Caring for Toddlers (1-3 yrs) Tips

Common Nutrition Deficiencies In Children!

Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines For Your Child!

Becoming a parent completely changes your world. You are more concerned about your kids health, their safety, diet and hygiene. All you want to provide them is best of everything. Now a days parents are aware of the side effects caused by conventional medicines. Hence most of the parents opt for safe and natural way of treating even minor ailments.

Homeopathic medicines are the most safest and side effect free compared to other holistic treatment available. Hence millions of the parents across the globe prefer homeopathy over any other mode of treatment for their kids. Due to the safety these medicines provide, it is ideal treatment option for infants, toddlers and older children. 

Homeopathy medicines are effective in treating various symptoms that a child faces. It could be allergies, simple cold, fever, infantile colic, constipation, earaches, dentition problems or even behavioural disorders, homeopathy has a cure for all. The medicines work on strengthening the immunity and hence keep illnesses away. 

Here are the top 10 homeopathic medicines you can keep it with you to deal with minor health issues if your child

1) Aconitum napellus

• sudden high fever with a red dry face and lots of anxiety
• croup attack in the middle of the night

2) Allium cepa

• colds or allergies with lots of sneezing, itchy, watery runny nose and watery eyes

3) Apis mellifica

• any rash that is itchy, red, and stinging and feels better with an ice pack on it (insect bites, hives, sunburn)

4) Arnica

• the #1 medicine for any ache, bruise, sprain, head bonk, or trauma of any sort. A must in any parents diaper bag or backpack!
• also great for use topically as a cream or gel (just don't apply to cuts or scrapes as it can be irritating to open skin)

5) Arsenicum album

• the #1 medicine for vomiting and diarrhea from stomach flu or food poisoning with weakness and anxiety
• asthma attacks in the middle of the night

6) Belladonna

• sudden high fever with clammy, bright red face and agitation. Your child may even be a little delirious.

7) Chamomilla

• teething pain with lots of irritability and crankiness. There may be associated ear pain, green diarrhea, and lowgrade fever

8) Ferrum phosphoricum

• the #1 medicine to start when your child has an earache
• low-grade fevers that come on slowly at the start of any illness

9) Hepar sulphuris (for this medicine, please use a 30c dilution)

• swimmer's ear
• anything with pus (earaches with thick pus behind the eardrum, abscesses or boils, etc.)
• stinging sore throat as though there were a splinter stuck in it

10) Nux vomica

• upset tummy from too many sweets or indulgences, vomiting helps your child feel better
• anger and irritability with difficulty sleeping when really stressed (i. E, when school demands are too high)
• colds or allergies with lots of sneezing, itchy, watery runny nose and watery eyes

Some guidelines to remember-

Potency:-
I recommend dilution of 30c. In general, though the potency selected depend on your child's symptoms

Dosage:-

• will be same for all age:- 3 pellets 
• repetition of dosage depends on the severity of illness. For hives, you may be giving the pellets every 1/2-1 hour, whereas for a bruised shin you may be giving pellets 2-3x/day.
• try to give the pellets away from food and drink by at least 15-20 minutes. But don’t worry if that doesn’t happen – it still works! the main thing to avoid is minty foods, drinks or toothpaste close to taking the medicines.

You are on your way to make your own homeopathic kit!
Be sure to check with your paediatrician if you child continues to have fever for more than 2 days, if the child is acting confused, if he/she has any breathing troubles, or if he/she looks dehydrated or is in severe pain.

Always try to make your child eat foods like eggs, beans, green leafy vegetables, yoghurt, milk etc. Which are very rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, calcium and other nutrients.

Many parents have a query as to what special protection to be taken for the small children in view of this corona pandemic.

I as a pediatrician, advise for no special protection for the children. Take routine/ normal care of your child.

If parents follow the protective measures and remain safe from corona virus then children too remain protected. To keep your child protected, you need to keep yourself protected.

• Be at home be safe.
• Wear mask.
• Do frequent handwashing.
• Follow cough etiquette.

Some children have to read or hear something once and it gets imprinted in their minds. Others may struggle to understand concepts. As a parent, your first response may be to think that your child’s teacher isn’t giving him or her enough attention. However, this could indicate a specific learning disorder.

Learning disorders are an umbrella term that covers a range of learning difficulties. If your child is diagnosed with a learning disability it does not mean that he or she is any less smart as compared to their classmates. It simply means that they process information differently. There are many different types of learning disorders.

These are categorized by the skill set they affect most.

1. Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a learning disorder where the child cannot understand the relationship between letters, sounds, and words. This can make reading even simple words feel very difficult. It could also make it difficult for the child to understand the meaning of words and phrases.
2. Dyscalculia: Math is usually a stumbling block for most children but for some understanding, numbers could be a lot more difficult. A child with Dyscalculia could find it difficult to organize numbers and understand operation signs. He could also struggle with memorization of multiplication tables etc. Learning how to read time could also be difficult.
3. Dysgraphia: Learning disabilities related to writing can be termed as Dysgraphia. This involves the physical act of writing as well as understanding what is being written. Dysgraphia can be identified by an inconsistency of handwriting, not being able to accurately copy words as well as spelling inconsistencies.

There is no known cure for learning disabilities. However, there are ways to improve the child’s skills. For this, you must tailor a learning strategy to your child’s strengths. For example, illustrating a word problem may help the child understand it better. Similarly, mnemonic devices and poems could help them memorize mathematical formulas. Converting one type of problem into another can also help them understand concepts. For example, you could turn a word problem into a math problem and vice versa.

In addition, you may also need to consider consulting a learning specialist. They can help determine the type of learning aids your child would benefit most from. Your child may need special education at a school that is equipped with the right services for him or her. The important thing to note is that early intervention is the key to treating learning disorders.

As a new mother, you will be always in a constant state of worry whether you are doing things right. And of those many, many things you worry about, your baby’s bowel movements are one of them.

A baby’s poop is a sign of his/her health. Thus, you do need to know what is normal and what needs medical attention. Read on to know more about your baby’s poop.

What’s Normal?

The kind of poop depends on how you are feeding your child. If you breastfeed the baby, his/her poop will be:

1. Small in size—no bigger than a coin

2. Light in colour, usually a greenish-brown or bright yellow

3. Sloppy in texture

The first few weeks of breastfeeding will produce waste daily, after each feed. The frequency will diminish later, but that is not a concern, as long as the waste is easily passed and is soft.

If you are feeding your child formula, the poop will be different. You will notice that the poop is:

1. Bulkier

2. Yellow-ish brown or pale yellow in colour

3. Smells stronger

The next worry you have is when you change your baby’s feeding routine. When you switch from breastmilk to formula, you will notice:

1. The poop is darker in colour.

2. The texture becomes thicker.

3. The smell also becomes stronger.

The other dramatic change you will see is when your baby starts eating solids.

What isn't Normal?

There are mostly two things you need to be concerned about: diarrhoea and constipation. Both of these conditions mostly affect babies who are formula-fed.

If your baby has diarrhoea, you will notice:

1. The poop is runny

2. Frequency and amount of poop is increased

And if you suspect constipation, be aware of the following signs:

1. Your baby finds it difficult to poop

2. The poop is dry and small

3. The tummy is hard when you touch it

4. There might be blood in the poop

Green poo:

If you're breastfeeding, green poo can be a sign that your baby is taking in too much lactose (the natural sugar found in milk). This can happen if she feeds often, but doesn't get the rich milk at the end of the feed to fill her up. Make sure your baby finishes feeding on one breast before you offer her your other one.

If you are feeding your baby formula milk, the brand you are using could be turning your baby's poo dark green. It may be worth switching to a different formula to see if that has any effect.

If the symptoms last longer than 24 hours, visit your health visitor or GP. The cause may be:

• a food sensitivity

• side-effects of medication

• your baby's feeding routine

• a stomach bug

Very pale poo:

Very pale poo can be a sign of jaundice, which is common in newborns. Jaundice causes your newborn's skin and the whites of her eyes to look yellow and usually clears up within a couple of weeks of birth. Tell your midwife or doctor if your baby has jaundice, even if it looks like it's going away.

Also tell your midwife or doctor if your baby is passing very pale, chalky white, poos. This can be a sign of liver problems, especially where jaundice lasts beyond two weeks.

It is often difficult for most of us to make your kids eat healthy food and keeping them away from junk and unhealthy food is a much bigger task. It is always easy for them to finish off a packet of chips than a cup of vegetables or fruits. Read on to know some of the healthiest foods that your kid should be biting into. 

1. Dairy products - These are a great source of proteins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals. In addition, yogurt provides good bacteria. Milk and yogurt can also be included into smoothies which will also give them a blend of some fruits. Butter can be used in toasts and sandwiches as these foods are loved by children. You can replace plain milk with milkshakes, they are tastier and the children love them.
    
2. Soups - These are another great source of nutrition, be it chicken or vegetables. They can be a good evening snack and not just prevent the evening hunger pangs but also come packed with a good amount of nutrition and hydration.
    
3. Fruits - Each fruit contains different ingredients. Pick fresh seasonal fruits and incorporate them into your child’s diet as they hold a good amount of nutrients. Fruits provide a good supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and good sugars.
    
4. Whole grains - Try a brown bread instead of white, replace refined flour pizza base with atta pizza base and white pasta with wheat pasta. These whole grains provide a lot more fiber and nutrition compared to the refined flours. The idea again is to let the kids eat any of them but on a rotational basis, so that benefits from all foods are derived.
    
5. Vegetables - Get creative when getting the kids to eat vegetables and green leafy vegetables. From soups to salads to curries, try to rotate vegetables, and like fruits, use seasonal ones. They also have chlorophyll which helps improve their energy levels and reduce fatigue.
    
6. Fish - One of the best sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it helps in brain development and building immunity in children, making them less prone to illnesses.
    
7. Nuts - While walnut is well-known brain food, almonds are amazing for the skin and hair growth. Pecans are a good source of nutrients too. The rich oils in the nuts help fight diseases and are a great source of energy. Substituting the sugar candy with any of the nuts is a great way to indulge them in healthy snacking.
    
8. Eggs - Whatever form, boiled, fried, scrambled, let the child indulge in their choice of eggs. A good source of protein which is very essential for hair, skin, and nails, try to squeeze in 4 eggs a week in your child’s diet.

Ensure these things find a way into the kid’s plate. In addition, some junk or fried stuff is always allowed!
 

हनी बच्चों और वयस्कों दोनों के लिए ऐज-ओल्ड का इलाज है और व्यक्ति के मूड को बढ़ाता है। अपने बच्चे को किसी भी नए भोजन से परिचित कराना, पितृत्व के सबसे रोमांचक चरणों में से एक होता है।

हल्के और बिना पका हुआ शहद पोषक तत्वों का एक पावरहाउस होता है और पर्याप्त स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान करता है, जो इसे बच्चों के लिए अच्छा बनाता है।

बच्चों में संक्रमण और खांसी के लिए शहद इलाज के लिए एक महान औषधीय पूरक होता है। यह पाचन क्रिया को साफ रखता है और दस्त से भी बचाता है। अपने बच्चों को कच्चा शहद परोसने के अलावा, आप इसे दलिया और फलों में या किसी अन्य बेक्ड खाद्य पदार्थ में मिला सकते हैं।

बच्चों के लिए शहद के फायदे

खनिजों, एंटीऑक्सिडेंट, अमीनो एसिड और एंजाइमों में समृद्ध, शहद बच्चों में बेहतर स्वास्थ्य को बढ़ावा देने के लिए आवश्यक पोषक तत्वों से भरपूर होता है। हालांकि, इस मीठे शहद का अधिकतम लाभ उठाने के लिए, शहद को चुनना सबसे अच्छा होता है जिसे संसाधित नहीं किया जाता है। बच्चों के लिaए शहद के संभावित लाभों में शामिल हैं:

• ठंड, फ्लू और खांसी से तुरंत राहत देता है
• इम्युनिटी बढ़ाता है
• बच्चों में नींद का संकेत देता है
• नियमित मल त्याग का समर्थन करता है
• पाचन तंत्र की सेहत का ख्याल रखता है
• बच्चों में संज्ञानात्मक विकास को बढ़ावा देता है

बच्चों की खांसी के लिए शहद (बेबी कफ के लिए हनी)

शहद में एक पदार्थ होता है जो डेक्सट्रोमेथोर्फन के रूप में कहा जाने वाला एक कफ सप्रेसेंट के रूप में कार्य करता है।

बच्चों को सर्दी, खांसी या बुखार के इलाज के लिए थोड़े से गर्म पानी में थोड़ी मात्रा में शुद्ध शहद मिलाएं। अच्छे परिणामों के लिए दिन में दो बार अपने बच्चे को इसका मिश्रण दें।

जो बच्चे ऊपरी श्वसन पथ के संक्रमण से पीड़ित हैं, उन्हें रात में सोने से पहले एक चम्मच शहद दिया जा सकता है ताकि वे खाँसी कम कर सकें और साथ ही नींद की गुणवत्ता में सुधार हो सके।

अपने बच्चे को शहद कैसे दें?

यदि आप अपने बच्चे के आहार व्यवस्था में शहद को शामिल करना चाहते हैं, तो आप अपने पसंदीदा खाद्य पदार्थों में इसे थोड़ा सा शामिल कर सकते हैं। किसी भी तरह की एलर्जी से बचने के लिए उनके आहार में धीरे-धीरे शहद डालना फायदेमंद होता है। अपने बच्चे के आहार में शहद को शामिल करने के लिए निम्नलिखित तरीकों में से कोई भी प्रयास कर सकते हैं:

• ओटमील में शहद मिलाएं।
• टोस्ट पर शहद फैलाएं।
• दही में शहद डालें।
• एक होममेड स्मूदी में शहद मिलाएं।
• वेफल्स या पेनकेक्स बनाते समय शहद का उपयोग करें।

बच्चों को शहद कब दिया जा सकता है?

12 महीने को पार करने के बाद ही बच्चों को शहद दिया जाना चाहिए, यानी वे 1 साल से ज्यादा होने पर शहद दें। शहद में एक दुर्लभ प्रकार का जीवाणु, क्लोस्ट्रीडियम बोटुलिनम होता है जो बच्चों में अत्यधिक भोजन विषाक्तता का कारण बन सकता है। हनी बच्चे के उभरते हुए दांतों के लिए भी खराब है, इसलिए 1 वर्ष से कम उम्र के बच्चे द्वारा शहद का सेवन करने की सलाह नहीं दी जाती है।

बच्चों के लिए शहद के साइड इफेक्ट्स

• यदि आपका बच्चा 1 वर्ष का नहीं है, तो शहद काफी कुछ दुष्प्रभाव पैदा कर सकता है क्योंकि उनकी प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली उनके जठरांत्र संबंधी मार्ग में जीवाणु के बीजाणुओं को मारने के लिए काफी मजबूत होती है।
• 12 महीने से कम उम्र के बच्चे को शहद देने का प्राथमिक जोखिम शिशु बोटुलिज़्म है।
• 6 महीने से कम उम्र के बच्चों को सबसे अधिक खतरा होता है क्योंकि उनके शरीर शहद के सेवन पर हानिकारक न्यूरोटॉक्सिन का उत्पादन शुरू कर देते हैं।
• बोटुलिज़्म एक गंभीर स्थिति है जो बच्चों में सांस लेने की समस्या और मांसपेशियों की कमजोरी का कारण बन सकती है।
• शिशु बोटुलिज़्म के सबसे आम लक्षणों में कब्ज, सुस्ती और कमजोरी शामिल हैं। अन्य गंभीर लक्षणों में सांस लेने में तकलीफ, लकवा, दौरे और मांसपेशियों में ऐंठन शामिल हैं।

सारांश:

इसमें कोई शक नहीं कि शहद के फायदे अद्भूत होते हैं और बच्चों के प्रतिरक्षा में वृद्धि करते हैं। शहद खाने के सही समय में यह गाढ़ा तरल आपके बच्चे के आहार व्यवस्था के लिए एक उत्कृष्ट अतिरिक्त के रूप में कार्य करता है। इसके आप अलग-अलग शहद रेसिपी भी तैयार कर सकते हैं, हालांकि, इसके लिए तब तक इंतजार करना आवश्यक होता है जब तक आपका बच्चा कम से कम 1 वर्ष का हो जाए।

यदि आपका बच्चा 12 महीने से कम उम्र का है, तो उनके आहार में तरल शहद शामिल करने से बचना चाहिए।

इसलिए, अपने बच्चे को पूरक के रूप में या उनके भोजन में शहद शामिल करने से पहले, उनकी उम्र को देखते हुए यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण होता है। अपने बच्चे को शहद देने से पहले बाल रोग विशेषज्ञ से परामर्श लेने की भी सलाह दी जाती है।

As parents watch their children grow, they take pleasure in seeing their kids perform simple activities like crawling, rolling, talking, walking, etc. However, a child’s intellectual development could be hampered, and they could have an intellectual disability (ID). While the symptoms are obvious during infancy in some children, others show symptoms only during their schooling period. There are associated mental conditions like seizures, mood disorders, vision/hearing problems, autism, etc.

In medical terms, a child is said to be affected by ID if his/her IQ is less than 75. Normal IQ ranges between 85 and 115, with the average being 100. There are various tests that a doctor would do to test if the child’s IQ is affected. The following are some milestones that the family can observe to help in diagnosis.

1. Rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking are all delayed
2. Improper speech
3. Slow to learn things like toilet training, dressing, feeding, etc.
4. Tends to forget things easily
5. Throwing tantrums to get what they want
6. Lack of logical thinking, problem-solving, and connecting actions with results

Causes: While the exact aetiology is not established, in 2/3 affected children, ID is the result of when the brain development is affected. Some of the causes include the following:

1. Genetic conditions like Down syndrome
2. Alcohol or drugs or smoking abuse, malnutrition, and infections during pregnancy
3. Issues during childbirth, including forceps delivery, reduced oxygen levels, or premature birth
4. Illnesses during early stages of life, including whooping cough, meningitis, head injury, toxic substances exposure, severe abuse, and malnutrition

Diagnosis: In addition to IQ tests, other structural abnormalities can be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an electroencephalogram (EEG) to look for evidence of seizures, etc. Observing the child, interviewing the parents, and testing the child can together help in confirming the diagnosis.

Management: The family has to work together to get the child to lead a normal life. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition counselling, physical therapy, etc., are all available as support systems to work on improving various aspects. The parents play a critical role and in addition to above, they can do the following:

1. Learn about the condition as much as possible and support the child.
2. Allow the child to become independent, even if he/she is making mistakes. Allow them to make mistakes until they learn the right way of doing things. Coax them into taking feedback and learning new things.
3. Get them involved in group activities like arts, sports, etc.
4. Keep in touch with the teachers so that you are aware of their progress in school.
5. Reinforcing learning at home is very essential.
6. Form support groups with similar parents and caretakers.
7. ID is definitely not easy to manage in a child, but there is definitely a lot of help available compared to what was available earlier.

Honey is an age-old treat for both babies and adults and elevates a person’s mood. Introducing your baby to any new food is one of the most exciting phases of parenthood.

Mild and unpasteurized honey is a powerhouse of nutrients and offers ample health benefits, making it ideal for babies.

Honey is a great medicinal supplement for treating cough and infections in babies. It keeps the digestive tract clean and also prevents diarrhea. Apart from serving raw honey to your babies, you can add it to porridge and fruits or in any other baked foods.

Benefits of Honey For Babies

Rich in minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and enzymes, honey is full of essential nutrients to promote better health in babies. However, to get the most out of this sweet nectar, it is best to pick honey that is not processed. Possible benefits of honey for babies include:

• Gives relief from cold, flu, and cough instantly
• Increases immunity
• Induces sleep in babies
• Supports regular bowel movements
• Takes care of the digestive system health
• Promotes cognitive development in infants

Honey For Baby Cough

Honey contains a substance that acts as a cough suppressant termed as dextromethorphan.

Add a little amount of pure honey in some warm water for treating cold, cough or fever in babies. Give the mixture to your baby twice a day for the best results.

Babies who suffer from upper respiratory tract infections can be given a teaspoon of honey at night before they sleep to reduce coughing and at the same time improving the quality of sleep.

How To Introduce Honey To Your Baby?

If you want to introduce honey in your baby’s dietary regime, you can just add a bit of it to their bit to their favorite foods. It is beneficial to introduce honey slowly in their diet to avoid any allergic reaction. Try any of the following methods to incorporate honey in your kid’s diet:

• Add honey into oatmeal.
• Spread honey onto toast.
• Put honey into yogurt.
• Add honey into a homemade smoothie.
• Use honey when making waffles or pancakes.

When Can Babies Have Honey?

Babies should be given honey only after they cross a 12-month mark i.e. they are more than 1 year old. Honey has a rare type of bacterium, Clostridium botulinum that can cause extreme food poisoning in babies. Honey is also bad for baby’s emerging teeth, that’s why consumption of honey by a baby who is less than 1 year old is not recommended.

Side Effects Of Honey For Babies

• If your baby is not 1 year old, then honey can cause quite a few side effects as their immune systems are strong enough to kill the spores of the bacterium in their gastrointestinal tracts.
• The primary risk of giving honey to a baby who is less than 12 months old is infant botulism.
• Babies under 6 months of age are at the highest risk as their bodies start producing harmful neurotoxins on honey consumption.
• Botulism is a serious condition that can cause breathing problems and muscle weakness in babies.
• The most common symptoms of Infant Botulism include constipation, lethargy and weakness. Other serious symptoms include trouble breathing, paralysis, seizures and muscle cramps.

Summary:

There is no doubt health benefits of honey are exceptional and increase immunity is babies. This thick liquid serves as an excellent addition to your baby’s dietary regime, however, it’s necessary to wait until your baby is at least 1 year old.

If your baby is less than 12 months old, it does not matter whether raw or mass-produced, you must avoid including liquid honey in their diet.

Hence, before giving honey to your baby as a supplement or including it in their meals, considering their age is very important. It is also advised to take consultation from a pediatrician before giving honey to your baby.