Sleep is a precious commodity, and most kids and adults aren’t getting enough. You can stave off illness, moodiness, and all-around fatigue if you simply get a little more shut eye every night. A bonus? It can also help you look better. However, let’s face it, very few of us are getting the recommended amount of shut-eye that experts recommend.

If you’ve been keeping up with the Zarbee’s Facebook page this week, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve been offering a few tips. Zarbee’s has created a sleep booklet entitled,  9 Steps to a Good Night’s Sleep. Inside, Dr. Zak Zarbock shares his tips for helping you and your little ones sleep better every night. Along with getting 9 helpful sleep tips, our 5 fans a day are also eligible to win a box of the new Zarbee’s Naturals Children’s Sleep product just for entering their story/experience on our contest page.  So far we have covered tips #1-#7.

If you’re just tuning in, here’s a a little recap for you: 

Sleep Tip #1. Consistency is Key

Sleep Tip #2. Create a Sleep Friendly Bedroom

Sleep Tip #3. Stick to a Routine

Sleep Tip #4. Go ‘E-Free’ in The Evenings

Sleep Tip #5.  Teach [your kids] ‘How’ to Sleep

Sleep Tip #6. Going to Sleep is NOT a game

And lastly, today’s Tip 7#: Know the Numbers (for the recommended amount of sleep per age group).

Stay tuned for the rest! We still have 2 more tips and 2 more days to win!

Click here to sign up for today’s contest and get your chance!

In the meantime, try our new all-natural, drug-free, non-habit forming Children’s Sleep product at your local CVS. It may be just the thing for your restless little one to get the sleep they – and you – deserve.

Your questions matter, and Dr. Zack’s Zarbock is here to answer. As the creator of Zarbee’s and an actual pediatrician, he has some expert advice for you. We’d like to thank those that participated with their questions during our “Ask Dr. Zak Facebook Contest” and we’d like to congratulate our winners whose questions are being featured. Along with their questions making it on the blog, winners will also be receiving a Zarbee’s Camelbak water bottle. We love our fans and we love interacting with you, thank you for giving us more and more opportunities to do just that.

Without further ado, Dr. Zak Zarbock answers your questions!

Hania Nammari asks: Why is it not good to give any cough medicine until the age of 1?

Dr. Zak’s Answer: A cough in a young child can be caused by a variety of things.  It may be as simple as a dry scratchy throat or mucus drainage from a cold, to more serious things like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.  A cough medicine is really only appropriate when it works as a soothing agent to help with bothersome coughs, but shouldn’t stifle the body’s natural reflex to clear the airways.  Zarbee’s was designed to help children with coughs due to throat irritation, but until recently wasn’t available to those under the age of one because it contains dark honey.  The new Zarbee’s Baby Cough Syrup was made with a natural agave syrup that is safe and effective infants, two months and over.

Melissa Forbes asks: How can I tell when it’s just a cough or something worse?

Dr. Zak’s Answer: It may be difficult to always know when you or your child has something more than just a cough.  Signs that you should seek medical attention for a cough include:

-A cough that is prolonged, lasting more than a few weeks

-Any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or wheezing

-Cough associated with fever, chills, sweating, or ill appearance

-Chest pain or painful cough

-Coughing up phlegm that is green, yellow, blood-stained, or foul smelling

Maggie Hu Asks: Do I get sick easier than anyone else because I work at a daycare?

Dr. Zak’s Answer: Unfortunately, daycare is often a breeding ground for unwanted and contagious viruses.  However it doesn’t have to mean that you will get sick more often than others.  When starting at a new daycare or school, you may notice more illness initially, but your body’s immune system is able to adapt to your environment by producing antibodies to many common viruses in your area.  For instance, as a pediatrician, I am coughed on, puked on, and even pooped on several times a day.  I stay healthy by washing my hands before and after every patient and taking special precaution never to touch my eyes, nose and mouth, which are the gateways for most viruses.

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Since there were so many great questions, we’ve put this into parts. Check back next week for Part II of our Q&A with Dr. Zak. And remember, you can always ask questions at any time, day or night, on the Zarbee’s Facebook Page.

If your kids could learn no more than 5 things from you, what would they be? Tough question, sure, but it’s one that many parents should ask themselves if they want to zero in on what really matters. If nothing else, coming up with the 5 most important things your kids could learn from you is a way to prioritize your life and learn even more about yourself.

We thought we’d compile 5 things that we think would be important, but we want to hear from you! Sound off on the Zarbee’s Facebook page and let us know what your own 5 things would be!

1. Love Your Body

We’d stress to our kids that for better or for worse, their body is a miracle of creation, and it can do so much. We would let our kids know that they should be good to their body, give it proper nutrition, nurse it to health when it’s sick, and to not be so disparaging of the things that don’t seem ‘perfect’ about it. No one’s body is perfect…ever!

2. Don’t Take Yourself or Others Too Seriously

Sure, it’s OK to have an opinion, everyone has one, but we’d tell our kids to not ever let it get inside their heads to the point of stress, depression, competition, jealousy, or over-thinking things. Life is short; you shouldn’t worry about what other people think of you. Take what you can in your stride if you think it’s for your betterment.  The rest? Let it roll off your back.

3. Be The Nice One

Life is full of mean, depressed, angry, and sarcastic people. We’d tell our kids that if they’re known for nothing else, let it be for how nice they are. There’s not one thing  wrong with being the nice guy. People may make you believe that ‘nice guys finish last’. Even if they do, they finish with friends and loved ones at their side. Win-Win!

4. Do Things For Others

We’d teach our children that living for yourself has its moments, but nothing beats the feeling of doing something nice for someone else. Doing something nice without telling the person you did it? Even better. You and the receiver will benefit. In some ways, you’ll benefit more.

5. Always Say ‘I Love You’

Adults are often afraid to say those three little words because of the serious connotations it seems to carry with it, but we’d tell our kids to not let that stop them from saying it when they really feel it. Letting your friends, family, and significant others know. Saying you love someone is extremely important. You never know when it might be your last or only time to say those words. Make them count.

What would your 5 things be? Share with us here.

The CNN.com blog reported recently on a study done in Finland about our favorite miniature people and the pets we love. The study looked to see the correlation between better or worse immune health in infants that were around pets from birth to age one. The result? Our furry friends may have an even better place in our lives as immune boosters.

CNN reported,  ”Children who are born to a family with furry pets seem more able to ward off certain illnesses.” The study took a small sample group and checked for several factors. “The study …followed 397 children from before birth to age 1, and noted the number of times they had contact with either a dog or cat each week.”

The article continues, “Although it’s a pretty common thing to see newborns with minor respiratory issues and ear infections, researchers found those babies who had more interaction with animals seemed to have fewer of these problems and needed less medication, even when they were sick.”

Although there are many other factors to consider regarding animals and little ones, further research could produce more insight into allergies as well.

The report concluded “According to the authors, the children in the study are being followed as a part of a larger study mainly concentrating on allergies. So, there may be a possibility, they said to analyze the effect on respiratory infections later, as the children grow older.

For the full report click here.

So what about you and your little and furry ones? Do you see your animals as having positive effect on your children? Have you seen the difference in your own home? Tell us about it.

Valentine’s Day – although not the only day of the year to show love – is a great reminder of the ways we should be loving each other year round. If you’re a parent, Valentine’s Day is a great time to think of authentic ways to show your children you love them. Does that mean tangible gifts? Not necessarily. Children, just like adults, want to feel special.

Here are 3 unique ways to show your children you love them today and everyday.

Really Listen to Them

Just like you, a child wants to be heard. In fact, a child might want to be listened to more than most adults. Children want to know that although they are small, they are important and that you value what they have to say. Take the time to really listen to them today. You could even sit down and give them your full, undivided attention. Not only will they love you more, but they’ll trust you in the future as well.

Be Physically and Mentally Present

Whether you’re playing a game with them, or watching one of their favorite movies, put your phone away or any other distraction, and actually enjoy your time with them. This shows a child that they are your top priority, not Facebook or a text message.

Sincerely Tell Them You Love Them

The word ‘love’ might get thrown around a little carelessly sometimes, and sometimes it doesn’t get used at all. Either way, make sure that you take the time and the emotion to sincerely tell your kids you love them. Look them in the eyes, embrace them, and let them know that you love them unconditionally.

What are some unique ways you tell your children you love them? Share on our Facebook page.

Happy Valentines Day, from Zarbee’s!