Sensory food aversions

If your child is a picky eater, you are not alone. According to several national studies, 24 percent of parents are concerned that their child is a picky eater. Doctors and researchers have found that many picky eaters have sensory food aversions (SFA) that cause them to eat only certain types of food. SFA is the most common feeding disorder seen in the Feeding Disorders Program at Children’s National Medical Center.

SENSORY FOOD AVERSIONS
Children with SFA consistently refuse to eat certain foods because of taste, texture, smell, and/or appearance. This is different from children who refuse to eat a particular food one day, but eat it the next.
Food aversions are common and vary in severity – some children refuse only a few specific foods and others refuse entire food groups, such as vegetables, fruits or meats.
While SFA can affect people of all ages, it becomes evident when young children are introduced to baby and table food.

SUPER TASTERS
The sensitivity to taste, texture or the smell of foods runs in families. Just as peoples’ vision can vary, so can the ability to taste. Studies have found that in general, people fall into three groups: non-tasters, tasters and super tasters. Super tasters have the largest number of taste buds on their tongues; therefore, foods have a much stronger taste, making many foods unappealing for them and often causing SFA.

SIGNS OF SFA
Children with SFA have reactions to certain foods that can be as mild as grimacing or as severe as gagging, spitting out the food or even vomiting. After experiencing the initial reaction, children with SFA usually refuse to continue eating that particular food and can become very distressed if forced to do so.
In fact, after a bad experience, some children tend to generalize and refuse foods that look and/or smell like the aversive food. For example, children with an aversion to peas may generalize the dislike to include all green vegetables.
Many children with SFA also are reluctant to try new foods for fear of having another episode, such as gagging or vomiting. Instead, they may eat a limited number of foods that they know are safe and will not cause a reaction.
Some children are so sensitive that they will refuse to eat any foods that touch other foods on their plates, while others eat only foods of specific brand names or from a specific restaurant. For example, some children with SFA will eat only chicken nuggets if they come from a specific fast-food chain.

EFFECTS OF SFA
If a child with SFA refuses to eat foods from an entire food group, such as vegetables or meats, his or her diet may lack vitamins, minerals and/or proteins that are important for a child’s health. In addition, if children reject foods that require significant chewing, such as meats or hard vegetables, they may fall behind in oral motor development because of the lack of experience with chewing. Delayed motor development can lead to difficulty with articulation.
There also may be long-lasting implications of SFA. It can cause older children to avoid social situations, such as birthday parties, sleepovers or summer camp, that require them to eat in front of others because they are embarrassed they aren’t able to eat the same foods as their peers.

TIPS FOR PARENTS
• If your child has gagged or vomited while eating a certain food:
o Do not offer that food again.
o Continue eating the food and other foods your child may not like so that he or she can see you eating and enjoying these foods. Young children want to do what their parents are doing. However, you should not try to coax your child into eating these foods. The harder you try, the harder he or she will resist.
o Give your child foods he or she can tolerate, while still incorporating all food groups.
• If your child grimaces after eating a certain food, offer your child the food later, but do not force the issue or your child will likely become anxious.
• Children with SFA will eat foods they prefer. If your child resists eating broccoli, offer another green vegetable, such as green beans.

Remember, these tips are for children who consistently refuse to eat certain foods. Children with SFA appear anxious or fearful of the foods they dislike. This is different from children who refuse to eat a particular food one day but eat it the next day as a way to exercise control over a parent.

WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP
Parents should consult their paediatrician if their child refuses to eat foods from an entire food group, such as fruits or vegetables, or if the child refuses to eat such a large number of different types of food that parents are worried he or she is not receiving enough nutrients.

Source: www.littlecooksclub.co.za

The New Mother – Taking Care of Yourself After Birth

Taking care of yourself after birth:
The postpartum period begins after the delivery of the baby and ends when the mother’s body has returned as closely as possible to its pre-pregnant state. This period usually lasts six to eight weeks.

The postpartum period involves the mother progressing through many changes, both emotionally and physically, while learning how to deal with all the changes and adjustments required with becoming a new mother. The postpartum period also involves the parents learning how to care for their newborn and learning how to function as a changed family unit.

A mother needs to take good care of herself to rebuild her strength. You will need plenty of rest, good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks.

• Rest:
Every new parent soon learns that babies have different time clocks than adults. A typical newborn awakens about every three hours and needs to be fed, changed, and comforted. Especially if this is their first baby, parents – especially the mother – can become overwhelmed by exhaustion. While a solid eight hours of sleep for you may not happen again for several months, the following suggestions may be helpful in finding ways to get more rest now.
o In the first few weeks, a mother needs to be relieved of all responsibilities other than feeding the baby and taking care of herself.
o Sleep when the baby sleeps. This may be only a few minutes rest several times a day, but these minutes can add up.
o Save steps and time. Have your baby’s bed near yours for feedings at night.
o Many new parents enjoy visits from friends and family, but new mothers should not feel obligated to entertain. Feel free to excuse yourself for a nap or to feed your baby.
o Get outside for a few minutes each day. You can begin walking and postpartum exercises, as advised by your physician.
o After the first two to three weeks, introduce a bottle to breastfed babies for an occasional night-time feeding. This way, someone else can feed the baby, and you can have a longer period of uninterrupted sleep.

Nutrition:
A mother’s body has undergone many changes during pregnancy, as well as with the birth of her baby. She needs to heal and recover from pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to rest, all mothers need to maintain a healthy diet to promote healing and recovery.

The weight gained in pregnancy helps build stores for your recovery and for breastfeeding. After delivery, all mothers need continued nutrition so that they can be healthy and active and able to care for their baby.

Whether they breastfeed or formula feed, all mothers need to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Most lactation experts recommend that breastfeeding mothers should eat when they are hungry. But many mothers may be so tired or busy that food gets forgotten. So, it is essential to plan simple and healthy meals that include choices from all of the recommended groups from the food pyramid. The food guide pyramid is a guideline to help you eat a healthy diet.

Although most mothers want to lose their pregnancy weight, extreme dieting and rapid weight loss can be hazardous to your health and to your baby’s if you are breastfeeding. It can take several months for a mother to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. This can be accomplished by cutting out high-fat snacks and concentrating on a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, balanced with proteins and carbohydrates. Exercise also helps burn calories and tone muscles and limbs.

Along with balanced meals, breastfeeding mothers should increase fluids. Many mothers find they become very thirsty while the baby is nursing. Water, milk, and fruit juices are excellent choices. It is helpful to keep a pitcher of water and even some healthy snacks beside your bed or breastfeeding chair.

Consult your physician or a registered dietician if you want to learn more about postpartum nutrition. Certified lactation consultants can also help with advice about nutrition while breastfeeding.

help for new parents:
New as well as experienced parents soon realize that babies require a lot of work. Meeting the constant needs of a newborn involves time and energy and often takes parents away from other responsibilities in the home.

Although many parents do fine on their own, having someone else helping with the household responsibilities usually makes the adjustment to a new baby easier. Parents can concentrate on the needs of mother and baby, rather than the laundry or dirty dishes.

Helpers can be family, friends, or a paid home care provider. A family member such as the new baby’s grandmother or aunt may be able to come for a few days or longer. Home care providers offer a variety of services, from nursing care of the new mother and baby to housekeeping and care of other children.

Whoever you decide to have as helpers, be sure to make clear all the things you expect them to do. Communication is important in preventing hurt feelings or misunderstandings when emotions are fragile these first few weeks. It is generally best for the new mother to be relieved of all responsibilities except the feeding and care of herself and her baby. This is especially important if she is breastfeeding. Others should assume the chores in the home such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. This will prevent the new mother from limiting her time with her baby to take care of the house.

Source: Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital