Natural Nutrition that Can Increase Children's Concentration in Autism

When we focus and concentrate on one thing, then the other things around us can be easily ignored. This is very easy for normal children to do. However, not for children with autism. Not only is it difficult to communicate, children with autism also cannot focus on things, especially those they don't like. Then how do you increase the concentration of children with autism?

Of course, as a parent you must diligently train and stimulate the focus. Practicing is necessary, but nutrients are also important in helping to increase the focus of the child. What nutrients do children need with autism so that their concentration increases?

Food nutrition can increase the concentration of children with autism

There are various ways to increase concentration in children with autism, in addition to training and stimulating their learning abilities, you can also provide foods that contain various nutrients that they need. What kinds of nutrients does he need to increase concentration?

Glutathione

Glutathione is a type of amino acid consisting of glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. This substance acts as an antioxidant that protects the body from various poisons that enter the body. in several studies mentioned if children with autism tend to have lower levels of glutathione than other normal children.

Folic acid (Vitamin B9)

The other way to increase your child's concentration is to provide foods that contain high folic acid. Folic acid is believed to be one of the nutrients needed by children with autism.

Research shows that folic acid metabolism in children with autism is different so children need additional folic acid from consuming foods or supplements that contain folic acid. Some studies also show that folic acid supplementation in children with autism shows improvement in symptoms of autism.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

The average group of B vitamins is beneficial for brain and mental health, one of which is thiamine. In a study published in The Journal of International Medical Research, states that this vitamin plays an important role in sending signals to the nervous system. So from that, vitamin B1 is considered to help children with autism to concentrate more on learning.

Kobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Experts believe that vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk factor for autism in children. Some studies suggest that mothers who lack vitamin B12 during pregnancy are at risk of having children with mental development disorders, one of which is autism.

Therefore, giving vitamin B12 to children with autism is believed to help maximize the development of their learning abilities, including concentration.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is relied upon to make the brain work better. Just like previous vitamins, this mineral also has a role in the workings of the nervous system. Some researchers believe that by providing magnesium supplements, it can help children with autism grow and develop better - although this still needs further investigation.

Zinc

Zinc is also a mineral whose amount is considered lacking in children with autism. In various studies, it is mentioned that mothers who consume less zinc food intake have the potential to give birth to children with mental development syndromes, such as autism. Therefore, several studies suggest that zinc supplementation is considered to help the growth of children with special needs, such as autism.

Where can I get all these nutrients?

Of course, by consuming a variety of foods that vary every day to make your child's nutritional needs fulfilled easily. All nutrients that were previously mentioned, you can find in vegetables, fruits, food sources of animal protein such as red meat and chicken, as well as food sources of vegetable protein such as beans.

In addition, the way to increase the concentration of other autistic children is by giving them supplements, so that all these nutrients are fulfilled. Of course, you must choose supplements that are safe and natural, for example Bio Strath. Bio Strath is a supplement that contains 61 nutrients - vitamins, minerals and amino acids - that are needed by children with special needs. This supplement has even been shown to reduce anxiety and be able to increase the learning concentration of children with autism.

Rice vs Bread: Which is Better for the Children's Breakfast Menu?

Usually rice or bread is a favorite choice for parents to serve at the dinner table every morning. In addition to serving it quickly, rice and bread are easy to create into various dishes. So if you want to compare the two nutrients, which one is better used as a breakfast menu for children - rice or bread?

Ideal nutritional intake in one portion of a child's breakfast menu

Breakfast provides the energy needed by the child to get through a tiring day. The reason is, breakfast contributes up to 20-25% of the total energy needs per day (the standard calorie needs of school children aged 7-12 years are 1,600-2,000 calories). Breakfast can also help the body to be more efficient in processing food as energy, so children are less hungry.

To be able to achieve this benefit, a healthy breakfast menu for children must consist of 300 grams of carbohydrates, 65 grams of protein, 50 grams of fat, 25 grams of fiber, and intake of various vitamins and minerals. Do not be surprised to see the amount of carbohydrates needed by children. Children's glucose needs are twice as large as adults. Carbohydrates are important for improving the growth and development of a child's brain. Glucose which is broken down from carbohydrates is the main energy for the brain. In addition, glucose is also used by the brain to regulate and run the nervous system.

That's why many studies show that a high-calorie breakfast menu can help children learn better at school. This means that children can concentrate more on remembering and solving problems in each subject. But of course the selected carbohydrate sources may not be arbitrary. Rice and bread are high carbohydrate food sources. Then, which is better for children?

Healthy breakfast menu for children, better to use rice or bread?

Before deciding which is better for a child's breakfast menu, it's a good idea to first understand the concept of the glycemic index in food. Glycemic Index (IG) measures how fast carbohydrates contained in food are converted into sugar by the body. The higher the glycemic value of a food, the higher the increase in body blood sugar levels.

This level of glycemic index can affect the work of the child's brain. As described above, glucose is the brain's main energy source. Therefore, the higher the IG score of a food, the higher the blood sugar level produced, the better the child's brain works. Reporting from Harvard School that the glycemic index in white rice (72) is lower than the white bread IG score (75). So, does this mean that automatic white bread is better than rice for a child's breakfast menu? Not necessarily.

Rice or bread is actually the same

Rice and bread are actually both classified as high glycemic index foods. Foods with a high glycemic index are more quickly digested by the body so that they increase blood sugar faster. But on the other hand, the blood sugar produced will fall back so fast that those who eat high glycemic index foods will feel hungry faster.

This feeling of hunger also influences concentration while working or studying. Hunger children during teaching and learning activities tend to be more difficult to concentrate compared to those who still feel full. Conversely, foods containing a low glycemic index will make glucose levels in the blood last longer and more stable than the high glycemic index level.

A healthy breakfast menu for children is balanced

Regardless of what choices your child's carbohydrate source has for breakfast, a healthy breakfast requires a balanced portion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats to keep energy levels steady throughout the day.

An easy way to determine the ideal portion of breakfast is to divide your dinner plate into four parts. Each part must be filled with each of the nutrients your body needs in the morning.

Fill the first part with complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, or oatmeal. The second part you can fill with unsaturated fats like nuts. The third part should be filled with protein, whether from eggs or lean meat. Finally, complete your healthy breakfast menu with fiber sources such as vegetables and fruits.

Immune System for Babies Who Drink Breast Milk and Formula Milk, Which is Stronger?

The bacteria in the baby's intestine must be balanced and exactly in number. Why? Good bacteria are "soldiers" who are tasked with strengthening the baby's immune system to fight the attacks of bad bacteria that can cause illness or health problems. So, in the baby's intestines the number and type of good bacteria must be more than the bad bacteria.

Now, one way to maintain the balance of bacteria (microbiota) in the baby's intestine is to provide breast milk or breast milk exclusively in the first six months. Then what about babies who drink formula milk? Does it mean that the bacteria balance is messed up? Check out the answer below.

Know the role of bacteria in the baby's immune system

At birth, babies have a smaller number and variety of bacteria than adults. Bacteroides and Lactobacillus are groups of intestinal bacteria that play a large role in improving the baby's immune system. The composition of the bacteria will resemble that of an adult after three years.

So, the first two to three years of the baby's life are important times for the development of good intestinal bacteria. The presence of disorders during this period may be related to several childhood diseases such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergies, Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and obesity. The normal and balanced composition of intestinal bacteria is also thought to prevent diabetes.

Why is breast milk important to maintain bacterial balance?

According to recommendations from the World Health Organization or WHO, babies are given exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Then added with complementary food until the first year. Breast milk can be continued until the age of two years.

Breast milk has a variety of functions that are good for babies. The nutrient content in breast milk is in accordance with the baby's intestine because it is easily digested. Breast milk contains passive immunity from the mother, lactoferrin and other substances that play a role in helping the baby's immune system. A study concluded that consumption of breast milk, especially during the first 6 months of life is important in the development of infant immunity.

The most important content in breast milk and related to the development of bacteria in the baby's intestine is Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO). HMOs are oligosaccharides or carbohydrate molecules that are sugar in the human body. Unfortunately, HMOs are only found in breast milk, not in formula milk.

Why is this HMO important? HMOs are sugars that cannot be absorbed by the small intestine. These oligosaccharides will be fermented by intestinal bacteria to become an energy source for cells of the large intestine and become a material for Bacteroides growth.

In addition, there are also short chain fatty acids (SCFA), one of which is lactic acid, which can be used for the growth of Lactobacillus.

Bacterial balance in the intestines of babies who drink breast milk and formula milk

The difference in oligosaccharides causes differences between intestinal bacteria of infants who consume breast milk and formula milk. When compared, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus predominate in infants who consume breast milk. These two bacteria help ripen the baby's immune system and help defend the baby's intestinal tissue.

Whereas in infants who consume formula milk, most bacteria come from Enterococcus and Enterobacteria. As a result, the formation of the baby's immune system becomes less optimal. Therefore, you should try breast milk for the baby. Do not use formula milk carelessly if you have not been consulted and recommended by a doctor.

Complete Guide to Give First Solid Food to Your Baby

Introducing the first solid baby food ideally begins when your child has entered the age of 6 months. Even so, you may not arbitrarily follow the parenting trend on social media. Check out the guide to giving the baby the first meal in this article.

Why wait for the age of 6 months to introduce the first solid meal?

Babies get the main nutrients they need from breast milk or formula until they are around 6 months old. Well, after a baby is 6 months old, breast milk alone is not able to meet its nutritional needs, so your child needs complementary foods other than breast milk. In addition, their intestines are better prepared to digest food and their tongue's reflexes are better.

At the age of 6 months, babies in general are also able to sit alone and hold objects or food around them so that it makes it easier for babies to eat their first solid food. Even so, age is not the only benchmark for giving her the first solid meal. Because some babies may not be ready to be given solid food due to various factors.

Always consult your pediatrician first as a consideration to see the readiness of your baby to be given his first solid meal.

Guide to giving baby's first meal

Introducing a baby's first meal takes time. That is why, you are required to be extra patient in doing so. Try not to worry too much about how much your baby will eat while still early. Because later there will be a day when your baby eats more, eats less, or maybe even refuses to eat at all. In general, here are some guidelines for feeding your baby first:

• Start by giving a few teaspoons of food once a day. However, try to provide different types of food every day so that the baby does not get bored quickly and is more interesting to eat the food.

• Let your baby learn to enjoy, touch, and hold his own food. If he wants, let the baby take and put the food into his mouth.

• Make sure the food you give to your little one is soft textured, easily crushed, and swallowed, thereby reducing the risk of baby choking. Remember, all foods must be soft, not spicy, and cooked well.

• Make sure you don't leave the baby alone when he is eating. This is done to anticipate that he does not choke when chewing and swallowing food.

• Do not add sugar, salt, or even honey to the food or cooking water to be consumed by the baby. Because the digestive system of your baby may not be ready to digest all these foods. So, let your child enjoy the natural taste of the food he consumes.

• Always taste the food before you give it to your little one, especially hot food.

• If you use a spoon, wait until your little one opens his mouth before you give him the food. This is because maybe your child wants to hold the spoon itself.

• Your baby does not always have to eat three times a day. It's better to eat small portions, but often compared to in large portions, but only occasionally.

• Avoid forcing the baby to eat the food. If the child is not interested at this time, it does not mean he will not be interested in eating later. You can try offering other meals the next day.

• Wear an apron on the baby's neck so that the clothes he wears are not dirty with food. Because your baby may be very enthusiastic about stirring up the food and polluting the surrounding area.

All You Need to Know About Infant Formula Milk

Formula milk is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. Although the best intake for babies is breast milk, sometimes breastfeeding is not recommended if the mother or baby has certain medical problems. Finally, giving formula milk can be an option to help the development of babies, especially newborns.

What types of formula milk are there?

There are many types of formula milk from various sources, forms and various brands. Some types of formula milk include:

• Formula milk from cow's milk. Most formula milk comes from cow's milk. Usually this formula contains protein, carbohydrates and fat in the right balance. The protein in formula milk has undergone changes so that it makes it easier to digest.

• Formula milk from soy milk. This type of formula milk is made from soy milk. Usually, babies need this type of formula if the baby has temporary lactose intolerance due to gastrointestinal infection, cow's milk allergy associated with galactosemia, and congenital lactase deficiency.

• Lactose-free formula milk. This formula does not contain lactose (a sugar contained in milk) and is usually replaced with other types of sugar, such as corn syrup.

• Hypoallergenic formula milk. This formula contains protein which has been broken down into smaller forms so that it is more easily digested by the baby. Generally, babies who need this type of formula milk are babies who have milk protein allergy or who have problems absorbing nutrients (usually premature babies).

What formula is suitable for your baby?

The number of brands of formula milk on the market might make you confused, which formula is suitable for your baby. Consult your baby doctor about which brand of formula milk best suits your baby's needs.

If your baby doesn't have allergies or doesn't have problems digesting milk, you can give formula milk made from cow's milk. However, if your baby has lactose intolerance or is allergic to milk protein, you are better advised to give lactose-free formula, soy formula, or hypoallergenic formula for your baby.

Do you need to sterilize formula milk bottles?

Before the first use, you must sterilize the pacifier and bottle in boiling water for five minutes. You can also sterilize it in the microwave.

After that, you don't need to sterilize the milk bottle every time you give your baby formula milk. You only need to wash the bottles and pacifiers with hot water and soap after each use. The reason is that unclean milk bottles can transmit bacteria.

How long can formula milk be stored in the refrigerator?

Store your baby formula in the refrigerator to prevent bacteria from growing. Formula milk should not be given to your baby and thrown away, if you have stored formula for 24 hours in the refrigerator and have been opened within 48 hours.

How long can a bottle of formula be stored at room temperature?

Baby formula milk which is left in room temperature can only last for one hour. If it has been left for more than one hour, you should not give it to your baby again.

In addition, if your baby leaves a portion of formula or does not consume it, it's best to just throw away the rest. This is because there is a possibility that the bacteria have contaminated the formula and might make your child sick.

What about formula milk with the addition of DHA or ARA?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) are ingredients that can be found in some infant formulas, but not in all types of products.

DHA and ARA are polyunsaturated fatty acids which may be related to brain and nerve development and can be found naturally in fish and egg oils. Fatty acids are also found in breast milk. Several studies have shown that infant formula milk supplemented with DHA and ARA is useful for the development of vision and cognitive function of a child's brain.

Tips for Choosing a Safe Appetite Vitamin for Children

Children's appetite is difficult to predict. Sometimes, a child's appetite increases, so you as a parent love to see children eat heartily. However, sometimes the child's appetite can drop suddenly. This might be a normal thing. Then, when the child's appetite decreases, what should be done? Can a child be given a vitamin appetite enhancer?

Why are children having difficulty eating?

The child's appetite decreases is normal, as long as it doesn't last too long. Usually, the main cause of a child's appetite decreases is because the child is sick or not feeling well. Pain, such as fever, runny nose, flu, sore throat, stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, or others can make a child's appetite decrease.

Your child's appetite can also decrease when the child is sad, upset, or angry. For example, when a child is sleep deprived or when the child is angry because the request is not followed, and others.

Do children need to take vitamin supplements?

Not all children need to take vitamin supplements, such as vitamin appetite enhancers. Children with good appetite do not need these vitamin supplements, because all of their nutritional needs can be obtained from various food consumption every day.

However, children with certain conditions may feel they need to be given vitamin supplements, such as:

• Children who don't eat regularly and don't get food with balanced nutrition
• Children who are very choosy in terms of food, so they don't get enough nutrition from food
• Children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or digestive problems
• Children who consume lots of fast food or processed foods, so they get less fresh food
• Children with a vegetarian or vegan diet, or children with other limited diets
• Children who often drink lots of soft drinks, so they don't get enough vitamins and minerals

If the child does not have appetite, it is better to slowly seduce the child so that the child wants to eat, but do not force the child. Create a pleasant atmosphere while eating, so that children enjoy the food. Try also to provide food that your child likes so he wants to eat, and limit the consumption of snacks so that the child is not satiated during a big meal.

If these methods have been carried out but the child's appetite does not increase, maybe you can provide a vitamin appetite enhancer to stimulate the child's appetite.

Choose vitamin appetite enhancer for children

Before choosing vitamins for children, you should consult with your doctor first whether your child can be given vitamin supplements, especially if the child is taking certain drugs. According to WebMD, you should wait until a four-year-old child wants to provide vitamin supplements for children, unless the doctor recommends something else.

Some things that might need to be considered when choosing a vitamin appetite enhancer for children are:

• Choose vitamin supplements that are suitable for the age and needs of the child.

• Pay attention to what is contained in the supplement. We recommend that you choose supplements that do not provide more than 100% of your child's daily vitamin and mineral needs. Supplements that contain high doses of vitamins and minerals can endanger the health of children, especially vitamin A.

• We recommend that you choose vitamin supplements that are not in forms like candy and which do not contain high sugar. It is feared, children consider these supplements as sweets, so he wants to consume them again and again. Where, this will cause excessive intake of children's vitamins and minerals. This is certainly not good. If you choose supplements in the form of candy, you should keep them out of the reach of children and explain to the child that they are not candy.

• Choose vitamin supplements that have been registered and have passed the certification.

Keep in mind, even though a child has been given a vitamin supplement, you should still encourage children to eat foods with balanced nutrition. However, the goodness of natural vitamins and minerals in vegetables and fruits is irreplaceable.

How Many Eggs Can a Child Eat in a Day?

Whether it's fried, boiled, or processed into other dishes, eggs are one of the children's favorite menus. High protein in eggs is also useful to support child development. The question is, aren't eggs high in cholesterol? So, how many limits for eating eggs for children in one day? Come on, see the following review.

Information on the nutritional value of eggs and their benefits

Chicken eggs are one source of complete animal protein nutrition. Proteins, vitamins, minerals, and omega 3 are all found in eggs.

An egg contains up to 13 types of minerals, ranging from calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, and selenium. Meanwhile, egg yolks contain more vitamins than egg whites. Each egg yolk contains seven vitamins, namely B vitamins, B-12, B6, folate, A, D, E, and K.

Eggs also contain one nutrient called choline which is very important for the body, which unfortunately is not produced by the body itself. Choline helps maintain heart health and brain function. Without these nutrients, you can also lack other important nutrients, such as folic acid.

Carotenoids in egg yolks, especially carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, are responsible for improving eye health.

According to Live Strong, Dr. Richard E. Allen explains in the November issue of American Family Physicians that toddlers must get 30% of their daily calorie needs through fat (you can also check daily calorie needs at bit.ly/kalkulatorBMR). One egg contains 5.5 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 68 total calories. Therefore, many child health experts advise families to routinely serve a variety of egg dishes for children aged 18 months to 4 years.

Will eggs increase cholesterol in children?

It's true that eggs contain cholesterol. One egg contains cholesterol levels that are sufficient to meet the daily needs of adults. One egg yolk can contain up to 186 mg of cholesterol, while the recommended daily cholesterol consumption limit is 300 mg.

But also keep in mind that not all cholesterol is bad. Besides LDL bad cholesterol, eggs also contain good HDL cholesterol to balance it. Therefore, you do not need to worry too much about the cholesterol content in one egg for a child.

The human body also produces cholesterol naturally by the liver. So if you don't get enough cholesterol, your body will automatically increase cholesterol production. By consuming whole eggs, cholesterol levels in the body will be more balanced.

In short, cholesterol in eggs for children is not a problem. Provided that their total daily cholesterol intake from other foods remains below the 300 mg limit per day.

So, how many servings of eggs for a child in one day can be considered healthy?

One egg contains about 185 mg of cholesterol. Daily cholesterol intake of healthy children must be under 300 mg a day. As long as a child's daily diet does not exceed the amount of cholesterol intake, one egg for a child every day should not be a problem. Two eggs in one day are able to meet cholesterol needs in one day.

However, there are a number of things that parents need to pay more attention to. Also pay attention to the overall pattern and portion of the child's meal every day. Children between the ages of 2-3 years usually need 1000-1400 calories every day. Do not exceed this limit because excessive calorie intake in the long term can lead to obesity in children.

How to process eggs for children should also not be fried too often, either with butter or with oil. The healthiest egg processing technique for children is boiled.

Also note the number of eggs processed into other dishes. Cakes and biscuits, for example. Cake is generally made of 4 eggs. When cut into 8 parts, then 2 pieces of cake equal to 1 egg.

The Importance of the First 1000 Days of Children's Life That Can't be Repeated

The government is currently intensifying the program for the first 1000 days of life. These 1000 days are calculated from the time of pregnancy (270 days) to the age of 2 years (730 days). Why is this phase important? This is because the first 1000 days of life can determine the development and growth of the next child and what happens in this phase cannot be repeated.

Important developments in the child's brain occur in the first 1000 days

From pregnancy to children aged 2 years is a critical period. There is a lot of growth and development in this phase, especially brain development. Keep in mind, newborns already have around 100 billion brain cells and brain cells continue to grow very rapidly in the early days of a baby's life.

In the first 1000 days of a child's life, more than 1 million new nerve connections in the child's brain are formed every second. Sensory pathways, such as vision and hearing, are the first things that develop in the brain. Then, followed by the development of language skills and cognitive functions.

However, the environment that does not support at the beginning of this life can disrupt the baby's brain development. This disorder can be permanent or lifelong. Nutritional insufficiency that occurs during the first two years of life can cause a person's cognitive abilities to be lower.

Not only that, it can also affect immunity and the development of degenerative diseases (such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke) in the next phase of life, as reported by UNICEF.

Environmental factors, such as the adequacy of nutrition and stimulation for children's brain development, are important things that greatly influence the growth and development of a child's brain. The environment not only affects how many brain cells are formed and how many connections are formed between them, but also affects how connections in the brain are connected.

Child's height increases rapidly in this phase

Not only brain development, the physical development of children also accelerated rapidly in this period. You can compare yourself, how many centimeters your child's height has increased from birth to age 2 years. It turns out that until a child aged 2 years, increasing the height of a child can reach 75% of his height at birth.

However, even non-supportive environmental factors can cause an increase in a child's height not to run optimally. Your child's height may be shorter than other children of the same age who get better nutrition.

On the other hand, you may not need to worry about the delay in the growth of this child's height. This is because height may be pursued by children at other times, when environmental factors are improved, namely when children are given better nutrition to support their growth and development.

But it needs to be underlined, even though the child's height can be pursued at a later time when the child's environment supports it, but the losses arising from cognitive function, learning ability, and behavior due to malnutrition until the age of 2 years cannot be repaired.

Losses due to malnutrition that affect the child's brain development early in life can be permanent. Therefore, you should provide a good environment. Meet the nutritional needs of children - especially in the first 1000 days of your child's life.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Can Protect Children from the Risk of Heart Disease When Adults

There is no better food intake for babies other than breast milk. Breast milk is able to fulfill all the important energy and nutritional needs that your child needs from birth to the first 6 months of life. Not only are the benefits of breast milk for babies. Summarized from various studies, the risk of heart disease in exclusive breastfeeding infants when adults are found to be lower than babies who are accustomed to breastfeeding formulas.

Exclusive breastfeeding babies are protected from the risk of heart disease when they are adults

Exclusive breastfeeding babies are reported to have a reduced risk of heart disease later in life, when compared to babies who are breastfeeding. As revealed by a study from Northwestern University, as reported by Medical News Today.

This conclusion was found after the researchers looked at levels of C-reactive protein or CRP in the bodies of adults who were once babies of exclusive breastfeeding. The study itself involved 7,000 adults aged 24 to 32 years. They also evaluated the birth weight of the study participants and how long they were breastfed.

The results showed that study participants who when babies were given breast milk for 3 to 12 months had lower levels of C-reactive protein 20 to 30 percent compared to those who were never breastfed.

C-reactive protein is a protein produced by the liver and will increase if there is inflammation in the body. CRP levels that are too high can make you susceptible to infection. High levels of CRP in the body are also thought to increase the risk of heart disease and metabolic diseases in adulthood.

The study later found that an increase in CRP levels in the body was also associated with lower birth weight and shorter duration of breastfeeding. That is why it is important to give babies exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months of life. Over time, exclusive breastfeeding can help increase BBRL baby weight to normal levels. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers to breastfeed exclusively breastfed babies up to 12 months of age.

Baby exclusive breastfeeding is also protected from many other dangerous diseases

Exclusive breastfeeding is an important part of infant growth and development. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease later in life, breast milk can also protect babies from several other risks, such as:

• Middle ear infection. Breastfeeding for three months or more can reduce the risk of this disease by 50 percent. The longer the duration of your breastfeeding, the lower your child's risk.

• Respiratory tract infections. Exclusive breastfeeding for more than four months can reduce the risk of hospitalization for this infection by up to 72 percent.

• Colds and infections. Babies exclusively breastfed for 6 months have a 63 percent lower risk of flu and ear or throat infections.

• Colon infection. Breastfeeding is associated with a 64 percent risk reduction for this disease.

• Damage to intestinal tissue. Exclusive breastfeeding for premature infants is associated with a 60 percent risk reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis.

• Sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding is associated with a reduction in the risk of 50 percent of sudden infant death syndrome after 1 month, and 36 percent reduces this risk in the first year.

• Allergic disease. Exclusive breastfeeding at least 3-4 months is associated with a 27-42 percent reduction in the risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis and eczema.

• Inflammatory bowel disease. Babies who are breastfed are 30% less likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease in children.

• Diabetes. At least 3 months of breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of type 1 to 30 percent diabetes and type 2 diabetes to 40 percent.

• Leukemia in children. Breastfeeding for 6 months or longer is associated with a reduced risk of leukemia in children aged 15-20 years.

Vitamins and Minerals that Keep Children Not Easy to Get Sick

Does your child often experience flu, coughing, or even other infectious diseases? Of course, if the baby is sick a little, surely the parents feel anxious and worried. If this happens to your child, it might be because your baby's immune system is weak.

Don't worry, you can, make your child's immune system stronger. You can give the child food that contains vitamins and minerals that are good for the immune system. Then, what vitamins and minerals do children need to avoid being attacked by disease?

Various vitamins and minerals that are effective in increasing a child's immune system

You could say the immune system is a human defense system against viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other foreign substances that are the source of disease. So, when the immune system decreases, all sources of the disease will easily enter the body.

But calm down, you can, make the baby's immune system stronger by providing the following vitamins and minerals.

1. Vitamin C

If you've heard, vitamin C is often referred to as an antioxidant. Yes, antioxidants in the body play an important role in strengthening the immune system. In some theories it is stated that vitamin C can prevent the occurrence of free radical processes that can make the body's cells damaged.

In addition, the ability of other recognized vitamin C is to help stimulate the production of white blood cells - cells that become ‘forces' in the immune system. You can find vitamin C in fruits such as strawberries, oranges, mangoes, and kiwi.

2. Vitamin E

Almost similar to vitamin C, vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant that is able to protect children's body cells from destructive foreign substances. In one study, it was found that vitamin E can increase the work of B cells and T cells that the body uses as forces in the immune system. You can get Vitamin E from vegetables with leafy greens and nuts.

3. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is not only good for eye health, but also has functions in the body's immune system. Some studies suggest that vitamin A deficiency can cause children to experience diarrhea, skin problems, and other infectious diseases. Foods that contain high vitamin A are beef liver, beef, carrots, and various kinds of yellow and orange vegetables.

4. Vitamin B

B vitamins are many kinds, but most of these vitamins have important functions in the body's immune system. B vitamins that have been shown to play a role in the body's immunity are vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin B6. Folic acid itself, mentioned in a study if children who lack folic acid, tend to be susceptible to infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, vitamin B12 has the ability to make white blood cells work better against foreign substances. Vitamin B is found in many sources of animal protein, such as fish, beef and chicken. In addition, some B vitamins are also found in nuts, for example soybeans.

5. Zinc

This mineral has an important function in the growth of your child. Not only that, zinc has been proven in a study, has the ability to increase the immune system response and reduce the risk of inflammation in the body. In food, zinc is found in beef, chicken, milk, shellfish, and some nuts.

6. Iron

In the immune system, iron has the responsibility to activate B cells and T cells which act as invaders of foreign substances. Not only that, iron is also effective in reducing the risk and level of inflammation that occurs in the body, so that the child is protected from infectious diseases.

It's not difficult to find iron in food. You can get it from beef liver, beef, chicken, and some types of vegetables such as spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables.

Guide to Meeting Daily Nutrition Needs for Preschoolers (4-6 Years)

When your child starts entering kindergarten or school, in general child food can be equated with adults. They need a regular food intake to stay active all day while studying and playing. However, that does not mean you can arbitrarily choose a daily food menu for preschoolers. See the following guidelines.

List of healthy and nutritious foods needed by preschoolers

Generally the daily calorie needs of preschoolers (4-6 years) range from 1,600 calories. As much as possible, serve the child's meal menu in portions that are easy to grasp or chew.

The following is a list of healthy foods that preschoolers must get every day to meet their nutritional needs.

Fruit and vegetables

Children are susceptible to constipation because their diet is full of ready-to-eat foods (imagine chicken nuggets, sausages, french fries, macaroni), candy, biscuits, or sweet drinks. Fruits and vegetables are a group of high-fiber foods, which can facilitate bowel movements. Not only does it contain fiber, it can also prevent heart disease, control blood sugar levels, and keep a child's weight healthy and avoid the risk of obesity.

Preschoolers aged 4-6 years need at least 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables every day. For comparison, one portion of fruit is one medium-sized fruit or two small sizes. For example, one large tomato or two tomatoes. Meanwhile, one serving of vegetables is the same as one medium sized potato or 30 grams of spinach (one whole spinach bunch about 200 grams).

Complex carbohydrates

Preschool is a busy time for children to do physical activity and adventure to find out the world around. So do not be surprised if the child's appetite can quickly come and go to meet his energy needs throughout the day.

Foods high in carbohydrates can supply energy to the body. But don't choose any carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates found in white bread, flour, and white rice quickly increase blood sugar, which makes children lethargic.

Instead, provide foods rich in complex carbohydrates from whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, whole grain cereals, beans, and / or brown rice. Complex carbohydrates can provide a stable energy level for children to move throughout the day. The intake of carbohydrates needed by preschoolers is usually 300 grams per day.

Lean meat

A number of international studies have shown that children who are given high-protein foods, especially animal protein, have a higher body than their age children who do not get enough protein intake. Daily protein needs of children aged 4-6 years are 35 grams per day.

In addition, non-fatty animal meat such as fish, chicken, and poultry can meet the needs of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega-3, fatty acids and proteins for growth and development of the child's muscles. The content of iron and omega-3 fatty acids also plays an important role in maintaining cognitive functions of the child's brain to learn.

Milk and other dairy products

Calcium is very necessary for the formation of bones and teeth of children. Not only needed by bones, calcium is also needed for heart function, blood clotting, and muscle function. The main source of calcium is all milk and milk products, such as cheese and yogurt. The recommended milk consumption for preschoolers is 200 ml every day.

In order for calcium to be absorbed properly in the body, match the child's calcium source with foods high in vitamin D. Apart from food, vitamin D is often found in sun exposure.

Is It True that Formula Milk Babies are Vulnerable Overweight?

WHO and the Indonesian Ministry of Health recommend that babies get exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of their lives. However, some babies may not be breastfed for various reasons. Indeed, because the mother's milk does not come out, the baby cannot suckle properly, or there is also because the mother does not want to breastfeed her baby. Finally, babies are given formula milk as their main food. However, is it true that formula milk babies are easily overweight?

Research shows formula babies are more susceptible to obesity

Breast milk is the best food for babies, so mothers are advised to give their babies breast milk only during the first six months of a baby's life. However, some babies have sometimes been given formula milk early for various reasons. You may have to be careful, because giving formula milk to babies can actually make babies overweight. Not only in her infancy, but it can also have an impact until she grows up.

Reported from the pages of The Guardian, research shows that baby milk bottles can become obese when they are adults. At least as much as 20% of obesity in adults is caused by excess eating in infancy, as said by Professor Atul Singhal of the MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Center at the Institute of Child Health in London.

Why can formula babies be overweight compared to breastfed babies?

Apparently there are many reasons that can explain why infant formula milk or baby milk bottles can be overweight.

1. Formula is easier for babies to consume

Baby milk bottles are more susceptible to overeating because they will easily swallow all milk given through bottles. The milk given may be more than what he needs, so this can increase his appetite in the future. Meanwhile, breastfed babies must work harder to get breast milk. He is also more able to limit his own intake of breastmilk which he sucks from the mother's breast, so that he can better control his appetite.

2. Formula milk contains more protein and fat

seen from the content, formula milk contains high protein, high fat, and high in sugar. This certainly can make formula milk babies more easily experience excess calorie intake, making it easier to experience weight gain.

Infant formula can consume around 70% more protein than breastfed babies at the age of 3-6 months. This is not good because very high protein intake can stimulate the release of more insulin. As a result, there is a buildup of more fat in the baby's body.

3. Formula milk can increase a baby's appetite

Infant formula can become less sensitive to leptin later on. Leptin is a hormone that regulates appetite and body fat. Lack of body sensitivity to leptin can make a baby's appetite become large, so that overeating. In the end, this causes the baby to be overweight or obese.

Breastfeeding baby breast milk is believed to have a positive impact on leptin levels during infancy and toddlers. This makes the baby more familiar with the condition of "hunger and satiety" in his body, so he can set his own food intake so as not to overdo it.

Children May Not Eat Popcorn Carelessly, Experts Expose

You may have heard the news of a two-year-old child who died due to popcorn choking that occurred in the United States. The reason, the size of popcorn that is not so big it can cause unexpected calamities. So, can children actually eat popcorn or not? Approximately what age can children eat popcorn? Find out the answer below.

When can a child eat popcorn?

Foods that are small but hard enough like popcorn, hard candy, grains, and nuts should not be offered to children before they reach the age of at least four or five years. Because the food like this can make children choke.

Even if you want to provide these foods when the child is old enough, make sure that the parents or caregivers really monitor them. Usually corn kernels are hard and cannot be bitten on the ends of popcorn. Well, make sure this part does not enter the child's mouth. Teach children to melt corn seeds that cannot be swallowed or other foods.

What happens when a child chokes?

Children under five years old (toddlers) are the group most at risk of choking. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the US, choking is one of the most common causes of death for toddlers.

When a child chokes, it means that there are objects covering the trachea (airway) so that the air does not flow normally into or out of the lungs. This condition makes the child unable to breathe smoothly. The trachea is usually protected by a small valve made from cartilage, the epiglottis. Epiglottis will cover the trachea every time someone swallows. This allows food to eventually enter through the esophagus and not enter the trachea.

Infants and young children have a smaller size in the airways so they are prone to choking when eating popcorn when compared to adults. The risk of choking depends on the size, shape, or texture of the food. Foods that are round, hard, hard to chew, or slippery will easily slide into the throat and block the airway.

If it is not immediately treated, this can make the child unable to breathe and eventually may lead to death.

How to prevent children from choking

Actually children can choke not because they eat popcorn. Other foods or objects that the child enters into the mouth can also increase the chance of choking. Well, here are some things parents can do to prevent children from choking.

• Never leave a small child without being watched while eating, there must be direct supervision

• Children must sit upright when eating, must have enough teeth, and muscle abilities and development needed to chew and swallow selected foods

• Remember, not all children are at the same level of development, children with special care needs are very vulnerable to the risk of choking.

• Children must have a quiet and unhurried meal time, including when eating snacks.

• Avoid foods that pose a risk of small, hard-packed chokes such as raw carrots, nuts, popcorn, wine, etc.

• Cut the food into small pieces, remove the seeds or thorns if they are in the food.

• Don't let children chew food while playing, walking, or riding a car

Parents and child nurses should have a basis for doing first aid techniques such as CPR, Heimlich Maneuver, or Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to guard themselves if the child experiences choking can be handled immediately and note the important telephone number to ask for help.

• Signs of a child choking and need immediate help
• Children cannot breathe
• Children gasping for breath
• Children become speechless, but only cry
• Change to blue
• Looks panic
• Fainted

What should be done if the child chokes?

1. Take the object or food

If you can still see objects that make the airway blocked, try taking it. However, do not get pushed in and do not repeatedly insert your finger. You can actually make things worse to make the object more difficult to lift.

2. Ask the child to cough

If the child becomes coughing, leave it alone. Encourage them to continue coughing and do not leave their own children without parental supervision.

3. Look for help

If your child coughs is ineffective (not fit or can't breathe properly when coughing), seek medical help immediately or take the child to the nearest health service. However, when taking a child to the hospital, be careful not to shake the child so that the choking gets worse.