Diapers Cloth vs. Disposable

Is Cloth The Way to Go?

Sylvia Plath spent the last years of her life in a charmingly bohemian flat in London, sans modern plumbing, schlepping bags of dirty diapers to the laundromat. Perhaps things would have turned out differently had she had access to a cloth-diaper service or disposables.

However much of the diaper debate is centered on environmental factors — washable cloth diapers are better for the environment because they produce less solid waste, right? Proctor and Gamble, for one, would like you to consider all the water needed to grow cotton for and wash cloth diapers. So what kind of diaper is better for the environment?

Falls, Bumps and Bruises

When are falls dangerous?

Little children fall down all the time and have the bumps and bruises to show for it. Experts say that while some falls can be dangerous, young children are very resilient when it comes to normal, non-violent tumbles from toddler height; even falls off low beds and couches are usually not cause for concern.

However, health care workers will attest that many an emergency room visit has been brought on by fall-related injuries. So how worried should parents be about falling? Experts caution to never, ever leave children, even babies who can't yet crawl, alone. Even young babies can move across surfaces such as changing tables or beds and fall off. Keep an eye on kids even when they are strapped into high chairs and baby walkers. Keep your home child-friendly both in order to minimize the risk of serious falls and to insure that the falls that inevitably occur don't cause serious damage. Proper safety gates in front of steps and guard rails in front of windows are always a good idea. If your child falls, check for broken bones, swelling and large bumps.

Pet Allergies

Is Fido making him sneeze?

Since it usually takes a while for pet allergies to develop in children, many babies who become allergic later are fine for the first few months, or even years. So what do you do if it seems your beloved cat or dog is giving your toddler sniffles and runny eyes?

Doctors say the first step should be to properly investigate the cause of the potential allergy. This is not necessarily something you can figure out on your own; it is best to have a doctor take tests to determine what exactly is causing your child's allergies. Once it has been established that your child really is allergic to Fluffy, most doctors will likely recommend you find your pet a new home. Obviously it is not always easy part from a family pet. The Humane Society notes that in some cases it is possible to keep allergies in check by diligent cleaning of both your home and your pet, as well as by keeping fabrics and carpets to a minimum. If you have the space, you might also want to consider confining your pet to a specific room, or rooms.

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