Hello friends,
I know it is frustrating to have a picky eater. You’ve tried several things to help your child, but they just do not seem to work. The main article below will hopefully help you deal with this problem.
If you have a fussy baby who gets difficulties in sleeping, find out the ways on how to easily put him/her to sleep.
And, for pregnant women, walking is very good for your health and your pregnancy. But please take a look at some things you should consider before doing it. You can find all the tips below.
Enjoy your weekend,
Adwina Jackson
Editor of InspiringParenting
P.S. Uncover the secrets of parenting life by visiting our daily-updated blog, http://www.insparenting.com
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How to Help Your Picky Eater
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” Serve them small portions at first and then provide more if they’re still hungry. ”
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by Jessica Setnick
One of the most common questions I am asked is how to help a picky eater. If you’re worried that your child won’t get enough nutrients from a limited selection of foods, the good news is that because the American food supply is super-fortified, nutrient deficiencies are rare.
If your child is growing normally according to your pediatrician, you can almost always assume that he or she is well-nourished. With the notable exception of calcium, most nutrient deficiencies are easy to spot - you would notice poor growth, low energy, slow development, and unhealthy-looking skin and hair. If you notice these symptoms in your picky eater, mention your concerns to your pediatrician. Often a multivitamin supplement can solve the problem and reduce your worry. Kids often grow out of picky eating if it isn’t given too much attention, so while you wait, here are some options to try.
1. Eat together as a family and let your children see you try new foods (even if you’re not sure you’ll like them). Children often identify with a parent’s eating style, so if you don’t like something, it’s not fair to expect your children to eat it. The opposite is also true - children’s tastes are more sensitive than adults, so just because you like something doesn’t mean they will.
2. Include your children in writing your shopping list, food shopping, and meal preparation. These can be fun ways to teach kids practical skills, while giving them some say in what foods they see on their plates.
3. Walk away from power struggles. When your terrible two-year old crosses his or her arms and says, “NO!” to food, don’t let it rattle you. This is one way kids show independence. Next time, try offering two different foods so that your child has the ability to assert him or herself without resorting to not eating at all.
4. Don’t go fat free. Fat in foods carries flavor and it really does improve taste. In reasonable amounts, it doesn’t make kids fat, it gives them energy and helps their brains grow. Adding butter or cheese to cooked vegetables and salad dressing to raw ones actually helps their bodies absorb the nutrients.
5. Some kids are naturally suspicious of new things, including foods. If you continue to include unfamiliar items in your regular family meals without forcing your child to try them, he or she may eventually feel more comfortable and willing. Don’t get upset if your child eats around the new food - just encountering it is helpful.
6. Trust your child’s sense of hunger and fullness. Children have small stomachs and need to eat smaller amounts and more frequently than adults. Never force your children to finish everything on their plates, because appetites change with growth, and sometimes children really do need less to eat than they did at an earlier stage. Serve them small portions at first and then provide more if they’re still hungry. Large amounts on the plate can overwhelm some children and turn them off from trying a new food, especially if they think they’ll have to eat it all.
7. Avoid bribing picky eaters with dessert. This just makes dessert seem even better and the other food even worse.
8. Buy and provide nutrient-fortified foods, as well as foods that are naturally higher in nutrients (for example 100% fruit juice instead of fruit punch), so that you can feel confident that when your kids do eat, they are getting bang for their buck.
No one likes to eat everything. Exposure to lots of foods without pressure is the best way to help kids find the nutritious foods that they like best. That’s why they come home from a friend’s house raving about a dish they won’t even consider at home.
Finally, if mealtime has become stressful in your home for any reason, it will be difficult for children to eat appropriately. Changes in eating behavior are sometimes a reflection of stress or anxiety. In these cases, counseling and an overhaul of mealtime may be necessary. Consult your pediatrician for advice or try one of Ellyn Satter’s books. A healthy relationship with food is one of the best gifts you can give your child, far more important than the one food that they will or won’t eat.
Jessica Setnick is a registered dietitian in Dallas, Texas who travels the world spreading nutrition wisdom. As an accomplished speaker and writer, Jessica’s passion is promoting a positive relationship with food and eating as a key component of a healthy and happy life. Find out more or contact Jessica to speak at your event by visiting her website at www.understandingnutrition.com.
© 2004 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to www.understandingnutrition.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Setnick
Walking during Pregnancy - Things to Think About before Doing It
If you are pregnant, you probably already know that walking gives many benefits for your pregnancy. But, how good it is, that’s what you probably do not recognize.
It is recommended that you read the article first, The Benefits of Walking for Pregnant Women. When you are finished, let’s move on to this one.
Things to consider before choosing walking as your exercise:
1. Consult with your obgyn first about the most suitable exercise for your pregnancy. If he agrees with walking, you can ask how you should do the exercise properly and safely.
2. Choose the correct shoes for walking; not too loose or too tight. Don’t forget to wear socks during the exercise.
3. Before starting, have a warming up and stretching to avoid injuries.
4. After you have done the primary activity, always do a cooling down and stretching, too.
5. Beware of dehydration. You should drink as much water as you can.
6. Do not exercise when it’s hot outside.
7. Stop exercising when you experience headache, shortness in breathing, rapid heartbeat, or pain below your tummy and chest. Check it out with your doctor if you have one or some of these symptoms.
Remember that exercise is very good during pregnancy, but you must be careful with your own condition. Always pay attention to your body changes if something happens during the practice and consult it with your doctor for the best of your pregnancy.
These tips are taken from one of the posts in our blog.
Do you have parenting tips to share with others? Simply let us know by replying this email.
How to Easily Put Your Baby to Sleep
Sleeping gives the time for the body to restore. In babies, sleeping time is required to develop their muscles, limbs, and skeletal structures. To be short, sleeping is the time for a baby to stimulate their development. This means your baby needs a good, comfortable sleep, no matter if it is day or night.
If you have a baby who falls asleep easily, then there is nothing to worry about. But, what if your little one gets fussy and does not want to go to sleep? Don’t get stressed! We’re here to help.
Here are some techniques to easily put your baby to bed:
1. Before bed, try to give your baby a warm bath.
2. Massage her by using baby oil for about 15 minutes. Don’t forget to always communicate with her during these activities. You can talk to her about the bathing process (e.g., “The water is warm” or “Do you enjoy the bath, baby?”) or by telling her about her body parts. If you normally get excited during these activities, it’s best for you to reduce the excitement this time.
3. Play a slow/calm music and sing it to her.
4. You can also read a bedtime story. If it works, then you can do this method for her next bedtime routine.
5. Give a loving touch on her tummy, her back, or her head. Sing a lullaby while doing it.
6. Breastfeed her.
Sleep, baby, sleep …
These tips are taken from one of the posts in our blog.
Do you have parenting tips to share with others? Simply let us know by replying this email.
Being pregnant does not mean it’s not allowed to exercise. It is actually very good for pregnant women as long as they remember the boundaries.
