Friday, February 19, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Drive-Thru Carwash, What's Not To Like?
My two children love to go through the car wash after I fill up my car tank with gas. What's not to like about the drive-thru car wash anyways? The car gets sprayed with water, soaped up, and "blow dried" before you leave the tunnel. Well, it is quite the sensory rich experience, because the car is moving while all of these noisy machines are coming at you!
Although my typically developing kids think it is fun, I can see why a child with sensory over-responsiveness, poor motor planning (AKA dyspraxia), and/or anxiety would not think it is fun. If lots of noise, sights, movement, and smells tend to be over-whelming to a child, then the car wash is not the place to go for entertainment!
This gets me thinking, how many common daily or week events would be over-whelming to these children. Well, just to name a few: going to the grocery store, taking a bath including washing hair, mealtime (preparation and eating), singing at church, going to the local park, and playing with other children. Then, there's always the events that tend to happen on a monthly or quarterly basis: birthday or holiday parties, haircuts, zoo, and going to the movie theater. How fun would life be, if these things created more anxiety?
Children who over-respond to sensory input to the point where it interferes with functioning in life events, could benefit from occupational therapy services. Children who have difficulties with motor planning and learning new activities or with transitions could often benefit from occupational therapy as well; these kids tend to be clumsy and may need physical therapy, and may also have a speech delay requiring speech therapy.
One thing that is beneficial to do at home for these children is to make routines predictable. This helps them to feel in control because they know the order of events. But we all know that the unexpected can happen, so the best thing to do is be calm and provide calming sensory input (see www.sense-ablebaby.com ). Realize that the child gets upset and reacts the way he does because of the "fight, flight, or fright" response. If attending occupational therapy treatment, ask the therapist for a home program and ideas on how to handle tough situations. This is especially the case if the child has been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (AKA sensory integration dysfunction).
Well, I'm off to go cook a new recipe- not a predictable experience. And I'm doing this after I attended a sporting event, took my child to a roller rink with her friend, and cleaned up my son's vomit...none of which are predictable experiences! Wow, and it's not even 5 pm yet!
Although my typically developing kids think it is fun, I can see why a child with sensory over-responsiveness, poor motor planning (AKA dyspraxia), and/or anxiety would not think it is fun. If lots of noise, sights, movement, and smells tend to be over-whelming to a child, then the car wash is not the place to go for entertainment!
This gets me thinking, how many common daily or week events would be over-whelming to these children. Well, just to name a few: going to the grocery store, taking a bath including washing hair, mealtime (preparation and eating), singing at church, going to the local park, and playing with other children. Then, there's always the events that tend to happen on a monthly or quarterly basis: birthday or holiday parties, haircuts, zoo, and going to the movie theater. How fun would life be, if these things created more anxiety?
Children who over-respond to sensory input to the point where it interferes with functioning in life events, could benefit from occupational therapy services. Children who have difficulties with motor planning and learning new activities or with transitions could often benefit from occupational therapy as well; these kids tend to be clumsy and may need physical therapy, and may also have a speech delay requiring speech therapy.
One thing that is beneficial to do at home for these children is to make routines predictable. This helps them to feel in control because they know the order of events. But we all know that the unexpected can happen, so the best thing to do is be calm and provide calming sensory input (see www.sense-ablebaby.com ). Realize that the child gets upset and reacts the way he does because of the "fight, flight, or fright" response. If attending occupational therapy treatment, ask the therapist for a home program and ideas on how to handle tough situations. This is especially the case if the child has been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (AKA sensory integration dysfunction).
Well, I'm off to go cook a new recipe- not a predictable experience. And I'm doing this after I attended a sporting event, took my child to a roller rink with her friend, and cleaned up my son's vomit...none of which are predictable experiences! Wow, and it's not even 5 pm yet!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Helping Babies With Reflux
I spend a lot of time at work helping premature or developmentally disabled infants with feeding problems. I have also become a resource for many of my friends with babies who either are known to have reflux or are having feeding or weight gaining issues. One website I have found helpful is:
http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/acid-reflux.htm
I also like the book Colic Solved by B. Vartabedian, M.D., a pediatric GI doctor who talks about reflux and "colic"
My son had reflux problems even after he was one years of age. Many kids improve with spitting up once they have started solid foods, but some do not. I have previously blogged on how my son had problems gaining weight and was somewhat fussy due to the spitting up episodes; we called him "Milkshake"! Thank goodness for the medicines, positioning, burp cloths, and time!
Remember that a baby doesn't have to necessarily spit up massive amounts to be diagnosed with reflux (GERD). Wet burps, hiccups, congestion, tummy aches/gas, and fussiness can be symptoms too. Overall my son was a "Happy Spitter", but sometimes the acids of the spit-up really hurt his throat and he became fussy. Thank goodness for Prevacid (R)! The Zantac (R) was helpful earlier on, but then not so much later on. But every baby is different. He also took a medicine for motility to speed up the digestion process; this may be needed if the baby is spitting up even 2 hours after a bottle/ breastfeeding.
A big pet peave of mine is when parents don't continue to give their baby the prescribed reflux meds! Maybe they do this because the baby is gaining weight or they didn't think it was helping, or maybe the baby spits up less. But "Hey" maybe the child got better because he had been taking the medicine! But any wet burp is going to irritate the throat, that is why so many of these kids guzzle down a bottle or pull away and don't want to drink. It is also the reason they don't sit up well because they are arching back in pain. Remember to discuss discontinuation of meds with the doctor! Maybe something else could work better or a different dose or giving it at a different time of day. The doctor probably has plenty of swell ideas, but he/she needs to know!
Now I am stepping off of my soapbox and thankful that we haven't needed any burp cloths in my house for the autumn and winter months...yeah! I am passing them along to a dear friend of mine who has a young infant who spits up often! Remember: Spit Happens
http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/acid-reflux.htm
I also like the book Colic Solved by B. Vartabedian, M.D., a pediatric GI doctor who talks about reflux and "colic"
My son had reflux problems even after he was one years of age. Many kids improve with spitting up once they have started solid foods, but some do not. I have previously blogged on how my son had problems gaining weight and was somewhat fussy due to the spitting up episodes; we called him "Milkshake"! Thank goodness for the medicines, positioning, burp cloths, and time!
Remember that a baby doesn't have to necessarily spit up massive amounts to be diagnosed with reflux (GERD). Wet burps, hiccups, congestion, tummy aches/gas, and fussiness can be symptoms too. Overall my son was a "Happy Spitter", but sometimes the acids of the spit-up really hurt his throat and he became fussy. Thank goodness for Prevacid (R)! The Zantac (R) was helpful earlier on, but then not so much later on. But every baby is different. He also took a medicine for motility to speed up the digestion process; this may be needed if the baby is spitting up even 2 hours after a bottle/ breastfeeding.
A big pet peave of mine is when parents don't continue to give their baby the prescribed reflux meds! Maybe they do this because the baby is gaining weight or they didn't think it was helping, or maybe the baby spits up less. But "Hey" maybe the child got better because he had been taking the medicine! But any wet burp is going to irritate the throat, that is why so many of these kids guzzle down a bottle or pull away and don't want to drink. It is also the reason they don't sit up well because they are arching back in pain. Remember to discuss discontinuation of meds with the doctor! Maybe something else could work better or a different dose or giving it at a different time of day. The doctor probably has plenty of swell ideas, but he/she needs to know!
Now I am stepping off of my soapbox and thankful that we haven't needed any burp cloths in my house for the autumn and winter months...yeah! I am passing them along to a dear friend of mine who has a young infant who spits up often! Remember: Spit Happens
Sense-Able Baby Website
Home Page
Great resource on sensory processing problems in infants. Also provides ideas on calming babies, understanding why they are crying, and body signals they give off to let you know when they are hungry, sleepy, or ready to play. Great links page on a variety of resources for babies who are typically developing and special needs.
Great resource on sensory processing problems in infants. Also provides ideas on calming babies, understanding why they are crying, and body signals they give off to let you know when they are hungry, sleepy, or ready to play. Great links page on a variety of resources for babies who are typically developing and special needs.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Alternative Dairy Beverages
I have blogged before on my two children's food allergies. I could probably write a handbook and cook book on the subject. I remember when my daughter was a small baby and would have allergic reactions such as hives and rashes. Her reactions were from various foods she was allergic to that I had eaten, that were then passed on through my breast milk. Initially, I found it very difficult to alter my diet since I could only eat foods she was not allergic to. Stressed out doesn't even begin to describe how I felt at the time!
Since then, I have learned to cook and buy products that do not have the foods my kids can't have (dairy, eggs, red food dye, nuts; was also soy, oats, citrus). Here are some alternative dairy beverages and reasons they may be used over the other choices:
-soy beverage: good alternative especially for cooking, but many kids are also allergic to soy.
-rice beverage: tastes like skin milk, but low in fat; not the best alternative for a toddler needing to gain weight.
-almond beverage: great taste, but many kids are also allergic to nuts, and those who aren't are likely to grow into the allergy with continual exposure to almond milk. Unfortunately, this was the case with my son- after 10 days, he became allergic to it.
-oat beverage: good taste, not the best to cook with. More protein and fat than rice milk. Not good for kids on a gluten-free diet, because although oats don't have gluten there is cross-contamination with other grains during storage.
-hemp beverage: good taste, similar to pine nuts. High in omega 3 and 6, good levels of fat and protein. Not as easy to find in the stores as some other beverages. It is processed in Canada since it is illegal to grow cabannis (AKA marijuana) in the USA; hemp comes from the plant's seed and doesn't contain THC!
-hazelnut beverage: tastes distinctly sweet and nutty. Not good for kids with nut allergies or those at risk for it.
-Dairy-Free (R) beverage: made with potato flour, no fat, cholestorol or protein. Good if you are trying to lose weight, not good for toddlers who need higher fat levels.
Remember to buy these products that have been enriched with calcium and vitamin D. If you can't get your kids to drink these beverages, then try a dairy-free calcium liquid supplement or chewable vitamin. Also, there are many other foods out there that have calcium either added or naturally in them. Even carrots and broccoli have a small amount of calcium. However, it is a lot harder to get the necessary amount.
Don't forget that when purchasing vitamins or probiotics to buy products for vegans or those that distinctly state they don't contain any dairy or it's derivatives, and for the highly allergenic kids, they shouldn't even consume products that are processed on the same machinery as other products that may contain dairy.
In my house, I tend to stock up on hemp and rice beverages. Well, I'm off to go drink a large glass of rice milk....yummy!
Since then, I have learned to cook and buy products that do not have the foods my kids can't have (dairy, eggs, red food dye, nuts; was also soy, oats, citrus). Here are some alternative dairy beverages and reasons they may be used over the other choices:
-soy beverage: good alternative especially for cooking, but many kids are also allergic to soy.
-rice beverage: tastes like skin milk, but low in fat; not the best alternative for a toddler needing to gain weight.
-almond beverage: great taste, but many kids are also allergic to nuts, and those who aren't are likely to grow into the allergy with continual exposure to almond milk. Unfortunately, this was the case with my son- after 10 days, he became allergic to it.
-oat beverage: good taste, not the best to cook with. More protein and fat than rice milk. Not good for kids on a gluten-free diet, because although oats don't have gluten there is cross-contamination with other grains during storage.
-hemp beverage: good taste, similar to pine nuts. High in omega 3 and 6, good levels of fat and protein. Not as easy to find in the stores as some other beverages. It is processed in Canada since it is illegal to grow cabannis (AKA marijuana) in the USA; hemp comes from the plant's seed and doesn't contain THC!
-hazelnut beverage: tastes distinctly sweet and nutty. Not good for kids with nut allergies or those at risk for it.
-Dairy-Free (R) beverage: made with potato flour, no fat, cholestorol or protein. Good if you are trying to lose weight, not good for toddlers who need higher fat levels.
Remember to buy these products that have been enriched with calcium and vitamin D. If you can't get your kids to drink these beverages, then try a dairy-free calcium liquid supplement or chewable vitamin. Also, there are many other foods out there that have calcium either added or naturally in them. Even carrots and broccoli have a small amount of calcium. However, it is a lot harder to get the necessary amount.
Don't forget that when purchasing vitamins or probiotics to buy products for vegans or those that distinctly state they don't contain any dairy or it's derivatives, and for the highly allergenic kids, they shouldn't even consume products that are processed on the same machinery as other products that may contain dairy.
In my house, I tend to stock up on hemp and rice beverages. Well, I'm off to go drink a large glass of rice milk....yummy!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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