Healthy Children~The Effects of Caffeine

Today's post written by Joanna Dolgoff, MD

visit Dr. Joanna at Dr. Weigh

The Effects of Caffeine Children today drink twice as much soda as they did 20 years ago, averaging as much as 20 ounces a day! A large soda not only provides tons of calories and sugar but it also includes at least 100 mg of caffeine. Many parents wouldn't dream of giving their kids a cup of coffee yet routinely offer them soda, which contains caffeine as well. We also see many families hitting the local café or Starbucks for a café latte or mocha frappuccino loaded with the burst of 'energy' we call caffeine. The truth is, caffeine is everywhere but it is wise to keep kids' consumption of caffeine to a minimum. How caffeine affects kids: Caffeine is a stimulant and a drug that is naturally produced in the leaves and seeds of many plants. Caffeine can also be made artificially. Caffeine is considered a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. The routine side is a feeling of alertness, but when taken in excess side effects may include: 1) Headaches 2) Difficulty concentrating 3) Jitteriness 4) Nervousness 5) Upset stomach 6) Difficulty sleeping 7) Increased heart rate 8) Increased blood pressure 9) Slight dehydration 10)Anxiety 11)Irritability 12)Muscle tremors 13)Nausea 14)Diarrhea 15)Shortened attention span 16)Increased risk of heart problems Because caffeine's effects are dependent on body weight, it does not take a lot of caffeine to produce side effects, especially for younger children. Younger kids are more also sensitive to caffeine because they haven't been exposed to it as much as older kids or adults and have not yet developed a tolerance to its effects. Beware of withdrawal: If you decide to cut caffeine out of your diet all together don't be surprised if you feel withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, and irritability, especially if you are used to consuming a lot. When I was in medical school, I relied on coffee to get me through my exams. Every vacation, I wound up in bed with severe headaches. I finally realized that I was suffering from caffeine withdrawal because I didn't need the caffeine to give me energy to study and so I wasn't drinking my usual amount of caffeine! I gave up caffeine and my headaches never returned. Caffeine takes up to 6 hours to be excreted from the body through the urine, so side effects may last until removed from the body. More reasons to limit kids' caffeine consumption: · Obesity: Kids who consume one or more 12-ounce sweetened soft drink per day are 60% more likely to be obese. · Lack of nutrients: Most caffeinated drinks are loaded with empty calories and are high in sugar, but lack the nutrients kids need when growing. More kids are choosing soda over milk now days and are missing out on calcium which helps build bones and teeth. · Tooth Decay: Drinking unhealthy drinks like sweetened beverages can lead to dental cavities from the high sugar content and can lead to erosion of the enamel from the high acidity content. · ADHD: Large doses of caffeine can impact the attention span for children, especially for those diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Recommendations: The United States has not developed guidelines for caffeine intake because many experts believe because there is not enough data to make any conclusive recommendations. The Canadian guidelines recommend that children 6 and under have no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine per day; 10 to 12 year olds have no more than 85 milligrams per day and adults have no more than 300 milligrams per day. Foods and Beverages with Caffeine Here are some sources of caffeine to compare: ITEM AMOUNT CAFFEINE CONTENT BREWED COFFEE 5 OUNCES 115 mg COCA BEVERAGE 5 OUNCES 4 mg COCA-COLA 12 OUNCES 34 mg COFFEE 8 OUNCES 115 mg COLD RELIEF MEDICINE 1 TABLET 30 mg CHOCOLATE MILK 8 OUNCES 5 mg DARK CHOCOLATE 1 OUNCE 20 mg DECAF COFFEE 6 OUNCES 3-5 mg DIET COKE 12 OUNCES 45 mg DUNKIN DONUTS 16 OUNCE 206 mg ESPRESSO 2 OUNCES 100 mg ICED TEA 12 OUNCES 70 mg JOLT SOFT DRINK 12 OUNCES 71.2 mg MILK CHOCOLATE 1 OUNCE 6 mg MOUNTAIN DEW 12 OUNCES 55 mg NO-DOZ 1 TABLET 100 mg RED BULL 8.3 OUNCES 80 mg SNICKERS 1 BAR 60 mg STARBUCKS COFFEE 16 OUNCE 320 mg STARBUCKS CHAI TEA LATTE 16 OUNCE 100 mg TEA, BLACK 6 OUNCES 70 mg TEA, GREEN 6 OUNCES 35 mg 7-UP 12 OUNCES 0 mg There is no reason for children to drink or consume caffeinated products. One of the best ways to cut caffeine out of the diet is by not offering it at all. Eliminate soda all together and instead offer water, skim milk, or flavored seltzer. For an occasional treat try offering soda or tea but make sure it is decaffeinated. Be Well, Joanna Dolgoff, MD Dr.Dolgoff's Weigh

 Don't forget.....

 Blessed Nest is teaming with The Riley Project until December 31st!:

Purchase a "Riley's Raindrop" in support of The Riley Project here

$39.00 regular price $42.00

 Love, to the moon and back

Jump in and swim safetly

I know it is the end of summer but many of us swim well into September and it is never a bad idea to remind ourselves how and why we need to keep our children in arms reach at the pool side. Last week I had a crazy experience. We were at our community pool at the condo where we live. A mom with four children walked in. I had met this mom several times and we have engaged in small talk as our children play and swim. Today was different. They entered the gate to the pool. I was in the pool with my two children. The mom with four children was settling down her 6 month old who was a little fussy. Her 3 year old simply walked over to the pool steps then walked in and dove into the shallow end right in front of me. She moved her arms and legs, swam about 6 inches then began to sink down into the water. She began to drown. I immediately picked her up, put her head down and patted her back so that water would leave her nose. I sat her on the side of the pool; did a check to make sure my kids were fine, them I looked up and motioned for her mom to come over. At that time her 7 year old said, "Mom Mary almost drowned." Of course her Mom shrieked  with a "Oh My God are you OK?" then they went on their way. I later simply mentioned that we used to have a house with a pool and even though my 2 year old was swimming like a guppy; I placed a safety vest on her before we entered the gated pool area. I have not been able to get this out of my mind and thought we could all use a refresher course on pool safety!

below tips taken directly from the American Academy of Pediatrics

A swimming pool can be very dangerous for children. If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children are older than 5 years. Help protect your children from drowning by doing the following:

• Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
• Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
• You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
• Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
• Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
• Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
• After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
• A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drownings.

Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water.

AND Don't forget.....

 Blessed Nest is teaming with The Riley Project for the Month of August:

Purchase a "Riley's Raindrop" in support of The Riley Project here

$39.00 regular price $42.00

 Love, to the moon and back

World Breastfeeding Week ~ rescue mission

Today's post written by Donna:

Yesterday we spoke of the importance breastfeeding holds during an emergency situation. We talked about how in third world countries breastfeeding is a must during the first 6 months of a babies life. We mentioned the importance of breastfeeding when clean drinking water is not available. What about here in the states?

Sierra, Heather's sister pointed out a touching story about the importance of bonding with baby.

"I remember a Mom talking about being on the plane that Pilot "Sully" landed in the Hudson. She said that she didn't know what was going to happen so she just started nursing her baby so that they would both be calm and feel that bond, "for maybe one last time". Amazing! Heart wrenching."

Graham from Tumblon who's wife is a pediatrician in NYC said this:

"I attended a breastfeeding workshop put on by a hospital, and was reminded (to my surprise) that breastfeeding is important in an emergency domestically, as well as internationally. When hurricanes rip through the South, the supply of clean water is often disrupted - and so the health of formula-fed children is at risk. Breastfeeding is good for children in so many unnoticed ways!"

Breastfeeding was my planned rescue mission....

Both of my children were born via emergency c-section. Breastfeeding was really important to me and my husband...We didn't have an option for natural birth but we did have an opprotunity to breastfeed. The doctors at Hoag Hospital In CA made sure that we did have that opprotunity soon after my girls were born!

 My first born, Tabitha loved to breastfeed. It was good for her and me in so many of the traditional ways we think of but when Tabitha was 9 months old breastfeeding became a life saver for her. We began to give her a few "solids" and she did not do well. She broke out in a little rash so I changed the food item. Same thing. After several weeks of trying solids, one weekend she broke out all over her little body with a red rash that soon became one BIG black and blue mark all over her body starting with her back and increasing quickly. We rushed her to the emergency room and they gave her a shot to reverse what they said was a possible life threatening allergic reaction to a food item ( or several). What was especially disturbing was this comment by the doctor;

" We can't tell you what the item is that she is allergic to and she is too young to be tested for food allergies." I left in tears, called a  recommended nutritionist and went in to see Dr. Kathy Wong the next day. She was able to test Tabitha in a homeopathic way and we found out that she was allergic to wheat, oats, and many other items you might give a young child. She recommended breastfeeding for 80% of her feedings and suggested that I leave out of my diet the foods that Tabitha was sensitive too. ( The begining of our organic food journey.)

Baby number 2, Sophie had chronic repository issues the first year of her life. She had bronchitis 5 times before she turned one. She would have been hospitalized on several of these occasions but because I was breastfeeding her, they said that I could keep her at home and come in to the doctors office daily to check her breathing. Breast milk was the only thing she could keep down and because of her breathing challenges, she could nurse in small time periods all day long. She didn't over eat and the breast milk was really healing to her tired lungs.

As I look back, I'm so thankful that my little Tabitha nursed until she was three! Tabitha is a very sensory seeking child. Breastfeeding was very nurturing for her and gave her the sensory, touch she needed as a baby and young child.

Sophie breastfed until she was 13 months. She basically wanted a cup like her sister and that was that. Maybe because she nursed on demand for the first 12 months it felt like two years in her mind..hehe

Two unique children, two emergency situations and two healthy breastfed babies.

* All though we believe breastfeeding is best for you and  your child we also realize that there are unique circumstances when breastfeeding is not possible. ( We've experienced that in our own Blessed Nest family by Moms who would have LOVED to breastfeed!) You know what is best for you and your baby.

 Great resource for questions on your unique breastfeeding experience Kelly Mom

Clean drinking water is a huge problem in many countries making formula an unhealthy, un- sanitary option. Breastfeeding is natural....clean water should be too...

Join us in supporting The Riley Project. Help a seven year old little girl fund the building of water wells.

Purchase a "Riley Raindrop". $30.00 from every Riley's Raindrop sold goes to the The Riley Project at Charity: Water.org

Love, to the moon and back

World Breastfeeding Week~A Vital Emergency Response

World Breastfeeding week is here. The theme "Breastfeeding is a vital emergency response". I think it might be hard for some of us to think of the importance of breastfeeding in a emergency situation. We live in the comfort of the USA where help is usually not far in an emergency situation but in third world countries, breastfeeding saves lives. Breastfeeding saved a life ( or should I say two) in my home...this story tomorrow.

Riley's Raindrop for The Riley Project

My sweet friend Sarah has a wonderful 7 year old daughter who has such a servants heart. Riley, age 7 is working hard to raise $5,000.00 to build fresh water wells for those who lack clean drinking water. She is teaming with one of our favorite charity's, Charity: Water.org.

In Riley's Words:

"5,000 kids a day die because they do not have clean water. I want to build a well so that they can live longer. The children have to walk 3 hours to get dirty water. It makes me super duper sad because a lot of kids my age are dying right now. It isn't fair. I think that God feels very, very sad and He wants people to care for them and love them.

Can you try to help me please? It would be a great help if you gave us some money for the well.
Thank you very much!" donate here.

We all know how hard it is to raise $5,000.00 especially if you are seven years old! Blessed Nest has decided to encourage our little friend and hold a fund raiser on behalf of The Riley Project!

We are offering The Riley Raindrop ( our Aqua, organic take a long pillow) at the retail price of 39.00 for the Month of August. Regular price is $42.00 plus shipping.

$30.00 from  each sale of  "Riley's Raindrop" will  go directly  to The Riley Project!

This little raindrop is perfect for moms and kids on the go. It is filled with Organic buckwheat and has a washable slipcover! My daughters love to use theirs for a car seat pillow, doll pillow and sleep pillow!

Originally designed to add comfort for the nursing Mom and a little lift for babies head while breastfeeding.

You can purchase your Riley Raindrop organic pillow at our Perch store by clicking here for the Month of August.

Remember your $39.00 purchase helps to build fresh water wells!

Another bonus for purchasing a Riley Raindrop; ALL customers who purchase a Riley Raindrop during the Month of August will be placed in a drawing to win a  Blessed Nest organic Nesting Pillow!

Read Riley's blog here

Donate directly to her cause The Riley Project here

Purchase a "Riley's Raindrop" in support of The Riley Project here

$39.00 regular price $42.00

 Love, to the moon and back

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