Diet and Health

A recently study revealed that Children’s brains are permanently damaged by verbal abuse as a child.  The study looked at adults and their brain patterns.  Those that had been verbally abused as children had striking and obvious damage to their normal brain wave patterns. 

Scientist had expected this result but this is the first time they have been able to prove it.  For those of us who thought only sticks and stones can break our bones, the old saying is wrong.  Children are especially sensitive to  verbal abuse.  No only does it affect them throughout their lives, but it also permanently damages their brains which is shown in adulthood.

All too often we hear of children being snatched right out of their beds in the night.  Many are even on the second floor of the home or apartment.  This is the biggest nightmare of most parents.  Keep your kids safe from predators.

Let everyone know how protective you are of your children.  Watch them constantly.  When you have guests over, check on your children often. 

Keep your doors and windows locked.  If a lock is broken, then fix it. Use extra protection on sliding glass doors and windows such as a pole to keep it secure.  Use extra locks on all doors leading outside or into the garage such as a deadbolt or chain.

Keep a small dog that likes to bark a lot in the house.  Kids love dogs, you may even want the dog to sleep in the hall in front of your childs room or possibly inside the room. 

Check on your children in the night.  If you get up for a snack, water or to use the restroom, you should check on your children at the same time. 

Have the children sleep on the same level that you sleep.  Otherwise they are too far away from you. 

Don’t work at night.  Parents that work at night, especially fathers, give kidnappers a better opportunity.

Install chimes or alarms on all doors and windows.

Constipation in children is a very difficult issue for the child to deal with and should be remedied as quickly as possible.  Sometimes it is something very simple such as not drinking enough water, other times it is a chronic illness that they will have to deal with throughout their lives.  If your child is experiences constipation you should first check to see if they are drinking enough water.  Do not count things such as soda as part of their daily water intake.  Soda and other drinks with caffeine in them cause the body to need more water.  Children need 6-8 glasses of water per day, spread throughout the day.  Next make sure they are getting enough fiber.  They should be eating a minimum amount of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.  Nine servings of fruits and vegetables for optimal health. 
If your child is still constipated and you know that they have had plenty of water and fiber, you should then look into the possibility of constipating foods.  Some foods that are constipating to children are meat and milk.  Try eliminating meat and milk from their diet to see if that helps. 
Next you will want to look into the possibility of an allergy.  There could be another food or medication in their diet that is causing the constipation.  Work with your doctor to try and pinpoint the culprit.
There are a few quick remedies to relieve constipation.  These remedies should not be used on a continual basis but only for an individual occurrence. The first is mineral oil.  Giving your child a tablespoon of mineral oil should get things moving.  You can even mix it into their food if you need to.  Another remedy is a suppository or enema.  Both of these methods will cause some slight discomfort and the possibility of diarrhea.  The third instant remedy is an over the counter fiber, such as Metamucil or Citrucel.  Citrucel is completely clear and your child will not know it is in their drink.  Metamucil has some fiber cookies children can eat.  The problem with using a fiber supplement is that they will make your child feel like they need to go all the time and they may cause some diarrhea.  Also it may take several days to become regular.
To sum things up, give your child water and fruit throughout the day to keep them regular.  If constipation arises first try mineral oil, it has little or no bad side effects.
If your child continues to have a problem he or she may be suffering from chronic constipation.  Ask their doctor for help.

Unfortunately, food manufacturers use partially hydrogenated in many products.  If you are not paying attention, you are probably eating a high amount of these dangerous oils.  Partially hydrogenated oils lead to plaque build up in your arteries.  They contribute to obesity in children and adults.  Search your cupboards and remove all partially hydrogenated oils from your home.

Partially hydrogenated are used at many restaurants and fast food restaurants.  Ask whether your meal contains them and let the restaurant know that you will not be coming back until they stop using them.  There are so many restaurants using hydrogenated oils it will be difficult for you to find one that does not use them. 

Prevent breast pain before it happens and soothe it when it does, but do not stop breastfeeding, it is worth the challenges. 

Breastfeeding can be very challenging and painful in the beginning but well worth it. If you can make it through the painful part, it eventually goes away (for me 8 weeks in) and you will not have pain again after that. Breastfeeding is so convenient and bonding you will be happy that you stuck it out.

I believe prevention works best for sore breasts.

NIPPLE SHIELD - This could possibly be the best way to prevent and relieve sore breasts because you are actually putting a physical barrier in place between the babies mouth and your breast. If you don’t know where to get one, ask your doctor or breastfeeding advisor for help. The nipple shield is also helpful if the baby is not suckling properly.

LANOLIN - Lanolin based products such as Lansinoh are a miracle for breastfeeding moms. Use as directed on the package. You can also use it for dry skin and chapped lips.

ICE CUBES - I have had moments where I literally had to freeze my nipples with ice cubes before attaching my baby, I know it sounds freaky, but it works. It does give a lot of relief.

SEATING - Make sure you are sitting up with your back straight and bring the baby up to your breasts. This may require multiple pillows. I like to use the u shaped pillow and then put additional pillows underneath it to bring the baby to breast level.

ATTACHMENT - If you are having difficulty attaching, try gently squeezing the babies lips together so they look like “fish lips”. Then push your nipple against the bottom lip as you are attaching them.

DETACHING -This can be very painful if not done right. Stick your finger in the corner of the babies mouth to release the suction grip.

written by Mitestarossa 

BOIL RICE - After you have it boiling, skim some of the water off the top of the pot and let it cool. Once it has reached room temperature, give it to the baby in a bottle or in a cup for a larger child. This works well if they have an upset stomach or gas.

HOLD THEM - While dancing gently or rocking and signing soft nursery rhymes in their ear. My son loved this when he was a baby and calmed down quickly, the only problem was that he never wanted me to put him down or sit down!

LAY them on your chest if they are babies. Babies, especially the tiny ones, love to lay on your chest and listen to your heart beat.

FANS - Babies love the soothing sound of a fan and the light breeze for some reason, I do not know why. Put them near a fan so that it is not blowing directly on them, or even in another room with the door open. Supervise, you don’t want them to touch it or have it blow directly on them!

If they will not calm down, strip them down and check over their entire body, there just might be something bothering them. Once a piece of lint string had wrapped around my sons toe inside his pajamas and was irritating him. Have they pooped yet today, if not may be they need help, that is always something to consider?  And of course, have they eaten recently, remember don’t let them get too hungry or tired or you will have a fussy baby or child.

written by Mitestarossa 

Cauliflower has such a mild taste that your kids will not even notice it and it is a white translucent color that they will not be able to see.

PREPARE THE CAULIFLOWER AHEAD - Steam the cauliflower and then mash it up with a hand potato masher. You can freeze or refrigerate them if you have extras. You will only be able to camouflage a small amount, possibly up to a 1/4 cup in your child’s food.

BAKED POTATO - Prepare your potato by baking it in the oven for about 50 minutes until soft or in the microwave for about 6 minutes. Mash the potato while still in the skin and hot. Add in butter and salt for flavor. Then add in as much mashed cauliflower as possible without it becoming too noticeable.

RICE - Prepare your rice as per the package instructions or steamer instructions. I prefer wholegrain brown rice, it’s healthier. Mix about 1/4 cup mashed cauliflower. My kids like ketchup or soy sauce on their rice, which further camouflages the cauliflower, add a sauce if needed.

OATMEAL - Prepare the oatmeal per manufacturers instructions. Preferably steel cut oats. You can make a big pot at the beginning of the week and refrigerate it until you need it. Heat up only the amount you need each day. Mix in some of the mashed cauliflower, try for approximately 25% of the total meal.  Garnish with honey or sugar if needed.

If your child will eat cauliflower without the above camouflages it is the healthiest. Try cooking it in a lot of butter or cheese to make it pleasing and add salt if needed.

Fun and easy activities to do with your special child.

WHEELBARROW - Have your child place their hands on the floor while you lift up their feet. Have them walk on their hands. This is great fun if you can have a wheelbarrow race.

FIGURE 8 - Place two objects 10 feet apart on the floor. Have your child walk in the pattern of a figure eight for 5-10 or until they are no longer interested.

BEAN BAG TOSS - Toss a bean bag back a forth with your child while you are both standing approximately 3 feet apart. Gradually back up if they are doing well.

CAN ROLL - Have your child sit at a table and roll a can (full soup can) from one hand to the other. The can should roll at least 3 feet across the table to the child’s other hand.

BEAN BAG HAND OFF - Have your child stand with his/her arms out to their sides (like a cross). Place a bean bag or ball in one hand. Have them move their hands together in front of themselves and pass the bean bag to their other hand. Have them return their arms out to the cross position and then repeat, passing the object back to the first hand.

With video games and televisions everywhere, child can always use a good diversion that benefits their brains.

CROSSWORDS, WORD SEARCHES, ETC. - You can find word puzzles for children as young as 1st grade. They can be taken anywhere, kids love the challenge and they are good for everyone’s brain whether you are 8 or 98.

I SPY GAME - This one only needs another person. One person says I spy with my little eye something …. (gives a descriptive word) and the other persons tries to guess it. Easy to use with all ages.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Sports, dancing, playgrounds, climbing, walking, running, etc. Play catch. All physical movement benefits children. Have them walk up stairs (holding on to the railing) and then walk back down backwards.

LAUGHTER - It is the best medicine. The best thing you can do for your child is to make them laugh everyday.