Kids @ Kingston

Compiled by our MCH & Immunisation Nurses

Issue

No 5

Do you have a fussy eater in your family? Try not to worry unduly about your toddler’s erratic eating habits as it is a fairly normal, if frustrating, part

of these years. Rest assured your child WILL eat, when hungry, and WILL NOT starve.

After 12 months your child will be growing more slowly so she may need less food than before. She is also be-

coming independent so is likely to have firm ideas about what and when she wants to eat. She can be quite

healthy and yet eat only small amounts of food for days or weeks. She may want to eat only a few familiar

foods and refuse to try anything new. If you worry and fuss about her eating, and try to urge or force her to

take more or different foods, she is likely to get even more stubborn. She may keep refusing food so she can

be the centre of attention. It is a battle you can’t win, so don't get involved. It takes two to fight. There is

only one way out—offer healthy foods then let your child eat what she wants of these.

Try to keep meal times happy times for the family. Here are some ideas to try - Let children know when it is almost meal time so they can finish their game and

wash their hands.

Let your child help prepare the meal, even though it takes longer!

Offer small and attractive servings, of healthy foods you know she likes. Use

colourful foods.

Take away, without comment, whatever is not eaten after 10 to 15 minutes or

so.

Don’t use dessert as a bribe for finishing the main course. This makes the des-

sert seem too special and valuable. If you have desserts, make sure they are

made of healthy food (eg: fruit, milk puddings) and give a small amount whether

or not other food is eaten.

For a treat, present the meal as a ‘Picture’ eg: a boat, train or face.

Food choices for Fussy Eaters *Flavoured milk, milkshakes *Grated cheese on warm vegetables *Yoghurt *Milky soups

*Minced meat or sausages *Pasta sauces or pasties with minced meat *Milk puddings *Eggs

*Baked beans or hommusChildren Youth & Womens Health Service The Feeding Book for babies & Young Children

Is your home poison proof?

10 tips to prevent poisoning

1. Lock poisons away. Medicines,

chemicals, cleaning detergents and personal

cosmetics and oils are all dangerous to

young children. Hardware stores have

many different solutions for you.

2. Store poisons out of reach and sight

If you can’t lock them away, put your poisons on high

shelves behind closed cupboards.

3. Don’t underestimate your child’s abilities or

interests. Children’s abilities and interests change quick-

ly. Always use safe storage areas, and put poisons away

straight after use.

4. Check that the child-resistant cap is working on

medicine and cleaning containers.

5. Avoid taking medicines in front of your children.

Children tend to imitate their parents.

6. Never refer to medicines as lollies. Use their real

names.

7. Always keep your dishwasher door locked.

Never place dishwashing powder into the soap container

until you are ready to turn the appliance on.

8. Don’t leave paint brushes to soak in turpentine.

Clean them immediately or keep them out of reach and out

of sight until you can clean them properly.

9. Keep visitors handbags out of your child’s reach.

You don't know what may be in there.

10. Never transfer cleaning products to another

container, especially food or drink containers.

“FROGGIE RHYME”

A Victorian Government Initative - Is your home poison proof?

Da-Glumpf went the little Green frog one day

Da-Glumpf went the little Green frog

Da-Glumpf went the little green frog one day

And the frog went Glumpf Glumpf Glumpf But we all know frogs go “La de da de da”

“La de da de da” “La de da de da”

We all know frogs go “La de da de da”

They don't go Glumpf Glumpf Glumpf

Communication, Language and Play

3 ½ years

3½ year olds use 3

-5 word sentences

They are

developing

friendships with

the children and

people around

them

They like to know you enjoy spending time with

them

They like to be encouraged and to feel that they

are good at things

Talk to your Maternal & Child Health Nurse if

your 3½year old:-

Doesn’t talk so you and others can understand

Uses only single words or very simple sentences

Stutters a lot

Doesn’t come to you for affection or comfort

Doesn’t play imaginary games

Doesn’t play games with other children

Things you can do with your 3½ year old

Talk

Talk about trips you’ve been on “what did you

like best?”

Add new words and information during

conversations with your child.

Describe the order and position of things, first,

last, colour

Ask what, where, who, why questions

Listen to and encourage attempts to tell stories

Play

Make things with boxes, playdough, blocks

Lots of drawing and colouring

Matching and sorting games

Games/puzzles—big piece picture puzzles

Count things—one for you and one for me

Have a dress up box

Read

Retell the same stories often especially at

bedtime

Let them tell the story in their own words

Start reading alphabet and counting books

Point to letters, especially the ones in their

name

Comm Lang & Play, Dept of Human Services Victoria,

Royal Childrens Hospital July 2003

Learning grows with questions what,

where, who, why?

Healthy eating & obesity avoidence

A recent group of 100 parents were asked “What are the

benefits of healthy eating for you & your child?

Their answers would be similar to most parents and fall

into 3 categories.

Health Protection

Health is short term and means strength, resilience

and not being sick.

It protects children from colds and flu.

I worry that if he breaks a bone that it might not heal.

Instinctual feeding

Nutrition, growth—”I know healthy food is important

for my child”

Feeding is an instinct—”I am so happy when they eat”

Conflict Avoidance

Conflict avoidance—”I can’t be bothered fighting over

food so they eat what they want”

“It makes life easier when they eat well”

Parents tend not to perceive ‘not becoming’ overweight’ as

a benefit, as health professionals do. Parents want short

term, tangible benefits. Nevertheless, parents need to

use positive behaviour and management techniques, such

as role modelling to encourage healthy eating and weight

control. Growing children need 3 meals per day plus

morning and afternoon tea, no grazing.

Remember, brain function and IQ also benefit from good

nutrition. Heinz Sight Nov 2006 Issue 74

Play Ideas Finger Paint

1 Cup Cornflour

3 Cups water

Colouring

Mix cornflour in a little cold water to make a smooth

white paste.

Add to boiling water gradually, stirring constantly until

thickens.

Add colour.

Hints

Liquid soap added to the paint will make hand cleaning

easier.

Use newspaper to cover the floor around the table,

making clean up easier.

Goop

2 1/2 Cups Cornflour

1 Cup Cold Water

Food Colouring

Slime

1 Cup Lux flakes and 3 Cups Boiling Water

Dissolve with a fork or whisk. Let it set overnight.

What is rotavirus? Rotavirus infection is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children under the age of

2yrs of age.

In Australia 20-40% of all admissions of young children to hospital with diarrhoea

are due to rotavirus.

Late Autumn and early Winter tend to be more common times for rotavirus infection.

Spread of infection is more common in places where chil-

dren gather together such as childcare centres.

Rotavirus is spread by- Infected faeces.

Coughing

Sneezing.

Protecting children from Rotavirus Careful hand washing especially after using the toilet.

Careful nappy disposal and cleaning of nappy change area,

toys, surfaces etc.

Washing hands before handling food and drinks

Keeping children who are unwell at home.

Vaccination The NIP (The National Immunisation Program Schedule)

now provides free oral rotavirus vaccine to infants born on

or after 01/05/2007. This will be given as 3 doses at

2mths, 4mths and 6mths.

Vaccination will reduce the risk of developing severe

rotavirus gastroenteritis by approximately 70%.

The Rotavirus vaccine has undergone some of the largest

and most stringent testing in clinical trials ever seen for

any vaccine.

Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, www.cyh.com/health topics

Be wise and Immunise

Rotavirus

Symptoms of rotavirus infection

Symptoms take about 24-72 hours to

develop after contact with the virus.

Onset is usually sudden with a runny nose,

cough, vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

Infants under 2yrs may become dehy-

drated and require hospital treatment.

Signs of dehydration include—baby may

be listless or irritable—dry skin and

mouth—fewer wet nappies.

The diarrhoea may last 2-5 days.

Management

Give the child

extra drinks.

Oral re-hydration

solutions can be

bought at most pharmacies.

If the child has diarrhoea and is not

drinking see a doctor as soon as possible

to check for dehydration.

If the child has a high fever, drowsy, not

interested in anything, see a doctor as

soon as possible.