Capital Pediatrics Group
  • Home
  • About
  • Meet Us
    • Dr. Hughes
    • Dr. Frank
    • Dr. Mani
    • Dr. Treybig
    • Dr. Ma
  • Offices
  • Visits
  • Education
    • Blog
  • Forms

Picky Eater - Life Hacks

1/29/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
Is your child particular when it comes to food? Here are some life hacks for the picky eater...
​
One of the most common problems with young children, especially around ages three to six, is at the dinner table.

Children at this age are notorious for refusing to eat food. It doesn't matter if it is Pizza or broccoli, or whether they loved it the day before. Children can be picky and often without reason. The child loves mustard, cheese, and bologna, but throws a tantrum refusing to eat all three in a sandwich. We have some handy tools for you to not only get your child to eat, but to eat healthy food:


-Withhold the drink until they have made decent progress into their meal. The stubborn child will take one bite, one sip, one bite and one sip, filling themselves up early off liquid. Children who do this are legitimately full, and it is unhealthy to force them to eat more.

-Make it simple, no need to have a battle over eating. If they refuse to eat, there is no need to argue about it or fight; this can lead to other problems outside the meal. Allow them to excuse themselves, but keep their plate. If they are hungry 30 minutes later, they can have another shot at finishing their meal.

-Hide the veggies. Add shredded spinach in the ground beef of a burger, cauliflower mixed with rice and mash potatoes, when preparing spaghetti, use veggie noodles and dice up veggies in the sauce they won’t even notice you did it.

-Place the reward treat in front of them. If they get a piece of candy for eating well, place it just past the plate so they can stare at it and have a visual goal in mind.

-
They will see they can’t win and give up. Children may be stubborn at times and refuse to eat very much for a few days, but eventually, they will see they can’t win and give up. A day or two with minimal food will not have any real adverse health effects to worry about long-term.

-Enforce a three bite rule for new foods. Even if they claim to hate it, make them take a bite or two even if they do not finish it. It takes about TEN times to acquire a taste for something. Eventually, they will become more accustomed to it, but you don’t have to force them to eat all of something they genuinely do not like. There will be foods they have a strong distaste for. Be mindful to avoid those few things they prefer the least.

-Eat by example. NEVER talk about foods you hate in front of the child. Bell Peppers are the most horrid torture ever laid on the Earth, but when the child is around, I force it down to set an example.

-Make eating fun. Last night we had broccoli and chicken dinosaurs, the dinosaur was eating the ‘trees.’ Making eating fun will help a lot, they are young, they don’t have to be prim and proper at the dinner table. We can work out manners in another year or so. Baby steps people.

-Try giving them some authority. Five-year-olds are at an age where they are trying to exert authority. Give them some. When it is time for meal preparation, give them a selection of two or three things and let them choose. Also, find a way to have them help you cook, even if it is just adding a bit of salt to a burger patty. They will be proud of something they helped create, you can praise their skill, and will make them want to eat something they helped create.

Finally and most important. Children are stubborn as can be; they will fight you just for the sake of fighting you. I once took pride in how irrationally stubborn I could be, until I have been shown up by someone who learned to poopoo in the toilet just a year ago. He has shown me what willpower is. My five-year-old LOVES pancakes, his eyes light up when I make them. He refuses to eat it and challenges just to be stubborn on principal because his mom does not like them. You MUST BE MORE STUBBORN. Do not give in, do not offer them a substitute meal, do not let them have only crackers if they didn’t eat. Be firm and consistent, and they will give up.

Nothing will work perfect, and they will fight you until they grow out of it no matter what, but this will lessen the degree of being stubborn. Good luck!

Helpful links to recipes and other feeding related tips to use with your kids:

https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/02/10-reasons-kids-picky-eaters.html
https://howdoesshe.com/15-hidden-vegetable-recipes-kids-will-actually-eat/
http://eatfresh.org/healthy-lifestyle/feeding-children/new-foods-might-take-many-tries-your-child-likes-it
​https://www.wired.com/2011/08/12-smart-ways-to-make-healthy-foods-fun/

1 Comment

What You Need to Know About the 2018 Flu Vaccine

1/16/2018

2 Comments

 
2017-2018 Flu Vaccine, What You Need to Know.
1. The flu virus is a common and unpredictable illness, and it can cause serious complications and death, even in healthy children.  The best way to protect your child is by getting the flu vaccine each year.   According to recent studies, At least 101 children died from the flu in the 2016-2017 seasons.

​The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older, including children and adolescents. Especially out of home caregivers and caregivers of children with high risk conditions including all children under the age of 5.

2. Even though it may seem late, now is the time to get your child vaccinated.  Flu vaccine shipments have already arrived.  Call your local Pediatrician to schedule your appointment. 

3. People DO NOT get the flu from the flu vaccine.  The Flu vaccines are made from killed viruses. Mild symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and chills, can occur. The side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild and resolve quickly. The most common side effects are pain and tenderness at the site of injection as with any other vaccine. Fever can also be seen within 24 hours after immunization. 

4. This year’s flu vaccine is only available by injection.  The nasal form of the vaccine was not found to be as effective.   

5. Can I still get the Flu if I have been vaccinated?  Yes. Previous studies have shown that the flu vaccines are about 60% effective. The good news is that vaccinated people who do get the flu usually get a milder form of the virus. People who are not vaccinated will be more likely to be in bed longer with fever feeling miserable and could develop a secondary infection like pneumonia.  

6. The flu vaccine can be given at the same time your child receives his/her other vaccines. It is also important to note that children 6 months through 8 years of age may require 2 doses of the vaccine spaced one month apart to be fully protected. These children should receive their first dose as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

Please contact the office to schedule your child’s Flu Vaccine today:

Central Office: 1100 West 39 ½ Street, Austin, TX 78756 
Phone: 512-454-4545 

North Office: 4100 Duval Rd., Bldg 4, Ste. 100, Austin, TX 78759 
Phone: 512-250-0220 

Additional Resources:
  • Flu.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Preventing the Flu: Resources for Parents & Child Care Providers
 
2 Comments

5 Reasons to Involve Your Child in the Kitchen this Holiday Season

1/4/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here are 5 great ways to involve your child in the kitchen that will not only teach them useful skills but also help them build confidence.

Engage other senses.
It can be a challenge raising a picky eater, but some of these challenges can be overcome by encouraging your young ones to join you in the kitchen. Did you know that taste not only includes the sensations on your tongue but also smelling with your nose? For many children it causes anxiety to try new and foreign foods. However, if they participate in the cooking process they can be familiar with the ingredients along the way. Encourage them to touch, taste, or smell new ingredients to build familiarity.

Use cooking to raise smart kids.
Many lessons can be taught in the kitchen. Children learn the process of planning and completing a project by following a recipe. This can also provide children with a sense of fulfillment. Children can also learn math skills such as adding and measuring.

Make cooking part of the family culture.
Family meal time does not have to start at the table. You can create family traditions and make memories by cooking together as a family. This is a great way to pass down recipes from your cultural heritage and teach your children the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It is also beneficial to share with your child some of your holiday traditions that often revolve around meals. Share with them the meaning of your traditions and encourage them to help you maintain these seasonal traditions.

Keep it safe.
It is very important to teach your children the proper skills to stay safe in the kitchen. Show them how you can use a hot pad to protect your hands from heat and how to hold kitchen utensils properly. When you involve your child in the kitchen make sure to keep in mind their abilities. Assign simple tasks like rinsing produce and tearing lettuce leaves to ensure the safety of little ones in the kitchen.

Ask for input.
Help your children feel more included by involving them in the meal planning and preparation process. Ask them what recipes they would like to make and have them help you shop at the market. When you are cooking together let your child critique the recipe and discuss what you do and do not like together. Overall these tips will help your children feel more included and build more confidence in the kitchen.
 
Reference: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Cooking-With-Your-Children.aspx
0 Comments

    Archives

    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Central Office: 1100 West 39 ½ Street, Austin, TX 78756 Ph: 512-454-4545 Fx: 888-653-3677
North Office: 4100 Duval Rd., Bldg 4, Ste. 100, Austin, TX 78759 Ph: 512-250-0220 Fx: 888-965-0796

​
Email: cappedswellchecks@gmail.com

We’re all providers and teachers and students every day — working, learning, inspiring and growing. 
That’s the Capital Mission.  The Capital Promise.  And the Capital Difference.