Journey through Toddlerhood

Introduction

Of all created things, the loveliest and the most divine are children. Likewise, being a parent is like embarking a wonderful journey of bestowing unconditional love. Seeing your bundle of joy grow is a delight second to none; but it’s equally heart-rending to witness them go through mysterious agonies of early childhood. Here is an attempt to share insights into a few toddler issues which may help you sail swiftly through parenthood.

a. Colics:

Colics are almost congruous with childhood; colics are secondary to gaseous accumulation – resulting from air swallowing (aerophagia), inappropriate post breastfeed techniques, fermented consumptions etc.
Conquering Colic:

Crying is a communication; and most of the times it’s due to colic – its precious to perceive this expression.
Gently pat on the back of the baby to facilitate excess gas / air swallowed post breast feeding.
Seek help of natural options like Fennel Oil* for assisting in symptomatic relief in colics.
If symptoms/ crying persists, associates with vomiting , and the child denies food – seek medical advice at the earliest.

b. Eating Tantrums and its Consequences:

It’s a perpetual issue with the child of every generation – and it’s fairly natural too. This may, however be detrimental for the child’s physical and mental milestones.
Overcoming Eating Tantrum:

The best way to deal with this problem is to accept that the child will have his/her choices and respect it just like we do for adults.
Reward enforced behavioral treatment will encourage your child to happily consume modest amounts of healthy diets.
Supplementing your child with high quality premium multivitamins^$ and fish oils^$$ is indeed a wise choice.

c. Recurrent Respiratory Infections:

Recurrent respiratory infections is a tenacious toddler issue. The challenges in this population is that the immunity is still under development, and it is difficult to identify the allergen.
Resolving Measures against Respiratory Infections:

Respiratory infection is mostly triggered with a change in weather – anticipate it and be prepared.
Avoid any form of artificial colored food, artificial flavors, cold consumptions in any form – these are the most common precipitating factors for setting off a allergic respiratory infection (which later becomes bacterial).
It is very interesting to know that Vitamin D insufficiency may result in increased risk of developing respiratory and ear infections. This may be explained by potential immune-modulating effects of Vitamin D. In view of the same, it may indeed be a safe option to supplement the child with Vitamin D^# and monitor the duration and intensity of such episodes.
Cough – the troublesome symptom which renders sleepless nights to you and your child may be relieved by natural and safe options like honey based syrups.
If cough is associated with high fever, wheezing – these are warning signs and require to seek medical advice at the earliest.

d. Cranky Child

Parents are often clueless and harrowed when the child gets cranky, disobedient, howling – totally puzzled by the causes behind it.
Comforting the Cranky Child:

Here are a few pointers which may help unfold the cranky behavior:
- Extremely cranky behavior may be a sign of anemia ; anemia is of several types; it would be worth seeking medical opinion to evaluate the type of anemia an treat accordingly.
- If there is a new younger sibling just born, and is taking away all the attention the elder child was privileged with so far, it may be attention seeking behavior.
- Unhealthy parental dynamics, unidentified fears are some of the other causes which makes the child irascible.
- If the child is cranky for long, not eating well, and growing inappropriate to standards of his/her age – it would be nice to seek a medical opinion and rule an organic cause.

e. Gadget Addictions

Gadget addiction is the emerging epidemic of modern times – the seeds of which are sown in early childhood. Serious behavioral disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity.
Disorder (ADHD) may possibly be masked under the cover of such addictions, because the child is hardly exposed to a spectrum of stimuli to detect an altered response.
We are unfortunately living in an age where smart phones are becoming more fascinating than one day picnics, and internet gaming is more mentally luring than catching hold of a good book.

Getting Over Gadget Addictions:

There only therapy for this burning issue is healthy parenting – spend time with your children, make them feel precious and inculcate a sense of being in groups, involve them in natural outdoor activities and sports; – these stimuli will serve as the most gentle learning medium towards exploring the beautiful world around them.

Summary / Take Home Messages

It’s nice to be learned about the common issues of toddlers; identify the warning signs; and be familiar with scientific integrative natural therapeutic options.

Lastly, childhood is a phase which personifies freedom in its purest form, as parents we must strive to not tamper slightest bit of it. Your child is a reflection of you, make it gracious!!!

* Infant Coleze – Tasty twist open softgels may assist in relieving symptoms of colics due to gaseous accumulation; manufactured in Australia by Zifam
^$ Vitakid – Tasty and High Quality Chewable multivitamin tablets manufactured in Australia by Zifam
^$$ Mega 3 Chewable – Unique Chewable fish oil softgels manufactured in Australia by Zifam
^# Infant D – Unique twist open soft gel containing 400 IU of Vitamin D offering compliant administration.

Always read the label before use.

Disclaimer:
This article is an attempt to educate the patient; it is by no means a replacement for individualistic medical advice.