1-3 Years
Breast feeding after the first year is called extended breast feeding.
Benefits of Breastfeeding After the First Year
For Infants:
- Breast milk composition changes to suit your child’s needs.
- Breast milk continue to protect your child from infection as it is still rich in antibodies.
- Breast fed children tend to have shorter illnesses.
- Breastfeeding protects child from many illnesses later in life.
- Extended breastfeeding protects your child from developing allergy.
- Extended breastfeeding contributes to increased mental and intellectual development.
For Mother
- Creates a strong bond with baby
- Protection against breast and ovarian cancer
- Protection against cardiovascular diseases
- Protection against diabetes
- Protection against osteoporosis
- Protection against rheumatoid arthritis
- Contraception (but to a lesser extent than before)
- Aids in weight loss
Changes You Will Notice When Breastfeeding At This Age:
- Shorter breastfeeding session (around 2 minutes only). Your child is breastfeeding more efficiently.
- Your child is easily distracted at this age.
- Less nursing sessions during day and night (usually twice a day).
- Your child might want to nurse for comfort
Weaning:
Definition:
It is when an infant or toddler stops breastfeeding and becomes fully dependent external sources (other than breast milk) when it comes to nutrition.
When Should I Wean My Baby
It is recommended to let your baby start the weaning process or when your milk supply comes to an end.
Consult your doctor if you decide to wean your child.
Growing-up formulas are designed to meet children’s changing nutritional needs as they grow. At this age children go through enormous physical and mental growth which requires specific nutritional support.
Ronagrow® (Ronesca®’s Growing-up Milk)
Ronagrow® is based on cow’s milk, and is designed for toddler's to provide them with the extra nutrients they need between the ages of 1 and 3.
Ronagrow® [Hyperlink] and some other stage 3 growing-up formulas contain a greater amount of certain ingredients (like calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin D). In addition, some growing up formulas, like Ronagrow® [Hyperlink], contain DHA, an important omega-3 [Hyperlink] fatty acid that is also found in breast milk, but not in whole milk.
Benefits of Ronagrow® Milk:
- Provides essential minerals for growth
- Provides essential vitamins
- Provides balanced caloric requirements
- Ensures optimal brain and mental development
- Ensures healthy visual development
- Boost immunity
- Prevents iron deficiency anemia
- Ensures excellent bone mineralization
- Maintains a healthy gut environment and prevents constipation
How Does Ronagrow® Boost Immunity?
Ronesca®’s experts in France developed a unique and effective immuno-boosting blend called the Immunobooster System. The ingredients of the Immunobooster System work together to ensure the effectiveness of Ronagrow in supporting your toddler’s immunity:
- Lactoferrin: Increases iron absorption and supports immune system. In addition to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, providing further protection against infections.
- Prebiotics: Encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria and discourage the growth of harmful bacteria in intestinal tract and thus supporting the immune system. Prebiotics also aid in preventing constipation.
- Selenium: A potent antioxidant that plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system and protecting the baby from pollution and infections.
- β-Carotene: Another potent antioxidant that supports the immune system and potentiating protection against infections.
How Does Ronagrow® Boost Brain & Mental Development?
There are five ingredients included in Ronagrow milk to ensure your child’s optimal mental development:
- Omega-3 & omega-6: They are essential fatty acids that ensure optimal mental development including: memory, learning, concentration and reasoning.
- Iron: Plays a crucial role in supplying the brain with oxygen preventing mental impairment.
- Iodine: An essential nutrient that ensures healthy brain development. Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD), is the main cause of impaired cognitive development in children.
- Taurine: Important for brain tissue, mental and central nervous system development. It maintains CNS’s cell integrity, and is naturally found in breast milk.
What Ingredients in Ronagrow® Aid in Bone Mineralization?
Ronagrow’s formula is rich with adequate amounts of calcium, phosphors and Vitamin D that are crucial for bone mineralization.
What Food Can My Child Eat At This Age?
At this age, your child is allowed to eat from the same food you are serving for other family members. Keep in mind the following tips when feeding your toddler:
Tips:
- Cut food into small pieces that suits your toddler’s mouth size and ability to chew and swallow.
- Supervise your child at all times when eating.
Some foods can cause choking (e.g. popcorn, raw vegetables and hard fruits, grapes, raisins, nuts and candies). - Offer different tastes and textures
- Avoid addition of salt.
- Avoid fast foods (which are by the way loaded with salt)
- Offer fresh food rather than processed food
- Offer foods that contain healthy fat
- Minimize offering sweets.
- Continue to test for allergies [Hyperlink – Allergy Concerns]
Growth Rate & Appetite Drop
At this age, it is normal for a child’s appetite [Hyprlink] to drop. This is because toddlers need less calories due to slowed growth rate. This does not mean that nutrition is not important.
Read more about loss of appetite, its risks and how to overcome it: Loss of Appetite [Hyperink]
How Many Meals Does My Child Need At This Age?
It is advised to divide the meals into main meals and snacks. Offer 3 main meals and 2-3 healthy snacks in between.
Nutrition
Healthful diet is based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and is intended as a guide for children who want to follow a healthful eating pattern and then maintain a healthy weight.
- The general, healthful diet may be low in energy, fat and sodium.
- The protein sources include limited amounts of lean meat, with more protein coming from: fish, poultry, beans, peas as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
- It is high in fiber because it includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Saturated fats and trans fats are minimized as much as possible, such as cookie, desserts, pastries…
Examples of food recommended: whole wheat, quinoa, fresh green vegetables, seafood, fresh fruits….
Examples of food to avoid: crackers, chips, cakes, pancakes, fried vegetables, canned juices, syrup, whole milk, sour cream, fatty meat, sausage, margarine, butter….
Calories Needed
Depending on age, size and physical activity, toddlers need around 1000 to 1400 calories a day.
Calories at this age are recommended to be divided as follows:
- Carbohydrates: 45-65%
- Protein: 5-20%
- Fats: 30 -40%
Portions
Healthy Feeding Tips:
- It is very important that the calories taken are from healthy food. Sugar for example is high in calories but low in nutrients
- Make sure that you offer your toddler a balanced diet. Which means that the food offered should contain variety of food.
- Offer fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals required for proper growth.
- Include sufficient amounts of dairy products. Dairy products are important for bones and teeth.
- Offer a variety whole grained and non-whole grained starchy foods like rice, cereal, bread and potatoes
- Offer protein rich foods like eggs, white meat, red meat, beans and eggs.
- Limit:
- Sweets
- Salty food
- Fatty food
A balanced diet should contain right amount of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water.
Below is an explanation of why your child needs each nutrient? What happens if your child doesn’t get enough of each nutrient? And, in which foods can these nutrients be naturally found?
Read more:
Does Ronagrow® milk contain the necessary nutrients my child needs?
What is Exceeda® and how does it benefit my child?
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are big chains of sugars. When broken, the simple sugars are used by the brain and body as a source of energy. Carbohydrates must offer 50-60% of the energy a child needs from food.
It is important to select healthy carbohydrates when feeding your child. Processed, man-made sources are less nutritious and give a short-term energy that will later on give a feeling of fatigue or hunger.
Healthy carbohydrate sources doesn’t boost blood sugar levels, and get digested slower and thus make your child full for longer. Healthy sources of carbohydrates are also rich in fiber, this means that eating these healthy choices will improve digestion and prevent constipation.
Healthy sources: Rice, pasta, bread, whole grains potato, fruits, and dairy (in the form lactose).
Proteins
Protein is a macronutrient that contain different amino acids linked together. Each gram of protein provides 4 calories and it is essential for a proper growth during infancy. Protein supports maintenance and tissue formation.
Casein and whey are the major proteins of human milk and most milk-based formulas.
Healthy grown patterns are observed only when the daily protein supply is sufficient.
During the first 3-4 months of life, all babies double their birth weight, therefore protein requirements (per unit of body weight) are much higher than that in older infants, children and adults.
Not all infants can be breastfed, most of them receive infant’s formulas with higher protein concentration than breast milk.
Milk is the only source of protein for newborns (till 6 months). When infants start eating, they will find proteins in many foods such as meat, poultry, yogurt, cheeses, lentils, beans…
1 cup of Exceeda or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can supply your child an adequate amount of protein.
Fats
Fats are utilized by the body to build and develop the brain, nerves and hormones and in children it is used as a source of energy. Furthermore, fats aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and insulate the entire nervous system. Fats are high in calories and should be taken in certain amounts.
Fats are very high in calories, and must be chosen with care. Unsaturated fats are healthier fats and are found in plant sources like vegetables, nuts and avocados. Saturated fats are mainly found in animal sources (e.g. meat, poultry, butter and dairy)
Fats should provide around 30% to 35% of calories for toddlers.
Omegas 3 & 6
Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by humans and therefore must be obtained from the diet. For humans only two fatty acids are known to be essential: alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (omega 6 fatty acid).
Omegas 3 and 6 are unsaturated fats. They are important for children's eyes to work well and for parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning and reasoning. Omegas 3 & 6 enhance immunity If your child did not have enough omega-3, these functions may be impaired.
Omega3 and 6 are found in: flaxseed, canola oil, english walnuts, fish and fish oils.
Both Exceeda® and Ronagrow® milk are loaded with purified Omega 3 and 6. Two cups of Ronagrow® provides an adequate amount of essential fatty acids.
Vitamins
Vitamin A
An estimated 250 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient.
Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy vision, skin and immune system and promotes normal development.
Lack of vitamin A, in children, causes serious visual impairment and blindness. Vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of severe illness, and even death, from some infections such as diarrhea and measles.
You can find vitamin A in animal and plant sources. Plant foods contain carotenoids which is a form of vitamin A.
Example on foods that contain vitamin A: liver, sweet potato, dark leafy vegetables, pumpkin, carrot...
If your child doesn’t accept these foods, you can support him/her by adding Exceeda® to his daily intake.
Vitamin B
Eight water soluble vitamins are included in the vitamin B complex. These vitamins have an important role in body’s metabolism.
The eight water soluble vitamins are:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin):
Plays a role in the immune system, the coordination of nerves and muscles and for a proper function of the heart.
You can find vitamin b1 in asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach…
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
Protects cells from oxygen damage and plays a key role in the metabolism of energy and macronutrients.
You can found vitamin B2 in: cheese, milk, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes…
Vitamin B3 (Niacin):
Plays a role in energy production and involved in DNA repair. Vitamin B3 is found in: avocado, tomato, date, leafy vegetables, carrot, milk, sweet potato…
Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic acid):
Releases energy from fat starches.
Vitamin B5 is found in whole grain cereals, meat, eggs, legumes…
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):
Plays a role in the metabolism of macronutrients, nerve function and the formation of red blood cells.
It is found in: bell peppers, banana spinach, broccoli, garlic…
Vitamin B7 (Biotin):
Plays a role in the metabolism of fats and amino acids and essential for cell growth.
Vitamin B7 is found in egg yolk, liver and some vegetables.
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid):
Vitamin B9 is essential for the formation of normal blood cells, the synthesis of DNA and for normal development of a fetus nervous system.
Folate is found in: legumes, beans spinach, asparagus, citrus fruits…
Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 is important for the formation and maturation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis.
Vitamin B12 is found in all animal sources.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can supply an adequate amount of Vitamin B.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C crucial for your kid’s health and plays many roles:
- Helps form and repair red blood cells, bones, and tissues.
- Helps maintain healthy gums.
- Strengthens blood vessels, minimizing bruising from falls and scrapes.
- Aids in wound healing.
- Boosts immune system against infections.
- Enhances iron absorption from food.
Children suffering from vitamin C deficiency experience: dry and splitting hair, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), decreased wound healing rate, bleeding gums, dry skin and a severe deficiency in vitamin C is known as scurvy.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can support your child an adequate amount of Vitamin C.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D help builds bones and protects from stroke, some cancers, auto-immune disease and high blood pressure.
Vitamin D assist in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet into the bloodstream, which aids significantly in building and maintaining strong bones. Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to rickets in children.
Ten minutes a day in the sun, plus foods rich in vitamin D, is all that it takes to keep levels healthy.
Some foods provide vitamin D such as milk, fortified cereal, fortified orange juice, fortified yogurt, salmon…
The recommended Dietary Allowance for children aged from 1-3 years is 600 IU.
Encourage your child to be active at least 10 minutes daily and offer 2 cups of Ronagrow® milk to provide him/her with an adequate amount of vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin important for many processes in the body.
Vitamin E is essential for children's good health and development, protects cells from damage, boosts the immune system and helps the body fight germs.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that exists naturally in foods such as nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, avocados...
Exceeda® can increase your child’s daily intake of vitamin E.
Vitamin F
Vitamin F is composed of two fatty acids (linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid).
Vitamin F repairs and helps in the formation of tissue in the body. It also helps in skin and hair growth, healing, metabolism and reproductive health.
You can supply your children vitamin F from food while giving them fatty sources such as: nuts, legumes, flaxseed, fish, canola oil, walnut oil…
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can support your child an adequate amount of vitamin F.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and acts as a cofactor in specific reactions in the body. It also helps blood clotting and has an important role in bone health.
Bacteria found in intestines can make vitamin K. Taking a lot of antibiotics can kill the bacteria and may lead to mild deficiency.
Vitamin K is found in beef liver, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, dark lettuce…
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can support your child an adequate amount of Vitamin K.
Minerals
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is found in some foods such as milk, cheese, almond, broccoli, fortified cereals...
Calcium is required for nerve transmission, vascular contraction and vasodilatation, muscle function, hormonal secretion and intracellular signaling.
Calcium is also necessary for bones and teeth and it supports their structure and function.
Humans absorb about 30% of the calcium in foods. There are several factors that affect calcium absorption including: the amount of calcium consumed, age and life stage, vitamin D and food components.
Some absorbed calcium is eliminated from the body in urine, feces, and sweat. This amount is affected by: sodium and protein intake, caffeine intake, phosphorus intake and fruits and vegetables intake.
Inadequate calcium intake causes osteopenia leading to osteoporosis if not treated and rickets in infancy.
Offering 1-2 drinks of Exceeda [Hyperlink] daily can help your child get 30-45% of the calcium’s RDA.
Ronagrow milk [Hyperlink] is also a good source of calcium for your toddler.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement.
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, a protein that transfers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. It is a component of myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.
Iron is also necessary for normal cellular functioning, development, growth and synthesis of some hormones and connective tissue.
Dietary iron has two main forms: heme and nonheme. Iron-fortified foods, beans, nuts and vegetables contain nonheme iron only, but meat, seafood, and poultry contain both heme and nonheme iron.
Humans typically lose only small amounts of iron in feces, urine, gastrointestinal tract, and skin and blood loss.
Iron deficiency is associated with poor diet and malabsorptive disorders. Its symptoms include:
• Tiredness and weakness
• Pale skin, especially around the hands, nails, and eyelids
• Rapid heartbeat or a heart murmur
• Irritability
• Low appetite
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
Iron deficiency eventually leads to anemia, with insufficient oxygen reaching the brain. The anemia can cause fatigue and impair mental functioning. Iron deficiency during the first two years of life can lead to learning difficulties and permanent brain damage. In rare cases, a child with iron-deficiency anemia may develop pica, a craving to eat nonfood items such as paint chips, chalk, or dirt.
1 cup of Exceeda® offers your child with around 40-60% from iron’s RDA.
The recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can supply your child an adequate amount of protein.
Iodine
Iodine is a trace mineral found naturally in the body. It helps cells to convert food into energy. It is essential for normal thyroid function and or the production of thyroid hormones.
You can found iodine in table salt with iodine added, seafood and dairy products.
Offer your children a balanced diet that contain a variety of foods to provide the daily requirement.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can give your child an adequate amount of iodine.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an abundant mineral in the body. It is naturally present in many foods, added to other foods and available as dietary supplements.
Magnesium is a cofactor in many enzyme systems that regulate different biochemical reactions in the body, including:
protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control and blood pressure regulation.
It is required for energy production, synthesis for DNA and RNA and contributes to the structural development of bone.
In addition, magnesium plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes.
Magnesium can be found in animal and plant foods: spinach, legumes, nuts, seeds, fortified cereals…
One cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can supply your child an adequate amount of magnesium.
Manganese
Manganese is a trace element found in small amounts in the body. It plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, blood sugar regulation and calcium absorption.
Manganese helps in the formation of connective tissues, bones and blood clotting factors.
Dietary sources of manganese include nuts and seeds, legumes and whole grains such as unrefined cereals and oats.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can give your child an adequate amount of manganese.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an abundant mineral in the body. It works with calcium to build strong bones and teeth. It plays an essential role in energy’s stores and uses.
Phosphorus is essential for growth, maintenance and repair of tissues and cells.
Also, it is essential for the building of genetic blocks, DNA and RNA.
Phosphorus is found in milk, meat, poultry, eggs, whole grains, fish and nuts.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can support your child an adequate amount of phosphorus.
Selenium
Selenium is an essential mineral found in small amounts in the body. It acts like antioxidant and plays a role in thyroid function.
Some studies suggest that selenium boosts white blood cells so helps to enhance immune system.
Liver, butter, fish and shellfish, sunflower seeds and whole grains are good sources of selenium.
Keep in mind that selenium is destroyed in processed and refined foods.
1 cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can support your child an adequate amount of selenium.
Zinc
Zinc is essential for adequate growth. Zinc supplements are believed have positive effects on height and weight in children especially those who suffered from stunted growth or were underweight.
Foods containing zinc include red meat, whole-grain breads and cereals, dried beans, and seafood.
One cup of Exceeda® or the recommended intake of Ronagrow® milk (according to child’s age) can supply your child an adequate amount of zinc.
Fiber
Fibers are a type of carbohydrates that is not digested in the body. Most carbohydrates are digested and broken into sugar but fibers pass through the body undigested.
Fibers help body to regulate the use of sugars.
Fibers are found in two forms:
- Soluble fibers that can help glucose levels.
Such fibers are found in oatmeal, lentils, nuts, beans… - Insoluble fibers that can help foods move through the digestive system and prevent constipation.
Insoluble fibers are found in wheat, legume, brown rice, cucumber, carrots…
The consumption of fibers is associated with important health benefits. It promotes normal relaxation and reduces the risk of future diseases.
You should encourage your child to:
- Eat whole grains cereals at breakfast
- Eat whole fruits
- Eat vegetable as snacks
- Eat beans and legumes at least two times per week
- Eat brown rice, brown pasta, whole grains products
Children learn what, when, and how much to eat in their first years of life. Parents play a vital role in structuring children's early experience with food and eating. Be a positive role model when it comes to your own eating habits, and wise with what you offer your child.
Picky Eaters:
About 3% of kids suffer from severe selective eating. Compared to non-picky eaters, sever picky eaters are twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression, and seven times as likely to have been diagnosed with social anxiety.
Around 17% of kids are mild to moderate picky eaters. Such kids are likely to be more sensitive to taste and texture and might show anxiety and depression symptoms and are at risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, although not to the extent that they can be diagnosed with the disorder.
Children who refuse to eat many foods over time might have low levels of iron, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium in their bodies. Even if the child continue to grow fine and have a normal weight, the child might still be lacking crucial nutrients.
What Causes Picky Eating?
- Children are less tolerant to bitter and sour flavors.
- Picky eaters might possess different bitterness-detection genotypes.
- Children who weren’t exposed to variety of tastes and textures when they were 6-12 months old may develop picky eating habits.
- Early taste experience could play a role in taste preferences.
- When zinc is lacking in a child’s diet, his sense of smell is reduced and food tastes unappetizing. And so, putting your kid at risk of becoming a picky eater.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a dangerous condition that develops when the body does not get enough nutrients to function properly. Malnutrition can be caused by a lack of food or an unbalanced diet that's missing or insufficient in one or more nutrients. It can refer to “under” or “over”-nutrition. Severe malnutrition contributes to child mortality and morbidity. Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths.
Causes of Malnutrition:
Malnutrition in children might be caused by long-term health conditions that cause lack of appetite, disrupt the normal process of digestion and/or cause the body to have an increased demand for energy.
- Inadequate or unbalanced diet
- Digestion or absorption problems
- Cystic fibrosis (disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system)
- Crohn’s disease (inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract)
- Childhood cancers
- Certain diseases:
- Congenital heart disease,
- Cerebral palsy (damage in brain development)
- Dysphagia (a health condition that makes swallowing difficult or painful),
Impacts of Malnutrition:
Malnutrition impacts growth in the short term, and can limit total bone growth. Stunned children (those classified as low height-forage) may never be able to regain their lost potential growth if they continue to have poor nutrition.
Malnutrition involves insufficient:
- Macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fat.
- Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals.
The effect of micronutrient malnutrition depends on the specific micronutrient that is deprived.
Avoiding Malnutrition:
To prevent children’s malnutrition, a complementary food should be introduced.
Exceeda® [Hyperlink] (Ronesca®’s complete and balanced children’s formula) provides all the nutrients your child needs. But keep in mind that Exceeda® and food supplements should not reduce the intake of normal food but enhance total energy, protein intake and micronutrients intake. In addition, Exceeda® can improve weight, have functional benefits and increase appetite.
Skipping breakfast
Impacts of Skipping Breakfast
- Skipping breakfast reduces blood sugar leaving the brain sluggish and the body low on energy
- Skipping breakfast makes your child irritable and fidgety
- Skipping breakfast increases appetite later in the day which may lead to overeating and hence may lead to obesity
- Kids who skip breakfast have higher levels of blood glucose and insulin resistance (risk factor for developing type 2) than children who eat breakfast every day.
- Kids who skip breakfast are more likely to eat higher-fat and less-healthful foods the rest of the day.
Benefits of breakfast:
- Kids who eat breakfast do better in school
- Having breakfast positively affects your child's memory
- Children who eat breakfast are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Kids who eat rich-fiber breakfasts show fewer diabetes risk factors than those who eat low-fiber or fiber-free foods
If your child skips his or her breakfast, offer Exceeda® [Hyperlink] to provide him/her with the necessary energy and nutrients to start the day. And to protect them from skipping breakfast short-term and long-term impacts.
Loss of Appetite (Anorexia) in Children
Anorexia is the medical term of loss of appetite. It is common for a toddler’s appetite to drop a little. This is because toddlers need less calories due to slowed growth rate. This does not mean that nutrition is not important. Adequate, healthy food is needed for proper growth and development. Children that continue having poor nutrition for long, can get sick and eventually hospitalized.
Anorexia Signs:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Concentration difficulties.
- Moody
- Unsociable
- Feels cold, even in warm weather
Impacts of Loss of Appetite on Children
Anorexia can lead to several serious health problems, including:
- Damage to major organs (especially the brain, heart and kidneys)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lowered blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, and breathing rates
- Sensitivity to cold
- Thinning of bones
- Death, anorexia is fatal in about one out of every 10 cases.
What Causes Loss of Appetite in Children:
- Anemia. Anemia is one of the possible causes of the decline in appetite. Loss of appetite will cause further decline in iron levels.
- A child developing cold and fever will have significant loss of appetite.
- Toddlers show decreased appetite due to decrease in growth rate as compared to the first year of life.
- Family issues may cause loss of appetite.
- Constipation
- Some medications might drop your child’s appetite e.g. antibiotics
- Certain diseases
What Is Exceeda®?
Exceeda® is a special formula that meets if not exceeds the US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIS) of protein, vitamins & minerals and can help catch up normal growth.
Exceeda® is a lactose free formula that comes in two irresistible flavors, chocolate and vanilla.
Who is it Designed For?
- For children aged one to ten
- For children who fail to thrive and those with malnutrition problems
- For children who tend to skip breakfast
- For children who are enrolled in physical activities and require a high and fast source of energy
- For children who suffer from anorexia and poor appetite
- For children who are recovering from illness and trauma and need good nutrition
- For children that have chewing or swallowing difficulties or are recovering from surgery and can’t swallow and eat solid food yet. Exceeda® can be fed through a tube with almost no residue.
- Children with nutritional risk due to medical conditions.
- Children who suffer from neophobia (fear of trying new foods)
How Can Exceeda® Benefit My Child?
- Exceeda® provides complete and balanced nutrition designed to meet or exceed 100% of the US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for protein, vitamins and minerals
- The full range of vitamins and minerals, Exceeda® contains, ensures healthy growth and development (including ensuring healthy functions of bones, eyes, heart, teeth, oral health, brain, immune system etc.)
- Contains an easy to digest protein, to be able to meet protein needs and to provide essential amino acids for optimal growth, maintain optimal muscle mass and for better immune response.
- Enriched with prebiotics [Fructo-oligosacharides (FOS)] that Improve growth of good bacteria (bifidogenic), to support immunity and reduce the incidence of constipation. FOS also enhances the absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium thus maintaining mineral density and bone strength.
- Its special fat profile enriched with omega 3 and omega 6 supports nutrient absorption and ensures optimal mental development and plays a role in maintaining the function of the eyes.
- Contains a dual carbohydrate mixture (sucrose and maltodextrine) that not only improves palatability and acceptance, but to promote optimal digestion, absorption and supply of energy.
- Exceeda® contains high energy yield (1 kcal per 1 ml), and so meets the increased caloric needs of children enrolled in physical activities. Exceeda is considered as a quick source of energy.
- Exceeda® works on increasing the appetite of children.
The following is a rough guideline to what your Toddler may achieve. Children may reach different milestones at different paces.
13 Months – 18 Months:
By the time your toddler reaches 18 months, he/she should be able to:
Social, Behavior & Reasoning:
- Understand and respond to simple instructions
- When angry throws a tantrum
- Dance
- Enjoys doing things independently like drinking from a cup, using spoon, trying to get dressed and undressed.
- Enjoy bottle feeding a toy
Motor:
- Walk without assistance
- Use the stairs with help
- Climbs over furniture
- Turn book pages
- Picks objects from the floor when standing
- Kick a ball
- Plays with blocks
- Can independently drink from a cup
- Use spoon
- Scribble using colors
Language:
- Says up to 10 words
- Comprehends 50 something words
- Recognizes names of familiar people
- Recognizes the name of some objects
- Recognizes the name of some body parts
Teething:
- By 18 months your toddler might start showing their molars.
Read more about teething [Hyperlink]
Sleep Schedule:
- Your toddler starts showing a routine in their sleep.
Read more: Sleep [Hyperlink]
19 Months – 24 Months:
Social, Behavior & Reasoning:
- Comprehends instructions
- Comprehends questions
- Copy-cat others
- Start playing with other kids
- Able to self soothe, takes parents less effort to calm their toddler
- Still shows some separation anxiety
- Enjoys different toys, musical toys, swings…
Motor:
- Shows extra balance when playing
- Uses both hands to play
- Throws a ball and tries to catch
Language:
- Names more than 5 body parts
- Makes a short sentence
- Says 50 words
- Parents start understanding their toddler’s language.
25 Months – 36 Months (2 Years – 3 Years):
Social, Behavior & Reasoning:
- Shows interest in playing in groups
- Makes eye contact with others with interest
- No longer puts toys in mouth
- Enjoys messy activities
- Enjoys story time
- Enjoys swings
- Enjoys pretend games
- Enjoys toys of varied shapes, textures and colors
- Begin to recognize color and shape
- Shows interest in doing things independently like getting dressed, washing hands, brushing teeth and bathing.
- Can find toys or objects that are hidden
- Imitate others
- Separation anxiety start dropping and fades by 3 years
- Starts developing independence and defiance behaviours
- Follows simple instructions
- Able to self soothe
Motor Skills:
- At 2 years:
- Begins to run
- Able to stand on tip toes
- Uses the stairs
- Maintain balance when playing, bumped or when walking on uneven surfaces
- Shows increased fine motor skills (hands and fingers) when playing and picking small objects and coloring.
- By 3 years:
- Walk the starts up and down with alternating steps
- Can flip book pages one by one
- Puts clothes on and off
- Brushes teeth with help
- Washes hand with minimum help
- Draws a line
- Able to build a big tower using blocks
Language:
- Say their name and familiar people names
- Says more than 300 words by 3 years
- Can say a sentence of 5 words by 3 years
- Speaks clearly
- Able to have a short conversation
Understands opposites (big/small)
Tips
Emotional & Intellectual Tips:
- Express your love to your toddler
- Encourage independence by letting your child to choose
- Praise your toddler to boost his/her self esteem
- Choose your words carefully (don’t harm your toddler with your words)
- Don’t criticize
- Read books and sing to your toddler
- Play with your toddler
- Expose your toddler to different environments.
- Allow your toddler to explore (with caution)
- Make conversations with your child
- Follow routine (bedtime, mealtime)
- Listen to your toddler
- Set a good example
- Keep your toddler away from any family issues
Discipline & Behavioral Tips:
- Praising your toddler for the good things he/she does
- Ignore their tantrums (secretly supervise him/her)
- Use your words carefully
- Give your toddler timeouts (timeouts should be as long as their age in minutes)
- Explain to your toddler the consequences of mistake they did
- Be consistent with your discipline
- Set limits an rules and don’t say ‘no’ to everything
Safety Tips
- Supervise your child all the time (when eating, bathing, swimming, playing, coloring…)
- Proof the house.
- Explain to your toddler about danger (not to touch sharp objects, not to stick pencil in the eye or mouth, stay away from window, eat while sitting, not to touch your coffee…etc)
- Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
- Don’t hold hot drinks while your child is sitting on your lap.
- Use a car seat and buckle your toddler up.
Health Tips
- Look for healthy food options.
- Be a good example when picking your own food
- Don’t use sweets to reward your toddler
- Make mealtime a family thing
- When preparing food make sure that your hands are washed and that you are using clean utensils
- Store food in the fridge. Ready-to-eat food 2 hours can be kept outside the fridge for cooling.
- Avoid using unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
- Heat leftovers one time after cooling.
- Wash carefully fruits and vegetables.
- Clean meat and poultry well.
- Thaw food in microwave or in refrigerator
- Food thawed in microwave should be cooked directly after thawing.
- Allow your toddler to choose between to options already approved by you
- Allow your toddler to help you in small, easy and safe cooking sessions (eg. mixing cake ingredients)
Other Tips:
- Limit screen time
When Should I Start Potty Training?
Usually children are ready to be potty trained between 18 months to 3 years.
Is My Toddler Ready for Potty Training?
Your toddler is ready to potty train if he/she:
- Can walk properly
- Is able to sit on the toilet
- Can comprehend simple instructions
- Is able to express about their need to go
- Complains about their dirty diaper
- Show predictable schedule
- Stay dry for at least a couple of hours
How Long Does it Take to Potty Train?
Some children gets trained within a week others within weeks. It is important to start training when your child is ready. If you start potty training your child too early it will take you longer to train. Some believe that boys take shorter time to get trained and others believe that girls get trained faster.
Preparing for Potty Training?
- Potty chair or toilet ring
- Stool to help your child sit on the toilet
- Disposable or reusable underpants
- Waterproof mattress cover
Potty Training Tips:
- Do not potty train your child if he/she is not ready
- You need to be with your toddler all the time
- You need to be around a near toilet with all the tools you need
- Dress your toddler an easy on and easy off pants
- Show your toddler how it’s done.
- At the beginning you need to take your toddler to the bathroom every 15 minutes
- Make this experience a stress-free one
- Reward and applaud
- Keep your child entertained while on the toilet
For nighttime training, limit bedtime fluid intake
Potty Training & Constipation:
Many children get anxious about potty training, and they react by holding in their poo. This reaction may lead to constipation, or make constipation worse if the child was already constipated.
It is painful for a constipated toddler to poo, so the child holds back even more and a vicious cycle arises (pain- holding back – constipation – further pain – more holding back…. and so on)
Help ease your child’s constipation by:
- Feeding him/her enough fiber
- Making sure he/she is drinking enough fluids
- Not allowing him/her drink too much milk and not enough water
- Enrolling him/her in physical activities and exercises
If your child’s constipation doesn’t improve, consult your doctor. The doctor may prescribe a mild laxative like lactulose.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Many babies start teething at 7 months. Yet some babies might teeth as early as 4 months and others might show their first teeth after their first birthday.
Which Tooth Should I Expect First?
Usually baby’s two central bottoms or two central tops appear first.
Teething Signs
Babies teething symptoms vary. Your baby may experience some or most of these symptoms.
- Drooling
- Swelling gums
- Rubbing gums with their finger
- Chewing behavior
- Chewing toys
- Rubbing ears
- Fussiness
- Crying
- Decreased appetite
- Mild fever
- Rash around mouth
- Runny nose
- Loose stool
- Diaper rash
- Sleep issues
How Can I Help My Baby Feel Better While Teething?
- Let your baby chew a clean and safe cold teething ring
- Rub and press your baby’s gums using your finger.
- Feed your baby cold drinks or foods like fruit purees.
- After consulting the physician, rub a numbing gel on your baby’s gums.
- If your baby was in lots of pain ask the doctor to prescribe a mild pain reliever like paracetamol.
Cleaning Teeth
Using a clean wet cloth, wipe your baby’s gums and teeth twice a day or use a special baby toothbrush to clean teeth.
What order of Teeth Should I Expect?
Usually the order of teeth appearance is as follows:
- Central incisors usually at 8-12 months
- Lateral incisors usually at 9-13 months
- First molars usually at 13-19 months
- Canines usually at 16-22 months
- Second molar at 25-33 months
How Much Sleep Do They Need At This Age?
12 Months – 18 Months:
- Naps: 1-2
- Total nap sleep: 3 hours.
- Nap interval: 3 hours between naps
- Night sleep: 10-12 hours.
- Bedtime: around 8pm
- Total sleep: 12-14 hours
18 Months – 3 Years:
- Naps: 1
- Total nap sleep: 1-2 hours.
- Night sleep: 9-12 hours.
- Bedtime: around 9pm
- Total sleep: 11-13 hours
Children Sleep Routine Benefits:
- Helps children fall asleep easier with shorter amount of time in bed before sleep
- Less night wakening episodes
- Reduces sleep problems. As a matter of fact, sleep routine is considered as a treatment for sleep disorders
- Increases sleep duration.
- Children with a bedtime routine sleep for an average of more than an hour longer per night than children who never had a bedtime routine
- Decreases daytime behavior problems
- Improves maternal mood
- Improves marital satisfaction
