1. Have a plan – It can be as simple as taking the kids out to the park, reading them a book or picking a colour or letter and making that the hero of the day. I recently had a “B” day where we ate food that started with the letter B, watched a movie that started with the letter B and played with toys that started with the letter B – they loved it and we still have a lot more letters to go through.
2. Cook Ahead – I find cooking to be the worst of the daily chores! The only way I can get around it is to cook meals ahead of time and to cook enough to last 2-3 days. I often to do something basic that can be reheated or turned into something else the next day.  For instance grilled chicken one day can be chicken quesadillas on day to or soup on day 3.
3. Stick to a Schedule – I’m a stickler for nap times and meal times. If these things don’t happen on schedule my kids have an awful day. Getting 2 kids down for a nap at the same time can be difficult and it doesn’t always happen for us. But, I try to ensure the kids have been active in the morning and had enough to fill their bellies at lunch

 We’d Love to Hear From You!

Share your experiences or any tips with our readers.

www.golarolla.com / info@golarolla.com

With a newborn in the house, I am now having to think back to all the important developmental milestones. One of the earliest ones is tummy time.

Why is it important?

The recommended sleep position for babies is on the back. This is relatively new i.e. since the mid-90’s . With this new position there has been a marked reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the good news. There has also been a notable increase in cranial asymmetry or “flat head” because babies are spending so much time on their back and their skulls are soft.

Tummy time gets babies off their backs and helps strengthen neck muscles, which is important for crawling, rolling, sitting, and eventually standing.

Advantages of Tummy Time

- Helps gross motor skill development: once on their tummies babies will flail and kick, exercising large motor muscles

- Helps fine motor skill development: by reaching out and grabbing a nearby toy or something of interest

When?

-  Some experts recommend thirty minutes a day. If baby is not happy during tummy time, this can be broken up into shorter segments throughout the day

- Tummy time should be done when the baby is content i.e. clean diaper, alert, not hungry.

- Build up slowly. The first session will be shorter, but eventually you can reach the 30 minutes.=

Some Tips

- Make it Fun. Babies often get frustrated or bored. Put a toy within reach. Get down with baby and sing songs or make faces, and engage with baby. You can even put baby on your tummy.

- Pamper Baby. If you have hardwood floors, use a mat with extra padding for those tender knees and hands.

- Create a Natural Environment. Concerns about off-gassing and exposure to chemicals can be addressed with organic fabrics and products.

- Keep it Safe. Make sure pets and young children cannot access baby. If baby falls asleep, make sure to turn her over to the recommended back position

Check out Go-La Rolla’s portable play mat, designed specifically with baby’s development in mind with organic eco-chic fabrics, tummy time ruffle and toy loops to attach favourite toys.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Share your experiences or any tips with our readers.

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

]]> http://golarolla.com/archives/129/feed 0 http://golarolla.com/archives/158 http://golarolla.com/archives/158#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:50:45 +0000 Rob http://golarolla.com/?p=158

Before kids, we traveled all the time. When we had the first one, we modified travel but still kept it up. Switching from trekking and adventurous, remote locations to more developed, clean, family-accommodating destination like the Caribbean, the US, Canada where health care is readily accessible and vaccinations and a host of health implications don’t pose barriers. With the dollar basically at par, North America is wide open. But now with two, a baby and a toddler, we definitely need to plan ahead.

Some quick tips.

Connecting with the New Family

Babies can throw toddlers for a lurch. What better way to help them adjust than to spend uninterrupted quality time as a family? Once everything is cleared health wise with baby, and you are up for it double check with you health care practitioner and set off.

Consider visiting family out of town. This may offer extra support during the newborn transition and having all the amenities of a home (fridge, laundry etc) definitely make it easier.

Planes

1. Budget extra time. Things always take longer with children. I always hated getting to the airport two hours early, and the time seemed to drag. Now with kids, and diapers and feeding and playing, without that time, there is now way we would ever board!

2. Book a bassinette well in advance and double check with the airline. Some airlines don’t guarantee but will put a note in your file to place you in the bulk head, where the bassinettes are snapped in after take-off. When you check-in reconfirm. The bassinette is wonderful, allowing baby to continue to sleep and maintain a schedule and creating more space for the rest of the family. And of course the extra leg room and getting served first is wonderful.

3. Bring extra blankets, padding etc. Some airlines offer amazing cushiony bedding for the bassinette while others are very basic. Make sure you have enough to make your infant comfortable. Also, if your toddler doesn’t have their own seat, you will need to accommodate for that also. Blankets and pillows are hot commodities on planes.

4. Normally you don’t get extra luggage allowance for non-paying seats i.e. anyone under two. Most airlines will allow you to check in1-2 extra items for a baby ranging from stroller to car-seat to playpen. Strollers, if small enough, can be taken right to the gate, which is handy. Before packing, I definitely recommend inquiring with the airline. Try and keep the suitcases as light as possible, so that your baggage allowance can be used for the essentials inside. Duffle bags with wheels are a great option since they are light-weight, can be wheeled and offer tons of space.

Cars

Ensure that your car seats are safely installed, that your toddler has enough toys, books (or even DVDs) to distract them if it is a long drive. I also find that playing kids music and using the car ride to sing a long works wonders. If possible, have one parent spend some time beside them, to read. Also, pack water, and snacks, so you don’t have to make extra stops along the way.

If your toddler is toilet training, take one of those portable pottys – some models fold flat making it easy to pack and snap open to fit on a toilet seat or on the ground with a bag. The flexibility is great.

If you have travel tips, please share them with us and our readers.

Happy Travels from Go-La Rolla!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

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Toddler Talk

If you’re anything like me, as soon as your baby was born you couldn’t wait for their first words, first sentences and even first real conversation.  But talking toddlers take time and effort; it’s not something that happens over night. I thought I would share some strategies with parents who want to hear more from their little ones, especially those who seem to be taking their time speaking.

I have found that there are 5 key things to keep infants or toddlers learning and speaking.

1.   Play, Play, Play and Play

Getting down on the floor at their level and spending some quality time playing with your child is the surest way to strengthen their language skills as well as strengthen their bond with you.   Doing things such as explaining what you’re playing with, the colour of toys and whether things are moving or going up or down will introduce key words to your infant or toddler. The tried and tested method of holding your child and singing or reading to them also introduces words

2.       Talk at or just above your child’s language level

Usually children can understand more than their vocabulary allows and they have a bank of words yet to make an appearance. The theory here is that you want to challenge a child’s comprehension, support his ability to interact, and facilitate his ability to respond, at the same time.  Communicating with your child in way that will generate a response from them is an important first step.  Simple sounds are the easiest to start with (e.g “ba” “ma” “da”) and then transition to simple words such as ball, dad etc.

3.       Repetition makes perfect

Repeating key words or phrases over and over again help in establishing the neuropathway in a baby’s mind so that eventually their words will come flooding out.  Learning to speak is the same as any other skill; it takes extraordinary practice to get it right.   Saying key words or phrases over and over again while allowing your child to do the same will help in establishing a broader vocabulary.

4.       Use Signs, gestures and pictures

Helping a late talker speak through the use of signs, pictures and gestures is extremely effective. Sign language gives them the freedom to express their most basic needs and wants without applying the pressure for them to learn words. The words will come eventually and signing serves as a bridge between gesturing words and saying them. Once toddlers or infants begin to say a few words, pictures and other visual tools are a way to open the language floodgate.

5.       Stay supportive and positive

Waiting for the moment your child speaks can feel like a long journey. Staying supportive by encouraging all small sounds and words as well as staying positive will go a long way.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com / email at info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

As I am due in a couple of weeks, I really wanted to have my 23 month old toddler out of diapers. I was trying to avoid having two children in diapers. So we embarked on the three day adventure…

We threw out the diapers. We did a little ceremony explaining he was a big boy now. We showed him his cool new Bat-Man underwear and began.

First Day

The first time he looked alarmed as he wet his underwear and almost cried. With reassurance we cleaned him up, changed him and explained that he should tell us when he had to go. By noon we had gone through eight pairs of underwear! Who knew that they tinkled so much? No sign of registering that he should tell us when he had to go. Instead, he laughed at the trickle down his leg, or the puddles on the floor. A couple of times we were fast enough to get him on the toilet.

During nap time, he soaked himself and slept through it. Still determined we continued with a smile. The first night, I got up three times to change his sheets and in the early morning, exhausted, we continued…

Second Day

More of the same. No sign of progress. I kept reminding myself that it was only three days. That it was worth it. That soon it would click.

It didn’t.

Third Day

The nap and the night were wet and tiring for all of us and so by the third morning, I gave up. Perhaps this was the mistake, but we did have little wins to celebrate.

The Good News

Not all was lost, because now he tells us when he has gone number two, and when we should change his diaper. He also seems to be cognizant of wearing a diaper, which I believe is progress.

 What would I do different?

- Maybe wait until the child is older and can grasp the concepts more thoroughly. Some people have had great success with the three day method with two and a half year olds.

- Modify the night so it’s not so dramatic i.e. use pull-ups. Sleep deprivation + pregnancy + cranky toddler make it harder to be cheerful and patient for day two and three.

- Transition to pull-ups so they assert a sense of  independence and control. We are trying this and it seems to be working

I would love to hear from you with any tips and your experiences. We will keep persevering and will keep you posted.

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Potty Talk

My son is almost two years old and I am expecting another baby in a few weeks. The thought of changing two sets of diapers while being sleep deprived and nursing is overwhelming and so we are taking the potty plunge and toilet training next week.

I have done a lot of research including talking to many parents about what works best and the fastest and most effective method. I have heard crazy things from letting your child run around naked for a week so that they are grossed out about feeling pee and poo run down their legs; to sitting them on the potty when they normally go, waiting and hoping for the best to making potty time a fun time with books and games. Everyone I ask has a different and sometimes a wacky suggestion.

A few of my friends have recommended a three day method that seems to resonate best with me. It’s based on positive reinforcement and praise and best of all it works after three days. They swear by it.

Three Days to Being Diaper Free:

1. Take three days off to dedicate to your child and keep them in close proximity for the full 72 hours.
2. Throw away all diapers. Some of my friends have made a ceremony of this with their child. The point is to make them feel like they are transitioning to being a big child
3. Put on the big boy or big girl underwear. No pull-ups or diapers any more. (My husband is really dreading this at night, but my friends say this is key)
4. Remind your child constantly to tell you when they have to go pee or to the potty. Avoid power struggles. Watch them closely and every time they have to go, run them to the washroom.
5. Reward and Praise for every time they go, even a little, in the potty. Never criticize or chastise
6. Stay positive and be patient and expect lots of accidents

Some Tips:

1. We have bought two dozen pairs of underwear. Half are one size too big for him.  After the training we will wash and put them away for when he bigger
2. The dollar store has lots of great cheap rewards for when he goes in the potty. I picked up stickers and balls and bubbles
3. Get high fibre cookies, bars, cereal to avoid constipation
4. Get your spouse or partner on board! This is key for your three day adventure.

I will keep you posted. If I have time between accidents and running  to the washroom, I blog as we go along. If not, we will see you on the diaper-free side.

Please Share Your Insights!

I would love to hear from you with any tips and your experiences.  Wish me luck as I embark on this potty adventure!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Food allergies can change the way we shop, eat and cook.  For instance, my son is severely allergic to eggs, milk and all nut products; this makes coming up with a snack difficult and let’s be honest, annoying.  Unlike most families, we are not able to rely on kid staples such as yogurt, cheese or even a perennial kid favourite cookie.  My son’s allergies have changed our lives, we now eat more conscientiously, (no junk, no preservatives) but we have also had to give up some of our family favorites like peanut butter and real ice cream.

But I suppose every cloud has a silver lining, I’ve spent the last yearformulating recipes for foods that work for kids with allergies.  Periodically I will be sharing them with our readers and would love any feedback you might have.   But first, it’s important to provide some tips on how to keep your kids safe from allergens.  

Keeping your child safe

Most parents don’t think twice about playdates, birthday parties, or even vacations.  But for parents of kids with severe allergies, simple things like a playdate can cause stress and raise fears of another emergency room visit.  It isn’t fun.  In fact, a study by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) found families living with a food-allergic child suffer more emotional stress than those with children who have epilepsy or asthma.  I thought I would provide a few tips to help keep your kids safe from allergens

1. Practice avoidance: No amount, even trace, of the allergen is acceptable. Most food allergy sufferers can stay healthy without medication through careful food management.
2. Read labels: Take time to scrutinize food labels. Learn alternate names for your allergen. For example, a product containing dairy products may list them as milk, but also casein, whey, hydrolysates, lactose, and lactalbumin
3. Have a plan: Know when to give an antihistamine or epinephrine, and when to call the doctor. Put this plan in writing and update it when needed.
4. Create advocates: Parents, teachers, caregivers and the child must work together to prevent reactions. Contact restaurants, hotels and resorts in advance of your visit and ask to speak to the kitchen staff. Often you’ll find they are willing to prepare foods that meet your needs.
5. When in doubt, don’t eat it. If you are unsure whether the food will cause a reaction, turn it down.  Teach your child to say no to foods that they are unsure of.

Recipe #1: Happy Cake

It was my son’s birthday earlier this year and the realization that he wouldn’t be able to eat birthday cake on his birthday set in. I found this to be so incredibly sad, kids live for their birthdays and the moment they blow out the candles on the cake they chose is so special.  Birthday celebrations are also important to the whole family, don’t we all measure out growth, and progress with each birthday?  This recipe was born out of my search for an egg free, milk free and nut free cake. I hope you enjoy it:

Cake Batter

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup fine semolina

2 tbsp baking powder

¾ cup of vegetable oil or shortening

1 ¼ cup soy milk

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp cinnamon

½ cup raisins (optional)

Cake Icing

4  cups powdered sugar (1 pound)

2  Tbsp water, milk, soy milk, or rice milk

1 cup shortening

1 tsp clear vanilla extract

Food coloring (optional)

Cake Instructions:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix (flour, sugar, semolina, baking powder,  cinnamon)
2. Combine  and mix all wet ingredients (fat, milk , vanilla essence) Add wet ingredients to dry  and let the mixture sit for 15 mins
3. Pour into baking pan or pans if making a tiered cake and bake at 350 for 40 mins

Frosting Instructions:

1. Cream all ingredients. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
2. Frost cake when it is cool

Go-La Rolla cares about what you think, please feel free to comment on this blog or the recipe.

Looking forward to hearing from you and best wishes to you and your children’s health,

www.golarolla.com

Email at info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby

After receiving so much great feedback from my last blog on asthma and allergies, I thought I would write some more about the topic.  I’m learning more and more about asthma and allergies as my son grows.  It seems that as constrictive as asthma is it is also quite fluid in that a child’s asthma changes with the seasons. This means that care and preventative care must also be altered with each season.  As we approached summer, my son seemed to be getting better; however, he did have an asthma attack that seemed to come from nowhere. We later found out that a change in seasons triggered it.

Spring & Asthma

Spring is a beautiful time of year; for those of us that live through harsh winters it feels like an awakening of sorts.  We are able to go outside and enjoy the sun, and watch trees and flowers bloom. But as idyllic as this seems for most of us, spring can be difficult for asthmatics.  For those with allergies, pollen can trigger a running nose, sneezing, wheezing or coughing; when these symptoms are not controlled it can quickly lead to an asthma attack in most children.  Kids with asthma and allergies may also have what are known as the allergic salute, where they rub their noses upward because of itching and have allergic shiners(are dark circles under the eyes).  In order to make life a little easier, you can manage your child’s exposure to pollen by doing some of the following:

• Keep windows closed prevent pollens from drifting into your home
• Minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted-between 5-10 a.m.
• Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
• Stay indoors when the pollen count is reported to be high, and on windy  days
• Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area (eg . beach or sea)
• Machine dry bedding and clothing. Pollen may collect in laundry if it is hung outside to dry
• See your family physician for recommendations on anti-histamines that are appropriate for your child

Summer & Asthma

School is out; kids are home and it’s time for vacation! Sounds amazing but for a large number of children suffering from summer allergy induced it’s a difficult season.  Summer is when common triggers result in symptoms such as running nose, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.  When grasses start to green and grow, it’s a sign that summer allergy-induced asthma is about to begin. The most common summer allergens, or triggers, are grass pollens. Toward the end of summer weed pollens begin to become a problem. They tend to be at their highest levels during late summer and fall. Some common weed allergens are: Ragweed, Cockle weeds, Pigweed, Russian thistle, Sagebrush, Tumbleweed. As with spring, it’s important to take the same preventative measures.

Fall & Asthma

The onset of fall can mean a break for those suffering from summer allergy induced asthma (due to reduced pollen counts), but early fall can be one of the worst times of year for some allergy and asthma sufferers. The most common early fall allergens is ragweed.   Another type of allergen that is most active during the fall are mold spores.  Mold can grow both inside and out, so it can be an indoor asthma trigger, as well as an outdoor asthma trigger.  Unlike pollen, molds do not have a specific growing season. Their growth is related more to environmental factors, such as heat, wind and humidity.  To help manage asthma in the fall, here are some tips:

• Pay attention to pollen and mold counts
• When pollen and mold counts are high, stay indoors as much as you can
• When you’re indoors or in the car, keep the windows closed
• Avoid fallen leaves (mold spores love the damp, dark conditions eg.  a pile of fallen leaves)
• Avoid working with damp, moist soil in gardens or potted plants.
• Avoid mold growth indoors with vigorous cleaning.
• Use exhaust fans to help with ventilation in humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Keep carpets and rugs out of bathrooms, basements, and kitchens

Winter & Asthma

Winter is the season when indoor allergens are most dangerous for kids suffering from asthma as they spend more time indoors.  Some common indoor allergens are; dust mites, animal dander, indoor molds and insect and mouse allergens.  In addition to this, irritants can cause symptoms such as running nose, coughing, wheezing and sneezing.  Common irritants are cold outdoor air, smoke from wood fires and secondhand tobacco smoke. The good news is that there are some actions you can take to minimize the impact of indoor allergens:

• Pay attention to weather forecasts. When its  dry and cold or wet and rainy, stay indoors
• Maintain a clean environment. Vacuum or dust to keep dust mites and allergens from settling.
• Avoid having wood fires in the home if you are sensitive to smoke.
• Visit your family physician for recommendations on taking an inhaled steroid.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that are best for baby

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Eating Disorders and Kids: Why we Need to Pay Close Attention

Sometimes my 2 year old toddler refuses to eat. Sometimes this last for 2 meals in a row.  Sometimes for 2 consecutive days. A close friend of mine’s seven year old child is overweight and snacks all the time. This got me thinking and researching about eating and children and how to raise them to be healthy and have a healthy awareness and appreciation for food.

EDNOS: A catch all acronym

A recent article published last month in Paediatrics by a paediatrician who teaches at Stanford University sets out her findings of a study to compare the medical severity of patients with bulimia, anorexia or EDNOS. EDNOS stands for “eating disorder not otherwise specified.”  Children with EDNOS often suffer from severe medical problems though they don’t receive the treatment that they require. They are missed because they don’t meet a specific condition’s criteria as set out in theStatistical Manual for Mental Disorders.

An example of someone who would be categorized with EDNOS is a child within a normal weight range but who exhibits all the symptoms of anorexia; or a child who has a regular menstrual period but otherwise meets all the criteria for EDNOS.

In the study, when measuring the medical severity of the children suffering from EDNOS, it fell between those with anorexia and bulimia in most criteria examined.

Causes

Some suggest that living in a dysfunctional family may trigger eating disorders. This is the child’s way of controlling what happens to their bodies, since they can’t control the physical or sexual abuse. It’s their way of trying to “disappear.” Others suggested causes include that children may turn to food for comfort if they aren’t getting the attention that they need at home; or if they are not allowed to express their emotions; if parents obsess about weight and dieting or are preoccupied with weight and body image; and social pressure as exerted by media and external sources or perceived requirements to succeed in a sport or activity

The Good News

Work is being done regarding expanding the criteria for eating disorders in the new forthcoming Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. Those in the field are aware of the limitations of the diagnostic criteria that is currently in use. The goal would be for fewer people to fall into the EDNOS criteria.

Tips on Building a Healthy Household

1. Set a good example yourself by eating healthy and exercising.

2. Remember that your child instinctively will eat when hungry and stop when full. Never force them to stay at the table and clean off their plate. This can create resentment and an unhealthy relationship with food. Also remember that diets are not suitable for young children. Their bodies need fat. Instead focus on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

3. Ensure that your child has sufficient exercise. Encourage them to be active and spend less time in front of screens. Find an activity that the whole family can enjoy, like walking or jogging, or throwing the ball, or riding bikes outdoors in the summer. Stress the benefits of exercise in terms of maintaining a healthy and strong body , as opposed to a form of weight control.

4. Love your children unconditionally. Spend time with them. Focus on who they are as opposed to how they look. Pay attention to them. Give them a hug and tell them that you love them for who they are inside and out.

5. If your child shows signs of turning to food for comfort or an unhealthy eating patterns, try to get to the root (emotional) cause by sitting down and talking with them. Really listen. If you are worried, seek professional help immediately to rule out physical or psychological illness.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com.

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

33 Comments »

Vitamin D and Your Children: What is all the hype about?     

In the news lately there has  been some discussion about Vitamin D and the general deficiency in North America including because of the higher latitude, a propensity to be indoors and increasing use of sunscreen. To be honest, until I had my son, I never gave it much thought, but since my pediatrician recommended giving Vitamin D drops daily since he was an infant, the topic seems to have exploded.

The lack of vitamin D is especially concerning for adults and children living north of 37 degrees latitude. Between November and February, very little, if any vitamin D can be synthesized through the skin.  All of Canada is north of 37 degrees latitude and part of the US is also.  A recent Canadian survey estimated that over 1 million people in Canada do not have sufficient vitamin D levels in their blood. Others suggest that this number is much higher. One source suggests that 97% of Canadians are vitamin D deficient at some in the year[1] and worldwide 1 billion people are short on vitamin D.

How We Get Vitamin D

Did you know our own bodies can produce vitamin D, but requires exposure to the sun and in particular the UV-B rays? The only other source is from diet, and in particular from fish, eggs and some mushrooms. In addition, you can of course give your child supplements, which is what is recommended especially for starting with breastfed infants.

The Benefits of Vitamin D

For a long time. it was thought that the benefits of Vitamin D were its effect on calcium and bone i.e. we were always told that it was helpful for osteoporosis prevention. Now scientists are discovering many other benefits of Vitamin D such as enhancing our immune system, protecting against the risk of developing diabetes, asthma and allergies. There is also suggestion that vitamin D might improve muscle strength and may have an effect on reducing tumor growth associated with cancer; as well as having a positive effect on cognition, and may reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis.

In fact, even consumption of vitamin D by a pregnant woman may have protective effects on the child. One study suggested that intake of vitamin D throughout the pregnancy reduced the incidences of child wheezing measured at the age of three.

As encouraging as all these studies, we need to be careful since most of the research is observational and cannot identify a true relationship between cause and effect yet.

So How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?

The truth is that nobody really knows yet.

Many variables affect how much vitamin D you and your children need such as: age, general health, body weight, skin colour, percent of body fat, season and sunlight exposure, where you live, diet etc. In general, the elderly need more than the young, big or heavier more than small and skinny people, darker pigmentation more than lighter, ill more than well, those who use lots of sunblock more than sunbathers etc.

Official recommendations range from 200-600 IU per day. Both the Canadian and US health agencies are currently reviewing the daily recommended dose for adults and children.  The Canadian Cancer society recommendations for adults are higher at 1000 IU per day and some researchers believe that level isn’t sufficient. Health Canada has recommended maternal supplementation of 200 IU and 400 IU for all exclusively breastfed, healthy, term infants in Canada. This should be continued until the infant diet includes 400 IU/day from other sources. Also note, for northern Native communities during the winter months, the Canadian Pediatric Society advocates an increase of vitamin intake to 800 IU daily.

Tips on How to Increase Your and Your Child’s Vitamin D Intake.

1.  If you live north of 37 degree latitude  then you should consider increasing vitamin D intake through supplements and diet. For children, liquid vitamin D dispensed through a dropper is readily accessible at pharmacies.
2. Consider eating foods rich in vitamin D while maintain a balanced diet. As mentioned above, these foods include fish, eggs and some mushrooms.
3. Consider a short sun exposure but be careful to avoid overexposure and potential for burns, in particular for children.
4. Consider getting you and your families’ vitamin D levels tested via a physician administered calcidiol test (also know as a 25-hyrdoxyvitamin D test). What is more important than your daily intake of vitamin D are your actual vitamin D blood levels. Levels should be above 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/L) year-round, in both children and adults.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla for you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com.

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

[1] See www.vitamindsociety.org  referencing a University of Calgary study for more information.