Toddler health round up

Asthma update

Drinking apple juice may help protect your tot from developing asthma, a recent study from the National Heart and Lung Institute has revealed. Researchers assessed more than 2,500 children, and found that while all fruit and vegetables had a beneficial impact, only apple juice concentrate had a noticeable preventative effect for asthma.

In a separate study, US doctors have discovered that vitamin D may also help cut the risk of asthma. They discovered that pregnant women who had high levels of the nutrient in their bloodstreams had babies who were 40 percent less likely to develop asthma than those whose mothers had low levels. Sources of vitamin D include oily fish, eggs and margarine, and exposure to sunlight.

How clued up are you about teething?

Some of the following health niggles are often mistakenly blamed on teething. Take our quick quiz to see if you can spot the correct symptoms.

Teething can cause:

1 Flushed or reddened cheeks
2 A sudden lack of appetite
3 A blocked or runny nose
4 Earache
5 A runny nappy or diarrhoea
6 A high temperature or fever
Answers: Flushed cheeks, poor appetite and mild earache are all possible symptoms of teething. But a runny nose, diarrhoea or a fever cannot be caused by teething; they are symptoms that your child may be fighting an illness.

Turn that down!

A new study has found that a number of popular children’s toys reach noise levels of 100 decibels or more – that’s equivalent to the sound made by a pneumatic drill. Over time, exposures at these levels can cause permanent hearing damage, and experts are now campaigning for toy manufacturers to give appropriate warnings to safeguard young ears.

Did you know…

Babies born with a higher birth weight are more likely to be happier and have better mental health in later in life, says a new UK study.

33

is the percentage of new dads in Britain who say they’ve drunk their partner’s breast milk

3 mums tips on… baby vaccinations

 ‘I breastfed Emilia while she was having her jab and she didn’t even seem to feel it.’

Maria, mum to Emilia, six monthts


‘Rahul screamed the place down with his first vaccinations. The doctor suggested giving him infant paracetamol before he came for the second lot, and it was much less stressful.’ Sanghita, mum to Rahul, eight months

“I made sure I took Aime’s favourite teddy to the doctor with me. I didn’t give him to her until the doctor was getting ready put the needle in. I can’t say she didn’t feel anything, but it distracted her brilliantly!’ Jade, mum to Aime, six months