The Use of Codeine - and Dextromethorphan-Containing Cough Remedies in Children

There is numerous prescription and nonprescription medications currently available for suppression of cough symptoms in children. There is also reported adverse effects and over dosage associated with giving cough and cold preparations to children. Patients and parents need to learn about the "lack" of proven antitussive effects and the potential risks of these products.
What is a cough?
• It is a reflex response to mechanical, chemical, or inflammatory irritation
• The cough is a physiologic function to clear airways of obstructive or irritating material or to warn of noxious substances breathed in from the air.
In diseases such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and a variety of inflammatory conditions, excessive and/or abnormal airway secretions may occur. The cough reflex helps maintain airway potency by clearing out these secretions. The clearing of these secretions is essential and may be helped along by chest physiotherapy. Therefore, cough suppression may adversely affect patients with conditions such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cystic fibrosis by creating a build up of secretions, airway obstruction, secondary infection and hypoxemia. In other words, the cough is a necessary function for getting rid of excess secretions in some conditions and should not be suppressed with a cough remedy.
Many of the common respiratory conditions in which a cough is present last only a few days. A cough may also be an expression of airway reactivity or asthma. These types of cough symptoms can be satisfactorily managed with fluids and increased ambient humidity. If a cough continues for many days and is persistent, it is usually due to a secondary infection, allergy (including asthma), environmental irritants (cigarette smoke, dust particles) or a foreign body. The cause of this type of cough should be determined by a health care professional for a long lasting benefit and remedy to the patient.
Antitussive Formulas
Most cough suppressants are mixtures of dextromethorphan or codeine with antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, and or antipyretics. Some nonprescription cough medicines substitute diphenhydramine or eucalyptus oil in the place of codeine or dextromethorphan. Prescription cough medicines may substitute other narcotic agents such as hydrocodone or hydromorphone for codeine and may be more addictive than codeine. Many of the cough products are also elixirs that contain up to 25% alcohol by volume.
Codeine and dextromethorphan are effective cough suppressants in adults, but similar effectiveness has not been demonstrated in children. Because there are numerous cough and cold preparations readily available over-the-counter, many people think the medications are safe and effective for their children. Studies have shown antitussive preparations given to children is not effective and may even be potentially harmful.
Decongestant (sympathomimetic) components of these mixtures given to children have been associated with:
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• Hallucination
• Hypertension
• Dystonic reactions
The above reactions may vary with age and disease state.
Why is it possible for these symptoms to occur in children?
• The hepatic enzyme system that metabolizes drugs in young children is relatively immature; therefore, the risk of an adverse effect when using these medicines, especially in infants younger than 6 months is greater.
• When the decongestant mixtures are combined with other drugs such as acetaminophen, the metabolism and/or toxicity may also be changed and cause the child problems.
• In addition, the dosing guidelines for these agents are based on extrapolation from adult data without consideration of a child's potentially unique metabolism and disposition.
Based upon the studies given us at this time, antitussive preparations provide few positive effects when given to children and may even be potentially harmful. Indications for their use in children have not been established.
Suppression of cough reflex in many pulmonary airway diseases may be hazardous and contraindicated. Parents should realize that coughs due to acute viral airway infections are short-lived. Treatment consists of fluids and humidity. If you give your child a cough suppressant during this time you may be inviting more serious problems rather than helping the child get rid of a cough. A cough that last longer than a few days warrants a health care provider evaluation to determine the underlying cause.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon Visit http://www.babiesandtoddlers1.com for an extensive list of articles all about babies and toddlers. For a variety of FREE reprint articles rarely seen elsewhere visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

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Soft Organic Toys - Know What Goes Into Your Child's Mouth

In these days of frightening toy recalls, parents worry a great deal about their children's toys. This is especially true for parents of infants and toddlers who just have to put everything in their mouths. The children can't help it, but what is a parent to do to ensure that what their children are mouthing and chewing on is really safe?
Soft organic toys are one answer to take away the worry and stress about your child's toys. Organic toys can be made from either ultra-soft cotton or wool. The manufacturers use only vegetable dyes to give them color. They also don't have anything on or in them that could be a potential choking hazard.
This makes soft organic toys great for little ones who have to taste the world as they go. Soft organic toys are also a good choice for infants and toddlers who are teething. Simply wet them with water and stick them in the freezer. Once they're frozen, give them to your child to chew on.
These types of organic toys are a wonderful alternative to the regular teething products you find on the market which contain water that you have no idea where it comes from or how safe it is. Some of them use a gel that is even more "iffy" when it comes to being certain that it's safe. In fact, there was a recent recall on teething rings such as these.
The fact that the cotton and wool the soft organic toys are made from is grown under strict conditions and processed using no dangerous chemicals at all makes organic toys even more appealing to parents who are looking for safe toy alternatives. And this can probably be said of most every parent these days as the toy recalls just keep coming and get more serious each day.
You can find soft organic toys at some retailers. The selection, though, is extremely limited. There's a much wider selection to be found online. You just want to be sure that you're buying from a reputable site that is truly selling completely organic soft toys.
So when it comes to toy safety for the infant and toddler set, you can rest assured that you're buying the best alternative when you purchase soft organic toys. Your child will love them-and you'll feel comfortable knowing that what your child is chewing on is totally safe. And you need that security today more than ever.

Alma Newton is mother of four and grandmother of three, and takes great pleasure in offering you the very best of the organic cotton bedding, clothing and cloth diapers that she can find. Please visit her website at Soft Organic Cotton Baby Toys and find what you need for your special little person.

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Fleece baby blanket - The Cutest Gift For a New Born

Stores abound with multiple baby gifts and tokens. We have also to contend with numerous brands who promise the best of joy and comfort for the little darlings. But choosing the right gift can be confusing as it has to be something special and extraordinary and at the same time comfortable for tender bodies. Baby blanket is a wonderful item that can offer cozy comfort babies love. And among the several options fleece baby blanket is a popular choice.
Fleece baby blanket is made of soft wool fibers to keep the baby warm. These good quality fleece blanket do not shrink or get faded. These are available in different sizes and colors and even come in various designs, with the baby's name and birth date embroidered in them.
There are different kinds of blankets to choose from and for different ages and sizes. These include the small baby blanket, long blanket, personalized blanket among others. The size depends on the age of the baby. The blanket is often used as a baby wrap. Therefore, the length should be sufficient enough to cover the little body properly.
Before going to buy the blanket for the baby, there are certain things that should be taken into account. Like the quality or the material of the blanket. Though, it depends on the type of baby blanket preferred one must make sure that the material should be soft, comfortable and does not shrink after a wash.
The fleece baby blanket can be easily made as it is made up of wool fabrics. In fact the stitching is not at all complicated and can be made with simple straight stitches. This makes these blankets cheaper than the others. Even the material or the kind of wool used is easily available. And the most interesting fact about the fleece baby blanket is that it is easy to wash.
The fleece baby blanket is a popular choice for young mothers who are shopping for the baby's comfort as well as theirs. And this makes it a much loved gift concept as well for friends and family at showers and new born parties. The benefit of the baby blanket is that it makes a very comfortable wrap. It helps the baby sleep faster and for a longer time thus making it a perfect buy for the new little darling.

Maria Joseph is an expert in baby care product designs and a freelance writer in a baby care magazine. For more details on baby blanket she recommends you to visit www.mobilemoms.com.

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Crib Safety Standards - What You Need To Know

Choosing a crib for your baby is the first of many important decisions you will make concerning your child. While shopping for the crib may be fun and exciting it should also be taken quite seriously. Each year many children are hurt or killed in their very own cribs. Crib safety standards have come a long way in the last 30 years but it's up to you as parents to ensure that the crib you choose isn't going to harm your little one.
Crib Design Safety
Cribs are designed with vertical bars or slats to keep the child safely contained inside. These bars can be too far apart and pose a possible threat to children if they get their head stuck. Vertical slats should be no more than 2+3/8 inches apart. All new cribs are built to meet this standard; however, to be sure you should always measure the crib.
The corner posts of the crib should be no higher than 1/16 inch above the end panels. This is so that the child can't get a loop of clothing accidentally caught on the ends. Choose a crib without cutouts on the ends as these can pose a threat for small hands and feet to become stuck. The top rails of the sides at their highest position should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its lowest position.
Once the child can pull himself up to a standing position keep the mattress support on the lowest setting. You should stop using the crib once the height of the child is more than ¾ of the height of the raised rail. The drop sides of the crib should be latched securely and require at least ten pounds of pressure to release. Crib hardware should be smooth with no sharp points or protruding edges.
Crib Mattress Safety
The mattress itself is another safety concern. Choose a mattress that fits snugly into the crib. Cribs and crib mattresses are designed with specific sizes for this purpose. Infants can become wedged in between the mattress and crib if there is even a small amount of room. Use the two-finger rule. If you can fit two fingers in-between the mattress and the crib the space is too large and a new mattress needs to be obtained.
Never leave the plastic covering on the mattress once you get it home. Also, avoid using plastic sheets as these can cause a suffocation hazard to infants. Choose a firm mattress so that the child lies on top rather than sinks into it. Use tight bedding on the mattress as well.
Baby crib safety is an important consideration when thinking about using an antique crib. While the style may go well with the décor of the room remember that cribs made before 1974 likely don't adhere to the safety standards. When shopping for the crib be sure to measure all aspects of the crib, even those that are brand new.
Most cribs need to be assembled at home. Incorrect assembly can make an otherwise safe crib into a safety hazard instead. Follow directions completely and always test the crib features before placing an infant inside.

Article written by Randi Reese, she offers a wide selection of unique baby cribs, including the popular Davinci crib.

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Pros and Cons of the Baby Bottle Warmer

To some people, the use of the baby bottle warmer is the greatest appliances made for babies ever. With any type of electronic product, there are usually pros and cons associated with it. This article will examine the benefits and downside in using the baby bottle warmer to heat the baby's food.

There are many benefits that are associated in using the baby bottle warmer. The most important is the fact that it is able to keep the liquid in the bottle at a constant temperature. If a parent was supposed to heat the bottle on the stove or in the microwave, it would be a hassle to be constantly checking to see if it was warm enough or if it was too hot. Another benefit in using this product over the microwave is the uneven way in which the microwave heats food. There can be spots in the milk or formula that could be either too hot or too cool and there is no consistency. Another benefit is the fact that in some cases you can heat the baby's food while you are out on the road or are travelling. Simple warmers that use batteries or a car adapter are available to ensure that the baby will always have his food warm when he needs it.

The baby bottle warmer is not without some cons. It is very useful at heating the product, but sometimes inferior products heating element can get so hot that it possibly could melt the bottle. There also have been complaints from parents who feel that the formula or milk did not get heated to the proper temperature. This could be extremely annoying if you have a hungry baby and their food is not warm enough. Another concern that parents had was the fact that sometimes it would take a long time for the bottles to warm up to a respectable level. The optimum time stated by some manufacturers was in the region of 4-9 minutes. However depending on the model then the time to accomplish this could be way ahead of the stated period.

In closing the baby bottle warmer is a product that was created to make a parents life easier. It was a simple option to heat the food without resorting to the stove or the microwave. With all devices there are always positives and negatives in using them. It was good at keeping the temperature the same, and also gave parents the option to carry it if they were going to be mobile. On the downside some devices could take a long time to warm the food and faulty heating elements could cause the bottle to melt.

The author, James Dalton has written on this topic to highlight the good and bad of certain products. He has also written on glass baby bottles and fondue pots. All of these have pros and cons associated with them. Please view his articles if you enjoyed this.

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Baby Car Seat Covers - 3 Tips For Selecting the Perfect Cover For Your Baby's Seat

There are many benefits to covering your baby's car seat with a specially designed cover. Since babies are messy little beings who can dirty up fabric rather quickly, you want to cover your baby's seat with something that can easily be removed and washed as needed. You also want to be able to display your baby's personality through his or her seat.

So, how do you go about selecting a seat covers which will look nice in your vehicle yet remain functional and safe for your baby? The following tips are designed to get you thinking about critical factors involved with purchasing a car seat cover.

The Perfect Fit

Make sure the seat cover you purchase was made to fit the exact brand and model of car seat you own. If there are specific models or brands listed on the packaging but yours is not on that list, then you can't assume that it will fit just because the picture on the front of the packaging looks similar to your baby's seat. Dimensions can always be off by just enough to make the seat cover worthless with your individual car seat.

If you have trouble finding a cover that lists your brand or model, there are many on the market that are designed to fit virtually any seat. While these may not have a tailored fit designed just for your car seat, they will fit nicely and do the job they are intended to do...protect your baby's seat from spit ups, spills, and other daily occurrences in the life of a baby!

The Perfect Look

You can now find a wide variety of color schemes, patterns, and designs being offered through a wide variety of baby car seat cover manufacturers. Before you make a final selection, spend some time looking around online to see what patterns and colors appeal to you the most.

You want to ultimately find something that you feel displays the personality of your baby, or perhaps the personality of the name you will be giving your baby if they are not born yet. You may also opt to find a pattern or color scheme that will fit well with the interior of your vehicle, since that is where the seat will be spending most of its time!

The Perfect Fabric

The great thing about baby seat covers is that they can easily be removed and washed. This is the top reason that parents are purchasing car seat covers in record numbers today, but you have to make sure your car seat cover is made from durable, high quality fabric that is not going to rip or tear up easily.

You want your baby car seat cover to be as durable and long lasting as it is stylish and cute! If you are shopping through local stores try to feel the fabric through the packaging if at all possible. Make sure it doesn't feel too thin and ensure that it isn't scratchy or rough feeling as that will become uncomfortable on your baby's skin.

If you are shopping online for your baby's seat cover, read into the type of fabric that is used and try to find something referring to the thickness of the fabric. Try to find the product on Amazon and read reviews from previous customers before making a final selection online.

For more help finding the best infant car seat and to find additional information on Cosco car seats please visit our site today.

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Tips on Buying Baby Car Seats

Becoming a parent means more responsibility than you could ever imagine. No longer are you just able to worry about yourself, but you now have to be responsible for the life of another person. With this responsibility comes a protective nature that will take you over. You will do anything to ensure the safety of your child no matter what the circumstance is. Well one way to make sure your child is safe is to buy the proper baby car seat for him or her. Each child is different, and especially with age and size will need a something that best fits them. This article will help all parents out there buy the proper baby car seat for their child.

The most important thing when shopping is to make sure you are buying a safe product. Style and design mean nothing if your child is not safe in his or her baby car seats. In order to make sure you are buying a safe product be sure to visit consumer websites that may have any info on recalls for particular products. On these sites you will also be able to read up on how fellow parents have liked or disliked a particular car seat. Do remember though that no product is perfect and there will always be bad reviews. Be selective in terms of what you consider when reading consumer reviews.

Another thing to think about when you are shopping is to figure out what your budget is. Car seats can range for about $50 all the way up to around $400. That is a big spread with a lot of car seats in between. Creating a budget will help you narrow your choices down, so that you do no feel so overwhelmed when looking around. If you are having trouble finding something you like with in your budget, you might want to reevaluate and increase your price range.

If you have narrowed your choices down to a specific brand or style be sure to test it out in your own car to make sure it is a good fit. Be sure you test out the sturdiness and how snug it fits in the seat belts or proper safety straps. You certainly do not want to walk away with a car seat that does not fit your car well.

The above are just some simple tips when shopping for a baby car seat. There is much more that goes into it, but that is based on personal preference that no one can really give you advice on. It will take some time to shop for the right fit for you and your child. Be sure to do your research on what brands and styles will keep your child safe!

This article was brought to you by the authors of http://www.allbabysupplies.com/ where you can find baby car seats cheap

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Car Seat Safety - It is Very Important!

One of the most dangerous things parents are forced to do with their children is put them inside a vehicle to go somewhere. When accidents happen, most vehicles are just not equipped to protect little passengers.

While safety features, like reinforced doors, can help, others can hurt. Air bags, for example, have been known to literally suffocate small passengers. The best way to compensate for the fact vehicles are built for adults is to put in the right child safety seats and use them where they are most effective. Whether you are planning a trip down the street or across country, having the right seat in place for a child is the best thing you can do to protect precious cargo.

The best location in a vehicle for child seats is the back seat area. If a pickup truck is the vehicle of choice, be sure to disengage the passenger side air bag if this is possible. To select the right seats follow these general rules of thumb for picking out age and size-appropriate models:

Newborns and infants - Rear-facing car seats are the best for babies. Most states, in fact, insist on rear-facing seats in their written laws. Try to keep a child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, but do pay attention to manufacturer recommendations for size and weight.

Toddlers and preschoolers - As babies get a little older; they will outgrow most standard rear-facing seats. When this happens, it is time for a forward-facing, harness system or a convertible seat. These car seats are designed to accommodate children up to age 4 or 5. Harness systems can be the best for dealing with toddlers who have figured out buttons. Harnesses are very difficult for toddlers to disengage.

Older, larger children - While most parents might not want to admit it, children do grow out of standard car seats rather quickly. When a preschooler is too big for a harness system, a booster seat is in order. This type of seat will generally raise a child enough that the seat belt system of the vehicle will work. Booster seats are advised for children until they reach the height of about 4 feet 9 nine inches.

Teens - Make sure to keep the good habits going into the teen years by insisting on seat belts even in the back seat.

Installing car seats properly is vital for ensuring they will work when they are needed the most. To get the job done right, follow manufacturer instructions closely. If there is any concern during the installation, check the instructions twice. Otherwise, many local police and fire departments and hospitals have technicians available that can help. Call to find out if a car seat expert is available in the local community. Do not be embarrassed if figuring out proper installation proves to be too much. Car seats have become so complicated that technicians must take a several-day class to receive certification.

No matter how far you plan to travel, making sure children are safe should be the top priority. The best place to start is with installing the right child safety seat for each little passenger.

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5 Things That Make a Safe Car Seat

When shopping for a car seat, there are a lot of things you want to have and consider before you buy one. With all the different brands, features and types out there it is first important to ask yourself what makes a car seat safe. The whole point is to remember that we're buying it for our child's safety, right? Well, to make sure your seat has what it needs, continue reading below.

Requirements: First of all, what good is a car seat if your child doesn't fit the requirements? It won't do any good at all. First make sure your child is the correct weight and height for the seat.

Harness: Next, make sure it has some kind of secure harness to give them a snug fit, I and other parents tend to like the 5 point harnesses. If the seat you're looking at has these, that's great!

LATCH: This is also important because it secures the baby seat to your car's seat. This will make sure your little one can't rock side to side or move in a direction they shouldn't be.

Straps/buckles: It is also important that your seat has some kind of buckle or strap. Whether it straps your little one in by the shoulders or it has a crotch strap to make sure they can't move, they're important to have.

Recline: You want your seat to be able to recline at a certain angle. They say your little one should be rear-facing at a 45 degree recline. Make sure your little one is comfortable and sitting properly reclined in the car.

There are several car seats on the market but it's important to make sure they have the features to make them safe. They are all looked over and tested, but it's good to do some researching and looking yourself!

Find the Safest Car Seats at FindMyCarSeat.com, as well as more of my work.

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