COMPLEX BREAKFAST CAN KEEP KIDS MENTALLY HEALTHY

Parents, please note, just by adding a piece of an apple or a glass of hot milk to your childrens breakfast you could protect them from depression, anxiety and disobedience, a new study has claimed. A team at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Perth has carried out a study of more than 800 students and found that a complex breakfast is directly linked to better mental health in kids.
According to lead researcher Therese O’Sullivan, this may be because mental functioning is actually affected by the absorption of a variety of nutrients. Cereal and milk in particular supply calcium iron and B vitamins that assist neurotransmitters, chemicals needed to transfer information in the nervous systems that are directly responsible for behavior and mood. For their study, the researchers enlisted over 800 14 year old girls and boys and analyzed their breakfast intake over three days. They found that just one in four teens ate a high quality breakfast containing three or more of the five food groups, cereals, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and meats and alternative like beans, nuts and eggs. Those who ate from more food groups for their morning meals scored higher on a child behavior checklist, with an improvement in mood seen for every extra food type added the study revealed.
It didn’t matter what they added, just that they added something different like a banana to their cereal to make that meal more complete with vitamins and minerals. From what we found, that makes a huge difference. “For every additional food group added the mental health status improved markedly across the sample,”the Age quoted O’Sullivan as saying.
SUPPLEMENTARY: THE WELLNESS, THE HINDU MAY 29 2008

What is Deworming?

Deworming is a process which helps get rid of worms that enter the human body. Children are more prone to worm infestations than adults. Children above two years of age should be put under a regular routine of deworming to maintian good health. Worms enter the body due to lack of hygiene. The most common are the round worm, tape worm and hook worms. Lack of appetite, tiredness, anemia, loose bowels, vomiting are all some common symptoms of worm infestation. Deworming every four to six months is the suggested frequency. Deworming should be done using precribed drugs with appropriate dosages. Deworming helps improve child health.

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High Blood Pressure in pregnancy could be linked to a virus infection

Health - For baby and mother

Pre-eclampsia, the high blood pressure in pregnancy that can endanger both mother and baby, may be associated with a virus infection of the fetus, an Australian study has found. Researchers compared 609 normal pregnancies with 717 that had one or more of four adverse outcomes; premature birth, small for gestational age, bleeding during pregnancy or preeclampsia.

The scientists tested each baby’s blood within five days of birth for the DNA or RNA of eight different viruses. Virus exposure was associated with all four negative outcomes, but especially highly with pre-eclampsia. Mothers of babies who tested positive for any virus were more than five times as likely to have had preeclampsia, and those whose babies tested positive for a herpes virus were almost six times as likely.

The study appears in the March issue of the British journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.The authors acknowledged that their cases and controls were not matched and that the small number of cases of preeclampsia in their sample (23) made it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

Simple method to avoid general cold and cough for children

Honey has the capacity to arrest phlegm and so is ginger. The combination of these 2 helps children in 2 ways...

1) Improve digestion

2) Avoid phlegm accumulation in the chest

Just take a small piece of ginger and crush it to get a few drops of ginger juice and a few drops of honey on to it and mix on a teaspon. A half spoon of this juice is sufficient for children between 1yr to 3 yrs. Add more of honey to make it taste better.

Try this for a few days and you can see a good change in the child. As these are natural ingredients and are consumed in daily life, these will not have any negative impact.

However, if you notice anything abnormal, do consult your doctor for the right medicine. This treatment works well for general cold and cough and may not work if the child is having any viral attack.

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Benefits of Breast Feeding

Breast Feeding is the best for babies. The breast milk is uniquely superior for babies. It is easily digested and contain antibodies that are essential for the new borns to protect themselves from infections. Breast feeding should begin within few hours of birth. Do not impose regulation on the number of nursing times. The new borns should be nursed as and when they show signs of hunger. Crying out of hunger is a late sign. If the baby does not demand in the early weeks after birth, they should be aroused or awakened to feed at intervals.

Nursing babies are a beautiful sight in many cultures. Many mothers fall in love with their children as they watch them suckle and drift contentedly off to sleep. Nursing babies are happiest while in their mother's arms. Breast feeding is the natural physiological way to feed a baby. Human breast milk is made for human babies. The components - lactose, protein and fat - are easily digested by a newborn's immature system so breastfed babies have fewer incidences of diarrhea or constipation. Breast milk is always fresh and readily available. Breast milk is always the right temperature. It protect baby against allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity and SIDS. The contact can enhance the emotional connection between mother and infant thereby increasing the bonding process.

A nursing mother passes antibodies to her baby to protect the baby from many conditions such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory infections and meningitis. Breast milk contains new antibodies whenever the mother is exposed to new infections. Antibodies cannot be added to formula milk. Breastfeeding is best for baby but does not always come natural to either the mother or child. Perseverance is often needed by both mother and baby. Always ensure that you and your baby are in a comfortable position when breastfeeding. It is not necessary to feed your baby from both breasts at every feed but do alternate which breast you start off with at each feed. Let your baby finish a feed at each breast. This will give your baby hind milk. Unless you are aware of a special problem there is no need to keep track of when you feed your baby. The more feeding your baby demands, the more milk you will produce. Breastfeeding your baby at night when your baby needs it is as important as daytime feeds.Successful breastfeeding normally means your baby does not need additional fluids. Breastfeeding will satisfy all your baby's nutritional needs. Make sure your thirst and hunger are satisfied. Breastfeeding is not always easy but with practice, difficulties can be overcome.

Most babies start rooting for the breast as soon as they are placed on the mothers chest soon after birth. Ensure that the baby is dried properly before your start the first feed. hold the baby close so that your body warmth keeps the baby warm and cosy. The baby might be a little sleepy due to the action of the drugs given during labour, wait for the effects to wear off .

Baby Massage- Do's and Dont's

Baby massage is one of the child care practice that is been practiced from time immemorial in many cultures all around the world. Infants show healthy growth, more weight gain when they are massaged well and regularly. Basically body massage increases blood circulation in the body and aids the digestive system. It also helps in parent-child bonding. In India the baby massage is done for the new borns with a small wheat ball dipped in almond oil and turmeric. The baby massage with hands begins only after the baby is one month old. The massage can be done until the baby is 3-4 years old.

Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.Make sure that the room temperature is warm. Put the baby on a soft surface so your baby will feel comfortable and secure. Keep some little pillows handy.It is a good practice to keep all things you ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. This includes, the baby massage oil or the vegetable oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes. Baby's skin is very soft and bracelet, rings and long nails might hurt your child accidentally. So keep your fingernails short and keep aside the jewellery pieces you wear on hands when you are massaging the baby. Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat surface and undress the baby. Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby's body. You can apply more oil later as needed. Never watch the clock while massaging your infant.

Always begin with massaging the legs. To place your hands directly on the infant's chest or abdomen to begin massaging can be intrusive, and unacceptable to many infants. Use long firm strokes. Remember that your touches should be tender do not make mechanic motions. Try to be flexible by not keeping a rigid routine. If the baby wants to change position let them do so. Do not force your baby to keep a position, you can go back to these areas later on. Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best.

Do not use olive oil for infant massage, it's texture is to thick and cannot be absorbed sufficiently by the skin. Never massage your baby while he/she is crying. Do not oil baby's palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation. Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt. Do not wake the baby up for a massage. Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill. Do not put too much pressure on the baby's fragile body and avoid the spine area.

How to wean baby from breast feeding?

The most difficult phase of a baby's life is weaning. This is the stage when solid foods are being introduced to the baby. Weaning should be done in a very slow pace. There should be no rush. The baby should be given its own time to get accustomed to solid foods. There numerous ready to serve alternatives available in the market. The texture of the food should be changed as and when they get used to the foods from smooth to coarse.

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