Common Feeding Problems in Babies

Feeding problems in babies can wreck havoc with the parents. Though most problems are relatively insignificant, if allowed to persist they can have grave consequences. As the baby stays unsatisfied he can be fussy and have a disturbed sleeping pattern. Common feeding problems are:

Lactose intolerance: Lactose is a sugar found in milk products and this ailment is the ineptness of the body to digest lactose. The baby's immune system sees the milk protein as a dangerous antigen and puts up a fight against it, resulting in an allergic reaction which causes rashes vomiting, gas and loose stools. The remedy is to switch to soy milk or rice milk formula, also mothers who breast feed their babies, should regulate the use of dairy products.

Baby reflux or Gastro-esophageal reflux: Reflux happens when the contents of the stomach are pushed back up in the food pipe, throat and mouth. This condition is normal to some extent as the digestive system of the babies is immature and almost 50% of all healthy, blossoming babies experience reflux. However if the spiting up persists beyond the age of one or interferes with normal growth and feeding pattern of the baby, then its time you schedule an appointment with the pediatrician.

Pyloric Stenosis: Also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction pyloric stenosis is a fairly common condition; it causes the baby to vomit violently and leads to dehydration and fluid imbalances.

Most toddlers who develop pyloric stenosis are between the age of 2 weeks and 2 months. It is actually the narrowing of the lower part stomach via which the food travels to the small intestine. Symptoms include vomiting, fewer and smaller stools, lethargy, weight loss and dehydration. Pyloric stenosis can be corrected by a minor surgery.

Armed with this information, you can identify and manage the feeding problems much more confidently.

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Outdoor Playsets

Summer toys should include all those outdoor activity sets that include slides and swings and even climbing frames! They offer children hours of fun each day and encourage activity which is a great thing! Children need plenty of exercise to help use up all that energy they have as well as help develop stronger muscles! By being active each day your kids are healthier and fitter!

The main buying hints are to make sure you buy something suitable for the age of your children and the size of your garden. If something needs two people to assemble it then look in the local paper and get a handy man in to help! By buying age appropriate toys your children are safer.

Outdoor activity sets vary in price and start from small basic sand pits to huge wooden climbing frames for older children. The bigger they are the more children can safely play on them! Bear this in mind if your garden is often filled with your neighbour's children already! Your garden will become a real hub of activity and your children will have lots of friends wanting to play with them!

One of the biggest sets available is called the Wildebeast playset and has an amazing array of towers including a 5ft tower, 3 ft tower, 4ft tower and two slides. This is a real beast of a playset and will be a favourite for your children throughout their childhood. It is this sort of toy that makes children's memories stand out! It has a lovely play den, 10ft slide, and rock wall 3ft tower with play den, sandpit, swing and 2 seat glider and the 4ft tower has an 8ft slide, sandpit, and wooden clatter bridge. It's enormous and fantastic and your children will get so much pleasure and exercise from this activity set.

Perfect outdoor activity playset for large families with lots of different age children as there really is something for everyone!

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Taking the Stink Out of Life - How Does Febreze Work?

In all the television ads for Febreze, they say that the spray actually eliminates the odor, it doesn't just cover it up. Ever wonder how this is possible? Well our Denver Cleaning Services staff did wonder and we decided to find an answer. It turns out, there is actually a simple explanation for it, based on the chemistry of the compound that makes up Febreze. Here, we'll do our best to explain in terms everyone can understand. Although this might give the ending away, you should know-it does work, just not in the way you think.

All kinds of Febreze, scented or unscented, have the same active ingredient. It is beta-cyclodextrin, which is a carbohydrate. Specifically, it is an eight-sugar ringed molecule that is made during the conversion of starch. It is typically made from the starch found in corn-bet you didn't know that the cornfields of the Midwest make cleaning products, too!

The ringed beta-cyclodextrin is combined with water and fragrance to make Febreze. When it is launched into the air as you spray it out, the water and beta-cyclodextrin work separately. The ring itself is hydrophilic, but inside it is hydrophobic-this means that the outside of the ring will cooperate with water while the inside will cooperate with things more like oils and fats-things that cause odor. The water partially dissolves the odor, and then the inside of the ring pulls it in, trapping it inside. It actually binds to the ring in its new, dissolved form. This changes the stink molecule, rendering it unable to bind with your nose's odor receptors. At this point, the molecule that caused the stink is actually still present, you just can't tell. You may smell only the scent of the Febreze at this point.

As the Febreze dries, additional odor molecules bind to the beta-cyclodextrin, continuing to lower the number of "activated" stink molecules. This is where most of us stop, but this is the important step. If you are interested in removing the molecules that caused the stink-not just "deactivating" them-then you actually need to add water again! If you can, spray the area with water and then wipe away where it lands. The water will release the odor chemicals, helping you to wash them away now that they are trapped against a surface.

Spray the water, and then quickly wipe away where it lands. You will effectively eliminate the odor the way Febreze advertises you can, but it will take a little extra work.

Really, it is best just to clean as much as possible, before the odors start. Nothing will get rid of smells as effectively as just a regular cleaning. Don't rely on Febreze to make up for your skipped cleaning sessions-just use regular disinfectants in the kitchen, take out the trash, scrub the toilet weekly, and run your dishwasher. You'll be impressed to see how well a little effort early on will prevent your need for things like Febreze. A clean home just smells good-bottom line.

If you are interested more on this topic or other cleaning topics, see what our Denver Cleaning Service has been posting on their cleaning tips blog.

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Some Great Alternatives to Getting a Dog Or Cat

Not all animals make great pets. There is no doubt about that. But there are some animals that people can have in their home that you would never think of. Some of loving, some are not, some are just a great gift to get for your child as a birthday present.

Here are some great options of pets to get that are not cats and dogs.

If you are interested in getting some sort of reptile for your son or daughter, you may have a bad conception in your head and the first thing that might jump out at you is a snake. Many people are very happy having snakes as pets, but I am not one of those people. Something like an iguana, however is an easy pet to care for and can eat bugs around the house.

Another pet that I had as a child was a Prairie Dog. I cannot tell you how loving this creature was. My mother hated it at first, but learned to love it. Just be careful, because they have bottomless stomachs and will get fat if you don't watch their diet.

Hailing in from Madagascar is the Sugar Glider. This marsupial is similar to a flying squirrel in physique, with webbed wings that allow it to glide. Maybe not the most loving creatures, but they certainly are cooler than a Maltese.

Turtles are wonderful creatures. While they are not the most affectionate animals, they are adorable and your child will love them. Just keep the paint away so your kid doesn't paint them like the ninja turtles.

An ant farm is a popular and easy to maintain project for your son or daughter at a young age. Make sure to keep it in an area that is well ventilated, so it doesn't stink up your child's room.

These are just some of the great options of different types of pets to get for your home.

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Do You Need House Cleaning Tips?

We will start with why house cleaning is important. Have you ever been in a house that smelled or had bugs crawling everywhere? Or maybe you are currently battling this problem. Keeping your home clean is the first step in getting rid of the bugs and smell. If you are not willing to do a little house cleaning it will always be a battle trying to keep the bugs and smell under control. The best approach I have found to get rid of bugs is to use bug bombs followed by an intense cleaning of the entire house and then use a spray around walls inside and out and other areas that were infested. Of course if you prefer you can call an exterminator to do this for you but you can usually get better results doing it yourself with items purchased at your local hardware store or Wal-Mart. The important thing is to get it done! Not just halfway, but commit several days to totally destroying the habitat for bugs. Once you have wiped them out spray your home a couple times a year to keep them out.

Now lets' start cleaning; Get a plan a goal of what you want to accomplish, If it is a large task like the whole house is trashed, break it down into rooms or even half a room and start there. Make yourself stay focused in this area until it is completed, then move to the next part. Start with the removing the big stuff and work down the small cleanup. Like a room has clothes scattered everywhere start with hanging, folding, and putting the dirty clothes in the laundry room or wherever you keep dirty clothes (not thrown on the floor)! Pick up all the trash and get it out of the room, now you can see the floor hopefully, now you can pick up and put away anything else that does not belong on the floor (no the bologna sandwich does not belong on the floor)! Once everything is out of the floor you can vacuum or sweep whichever is required for your floors. If it is something other than carpet once it has been swept use a mop with a disinfectant like pine sol. If you have carpet try a powder cleaner or get a steam cleaner you need to make sure this is cleaned well, carpet makes a great hiding place for bugs and allergens. Myself I like pine sol or Mr. clean they both do a good job and leave the place clean. If it is an area bleach want harm use it. Bleach will kill just about any germ in your home.

House cleaning is a daily job. If you will spend a few minutes each day cleaning up after yourself and a few hours each month doing an in depth cleaning it should not get so overwhelming. The big thing is take a minute to put things where it belongs, like that bologna sandwich you did not finish, put it in the trash, give it to the dog, or at least throw it outside and some critter will eat it, but do not put it on the floor. Food on the floor, counters, tables, etc. is asking for the bugs to move into your home; especially sweet stuff like sugar, which will draw ants from your neighbors' house! I do not know how they find this stuff, but they do! The best way to stop them is to; clean up after yourself!

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Cleaning Sugar Glider Cages

If you think it's disgusting smelling, your sugar gliders probably think it's disgusting living in it. The cage will need to be completely cleaned out at least a once a week, maybe more if you have more than 2 sugar gliders. You will probably have to do a quick spot cleaning at least twice a week. A clean environment will keep them healthy.

If left in the cage for a long period, urine will begin to turn into ammonia, which is incredibly harmful to a sugar gliders respiratory system. Fecal matter, especially if it is an area where it is getting wet, can give rise to harmful bacteria that can be ingested or even inhaled making your sugar glider sick. Moist bedding or litter can cause fungus growth. A litter box or drop pan will help with feces. A clean cage will also help to make your home environment healthier and odor free. Remember that if you can smell dirty cages it is much more extreme and stressful to the animals living in them.

Step 1. Cleaning (removing visible dirt and debris) First, spray the cage with water to soften the residue. Then clean the cage by using an ordinary household soap such as dish washing liquid. A scrub brush and pressure nozzle for your hose will help you to dislodge stubborn debris from the cage and accessories. Small accessories can be soaked in a sink full of hot soapy water and scrubbed before disinfecting. This is only the first step in full cage cleaning.

Step 2. Disinfecting (destroying microorganisms or pathogens) Spray the cage and the accessories with your chosen disinfectant. Let the solution remain on the articles long enough to disinfect them (reading the directions will give the time it takes each particular product to do its job). These solutions can also be used on floors and walls around the cage as long as you rinse them well. After viral outbreaks use a cleaning agent that is specifically a virucide. Cleaning & Disinfecting Solutions (always rinse well)

Dish washing soap - cleaner only
Nolvasan (contains: chlorhexidine diacetate)-Bactericidal and virucidal
Vinegar (contains: 5 % acetic acid) mildly bactericidal
Hydrogen peroxide 3% (medical grade) - mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
Hydrogen peroxide 35% (technical grade) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal)
Citricidal (contains:grape seed extract) mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
Household bleach (contains:5.25% sodium hypochlorite ) - bactericidal and virucidal
Parvosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
Antibacterial liquid soap- bactericidal
Spectrosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
Oxyfresh (contains: stabilized chlorine dioxide) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal

Note: Lysol contains phenols and is not recommended for cleaning cages or accessories.

Step 3. Rinsing Rinse the cage and all accessories thoroughly. Make sure that you can not feel or smell any residual cleaning solution. This is a very important step. Some of the cleaners can be harmful to your small pets.

Step 4. Drying You can either air dry the cage and accessories or wipe them down with a clean towel. Air drying in the sun is particularly good if you want to make sure all organisms are killed.

The Hospital Cage Extra attention must be given when cleaning the cage of a sick pet, especially if it is going to be used later to house healthy pets. Meticulous care also needs to be taken if parasitic infestation is involved. In these scenarios, use strong solutions that kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses. After sterilization rinse thoroughly, and sun dry. After an infectious illness any accessories made from wood, wicker, or grass should be discarded. After a parasite outbreak these porous items need to be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and not used for any other animals for a minimum of two weeks. Food dishes should be cleaned, disinfected and then run through the dishwasher. Water bottles need to be completely taken apart (be sure to remove the washer) and all parts cleaned and sterilized.

Fabric Accessories You will want to thoroughly clean all cloth items used for your pet on a regular basis. Change the pouches, cage sets, tray liners and other fabric items as they get soiled (in-between cage cleanings). Wash with hypo-allergenic soap in warm or hot water in your washing machine. To clean fabric accessories that are particularly soiled, used in a sick cage, or contaminated with parasites, add a small amount of bleach or Oxyclean and use hot water. When using bleach or another disinfectant rinse twice to be sure that all chemicals are removed. Drying these items in the dryer at a high temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes will aid in combating microorganisms and parasitic infestations. Cleaning Tips

Avoid perfumed household cleaners
Spot clean in-between cage cleanings
Keep a smaller cage for your pets to go in during cleaning
Always clean in a well-ventilated area away from your pets
Remove all accessories and clean well
Spray the cage with water to soften the debris before cleaning
Be sure all debris is removed before disinfecting
Leave disinfectant on for a minimum of 10 minutes
Take extra care with disinfecting hospital cages
Rinse carefully to remove all cleaning agents
Dry cage before putting your pets back in
Use direct sunlight to dry and sanitize whenever possible
Always sanitize and refill water bottles and food dishes
Clean nursery cages more often

The whole process could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour each week, but remember it needs to be done. Just like you clean your shower and toilet, or wash the kitchen counters after cooking, sugar gliders need their cages as clean as possible because they can be messy and if that continues to build up, not only could it endanger them, over time it could possibly endanger your health as well.

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Should I Get Guinea Pigs As Pets?

Guinea Pigs as pets can be either wonderful or not your sort of thing.

There are some points (okay a lots of points!) to consider before rushing to the pet shop to get them, do not be impulsive. It is best to think thoroughly and be more organised and decide if they are the right pets for you.

- Think about how much time, money, and attention you have to provide for them.

- How much love and care you can give them (They need a lot of loving).

- Is your home environment suitable for them?

- Cavies are easy to handle and doesn't scratch or bite. They will need lots of loving handling and social interaction everyday through their lives, and YOU have to provide this.

- Guinea Pigs are not nocturnal (sleep in the day time), so they will be awake for most of the day for you to play with.

- They are just the right size to sit on your lap and easy to cuddle, they don't fight when being held so are easy to carry from the cage to your lap and back.

- They love being stroked so will sit on your lap and purr happily. Although there are few piggies that won't settle down and loves to explore (like my Patch), but you will just have to accept it as part of their charms! If this is the case, do not force them to sit still if she doesn't want to. Be patient, give them time and most will want to settle.

- Cavies have a language made up of squeaking and actions, which is very entertaining to watch.

- They are very lively and enjoy a free run around a room in your house (or a large exercise run), they will 'popcorn' if they are very excited. They might leave wee puddles and poops, it's natural! MAKE sure they can't get to electric cables, any house plants (could be poisonous), or any hazards, they love to nibble anything they find.

- Guinea Pigs lives up to between five to eight years, sometimes more, so they will give you years of love. You need to think if you can live with them for that long. Planning to go away to college? Abroad for few years? Then it's not worth getting Guinea Pigs as pets, simple as that.

- Spend a lot of time with them and lavish them with love then your piggies will love and trust you. Don't EVER abandon them when they need you the most (e.g. when they are ill).

- It is not really expensive to house Guinea Pigs, the general maintenance such as hay, bag of food and fruit/vegetables is low, but you have to be PREPARED to pay for vet visits.

- It is best to get pigs in PAIR, they will be happy together and entertain each other when you are not around, but make sure you spend time with them in the evenings and let them out for runs and cuddles, it is your responsibility to make sure they are happy.

- Going away for a holiday? You must get someone to care for your pigs. Make sure that person knows enough about Guinea Pigs and write out lists of what to feed them and how to clean out their cage properly. There is always another option, put them in a professional boarding establishments. NEVER ever leave the pigs alone when you go away.

- If you are a vegetarian, then they are very ideal as they do not eat meats, fish, or dairy products, they are herbivorous. * Piggies generally do not smell and are clean, however make sure you clean their environment at least once a week, twice if needed, otherwise it will impact their health. Have you got the time? Are you physically able?

- Before you buy Guinea Pigs as pets, check that neither you or your family are allergy to them (skin rashes, runny nose/eyes, etc). Get your family to handle a cavy for a short while and watch for any reaction, be aware that allergy symptoms may not show up straight away. It is not fair to abandon or give away guinea pigs even though they pose health risks to your family.

- Do you have other pets? A dog or a cat? They may be a threat as a predator to the pigs and can cause unnecessary stress to them. My aunt has a King Charles Spaniel and he is a big softie with my pigs although one of my friend has a Jack Russell and she wasn't keen with them. Make sure you can house them in a very safe environment and be careful with their 'floor time', always supervise and taking care Guinea Pigs aren't harmed.

- Check with your landlord if you are allowed to have Guinea Pigs as pets in your place.

- If you are purchasing Guinea Pigs as pets for your child, be prepared to take full responsibility to look after them and give proper care. It is natural that a child will get bored with them and don't bother to look after them

- You need to ensure your pigs are healthy and watch out for symptoms of illness. Learn what to look out for and be prepared to take the proper action (e.g. take to the vet, nurse at home).

I am sure you will be feeling overwhelmed with all this information, now give them a long and hard think and decide in a few days, or even weeks, if you still want to commit to getting Guinea Pigs as pets.

At the end of the day I am sure you will make a right decision, as long as they involve putting the pigs' happiness before yours. They are living, breathing, and loving animals NOT a toy and they are dependent on you to keep them alive and well.

For these who decide to get them, good luck with your new Guinea Pigs as pets!

http://www.guinea-pig-paradise.com/guinea-pigs-as-pets.html

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More Pet Food Recalls

When the phone started to ring and my email started to fill, I knew something must have happened again in the world of dog and cat food. As of this writing more foods have been recalled and a few more ingredients besides wheat gluten have been added to the list of "not to safe."

Evidence suggesting that a shipment of the ingredient "Rice Protein Concentrate" contained melamine has come to light. As reported by OregonLlive.com posted by The Associated Press and The Oregonian "Ingredients imported from China that went into recalled pet food may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their protein content, federal officials said today.

That's one theory being pursued by the Food and Drug Administration as it investigates how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used to make more than 100 brands of dog and cat foods. Melamine has been found by U.S. laboratories in both wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China."

Melamine, an ingredient in plastics and fertilizers could lead to kidney failure in animals.

Stephen Sundlof, chief veterinarian for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said melamine, which has turned up in more than 100 brands of cat and dog food, might have been used to falsely boost the apparent nutritional content of rice protein. Melamine can skew test results to make a product appear more protein-rich than it really is, Sundlof said.

You think when you are buying food that all pet food manufacturers have your pet's best interests in mind ..............right? - After all, who doesn't love your pets more? Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your pet. For example: by-products used (feet, bones and intestines, etc.), or as some of you heard the 4 D's, dead diseased, dying and disabled Chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT) should not be in your pet's food. Look for grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), which are often used as a protein source instead of meat, should be avoided

If you switch to premium dog food, switch your pet's diet to premium treats, bones and supplements. Often times we over look what else we are giving them. Treats can contain the harmful and not so healthy ingredients as listed above.

Life's Abundance premium pet food for puppies and adult dogs, cats and kittens is made using only fresh, human-quality ingredients. It is a nutrient dense food with high quality meat proteins and NO by-products, corn, wheat, gluten or soy. NO artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives.

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Cleaning Concrete the Green Way

Although many people are aware of the health risks toxic cleaning chemicals pose, they are still used for a number of cleaning jobs to keep businesses clean and deodorized. Aside from harming humans, these cleaners also negatively impact the environment, including plants and animals. This is why a number of people are now turning to new green cleaning techniques.

The term "green cleaning products" refers to a wide range of organic cleaners sourced from nature and free of toxic components commonly found in commercial cleaners. In addition to offering excellent cleaning results, using these non-toxic cleaners also guarantees that harmful residues are left on surfaces or released into the environment. Most importantly, these cleaners are safe for use around people, as well as plant and animal life.

To understand the cleaning power of these natural cleaners, let us consider a specific application, cleaning concrete surfaces. Removing a stain from a concrete surface can be very difficult and time consuming. Even cleaning professionals will agree that it is almost impossible to restore a concrete surface to its original state if it has been stained. This is exactly why you must use advanced green cleaning chemicals enhanced with rust and stain removers.

Natural cleaners such as green carpet cleaners and concrete cleaners are concentrated, plant-based solutions that provide superior cleaning power to effectively remove grease, rust, dirt, stains, or mildew from concrete surfaces. Moreover, these cleaning solutions also aggressively fight hydrocarbon deposits like oil, fats, sugar, proteins, and grease. Green cleaners formulated for cleaning concrete are ideal for cleaning a wide range of surfaces like garage floors, parking areas, basements, sidewalks, driveways, brick, and pavers. Since these formulas are eco-friendly and biodegradable, they can also be used to clean indoor concrete surfaces.

The best formulas available are concentrated, providing optimum value for consumers. For light-duty cleaning applications, you can use these green chemicals in the diluted form. For extremely challenging cleaning jobs, it is highly recommended that you use the cleaner in the concentrated form. For instance, instead of using harsh chemicals to eliminate rust stains from your sidewalks, quickly remove stubborn rust and other stains with concentrated green cleaning products.

One erroneous criticism plagues green chemicals, that they are not as powerful as toxic commercial chemicals. This is one reason why many commercial and industrial users still opt for harmful solutions to this day. However, this simply isn't true. Organic cleaners utilize specialized nano-sized molecules to penetrate and breakdown the molecules of dirt, grease, rust, and other residues. By effectively emulsifying dirt, grease, and rust in water, green cleaners ensure the complete and permanent removal of virtually all residues.

Learn more about the wide variety of green solutions available for virtually all applications by contacting a trusted green cleaning chemical supplier.

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