TEACHING YOUR CHILD GOOD EATING HABITS

Children are extremely impressionable. So, if you want to teach them good eating habits, it is important that you start this at early age. With unhealthy junk food becoming so popular among kids, teaching good eating habits to children is of prime importance. This would not only ensure that your child stays fit and healthy but would also help him grow into an active individual.

While it is important to ensure that children eat healthy food, force feeding is definitely not going to help. Since eating is an activity that your child needs to engage in throughout his life, teach him these habits in a fun way.

So, how do you inculcate good eating habits in your child? Well, take a look:

1.  Cook a healthy meal using low fat products and incorporate whole grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables in the daily diet.
2. Cut down on junk food consumption in your house. This rule is applicable to you and your spouse too.
3. Teach your child healthy snacking habits. Introduce healthy snacks like cut fruits, vegetables and nuts for those intermittent hunger pangs between the meals.
4. In case your child is a fussy eater, you might find it hard to feed him fruits and vegetables. Browse for healthy recipes online that help you cook nutritious yet delicious food for kids.
5. Children need daily nutrition supplements for proper growth and development. Your child’s doctor would be able to guide you as to the little one’s daily requirement of nutrition. However, make sure that your child’s diet consists of all essential nutrients like calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamins. Find out the nutritional values of various food items. For example: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils are rich in Vitamins whereas dairy products and eggs are rich in calcium. Green vegetables are a rich source of iron. Raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains are rich in fiber.
6. However, do not deprive child of goodies like biscuits and cookies. Treat them to these in moderation. Similarly, it is okay to cheat on the diet once a week and have some junk food. But overdoing it could be disastrous for the child’s health.
7. Drinking enough water aids in digestion. So, make sure your child drinks at least 8 glasses of water a day.
8. Steer clear of aerated and caffeinated drinks as these are not good for the children. Instead, give them fresh fruit juices and lemonades prepared at home. These are a much healthier option. However, it should be noted that juices not be used as a substitute for water.
9. Stick to the meal charts that the doctors provide you and make sure that your child does not overeat. Some mothers have a habit of forcing their child to eat more even in spite of the child’s refusal. This is a very unhealthy habit and could be a cause of obesity in your little one.
10. Lead by example. If you want your child to learn good eating habits, it is important that you too eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
11. It is okay for the kids to be treated to sugary treats like cakes, pastries, chocolates etc once in a while. However, keep a check on these portions. Don’t let your child gorge on these too much.
12. As the famous saying goes, a family that eats together stays together. So, it is crucial that you teach your little one to eat along with the other family members. For children who are too small, placing a high chair would help to let them eat comfortably. You can easily find such chairs online on various websites. In case, you want to try it out www.kinderent.com offers such chairs on rent.
13. Chewing the food properly is extremely important and make sure that your child learns this early on.
14. Make meal times fun for your little one with some meaningful conversation. However, do let the child know that talking with food in the mouth is considered to be a bad habit.
15.  Watching television or reading books during the mealtimes is not a good habit as doctors believe you tend to eat more while doing so. This holds true for children as well. So, make sure that you have the meals at the dining table.
16. Do not let your child eat his food while lying down or standing. A meal is best enjoyed when eaten while sitting down. To inculcate this habit in your child, teach him to eat his meals sitting on a table. Use a high chair for your toddler and as the child grows introduce a bigger chair until he is ready to sit on the normal dining chair.

Habits that are inculcated in your child at an early age would stay with him forever. So as soon as your child is able to sit upright and eat solid food, start teaching him good eating habits. Don’t expect him to be perfect from the word go. You might have to repeat things a number of times for your child to pick these up. So, keep your cool and persevere till your child learns healthy eating habits.

References

www.helathlinkbc.ca

www.webmd.com

www.babycentre.co.uk

IS YOUR HOME CHILD SAFE?

A child spends maximum time at home and gets his first lessons of life here. He learns by exploring and scrutinizing different things in the house. So it is important that he grows up in a safe environment. Homes need to be tailored to ensure the safety of your child and avoid serious injuries or accidents. Thus, it is crucial that your home consists of products that are child friendly. Things that help in your daily routine but could be dangerous for the child should be placed out of the reach of the little one.

As soon as your child is old enough to move around, he will start picking things and playing with them. So make sure you give sufficient thought to your child’s safety and modify your home accordingly. Given below are some tips that will help you to convert your home into a child friendly haven:

1.      Surveying the Surroundings

·         Survey the house and identify the areas that could be a potential threat to your child.

·         Check for things in these areas that you consider unsafe for the little one and replace these with safer things. In case, there are things that are irreplaceable like knives, scissors, medicines, tools etc., make sure they are stored in high areas and cupboards which the child cannot reach.

·         You might also want to modify certain furniture pieces to ensure that your little one does not get hurt by bumping into the edges.

2.      Child Friendly Furniture

Though it might seem like a good idea to seat your toddler in the same furniture that you use, it is not always possible to keep an eye on the little one. Accidents could occur within a matter of seconds.

·         Use infant chairs and carriers which are specially designed for little children and follow all safety rules.

·         While carrying your child along or watching television, strapping would ensure complete safety for the little one.

·         It is much safer to strap your child into a car seat while travelling or driving, rather than making him sit on your lap.

·         Use a baby cot to put your baby to sleep. A baby cot comes with side rails that are fall safe at the right height.

·         Invest in a baby swing which is much safer and gives just as much indoor fun.

3.       Kitchen Safe

Kitchen contains a lot of things that could be unsafe for your child. He could suffer cuts from various cooking appliances or suffer burns.

·         It would be a good idea to use a safety barrier to prevent your child from gaining access into the kitchen. In case, this is not possible, make sure you always keep an eye on your child.

·         Keep all sharp objects away from reach.

·         Never cooking on the gas stove with your child in your arms.

·         Keep lighters and matches away from the reach of toddlers

·         Do not place hot vessels and food at the counter edges where the child has easy access to these.

·         Make sure that all home cleaning accessories like phenyl, detergents, soaps etc are locked away in a safety cabinet.

4.      Electrical Appliances

With their tendency to explore, children like to touch everything and poke their fingers in all visible holes including the plug sockets

·         Install plug sockets with covers that latch on to them when not in use.

·         Make sure that the switches are out of reach of your toddler.

·         Use an ironing board to iron your clothes. After ironing, ensure that the wire of the iron is not dangling from the edges making it easy for the child to pull it. If possible, invest in a cordless iron which is definitely much safer in a house with little children.

·         In case you use a table fan, do not let your child anywhere near it. When not in use, unplug the fan and keep it away.

5.      Doors and Windows

There have been many instances when children have got injured because of their little fingers getting caught in the door hinges.

·         Install door stoppers and finger pinch guard for all the doors in the house.

·         While keeping windows open, make sure that they are properly secured and won’t close due to the gust.

·         Always keep the outer doors to balconies and verandas locked to ensure that your little one does not venture out by himself.

·         There are special security gates that ensure complete safety of your child. It would be a good idea to get this installed in your house.

6.      Taps and Tubs

There are many ways in which your child could get injured and bathroom is another area which can be a cause of concern, many a times.

·         The taps that dispel hot water should always be at a considerable height to ensure that the child cannot open these. He could get scalded with hot water.

·         In case, you have a bath tub installed, make sure that you store away the plug of the tub. Even if your child plans to get naughty, the absence of plug would ensure that the tub does not fill up.

·         Use a skid proof mat while bathing your child.

·         Never leave your child unattended when giving him a bath.

·         Store things like razors, blades etc at places where child cannot reach.

·         Close the toilet lid after use. If need be install a safety latch for the toilet.

·         Do not place toilet cleaners and other accessories on the floor where the child has an easy access to these.

7.      Toys

Your child spends a lot of time playing with his toys. Thus, it is important that you get him toys that are safe for children.

·         Buy age appropriate toys for your child. Check a baby gear tree to ascertain the kind of toys that are safe for your little one.

·         The toys should be made of non toxic materials as toddlers have a habit of putting everything into their mouth.

·         Any toys with small parts that could cause choking hazards are best avoided.

·         Some toys work on button batteries. Make sure you secure the battery units properly so that your child cannot get his hands on these.

·         Avoid toys with sharp edges.

·         Stuff toys are best avoided as the fur is not safe and traps dust and dirt easily.

8.      Medicines

You might have noticed that most medicines come with a potential warning.

·         Store all medicines in a medicine cabinet or cupboard that can be locked and store the key away.

·         Even seemingly harmless medical accessories like ear buds, nutrition supplement should all be kept away from reach of the children.

As they say, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Effective communication with your child will help you teach him personal safety. However, it is important that you keep your eyes open to ensure that your child does not fall prey to any accidents or mishaps, in the wake of his curiosity. 

PLANING A BABY? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Raising children is an expensive feat in any country. From Planing a baby to Delivery and from Delivery to Toddler-hood. Baby's can take up significant amount of time and mind share. You should ideally save up enough for your baby before your delivery so as to avoid any surprises later on. 

No doubt having a baby is the most beautiful experience for any mother. You can make it more joyous with proper planning. Right from the time of the delivery, your expenses will shoot up. If you are a working mother, then you would have to factor in wages lost due to unemployment unless of course, the organisation you work for grants liberal maternity leave.

Before Delivery:

1. The first thing to consider is to shortlist a hospital where you plan to have your delivery. 

2. Check the status of your insurance and run through the facilities that the Insurance agency covers for you.

3. Mothers nowadays are also choosing the kind of procedure ; Normal Delivery or a Cesarean.   

4. Discuss with your doctor the possibilities on the basis of any past delivery, recovery and convenience

5. Once your special date is near, ensure that your hospital bag is ready. You should have your ID and health insurance card inside the hospital bag. Add a nightgown, slippers, medication (if you are currently taking any), toiletries, your cell phone and charger, a few snacks, and finally some loose fitting clothes to wear while coming home. You can also add any other stuff such as favourite picture or a music player, anything that helps you in relaxing.  

6. The most important aspect soon after delivery is nursing your child. Hospital these days have a Lactation expert to assist new mothers or experienced mothers with feeding.

7. Banking the stem cells is another big decision that parents should ponder on. These new innovations promise significantly advanced treatments for organ regeneration and fighting life threatening conditions in future
8. You should also have your Nursery  ready before you bring the little angle home. Please refer to our 'Baby gear needs' tree. Smart parents are now choosing cost effective baby gear rental options available through various online portals.These come with door step delivery and tested quality. Try www.kinderent.com 

After Delivery:

Bringing home your little bundle of joy is an exciting experience. Do give a thought to details like, 

- Where will the child sleep? Do you need a bassinet/ baby cot or will you use your own bed

- Do you need a breast pump? There are many international brands available

- Do you need a car-seat and a stroller? Car-seats are must haves in many first world countries due to obvious benefits and safety features

If you choose to add a feeding bottle for night time convenience, a Bottle sterilizer is must have. Children are susceptible to infections and getting a bottle sterilizer is a must for every new parent.

You will also need a huge stock of diapers initially so it is a good idea to purchase them in bulk. Usually a size XS or 'Newborn ' fits well for an Indian babies. Also buy a diaper rash cream to prevent rashes. For the baby’s bath, you would require a baby bath tub. Most baby bath tubs come with special anti-skid inside linings that are smooth and do not cause any harm to your loved one. Follow all precautions while handling your baby in bath, crib/ Bassinet , car-seat and stroller. 

For Mothers

Young mothers need a balanced diet for quick recovery. Drink plenty of water and fluids. Resist the urge to diet even though you would want to shed off the excess weight and return to your earlier self as quickly as possible. Very often, young mothers tend to neglect their diets because their time is occupied with the baby. Fill your breakfast with proteins. Whole wheat grain breads, eggs are a must. Young mothers should also try to eat smaller meals throughout the day. This will ensure that you are energized throughout the day and will not feel exhausted. 

Infant to Toddler

An important drain on the budget is setting up the nursery.There are plenty of domestic and international brands available in the market.Choose the one that ensures your child's safety and suits your budget.

If you decide to purchase each and every item such as a crib, Stroller, High chair, Car-seat, Rocker, Baby Swing, baby monitor, other toys, you will easily exceed the budget. However, new parents are now opting for rented baby gear, due to its high quality, flexibility and affordability.

Every child is unique in a special way, they grow and develop at different pace. Thus, the baby gear needs also vary .Parents should exercise the flexibility of renting to meet these needs , without investing too much.

 Kinderent provides high quality baby gear and furniture products that one can choose and rent as per convenience. Please visit www.kinderent.com

References-

www.childbirthconnection.org

www.cdc.gov

www.nhs.uk