As parents, all we want for our children is to see them grow & thrive. A crucial component of this is ensuring they are receiving proper nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies in children can have a significant impact on physical and cognitive development. Some typical signs are, fussy eating, behavioral issues, sleep issues, immune deficiency, or delayed learning. To help your little one stay healthy and happy, here are our favourite tips on avoiding nutritional deficiencies. Balanced diet Medicine always starts with food. Providing your child with a balanced diet is a great way to ensure they reach their nutritional targets. Include all the following in each meal, daily Fruits and vegetables - provide essential nutrients & fibre. Aim to make each as colourful as possible to give all nutrients. Protein!! Protein is the building block to most functions in the body. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and legumes in your little one's diet. Dairy - if well tolerated include good sources of dairy such as organic milk, butter, and natural yoghurts, as they are rich in calcium Whole grains - source good quality wheat, brown rice and oats are an excellent source of fibre and other essential nutrients. Vitamin D Vitamin D is an important nutrient for children as it is needed for absorption of calcium, and phosphorus, nutrients that are essential for strong bones & teeth. Ensure your little ones get lots of sunshine daily, as well as fortified foods. Iron-rich meals Iron is crucial for healthy blood, energy, sleep, cognitive function and overall development. A great way to help absorption for children is to include animal-based foods rich in iron such as lean meats, poultry, and fish, alongside plant sources rich in iron leafy greens, beans and lentils. Pair these foods with vitamin C-rich nutrients to help with overall iron absorption. Probiotics Probiotic-rich foods are beneficial for children as they support a healthy gut microbiome, overall digestion and immune function. Foods such as natural yoghurts, kefir drinks, sauerkraut, kimchi and some types of cheese. Omega rich foods Foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, fish and olive oils are helpful for children’s health as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain development, cognitive function, digestive health and immune health. Hydration Usually overlooked but hydration is very crucial for children's health, including digestion, circulation, and cognitive function. Ensure your child is meeting their hydration needs, we also recommend swapping to filtered drinking water. Check-ups When it comes to your child’s nutrition status it is best to check in with your health care provider rather than assuming. This can help you get on top of suspected nutritional deficiencies early. Be a role model Children will learn by example. Making nutritious choices in your diet will help you to encourage these same choices for your little one. Encourage family meals and involve your child in the planning and cooking. Implementing these daily nutritional habits and lifestyle changes will go a long way in preventing nutritional deficiencies in your child. If you need extra support, please reach out to us and book a children’s consultation to get more specific guidance for your child.
Enjoy your summer travel plans while keeping your baby's sleep on track and on schedule. This blog includes tips and tricks for smooth getaways.
It is very common for Autistic people to struggle with sleep problems. Click here to read more about the overlap.
Getting children to sleep is a struggle for countless parents worldwide, especially when you’re struggling with 4-year-old sleep issues. There will never be a shortage of opinions on the best approach to improve your child’s sleep. As the famous saying goes, opinions are the cheapest commodities in the world. Everyone has them. And they’ll give…
Screen time guidelines by AAP & IAP are different for kids of different age group. Below 2 years, between 2-5 years and above 5 years. Which are
These little monsters just love worries! In fact, the more you give them the happier they are! Designed to help alleviate anxiety & reduce stress in young children, these DIY Worry Monsters offer children a simple way to express & release those negative emotions. If you have a child who is experiencing anxiety whether due to a new situation, a change in a familiar routine, friendship issues, or sleeping difficulties, you'll know the impact that this anxiety can have on their life. Issues which can often seem insignificant to an adult can be momentous to a child & sometimes so overwhelming that they become unable to verbalize or even share those feelings. These Worry Monsters offer a space to let go of those anxieties & hopefully encourage children to feel calmer again. To make each monster we used; a recycled container with a lid one A4 sheet of paper (we used green) coloured sticky dots, 2 small circles of white card, googly eyes, & pens. The neat thing about these worry monsters is that children can create them themselves, making each one unique. They can make their monster look as ugly, or as silly as they wish & let their creative imaginations run wild. To make our mini worry monster we used a moneybox style tin can as the top gave us a neat posting slot. We started by cutting a length of paper to cover the sides of the can, making sure we added a 5cm boarder to the top so we could cut a zig-zag pattern into it to give our monster some spiky hair. With the remaining green paper, we cut out some monster arms to add a little later. There are no specifications really for these monsters, the arms can be any shape or size. Using the sticky tape we attached the paper to the container making sure it was a secure fit. We then attached the arms in the same way, along with the two circular cards & googly eyes. With pens & sticky dots we added a few funny monster features & our monster was ready to collect some worries! These monsters are ideal for a range of age groups, & those who are unable to write their worries independently could draw their feelings on paper. If that's not appropriate then they could always use the paper to express how they're feeling, e.g. scribble on it, scrunch it up, or even rip it up & feed it to the monster. The main thing is that their worry has been released. It's helpful to encourage children to think that when their worry has been posted into the Worry Monster then the worry has been taken away from them, hopefully instilling a sense of peace. It's helpful too to remind them that any number of worries can be added at any time, no matter how big or small they may seem, the Worry Monster is always there to eat up any negative feelings they may wish to share with it. And just like worries, Worry Monsters come in all shapes & sizes! Smaller Worry Monsters can be carried around in a bag if needed or tucked away somewhere safe. We discovered that a Pringles can enabled us to create a big worry monster with plenty of space for lots of paper! Of course, it's up to you whether you read the scraps of paper that the children post into the monster. If you do I would just think about how you handle your response. The Worry Monster offers a safe space where a child can unload & share some things which they might not be able to express verbally with anyone else. So discussing what you've found might not be the best way to help, but respectfully offering support with certain situations if needed might be more positive. I know several children who have made these Worry Monsters & now keep them under their beds just in case they have a nightmare or worry at night. The reassurance these simple monsters can offer has amazed me. I know of one little boy who used to refuse to walk past a certain garden on the way to school because a barking dog was causing him distress. After making one of these monsters his mum told me that he was able to walk to school with less anxiety & stroll past the house with the dog when he had the worry monster in his school bag. He told his mum; "The monster eats all my worries, & they go in his tummy instead of mine." Of course, these Worry Monsters might not work for all children & all situations, but hopefully they'll make a difference to some. If you found this helpful you might also like our Mind Jars or our Magical Calming Spray.
It is very common for Autistic people to struggle with sleep problems. Click here to read more about the overlap.
Autism and sleep problems Studies show that over half of autistic people, including adults and children have sleep issues. This issue may last throughout their lives or might diminish in severity at different stages. However, this issue does not disappear as autistic children grow up. Sleep problems are twice as common among autistic individuals
19 tips and products to help kids with sensory processing disorder and sleep challenges fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer!
Discover how sleep disorder tests can diagnose issues like insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome.
Information regarding affects of childhood sleep disorders on children with developmental disorders as well as the family unit
Here are some thorough tips for nap training and working your way to better naps AND night time sleep in less than a week!
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing continuously starts and stops throughout the night. This decreases the blood oxygen levels, causing
Are you pulling your hair out because your 2 year old won't nap? Use these great tips to help navigate these sleep issues and get rid of the stress.
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing continuously starts and stops throughout the night. This decreases the blood oxygen levels, causing
However, if you're not sure what are causes of sleep paralysis, it is important to first know that this can affect adults as well as children.
Do you have a toddler who just won't sleep through the night? If so, you're likely exhausted and frustrated. Never fear, because help is on the way. Toddler sleep issues are not uncommon and you
Inside: 13 effective tips to stop night terrors in children (from a mom who has been through it all!) I think you’ll agree with me when I say: It’s
Australian researchers have discovered that a bedtime nasal spray has the potential to reduce the severity of sleep apnea in people and lower their blood pressure.
what time should a two-year-old go to bed? Well, who's to say? What time should a two-year-old go to bed at night? What time should ANYONE go to bed?! A much more realistic question is
Inside: 13 effective tips to stop night terrors in children (from a mom who has been through it all!) I think you’ll agree with me when I say: It’s
Are you looking for a creative way to give your child comfort during nap time or bedtime? Why not make them their own weighted stuffed animal? We all have our beloved plush toys, but what if we could turn those into something more magical? This blog post will take you step-by-step through the process of
Come to us for effective and reliable TMJ pain and sleep apnea treatment in Cleveland. Book your appointment right away.
Are you wondering about the connection between autism and sleep? Keep reading and learn more about autism sleep problems and solutions here.
Sleep issues with your child are the worst. No one deals well with very little sleep. I have some tricks that have worked well for my kids.
These 24 natural sleep solutions for kids with sensory needs will give parents lots of tips for better sleep in kids. #sleeptips #sensoryneeds #sleep
Recently Essential Oils For Autism have been growing in popularity. They have successfully reduced sleep issues and sensory overload for many parents of autistic children. Click here to read more in our free guide
Is your kid struggling to fall asleep? Are bedtimes stressful and frustrating? Check out these 10 ways to help your kid sleep better.
These 24 natural sleep solutions for kids with sensory needs will give parents lots of tips for better sleep in kids. #sleeptips #sensoryneeds #sleep
Sleep issues are a hot topic in the adoption and foster care community. Last week I highlighted why hurting children have problems sleeping in my post, Why Adopted and Foster Children Have Sleep Is…
Medical Medium: Children's Health - now at www.medicalmedium.com
These 24 natural sleep solutions for kids with sensory needs will give parents lots of tips for better sleep in kids. #sleeptips #sensoryneeds #sleep
Inside: 13 effective tips to stop night terrors in children (from a mom who has been through it all!) I think you’ll agree with me when I say: It’s
Do kids with executive functioning issues have “disorganized” minds? Find out if kids who have trouble with executive function think differently and what can help.
Can CBD help those with autism? Let's take a look at the pros and cons, along with more information you must know before trying the newest craze.
Blogs related to Sleep and Children. Sleep Education has reliable information about sleep, sleep disorders, and treatment options with accurate medical and scientific insights.
Do you have a toddler who just won't sleep through the night? If so, you're likely exhausted and frustrated. Never fear, because help is on the way. Toddler sleep issues are not uncommon and you
Sleep is a critical and important activity for a child. If a child isn’t getting enough sleep, they will likely be inattentive, disorganized, and dysregulat ...
Can’t Miss ECG Findings Cards for the Emergency Medicine Provider A high yield, on-shift resource to help Emergency Department providers spot subtle, high-risk ECG findings including Brugada, WPW, HCM, and ARVD. Use this card as a checklist to methodically ensure you are not missing any electrocardiographic evidence of red-flag conditions.
