Although children rarely get any headaches, they do suffer from this just like an adult would. The causes are also similar to what adults encounter. Getting insufficient sleep, a change in the pattern of sleep, a change in environment, skipping meals, hormonal changes, watching or staying in the computer far too long — these can all trigger headaches with children. An environment where there is someone smoking can also do that. An infection will also result to a headache.

Some kids can cope well with medicines but there are others who may need more tender loving care when they get a headache and the condition persists.

Go to the doctor with our child and have her check, to rule out any other form of infection or sickness.

Continue to take the medicines prescribed by the doctor. These are usually acetaminophen or ibuprofen but make sure that your child is not allergic to any of these.

Give food richer in fruits and vegetables.

If your child has migraine, she will generally want to sleep rather than eat. Let the child rest or sleep in a cooler and quieter place so as not to aggravate this. Give her a cold compress as she is resting, allow her to breathe deeply.

If the pain is really persistant, a specialist may be needed to help the child with pain management. Children can also feel stress even at their age and a specialist may be able to help with reducing this.

Obviously, healthy eating, especially during pregnancy, includes a lot more than a list of things to avoid.  When you really only need to add about 300 calories a day for a healthy pregnancy, it matters even more what you actually do put into your body and your baby’s body. 

But for those of who try in whatever small way to eat healthy, we know that it’s not the things we should eat that give us problems, but the things we shouldn’t.  I mean, a chocolate-covered granola bar is healthy, right? 

So, for those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here is a list of don’ts for eating during pregnancy.  Some of them might surprise you. 

• Unpasteurized dairy products (milk, cheeses).  I didn’t even know you could get these things unpasteurized these days.

• Raw sea food.  Oysters and raw sushi are on this list.  Though why anyone would eat an oyster is beyong me, and living with two shell-critter eaters has not solved the mystery.  Anyway, these things could have bacteria that can harm you and your baby.

• Fish.  This is more of a “limit yourself” than a strict “don’t.”  But even cooked fish can have unhealthy levels of mercury, which can affect how your baby’s brain develops.  However, a couple of servings of fish a week can give you a good boost of vitamins.

• Alcohol.  Even though my mom was told to drink a Porter a day through her pregnancies, you should avoid all alcohol.  Period.  Don’t mess with this one. 

• Caffeine.  If you’re as lucky as I was, your body won’t want your morning cups of joe (a miracle in my case; I’ve been a faithful coffee drinker since I was 14).  But this also includes teas and sodas, and yes… even chocolate.  This is another brain thing–your baby’s.  Caffeine can cause ADHD and learning disabilities in fetuses.

• Diet drinks.  The ones with aspartame can cause headaches in both you and your wee one.  If you must drink these, choose the ones with splenda or stevia.

Don’t forget to replace all those don’ts with some healthy do’s, like eating more often, eating fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water.