The post Toddler nutrition: Dietary guidelines for toddlers with ADHD appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>A neurological syndrome
ADHD is a neurological syndrome associated with poor concentration and organisational skills. It is, however, poorly understood with many people dismissing it as a ‘fad’ with no foundation in truth.
Elimination diets have limited efficacy
There are medications available to help manage the symptoms, and behavioural therapy can be helpful. Elimination diets have been shown to have limited efficacy in the treatment of ADHD. More recently, artificial food colourants and the preservative sodium benzoate have been shown to increase hyperactivity in some children.
A balanced diet is a priority
While dietary causes for the illness remains difficult to prove, there is no question that a balanced and healthy diet should be a priority.
Dietary guidelines for toddlers with ADHD:
- Plan regular, varied meals and make them small and frequent. Do not allow your child to go for long stretches of time (more than 3-4 hours) without food.
- Include foods with a low Glycemic Index (GI) at every meal. These foods provide a slow, sustained release of glucose into the bloodstream.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates with a high GI as these may exacerbate ADHD.
- Include protein-rich foods (chicken, meat, fish, eggs or diary) at all meals, as protein helps stabilise blood sugar levels.
- Encourage consumption of vegetables and fruits. Children should eat at least five portions of a variety of different vegetables and/or fruit every day.
- If your child is a fussy eater, consider giving him a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. The supplement should provide approximately 100% of the DRI for each vitamin and mineral. Don’t give mega doses of individual vitamins or minerals without first consulting a healthcare practitioner.
- Plan a serving of oily fish (pilchards, sardines, salmon etc.) two to three times a week. Or consider giving your child a daily supplement of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids).
About the Author:
To find a private dietician in your area with a special interest in ADHD: Association Dietetics South Africa – www.adsa.org.za. There is more detailed information on children’s nutrition and useful kids recipes in “Your Special Diet” section on www.pnp.co.za/healthcorner
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]]>The post Putting play at the heart of early childhood development appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Busy parents of young children everywhere will be delighted by the launch of an innovative play-based educational programme focusing on the all-round development of children in the 0-6 age group.
Subscription-based conitnuity programme
Mysmartkid [www.mysmartkid.com] is a subscription-based continuity programme which uses toys, tools and play-based activities to promote school readiness and the reaching of key developmental milestones in the field of early childhood development (ECD).
Launched by Leisure Books, a leader in the field of member-based subscription programmes in South Africa, the programme also includes a website with an online shop for both members and non-members as well as suggested activities and expert advice.
John Samson, Business Manager of Mysmartkid, said: “The new Mysmartkid programme is a convenient, fuss-free, value-for-money investment in your child’s future.
“Our aim is to offer peace of mind and convenience for parents and parents-to-be who often find themselves overwhelmed by an avalanche of information, advice and childhood paraphernalia.
“Mysmartkid offers these parents a one-stop-shop solution: advice, activities and toys backed by experts to help your child reach his or her developmental milestones in the comfort of your own home and in a fun way,” he explains.
A smart box targeted to your child’s age group
Members sign up to the programme on a 12-month basis. Every two months they receive a ‘Smartbox’ of curated items, usually toys, educational products and activities, targeted to their child’s age group. Accompanying the Smartbox is a full-colour newsletter packed with relevant advice and information as well as tips on how to use the material with your child.
Involvement of ECD experts
A key benefit of Mysmartkid is the involvement of a panel of leading ECD experts. “Professionals from the fields of occupational and play therapy and child psychology, themselves parents, have helped develop the programme and will continue to play a key role. Their expertise and insights are instrumental in keeping Mysmartkid relevant, targeted and up-to-date,” says Samson.
Other key benefits include
The Mysmartkid programme is available for a subscription fee of R295 every second month, which includes free delivery of the Smartbox. Members will also receive targeted age-appropriate email newsletters jampacked with additional information, advice and activities. Other key benefits to subscribers to the Mysmartkid programme include:
- Free welcome gifts of a children’s backpack (valued at R175) and an exclusive handbook written by an occupational therapist giving parents a step-by-step outline of their child’s ECD milestones.
- Member-login access to www.mysmartkid.com with its free information, expert advice and ideas for further play-based activities promoting ECD milestones.
- Exclusive members-only discounts through the Mysmartkid online shop.
- A monthly member newsletter brimming with expert advice, tips and information for parents.
- Immediate access to an online parent forum.
About the Author: To join Mysmartkid or to find out more information about the programme, sign up at www.mysmartkid.com
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]]>The post Can melatonin help your newborn sleep? appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Popular sleep aid myths
- Special bath salts
- “Night-night” baby food”
- Bedtime lights
- Special CDs
- Blankets
We have all heard it all before. In fact, any exhausted parent has probably tried most of these aids to try and get their baby to sleep.
What Melatonin is and what it isn’t
While some studies show that Melatonin can be helpful with autistic children or children with ADHD, most babies and children do not need Melatonin; they need to be taught good, independent sleep skills (which, unfortunately does not have a magic formula. It takes hard work).
The effects of Melatonin
Here is the scary part; because Melatonin is contained naturally in some foods, the US Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 allows it to be sold as a dietary supplement which does not need to be approved by the Food and Drug administration.
This means that although Melatonin could possibly affect growth, sexual development and puberty as well as cause side effects like headaches, drowsiness and stomach aches it is not tested because it is seen as a “natural” “homeopathic” type medicine.
A sleep solution?
What is really alarming these days, is the number of clients we work with that are giving their children sedative medication or a Melatonin supplement.
Do we really want to give our newborns, babies and children a supplement, of which side effects cannot be proven? No, Melatonin is definitely not a long term solution for your child’s sleep problems.
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za
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