Nourishing a Growing Body

Cam had his 18 month checkup yesterday and we received good news! He is now being charted on the average 18-month old growth charts. Basically, his growth was being tracked on the preemie growth chart since birth because he was born at 33 weeks. This meant he was being compared to babies born at the same gestational age. That was fine, but I couldn’t wait for him to just be compared to other kids his age – 18 months, born between 36 and 40 weeks. Cam is meeting all of his growth expectations and the doctor is happy to see his progress and growth.

Kids Grow Fast

We all know that children grow up in a blink of an eye. There are days that I can’t even believe I have a 4 year old and an 18-month old running around. Blink… I make sure they eat well and I know that has contributed a lot to Cam’s progress. As parents, I know we fight the same dinner table battles. We struggle to get our children to eat their fruits and veggies. Sometimes we just can’t get children to eat at all. I don’t know why some days my kids run like crazy and aren’t hungry come dinner time. It blows my mind.

So here are two tips to help you: When your child wants a snack, ALWAYS offer a fruit or veggie first. This is how I got my children to love them! Once they were used to getting them as a snack, there typically wasn’t a problem getting them to eat it during meal time. And if they wanted to skip meal-time, at least I could get them to eat a good snack. My second tip is to empower your child with options. When it’s snack time, allow your child to choose between two healthy snacks. Choice is a motivator for children and adults.

Water is Best, but Drink Milk Too

Drinks loaded with sugar just slow kids down in my opinion. I have noticed this first hand. That’s right, my kids don’t get hyped up on sugary drinks and run crazy. Instead they tend to get lazy. In addition, my kids don’t digest sugary drinks well at all so I know they need a lot of water every day.
Cam’s doctor also made sure he was drinking enough milk each day because milk helps our bones stay strong. Young kids need a lot of calcium in their diets. If your child isn’t a milk drinker, there are other options. My kids eat yogurt and cheese almost daily. And a nice treat is a small serving of ice cream, which is a dairy product!

Pack on the Protein

You can find protein in many different foods. I grew up eating a meat, veggie and another side for dinner. I have tried to follow this same plan with my kids. My daughter, Capri, requests steak and corn on the cob for dinner daily, no joke. But they both love to eat chicken and rice, tacos, fish, etc. When you provide kids with a variety to choose from, their palates will grow with them and expand upon new tastes. They will also be more open to trying new foods.

Don’t Give Up

Capri won’t eat red spaghetti sauce or red pizza sauce. She will eat plain spaghetti with a little oil or butter and some garlic and white pizza. I always will offer her a bite of my red sauces when we have them because some day she may like it. I don’t force her to eat things she doesn’t like. We all have different tastes. But I don’t give up on those “yucky” foods either. Just consider them food options that your child doesn’t like yet. Sometimes preparing foods a different way helps kids to realize they are good.

Cam didn’t like oatmeal since he could eat it. But every time Capri or I had it for breakfast, I would offer him a bite. And guess what? He gave it another try the other day and realized it was really good. Our tastes change as we mature so keep offering those “yucky” foods they don’t like yet and continue trying new foods and new ways to prepare old favorites.

Did your kid’s eating habits change as they got older? I’d love to hear your stories!

About the Author: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids and owner of The Choosy Mommy. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy, and son Cam, who is learning new things everyday. Click here to learn more about Christine.

Balance and Strength - Critical Movement Skills of Infants

By: Steve Sanders, Author of “Moving Matters” and Professor at University of South Florida

When a new baby comes into the home parents naturally ask questions related to the physical development of their infant. Why should my baby be physically active? What types of and how much physical activity should I do with my baby? Infants go through the greatest rate of physical development during the first year of life, and being physically active every day is important for healthy growth and development.

During the first five years of life movement plays an important part in all of a child’s learning. Children learn about the world around them through movement. Those who are more efficient at moving are better able to explore and learn about their environment. Playing with and being physically active with an infant every day will help develop critical movement skills.

Infant Reflexes

When a child is born he does not know how to move and has to learn about and develop physical skills. Movement is first initiated through reflexes. From reflexes children learn to reach, grasp objects, pull and push, and move the head and other body parts. Each time a reflex moves infant muscles a message is sent to the brain and the brain sends messages back to the muscles. This initial process helps the infant to learn how the body can move.

Developing Balance and Strength 

At about 6-8 weeks of age emphasis on activity turns from reflexes to strengthening of muscles and development of balance. Parents should be encouraged to create a stimulating activity environment for their infant that includes a daily activity routine, space for movement, daily tummy time, and lots of appropriate equipment to manipulate.

The future development of all physical skills is based on early learning of balance skills. One of baby’s greatest accomplishments during first year is to stand up and walk. Although walking is all about having the strength and coordination to stand up and move the feet forward, the most important ingredient is balance. Balance comes from the vestibular system located in the inner ear. As fluid in the inner ear moves back and forth a signal is sent telling the brain where the head is and if it is upright. The brain then sends signals to the child’s eyes, muscles and bones to work together to make adjustments to keep the body balanced. The system helps the child to remain steady and upright.

Although muscular strength is not a physical skill, to develop physical skills an infant must develop muscular strength to move his body and body parts. Strengthening muscles does not happen overnight. For example, it typically takes about three months for an infant to have the strength to hold his head up on his own.

A great introductory balance and strength activity for infants is to use a large exercise ball or beach ball (about 24-30 inches in diameter). You can begin this activity at three to four months of age. Place the infant on his back or stomach on the ball. Hold infant with your hands around the child’s middle. Gently and slowly at first, rock back and forth, from side to side, and round and round. Start with slow and steady movements. Do two to three minutes at first, then increase time as baby gets older or increases interest. Learning balance does not happen overnight. The maturation of the balance process is not generally achieved by children until about age 12.

For more information reflexes, balance, and development of strength in infants please read Encouraging Physical Activity in Infants from Gryphon House Publishers.

About the Author: Steve is a professor at the University of South Florida where he is currently involved with the preparation of physical education teachers along with conducting research related to curriculum and instruction in early childhood physical activity.  His most recent project is the book series “Moving Matters” in which he outlines for parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers a variety of fun physical activity experiences to assist children in developing the needed physical skills to become physically active and healthy throughout life.