Toddler Tantrums

Toddler Tantrums occur at least once a week in 50-80% of pre school children.
The most common cause of toddler tantrums is conflict with parents ;-

1) Over food and eating (16.7 per cent),

2) Being put in a pushchair, high chair or car seat (11.6 per cent

3) By getting changed or dressed (10.8 per cent).

There are peak times for tantrums – more tantrums occur in the late morning and early evening, when the child is probably hungry or tired.At this stage in a child’s life, what may seem weird, irrational or just plain naughty is perfectly normal. It does not help – you or the child – to get stressed about it.

Of all the challenging types of toddler behaviour –for example, getting into everything, asking endless questions or refusing point blank to get into the buggy/car seat – it’s the tantrum that gives toddlers a bad name and provides parents with the most headaches.

Coping strategies.
There are times when nothing less than a miracle will stop your child kicking off – like the moment you realise you’ve left their favourite teddy at the supermarket and it shut two hours ago. You can employ some tactics to ward off trouble.

At home
‘Toddler-proof’ your home so you don’t have to keep taking things away from your child. Look around your home and put away breakables or things children can hurt themselves on. Your house may not look as pretty, but it’s better than shouting at them all day.

Out shopping
When you have time get your toddler to help by picking out objects you want to buy. Choosing which colour of toilet roll, bubble bath or soap to buy.

Visiting
Visiting friends or family, take a goodie bag with you with toys, books, colouring pencils and chewy foods to keep your child amused, particularly when visiting elderly relatives or friends who have no children.

If you would like more information about coping strategies or parenting;-

Contact Dream-Angus.com

Cradle Cap/Seborrhoeic Eczema in Infants

Cradle Cap is generally the name given to the thick yellow scurf on the scalp of children under a year old. This occurs soon after birth and generally is completely gone by the time a child is a year old. Some babies have this from a one or two weeks of life, and others from a few months, while others never seem to have this problem at all.

Cradle cap starts quite suddenly with the scalp becoming thickly coated with greasy yellowish scales, which stick to the scalp and may extend to the eyebrows, behind the ears, and neck folds. The skin may be slightly red beneath the scales but it is not sore or hot to touch. This condition does not cause any discomfort and does not mean that baby is unwell, and it does not itch. Often it will simply go away and not come back.

When this happens in the first few weeks of life it is often due to persistent secretion of vernix, the greasy coating that baby is born with. As this dries up the scales fall off and the scalp becomes clear.

Cradle cap which occurs later is often due to infantile seborrhoeic eczema and may also affect the groin, and the skin under the arms. In most cases this will clear by itself but, if you are concerned you can try the following;-

1) You can use a gentle shampoo and tepid water to wash the affected skin daily. Don't use harsh shampoo which is recommended for adult dandruff.

2) Massage warmed olive or grape seed oil into the scalp to losen the scales. Leave this on for an hour before shampooing with a mild shampoo.

3) Massage aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment into the scalp if it remains scaly. Leave this on for several hours before washing off with warm water. You do not need shampoo as the aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment will be enough. If the emulsifying ointment is very thick stand it in a dish of warm water to soften it before using.

If Cradle cap is on other parts of the body then see your family doctor so that an appropriate treatment may be prescribed.

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Teaching children to make choices.

How many choices do you offer your child or children on a regular basis?

If we teach our children to make good choices while they are young, there is a better chance of them continuing to make good choices as they grow and the choices become more important.

Start when your child is about a year old. Only offer a choice of two things as more is confusing. You don't want to wait for a long time while the child makes this decision so keeping it simple is easier for both of you. "Do you want to put your socks or your vest on first?" Only offer choices that you are happy to live with. Then, if the child wants to do something that you would not like them to do, it is not an option.

Too many parents offer a choice which includes something they hope the child will not choose. Children can read their parents, and will opt for the choice that you find least acceptable, so don't make it part of the process. If your child has made lots of choices in the day and you want something done, you can point out the number of choices they have made, and tell the child that it is now your turn to choose and you want them to ......

This seems much fairer to the child than making all the decisions for them and makes your child feel that they have had some control over their day.

Help your child to have a level of control over their own life so that they can develop a sense of responsibility. If a bad decision is made, then living with the consequenses is part of understanding how things work in the real world, while being in a safe environment.

Parenting can be fun. If you would like to join a parenting class and learn more about helping your child to make choices and take responsibility,
contact Dream-Angus.com

Six problems using a dummy/comforter can cause.

On average, half of the toddlers who are using a dummy, are 3 times more likely to have ear infections and will require speech and language therapy.
Children who have had a dummy/comforter for too long are at greater risk of;-

1) Upper and lower front and back teeth not meeting properly, or they become overcrowded at the front of the mouth.
2) Tooth decay in the front teeth in particular.
3) Incorrect tounge position which affects swallowing and may be linked to developmental and speech problems.
4) Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose.
5) Speech sound problems which the child may not "grow out of" but may require speech and language therapy to correct. ("T" becomes "K")
6) Glue ear causing hearing problems so again language development is more difficult.

The dummy/ comforter may be useful in the early months. Use it appropriately by using it selectively, after a feed.
Wean your child off using this by no later than 10-12 months.
Never put sugar or other sweet tasting substances on a dummy/comforter.

If you need advice and support in getting rid of the dummy,
Contact Dream-Angus.com

Protecting your child's teeth

Sugary drinks in bottles, especially at bed time can lead to tooth decay. The most dammaging drinks are those high in sugar and acid like fruit juices and squashes and fizzy drinks.

Protect your child's smile.

1) Dilute unsweetened fruit juice and squashes.

2) Limit these to meal times only.

3) Offer water/milk in between meals and at bed time.

4) Try drinks in a feeder or cup from six months onwards.

5) Brush your child's teeth twice a day, particularly at bed time, with a flouride toothpaste.

6) Register your child with a dentist, and take them there regularly from two years of age.

How old is too old for a dummy/comforter?

Babies have a natural sucking reflex in the first few months which makes sucking a bottle, or dummy, comforting for them. From about six months you should introduce the use of beakers or cups.

By a year you should have separated your baby from the bottle or dummy. At about this time continuing with dummies can stop your child from talking properly, and increases salivation and drooling, which in turn can cause skin problems.

Here are six simple things you can do to encourage your child to do without their dummy/comforter.

1) Reduce the use of the dummy to only making it available at bed time and remove it once your child is asleep.

2) Encourage your child to talk by listening carefully and giving your full attention.

3) Encourage choices by naming the foods at meal times.

4) Encourage your child to use words instead of simply pointing at things.

5) Take the dummy out of your child's mouth when they are speaking.

6) Talk to your child. Use picture books and everyday situations like shopping, to encourage your child to talk. The more you talk to your child the more your child will learn and respond.

If you want help to get rid of the dummy
Contact Dream-Angus .com