Few of my friends are always worried about their child's growth. Natasha always keeps me asking why her daughter is not gaining weight and why she falls sick again and again. The worms are parasites which feed off the host’s body and eventually result in malnutrition, affecting the healthy growth of the child. Worms may get entry into abdomen and create health problems . Though all age groups can get worms, kids are more susceptible. Worms in abdomen can affect the appetite and ultimately growth of a child. When a child is not eating properly we assume he is showing tantrums or too busy in playing and ignore it but it can be worms those are troubling the stomach. When to suspect worms? Itchy bottom, which is usually worse at night Redness around the bottom area Restlessness due to itching Difficulty in falling asleep Visible worms – small, white and 8-13 mm long (often mistaken for bits of toilet paper!) ...
Toddler is a child of age 12 months to 36 months. As the child completes 1 year his eating habits change. As the child starts crawling and walking he becomes busy exploring his world. Growth pattern changes after 1 year .While the baby tripled his birth weight in the first year, he will gain only 1.5 kg to 3 kg in the second year. 1) Breastfeed as often as the child wants till complete 2 years. 2) After your child is 1 year old, milk either buffaloes or cows, should be given to the toddler about 1-3 times with the introduction of foods made for the family in terms of taste as well as consistency. If the child is averse to taking milk, then milk preparations such as curds, paneer, cheese and custards can be given. 3) Introduction of fruits like bananas, apples, and pears is important as they contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. If the child prefers fresh fruit juices, avoid artificial sweetening with sugar. Canned fruits and jui...