New Ottawa Mom - Health & Wellness

Are these 'baby blues' normal? I feel so overwhelmed

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:34:24 -0800

Description:

The question:
I just had a baby and despite support from my husband and family, I feel completely overwhelmed. My doctor says these "baby blues" are normal. Are they?

The answer: See the Globe & Mail's "Ask a Health Expert" article: Ask a Health Expert.

Eco Products that Work

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:52:07 -0800

Description:

An Ottawa-based online venue that offers news and reviews about eco products for the home, for the garden, for school, for work, for life.

With so many products out there, it's hard to know if you are buying something truly effective. Do the products you purchase for your home and family really do what they say in a healthy and environmental way? This website offers a lot of insight and many helpful tips for consumers.

Website:
http://ecoproductsthatwork.com/

Information on H1N1

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:52:09 -0800

Description:

This site contains information on the H1N1 flu vaccine from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Website:
http:/www.fightflu.ca

Canada's Food Guide

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:49:18 -0700

Description:

Eating a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the best ways to protect and promote good health. See Canada's Food Guide for useful information and helpful tips on feeding your family.

Concerned about pesticides on fruit and veggies....?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:09:40 -0700

Description:

Take a look at this link to see what scores individual fruits and veggies get on the pesticide scale:

Website:
http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

Reducing Children’s Exposure to Chemicals in Their Environment (Information Sessions)

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:51:21 -0700

Description:

Childproofing for Environmental Health

Concerned about recent toy recalls for high lead content?
Beyond lead there are numerous harmful chemicals that children are exposed to in their everyday lives from air, food, water and of course from consumer products such as toys, personal care products, household cleaners etc. Attend a short info session to learn WHAT YOU CAN DO to REDUCE the exposures of the children you care for.*

- Learn about our “body burden of chemicals” (the chemicals in our bodies) and the associated health effects
- Learn about children’s unique vulnerability
- Expand your definition of childproofing to include protection from environmental hazards and not just physical hazards

Well Baby Drop-in (0-3 mths)

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 22:15:25 -0700

Region:
Ottawa East

Description:

For babies up to three months old.

Meet other parents, have your baby weighed and talk with a Public Health Nurse. No appointment required.

Where:

Overbrook C.C. – 613-742-5147
33 Quill Street (Between Vanier & St. Laurent, and between Queen Mary & Donald St.)
Tuesdays - 1:30-3 pm
Ongoing

Cost:
Free

Allergies, by Vanessa Riddell

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 09:39:00 -0700

Description:

Common foods that cause allergies and intolerances include wheat, dairy foods, sugar, citrus fruit, chocolate, soy, corn, and nuts. But it can be any food. The most likely offender is often something that is frequently consumed. Foods that cause a delayed response, often cause an overall feeling of “just not right” with a few niggling symptoms present most of the time.

Symptoms can appear as earaches, recurrent ear infections, itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma, depression, hyperactivity, insomnia, stuttering, hair loss, itchy skin, eczema, apathy, generalized aches and pains, cravings, excessive weight and resistance to diet change among many more.

Children's Health & the Environment

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:07:33 -0700

Description:

The Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE) is an affiliation of groups with overlapping missions to improve children's environmental health in Canada. Working across traditional boundaries, CPCHE provides common ground for organizations working to protect children's health from environmental contaminants. The partnership aims to:

- Move children's environmental health issues into the minds of decision-makers both on the front lines and at the policy level;
- Promote children's environmental health amongst caregivers and the public;
- Coordinate activities and create efficiencies amongst the partners.

Website:
http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english/

THE BEST OF FATS

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:56:58 -0700

There has been a lot of media reports lately on the damage that Trans Fats can cause. Trans fats are vegetable fats that have been turned into solid mass through hydrogenation, like margarine. Vegetable fats normally are liquid at room temperature. These fats have had their molecular make-up changed during hydrogenation, causing them to be rancid. Rancidity causes free radicals in the body when ingested. The reason you don’t want this is because free radicals age the body at a rapid rate and contribute to cancer.

But using animal fats or “saturated” fat, which is solid at room temperature, isn’t the solution either. I think most of us realize that too much animal fat isn’t healthy. It contributes to cardiovascular disease as well as obesity which itself brings a whole host of illnesses to the table. These fats can be heated at high levels however, without causing rancidity.

1-866-797-0000 - Telehealth HELP-Line

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 08:51:45 -0700

Description:

Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse.

That means quick, easy access to a qualified health professional, who can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. We can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.

My husband and I used the Telehealth Line just recently, after picking up our daughter from daycare. She was vomiting, but had no fever. It took about 10 minutes for us to speak with a registered nurse, describe the situation and condition of our daughter, answer her questions and get information on what the causes could be, what to do and what to look for if emergency care at a hospital was needed. They were very helpful, and this was so much faster than going to the emergency room, which we've done in the past.
~Camielle Lang

A Balanced Diet, Supplementation and Things to Avoid

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:34:55 -0700

By Vanessa Riddell
Congratulations on becoming a parent. The most rewarding and at times taxing job, but oh so worth it! We are leading the next generation into adulthood and this job carries many responsibilities. I salute you as a fellow parent!

I am very excited to be joining NewOttawaMom.com in writing a monthly column and partaking in a Q & A for those mum's needing nutritional advice. I am also a practicing Registered Nutritional Consultant for those interested in more specific information.

The most common question I hear is "What do I eat to offer myself the best nutrition possible for nursing, while at the same time losing all the pregnancy weight that I have gained." Three points need to be addressed; a balanced diet, supplementation and things to avoid.

Helpful Internet resources

Mon, 01 May 2006 10:47:19 -0700

Description:

Canadian chat and discussion boards with informative articles

CanadianParents.com
Today's Parent
Baby Centre

City of Ottawa Public Health

Mon, 01 May 2006 10:37:45 -0700

Description:

Raising a child requires patience and enthusiasm. Whether you are a parent or a caregiver, help is not far away. Whether you are a new parent or have children attending school, Ottawa Public Health has tried to bring you information concerning all aspects of their lives. A better relationship with your child begins with understanding his or her needs. We have information to help you feel confident while keeping your children emotionally and physically healthy, and always being safe.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has legislated responsibility for delivering public health services including health protection, disease and injury prevention control of communicable diseases, family health services and responding to public health services.