Until recently packaging on bottles of the children’s strength solutions advised that children aged from 12 months to six years could be given the same dose. That was two 5ml spoons, up to four times every 24 hours. However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now revised its recommendations, saying that with the “very wide age bands …younger children may have received a dose of paracetamol that was higher than necessary”. It has consequently split dosing into tighter age bands, reflecting the large differences in weight and bodily development between a one-year-old baby and a six-year-old child.

For the full article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8902829/Calpol-guidelines-changed-over-dosing-worries.html

Weaning your baby naturally is one of the most precious and important jobs a mother will have.

The introduction of solid foods from our environment means that your baby develops new tastes, smells and sensations that are delicious, nutritious and a foundation for their future years to come.

organic fresh vegetables and fruits mixed with your babies chosen milk, breast or formula.

Favourite choices could come from: organic pears & apples, avocado (really one of natures perfect baby foods), organic sweet potato, butternut squash, organic apricots (soaked in water first), organic broccoli, organic carrot, organic banana, organic baby rice.

You can also stir in some raw organic almond butter to get some extra goodness into vegetable purees.

Purees are the best to start with, mixed with the babies chosen milk and then slowly and gradually you can build up to a more solid food.

Remember that every child is different, so try not to panic if other children are eating more or less than yours!

Top tip: Use your instinct to know what is right for your baby!

Is it ok for your Toddler to be Vegan?

Of course it is, but this depends on your knowledge and ability to make sure that they are getting all the nutrients and goodness that they need from the vegan diet.
Special areas for concern are not protein, but are B12, vitamin D and calcium. It is important to take a good supplement for these areas when you stop breastfeeding.

Making good nut milks daily such as homemade almond milk or Hemp Milk is a good choice, introducing them to different types of foods, textures and tastes, and of course having them daily yourself too! (especially if are still breastfeeding).

Try making humus with raw tahini and add lots of little bits of superfoods added nto smoothies, drinks, meals etc to enhance and strengthen nutrients to the maximum.

Watch your baby and use your instinct to smell and tell if your baby is lacking and unwell. Also watch for iron, molasses and lots of leafy greens will help but do not be afraid to use a good supplement if its needed. Often clingy and tiredness can be signs of a lacking in iron. There are some good water and liquid formulas that are easier to get into little ones!

Problems only arise when knowledge is lacking and support is not available. Do your homework and read and explore all the possibilities around vegan eating for babies and toddlers.

I raised my baby as a vegan until she as 18 months and then introduced organic free range eggs and occasional cooked wild fish. I knew that was the right thing for her although I am still a vegan myself!

For more information download our free little childrens natural nutrition free ebook

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15305064

The pressure points can be directly correlated to a particular area of the body, and so the feet are “mapped” out according to these corresponding body organs or systems.

Through stimulating or harmonising – depending on the technique of the practitioner – it may be possible to improve blood circulation, promote relaxation, reduce pain and soothe tired feet. A large part of how the treatment works is also down to some well deserved “resting – or ME time” – it goes a long way in our very busy world (including that of children) to stop for a while what we are doing, to be silent and reflective and to get present to what is really going on with us mentally, physically and spiritually.

Baby reflexology is specifically designed for babies and toddlers to alleviate common ailments and symptoms experienced by this age group. Children generally respond a lot quicker to treatments than adults and sessions are much shorter. Some of the benefits are:

a.       Encourages great sleep as it is a very relaxing treatment form. Great to give to babies before bedtime!

b.      Improves the immune system – may be very beneficial for ear/nose/throat infections, cold/flu symptoms and allergies

c.       Aids digestion, just as with baby massage, baby reflexology practitioners will use techniques to work on baby’s digestive system to alleviate pain associated with reflux, colic or general indigestion.

d.      Teething – the pain linked with teething is often reduced, but further, baby’s sleep and immune system will often be affected, babies often get very unsettled as part of this      milestone experience and reflexology can help with this as well.

e.       Reflexology encourages the loving touch and bond between parent and child.

Reflexology practitioners work with the physical aspects of the nerve supply and blood circulation through the reflex points. This can help improve energy blockages in the body.

Reflexology is perfectly safe for babies, toddlers and older children. Parents have a choice to go to a qualified practitioner for one to one sessions over a recommended period of time, or they can attend a certified Baby Reflex Workshop by a qualified therapist in their local area. The workshop will teach parents to give reflexology on their children – this is encouraged to be incorporated as a daily routine which in turn can help maintain baby’s general and overall health but also address particular problem areas or symptoms. For more information or to find a qualified practitioner please visit website: www.babyreflex.co.uk http://www.babyreflex.co.uk

There are a few contra-indications for treating babies and children:

a)      Never treat your child if you are not feeling well yourself or if baby is not well in any way.

b)      A good time to treat – assuming you are both well – is at bath or bed time when winding down for the day.

c)       Do not treat baby if your child is suffering from a temperature, even if ever so slight.

d)      Treatment should be avoided if baby is suffering from diarrhoea or loose bowels.

e)      3 treatments within 24 hours can be given, each treatment should last no longer than 5-7 minutes

The group sent freedom of information requests to 177 primary care trusts (PCTs) across the UK. Of the
152 that responded, 73% said they offered fewer than the three cycles recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE). Five PCTs did not offer any IVF treatment at all. The report also said that some PCTs placed age restrictions on who was eligible for IVF. The
report’s authors point out that individual PCTs may have amended their level of IVF provision in the intervening months since their survey in March 2011.

NICE recommends that couples with fertility problems should be offered up to three cycles of IVF on
the NHS. To be eligible, the woman must be aged 23–39 at the time of IVF and the couple must have an identified cause for their fertility problems or have
been infertile for three years. These guidelines are currently under review.

Who produced the report?

The report was produced by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility. This is a group of 22 MPs
from across all political parties. The group’s purpose was to “raise awareness in Parliament of infertility and the associated ill health that it causes and
to draw attention to the need to implement fully the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s clinical guidelines on the assessment and
treatment for people with infertility problems”.

The report aimed to provide
a snapshot of how IVF is provided across the UK and to assess the extent to
which NICE guidelines were being implemented in PCTs. The report was called “Holding back the British IVF revolution?”

What does NICE recommend for IVF treatment?

NICE was set up to provide evidence-based guidance for doctors on the most effective treatments and best
care for patients. In 2004, NICE published the guidance “Fertility assessment and treatment for people with fertility
problems”. The guidelines make recommendations about the criteria that people
should meet in order to receive IVF on the NHS, and also makes recommendations
for people who are concerned about delays in conception and tests for
infertility.

The guidelines recommend that:

• Up to three stimulated cycles of IVF treatment should be offered to couples
  where the woman is 23-39 years old at the time of treatment and who have
  an identified cause for their fertility problems or who have been
  infertile for at least three years.
• Alcohol, smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages and body weight can affect the
  chances of natural conception and reproduction procedures including IVF.
  Women should be informed that body mass index (BMI) should ideally be in
  the range of 19-30 before commencing IVF to increase the chances of a
  successful treatment. This advice does not affect a woman’s eligibility
  for IVF or place any restrictions on whether she receives the treatment.

The NICE website says that this guidance is currently being reviewed (February 2011).

What did the report find?

The report said that fertility problems affect one in seven couples in the UK. This is approximately
3.5 million people. Although the proportion of couples with fertility problems has remained the same, there has been an increase in the number of people
seeking IVF. Success rates have also improved, with the live birth rate for IVF treatments rising from 14% in 1991 to 24% in 2008.

In England in 2008, IVF was given to 39,879 people, 50,687 cycles were carried out and, as a result, 15,082
babies were born. The report says that there is increasing pressure on the NHS
to provide IVF.

What happens now?

The conclusion to the report said:

“There will always be limits on the amount of infertility treatment that can be given on the NHS. The
NICE guidelines achieve a fair balance between the needs of infertile couples and the limits that have been placed on funding. It is therefore vital that
PCTs adhere to them.”

The report collected
information through freedom of information requests to primary care trusts in
March 2011. The report’s authors highlighted that individual PCTs may have
changed the amount of IVF they provide since the survey was carried out. They
made no recommendations other than urging PCTs to follow the NICE guidelines.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis? Pain is the main symptom. This can be anywhere on the underside of your heel. However, commonly, one spot is found as the main source of pain. This is often about 4 cms forward from your heel, and may be tender to touch. The pain is often worst when you take your first steps on getting up in the morning, or after long periods of rest where no weight is placed on your foot. Gentle exercise may ease things a little as the day goes by, but a long walk or being on your feet for a long time often makes the pain worse. Resting your foot usually eases the pain. Sudden stretching of the sole of your foot may make the pain worse. For example, walking up stairs or on tip-toes. You may limp because of pain. Some people have plantar fasciitis in both feet at the same time
(Information from www.patient.co.uk/health/Plantar-Fasciitis.htm).

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia under the foot. It can be very painful on standing after sitting or sleeping but it gets better as the person moves.This is because the fascia is being pulled by usually overly strong muscles down the sides of the legs or the Achilles tendon, causing inflammation. This is made worse by the foot flopping forwards when at rest or in sleep. The best treatment is obtained from a podiatrist. Often there is a pronation of the foot, a rolling in or out of the foot, and this can be helped by using insoles to correct this rolling, which puts less stress on the external muscles of the leg, allowing less inflammation. This alone can help the problem be relieved over time. Often stretching exercises are also given. The next stage if this fails is strapping with fabric plaster, which keeps the fascia in place and allows the inflammation to heal. The next stage is the night splint which is sometimes made from a fibreglass plaster cut down the front and is tied on to the foot at night. This keeps the foot in the upwards pointing position all night, relieving the pulling on the fascia. This might have to be worn for 6 weeks or more. Lastly, there is the steroid injection into the fascia, which blocks the inflammation and relieves the pain.

From a reflexology point of view, treatment sessions may help over time as the manipulation of the foot may help release muscle tension, foot tension and the ‘adhesions’ that form when inflammation is present, allowing greater movement. The main advise is to see a podiatrist first and then to complement with reflexology treatments.