on whole cows milk until age 2, but in some cases, the AAP recommends starting reduced-fat milk between 12 months and 2 years of age in children who are at risk of being overweight, or whose families have a history of obesity, heart disease or high cholesterol. From 2 to 3 years of age, approximately 2.5 servings of dairy is recommended daily and your child can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk.
Some children, however, may not drink any milkand thats okay, especially if they consume good sources of calcium and vitamin D from other sources, including cheese and yogurt. In fact, many pediatricians dont want children to drink more than 16 to 20 ounces of milk a day, because milk can fill children up, preventing them from eating more nutritious foods. Additionally, too much milk consumption could also lead to iron deficiency and subsequent anemia.
So what consitutes a serving of dairy?
My First Encounter With Pediasure
I was on a long road trip some three years out of pediatric residency and miscalculated how much food I needed to make it from Charlotte, North Carolina to Kelleys Island, Ohio. When I ran out of real food I was famished and forced to purchase something at a West Virginia gas station.
I bought a bottle of PediaSure®. Odd, right?! It seemed like the only reasonable choice among a sea of chips, candy bars, and jerky. Despite being a pediatrician, until that moment I had never laid hands on a bottle of PediaSure®, which is also why I had never read the label.
I opened the bottle and began drinking before I finished pumping my gas. What ensued looked like a scene from a Jim Carrey movie. I gagged and nearly spewed the liquid contents all over my car. Then I read the ingredient list.
If you cant pronounce the product ingredients, put it back on the shelf.
~Sheila Kilbane, MD
How many of these PediaSure® ingredients can you pronounce and would you cook with at home?
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Heres An Example Of Almond Milk For Toddlers Pros And Cons:
Pros
- Contains iron, calcium, and potassium naturally
- Low in fat
Cons
- Not great for people with nut allergies especially if you dont get a brand made in a controlled environment.
- Not suitable for babies under one year of age
The biggest decision for suitable milk often comes down to calcium. Its great that almond milk contains calcium naturally. Other milk alternatives like soy have calcium added in, thats what fortified means.
Other calcium alternatives to milk, for toddlers, include cereal, bread, leafy vegetables, and juice. So dont feel limited to just one option for nutrition.
You dont have to choose one milk to be the best. Create an overall diet full of everything your toddler needs. This could mean drinking more than one kind of milk substitute.