Saturday, 10 August 2013

Milk

Milk and dairy products are great sources of energy and protein – and have lots of vitamins and minerals, like calcium, which kids need to build healthy bones and teeth.

You can use your Healthy Start vouchers to buy powdered infant formula milk or any kind of heat-treated plain cow’s milk – whole, semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed. Heat-treated milks are miks that say pasteurised, sterilised or long-life (UHT) on the carton or bottle.

Remember: you can’t buy soya milk, goat’s milk products, or ‘milks’ made from rice, oats or almonds with your vouchers. You can’t spend them on soya-based formula either – which you should only give to your baby if your doctor, health visitor or dietitian has advised you to.

Breast milk is the only thing a baby needs until they are about six months old. But if you are not breastfeeding, you can use your Healthy Start vouchers to buy powdered infant formula milk – this will always say ‘suitable from birth’ on the package.

You can’t buy follow-on formula (labelled as ‘suitable for use from six months’) with your vouchers. Infant formula milk is suitable for all babies under 12 months old. Keep feeding your baby breast milk or infant formula alongside a variety of solid foods until they are one year old.

At around six months, when your baby starts on solids, you can mix whole (full-fat) cow’s milk with your baby’s food, but never give cows milk as a drink until they are over 12 months old.
Never give babies under 12 months condensed, evaporated or dried milk; sheep’s or goat’s milk; or any ‘milks’ made from rice, oats or almonds.

Remember: if you do decide to bottle feed your baby, make sure that you follow the advice onsafe bottle feeding.

What milk is best for my toddler (12-24 months years)?
You can continue to breastfeed while offering your child a range of solid foods.

You can give your child whole (full-fat) cow’s milk as a drink from one year old.

At this age, children need at least 300ml of milk a day (just over half a pint) to make sure that they get enough calcium.

Never give your child semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk, because these don’t contain enough calories or essential vitamins for children of this age.

What milk is best for my child (2–5 years)?

At this age, children can drink whole or semi-skimmed milk, but not skimmed or 1% milk as they don’t provide enough calories. If your child doesn’t like milk, it’s important to try to include other dairy foods in their diet such as yoghurt or cheese, but don’t give them lower-fat versions.

What milk is best if I’m pregnant?

If you’re buying milk for yourself, try semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk – they have all the calcium found in whole milk but less fat, helping you avoid putting on too much weight during your pregnancy.

http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/food-and-health-tips/milk/

Friday, 19 July 2013

10 Danger Signs of Pregnancy

Mar 23, 2011 | By Hannah Rice Myers

Pregnancy is a happy time for most women. While most expectant mothers experience an average pregnancy, there are certain dangers associated with this condition which can result in health complications for both you and your baby. Knowing what these complications are can help reduce your risk of experiencing them.

Heavy Bleeding in the First Two Months

Heavy bleeding and severe pain in the pelvis, typically within the first two months of pregnancy, can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes rather than making its way to the uterus where it has space to grow and develop. If not detected and treated promptly, it can result in death, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Abdominal Cramping with Spotting

Abdominal cramping accompanied by spotting or bleeding is an indication of a miscarriage. Miscarriages occur in 20 percent of all pregnancies and generally take place before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. It can happen, however, as late as the 20th week of pregnancy. In most cases, a miscarriage cannot be prevented.

Intense Feelings of Sadness

Intense feelings of sadness that do not go away are indicative of depression, a condition that can occur during and/or after pregnancy. Additional symptoms include changes in appetite, feeling hopeless, becoming irritable or having thoughts of harming ones self or the baby. Treatment usually includes therapy, medication and support groups.

Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination

Gestational diabetes typically occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy and is due to the mother's inability to produce enough insulin. If any symptoms occur, they usually include extreme thirst or hunger, frequent urination and fatigue. Pills are rarely an option while pregnant, therefore many doctors choose to treat with diet or insulin.

Vaginal Bleeding Accompanied by Cramping

When a woman experiences vaginal bleeding along with abdominal pain, cramping and tenderness in the uterus, she may be experiencing placental abruption. This is a condition in which the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus, depriving the fetus of oxygen. If the case is mild, bed rest may be all that is needed. If it is a more severe situation, however, and more than half the placenta has separated, early delivery of the baby may be needed to save its life.

Contractions and Vaginal Discharge

Women who give birth any time prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered to be in preterm labor. Signs of this include abdominal cramping that radiates around to the back, contractions, pressure in your pelvis and an increase in vaginal discharge. Women's Health states that while some medications can help slow or stop preterm labor from progressing, bed rest is often prescribed.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a sign of toxemia, also know as preeclampsia. It is a condition occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy and its most common symptoms include high blood pressure, blurred vision, headaches and stomach pain. In most cases, the only treatment is delivery of the baby. This is not a problem if the mother is closer to 37 weeks; however, if she is still too early in her pregnancy, the doctor may choose to treat with bed rest and medication to lower her blood pressure.

Constant Fatigue

Anemia is a condition that occurs when the red blood cell count is lower than what it should be. Its symptoms include constant fatigue or feeling faint, becoming short of breath and looking pale. The doctor may prescribe folic acid and iron supplements to help treat the problem. If it becomes severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Constant Nausea and Vomiting

Constant nausea and vomiting are signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that mirrors morning sickness. It is, however, more severe and does not end after the first few weeks. Because of the constant nausea and vomiting, dehydration and weight loss may result. The doctor might first recommend switching to a bland diet (e.g dry toast, rice), but if this is unsuccessful, the mother could require hospitalization in order to receive fluids via an intravenous line.

Late-Term Vaginal Bleeding

Late-term vaginal bleeding is an indication of a condition known as placenta previa, which causes the placenta to cover part or all of the cervical opening inside the uterus. Some women experience no symptoms, while others experience vaginal bleeding without pain during the second or third trimester. If not controlled through bed rest, this can lead to hospitalization or preterm labor.

Are Afghan Blankets Dangerous for Babies?

It can be difficult to resist the lure of those adorable blankets in your baby's crib. With so many cute, fluffy blankets on the market, it can be difficult to forego a blanket in your newborn's crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics tells parents not use any type of blanket in a baby's crib, including afghans, for safety reasons.

Guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents should not put anything soft in their baby's crib. This includes ant type of blanket, pillow, crib bumpers and any stuffed animals. These items can cover a baby's face and restrict breathing. Sometimes, babies roll up against a soft object, and babies cannot roll over until about 4 months of age. The AAP recommends against using blankets as a way to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.

Baby's Age

Laura Reno, the vice president of public affairs for the First Candle/SIDS Alliance, states it's never safe to put a blanket in the crib with your child, even after she turns one and the risk of SIDS decreases. Instead, Reno advises waiting to use a blanket until your baby moves into a toddler bed. However, an afghan is a perfectly safe choice for spreading on the ground when you play with your baby. Lay her on her tummy on an afghan and let her feel the nubby fabric with her fingers or let her rest on her back and show her toys or books.

Wrapping Your Baby

Many pediatricians recommend swaddling your baby when she's little because the sensation emulates the tight quarters in the womb. It can often comfort and soothe a baby who's having trouble sleeping. The Women's and Children's Health Network suggests using thin, cotton or muslin blankets for swaddling. Heavier fabrics, such as the yarn used to make afghans, can restrict movement and prevent chest expansion, which isn't safe for a sleeping baby. Once your baby can loosen her swaddle and move out of the swaddling, it is safer to stop wrapping her and choose an alternative to the blanket.

Alternatives

You don't have to pack away those beautiful handmade afghans until your baby is older, but they shouldn't be used for sleeping. Use it cover your baby when she's in your arms or when you're comforting her during a bout of crying, but put it aside when she's sleeping in the crib. Instead, put your baby in a wearable blanket, which has arms like a pair of pajamas, but keeps her warm with plenty of space to move her legs. In addition, the AAP recommends you use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted crib sheet, and always put your baby on her back for sleeping, never on her tummy or side.

Sunday, 30 June 2013

Young Workers: Your Rights and Responsibilities

Has anyone ever asked you to do something that you felt uncomfortable doing? Have you ever felt intimidated because you were new to a workplace? Being new on the job is hard, and learning to speak up for your rights as a worker can sometimes be difficult; but no paycheque is worth getting hurt for. You need to make sure you stay safe and get home in one piece---no matter what. Take the initiative to know what your rights and responsibilities are, and how to stay safe in the workplace.

What are your RIGHTS as a worker?

You have the right to KNOW:

To know what hazards are present on the job and how these hazards can affect you
To learn about chemical safety through WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
To receive information, instruction, and training about safe work procedures

You have the right to BE OUTFITTED with equipment and safety gear required to do the job safely.
You have the right to SPEAK UP.

You have the right to report unsafe practices and conditions without worrying that you will lose your job or get in trouble.
All workers have the right to participate in workplace health and safety activities. For example, you can be chosen to be a health and safety representative or a member of a committee.

You have the right to REFUSE.

You can refuse to do tasks and to work in conditions you think are unsafe, without being fired or being disciplined for refusing.
You have the right to be supervised to make sure you are working without unnecessary risk to yourself or others.

How to refuse unsafe work

Your employer is legally responsible for putting safe work practices in place, and you're responsible for following them. If you have safety and health concerns, it's your responsibility to report them. Here's where to raise questions:

If a task feels unsafe, tell your immediate supervisor, and explain why you're not comfortable. In most cases, the issue will be resolved at this stage.

If you don't get a satisfactory answer from your immediate supervisor, or that person is not available, go to up to the next higher supervisor.

If you're still not satisfied, ask your safety representative, a member of the safety committee, or a shop steward to help.

Most problems are solved before getting to this stage, but your last recourse is WorkSafeBC. Phone and explain your safety concerns (you can do it anonymously). Call (604) 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free 1 (888) 621-7233.

What are your RESPONSIBILITIES as a worker?

You should know and follow your workplace's health and safety requirements, and encourage co-workers to do the same.
If you don't know how to do something safely, ask for training before you begin work.
Cooperate with the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, WorkSafeBC prevention officers, and any other person carrying out occupational health and safety duties.
Be alert to hazards, and immediately report hazards or problems to the supervisor or employer.
Immediately report an unsafe situation to your supervisor or employer.
Use the protective clothing, devices, and equipment provided and find out what protective clothing you need to get for yourself.
Refuse to do work you believe would pose a hazard to anyone's health and safety.

http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/YoungWorker/Resources-FocusReport2011.asp?reportID=36311

Saturday, 18 May 2013

Top 10 Clever Hacks for Things You Thought Were Trash

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and we’ve always been fond of finding MacGyver-like uses for anything and everythingâ€”right down to dryer lint and used candy wrappers.. Here are our top 10 favorite hacks for things you thought were headed to the garbage.

10. Make a Waterproof Fire Starter Out of Dryer Lint

For all the laundry we do in a week, we accumulate a massive amount of dryer lint. Wouldn’t it be better off going toward something useful? Whether you’re making an outdoor or indoor fire, you can always use a little help to get things started, and that dryer lint can help. Just throw the lint into a section of an egg carton, tie it up with dental floss, cover it in some old candle wax, and you’ve got yourself a waterproof fire starter for any occasion. It should last you about 15 minutes, more than enough to get a roaring fire going.

9. Make a Tablet Stylus Out of a Candy Wrapper

Steve Jobs may not approve of stylus usage, but sometimes you just need to let your inner artist out and a finger doesn’t cut it. Instead of buying a stylus though, you can make one yourself out of an old pen and a used candy wrapper. If you want to go above and beyond, a bit of tissue paper or newspaper can make it all the better.

8. Turn Bread Tags Into Cord Labels

I dread the days when I have to reach behind my desk to move some cables around, since I can never figure out which one is which. Eliminate that annoyance by labeling your cables with old bread tags: just write down the device that each cord leads to and slap them on. You’ll never have to run your hand through that bird’s nest of cables ever again.

7. Turn a Plastic Bottle Into a Smartphone Bike Mount

While we recommend investing in a reusable water bottle, sometimes you just have to buy it bottled, and then you have one more piece of trash lying around. Instead of throwing it away, you can turn it into a rainproof bike mount for your smartphoneâ€”perfect for navigating you home and avoiding inclement weather. Alternatively, you could turn it into a lens cap for your camera, or an irrigation system for your garden to keep it watered while you’re away from home.

6. Remove Bad Smells and Clean Windows with Newspaper

Old newspapers are good for more than just starting fire, and if you still haven’t moved over to the digital edition of your favorite rag, you can use it as a household odor-killer. Just stuff it in drawers, refrigerators, shoes, or any other smelly place and it should clear that odor right up. Alternatively, you could turn it into an actual rag: newspaper is the perfect way to clean your windows with a streak-free shine.

5. Turn an Old Gift Card Into a Headphone Cable Wrapper

Once you’ve used up that gift card from Aunt Petunia, you don’t have to toss itâ€”with a few cuts here and there, it can make a great cable wrapper for your headphones. Of course, you can always use our beloved “devil horns” method if you don’t have a gift card around, but the gift card can help keep them from unraveling.

4. Turn an Old Sock Into an MP3 Player-Holding Armband

If you’ve tried exercising with your smartphone or MP3 player, you know how much of a pain they can be bouncing around in your pocket or clipped onto your shorts. Clipping it on your arm really is the best way to go, and if you don’t want to buy an armband, just cut the toe off an old sock and slide it up your arm. Then, fold the bottom half up to create a pocket for your device. It may not be quite as fancy as the store-bought model, but it’s hard to beat the low price of $0.

3. Turn a Shampoo Bottle Into a Charging Station

We all have one or two devices we dump out of our pockets as soon as we get home, and what better place to put them than in the wall? With an old shampoo or lotion bottle, you can create a nice charging cradle for them that hangs right off the socket, so they aren’t taking up space on the floor. Alternatively, you can take those old bottles and organize your cables on the wall, too.

2. Turn Toilet Paper Tubes Into Cable Organizers

We tech nerds amass tons of extra cables over time, and we’re afraid to get rid of them for fear we might need them one day. The solution? Take all those toilet paper tubes you use up and turn them into an ugly but incredibly awesome cable organizer. It’ll keep all your cables stored and labeled neatly, without tangles, all the while making use of your trash. You can also use them to just control your cable clutter of individual appliances, too.

1. Turn a Soda Can Into a Wi-Fi Extender

We’re always looking for ways to improve our Wi-Fi signal, and if you aren’t ready to give up and buy a new router, you can try extending your range with a soda can. Just cut it up and put it on your antenna, where it’ll act as a parabolic reflector and enjoy Wi-Fi on the far side of your house. Plus, when you’re done, you can hang pictures with the can’s tabs, too.

Got any other clever tips for reusing your trash? Share them with us in the comments.

http://www.hi5ing.us/2013/02/23/clever-hacks-for-trash-things/

How to Stop Rumors

Edited by Jack Herrick, Ben Rubenstein, Samasta, UK_Logician_2006 and 49 others

Never say "no comment". Rumors thrive in environments of uncertainty, and an ambiguous statement only fuels the fire. Don't play dumb, or pretend that you don't know what people are implying. Also, becoming defensive, depressed, or irritated will validate the rumor in most people's minds.

Don't confuse taking a stand for integrity with 'being defensive'. Since silence is not always so golden, it is good to have some things you can be prepared to say: "I do not believe that is true." or "This appears to be an unfounded (or vicious) rumor. Such things can do a lot of harm." Look them in the eye, when you say that.

Determine what lends credibility to the rumor, and stop it. People are more likely to tell rumors that are plausible, and that hinge on the existence of suggestive evidence. For instance, a rumor about a workplace affair will take off if the two people involved flirt in the office, or sit together every day at lunch. Once you determine what is feeding the rumor, take steps to remove it, if you can.^[3] Don't bother thinking "Well they shouldn't assume that" or "I should be able to do what I want without them thinking such and such." The point is, they do, and as long as you continue the behavior, the rumor will continue to spread

If you have credible evidence to the contrary, state "That simply cannot be true because...." and keep it simple.

Broadcast the rumor. Yes, that's right. Verbalize or post the rumor in a prominent way. By acknowledging the rumor, you're taking away some of its momentum. Rumors spread like wildfire because the people who spread them do so in order to gain social status, and that depends on them having the "inside scoop." If you broadcast their "inside information" then they won't have any motivation to spread the rumor. Everybody will already know!

Address the rumor-mongering comprehensively. Explain why the rumor exists, and who is benefiting from it. Then, create a new truth. Rumor specialists call this "stealing thunder" and if it's done early enough, it can stop a rumor in its tracks. The ideal situation is to introduce a new, rumor-worthy piece of information; one that people will gossip over, but which you have a lot more control over. Let's take the example of a celebrity who has rumors flying around about an affair; one way they can "steal the thunder" is by following all the steps above, then following up with the suggestion that the celebrity couple is trying to conceive a child.

If you do work out who has started the rumor it is best to avoid a harsh confrontation with them. If they have based it on something you told them and blown it out of all proportion then you should avoid talking to them about private affairs in future but remain civil with them, as conflict with them will cause the rumor to spread further.

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Rumors

Babe Camelia