Treating Fever in Children!

• Is limp or unresponsive
• Is having trouble breathing
• Is vomiting and has a headache or a stiff neck
• Has blue lips or skin
• Has a rash that looks like bruises and the bruises don't go white when pressed
• Has a seizure

A high temperature can be alarming, but in an otherwise healthy child, it usually isn't something serious. A fever often means that a body is working the way it should and fighting off infection.

Call Doctor If:

• You think the child needs medical attention.
• The child is younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher.
• The child is 3 months to 3 years old and has a fever of 102 F or higher or has had any fever for more than one day.
• The child has a high fever lasting more than 24 hours.
• The child is any age with a temperature of 104 F or higher.
• The soft spot on the child’s skull is bulging.
• The child vomits repeatedly or has severe diarrhea.
• The child has signs of dehydration, such as not wetting diapers, crying without tears, dry mouth or mucous membranes, or sunken soft spot.
• The fever triggers a seizure.
• The child has a fever and a rash.
• Your child is at special risk for serious infections. This includes children with blood or immune disorders or any child who has not received the routine immunizations.

For Infants Younger Than 3 Months Old

1. Take Temperature

• The most accurate way to take a temperature is rectal. If you are uncomfortable with this, then take temperature under the armpit. If it is higher than 99 F, then double-check it rectally using a rectal thermometer to get the most accurate reading.

2. Call Your Pediatrician

• If the child's temperature is higher than 100.4 F, call your pediatrician. A child this age should always be seen by their pediatrician if they are sick.
• Bathing or sponging the child with lukewarm water may help bring down a fever. Do not use cold water, ice baths, or alcohol.
• Do not give any medicine unless discussed first with the doctor.

For Children, 3 Months Old or Older Who Have Been Immunized

1. Take Temperature

• Rectal. For a child under 4 or 5 months, use a rectal thermometer to get an accurate reading. A child has a fever if the rectal temperature is above 100.4 F.
• Oral. For a child over 4 or 5 months, you can use an oral or pacifier thermometer. The child has a fever if it registers above 100.4 F.
• Ear. If the child is 6 months old or older, you can use an ear or temporal artery thermometer, but this may not be as accurate. Still, under most circumstances, it's a reasonable way to get a good enough estimate. If it's essential that you get an accurate reading, take a rectal temperature.
• Armpit. If you take the child’s temperature in the armpit, a reading above 100.4 F usually indicates a fever.

2. If Temperature Is Below 102 Degrees F

• You don't need to treat the fever unless the child is uncomfortable or has a history of seizures with fever.
• Make sure the child gets plenty of fluids and rest.

3. If Temperature Is Above 102 Degrees F but Below 105 Degrees

• You can give infant- or child-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol), following dosage instructions on the package. Ask your pediatrician before giving any fever-reducing medicine to a child for the first time.
• Bathing or sponging the child with lukewarm water may help bring down the temperature. Do not use cold water, ice baths, or alcohol.
• Do not give aspirin to a child under 18 years of age because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a dangerous brain disease.
• Call your pediatrician to see if you need to bring your child in to see the doctor.

4. Follow Up

• A child should not return to school or daycare until the child is fever-free for at least 24 hours.
• Call your pediatrician if the fever lasts for more than two days, gets higher, or you are concerned.

5 Best Toys for Babies Aged 0-6 Months (2020 Update)!

A good baby toy can be much, much more than just a distraction. Recent information published by the Morgridge Institute for Research shows that the right toy can actually help your baby to develop in a multitude of different ways – helping them to refine their motor skills, develop their coordination, and speed up their visual processing.

Studies have also shown that toys offer great bonding opportunities too. In fact, a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics has shown that playing with your children is the number one way to build strong and lasting bonds.

And, there’s no better way to do that than getting a fun toy you can enjoy together – whether it’s a traditional play-gym or a multi-textured giraffe with lots of tactile features that you can use to encourage your little one to try gripping things early.

According to the Child Development Institute, developmental benefits imparted by a good toy are most pronounced in children between 0 and 6 months old, so if your baby is in that bracket, now’s definitely the time to get shopping.

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Do take care when picking a toy though. While you may well be tempted to run out and grab the first thing on the shelf, it is important to pick something that will genuinely satisfy your child’s curiosity.

Something that’s colorful, that’s interesting enough to hold their attention, and that boasts features designed to aid in development.

Our 5 Best Baby Toys for Babies Aged 0-6 Months

This list includes firm favorites that we’d recommend to every parent and a couple of really interesting toys that – depending on the child – may well become their go-to toy every playtime.

1. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether

The Manhattan Toy company are well known for making some of the best baby toys on today’s market, and we’re pleased to say that their Winkel rattle and sensory teether is no exception.

Features

• Bright and engaging design
• Special teething loops
• Built-in rattle
• BPA-free plastic construction
• This dazzling collection of soft-plastic tubes could almost be a piece of abstract art in its own right, and we think that the bright colors, the sheer bombastic of the shape and endless, looping design are all-but-guaranteed to fascinate young children.

This is a very tactile toy too – hold it in your hand and the first thing you’ll notice is that it feels interesting. There’s a lot to grab, lots of different things to hold. It rattles when you shake it and it’s fun just to turn it round and round.

Sure, there’s only really one texture, and it’s true that the mirrors and baubles you’ll find on other toys are absent here, but those small disadvantages are offset by the overall quality of the piece, and the sheer joy we’ve seen in bring to our little tester’s face.

It does make a fantastic teether too – the loops are BPA-free, which means they’re 100% safe for your baby to chow down on, and they’re also just the right pliability. They flex, and they have given, but they’re not so soft that your baby won’t get any relief from biting down on them.

2. Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball

As the name suggests, the Bumpy Ball is built to encourage learning and exploration.

Features

• A multitude of colored & textured ‘bumps’
• Built-in rattle
• Non-toxic construction
• Lightweight design
• It’s studded with a mind-boggling array of different bumps, each with its own unique texture and color combination. It also rattles too, just in case the kaleidoscope of different tactile elements wasn’t enough on its own.

What we love about this toy is that it is genuinely engaging – hand it to your little one and watch their eyes glaze over in wonder; hands meandering across the different surfaces as they squeeze and prod and poke. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, which means that they won’t struggle to rotate it on their own, and it’s great for building grip.

Fortunately, it is also made from completely non-toxic materials, so when it does (inevitably) wind up in your little one’s mouth, you don’t have to worry too much.

There are a couple of downsides though. Firstly, this is a soft toy, and while the stitching is fairly strong, a very determined child would probably be able to tear their way into the inner stuffing.

3. Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym

They’ve gone in and out of fashion over the years, but it felt criminal not to include at least one play gym on our list, and the Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym is definitely the best suited to babies in the 0-6 month age range.

Features

• Fully-equipped play gym
• Functional piano
• Interesting mobile with tactile elements
• Built from non-toxic materials
• This bright and colorful play gym boasts a pretty impressive feature set. Once we’d got it all set-up, we could see the eponymous piano (which boasts some nice, chunky keys) a brilliant little playmat that’s crawling with cute jungle friends, and a mobile that’s packed with tactile elements

Of all these elements, the mobiles probably the most interesting; particularly for babies between 0 and 6 months. There are colorful plastic animals with spinning disks and moveable parts, and there’s also a tiny mirror that’s bound to prove fascinating.

In short, there’s enough there to keep them occupied for an hour or so at a time, and there are plenty of opportunities for combined play if you want to get stuck in, and do a little bonding.

The whole play gym will grow with them too – as they get older, they’ll learn to play with the piano during tummy time, and the mat is a great space for playing with other toys too.

The whole unit’s nice and lightweight as well. A lot of play gyms are a nightmare to take up or put down, but this one is straightforward and easy to travel with.

You may also be interested: Best Pack and Plays

The only downside is probably the price (relative to the other toys on this list) and the fact that it’s not the kind of thing that you can just bring to the table for an impromptu play session.

4. Baby Einstein Octopus Plush Toy

This Octopus looks adorable, and it’s absolutely packed with developmental triggers.

Features

• Plush, velour octopus
• Squeeze buttons on each leg
• Auditory playback feature
• Made from non-toxic materials

Each of the colored symbols on its feet can be squeezed to play an adorable little melody, and a voice-over speaking the name of the corresponding color. This provides opportunities for your little one to start learning through repetition, and to start building an awareness of associations.

The whole toy is something of a tactile playground in its own right too – the underside is soft, and silky, while the top-side has a velour texture that’ll help to teach your baby about variety, and develop their sensitivity to different materials.

Speaking of textures, we do also think it’s worth pointing out that this particular toy is incredibly well-built. All of the seams are strong, everything feels high-quality, and we’ve no doubt that it’s robust enough to survive hectic play sessions.

The manufacturer has included a volume control too. This might sound like a relatively strange thing to highlight here, but trust us, after you’ve heard the adorable little thing squeal ‘red’ for the 4,000th time, you’ll be grateful that you can drop the decibel count for a few hours!

The only downsides? It’s another soft toy with electrical parts, which means that you will find it a little trickier to clean.

5. FOREST Handbells and Rattles Soft Plush Toy

This is a giraffe with a difference. As soon as we got our hands on this adorable little toy, we were blown away by just how many interactive elements the manufacturer had managed to cram on.

Features

• A plethora of moving parts
• Musical elements (rattle and bells)
• Made from non-toxic materials
• Colorful giraffe design

It jingles, it rattles, there are plastic elements for teething and plenty of moving parts to slide around.

Better still, this Soft Plush Toy has nice narrow legs with a special, textured fabric that makes them really easy to grip. It’s also really lightweight -despite its relatively large size – which means your little one will be encouraged to manipulate it as he plays.

Of all the toys we reviewed for this list, it’s probably the best option for grip development and hand control. Because it boasts such a wide variety of textural elements, it’s also another great option for teaching your little one about variety, and the musical elements do help to train the ear.

In short? It’s a great companion for your little one, and it offers them plenty of learning opportunities.

The cons are straightforward, and they’re more ‘niggles’ than cons too: It’s another soft toy, which means that it will be slightly harder to clean. We’re also not sure it can be machine washed as it came with no instructions, so we’ve been spot-cleaning with warm soapy water.

The manufacturer is relatively new too, and while this might not be a problem for most of us, people looking for something from a named-brand may want to look elsewhere.

Best Baby Toys Buying Guide

Don’t like our list of 5 best toys for babies aged 0-6 months? No worries. To help you pick out a toy that is perfect for you, we’ve put together this buying guide.  Whenever you’re picking a brand-new baby toy, just try to make sure that it meets all of the following criteria:

Interesting features

The best toys are interesting – they have lots of different things to grab, lots of textures, lots of colors, and at least one or two moving parts.

Other toys are fine, but they won’t encourage development in quite the same way, and there’s every chance that your little one will get bored of them quite quickly – robbing you of the experience to enjoy playtime and curbing your little one’s progress.

Safe

Safety is paramount when it comes to buying toys for babies aged 0-6 months old. You’ll want to avoid all the obvious things, like sharp edges, or moving parts that could trap fingers. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for mouth-safe materials too.

Like it or not, your new toy is going in your baby’s mouth at some point, no matter how zealously you’re guarding playtime.

So, make sure that the plastics are BPA-free, and that any cloth parts are made from non-toxic material. That way you know it’s not too important if they chow down while your back is turned.

Colorful

When we first started reviewing baby toys, we were a little bit skeptical about the fuss people were making about color. Every toy manufacturer seems to rave about how colorful their toys are, and it’s all too easy to question whether your baby would really care all that much.

After some trial and error, we can honestly say that color does make a huge difference though – colorful toys genuinely seem to keep children engaged longer.

Well-built

For obvious reasons, you don’t want to buy a toy that’s going to fall apart in your child’s hands. Nor do you want a toy that’ll come apart in the wash or disintegrate if it’s dropped in the bath.

Baby toys aren’t necessarily expensive, per se, but you still don’t want to have to replace them every few months, which is why we’d always recommend looking for options that are known to have good build quality.

What about Playing Outside?

A lot of moms ask us if it’s ok for small infants to play outside, so we went away and did a fair bit of research before putting together this guide. After some digging, we found that almost every pediatrician recommended at least some outdoor play, not least because playing outside is known to:

• Boost immunity
• Amplify the developmental benefits of play
• Improve your child’s mood

If anything, this means you’d be encouraged to play with your baby outside. Do be careful though; there are far more hazards in an outdoor play-space, and you will want to keep your little one under close supervision while they’re having fun.

Wrap-up

Picking baby toys can be very challenging. Finding the right balance between fun, engaging and safe can take a fair bit of trial and error, and then there are things like teething elements to consider, and the importance of whether or not it’s machine washable…

You don’t want a plethora of unloved discards littering the nursery though, so take your time, and remember to look for the features that matter to you.

The 5 options that we’ve highlighted above should include toys with enough variety to keep any child happy, but there’s no harm in stepping back, and spending a little extra time browsing if you haven’t found ‘the one’ just yet.

10 Best Local Foods in Taipei!

Taiwanese cuisine naturally draws a lot of influence from traditional Chinese food – particularly the middle and southern provinces of the mainland – but also from the native culture and the Japanese influences introduced to the island during the 50 years of Japanese rule. The result is a collection of unique flavours, unusual concoctions and creative inventions.

Many of the dishes in our list of the best local food in Taipei are actually incredibly simple. They involve very few ingredients and are quick and easy to prepare, though some of those ingredients are a little unusual. In spite of this, several of them are very highly thought of and have, in some cases, formed the backbone of international brands spreading right across Southeast Asia and the world. Most of them can be found for as little as NT$50 or 60, although gourmet versions can be as much as NT$10,000.Beef Noodle Soup

Beef Noodle Soup (or New Rou Mian) is so popular in Taipei that it has a festival in its honour every year. As a result, the range of places selling this tasty dish is very broad, with each claiming to be the best.

The meal itself is very simple – thick-cut wheat or flour noodles with tender cuts of beef in a tick beef broth. In the original version, there are no herbs or spices added – just a few bits of cabbage for a extra taste and texture – which makes it practically unique among Chinese food. Many of the street stalls selling this hearty dish add a dollop of chilli butter to spice things up.

Xiao Long Bao

The signature dish of the renowned Din Tai Fung restaurant chain, these bite-sized dumplings have paper-thin wrappings around tender pork meatballs in a rich, hot broth. Despite its simplicity, it is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike for its great flavour and has carried the Taipei-based restaurant to international acclaim.

You can’t really say you’ve visited Taiwan without having tried one – just be careful not to eat them too quickly. Give the soup some time to cool or you might get a scalding surprise!

Pineapple Cake

An excellent souvenir to take home to your friends and family (assuming that you can resist the temptation to eat them all before you get there), these sweet, fruity delights are made from the fresh pineapples of the Bagua Mountains in Taiwan. They’re turned into a rich jam filling, which is presented in a slightly buttery pastry to create these moreish little cuboid cakes. The best of these are the gourmet offerings of Sunny Hills and are appropriately named “Sunny Delights”.

4

Stinky Tofu

Stinky Tofu is a very divisive Taiwanese snack: you either love it or hate it, and the strength of your sense of smell will probably have a lot to do with which. It consists of a deep-fried cube of bean curd which has fermented in a vegetable, shellfish, milk or meat brine. It is served coated in a sweet and spicy sauce and offers a tasty mix of textures, from the crispy casing to the soft filling. Popular with tourists as a dare and with locals as a snack, stinky tofu can be very easily found in most of the Taipei night markets – just follow your nose!

Chicken’s Feet

Chicken’s Feet is not a fanciful description – it is exactly what it sounds like. Remarkably, this slightly gelatinous and fatty treat is so popular and common in Taipei that it is even sold in the cinemas as an alternative to popcorn! They can be a little fiddly to eat and there is not much meat on each foot, but they are available in a choice of preparations (just like popcorn is) and make an interesting, novel and tasty snack, as well as a fun addition to your Instagram feed.

Mango Shaved Ice

A perfect treat for those hot and sticky summer days in Taipei, Chinese shaved ice is an adaptation of the Philippines’ halo-halo. Baobing, as it is known locally, uses fruit (mango is a favourite, but strawberry and melon are common, too) mixed with ice and condensed milk to create a popular thirst-quenching dessert. Baobing is sometimes also called a shaved ice mountain due to the huge servings which, with milk, fruit juices and melting ice streaming down the sides, makes it look like an erupting volcano.

Top 10 Spanish foods – with recipes!

What better way to explore Spain than with your tastebuds? From tantalizing tapas to fabulous fabada, here are the top 10 Spanish foods to try, with recipes.

If you’ve ever been to Spain, you’ll know just how important food is to the county’s rich and varied culture. Over the centuries, Spanish cuisine has developed into a wide range of delicious dishes based on fresh and colorful ingredients from all corners of the country.

Many people will be introduced to the wonders of Spanish food through a tapas bar, often marveling at the choice and flavors on offer. But Spanish cooking is a whole lot more than delicious tapas. From hearty stews to light bites, there is something to satisfy every palate in this vibrant country.

To help bring a little Spanish excitement into your kitchen, here are the top 10 Spanish foods, along with recipes to try at home. ¡Qué aproveche!

1. Croquetas

We start our list with the ultimate tapas bar classic – croquetas. Many countries do their own version of croquettes, but the Spanish have them down to a fine art. The best ones combine some unforgettable Iberian flavors, whether jamón (cured ham), morcilla (blood sausage), or bacalao (fresh cod) blended with béchamel sauce. These are then breaded and fried and served up with a sauce of your choice. If you don’t fancy cooking, most local bars will serve their own variety, with the best usually found in the scrubbed-down neighborhood haunts where you are least expecting it.

Make your own

• Perfect the ham and béchamel croquette
• Try this local recipe for mushroom croquettes

2. Tortilla Española

Another tapas bar favorite is tortilla Española – or Spanish omelet as it’s known around the world. However, it’s not just a tapas treat. The tortilla can also be eaten as a main dish, a break time snack, or even in a sandwich, which is popular with kids. To create your own tortilla, you’ll need to slowly fry up onions and potatoes in olive oil before adding the egg. This will caramelize the onions and give your omelet that extra sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, though, why not try adding chorizo and spinach? But be warned, as delicious as this new combination is, the locals won’t let you call it a tortilla!

Make your own

• Follow this detailed classic tortilla recipe
• And this recipe includes plenty of photos
• Try this Spanish-Italian mash-up recipe from Jamie Oliver

3. Gazpacho

What better way to cool down during a hot Spanish summer than with a cool bowl of gazpacho? Usually served as an appetizer, this chilled tomato soup definitely packs a punch. To make it, simply blend up some fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs, and serve it with toasted bread for a low-calorie dish crammed full of vitamins. The idea of eating cold tomato soup might sound a little odd to some foreigners, but once you’ve enjoyed a traditionally made gazpacho on a hot summer’s day you’ll be hooked! For a twist, add some bread to create the Andalusian favorite, salmorejo.

Make your own

• Try this traditional gazpacho recipe
• Or watch a video on how to make it
• Chuck in some bread with this quick and easy salmorejo recipe

4. Pisto

Think ratatouille is something you’d only ever get served in a French restaurant? Think again. Okay, so it’s not technically ratatouille, but pesto is often called the Spanish version of the classic French dish. The recipe sees tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions, and garlic sliced up and roasted with a lot of olive oil to give it that classic Mediterranean flavor. Hailing from the plains of the La Mancha region, pesto can be a side dish, appetizer, or even a main course. Serve it with some fresh salad, bread, and of course, some local red wine for the ultimate Spanish experience.

Make your own

• This recipe makes a vegetable-packed piste
• Grill the vegetables for extra flavor

5. Pulpo a la gallega

Octopus is a big deal in Spanish cuisine, whether it’s deep-fried and served as tapas or transformed into something a little more sophisticated. One of the more elaborate dishes is the popular pulp a la gallega, which sees paprika, rock salt, and olive oil combined to bring out the very best flavors from the octopus. This is usually served on sliced potatoes for a light yet warming meal. The dish hails from the north-western region of Galicia, which is definitely something to note for seafood-lovers. After all, the region is well-known around Spain for it’s unique, seafood-heavy cuisine.

Make your own

• Try this traditional recipe with fresh octopus
• Watch a video on how to prepare the dish

6. Fabada

You might not picture winter warmers when you think about Spanish food. However, it can get pretty cold on the Iberian peninsular and when it does, the locals love to tuck into a hearty fabada. This popular bean stew is perfect when the temperatures drop and definitely packs a punch when it comes to flavor. You can throw all sorts of spicy meats into your stew, including chorizo, morcilla (blood pudding), and more. Traditionally, fabada hails from the Asturias region. However, there are plenty of regional variations you can try throughout Spain.

Make your own

• Make the traditional fabada asturiana
• Or watch this video to guide you
• Use chickpeas to prepare a cocido

7. Paella

For many, this colorful rice dish epitomizes Spanish food. However, many Spanish people actually see paella as a Valencian dish, not a national dish. But that shouldn’t stop you from making it at home. Traditional paellas often use chicken or rabbit (or both), but many chefs will throw in some seafood to keep things fresh. Depending on your tastes, you can opt for calamari, mussels, prawns, or even clams. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, though, why not try a black paella? This uses black rice stained with octopus or squid ink and is a great variation on the traditional paella.

Make your own

• Try this traditional chicken paella recipe
• Rick Stein has a great recipe for seafood paella
• Try a black rice paella using squid ink

8. Gambas al ajillo

The Spanish love their seafood, and a lot of their most popular dishes showcase the very best flavors found under the sea. One of these is gambas al ajillo. Whether you try it as an appetizer or as tapas alongside plenty of other flavors, the dish will definitely stand out from the crowd. The prawns are cooked in a small clay dish filled with hot olive oil, roasted garlic, and a small pinch of chili which gives it a little kick. It is best served with crusty bread, which is perfect for mopping up all that delicious garlic sauce!

Make your own

• Try this authentic gambas al ajillo recipe
• Or watch how to create this tasty dish
• Mix it up and make gambas a la plancha by using grilled shrimps

9. Patatas bravas

Looking to whip up some delicious tapas for your next Spanish dinner party? Then look no further than patatas bravas, a dish that is native to Spain and super easy to create. This crowd favorite typically consists of cubed potatoes which are fried in oil and served warm with spicy sauce. The dish is commonly served in restaurants and bars in Sevilla and throughout Spain. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always experiment with adding a number of extra toppings, such as chorizo, chicken, or fried fish.

Make your own

• Follow this simple recipe for patatas bravas
• Print your own recipe for the kitchen
• Make a meal of it with this smoky Spanish chicken recipe

10. Leche frita

Ever wondered what fried milk tastes like? Neither had we until we came across this Spanish delicacy. Leche frita – which translates to fried milk – is a popular dessert across the north of Spain, and a firm favorite with kids. Milk pudding is encased within a warm, crunchy batter and dusted with sugar and cinnamon. You then serve it with whipped cream or ice cream and enjoy it. Another popular dessert is torrijas, a Spanish twist on French toast. This tasty dish sees thick white bread dunked in an egg custard mixture, fried up, and served with lashings of cinnamon.

Make your own

• Try this recipe which adds nutmeg
• Watch leche frita being made
• Follow this torrijas recipe or this Madrid-style recipe for Torrijos

And something for after…

If you’re putting together the ultimate Spanish dinner party, the fun doesn’t have to start and finish with the main courses. There’s plenty more you can pack into your night to keep the fun going.

Wine and Cheese

When it comes to wine and cheese platters, you might naturally associate this with French cuisine. However, a great selection of wines and cheeses can be found all across Spain. From moreish cheeses like manchego to exquisite wines from La Rioja, there’s something to satisfy all tastes.

There are few Spanish drinks quite as popular around the world as sangria, and it’s easy to see why. This delicious wine-based punch is great at parties and it’s super simple to make. You’ll come across plenty of pre-made sangrias in grocery stores and supermarkets, but the best tasting is made at home. Simply mix chopped fresh fruit with red wine and add some brandy to warm things up a little.