Mosquitos are an unpleasant nuisance and can ruin an enjoyable summer evening but they also carry West Nile which could be deadly especially to am infant. An ounce of prevention is much better than a infant howling with itchy red welts. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them. Mosquitos like humidity such as perspiration and moist plants, dark clothing, carbon dioxide, floral scents, still air, early mornings or evenings and lactic acid which is released after exercising or eating salty or high-potassium foods. People who eat garlic are often not bothered by insects as much. Avoid taking your infant out at night and dump all old standing water such as rain barrels and items that have accumulated water.

You might want to try several of the suggestions below.

As the weather heats up, so does diaper rash and yeast infections.

Infants are more vulnerable to diaper rash in the summer. Heat, humidity and perspiration all can aggravate sensitive bottoms.

Diaper rash is a red, spotty inflamed rash. To prevent it change your child’s diapers frequently and let baby go diaper-free for 15 or 20 minutes. A brief sun bath in a sunbeam can also help. If its too late to prevent it use a squirt bottle with water to cleanse the area and avoid scented baby wipes. Be gentle and apply a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide. This type of product soothes the skin and protects it from getting too moist. A very light dusting of unscented talc or even corn starch is also good after the ointment is applied. If the rash does not go away, talk to your doctor or if the rash includes blisters or pus-filled bumps you child might have a yeast infection or even a staph infection.

Candida (yeast infection) normally lives on our skins and usually does not cause a problem. But in the hot months of summer, children in diapers are targets for yeast infections. This rash is also red and usually bumpy. It can itch, burn and ooze a clear liquid. A child on antibiotics may also be more susceptible because these medications kill the good bacteria that keeps yeast in check. The rash is usually found in the skin folds of the diaper area and baby girls are slightly more likely to have a yeast infection. For treatment you can try an over-the-counter antifungal treatment such as Lamisil or Lotrimin AF but a call to your pediatrician is best.

Do you have a picky eater?  A new study found that babies ate more vegetables after about eight days of tasting them.  Offer small amounts of a new food several times so your child gets use to the taste.  Model good eating habits.  Let your child see you enjoying your spinach and Brussels sprouts.  This same study found that breast-fed babies accepted fruits and veggies when their moms regularly ate them.

In this country we like to take a pill for just about anything so it isn’t surprising that we take that same attitude with our beloved pets.  Everyday new pet medications are popping up but here are some ways to avoid trips to the vet and some pet meds.

Helping your child learn to care for his teeth does a lot more than prevent cavities.  Maybe more importantly it helps guard against gum disease and the problems associated with that -such as heart disease and diabetes.