Category: healthy food

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15 Easy DIY Meal Design Ideas for Toddlers

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Toddlers can be fussy eaters who refuse to try a new food at least half of the time. Approximately half of all toddlers fit this description, so it is no wonder that food issues are a source of stress for parents.

Establishing healthy eating patterns is important to avoid problems such as obesity and eating disorders later in life. Various strategies can help your child accept a wider range of foods. One of such effective strategies is showing your creative side and experimenting with meals, snacks fruits and vegetables.

Did you ever hear them say yuck over carrots or apples? Then what has been your initial response? Most parents would choose to keep the “yucky” vegetables or fruits out of their children’s eyes to prevent them from showing disgust over what has been prepared on the table.

But if you really want to let your kids eat a particular “yucky” food, then you better start normalizing the experience of eating such. A subtle way of doing this is by making different forms of one particular food and letting them try these. For example, if your kids don’t like simple boiled carrots, why don’t you mash them with butter, process them with burger patties, or make differently shaped carrot fries? Let your creativity fly during meal preparation.

If you do not know how to make food look attractive for your toddler we picked some adorable ideas for you.

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Isn’t it easy? here are more ideas

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7 Useful Tips On How To Soothe A Teething Baby

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via 7 Useful Tips On How To Soothe A Teething Baby

Teething is a tough phase for your little ones. It happens sometime in the first year when your child is around 6 months.

If you are not totally sure if baby’s discomfort stems from teething pain then here are some of the most common symptoms to look out for:

  • Rubbing an ear or earlobe
  • Reddened cheeks
  • Excessive drooling
  • Slight temperature
  • Teething rash around mouth and chin
  • Crying and irritability
  • Waking during the night
  • Refusing food and/or milk

Teething can be distressing for some babies but there are ways to make it easier for them. Here are tips on how to help soothe your child’s pain:

1. Cold food or drink and low inflammation diet

berry-yogurt-pops

If baby is eating solids, white foods such as refined sugar and flour, potatoes, and even dairy can cause inflammation. Focus on paleo-type foods—a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, pastured meats, wild seafood, ample healthy fats (coconut, avocado, butter, and whole eggs.)

To help prevent choking, place the fruit in a mesh feeder, and give that to your baby to lick or suck on.

Below are some cold foods many of us have that could bring relief:

  • Cold cut up cucumber slices. Cucumbers are also thought to have anti-swelling properties in them.
  • A frozen cheese stick. You can also serve it unfrozen, but frozen may provide more relief.
  • Cold celery. Not only is it cold but it is sturdy and the pressure from biting will also bring relief.
  • Cold soft foods like applesauce and yogurt. It’s a yummy snack with cold relief.
  • Cold water in a sippy cup with ice cubes. Your little one can chew on the cup and enjoy cool relief.
  • Frozen fruit juice slushy. You can make your own combo of fruit and freeze your blend in a 4 oz. zip-lock storage container. Then slightly thaw and serve it when needed. Frozen slushy pears mixed with apples were one of my son’s favorites.
  • Frozen breast milk. You can freeze this just the same as the fruit slushies and serve.

Always stay close when your baby is eating in case they choke.

2. Use a cold washcloth or spoon

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Soak a small washcloth in water, squeeze out water, then freeze for at least an hour. Let baby chew on the washcloth after it comes out of the freezer. However, don’t leave your child unattended while she’s sucking or chewing on the washcloth, as this can be a choking hazard.

Put a metal spoon in the fridge for at least 15 minutes when the spoon is cool, gently rub the back of the spoon against your baby’s gums.

3. Teething toys

  • Silicone teething rings: Made of safe silicone, rather than latex or plastic, this teether is a safe choicebaby-teething-toys
  • Wooden teethers: What works for one baby may not work for the next, so if silicone and rubber don’t do it, try a wooden teether. Just be sure to choose a brand that uses natural water-based sealants or food grade dyes. It should be unfinished or finished with organic flax seed oil.
  • Teething necklaces for mom are made of silicone and are great for baby to use while sitting in mom’s lap or in a baby carrier.15-facts-about-baby-teething-and-its-products

Also, never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck, as it may be a choking hazard

4. Comforting distraction

A nice warm bath helps to distract a teething baby. This gives them the chance to take their mind off the pain by splashing around.baby-in-bath.jpg

Breastfeeding: simply holding your little one close and breastfeeding them can help soothe your little one.

Dry the drool. Excessive drool is a large part of the teething process. Keeping it wiped up will prevent skin irritation, which will only make the process more of an ordeal for your baby.

5. Natural remedies

chamomile-tea

Parents have been using herbal remedies for hundreds of years to help ease their baby’s teething pain. Chamomile, Rosehip, Catnip or Clove tea, may be something to consider for teething relief. It helps to relax and soothe irritability.

6. Give your baby plenty of cuddles

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Make sure your baby gets lots of hugs. Sometimes, the biggest comfort for a teething baby can be cuddle time with parent. Play and cuddle with your little one. Distract your child with a game like “peek-a-boo” to help take their mind off their discomfort

7. Medication

Different medical pills and bottles

If your baby is in pain or has a mild raised temperature (less than 38C), you may want to give them a sugar-free painkilling medicine that’s specifically for babies and young children. These contain a small dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen.

However, never give aspirin to anyone under the age of 16 years, as this can cause Reye’s syndrome.

Always follow the instructions that come with the medicine. If you’re not sure, consult your doctor or pediatrician for advice on using medication to help with baby teething symptoms.

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5 Proven Tips to Solve Your Picky Eater Problems

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If you have a picky eater at home, do not be worried because picky eaters are normal members of millions of households across the globe!

But why do we even have picky eaters? Is being picky a sign of disobedience? Basically, children are considered to be neophobic. This means that kids could easily become fearful of whatever is new to them such as food tastes or appearance. Since the majority of our children have this tendency to become picky eaters, a lot of parents would simply give in to their demands just to let them eat and never starve. But doing this could compromise not just our children’s health but also their behavioral development.

Here are six proven tips to solve your picky eater problems:

1.Involve your children in kitchen stuff.

cooking-with-kids-1

Don’t we all agree that the kitchen is a dangerous place for kids? But that could only always be true if we never organize our kitchen stuff. Surely, you don’t cook your meals 24/7, right?

It is best for children to be involved during meal preparation so that they could also feel the excitement in whatever they have helped with. Maybe you could let them soak some veggies in a bowl of water? Or you could also let them drizzle some dressing over salad? You can actually involve them in almost everything except for the obviously dangerous activities such as when you are using the knife or when the fire is already turned on.

2. Show your creative side and experiment with fruits and vegetables

Did you ever hear them say yuck over carrots or apples? Then what has been your initial response? Most parents would choose to keep the “yucky” vegetables or fruits out of their children’s eyes to prevent them from showing disgust over what has been prepared on the table.

But if you really want to let your kids eat a particular “yucky” food, then you better start normalizing the experience of eating such. A subtle way of doing this is by making different forms of one particular food and letting them try these. For example, if your kids don’t like simple boiled carrots, why don’t you mash them with butter, process them with burger patties, or make differently shaped carrot fries? Let your creativity fly during meal preparation.

3. Never consider mealtimes as power struggle.

Mother's Hand Feeding Food to a Young Girl (13-14) Who Is Making a Face

One of the frequently forgotten facts in parenting is our children’s natural tendency for power struggles. The power struggle becomes evident once our children reach the toddler stage. It is during this time that you would often hear them say “no” to so many things including food.

Do not compete with your kids. The power struggle may seem real but you need to know that it is only part of their development as human beings. Never force a specific dish to your children because they could grow hating such meals. Instead, you can talk to them in a gentle and reassuring way about the beautiful things that they could get from eating what they may initially hate.

4. Model what you preach.

Cliché? Yes, but this cliché still remains relevant in daily parenting. If you want your children to eat vegetables, then eat the same thing as your kids on the table. A lot of parents force their children to eat something that they themselves don’t even want to eat. This can cause a lot of trouble and confusion to our kids because they don’t want strange stuff. They need familiarity, thus they need to see you eating the same thing that you ask them to taste.

5. Monitor your children’s eating habits, weight gain, and other body reactions.

Some picky eaters are unfortunately suffering from allergic reactions to certain foods while others are facing medical conditions. As parents, we all need to closely monitor our children’s body reaction to what we serve them. Do your kids suddenly feel itch after being exposed to peanuts or eggs? This may be a sign of food allergy.

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It is also very important to keep a record of your children’s weight and appetite condition. If your children are losing significant weight and are almost always lethargic, then you better consult your pediatrician immediately. Some picky eater problems can be caused by certain medical conditions. Be sure to communicate such eating problems with a professional who can help you and your children.

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Training the Fussy Eater

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Toddlers can be fussy eaters who refuse to try a new food at least half of the time. Approximately half of all toddlers fit this description, so it is no wonder that food issues are a source of stress for parents.

Establishing healthy eating patterns is important to avoid problems such as obesity and eating disorders later in life. Various strategies can help your child accept a wider range of foods.  It may be necessary to offer food to your child as many as 10 different times before they choose to eat it. The problem is, many parents get frustrated and give up before the fourth or fifth try.

Picky eater

Try to make foods fun.  Colorful foods like carrot sticks, raisins, apples, grapes, cheese sticks and crackers can all be fun and healthy choices for your growing toddler.  Explain to them that eating good food is important so they’ll grow big and strong, and how it will help them run faster and play longer.

Children learn behaviors from their parents. If you restrict yourself to a narrow range of foods, your child will take notice and mimic your caution. Don’t limit your child’s food variety to only those foods you prefer. It may be that your child’s tastes are different to yours, and perhaps you are simply serving them foods they don’t happen to like.  Try to set a good example and try a variety of foods in front of your child. It could motivate them to do the same.

If your child seems healthy and energetic, then they are eating enough. If you are still concerned, keep an eye on how much food they actually eat over the day. Children tend to graze constantly, rather than restrict their eating to three meals per day like adults. You may be surprised how those little handfuls and snacks add up. For further reassurance, check your child’s growth and weight charts, or check with your child’s pediatrician.

Try not to worry, and remember, that unless a child is ill, they will eat.   Children are very good at judging their hunger and fullness signals. Try to stay relaxed about mealtime and offer your child a wide variety of foods, and most importantly, remember to set a good example by trying a wide variety of foods yourself.  You may discover you and your toddler share a new found favorite food!

 

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Weaning Your Baby: Is it Time to Stop Breastfeeding?

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Do you feel that you have been breastfeeding your baby for so long to the point that you are now being restricted to do other important things in life? Would you like to know when is the right time to wean your baby?

What is weaning?

Weaning your child basically means that you allow her to get nutrients no longer from your breastmilk but from other sources of nutrition. It is when your little one stops nursing from your breast and starts to feed solely on real food such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and more. Weaning is not necessarily moving away from the usual mother-and-child bond but it is only a step further for your child to grow physically and emotionally.

When is the right time to stop breastfeeding?

Every mother has her own right to determine the length by which she will continue to breastfeed her little one. It is totally the discretion of the mother to stop at six months, to continue until a year, or go further until two years old. Most health institutions would agree that babies shall be exclusively breastfed until six months and the optimal length for their breastfeeding is until one year.

Here are the things to consider when you shall start weaning your child:

  • Baby-Led Weaning

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Most babies would wean by themselves. As you start introducing solid food by the time that they are six months, then you will gradually notice that they would lose interest in nursing from your breast. They may choose instead to munch on mashed potatoes or nibble some peas rather than latch on your nipple. That’s the best time to slowly move away from giving your breast every time she feels hungry.

  • Age-Based Weaning

Some people feel awkward when they see a three-year-old still feeding on her mom’s breasts. But then, other people have no business with your breastfeeding journey. It is only you who shall decide when to stop breastfeeding. However, most mothers would choose to stop breastfeeding after a year. That’s when their babies are already capable of feeding on healthy adult food or fresh milk. Another sign that your baby is ready for weaning is when you notice that she becomes fussy, disinterested, and impatient when breastfeeding.

  • Mom-Led Weaning

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If the optimal length for breastfeeding is a year, then moms could definitely start to choose to stop at this stage. Since babies of this age have already grown a couple of teeth, some mothers may experience pain from sudden nipple bites. If you are constantly having problems with wounded nipples, then you can decide to start weaning your child.

We also have to acknowledge the fact that breastfeeding is truly a sacrifice on the part of the mother. There are so many things that she has to let go just to be able to feed her child. If the breastfeeding journey is already taking a toll on the mother’s emotional and mental health, then she could choose to wean her little one. Weaning is also best done when the mom chooses to go back to work and continue growing her career.

Weaning your child is a family decision that other people shall not dictate upon. No matter what your mother-in-law, your relatives, or the society tells you, know that only you could decide when to start weaning your baby. Every mom is different. Every baby is unique.

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