Avoid Insect Bites

It's the time of year when mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies are abundant. It's much more comfortable for all of us if we can avoid getting bitten by these annoying insects. Aside from the fact that an insect bite can be incredibly uncomfortable, some of the insects carry disease, i.e. malaria, west nile disease, lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and leishmanaisis, etc. Practice bite avoidance by following some or all of the tips listed below to minimize the possibility.

For Mosquito Bite Prevention:

▪ Liberally apply a natural oil based insect repellent when you are going outside. They will stay on your skin longer and mosquitoes do not like oil. If your activity level is high, reapply every hour to hour and a half.
▪ Make sure you apply your bug repellent thoroughly, paying close attention to
the warmer parts of your body, i.e. neck, crook of elbows & wrists.
▪Wear long, loose clothing.
▪ Choose green, brown or white clothing. Do not wear red or pink or blue.
Mosquitoes and other insects love these colors.
▪ If possible, avoid being out at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are more active.
▪ Stay in the sun, mosquitoes prefer dark, damp areas.
▪ Eat garlic or take vitamin B-1. Avoid sugar.
▪ Mosquitoes can sense you more if your breathing is heavy or agitated. They are also attracted to sweat. If possible, stay cool and calm.
▪ Avoid perfumes and colognes.

For Tick Prevention:

▪ Use a bug repellent in the same manner you would do for the prevention of
mosquito bites.
▪ If walking through brush, meadows, leaf piles or forested areas, wear shoes,
socks, long pants tucked into your socks and wear light colors.
▪ Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Carefully remove any you find. It is important to remove a tick properly. Please make sure you call your Physician if you or anyone else in your family feels ill after tick removal.

For Sand Fly Bite Prevention:

▪ Liberally apply a natural bug repellent. If you are swimming, make sure you reapply each time you come out of the water.
▪ Avoid piles of seaweed when walking on the beach as sand flies feed on organic and decaying matter.
▪ Sand Flies are most active at dawn, dusk and when night falls. Protect yourself and your family properly during those times.
▪ If visiting wetlands, swamplands, creeks, and lakebeds, other favorite places of the sand fly, make sure you wear long sleeves and long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks. Spray your skin and your clothing with your bug repellent.

Please remember that if you have been bitten and you are having fevers, chills, excessive swelling or discoloration or any other unusual symptoms that you must see a Doctor. These insects can carry disease or you could have a topical or systemic allergic reaction.

Baby Skin

Newborn skin is delicate -- and so is the baby's immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. However, there are measures you can take to protect your baby from these skin problems.

With newborn skin care ‘less is more’. Pediatricians advise that bathing babies too often, plus too much exposure to chemicals and other potential allergens, can set the stage for skin allergies later in life.

Especially in the early months, use baby products (never adult products) that are dye free, scent free and as pure as possible. Try to use toxin free, 100% organic baby skincare. Baby’s immune system is still developing. If you have a family history of skin problems, allergies, or asthma, it's especially important to protect your baby's immune system -- and protect baby from irritating allergens.

Wash baby's clothing before it's worn. Use only baby laundry detergents that are fragrance and dye-free. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and blankets separately from the family's laundry. Give everything an extra rinse.

Resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Too frequent bathing removes the natural oils that protect baby's skin. That leaves baby's skin vulnerable which could trigger a reaction to allergens and cause skin rashes or eczema.

Other than drool and dirty bottoms, newborns don't get very dirty. For the first month or so, a sponge bath two or three times a week will keep your baby safely clean. In between, simply clean baby’s mouth, neck and diaper area with a little water or baby soap. If you have a very roly-poly infant, make sure to wipe inside all of those little folds and creases and dry and powder well. Remember not to shake the powder shaker vigorously as powder can irritate nasal passages in both baby and you.

Once-a-week sponge baths (or even less) are best for newborns with darker skin tones (like African-American). These infants tend to have dryer skin and have a higher risk of skin problems such as eczema.

Baby Massage

Massaging your baby stimulates his/her central nervous system, which makes the brain release more serotonin, a chemical which produces a feeling of well being. It also depresses the production of cortisol which is secreted in response to stress. This gentle massage can help baby sleep better, soothe and calm a colicky baby and deepen the bonding experience between baby and parents. The skin to skin connection between parent and child provides a reassuring and loving experience for baby. What better way to enhance the developing relationship with your baby than to gently massage their little bodies while talking softly and maintaining eye contact. Talking to and smiling at your child while massaging him/her makes baby feel more secure and comfortable.

Here are some tips on massaging technique for babies:

Get all things you need ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. This includes, the baby massage oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes. Make sure the room is warm and quiet.

Baby's skin is very soft, jewelry or long nails have the potential to scrape baby’s skin and accidentally hurt your child. So keep your fingernails short and set aside the jewelry you wear on your hands when you are massaging the baby. Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat, safe surface and undress the baby. Put the baby down with his or her face up. At no time should you leave baby alone in an area where he might fall or suffer some other injury.

Place about one half teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby's body. You can apply more oil later as needed. Rub your hands together or blow your warm breath on them to make sure your palms are warm. Aromatherapy oils for adults are not suitable for the baby. Although some people think that a small amount of scent is all right for infants, it is best to be safe and use unscented products. If you feel the need for scent (remember, baby doesn’t care about scent), make sure that it is very light and only use lavender or chamomile essential oil scented products. No fragrance oils or aroma chemicals should be used on infant skin as they can contain ingredients that are toxic to baby and allergies or sensitization could become a problem.

Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best. Do not put too much pressure on the baby's fragile body and avoid the spine area. Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant. Eye contact with the baby ensures him or her of your undivided attention. A sudden break in contact of your hands may cause alarm to the baby, take care to be gentle while stopping the massage. Do not oil baby's palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation. Wrap the baby in a clean and warm towel after the massage and cuddle him or her.

Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill. Do not wake the baby up for a massage. Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt.

Enjoy this quiet, loving time with your baby.

Welcome to my sweet Grandson

Introducing Bohdi Gage Merrell, my new grandson. With his proud momma on the left and his big sister Kloe on the right.