newspaper post
septeMBer 2014
IssUe 26
a UsefUl gUIde to chIldren’s growth
t h e p o i n t, t i g n e Give them a Plum start
Mastering New Skills
Safety in the Car
Teething Stages
Calm the temper tantrums down!
Simple strategies that work
04
The summer holidays are drawing to an end!
S
eptember is back to school season, with many of you parents preparing uniforms, books, stationery items and so on for your kids. If your child is starting kinder 1, then you will find some useful information on how you can work with them to learn the first letters, numbers, colours and shapes. In this issue you will also find tips on how you can soothe your baby’s gums during the teething period and other information on how to prepare homemade food for your little ones. Do not miss out on our recipe corner and specific food which may help in healthy digestion. And look out for some useful information on how to deal with your child’s temper! We encourage you to participate in our competitions which give you the chance to win lovely gifts for you and your child. Feel free to contact us should you require any information about our products, we are always here to help you.
R a y Buttig ie g & Tea m Publisher: Lawrence Gatt, Vivian Corporation Editor: Ray Buttigieg Contributors: Claire Camilleri, Hannah Cremona, Mariebelle Muscat, Luan May Sant, Sephora Schembri, Sarah Wismayer
Safety in the car when travelling with your baby
06 08
Gearing up for school
Preparing homemade food
10 13
Constipation & diarrhoea; Two common problems encountered in infancy
Teething stages: Your baby’s first teeth
Handling Toddler Tantrums
16
concept of the Oasi Plasmon 18 The 19 21, 23 Competitions
New Plasmon products
29 Sanitas Building, Tower Street, Msida, MSD 1824 Tel: 2134 4610 / 2134 4616, Email: info@viviancorp.com www.viviancorp.com
in Malta! Many of our Maltese children struggle with language development in general and others have particular difficulties in communicating fluently in English. We believe that Maltese children who are not exposed to English and are not fluent in English are at a great disadvantage at school and, later on, in their place of work. Hocus and Lotus is a programme aimed at developing bilingual children and families designed by Prof. Traute Taeschner, of the University La Sapienza, Rome, together with other entities including RAI TV. This programme won international awards including: The Berlin Golden Award at the LLP festival, Berlin, 2007; the UNICEF prize 2005 for high education. Hocus and Lotus are two little dynocrocs and the programme takes the children into their magical world with their narratives, gestures, songs, videos and books.
Equal Partners Foundation, thanks to its sponsors, has trained 6 “Magic Teachers” in Prof Taeschner’s “narrative approach”. The practical training was held in Malta by Prof Taeschner herself. During her visit two fun sessions were held at the Valletta Primary School and another with at the Premises of EPF in Msida. A seminar was also held at the University of Malta coordinated by the Unit for Inclusion and Access to Learning. This was attended by educators, parents and the Commissioner for Children Ms. Helen D’Amato. EPF will be offering the Hocus and Lotus programme to mother-baby clubs, kindergartens and primary schools. EPF will also be holding its own “lets create bilingual families” sessions in the morning for parents and toddlers and in the afternoon for kindergarten and primary school children. The aim is to create inclusive groups. The programme is being coordinated by Dr Elena Tanti Burlo’, consultant psychologist and Vice President, Equal Partners Foundation.
Parents, educators and all those working with children in mother-baby clubs, kindergartens and primary schools are welcome to email us for further information at info@equalpartners.org.mt, subject Hocus and Lotus.
VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 3
What a smile!
In our last issue we spoke about dental hygiene, and the importance of taking care of our children’s teeth from a young age. We need to safeguard their beautiful smile! Besides basic dental hygiene, we also need to be aware of ways we can relieve our baby’s pain and discomfort during the teething phase. Nothing is more warming than our children’s smile, which becomes more
irresistable after the appearance of their first teeth. This is why it is very important to start off cleaning their gums after each feed with a silicone gum massager from the beginning. Using a gum gel, sanitises and relieves sore gums during the teething period. Colourful and attractive teethers to chew on may also be useful during this challenging period. As parents you can set a good example by getting
your children into the habit of cleaning their teeth on a regular basis. Chicco offers fruit flavoured toothpastes which children prefer as opposed to grownups toothpaste. They have a pleasant taste, do not tingle and do not contain too much flouride.
ChiCCo teething gum gel, now available with a finger toothbrush Pediatricians recommend to start cleaning baby’s gums after each feed to remove bacteria It contains the Finger Toothbrush, and the Gum Gel. The finger toothbrush slips easily over an adult’s finger and has extra-soft silicone bristles, ideal to clean and massage baby’s gums. The Gum Gel soothes baby’s sore gums and has a sanitising action in the oral cavity. It is safe to swallow and is without flavour.
Available from all leading pharmacies Like us on
4 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
chicco MALTA
Chicco offers a complete range of oral care Chicco has developed a complete range of products to meet the needs of babies during the various phases of teething.
Phase 1 - 2m+
Chewing
At the age of 2 months babies start to feel the need to bite on things and hold simple soft objects in their hands. At this age they still have a limited ability to keep solid shapes in hand. Chicco developed these light silicone teethers to make it easy for the baby to hold, have an enriched chewing surface and are soft to respect baby’s delicate gums.
extra soft silicone bristles ideal to clean and massage baby’s gums. Babies need something to soothe their painful gums when they start teething. During this phase Chicco also offers Gel teethers which are filled with refrigerant gel to soothe the gums. The fresh relax teethers have ergonomic handles and are designed to refresh and soothe sore gums. They can be placed in the refrigerator to cool the water in the soft ring.
...and do not forget our toothpastes and toothbrushes, made especially for babies At the age of 12 months, it is important to focus on babies’ oral hygiene. Chicco offers a range of toothbrushes with funny characters to make it fun for children. They have a small rounded head, ideal for the children’s mouths.
Chicco also offers a range of toothpastes: Apple Banana toothpaste ideal for babies 6 months +, it has no fluoride and no preservatives.
Phase 3- 6m+
stimulating
Phase 2 - 4m+
refreshing At 4 months babies encounter the most difficult period of teething, when their gums are sore due to their first teeth. Chicco offers Multifunctional Gum Gel, ideal for pre-teething and teething phase. Chicco gum gel soothes, cleans and prevents the accumulation of bacterial formation in the oral cavity. It is safe to swallow and is without flavour. The main ingredients are Xylitol which is an antibacterial action in oral cavity and Chamomile for soothing effects. It includes a finger toothbrush which slips easily over an adult’s finger and has
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At the age of 6 months babies still need to bite, and at the same time they are capable of more prehensile and tactile movements, looking for more stimuli around them. During this phase, oral hygiene becomes very important. Chicco offers teethers with funny and appealing colourful characters. They have a soft surface for babies to chew on and an ergonomic handle for babies’ small grip. The funny relax teethers have ergonomic handles and are specifically designed to massage the babies’ gums while stimulating them with tactile interaction and sound effects.
Strawberry toothpaste is ideal for children 12 months and up and has no fluoride and no preservatives. It has bioavailability of calcium, ideal for bigger babies.
all Chicco teething products are available from leading supermarkets, baby shops and pharmacies
if you need any further information or have a query. VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 5
Enjoying a Safe Journey Never hold your baby in your hands when travelling by car! here are some more tiPs for a safe journey A child car seat installed in the car is the only way to truly protect your children! Our children must always travel well protected in a car seat, starting from their first trip from the hospital where they were born to home. Even if the trip is short, which is in most cases in Malta, even if you drive with caution, holding your baby in your arms is never the safest solution. In the event of an accident or even slight braking, you will not be able to hold onto your baby which could often lead to serious consequences. The car seat should be chosen based on the weight of the child, it must meet European standards, be safe, comfortable and installed with care. But above all, it should always be used! It must become a good habit, to protect your child’s safety as well as peace of mind for all the other members of the family.
Let’s go! You only need to know a few simple rules to protect children and travel safely: The use of car seats is mandatory in our country, and when travelling by car, children, from birth until reaching a height of 1.5 metres, must always be secured using a restraint system considered suitable to their height and weight. The choice of a car seat should always be evaluated on the basis of the weight of the child. European legislation divides the weight into “mass groups”, i.e. range of weight in which the seats are classified. Every car seat is designed, approved and produced with this reference parameter. • For newborns or children of low weight, as an alternative to the seats, it is possible to use special safety structures that allow the child to be kept in a horizontal position, which is more suitable in the first few months of life. These structures must be attached to the car with special approved installation kits. • Ensure that the seat is installed correctly according to the instruction manual and remember to keep the
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booklet handy in case it is required. Children should always get into and out of the car from the pavement side. As such, it is advisable to install the car seat on the left hand side and preferably on the back seat. The group 0+ seats provided with appropriate reducer must instead be installed in the direction opposite to the direction of travel (rear facing). During the journey do not unbuckle belts, even temporarily, and do not remove the child from the seat for any reason. If the child is crying or if you have to breastfeed or change a nappy, pull over. The use of second-hand car seats is not recommended as they may in fact have been damaged or be worn even in a manner that is not visible. It is important not to use child seats that have been involved in an accident. Structural damage, even if minimal and non-visible, could endanger the safety of the device. Always deactivate airbags in the vicinity of the car seat where the child is positioned.
if you wish to see the specifications of each of these car seats, 6 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
Pay attention to airbags Group 0 Car seats, for infants up to 13kgs, must be installed so that the baby travels rear facing. Warning! Safety regulations prohibit the use of the infant car seats on seats fitted with enabled air-bags. This is because, should the air-bag be activated and inflated, this could cause serious and even fatal injury to your baby. So, if you install a Group0+ infant car seat on a vehicle seat fitted with an air-bag, we recommend disabling the air-bag or contacting the car manufacturer to disable it and only enable it again when the infant car seat is no longer in use.
A guide on how To choose The righT sAfeTy cAr seAT for your chiLd The choice of a child car seat must always be assessed according to the weight of the child. The European regulation divides children’s weight into “Mass Groups�, that is the weight of the child corresponds with the specific car seat groups. Every car seat is designed, approved and produced according to this benchmark parameter. The table below outlines the Chicco Car Seats by mass and weight groups. The Car Seat has to be selected accordingly.
Autofix Group 0+
ElEttA Group 0/1
0-13kg
0-18kg
Ideal for you if: • You are looking for a car seat complete with a base for fast and practical installation. • You need a car seat that hooks using a simple gesture to the Living Smart Stroller.
Ideal for you if: • You are looking for a reducer that guarantees the correct position of the spinal column. • You want a practical and easy to fit car seat that follows your child right from the very beginning to more than 3 years of age.
xpACE Group 1
NEptuNE Group 1/2/3
9-18kg
9-36kg
Ideal for you if: • You are looking for a product with a lining that is easy to remove without having to detach the safety belts. • While travelling by car with your child you are looking for safety and attention to details.
Ideal for you if: • You are looking for a car seat with height adjustable head rest to follow the growth of your child between 12 months and 12 years of age. • You are looking for an economically advantageous solution, to be left in the grandparents car.
please visit our facebook page Chicco malta or call us on
VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 7
®
Preparing homemade food for your baby When you begin feeding solid food to your baby, it is time to think about what food you are going to be preparing. There are many readymade food options but homemade baby food is a popular option for parents who want to know exactly what goes into their baby’s mouth - and making it may be easier than you think. The advaNTages of makiNg iT Yourself
Parents who prefer homemade baby food have many reasons for their choice. • they know exactly what they are feeding their baby. • It is more economical than buying pre-packaged foods. • they can choose their own fruits, vegetables, and other foods for purees. • their baby will get used to eating the same food as the rest of the family - just in puree form.
What you need to make your baby’s homemade food
PaPPasaNa by Nuvita simply pour the ingredients and a puree would be ready in a few minutes!
Bottle warmer Detachable water tank
30-minute timer “Blend”, “Steam”, and “Blend & Steam” functions
We are offering a free Thermal Bag to our readers when purchasing a Nuvita Pappasana ® 8 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
Nuvita products are available from all leading baby shops, supermarkets and pharmacies.
If you decide to make your own baby food, all you need is a steamer and a grinder. Steaming is the best way to cook ingredients because it preserves the most nutrients. There are plenty of baby food makers on the market, however Nuvita has launched the New PappaSana food processor, steamer and warmer all in one. It is the only appliance with separate detachable components making cleaning an easy task. Pappasana allows you to choose the type of program
you need and set the cooking time from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the food you want to cook. It is suitable for fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. The particular shape of the steel blades homogenises the food without leaving air bubbles. This is an important precaution to avoid colic discomfort for the baby. By using the “Blend & Cook” function, mothers save time: simply pour the ingredients and a puree would be ready in a few minutes!
Do’s & Dont’s Do use ice cube trays or special food containers to freeze puréed foods. Do discard unfinished meals. Bacteria forms quickly. Do introduce new foods at the rate of one per week, so you can pinpoint any allergies. Do make sure your child has accepted most vegetables and fruits before trying any meats. Do steam vegetables and fruits to retain as much vitamins and minerals as possible, as opposed to boiling.
Don’t feed nuts, raisins, popcorn, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, or peanut butter to children under the age of 2. Don’t give beets, spinach, collards or turnip greens to babies under one year due to high concentrations of naturally-occurring nitrates which can reduce the baby’s hemoglobin. Don’t add salt, sugar, or strong spices to homemade baby foods. If you are using part of the family meal for the infant, remove the infant’s portion before seasoning food for the family.
aND WHat’S more from NUVita CollaPSaBle SiliCoNe CoNtaiNerS 230 ml & 540ml Silicone food storage containers versatile and collapsable. ideal for lunches, storing food both at home and on the go. Collapsable after use for convenient space saving. anti spill clip-on lid. Can be used in microwave ovens. Suitable for use in fridge and freezer. Silicone does not allow the growth of fungus and bacteria, it is odourless and tasteless.
Don’t use canned vegetables as they are usually loaded with sodium and additives. Check labels, but usually frozen vegetables have little or no sodium. Don’t use a microwave to warm foods. Even well-stirred foods could have dangerous hot spots. If you do, use the defrost cycle, checking and stirring often. Always test the temperature by touching a spoonful to the outside of your upper lip. Be sure to wash the spoon before using. Don’t put diluted foods into a bottle with a larger hole in the nipple for night feedings. It’s dangerous, bad for the teeth, and doesn’t build good eating habits. Don’t give highly acidic fruits, such as oranges, tangerines and pineapples, to babies under one year as the acid is harsh on the immature digestive system. Don’t force feed your child. To begin solid food, start with one or two spoonfuls and let your baby guide you. Call us on freephone 80073102 for assistance.
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milk aND BaBy fooD CoNtaiNerS Set of 4, 200ml containers for milk and baby food. the lid keeps the food fresh and the scale on the side helps mothers to dose the portions. on the front there is a writing surface to label the container with the date and contents. Suitable for both fridge and freezer; Dishwashable; Stackable and connectable
nuViTA MALTA
® VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 9
Gearing up
for school early years
Can you believe your baby is already old enough to start kindergarten? Here is how you can help your child gear up for this new life where they will meet other children. At kindergarten, your little one will play and share with other children, work on the alphabet, numbers, and master other new skills. Helping them prepare for kindergarten is not like shopping for back to school supplies. It is a longer,
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numbers and bond together whilst getting geared up for school! As parents, we need to treasure these moments together with our children, as they are growing very fast and once they start school, they end up spending all their mornings with their teachers and friends. So why not grab some games, play and spend some quality time together, learning some new skills before school starts!
patience. Sure, it is very helpful if your child knows some basics before entering kindergarten—the numbers from one to ten, the alphabet, shapes and colors. Using educational games to spend some quality time can teach your child some of these basic skills. Here are some of our Orchards educational games which may help your child learn the alphabet and
Learning numbers
1-10
CountInG CAterPILLArs - AGe 3+
10 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
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the GAMe of LADyBIrDs - AGe 3+
easy to play game which helps with numeracy This is a first counting game and an Orchard Toys classic. Children need to roll the dice, match the spots and count the ladybirds hiding on the leaves. educational Benefits of the Game of Ladybirds: • Develops Personal and Social Skills • Encourages Number and Counting Skills • Encourages Observational Skills Call us a on freephone 8007 3102 for your nearest stockist
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Very bright and colourful and really easy to play too. Kids love it. This game enables children to collect numbers from one to ten to complete the numbered caterpillar. A fun colour matching game that helps to teach numbers and sequencing. educational Benefits of Counting Caterpillars: • Develops Colour Recognition • Develops Personal and Social Skills • Encourages Number and Counting Skills • Encourages Observational Skills
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excellent first number, colour and counting game
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Learning the aLphabet
ALPhABet Lotto AGe 3+
ALPhABet MAtCh AGe 4+
It’s great for teaching young children the letters in the alphabet and some of the phonetic sounds like sh and Wh
It’s great for young children to learn first letters and matching words in the alphabet
This game enables children to learn the letters of the alphabet in this fun lotto game! Children need to choose which side of the board they play on and try to be the first player to find all the cards that match the letters or pictures on the lotto board. educational Benefits of Alphabet Lotto • Develops Personal and Social Skills • Encourages Observational Skills • Promotes Language and Literacy
This is the first alphabet puzzle. Children learn the alphabet by matching the simple pictures to the letters. Only the correct cards will fit together. educational Benefits of Alphabet Match • Develops Hand-Eye Coordination • Encourages Observational Skills • Promotes Language and Literacy
Learning shapes and coLours
shAPe snAP AGe 3+
It is brilliant for young children just getting to grips with shape recognition This is a first shape and colour matching game for very young players. Let your child be the first player to find all the missing shapes and complete your pirate picture. educational Benefits of Pirate shapes: • Develops Colour Recognition • Develops Personal and Social Skills • Develops Shape and Matching Skills • Encourages Observational Skills
This is a first snap game where children have the ability to learn about shapes. The large cards can also be used for counting, sorting and colour matching activities. educational Benefits of shape snap: • Develops Colour Recognition • Develops Personal and Social Skills • Develops Shape and Matching Skills • Encourages Observational Skills
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orchard toys are available from toy shops, stationeries and supermarkets
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PIrAte shAPes AGe 2 ½+
encourage your child to shout out the name of the shape ‘snap’ when they see a matching pair - “square snap!”
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VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 11
Recipe Would you like to know more about infant nutrition and the stages of weaning? If yes, we would like to invite you to join me and the SMA Progress Kids Team to an event where you will be given the opportunity to meet other mothers and discuss your experience with them. I will be hosting this interactive talk with the best experts and answer any of your questions. Meeting people going through the same experiences and challenges, is the best help you can get.
so join us on the 25th of October at 10:00am at the hall of the swatar Parish Church To book your seat kindly send an email on info@viviancorp.com by the 23rd of October or give us a call on 2134 4616 Complementary parking available
12 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
Easy Cheesy Sauce Once you have experimented with different fruits and vegetables and progressed to a more lumpy consistency, how about trying to add a sauce? Once made up, sauces can be stored in the fridge, but must be used within 24hrs. Ingredients: • 250ml SMA Progress Kids • 25gr Plain flour or Corn flour • 50gr Grated hard cheese • 25gr Unsalted butter Method: • Add butter to saucepan and once melted add the flour mix together for 30 seconds. Take off the heat and slowly stir in the milk with a wooden spoon. Replace onto medium heat and whisk continuously until sauce thickens. • Add the grated cheese and stir until it melts. • Serve as part of a dish, ideal for mixing with vegetables, fish or chicken.
Tempe r tant usual rums l y s 18 m onths tart at aro at tha u and a t age re ver nd . y O c n o e in fi has a ve, tw mmon One r temper ta o-yea ntrum r-olds olds w eason for every this is ant to day. th expre it diffi ss th at two-ye cult. e a They frustr feel fr mselves b ration u u t s trate find come Once d and s out a chil t a d h s e c a tan a likely trum. to ha n talk mor ve tan e trums they’re le of fou s . By t r, tan he ag s trums e ar less c ommo e far n.
A temper tantrum is any parent’s nightmare – Kicking, screaming, pounding on the floor, throwing things, hitting and even the holding of breath until he turns blue! Not a pretty sight at all. Tantrums are very unpredictable and stressful for parents, who worry that they’re raising an uncontrollable child.
HOW sHOuld THese TanTRuMs be Handled? Keep Calm When your child is swept up in a tantrum, they are unlikely to listen to reason. Just sitting and being with your child during a tantrum is a good idea. Stomping out of the room can make him feel abandoned. Remember that you’re the adult Don’t give in to unreasonable demands or negotiate with your screaming toddler. It’s especially tempting in public to cave in as a way of ending the episode. Try not to worry about what others think — anyone who’s a parent has been there before. By giving in, you’ll only be teaching your child that throwing a tantrum is a good way to get what they want. Besides, your child is
already frightened by being out of control. The last thing they need is to feel that you’re not in control either. Talk it over afterwards Hold your child close and talk about what happened. Acknowledge their frustration and help them put his feelings into words. Let them see that, once they express themselves in words, they’ll get better results. Say with a smile, “I’m sorry I didn’t understand you. Now you’re not screaming, I can find out what you want.” Try to head off tantrum-inducing situations Try to work out which situations push your child’s
buttons and plan accordingly. If he falls apart when he’s hungry, carry snacks with you. If he has trouble making a transition from one activity to the next, give him a gentle warning before a change. Watch for signs of stress Although daily tantrums are a perfectly normal part of the toddler years, you do need to keep an eye out for possible problems. Has there been upheaval in the family? An extremely busy period? Tension between Mum and Dad? All of these can provoke tantrums. If, after the age of 30 months, your child is still having major tantrums every day, talk to your doctor.
VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 13
fortified with essential nutrients and vitamins, sMa follow-on Milk is a suitable complement to your little one’s weaning diet As your baby grows and changes, their nutritional needs will change as well. From six months old, you will have started to introduce solid foods into your little one’s diet. And while it makes sense to reduce your baby’s milk to encourage them to make this transition, that doesn’t mean milk isn’t still vital to their development.
WHy sMa fOllOW-On MIlK Is a gReaT CHOICe fOR yOuR baby • Fortified with iron to help normal cognitive development • Contains calcium and vitamin D for normal bone development • Contains Omega 3 & 6 for growth and development*
TaIlORed TO yOuR baby’s needs With more than 90 years’ experience in advancing baby nutrition, SMA has developed Follow-on Milk to complement your baby’s weaning diet. Fortified with vitamins and minerals, it’s designed to support your baby’s nutritional needs. It supplies iron for cognitive development and vitamin D to support their bones From six months, SMA Follow-on Milk is great for helping to keep babies healthy as they grows. For further information on the SMA range, visit
smamums.co.uk
Breast is best for babies lOOK OuT fOR THe sMa fOllOW-On In TeTRa PaCKs, sOOn aVaIlable In sTORes and PHaRMaCIes IMPORTANT NOTICE SMA Follow-on Milk is for babies over six months, as part of a varied weaning diet. Not intended to replace breastfeeding. 14 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
Growing up milk from 1 year +
Breast is best for babies
Beneficial effects of essential fatty acids is obtained with a daily intake of 10g of linoleic acid and 2g of alpha - linoleic acid
We remind you the importance of a varied and balanced diet We remind you of the importance of a varied and and a healthy lifesytle from the very beginning. balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle from the very beginning
Both constipation and diarrhoea are two common problems encountered at all ages in infancy and childhood. Such problems usually distress the parents as well as the child, thus we are going to tackle both extremes throughout this issue and the next.
Constipation & Diarrhoea
m e h t t u o b a o d o t t a wh Constipation Constipation is defined as the passage of infrequent, hard and painful stools. So does a baby or toddler who is passing loose but neither painful nor frequent (that is every 3-4 days) have constipation? No, this is not constipation but the bowel system is genetically slower. So there is nothing to do in these cases other than reassure the parents and perhaps, if the baby is not breast-fed, prescribe a formula which contains pre or probiotics. The latter enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut which promote regular opening of the bowls. The real cases of constipation can be divided into two categories: the ones who have no complications and the ones who have. 16 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
Constipation with no complications Usually we discover these problems during routine check-ups. The baby/ child is passing infrequent hard and sometimes painful stools but is not causing much discomfort. Clinical examination is usually normal. In these cases we prescribe formulas with pre/ probiotics in babies and increase the fibre in children. Fibre can be increased in the diet by increasing the intake of fruits like prunes and kiwi and vegetables. We also encourage parents to make use of the gastrocolic reflex by encouraging their children to go to the toilet soon after breakfast and make the experience more enjoyable by taking in a book or reading a story etc. This routine will relax the child as all children like routines and as the bowel motions
of this reflex are strong, the passage of the stool will be easier. In a few of these cases we also prescribe a stool softener which can be a syrup or a sachet mixed with water. These help to make the stool more watery. Constipation with complications Causes of hard stool in a neonate vary. It can be that the baby is not having enough milk. Just adding supplemental feed to breast-feeding will solve the problem. Also giving formulas with pre/ probiotics will make the stool more watery like in the breast-fed baby. The Paediatrician is alerted if on examination one finds that the abdomen is full of stools and is distended. The neonate should be investigated to confirm/ exclude the more serious causes of constipation like Hirschsprung’s disease.
In toddlers toilet-training can induce constipation because they are afraid of the toilet or potty and retain the stools to avoid these new experiences. The longer the stool is retained in the large bowel the more dry and hard it gets. This may be severe enough to cause an analfissure which makes defaecation tremendously painful to the child. To avoid the sheer pain the child will try to retain the stool even more. This vicious cycle can be broken by treating both the pain and the hard stool. There are several anal creams which reduce the pain and inflammation and aid in the healing of the fissure. The dose of the stool softener has to be tailored to the patient’s response and given for a long period of time if necessary to avoid this happening again. Faecal impaction with overflowincontinence is the most severe form of constipation we encounter. This problem usually presents with the continent child continuously soiling his pants with liquid stool without being aware that he is doing so. It is caused by the large volume of hard stool in the last part of the large bowel which does 2 things. It does not let the hard stool further up the bowel to pass, only the liquid stool can pass. Secondly it impedes the anal muscle to tighten enough not to let the liquid stool in. We treat this condition energetically as it is a cause of psychological problems and bullying at school due to the smell the child has. Enemas, purgative medications and large doses of stool softeners are used to treat this condition. In the next edition we will discuss the second part of the title-diarrhoea.
Tips products that help ease your baby’s discomfort
Plasmon Crema Di Mais e Tapioca Tapioca is a gluten free starch extracted from the Cassava plant root, and widely used as a staple food around the world. Because tapioca is obtained from a fibrous tuber, it adds dietary fiber to the diet thus helping in constipation.
Plasmon Prunes Apart from the fact that they taste yummy, prunes are also well known to reduce constipation. They contain about 6% dietary fibre which apart from easing constipation, also help promote the beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Mild laxatives which occur naturally in prunes also help treat such conditions without the use of synthetic medicinals.
Plasmon Olive Oil Chemical compounds in olive oil help to break down fats resulting in softer stools. The nutritional benefits of olive oil, however do not stop there; it contains several minerals and vitamins thus increasing nutrients when given with a healthy balanced diet. Dr Alex Lia MD, MRCP(UK), DCH
VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 17
OASI Plasmon ®
What is the concept of the Oasi® Plasmon? The concept of Oasi® Plasmon, started 30 years ago. This concept sets guidelines for the production chain, to guarantee top quality products thanks to top of the range ingredients, which go through rigorous testing and controls. The Oasi® Plasmon focuses on simplicity. The raw material is produced according to rigorous guidelines of cultivation and breeding. It sets controls at every stage of the process: from the soil in which the vegetable is going to be cultivated to what the animals will be fed; from the transportation and harvesting of the raw material to the bottling of the finished products. What is required for a product to pass from the Oasi® Plasmon test? The Oasi® Plasmon Concept requires that fields where the vegetables and fruit are grown, are far away from polluted areas such as industrial areas. The latter is one of the most important criteria which one needs to fulfill. For each raw material, the Oasi® Plasmon has studied the best cultivation and breeding method. For example, Plasmon has found the best time of day to harvest the vegetables to ensure high quality vegetables. Fruits are collected at the proper degree of ripeness. A team of vets and agronomists control and record all the stages of cultivation and breeding process; infact on each Plasmon Jar, one can find a Batch Code Number which can lead you back to the orchard which was used in the that particular jar of Plasmon Strained Apple, for example.
L et ’s d is co ve r th e O a s i a nd it s s u rr o u nd in g s Sud Tirolo
Mantova Colline Umbre Grosseto
Altopiano del Fucino
Pachino
18 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
What are the Golden Oasi® Plasmon rules? 1. Raw materials are not bought off the market Plasmon defines cultivation and breeding rules for all its raw materials – be it apples, chicken, carrots, salmon. This gives Plasmon the ability to ensure high quality products and to trace all its raw materials in case of an emergency. 2. All raw materials need to be re-traceable It is very important for Plasmon to be able to re-trace all its raw materials. Therefore during the production cycle each step, from the field to the end product, is recorded and traceable. 3. A proactive quality system A highly specialised team studies all the possible problems which might occur during production to ensure that all the necessary prevention is taken. Even the slightest possibility is taken into consideration. 4. Pesticides’ policy Plasmon favours the use of natural methods to eliminate harmful pests that might damage the crops. Plasmon uses the Mating Disruption Technique, which leads to the reduction of these pests without using any pesticides. Plasmon favours the presence of ladybirds through the cultivation of wheat next to the fruit orchards. 6. Rigorous breeding guidelines During farming, the use - directly or indirectly – of hormonal and antihormonal substances is forbidden. There are also set guidelines for slaughtering; Plasmon animals are slaughtered first on a set day and carcasses are clearly identified. The supplier must guarantee the traceability of the farm in each phase of transport, production and storage. 7. Rigorous farm selection The farms must be located at least 1 km far from pollution source (motorways, bypasses, refuse dumps and any high risk industrial plants in environmental terms). Farms are visited by a team of specialised people (agronomists, vets) who ensure that they fulfil all the quality standards required by the Oasi. Why aren’t Plasmon products called organic? Plasmon follows the standards of the Oasi® Plasmon and not of the Organic guideline, as the standards set out by the Oasi® Plasmon are superior and ensure better high quality baby food. The following are two of the major differences between organic farming (according to the Organic Agriculture Regulation. 834/2007 – 889/2008) and the Oasi® Plasmon: • Organic farming mainly takes care only of cultivation methods and treatments (no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, etc.) but does not consider other risks, such as natural and environmental contaminants. This means that organic farming does not take into consideration contaminants such as mycotoxins, heavy metals and nitrates which might contaminate the baby food. • In organic farming it is not required to have one’s field away from polluted areas, therefore there is the possibility of cultivating crops according to organic guidelines but in polluted areas (near motorways etc…)
un f e r o m e im t k Making snac by a b r u o y r o f g and interestin
This range is produced using the latest aseptic technology which uses five times less heat than the standard technology causing less heat stress to the raw material. The Sapori Di Natura yoghurts are a great addition to the weaning diet, they are not only tasty and creamier in consistency, but they are also loaded with vitamins and minerals. Conveniently packaged in re-sealable tubs, whether on the go or at home, this range has been ergonomically designed for your comfort. Catering for different nutritional requirements, Plasmon offers a variety of gluten and gluten free fruit and biscuit yoghurts. The gluten free yoghurts include mela e yogurt, pera e yogurt, banana e yogurt as well as the albicocca e yogurt. Biscotto e yogurt is a tasty, gluten alternative to the fruit yoghurts.
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Recipe coRneR Apple & Banana Smoothie Ingredients: • 1 Medium Banana, Peeled and Chopped • 1 Tub Plasmon Sapori Di Natura Mela e Yogurt (Apple yoghurt) • 4 tbsps. Orange Juice • 1 Ice Cube Method: • Blend the banana, Plasmon apple yoghurt, orange juice and ice cube until smooth and serve chilled.
29, Sanitas Building, Tower Street, Msida MSD 1824 Tel: 2134 4610 | Email: plasmon@viviancorp.com
www.viviancorp.com Plasmon (Malta) 20 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
COMPETiTiOn
Mummy’s
Competition
Which of the following Plasmon products help ease constipation? A: Plasmon Crema Di Mais e Tapioca B: Plasmon Crema Di Cereali Riso C: Plasmon Crema Di Cereali Semolino Di Grano Send an SMS with your answer to 50619615 by not later than 31 October 2014 along with your name & surname. Each SMS costs 28c The first drawn correct answer wins a Plasmon hamper worth €30
COMPETiTiOn
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Complete the word search by finding the following words: SCHOOL ALPHABET NUVITA COUNTING PAPPASANA SHAPES STEAM COLOURS SAFETY TEETH EDUCATIONAL GUMS GAMES BACTERIA HYGIENE
Send your Word Search to: Chicco Word Search Vivian Corporation 29, Sanitas Building Tower Street, Msida MSD 1824 by not later than 31 October 2014, along with your name and surname.
There will be 3 winners and each will receive one of these games: VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 21
Sale on winter stock
Thirty-six
Up to 16 years
Thirty Six The Point, Tignè • Tel: 2060 1086
Warehouse Sale uP to
at Galleria complex level 0, Fgura
clothing & shoes and a vast selection of toys at fantastic prices
Mon to sat shop hours 22 • VIVIAN BABY • september 2014
70% o FF
sale continues
now on winter stock 8007 3102
COMPETiTiOn
answer the following question to be in the chance to win an ABCDerm babypack!
Which ABCDerm product is used to treat nappy rash? Send an SMS with your answer to 5061 9615 by not later than 31st October 2014 along with your name & surname. Each SMS costs 28c
COMPETiTiOn Growing up milk such as SMA Progress Kids is specifically tailored to help provide the important nutrients your toddler needs.
Why are Calcium and Vitamin D important nutrients for toddlers? Send an SMS with your answer to 5061 9615 by not later than 31 October 2014, along with your name and surname. Each SMS costs 28c. The first drawn correct answer wins a Boikido Mini Drum Kit
COMP ET WINNITION ERS ISS uE
25
SMA Progress Kids Competition: Karen Micallef, Denise Caruana, Graziella Cutajar, Odette Caruana, Chantelle Polidano, Alan Saliba Gauci, Victoria Attard, Christine Cachia, Elenor Camilleri, Deborah Schembri Diacono • Chicco Competition: Julian Piscopo, Eleanor Camilleri, Francesca Bray • Plasmon Mummy’s Competition: Donna Spagnol • Plum Competition: Josianne Calleja • VivianBaby 25th Issue Competition: Ms Tania Cauchi VIVIAN BABY • september 2014 • 23
The product line that infants love most has found a smile
Since ten years FILA dedicates the same full attention and care that mothers have for their own children, to the line Giotto be-bè concentrating on passion, innovation and research in order to reach the best quality and safety criteria. Today after ten years, FILA is renewing comprehensively the Giotto Line of products and has chosen a smile as its new design. The creativity for the younger kids is now a world of colourful personalities with which they can play, colour, have fun and grow in total safety.
www.ďŹ la.it