Safety measures at home with a little toddler

The first thing that comes to our mind when our baby starts to walk is their safety. Every now and then we will be keeping our eye on them to check if they dint topple on anything. How much ever alert we try to be, accidents are more with toddlers. We can reduce some accidents if take some safety measure at home. Lets see few ways of child proofing the house.

1. Sharp items away

We will have many sharp items like kitchen knife, scissors or some tools like screw driver, cutting player. They should be kept away unreachable. There might me more such items like pins, rod etc.




2.Water
We should be careful about the places where there are water. All kids are attracted by water. We should be careful that they don't drown their self in it. Big bucket full of water. Hot water taps, water tank, toilet may become dangerous when kids play there unattended.





3.Climbers
Kids once they start climbing they will be curious in climbing all the opportunity they have at home. But they wont know what will topple them and what are safe. So we need to make sure they cant climb those objects that will topple things on them.





4.Slippery floor
We should be alert to make sure that water poured accidentally on floor or a mopped floor is dried before kids skid on them. This is a frequent cause of injury especially at the back of head when they skid and fell on their back. Also most of as are having our floors tiled or marble mosaic where we cant see the water.



5.Fridge 
Next place of attraction kids especially when they are hungry is fridge. One thing is they will consume cold beverages on more quantity without our notice or might eat non-edible stuff which need to be refrigerated. So we have to place them such a way that they are not reachable without our notice.




6.Cosmetic items
Another most interesting thing that kids go for when are bored is their mom's makeup table. They are mostly fascinated by the makeup item that their mom/dad uses. Certain items like  nail polish, liquid items like perfume, deodorants, creams, lotions etc will have me kept unreachable without our notice as they are poisonous if consumed.


7. Lockable rooms and toilets
A frequent incident with toddlers is they lock them self in a room or mostly bathrooms and toilets. Some smaller kid might not know how to unlock them. So its always safe to have two way lock which can be open from other side with a key.

8. Sharp Edges

There will be many sharp edges around like the corners of table, sofa or cot which might cause injury when kids play around by chasing each other and fall down. There are many childproofing available in market to hide those sharp edges.

9. Fire places
Kids should be kept away from fire places like gas stove, microwave ovens, induction stove, match boxes and even fire crackers. They should be warned and tough to be cautious with them. Kitchen is their favorite place where delicious food is prepared. Also most children are fond of kitchen utensils to play with even if they have plenty of toys.




10. Electric appliances and switch board
Another most dangerous thing at home is the switch board. Many accidents are reported in this. Kids should be warned seriously not to play with them. They should far from their reach. For plug point some dummy holders are available in market. They can prevent smaller kids from playing with their fingers without our notice. 


11. Safe toys
While buying a toy for your kid we should read the age and safety labels. We should inspect all toys regularly. Watch for toy that become hazards. Buy good quality toy that does not use hazardous color and poor material that breaks and causes injury and those does not have sharp edges. Also see to that the toy they use does not have any small part that kids might swallow and get choked. Even coins and button and pins come under that. Have to be careful with batteries too. Regularly check the batteries and throw away the old one which will start to leak the acid which they have which are very poisonous. 

These are the stuff that i have in my mind. Do share your thoughts :)

Essential nutrients for toddlers

When we talk about food for toddlers as i have said already, it by itself a big topic to discuss. One thing I noticed is, in order to keep healthy they have to eat right rather than eat plenty. So we have to concentrate of what they eat first and then how much they eat. 

For a toddler its important that they get all the essential nutrients as this is their crucial growth period. They need all the nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals, fat, sugar and water in correct proportions. I have done a mini research on internet to figure out the same.

This is a food pyramid which show the order of need and proportion of each of the nutrient for not only toddlers but for adults too. Lets see one by one what they are and how to add them in our diet.

1.Carbohydrate

The major percentage of your the diet should be carbohydrate. Carbohydrates cause unnecessary weight gain only when they exceed the required quantity. They provide energy, prevents diseases and controls weight.

Carbohydrates are divided mainly as sugar, starch and fiber. It is the simplest form of carbohydrate. Its available in milk, fruits and vegetables. Sugar units bond together to form starch. Its available in rice, beans, peas and grains. Fiber is also made of sugar units. They help is good metabolism. 

2. Protein

Next big proportion of the diet should be protein. They are essential for building and repairing body cells and tissue, producing enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals. its an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilages, skin and blood.

Protein rich foods are fish, poultry, beans, nuts and whole grains.

Teenage boys and active men need upto 7 ounces. Children from 2 years to 6 years, most women and older people need upto 5 ounces. Older children, teenage girls, active women and most men need upto 6 ounces of protein.

3. Fats

Next important part of diet is fats and oils. They are important for many body processes, helps move some vitamins around the body and helps make hormones in the form of healthy cholesterol in the blood. 

Dietary fat is grouped as saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans. Each behave differently. 

Saturated fat contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke by increasing LDL blood cholesterol level. They are in some fast food, commercial products, deep fried food, over heated / reused oil. They are also in the natural food like high fat milk, high fat cheese. 

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats tend to lower LDL blood cholesterol when they replace saturated fats in diet. Olive oil, plain nuts, sandwich or wrap or burger with lean meat and salad have mono/poly unsaturated fats. 

Trans fat are similar to saturated fats contribute to risk of heart diseases and stroke. They are more dangerous as they also reduce the HDL cholesterol level. It is created in the stomach of cow and sheep  and hence present in very small quantity in natural food like milk, cheese, beef and lamb. It is more in some factory made pies, pastries, cakes and biscuits which should be most concerned about rather than that present in small quantity in natural food.

4. High sugar food

Soda and carbonated drink have nothing but helps in hydration and add the calories up quickly. But other that than they only have lots of disadvantages like weaken bones, cause tooth decay, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease.

We should consider these while preparing food. This will help us lead a healthy and happy life.

Few tips for good parenting

Toddlers are the lovely creature who are cranky at times. Its them who make our life happy and also they are ones who drive us crazy. I'am also going through the same experience a toddler gives. Here are the few things i realized during my experience and also from the advice from elders

1. Don't scold for the mischief

When your kid makes mischief don't scold them or yell at them. Try to explain the situation in a kind and gentle way. They will surely understand. Also they will also inhibit the habit of explaining their view in the same way. 

2. Don't discourage when they make mistake

We should not discourage our kids when they make mistake. It will reduce their confidence. Most importantly we should never say bad about them in public or in-front of others. It will have lots of negative effects on them. They will lose the trust on us. It will hurt their emotions. and eventually it will reduce their capability.

3. Show lots of love and affection

Let them know that you love them a lot. Cuddle them daily. It will make them feel loved and they will learn to love other and how to show their affection.

4. Spent time with them

Spend lots of time with them. Give them the first priority how much ever busy your life is. Play with them. Make them feel that you are there for them

5. Give them healthy and tasty food

When it come to food for toddler it by itself a very big topic to discuss :).  To be short give them healthy food that includes all the required nutrients. Avoid outside food and try to prepare them at home. Like each of us each kid have their own taste, likes and dislike. Figure out what your toddler like and prepare it accordingly and also it changes as they grow. And more importantly don't force them if they don't eat. Their appetite will vary from one day to another like us.

6. Keep yourself healthy to concentrate on them

First you have to be healthy in-order to concentrate on what they need. Being sick or weak we can't take care of them. Take care of yourself well and keep your healthy too.

7. Avoid mobile / social networking / TV when they need attention 

It is not that we should stop using our mobile / SN / TV programs all together. Just it should not let them feel abandon.

8. Reduce the time they are taken care by others

Todays working parents have no other choice than to leave them to our parents, relatives or caretakers. But try to reduce the hours they are with others. No on can understand a child like his/her parents. Husband and wife can have alternate shifts and take care of their kids alternatively

9. Appreciate them to mingle with others

Let them play and mingle with neighbors, relatives and other kids. Its important for them for their future. We cant be with them always when they are grown


10. Lastly, know the age of your kid for disciplines 

Till 5 years never scold your kid. From 6 to 15 teach them all disciplines and good habits. After 16 years be their friends. Parents are the best ever friends for a kid.


These are the things i personally feel as good parenting which is definitely not the only thing. Please share your thoughts and views also which i can learn.

Healthy and tasty snacks for toddlers!

Ulundu Vadai:

It has 182 calories. Calorie breakdown: 3% fat, 69% carbs, 28% protein. It is made of Lentils, chillis, onions, curry leaves and oil. It makes a tasty evening snacks for toddlers. It goes well with coconut chutney and sambar. Lentils are good source of energy and reduces risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion.

Aloo Paneer Kofta:

It has 250 calories. Calorie breakdown: 74% fat, 20% carbs, 6% protein. It is made of Potato, Paneer, onions, pepper and oil
Its a high calories snack for picky eaters. Potato is a good source of energy and reduces risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion. Paneer acts as a good source of protein for toddlers.

Sundal:

Chick peas have 110 calories. Calorie breakdown: 16% fat, 63% carbs, 21% protein. Moong Dal has 46 calories. Calorie breakdown: 39% fat, 43% carbs, 17% protein. Beans (soya, kidney etc) has approx. 110 calories. Calorie breakdown: 23% fat, 66% carbs, 11% protein. They are easy to make and tasty too. It can be easily packed in tiffen box  for toddlers.

Paruppu Vadai:

It has 120 calories. Calorie breakdown: 16% fat, 63% carbs, 21% protein. It is made of channa dal, toor dal, onions, oil
Its again a good source of protein for toddlers. Its a tasty snack which goes well with chilly chutney

Paniyaram:

It has 210 calories. Calorie breakdown: 7% fat, 85% carbs, 8% protein. Its made of rice and urud dal, onions, chilly and oils. Its equivalent to idly / dosa. We can add jaggery instead of chilly to add sweet taste.
Its another delicious evening snacks for toddlers.

Cheese Bread sandwich:

Bread has 66 calories. Calorie breakdown: 11% fat, 78% carbs, 11% protein. Cheese has 84 calories. Calorie breakdown: 69% fat, 5% carbs, 25% protein. You can add tomatoes, onions, lettuce for more minerals and vitamins. Its a good source of healthy fat for toddlers .