Feeding a Toddler

As children move from a purely milk diet, whether this is breast or formula, they are growing very quickly and are usually very active, so they need plenty of energy and nutrients.Between the ages of 2 to 5 years children should be gradually moving to eating with the family, and this means eating the same foods as the family.

Every day toddlers should have the following sorts of foods.

• Milk and dairy foods which will provide protein, vitamins, minerals and calories.
• Meat, fish, eggs, peas,beans, lentils and tofu. Boys need up to 4 portions of oily fish per week, mackerel,sardines, or salmon. Girls should have no more than 2 portions of oily fish per week.
• Bread, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, potatoes, sweet potatoes,which will provide fibre as well as calories, vitamins and minerals.
• Fruit and vegetables for vitamin C and other protective vitamins.
• A vitamin D supplement for healthy bone and good immune response.

If you are giving your child a vegetarian diet it is important to include milk cheese and eggs. This means the diet will not be too bulky and they will get enough protein, vitamin A calcium and zinc.
Iron is found in many vegetables and pulses such as beans lentils and chickpeas, in dried fruit such as apricots, raisins and sultanas and in some breakfast cereals.
Absorbing iron from vegetable sources is more difficult than absorbing iron from meat so ensure your toddler has some foods containing iron every day. A food or drink which is high in vitamin C given at the same time as vegetables or iron containing foods will help make the absorption of iron easier.

Avoid giving young children tea or coffee especially at meal times as this reduces iron absorption.
Semi skimmed milk can be given from 2 years of age but fully skimmed milk is unsuitable for children under 5 years of age.

Vitamin drops are a useful addition to the diet of under 5's as this ensures, despite any fussy food behaviour, that the child gets enough of the important protective vitamins to encourage bone growth and immune system support.

Small portions on small plates are less daunting. Children can always ask for more but can be discouraged if they are expected to eat large amounts. Plan for three main meals per day and two snacks.

If you want to know more about toddler diet, if you need support with your toddlers eating habits,
Contact us at;-info@dreamangus.com

Infant constipation.

Bowel habit varies between individual infants and frequency is affected by diet, fluid intake, age and behaviour. Less than 3 complete stools per week is considered a potential indicator of constipation in children under one year of age (excluding those exclusively breast fed after 6 weeks of age,)
An exclusively breast fed infant can pass up to 6 stools per day in the first 28 days of life.

The average "normal "stool frequency of formula fed babies is;-
at 1 week old         up to 4 dirty nappies per day.
At 3 months           2-4 dirty nappies per day.
At 6 months           1-2 dirty nappies per day
At 12 months         one dirty nappy every 2-3 days.

Constipation can occur for a variety of reasons.

• Change of formula milk, including change of brand or stage.
• Change to more semi solid diet
• Inadequate fluid intake.
• Illness with a raise in body temperature
• Side effect of some medications (e.g. baby Gaviscon)
• Medical conditions such as Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis and low thyroid function.
• About 2 percent of children may experience constipation as a result of a congenital abnormality. 

The symptoms of constipation include;-

•  Distress and difficulty in passing stool.
• Reduction in feeding and becoming more "fussy".
• Overflow diarrhoea accompanied by offensive wind being passed.

How can this be resolved?

Circular massaging of the infant's abdomen, or gently stretching and cycling the child's legs when the child is warm and relaxed, can reduce the abdominal tension and allow stool to be passed.

If the infant is straining, put them on their back in a warm room with the nappy off and gently position the baby's knees against their chest will help them pass the stool.

A warm bath may help comfort baby by easing abdominal pain.

In small babies a 30 ml top up with plain boiled water, or boiled cooled water to which a level teaspoon of brown sugar has been added, should be enough to get things moving. This can be repeated. Baby should not be allowed to go longer than three days without a dirty nappy, unless this is normal for that child.

If baby has a swollen abdomen, temperature, blood or mucus in or around the stool, vomits or shows signs of reduced feeding, medical attention should be sought.

If symptoms persist, and baby is older than one month a small dose of oral lactulose may be prescribed to relieve the symptoms and allow stool to be passed. 

Five points to avoiding overheating baby.

Overheating can increase the risk of cot death. Babies overheat when there is too much bedding or clothing, or the room is too warm. Remember that a folded blanket is as warm as two blankets.
Lightweight blankets make it easier to control the temperature.
When you check on your baby, if he or she is perspiring, or their tummy feels hot to the touch, remove a blanket. It is absolutely normal that an infant's hands and feet are cool.
Room temperature of 16 to 18degrees C (63-65 degrees F) is a comfortable temperature,
The easy way to get it right is;-

• In summer baby may only need a sheet if it is very warm. (19-22 degrees C)
• Even in winter, most babies who are unwell or feverish need fewer clothes.
• Excess heat is lost through babies head, which is why it should never be covered at bed time, unless the room is very cold.
• Always remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors, enter a warm car,bus or train, even if it means waking your baby.
• Babies should never sleep with a hot water bottle, electric blanket, next to a radiator or in direct sunshine.

During the day baby should have one more layer of clothing than you have on.