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Eucalyptus Oil for Babies - Is It Safe?
Essential oils have been used for treating various ailments for a long time now. They are used widely now as they possess various medicinal properties. One such essential oil, which is used as a home remedy for respiratory problems, is eucalyptus oil as it possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. For the various benefits it offers, you might be tempted to use it on your baby if he suffers from a cold or congestion, but should you use it on your baby? It is important that you understand whether it is safe for babies or not.
What Is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is obtained from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus oil is used in medicines, as a perfume, and also has some industrial uses too. It is a colourless liquid and has a sweet and strong woody smell. More than 700 species of eucalyptus are found in the world, of which only 500 odd species are used to produce the essential oil.
Are There Any Benefits of Using Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is used as a natural therapy to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, cold, and other respiratory diseases. It helps strengthen the immune system too. It improves respiratory circulation and has antioxidant properties. Cineole present in eucalyptus oil is an organic compound which offers a lot of benefits like lowering pain and inflammation.
Eucalyptus oil offers a cure for the following:
Cold and flu – The essential oil cleans the body of harmful microorganisms and the toxins that cause common cold and flu.
Hair damage – Eucalyptus oil is used with olive and coconut oil to moisturise the hair and treat dandruff and itchy scalp. Eucalyptus oil helps nourish the hair.
Allergies – Eucalyptus oil helps treat sinus and allergies and is also used as a room freshener. The anti-microbial properties of eucalyptus oil also help kills germs.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Babies?
A common query among parents is whether eucalyptus oil is safe for babies or not. While it is true that eucalyptus oil has many beneficial properties, using eucalyptus oil for a baby suffering from cold may be unsafe because of the following reasons:
Eucalyptus oil may have very high cineole content which can lead to breathing problems and nervous system issues in young children. The amount of cineole will depend on the chemotype or the species of the plant.
Even if the variety of essential oil you use does not have high cineole content, it may still have compounds that can harm children. These compounds may cause irritation or a burning sensation on your baby’s skin.
Eucalyptus oil, if ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and other side effects like breathing problems and wheezing. Its application may also lead to extreme cases of coma and seizures.
This oil can also trigger asthma attacks in some babies.
Using Eucalyptus Oil for a Cold
If you do want to use eucalyptus oil on a baby’s blocked nose, it is important to know the right and safe way of using it. Plus, you should also know what type of eucalyptus oil is safe for babies. You should avoid using Eucalyptus globulus for children, as it is not safe for kids under the age of 2. Eucalyptus radiata can be used, but even this should be used only after consulting with a paediatrician.
How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
You can use eucalyptus oil to soothe and open the airways of your baby’s nostrils if you follow a few precautions.
To use eucalyptus oil for a cold, put two drops of the oil on a tissue or cotton ball and keep it at a safe distance from your baby.
For a blocked nose, add three drops of oil to a bowl of boiling water and place it under the baby’s crib. The rising steam releases the essential oil and can provide comfort to your baby.
The oil should not be applied near the child’s mouth or nose as it may cause respiratory problems to him.
Although eucalyptus oil may be used with some precautions, it is still not recommended for babies because of its side effects. So here are some alternative methods you can try instead of using eucalyptus oil.
Alternatives to Eucalyptus Oil for Treating Baby’s Congestion
Instead of using any essential oil for treating congestion, you can follow the methods mentioned below to put your baby to ease. These include the following:
1. Nasal aspirator
A nasal aspirator can be used to clear mucus from the baby’s nose. It can also be used to clear the baby’s airways so that the child can breathe easily.
2. Hot water compress
Using a hot water compress can loosen the thick mucus blocking your baby’s nose, throat, or his chest. Take a small cotton cloth dipped in hot water and squeeze out the excess water. Apply the hot water compress on the affected area to treat congestion. Remember, that you should not put the hot cloth directly on your baby’s chest. Furthermore, the cloth should be warm or else your baby may get hurt.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Eucalyptus Oil on Your Baby
No doubt, eucalyptus oil offers a number of benefits, but it is not suitable for children, particularly for kids who are below 10 years of age. Using eucalyptus oil on babies can lead to side effects, which could range from mild to severe. If you do use eucalyptus oil on your baby, and he experiences any breathing difficulties after inhaling the oil, consult a doctor immediately. Some people think that using diluted eucalyptus oil won’t harm the baby, but that’s not correct. Even the diluted eucalyptus oil can harm the baby. Remember: eucalyptus oil is not safe for babies. Hence, you should refrain from using this oil for babies and toddlers.
Even small or diluted amounts of eucalyptus oil can lead to serious reactions in babies, and it is advisable to steer clear of it. Use one of the recommended alternative solutions to clear your baby’s congestion. Read more
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Teaching Preschoolers How to Use Scissors
Cutting skills for preschoolers serve as an essential development milestone as they prepare them for writing and improving coordination skills. Also, by learning how to use scissors properly, little ones are better prepared for their craft activities. Here are some easy ways of teaching scissor skills to your kid.
The tiny hands of a preschooler need time and assistance to master scissor skills. Preschooler-friendly scissors are best used for 3-year-old kids, so that by the time they start school, they learn how to use proper scissors. While introducing scissors to your child, begin by showing her how she needs to use her forefinger, middle finger and thumb to hold scissors.
How to Teach a Child to Cut with Scissors
1. Scissor Safety for Preschoolers
Before parents start teaching this development milestone, they must set some safety rules with them. Show your kid how to hold a pair of scissors correctly. Give her scissors with closed metal blades facing you and ask her to put her thumb in one loop, and forefinger and middle finger together in the other. Make it very clear to your kid that she isn't supposed to run with them and that she should always put the tool back in its designated place after closing the blades.
2. Gradual Progress
Once you are sure that your little one is holding her pair of scissors properly, ask her to cut a piece of paper along a thick broad line. After this, you may give shapes for preschoolers to cut out. Give her bigger shapes to cut first and slowly reduce the size of the shapes. See to it that the paper is sturdy enough as preschoolers will find it difficult to cut flimsy papers. When your child begins cutting, notice her hand preference; in case, she has right-hand dominance encourage her to use her left hand to hold the paper.
3. Advanced Techniques
Once your child has fairly developed scissors cutting skills, introduce her to simple hand-over-hand cutting techniques, ways of cutting folded paper, etc. After your child learns to manipulate her hands while cutting, she will no longer try to manoeuvre her scissors upside down. By observing your shuffling motions, she will also learn to control the paper that she needs to cut.
4. Interesting Paper Cutting Activities for Preschoolers
Snake slicing, fringes, and collages will help in retaining your child’s interest in cutting. Kids enjoy cutting play dough too. Make a snake using play dough and let your child have fun slicing it. Give colourful papers to your child and ask her to create fringes. Get some old pictures from newspapers or magazines and cut them out to make a collage. At all times, ensure scissor safety for kids to avoid nips and cuts.
5. Adaptive Scissors
In spite of all your efforts, if your kiddo is still unable to hold or use a pair of scissors properly, give her adaptive scissors. Preschoolers find it easy to control these special scissors while cutting papers. They are much easier to grip, and to open or close. They ensure scissor safety rules for kids as well.
Remember, teaching kids to use scissors takes a lot of practice. Is there any other easy way to develop scissor skills in children? Share your experiences with us. Read more
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15 Classic Movies Your Kids Should Watch During Summer Vacation This Year
Movies are a great medium through which some of the best stories we know have been told to us. Here are 15 movies you should catch with your child this summer.
Gone are the days when children looked forward to eating ice-creams, sleeping, and playing outside the house all day when summer vacations arrived. Now they look forward to other things – like long hours of watching TV, unrestricted access to the Internet, and unlimited hours of video games!
While this may be a change that is difficult to come to terms with, and you might want to change a few things about the way children spend their summer vacations, little may be in your hands! However, one thing you can definitely do is – pick a good movie list, so that at least your children are watching quality stuff rather than just whatever rubbish 'TV' has to offer!
Here is a specially curated list of 15 movies we consider Classics that you absolutely must watch with your children this summer. You may find most of these to be movies you already know... but trust us when we say – your kids are going to love them, and they are going to have a jolly good time watching them!
I] Animated Films
Animated movies are an instant hit among children because they come close to cartoons, which almost all children love. Animated movies thus make great 'first movies' for children. Three animated movies which you should catch with your child this summer are -
1. Lion King
This endearing story of how a cub learns the ways of the world and becomes the king of the jungle, will prove to be an amazing journey that is equal parts funny, loving, touching, and every bit enjoyable!
2. The Jungle Book
We are all familiar with this one! But when was watching Jungle Book ever a pain? There have been many versions of this movie, created time and again by many different directors. Our pick – the 2016 release directed by Jon Favreau.
3. Frozen
If there is one and only one fairy-tale you ever show to your daughter, pick this one. This tale of two sisters is a refreshing change from the typical princess meets/is rescued by prince charming. It also teaches you to never let go of the people you love. AND it has a cute snowman and an adorable reindeer too - perfect summertime movie to beat the heat!
II] Comedy Films
Summer vacations should be utilised to get a good dose of laughter with your kids, and hence, we have curated 3 comedy films for you to catch up with, with your child. These will make great night-time movies... because nothing is easier to put to bed than a child exhausted from laughing and being happy!
4. Home Alone
This movie is perhaps every child's dream. How many of us might have wished that we could be left alone by our parents, with the whole house to ourselves! This movie tells the story of a child who is forgotten back home by his family as they embark of a vacation. What happens next is unbelievably hilarious!
5. Ramona and Beezus
The story of a 'middle'-child that is trying to come to terms with life, this movie catches beautifully what it feels like to be a child weighed down by everybody's expectations. Being a child is no child's play, and we are sure you will definitely be able to relate to Ramona.
6. Mrs. Doubfire
What lengths would you be willing to go to be with your kids, if you were ever separated from them? This movie tells the story of a father estranged from his kids in the face of a divorce... what he does next to get to spend time with his children is adorable, and gives rise to hilarious situations. Also, how can you not watch a movie starring our beloved Robin Williams?
III] Family Films
What better time is there to bring the family together than summer, and what better way is there for a family to bond than over a family movie? Here are our picks of family movies to watch with your entire family.
7. Little Miss Sunshine
Nothing unites a family more and better than a cause – one goal everybody is aiming to achieve. In this movie we follow the Hoovers as they struggle to cover 800-miles in their old beat down Volkswagen Type 2 to get daughter Olive to a beauty pageant. A light-funny and endearing movie that can make a wonderful afternoon watch.
8. Mary Poppins
They say that P. L. Travers – the author of the book that this film is based on – was rather difficult for Walt Disney to deal with. She put up a lot of conditions, and tried her best to discourage Disney from making the film. But the determined man that he is, Disney convinced Travers to give him her book – and the rest is history. One of the best musical-fantasy-family films, and undoubtedly Julie Andrews' finest performances.
9. Sound of Music
Undoubtedly one of the best, most popular musical that's a unanimous favourite all over the world! Look for a DVD with subtitles, so you can all sing along with the songs in the movie. We bet your child would love that!
IV] Animal Films
Children instinctively love animals. Some of the most heartening stories about love, compassion, friendship, family that we know have been told to us through movies. So we shortlisted these 3 movies about the special relationship that humans and animals share.
10. Free Willy
Willy is an orca whale that is trapped by whalers when he swims too close to the shore. He is then sent to an amusement park. Free Willy is the story of how one courageous and caring boy makes it his life mission to 'free' Willy. We had tears in our eyes by the end of the movie... happy tears... and we bet you'll have them too!
11. Born Free
Based on the real life story of Joy and George Adamson, a couple that raise an orphaned lioness, Born Free will tug at your heartstrings. If there is a time to watch a lion-related movie, it is now, when the numbers of many wildlife animals is dwindling. This movie is bound to make you and your child compassionate towards animals.
12. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
How could we not include a dog-movie in this list? There are several great dog-movies out there... what made us pick this one is the core human values that it will depict in the story. The film tells the story of how 3 pets – 2 dogs and a cat – leave a ranch in search of their owner who they think has abandoned them. It is one of the cutest summer movies for kids to see this vacation!
V] Fantasy Films
One of the best things about childhood is how we are imaginative, creative, and believe in 'magic'. That makes 'fantasy' a genre of films that cannot be left out. Check out these fantasy classics that are bound to thrill you and your child alike!
13. The Harry Potter Series
An orphaned boy is rescued from his tyrannical aunt-uncle-cousin by a giant who tells him he is a wizard. And thence begins a magical journey about school, friendships, families, fantastic beasts, games... and magic! A perfect and magical summer vacation movie series!
14. Jumanji
This fantasy/adventure film is sure to keep you and your child riveted to your seat till the last moment! Two inquisitive kids find an old board game and decide to give it a shot. But as the game begins, they realise there is something very wrong in the board game... and also a trapped man within it! Super high-voltage fun!
15. The Wizard of Oz
Have you ever had a dream which was so magical that you wish it were true? Then you are going to absolutely love this classic starring a very young Judy Garland. While the protagonist Dorothy embarks upon and returns from a fantastical adventure, her experiences leave her feeling shaken and glad to be back! This film will truly make you feel "There's no place like home". Read more
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Can You Imagine a World Without Trees? Save Trees and Save Earth
A world without trees will look like hell. A world without trees is not possible! Trees are the most important prerequisite for creation as well as the continuation of life. Trees, like God, always give the world everything they have. Each part of trees—from the leaves to roots is life-giving to man and all life-forms. If we call them the visible form of the invisible God, it won’t be an exaggeration.
Trees are the source of life. They are the giving angels. They give man oxygen, rains, wood, fruit. They make the world look so beautiful, yet the sinister man kills them! Who will be more inhumane than man himself? Cutting of forests ultimately endangers man’s own existence.
They produce all the oxygen of the world that human beings and animals inhale and need to live. Trees provide shelter to millions of species of plants and animals. They are the nursery and womb of creation of life. They are important to the environment, as they recycle water and regulate levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through photosynthesis. They are the world's heavy-duty regulators of air and water. Their cutting will disturb the natural water cycles, which will lead to a shortage of fresh-water in the water reserves of the world.
However, the present condition of trees and forests in the world, especially developing countries, is pathetic and miserable. They are being felled with foolish recklessness.
Trees are indispensable for evolution and the smooth running of all the life forms on the planet. They are indeed the power-house of evolution. We must not let anyone fell a tree. Each one of us must plant at least one tree each, and ensure they grow into full trees. It will be the most positive and constructive step towards environment conservation.
Save Trees! Save the World!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
11 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
11 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
11 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Best activity toys for 15 month old baby
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. Toys which have light and also sounds so that is going to be a good option for you to use apart from the different kids have different interest some kids like to play with cars some like to play with something else so just have to try to figure out what your child likes to eat just check what your child is more inclined towards
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. how to gain weight 32weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. You need to have a lot of good proteins and that is what is going to be helpful have a balanced diet and good have good amount of proteins as well which is what is going to be beneficial and good weight gain for your child as well
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