Having a baby is a wonderful, life-changing event, but it comes with a huge learning curve and a whole heap of emotions. If you’re feeling constantly down and you can’t shake it off, you will need to seek treatment from a professional to feel better. But there are natural remedies for postpartum depression that can help with the recovery process.
In this article, we will go through the nine ways to care for postpartum depression with natural treatments that can be accessed easily and affordably, so you can continue to look after your newborn and take care of your physical and mental health too (because you count as well, don’t forget that while you’re knee deep in nappies and mess!)
The baby blues vs postpartum depression
Amid the newborn cuddles, you’re feeling anxious, tired and fed up, with fluctuating mood swings that could rival any major roller coaster. Baby blues are quite common after birth and are mostly down to the peaks and troughs of hormones and broken sleep. It’s normal to feel down, especially if you’ve experienced birth trauma and you’re struggling to feed your newborn while dealing with uncomfortable lochia. But how do you know if the baby blues are a more serious case of postpartum depression?
Baby blues happen two to three days after birth and the postpartum period should subside after a couple of weeks, but postpartum depression sticks around for up to a year or longer if left untreated and can lead to postpartum psychosis, which is a serious mental illness. National data shows that 1 in 10 women each year suffer from postpartum depression and without support, these symptoms may impact you, your family and your baby. Postpartum depression cannot be treated alone, but with the right help, most sufferers can make a full recovery. If you are ready to seek help, reach out to residential mental health services in Florida to learn more about what kind of treatment is available.
What causes postpartum depression?
There can be several causes of postpartum depression, but it may be difficult to pin it down to one distinct cause because there isn’t a singular test for depression. Some factors can include:
A difficult pregnancy
A stressful/negative event that’s happened, like loss, domestic violence or illness
A difficult/stressful childbirth and problems with baby
Unplanned/unwanted pregnancy
Lack of support
Substance abuse
Chemical imbalance in the brain
Postpartum depression symptoms
As mentioned before, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all symptom that makes it clear you are suffering from postpartum depression, but some depression signs can include:
Severe mood swings, I.e. feeling angry one moment and then sad the other – but not feeling any joy
Extreme fatigue – unable to bring yourself to do anything because you’re too tired, but you can’t sleep
Severe change in appetite
No interest in activities which you’d normally enjoy
Feeling withdrawn from people around you – unable to socialise
Low self-worth
Having thoughts about hurting yourself or the baby
Rejecting the baby
Persistent physical problems, like tummy ache or headache
How does postpartum depression affect the infant?
One study found that postnatal depression has negative consequences for both mum and baby up to three years because of the impact on interaction with the baby. Depressed women are caught in a vicious cycle of becoming sadder and angrier, which means their personal development as well as child development is effected. The health of the mother is associated with the health of the child, both indirectly and directly.
How is postpartum depression typically treated?
Understanding why you have postpartum depression is the key to treatment, resulting in a full recovery, although it can take time. There are three main types of treatment which are:
Self help – this involves talking to family and friends about feelings and taking the time to do the things you enjoy
Psychological therapy – this involves a GP referring you to a self-help course or therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Antidepressants if your depression is more severe or the other two treatments haven’t helped
Your GP can go through the pros and cons of each treatment, but in this article, we will concentrate on the self-help aspect of treatment which you can do at home.
What will happen if postpartum depression is left untreated?
In some cases, mild postpartum depression can go away on its own or if treated via self-help or psychological therapy. But more severe postpartum depression cases require treatment and if left untreated can continue for a long time or become more serious and impact mum and family.
Can natural remedies help? Nine natural remedies for postpartum depression
As mentioned before, postpartum depression needs to be treated professionally, but there are ways to help ease symptoms. Here are nine tips on how to ease symptoms of postpartum depression with natural treatments.
Keep your immediate living area organised
‘Me’ time is achievable and important
Take care of what you eat
Get some form of exercise in daily
Fresh air does wonders
Watch your lifestyle
Surround yourself with a support network
Get your sleep where and when you can
Get professional help (including complementary and alternative medicine)
1. Keep your living area organised
This may not have been a remedy you would have considered because, let’s face it, who has time to do the dishes when you’re feeding around the clock and living on broken sleep? But, in an otherwise turbulent environment, regaining order, however small, will help you feel you’re more in control of what’s going on around you.
Even something as simple as where you have situated yourself for the first six weeks after birth, whether that be in bed or on the couch, keeping that area tidy and organised can help you feel you’re not living in a chaotic world. For example, try to keep your living space/bed/sleep area tidy – whether it’s investing in space-saving furniture like fitted wardrobes or beds with in-built storage, or having a makeshift corner where you can keep things you use daily close to hand. It might not be a tidy home – and that’s ok, you and baby come first – a tidy production line can help you feel you’re staying on top of things each day.
2. ‘Me’ time is achievable and important
Me time? What’s that, I hear you ask.
It seems a long way away when you threw away those birth control pills and your social life went with it.
While having a baby is a joyous event that marks a precious new chapter, the initial period of adjusting to a new arrival can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. To maintain your physical and mental health in the weeks and months after giving birth, it’s important to practice self-care and take some time for yourself.
‘Me’ time is that all-important time to do something for yourself that makes you happy or keeps you sane. It can be five minutes of quiet time in your bedroom, or it can be a quick trip to the shops, or even the hairdressers.
Balance your mind and body through mindfulness and relaxation
Take this moment now and say ‘STOP!’ Put whatever it is you’re doing down (unless you’re in the middle of a feed) and close your eyes. Any thoughts that come to your mind about your body after birth acknowledge them and then wave them away. Focus on how you are feeling at that moment. If your baby is feeding, focus on what you are doing to feed your baby. What does she/he smell like? What does your breast milk or her bottle of milk smell like? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty?
Focusing on the present moment is called mindfulness and it allows you to push unnecessary thoughts away so that you can concentrate only on the here and now. Now breathe in and exhale deeply, blowing the excess air away through your lips. The action can bring balance instantly when there is turmoil around you. Do this every day for just five minutes (longer is better) and you find you can tackle the world around you once you’ve given yourself a break.
Practice yoga
Utilise rare silence and get some Zen back into your life with yoga. You can find some free YouTube videos, from beginner to advanced, to help you wind down and relax after a hectic day of kids and to-do lists!
Yoga is proven to be one of the most effective ways of keeping the mind and body young and happy.
Meditation
If you can’t or won’t do yoga, then consider meditation. When you’ve had a physically and mentally exhausting day and you haven’t clocked in enough sleep hours, then taking time to be alone, even if it’s just five minutes, is an even more important thing to do.
You may think, wait, I haven’t got time to do that; I have a new baby!
Find five minutes.
In those five minutes, you want to maximise your breathing efficiency as it’s the best way to calm your body down and lower those stress levels. You don’t have to lie down, you can sit up too, but the point is to stop the world for five minutes and concentrate on your breath.
The trick is not to overthink it (ha!) Either sit on a chair or cross-legged on the floor, so your spine is straight and upright. Either open or close your eyes, whatever makes you feel more comfortable and softly focus your mind on your breathing. Breathe in and out naturally, gradually trying to make the inhales and exhales longer and deeper. If you’re having trouble with this, you can count each exhale.
Then concentrate on breathing in for four, holding your breath for seven, and then breathing out slowly for eight. A few times doing this and you’ll notice that your mind and body are more at peace and when you check back into reality you are more focussed on the tasks ahead. You can also end up being more productive too and this 4-7-8 breathing technique, if you continue to do it every day, multiple times a day, can actually aid digestion, sleep and the respiratory system. You can find more mindfulness and meditation techniques here.
Obviously, it’s impossible to switch off the brain completely, but taking the time to be with yourself and meditating is a powerful tool to strengthen the mind and body and, ultimately, de-stress more successfully. Meditation aids spiritual growth and reduces stress exponentially, ultimately increasing overall health and providing your body with stronger immunity to stressful situations.
Total body stretching
Have you ever placed your arms above your head after being in one position for a long time, stretched your body, and heard your spine creak and moan in response? It’s amazing how we don’t take time out to stretch our bodies and how knotted our back becomes during the day. A lot of stress comes from the extra pressure we add from bad posture, or we are bending our backs and not our knees to lift heavy objects off the floor. These movements have harsh, long-term effects on our body.
When cats wake up from their catnaps, they stretch their entire body out before they pounce about nimbly like ninjas. Stretching like a cat when you wake up, coupled with long, deep breaths, not only stretch out your muscles and realign your bones, but the instant rush of oxygen through your body wakes you up faster than a double shot espresso.
Try it. As soon as you wake up, inhale deeply as you stretch your arms above your head and elongate the legs so you are as straight as an arrow. Then exhale deeply through pursed lips as you enjoy the stretch. It feels so great afterwards!
Just as a bonus point, if you inhale through the nose and exhale through pursed lips, you are increasing your breathing efficiency and enhancing your tolerance for exercise. That means you can endure longer, tougher workouts.
Take care of your skin
From the late-night feeds to the infrequent meals and lack of time to shower, your skin will experience a whole myriad of attacks and may look dry, patchy and older. It’s essential to find a few minutes twice a day (generally morning and night) to hydrate your skin with a good natural skincare routine. I swear by Infinatura Cura Oil* which is a serum that contains eight 100% natural elements and hydrates the skin very well. You will notice a massive improvement in your skin after only a few applications. Coconut oil* is also great for the body and hair and saves you time and money looking for other skincare products.
Don’t worry about that post-baby body in the pictures! Capture the memory forever with your newborn and book a family shoot that immortalises those precious first moments. If you have other children, they’ll be grateful for the memories later when they look back at how young and free they were once upon a time.
Get online
Nowadays most of us have smartphones, tablets and laptops, and if you want a quick break, or to do something in betwen those long feeding times, these devices can be a great means for a fun time. There are different types of games for mums which you can enjoy online.
Mind Games
Keeping the mind alive helps you stay attentive when looking after your child. There are tons of great apps on smartphones, desktops and tablets that are designed to train your cognitive skills and achieve optimum brain fitness. So, if you have an app-worthy device, then take five minutes to download one and test those skills. As we get older, we become less likely to indulge in the computer games that we used to play when we were younger.
Although some people still play on their PS4s well into their thirties (my husband) we just don’t have that much free time to allocate any more. I am a huge advocate of brain training games and have even noticed my brain speed increasing after playing many a Solitaire Bliss, Sudoku, crossword and IQ type games.
However, if you fancy something that really tests the brain cells, then intellectual games such as Chess or the oriental game of Go is ideal. And, there are plenty of opportunities to play free chess games online with real people. Whatever your level, from beginner to master, you will always find people to play with.
A little night-time facial massage ritual
About twenty minutes before I intend to go to bed, I start my night-time beauty ritual. I take the time to cleanse and wash my face, but when I moisturise, I perform a mini facial for a few moments to massage the stressful day away. I try to incorporate a lymphatic drainage massage, which helps drain any blocked sinuses and tension headaches. I then massage the top of my head, which encourages the blood circulation and natural oils to the hair (also helps to thicken the hair too!)
Just doing this for a few minutes every evening immediately calms me down, relaxes the brain and refreshes my skin. Plus, I’ve noticed my hair and skin looking softer and smoother too.
Reward yourself with things that are just for you
Be kind to yourself and reward yourself from time to time after you have achieved the goals you have set for yourself. These can be anything from a long bubble bath to a new hairstyle.
Another great example could be to reward yourself for getting in some exercise and allowing yourself to invest in a designer pair of sneakers. You can find some gorgeous Gucci sneakers and other high-end designer training shoes at luxury designer retailer SSENSE that will make you want to spend as much time working out as you can just to wear them.
Order a takeaway
Sometimes it’s better when someone else cooks! But, if you don’t have that luxury at home, then you can enjoy the finer things in life. Grab a takeaway and tuck in! It may only be for a few hours, but such an evening will help you relive the blissful early days – better still, if you can enjoy some adult time with your partner too, that’s two birds and one stone!
Treat yourself to some new clothes – even if they’re a couple of sizes bigger!
The consensus on losing weight after pregnancy is that it takes nine months to grow a baby, so it will take nine months to lose the post-baby belly. But, even after the nine months have been and gone, you may still struggle to lose that extra weight. The entire process seems to take forever and you’re too tired to exercise.
Please allow yourself a break and embrace the weight gain after pregnancy. Your body just delivered a brand new baby, which is pretty darn amazing, so give yourself the chance to heal and recover naturally. You could always look for a post-pregnancy workout to try when you get the opportunity and you could try a belly band to hold in the stomach and keep things tight around your waist.
However, if the changes to your stomach have a big impact on how you view yourself and your confidence, then the option of surgical enhancements is available as a last resort. What exactly do surgical enhancements mean? What is abdominoplasty? Click the link for further information, but chances are your partner hasn’t even noticed the extra few inches on your after-pregnancy body.
So why don’t you use this chance to treat yourself to some new flattering post-pregnancy clothes, which will not only help you feel better in your post-baby body but make you feel well enough to spark that road to recovery? Here are some ideas for what you could wear:
Colourful outerwear
When the season changes and the temperature cools down, you may be thankful for the opportunity to hide those new lumps and bumps in an oversized coat. But wearing what may resemble a tent may make you end up looking bigger overall. Opt for a light wearing bright mac, like the Packaway Mac from Bonmarche, which works perfectly to protect you against the rain and drapes over the post-baby belly without making you look like The Hulk. A Gilet can also cover you in colder weather without making you look frumpy.
A flowy top that drapes over the waist
A flowy top like the above Butterfly Print Top with Side Tie allows the top to fit over the shoulder and arms, creating a smaller frame while falling to the side, so it doesn’t cinch at the waist. The side tie allows for more flexibility, so as you slowly lose weight, you can tighten or loosen the tie according to how you feel that day. Flexibility is kind to your post-baby body!
Layered clothes can create vertical lines and disguise the belly
Layering is very effective at elongating the body, as it creates the illusion of vertical lines that distract the eye from your stomach. Try adding a shrug to a flowing dress like the above 2 in 1 Dress with Shrug or a double-layered top* accessorised with a flowing necklace, which creates a classic and versatile look that lengthens the body with an elegant chiffon overlayer.
Team up with some comfy leggings that hug at the waist lightly, and you can shed inches off your overall body without needing to hit the gym. N.B – Don’t forget that those celebrities who look amazing with a baby after birth employ personal trainers, chefs and nannies to get that toned stomach because they have the money to spend on these luxuries, which, is what they are – luxuries!
You would look like them too if you had that kind of money – and time. Eventually, you will get your mojo back and you will feel human again – but it takes time, so give yourself the luxury of time.
Make sure your undergarments are comfortable and supportive
You may not be in the mood to strip down to your unmentionables anytime soon, especially when you still have those lingering hormones after pregnancy, a wobbly belly, and drooping boobs. But, getting yourself measured for a well-fitting bra will not only make you feel better about yourself, but it will also reduce the back pain after pregnancy and from prolonged wear of ill-fitting bras.
Investing in some supportive post-pregnancy underwear that holds everything in will make you feel tighter and more confident. You could lose a dress size by just holding that post-pregnancy stomach in with some Spanx or a belly support band! There are loads of excellent tummy shaping underwear in the shops these days, so it’s worth getting measured up and then browsing the stores.
You may find it easier to shop online while your baby sleeps, but make sure you go in and get your bra size measured, as you may not receive an accurate reading using just online tools.
Dance or listen to music
Remember, before you had kids when you’d go out to clubs and dance the night away? Pour a couple of drinks, turn up the music and enjoy a little rhythmic exercise! Go contemporary with music choices or pop some tango or salsa music on for a little Latin passion!
If you can’t or won’t dance, then at least pop in your earphones/headphones and crank up your favourite tunes on Spotify. Music acts as a great therapy for a stressful day as it allows you to forget about your problems for a moment or two and engross you into the melody.
Do absolutely nothing
Do absolutely nothing? How is that possible when you have a newborn? When they’re asleep, just leave the toys on the floor, take a seat on the couch and put your feet up. Close your eyes and banish all thoughts from your mind. Do the mindfulness ritual I mentioned above. Remember, five minutes is enough to lower the blood pressure and unwind after the day’s busy events. If you’re anything like me, you’ll do nothing for twenty minutes instead.
Write without thinking
Few people understand the healing benefits of writing how you feel. So, grab yourself a pen and paper – or a laptop – make yourself a cuppa and write the first thing that comes to your mind. Soon your creative juices will flow and you’ll be surprised at what comes out on the other side. The next J.K. Rowling maybe?
Avoid blackhole behaviour
Blackhole behaviour is when you have spare time on your hands (shocking!) and you choose to sit around doing nothing for longer than the five minutes I mentioned earlier. You might watch a show, scroll through social media, or play a game on your phone. Eventually, you realise several hours have passed by and you’ve done nothing productive.
Stop throwing time into the black hole of the abyss and make the most of your rare occasions of ‘me’ time that last longer than a mere moment.
Speak to an adult about anything unrelated to kids
We sometimes feel that because we speak to children all day, our brain cells are slowly dying on us. I’ve been guilty of not being able to switch off the baby talk when an adult speaks to me. And, constantly repeating, “No, don’t do that,” or “Put that back!” can put a drain on your brain.
So, call up a dear friend or family member and just spout meaningless nonsense to them about nothing in particular that has nothing to do with your children. Or, ask them how they are and just listen. You’ll be surprised at how talking about something that is not related to your day can supercharge you into picking yourself up in the morning and grabbing that routine with bare hands.
Plus, you may realise that some other people’s lives can be more mundane or difficult and you will go to bed feeling lucky that you get to wake up in the morning and see your beautiful baby’s smiles every day.
On an aside, a friend of mine has just come back from New York on a business trip, so I like to live vicariously through her travels while I sit at home with four kids and manage my workload. I can at least feel like I’m there with my friend and it takes my mind of my to-do list!
Get your mojo back
We are guilty of forgetting our worth and not having the energy to bother with your health and wellbeing appearance.
Give yourself some time to breathe after birth an then get that mojo back! Do you remember what you were like before you had kids? Do you remember how it felt to dress up? Take time for yourself and do a mini up, personal fashion show just for yourself or for that lucky partner and just be silly. When the kids are in bed, get out your makeup and simply experiment.
Do up your hair and take lots of pictures. Then, when you’re feeling down and troubled, or simply drained, take out those pictures and remember what it felt like to be a real person and not just a mum.
Get away from what you’re doing and completely take your mind off it
Stop what you’re doing (if you can) and walk away, or leave the room. Just the act of taking yourself away from a negative situation stimulates your brain cells and allows you to approach your task with renewed vigour. For example, if your baby is screaming and the noise is boiling your blood, put the baby down somewhere safe, like the cot, walk out of the room, take 30 seconds, breathe in and out deeply and then walk back in again to the screaming.
What’s the screaming for? What have you tried already? What can you try to stop the screaming? It’s that act of walking away from the immediate picture, even if it’s for a moment that helps you keep going.
Read more
We can be guilty of telling ourselves we will read more… and then never open up a book. It happens, but reading is a great way to improve your mental health development and boost your emotional wellbeing. Make it a goal to read a little every single day, or even twice a week, and you will see just how much you can learn from a book. Whether it is nonfiction or fiction, reading is a great way to boost your mental health. You can also read on an electronic tablet, which will make reading every day easier.
Manage your stress
Life is stressful, there is no denying that. We can’t always stop the stresses from happening in our lives, but we can do things to relieve them.
Stress can encompass you through various forms in your life, especially during parenthood, when you are faced with extreme situations affecting your children daily.
A 2010 study by the American Psychological Association (APA) surveyed over 2,000 adults and children, with some very interesting results. The study showed that almost 70% of parents believed their own stress barely affected their children – but when speaking to children, this was not the case.
90% of the children who were surveyed stated they could tell when their parents were stressed; because they witnessed their parents arguing or because their parents failed to spend time with them. Many of these children said they felt frustrated, worried and sad as a result, and almost a third of the children complained of stomachaches or headaches because of stress.
So, what to do? These results seem to suggest that postpartum anxiety and stress can be contagious – meaning that when you’re suffering mentally, you may affect the mental health of your children too.
So, it is even more important to divide and conquer all the stressors in your life and keep them as far away from your children as possible. For example, work-related stress can be left at work and discussed with your partner when your child is not around to hear it. Any stress that you may have at home or with your partner can be discussed with them alone and not in front of the children.
Of course, it is better to have an honest outlook on life with your children, so if the stress involves them try to find some common ground where you are not shouting at or ordering your child.
There are tons of things you can do to de-stress, like taking a bath, cooking, or using a weighted blanket. A weighted blanket can help with anxiety and improve the quality of your sleep. Look at this weighted blanket guide to finding one that will help keep you relaxed when you are feeling anxious.
The World Health Organization published an illustrative guide on stress management where you can spend just a few minutes a day on stress techniques to help you with everyday anxiety.
Practice gratitude every day
It is easy to focus on the things that are going wrong in your life, but if you find you’re in a rut, then now is the time to practice gratitude every day. Buy a journal and write down the things you are thankful for, from being able to move your body to having a family who loves you. Journal writing can be very therapeutic which in turn can boost your spiritual wellbeing.
3. Take care of what you eat
It’s easy to neglect your health when all your focus is on caring for the new baby, but it’s essential that you eat regular meals and try to follow healthy lifestyle habits. If you’re struggling to keep up with a schedule or cook regularly, consider batch-cooking and planning your meals weekly, as well as taking postnatal vitamins and supplements.
Don’t worry about counting calories or actively watching what you eat. As long as you are adopting a healthy post-baby diet and eating everything in moderation, i.e. plenty of fruits and vegetables, protein, carbs and even fat (good fats) then you’re probably doing the right thing and the weight will fall off naturally.
When you’re a new 24-hour Supermum, it may be easier to graze on snacks throughout the day, but make sure you’re keeping your energy levels up by eating from all food groups. If you want to have a chocolate bar, then have it. Just don’t have ten in one go because it will hinder your chances of losing weight. It’s a good idea to stock your house with lots of snacks like fruit bars, nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate and popcorn.
Don’t forget eating right also aids in natural weight loss too – two birds, one stone! I have had a subscription with Graze since they launched in 2007 because they make it so easy to snack on healthy delicious goodies every week. There are tons of different boxes to choose from and you get a healthy selection of nuts, raisins, fruit and even biscuits with a teabag in the box!
It’s such a lovely treat to get through the letterbox, especially when you’ve just had a baby because it feels like a special present for yourself to enjoy while you’re feeding baby. I love Graze and will continue to subscribe to a box that is only £2.99 (I’m old school, so I pay old school prices).
Your baby will stop you from eating a proper meal, so if you’ve missed dinner, eating the above high-protein snacks will help you feel better and reduce your chances of over-indulging on the bad stuff until you have time to eat later. The trick is to take care of your post-baby body and your baby’s so that you have the strength to get through those tough first few months relatively unscathed.
Make sure you start with the right mindset about food
I know how difficult it is to get out of that vicious cycle of eating bad food once you’re in it and how depressed you become when you turn to more food to make you feel better, even though you know it will only just make you feel worse.
You don’t have to remove everything you enjoy, just think about cutting back on sugar and starch. These foods stimulate insulin, which is the hormone that encourages fat storage. When insulin reduces, the body finds it easier to burn fats instead of carbs. The kidneys also work better and reduce bloating and excess water weight.
If you are eating and drinking more calories than you are burning, then you will not lose weight.
It is a lot easier said than done. I was stuck in a rut, breastfeeding my second baby for two and a half years (not by choice!) and eating more than my fair share of sugar. I felt tired all the time, I was getting sick easily and then, one day, I got so ill (exhaustion brought on a cold, which progressed to flu and then, subsequently, a tummy bug) that I thought I was going to die from some weird virus.
Educating yourself on the importance of nutrients in your diet and what they do to benefit the body is paramount to changing your eating habits. Nutrients also help boost metabolism, which, in turn, aids weight loss.
You find that a lot of the healthy recipes are actually really simple to make and will put you on the road to a healthier mind and body. Plus, your kids will reap the benefits of a new and healthy (and less stressful) mum! You could join slimming clubs like Slimming World, if you need the extra support and nudge to fix your diet.
Start meal planning and working out what you’re going to make during the week
Healthy food, especially fruits and vegetables, especially when you’re buying for a larger family, can be quite expensive. I never really understood why the healthier stuff was always more expensive than junk food in the UK. So, on a modest person’s salary, the safest option is to meal plan, so you don’t buy in excess. I scour the net for recipe ideas all the time, but I generally keep to a non-exhaustive rule when I’m meal planning.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure you have cereals in your cupboard, like oats or Weetabix, which are great because they’re high in fibre and help you go to the loo. Eggs are also really versatile and perfect for breakfast meals, as well as nice wholemeal bread, toasted with a bit of Clover butter (which contains half the saturated fat as other butter).
You can afford to be versatile at lunchtime. Pasta salads are great and keep you full for longer. Even classics like jacket potato with baked beans and cheese are relatively healthy, considering how much cheese you add. You can even opt for sweet potatoes instead of normal potatoes, which are deliciously sweet and gorgeous.
For dinner, if you are a meat-eater, opting for small portions of lean meat and/or chicken as a side dish can drastically change your diet. My mum always used to say that vegetables should be the main part of the dish and not the side, so go for lots of veg with some protein (meat) and carbs (potatoes) to complement and you can’t go wrong with that formula.
Turkey contains half the fat of chicken, so you can even go one step further and replace chicken with turkey. Perhaps go for a nice sandwich with spring onions, spinach (instead of lettuce for that iron boost) and your favourite low fat sauce. I now replace any kind of sauce with either French Mustard or just plain lemon.
Build into the daily plan to eat at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. You can work up some of these vegetables in classic meals like vegetable lasagne, salads and/or pasta dishes. Legumes are super important for your diet. My favourite at the moment is chicken and lentil soup, which the kids also love too. It’s also really low in fat!
I like grilling or roasting vegetables and having them around during the day for snacking. Drizzle on some olive oil or Clover butter and/or sea salt and they taste simply delicious. Other snacks can include carrots, celery and/or wholemeal pita bread slices dipped in hummus, mixed nuts and raisins, and whole-grain crackers with peanut butter (go for the reduced sugar kind and you should be fine).
My absolute favourite snack at the moment is wholemeal Krisprolls with feta cheese and apple slices. You must try it, it’s delectable! For full recipes and meal plans, head to Five for a Fiver where I document 5-ingredient recipes for £5 or less.
Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full
Most of the time, we do not listen to our bodies and overeat to the point of bursting. Not knowing when there is an off switch can lead to becoming overweight because you haven’t given your body enough time to tell you it is full and that it doesn’t need that extra food.
When you find that your stomach is feeling empty, that is the best time to eat a nutritious meal, as the body can absorb all the good bits when it is not trying to digest other heavy foods. Therefore, they say to fill up on fruit at breakfast because you have an empty stomach when you wake up and the nutrients from the fruit can be absorbed by the body quickly and more efficiently.
It is also important to eat consistently, so your sugar levels are not fluctuating throughout the day. Have you ever noticed how much more you want to pig out on bad stuff later on in the day when you skip a meal? It is because your body’s sugar levels are down and it’s looking for sweet stuff to bring it back up. Don’t forget that sugar is only a quick high and you will soon experience that dreaded crash again.
Go for convenience
Another option would be to use a meal subscription service like HelloFresh which is not only convenient but it saves us money in our weekly shop too. Plus, you get everything you need to prepare foods that fit a calorie-controlled diet delivered to your door. You don’t need a restrictive diet, instead eat well and regularly throughout the day to maintain your sugar levels and if you keep it to whole foods, then you will lose weight naturally.
Check your diet and lifestyle
Ensure you are providing yourself with a nutritious balanced diet so you can keep up with vigours of motherhood every day. Consider food supplements to help you with any deficiencies you may suffer from, as we parents know it is difficult to offer ourselves the same time as we afford our children.
Hydrate!
One thing you may forget to do during those first few months, apart from eating, is to hydrate. When you’re dehydrated, you feel drowsy and your brain turns to mush. Having a large bottle of water with you at all times will encourage you to drink those cobwebs away. You may even need over eight glasses or two litres of water a day when you’re breastfeeding, so make sure you take that time to hydrate, because it will bring some life back into your mind and body when you need it the most.
You can find more tips on nutrition, relaxation and health during pregnancy over at Mommy Authority.
4. Get some form of exercise in every day
You want a fit body after pregnancy, but the thought of postnatal exercise when you’re still in recovery mode sends you running under the covers. Maybe you’ve suffered from diastasis recti after pregnancy (separated stomach muscles) and you’re suffering from back pain postpartum, so you do not know how or where to start on your post-baby body workout. Or you’re suffering from postnatal depression and you can just about crawl to the bathroom.
But, what does normality look like after having a baby? Exactly what happens to woman’s body after pregnancy? What do you wear to cover that muffin top now?
You’ll fit into your new normal over time, and it will be sooner than you think. There are tons of gentle exercises and simple diet plans to help you lose your baby weight naturally because, remember, as with any other situation, sudden weight loss is not the way to go and the swift body changes could leave you with nasty, unhealthy side effects which might make you feel worse.
Times have changed and the world is now wising up to those celebrities who claim to have sprung back into their pre-pregnancy clothes with no extra help. It’s not easy to lose weight that quickly without a personal trainer, a nanny or buckets of cash to throw at plastic surgery. A lot of women are even taking up to 18 months to lose weight.
Well, guess what? That’s ok! As long as you’re losing weight healthily, then it shouldn’t matter how long it takes. Your body will be ready when it’s ready. One thing not to do after giving birth is rush into weight loss before you can handle it because it may cause complications later on in life.
It certainly didn’t take me nine months to lose my baby weight. Try doubling that figure… and then adding four months… And, even then, I was still 5kg over my pre-pregnancy weight. In fact, I would say the first time I truly felt like I had hit my pre-pregnancy weight was three and a half years after the birth of my second son.
So, why did it take so long to slim down? I put it down to a lot of fad diets at the beginning and then a good telling off from my mum, who, rightfully educated me on eating right and exercising well. Fast fixes reap short-term benefits, but a healthy and steady weight loss can keep the pounds off for life. Below are some tips on how to lose weight effectively by working together with food and exercise:
Build in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, every day
I believe the key to losing weight healthily is to exercise as well as you eat. This means not over or underdoing it, but getting the blood pumping for at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you walk for ten minutes, climb up the stairs rather than take the lift, run in place for a few minutes or take the stroller out anywhere and everywhere, these activities build up.
If you get your 30 minutes of exercise in a day, then you will slowly start the see the results. You’ll feel stronger, slimmer, and you’ll blow all those cobwebs away from the fuzziness after birth. Just be careful to not do anything strenuous for the first six weeks because your body is still weak and vulnerable. Even post-six weeks, if you feel like your body is not ready, just slow it down.
The natural highs you get from exercising will kick in soon enough and it will make you want to be out and about more. Click here for an awesome stroller workout by Kristen Horler, which should really get those legs moving. And, you get to do it with your baby in tow, so no excuses!
Go for regular exercise that gets the blood pumping
You don’t need to go all out and exercise yourself to exhaustion. In fact, continuously overworking your body is just as bad as not working your body at all. Go for the mantra of getting the blood pumping to the point of being just out of breath and feeling the sweat coming.
Go for a walk or a run
Thirty minutes of exercise is recommended every day and that could be a brisk walk in the park or a run if you’re feeling fitter enough to do more. I find cardio strength exercises are the best form of exercise, where you are increasing the heart rate and building muscle at the same time.
And you don’t have to take the kitchen sink with you when you’re exercising outdoors. Read more here for some great packs that you can run with.
Make exercise a personal priority
Starting a new fitness regime to help yourself meet your weight loss goals can be fun and exciting. But it is important to make sure you are mentally treating the time you spend at the gym or outdoors as an important part of your day, so you don’t skip it just because something came up – because a lot of things will naturally come up. A good way to do this is to mark your workouts in a calendar as if they are important appointments that you cannot miss without a very good reason, and without rescheduling them.
Don’t think ‘I will try and find time to go to the gym later’ – make it a hard date. It may even be easier to workout at home, so you don’t spend the time getting to the gym, showering and then coming back. If you’re busy at work, then a gym may work for you, but if you’re a stay at home mum, working out at home might be easier. If you have small children, then involve them in your exercise routine, like running with the buggy or using them as weights – just be careful not to drop them when you’re working out!
Move your body every day
Exercising does not mean doing an intense workout at 5 a.m. Exercising can be as simple as going for a walk or practising yoga. What is important is that you move your body every single day. Exercise is a great way to de-stress and clear your mind, so make it a point to move your body every day to boost your physical wellbeing.
5. Fresh air does wonders
Walking in the fresh air comes with a multitude of benefits: it’s good for your baby (they learn about the great outdoors), you’ll burn a few calories, and your mood will improve. Also walking after giving birth will help you recover much quicker too.
You can use that time to zone out the noise and enjoy a nice walk around your local park. You may find some of that peace you’ve craved for a while now (well, maybe not in some parts of London, but you’ll still feel miles better than when you were stuck indoors.)
Walking in the fresh air comes with a multitude of benefits: it’s good for your baby (they learn about the great outdoors), you’ll burn a few calories, and your mood will improve. Also walking after giving birth will help you recover much quicker too.
You can use that time to zone out the noise and enjoy a nice walk around your local park. You may find some of that peace you’ve craved for a while now (well, maybe not in some parts of London, but you’ll still feel miles better than when you were stuck indoors.)
How about picking up your best hiking shoes and heading to the hills to take a walk through open nature?
Even if you can’t make it outside because you have a little one who dotes on you 24/7, then use your time spent wisely by popping your head out of the window for five minutes or venturing to the garden. Breathe that fresh air into your lungs and regenerate. If you’re by a tree, breathe the fresh air around it. Trees use photosynthesis to turn our carbon dioxide into the oxygen we need, and fresh air boosts the immune system.
You may have noticed that getting the heart pumping and being out and about seems to reduce cold-like symptoms when you’re feeling rundown. I have done this many times and along with Vitamin D (your body makes this from the sun when you’re outside), water and Vitamin C (like oranges, tomatoes and strawberries) exercise helps bust colds and flu before they hit hard.
So if you combine fresh air with some exercise, i.e. taking a walk outside, you can kick-start that immune system and help your body fight those germs so you can tackle those parental duties with real vigour.
Fresh air boosts happiness too!
6. Watch your lifestyle
Physical health is important and your attitude towards your health will help to shape the attitudes of your children. Disease prevention is a key lesson you can teach your kids from an early age, by taking action on your health and managing a positive lifestyle. Make it a point to book regular eye and dental check-ups for the family. If I hadn’t done this myself then I wouldn’t have known that my then four-year-old needed glasses and my then two-year-old needed regular ear wax cleaning.
If you drink too much, then this will affect your mental wellbeing and your physical health. HARTMANN Direct brought out a guide which talks about the impact alcohol has on your bladder and bowels. Alcoholism can wreak havoc on your heart, your mind and your liver. But, what most people don’t realise is that excessive drinking can also lead to incontinence too.
Alcohol is a powerful diuretic, so even a few drinks can increase your urine production and make you feel you need to go to the loo more often than normal. This excessive urination can lead to dehydration and much more concentrated urine, which can lead to urinary tract and kidney infections. This is because the concentrated urine sits in the bladder and causes irritation and inflammation to the bladder’s lining. And, if you’re not careful, this can quickly spread to your kidneys.
The burning and painful feeling you get during a UTI is down to the urethra and bladder spasming, which can also lead to headaches, back pain, fever and general malaise. Cystitis is also one symptom of a bladder infection and you may feel a sharp pain and see blood in your urine. These issues can damage your quality of life and prevent you from carrying on with your daily tasks, which may impact your children, especially if the discomfort causes you to have erratic behaviour too.
Alcohol can also impair your brain, and this can become very dangerous when looking after your children. This is because your reflexes and brain functions are not as on point as when you are sober. Alcohol can also cause bowel problems like irritation and inflammation of the gut, which can cause diarrhoea.
Be careful to limit or eliminate alcohol when you experience diarrhoea as you are causing damage to your stomach lining and your body is losing nutrients. Have a full meal before drinking so the food can act as a buffer. Food and water can slow down the effects of alcohol and prevent bladder and bowel problems from occurring, as well as overall illness. If you are struggling to quit or you experience delirium tremens (severe form of alcohol withdrawal), consider extra support like alcoholics anonymous to help you break the habit of relying on alcohol to boost your mental state.
The same goes for drugs like crystalline meth / crystal methadone which alter your mental state and impact your ability to look after your kids.
Smoking can affect your health and wellbeing too
The same can be said for smoking. Second-hand smoke can have a huge impact on your baby’ health, which is why many parents now choose to “smoke” an electronic cigarette (you can buy some gourmet-style E-liquid at Redvape.com). Vaping can help to kick the habit and ensure you are working towards creating a healthy home for yourself and your children when you finally stop inhaling anything for good.
Improving your physical and mental health can not only ensure that you live longer, but it also sets an example for your children to lead a healthy life too. So if you have any form of addiction that is harming your health, it needs to be treated ASAP to help yours and your family’s mental state.
7. Surround yourself with a support network
Various studies and controlled trials around the world show that a strong support network around new mothers, especially during the first week, reduces the chances of postnatal depression and that dreaded feeling of burning out. Postpartum care is essential. Ask for help and take it when they offer you the opportunity, whether that means allowing someone else to cook the dinner, tidy up your home or take care of the baby for a couple of hours.
Surround yourself with people you love
If you hang out with people who are toxic and bring bad energy into your life, your personal wellbeing is going to reflect that. You should surround yourself with people you love and people who want the best for you.
Don’t be afraid to seek external help
You can’t do everything by yourself as a full-time parent. Call the grandparents, hire a maid, or consider an au pair while the kids are learning their schoolwork at home or need some entertaining. It may cost money, but peace of mind is priceless. Plus, if you’re able to hire extra help, you may start that business you always wanted to create or go back to work if you haven’t done so yet.
8. Get your sleep where and when you can
It is an overused phrase and it’s guaranteed to make most new mums go mad, especially when you’re wondering, When else will I get the time to have a shower, watch TV, work, or simply make myself something to eat? But, there is a point to this. Sleep regenerates the cells and rejuvenates a tired body, so even an extra 15-minute nap during the day would be enough to make you feel better about yourself and reduce that dreaded onset of sleep deprivation. Sleep also boost your mood and makes you a more pleasant person.
If you’re still feeling the back strain from pregnancy, then look for a mattress for side sleepers with back pain to help with postnatal recovery. Make it a priority in your life to get enough sleep every night where you can, whenever you can get it, and your health will change for the better.
9. Get professional help (including complementary and alternative medicine)
While all these natural treatment for postpartum depression steps can contribute toward improved physical and mental well-being in the postnatal period, it’s essential that you investigate and seek mental health care and support through the NHS if you feel as though you’re struggling – don’t be afraid to seek professional help where it’s needed and remember that your mental health is a key priority for both yourself and your child.
Your doctor may discuss unconventional as well as conventional treatments for postpartum depression like light therapy, a low dietary intake with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Your doctor may also discuss common CAM therapies for treating postpartum depression, like aromatherapy and reflexology.
Some pregnant women may suffer from perinatal depression and so their doctor would have already laid treatment steps and monitored recovery during birth and the fourth trimester.
Key topics to discuss at postpartum visits
“The comprehensive postpartum visit should include a full assessment of physical, social, and psychological well-being, including the following domains: mood and emotional well-being; infant care and feeding; sexuality, contraception, and birth spacing; sleep and fatigue; physical recovery from birth; chronic disease…”
Bonus point – Look at your baby and remember why you’re doing all of this in the first place
If you are stressed and in a state of panic, especially if you’re losing yourself to motherhood because A, B, and C have not been done, stop what you’re doing (it’s only five minutes, remember, don’t worry) and just take a moment to laugh and play with your baby. It’s amazing how the simple act of smiling can boost your mood instantly. Babies seem to make you forget about your problems, especially when they’re giggling.
They don’t see your body postpartum; the bulge, your stretch marks, your dark circles, or that you haven’t been out of your pyjamas all day. Your body is the reason they are alive right now. In a blink of an eye, they’ll be all grown up and they won’t want those nighttime cuddles or extra attention anymore.
You are so selflessly sacrificing your life to ensure they have the best start in theirs, ready to flee the nest and live in their own exciting world. I know it’s hard, but enjoy the time while you can when they’re a big ball of love because time flies so fast when you have your amazing children with you.
The important message to take away from this article is that downtime and to take time for yourself are just as important as being busy and staying on top of all your tasks. There is no depression test, so if you are having negative feelings that are affecting the way you look after your baby, then seek professional help so you can start your treatment plan. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medication to help speed up that road to recovery.
FAQ
What is postpartum depression? What are its causes and cure? Why does it happen and in which situation?
Other questions asked were:
Can depression and anxiety be treated and cured with homeopathy?
Can homeopathy cure depression and anxiety?
How do I deal with postpartum depression? What are the symptoms?
What’s postpartum depression?
What are the symptoms of depression?
What are signs of depression?
What are the signs of depression?
Read the article above for more information on postpartum depression and what to do.
How is postpartum depression treated?
Other questions asked were:
What are the treatment options for postpartum depression?
“SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most widely used and most researched medication for postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.”
how to help postpartum depression without medication
how to help postpartum depression at home
Treatment recommendations for postpartum depression
Lifestyle and home remedies
How can I treat postpartum depression naturally?
“Build a secure bond with your baby. Emotional bonding is the secure attachment that forms between parents and children. …
Take care of yourself. …
Slowly reintroduce exercise. …
Build a support network. …
Try psychotherapy and medication.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320005
What is the best Ayurvedic or homeopathic treatment for depression and anxiety?
Other questions asked were:
Which is the best medication available today for depression and anxiety, whether it is in allopathy Ayurveda homeopathy or others?
What is the best Allopathy medicine for anxiety and depression?
Can homeopathy medicine control anxiety and panic disorders?
“Several controlled and non-placebo controlled studies demonstrate that moderate to severe depression has been successfully treated with homeopathy, with efficacy superior to placebo and comparable to fluoxetine, and the safety of homeopathic treatment has also been demonstrated.”
Is lithium carbonate ever used to treat postpartum depression?
“Prescription lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) has been used for decades to treat some mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder depression. Oral lithium (also called lithium carbonate) is derived from the natural element lithium.”
“Ashwagandha is also an good healing herb for postpartum support. It helps to produce mil, ease stress and rebuild physical strength. Studies show that ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits. The root is an adaptogenic herb, which helps the body adapt to stressors.”
https://www.mofga.org/resources/herbs/ashwagandha
What herbs help with postpartum?
“Antibacterial plants: Sage, Thyme, Rosemary.
Uterine Toners: Witch Hazel Leaf/Bark, Mugwort, Red Clover.
Anodynes: Rose Petals, Chamomile, Calendula and Lavender.
Anti-inflammatory plants: Yarrow, St. John’s Wort, Frankincense.
Epson salts also are a great addition to soaks & baths.”
“Riboflavin, or vitamin B-2, may also help decrease your risk of developing PPD. In a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers examined this vitamin along with folate, cobalamin, and pyridoxine. Riboflavin was the only one they found to have a positive effect on the mood disorder.”
If you’ve recently discovered that your child may have autism spectrum disorder, you’re probably wondering about what’s next for them after tshe autism diagnosis. Children with autism spectrum disorders can lead very long, happy and healthy lives, but it is all about adult guidance and setting the right environment for them.
They may require more care to help keep their mental health strong or to ensure they function well in a neurotypical society. But, aside from the medical care and therapy such as CPI training, there are simple, everyday strategies you can work on with your child to help them. Remember, every child is unique, so try the below tips on how to support a child with autism at home and find out what works best for you and your child.
What is the best way to support a child with autism? Join a group
If you haven’t already, parent/Facebook groups are invaluable in helping you get started on the right foot. You’re about to step into a whole another world of SEN (Special Educational Needs) and the different pathways available can make parenting a child with autism confusing.
Try to find knowledgeable parents with children who have the same level of autism as your child so they can show you where to start with getting the right support at home. You can take parent courses too, which will help build your knowledge on SEN and what support is out there for your child too.
The National Autistic Society, which is the UK’s leading charity for autism, includes an Autism Services Directory which can point you to the right groups to join when helping a child with autism.
How can you support a child with autism? Stay positive
Children with autism spectrum disorder, like everyone else, often respond well to positive reinforcement, especially when you praise them for good behaviour. Be specific and literal in your approach, so they understand what you require from them. Then you can reward them with things like more playtime or a small prize like a sticker. Also, as you would with anyone, value your child for who they are. The Autism Society provides resources to help you stay positive at home.
How to support a child with autism spectrum disorder? Encourage friendships
Autism is frequently associated with social difficulties, but in more ways than you think. Some children with autism may appear uninterested in spending time with you and some may be over-friendly and very sociable. Underneath it all, parenting an autistic child is about working out who they are and playing towards their strengths and characteristics.
According to researchers, people with autism can form friendships, but they struggle to maintain them because the social interaction may not come naturally. Encourage your child to socialise, either in after-school clubs, at parties or one-to-one playdates. Helping an autistic child be help them become more confident and help their socialisation skills.
How do you support a child with autism? Communicate
A child with ASD may take longer to process information, so when thinking how best to support a child with autism, adjust your conversation to the pace they can take. Long pauses can be beneficial. For example, when you want things doing, ask your child to do something, using clear, concise language and with a low, firm tone. Wait 10 seconds before you repeat the request in exactly the same way. Bombarding them with too many demands can overwhelm and stress them out.
Also, children with ASD should and can learn they do not have to suppress or scream out their emotions if they are angry. Emotions are perfectly normal, but they may need help to learn how to manage what they’re feeling. Be persistent while remaining resilient with requests, even if you feel you’re not getting anywhere. When they don’t respond to you in the way you want, remember, they sometimes don’t understand why they feel how they feel and that can be very distressing for them.
All children thrive on empathy and understanding to help them become more confident in the very difficult skill of emotional intelligence. Do not take it personally if they use you as a comfort blanket when venting their emotions. It must tire them out having to mask (hide) their behaviour to fit in. The analogy, the coke bottle effect, is very fitting here. The coke bottle’s lid is closed, but the fizz is bubbling inside and you may be the first person to lift that lid and the bubbles explode out of the bottle.
Ironically, they may not understand this analogy because they prefer things to be explained literally, but if you are the parent who sees their coke bottle lid off, then it’s important to explain this to them in a way they understand. You may well have to be that comfort blanket and to help them understand and manage their emotions afterwards.
How to support a child with autism at home – play therapy
Play therapy is simply learning through play and its goal is to help children with autism to improve social interaction and communication skills. Play therapy also helps children to engage in novel activities and symbolic play. You can offer play therapy at home by engaging your child (and the family) in simple chase-and-tickle games, bubble blowing, or sensory toys and activities like swinging, sliding, or wriggling through a tube. You may progress to back-and-forth turn-taking games, collaborative games, or even make-believe as your child’s abilities develop.
What is the best way to support a child with autism? Stay calm
Caring for children with autism can be difficult, especially when you don’t understand their outbursts. But avoiding, coping with, or planning for meltdowns can only take you so far. A better solution is to teach your child how to manage their emotions. It’s easier said than done, but staying calm can help anxiety stay low in both you and your child.
Some techniques like sensory integration therapy, can teach the brain how to respond to touch, sound, sight, and movement. These skills help your child connect feelings to expressing emotions and encourages them to speak up when they are feeling a certain way. Being able to express your emotions is the first step in managing them too, and this can often be difficult for a child with autism.
Autism plus environment equals outcome.
When caring for a child with autism, providing a positive environment is key. Also, encouraging play therapy and learning more about raising a child with autism can help your child become a high achiever. Pay attention to your child’s traits and help them manage these traits in a neurotypical society. Some schools teach children how to embrace diversity and in turn children learn to be forgiving and non-judgemental. Practice being the same so your child doesn’t feel like they are lesser than other people. The focus here should be on helping children with autism lead full lives alongside their unique traits not despite them.
FAQ
Why do people with autism stay with their parents for a long time?
“Not every child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder will need to attend a specialist school, many attend mainstream school and have no issue. However, some children need more support and with even a few minor adjustments can benefit from attending a mainstream school.”
“Teach math concepts through visual examples and pair them with verbal instructions for those that are partially verbal or non-verbal. Make teaching math fun by playing games with flash cards, apps, or an online curriculum. Use technology to help those students whose fine motor skills aren’t as developed.
“Paediatrician. Paediatricians are experts in the health and development of children, particularly those with developmental disabilities. Paediatricians are often involved in the initial diagnosis of autism and offer follow-up support in some cases.”
What is the best way to support someone with autism?
“Support your friend if they ask for help. Be sensitive to what they want and need, not just how you think they should improve or behave. Try not to talk over or about them when others are around. Help them work on social skills by trying to engage them in conversations with yourself and others.”
“letting your child wear headphones to listen to calming music. turning down or removing bright lights. planning ahead for any change in routine, such as a different route to school.”
“Some autistic people will have high support needs, which may mean that they require full time care and support. Some people may need a bit of support with day to day activities, while others live fully independent lives. With the right support in place, all autistic people should be able to live the life they choose.”
Another question asked was, ‘What not to do with an autistic child?’
“Don’t worry, everyone’s a little Autistic.” No. … “You must be like Rainman or something.” Here we go again… not everyone on the spectrum is a genius. … “Do you take medication for that?” This breaks my heart every time I hear it. … “I have social issues too. … “You seem so normal!”
“Be patient. … Teach the child how to express anger without being too aggressive. … Be persistent but resilient. … Always stay positive. … Ignore irritating attention-getting behavior. … Interact through physical activity. … Be affectionate and respectful. … Show your love and interest.”
“Caring for a child with ASD can demand a lot of energy and time. There may be days when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or discouraged. Parenting isn’t ever easy, and raising a child with special needs is even more challenging. In order to be the best parent you can be, it’s essential that you take care of yourself.”
Losing a loved one changes a person’s life and it’s hard to know how to help a grieving family member and provide support and consolation, especially when their mental health is low. What helps deal with grief? Do you know what to say to someone grieving?
When learning how to help someone grieving, there isn’t really a manual out there to stop you from saying the wrong thing either. There are various options to help grieving friends or family dealing with this tough time and to provide some sort of comfort for grief. If you know a family member who needs grief support, here are some suggestions by Cosmopolitan Funeral Services about things to do to help a grieving family member:
How to help a grieving family member – Listen to what people have to say
Comfort for the bereaved person may be as simple as listening, which may be the best thing to do for a mourning friend or family member who needs to vent. It is impossible to take away the grieving person’s grief, but just being there to listen may provide them immense comfort.
If the person who died had suffered from drug abuse, for example, it’s important not to talk about how drug abuse kills because it’s not helpful and grieving people don’t need a Captain Obvious in this situation. Be mindful of the bereaved’s state of mind and ask if they need anything. Your job is to support the grieving process with care and empathy.
How do you comfort a grieving family member? Respect the mourning process
When considering what to do to help a grieving family member, there isn’t a right or wrong method. Each person grieves in a unique and personal manner, but loss is a universally felt emotion. Support grieving by respecting their boundaries, being reactive and allowing them time to mourn. No words of ‘shouldn’t you be over it now?’ will help – it will never help.
How to comfort a grieving family member – accept their mood fluctuations
Be prepared for the emotional difficulties that accompany someone who is grieving. Many people compare the experience of grieving to riding a roller coaster. As someone grieving the loss of a loved one, you may find them in a state of emotional turmoil. This is an ordinary reaction to the loss of a loved one.
How do you help a grieving family member? Avoid advising others
The grieving person will appreciate it if you stay away from providing directives on what to do or not to do. Though it’s a good idea, such advice might make the individual grieving feel worse. Instead, express your sympathy and acknowledge the enormity of the person’s loss. To express your sympathy for their situation, you may say:
“I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family.”
What you can do to help a grieving family – stop making excuses for the setback.
In certain circumstances, words intended to comfort the grieving individual might have the opposite impact. You should refrain from expressing statements like:
“Your loved one is in a better place.”
“God’s will,”
“At least she or he isn’t suffering anymore.”
It’s more beneficial to listen rather than just say what has to be said.
How to help someone who is grieving – practical help is always appreciated
Helping a grieving individual with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and cooking meals may be a great relief. It’s better to give help with particular activities than to say:
“Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”
What to say when someone is grieving – offer heartfelt expressions of gratitude
It’s normal to have difficulty finding the words to express yourself. Often, the best words are the simplest ones. Saying something like, “I’m very sorry for your loss,” or anything like that might be suitable here. Enquire, “How can I help?” The most important thing is that you are concerned and want to help, regardless of how reluctant you are. The grieving individual will likely appreciate your earnest attempts to be sympathetic.
How do you comfort a grieving family member? – the final advice
Supporting the grieving person might be difficult, since you don’t want to seem intrusive. So, avoid instructing the other what to do by expressing yourself instead.
FAQ
Do you have any words of comfort for the loss of a family member?
Another question asked was, ‘While grieving, what is something comforting that someone could say or do for you?’ and ‘How can I help a grieving family member?’
How to comfort someone who is grieving through text?
It might be tough to offer support via text message, but it’s better than nothing. Grief comfort can be sending information about grief support groups that your family member can go to and/or simply saying you’ll be there for them when they need you. Empathy is key here, so keep it simple and if you can, offer your help and a time and date they can reach out to you in person/via phone call.
What to say to someone who lost a family member?
Other questions asked were:
How to talk to someone who lost a family member?
How to comfort someone who lost a loved one?
What to say to someone who is grieving
When considering how to help someone that is grieving, note the following:
Other questions asked were, ‘What are 3 things you can do to comfort a grieving person?’, ‘How can you help others cope with death?’ and ‘How to comfort a grieving friend.’
Talk about it. It is normal to feel scared about making things more difficult or painful.
Make promises that you can keep.
Stay in touch. …
Remember that everyone experiences grief differently. …
What can I take to a grieving family besides food?
Other questions asked were, ‘What to take when visiting a grieving family member?’ and ‘Another question asked was, ‘What to get a grieving family member?’
How can I start the grief process for the loss of a loved one when I still can’t even process that they are gone?
Other questions were, ‘How do I get over a parent’s death?’, ‘How do you get over grief after it has been years?’ and ‘What can you do to help with grief?’.
“Inevitably, the grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no “normal” timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience, it’s important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.”
Are children’s monkey bars a source of fear or fun for your child? For some kids, playing on the monkey bars is a thrilling test of balance and agility. For others, they may be a source of stress — because they’re afraid, or because they find them too challenging.
Whether your child is afraid or simply needs practice to master the monkey bars for kids, there are ways to help them feel more confident and comfortable. The key is creating an appropriate environment in which your child feels safe to experiment with new skills. Here are some ways you can teach your children to use the monkey bars.
Are monkey bars easy?
Actually no. Monkey bars require a rock-solid grip and a good use of bodyweight momentum. Also, you’ll need mental strength to get you past each bar when you feel the ache setting in.
Set the stage
If your child has a high level of fear about using monkey bars, the first thing you’ll want to do is create an environment that’s as safe as possible. This can help reduce the anxiety associated with the bar. You can do this by finding a playground with a safe set-up. Ideally, you’ll find playgrounds that have a soft surface, like natural sand or wood chips.
This will make them less jarring on joints and sensitive parts like knees and elbows. If you’re at a park with a harder surface, you can also put a mat down to provide some cushion. You can also ask the playground supervisor if they can turn down the volume on the surrounding playground equipment.
How to use monkey bars – Go slow: start with holding and balance poses
If your child is afraid of the bars, start by having them hold their position at the bar for long periods. This will help them get comfortable with their position and the feeling of the bar underneath them.
Try saying something like:
“OK, you’re holding the bar. Try to stay still. See how the bar feels in your hands. Try to focus on being still.”
This will help them feel more grounded at the moment and less anxious. You can have them practice this before they climb, or while they’re holding the bar.
While they’re holding, you can also encourage them to look at the ground and keep their head still. You can also have them focus on a specific point on their body, like their feet or the space between their toes.
Have your child choose a hold they’re comfortable with
Some kids will naturally gravitate towards one type of hold or another. Others may be less sure of what they want to try. This is where you can have your child decide for themselves which hold they want to try.
You can ask them:
“What do you think would be the easiest hold to start with?”
Or
“What do you think would be the most fun hold to start with?”
If your child is feeling unsure of themselves, you can help them choose a hold that’s easy to start with.
This can give them the confidence boost they need to feel ready to move on to more challenging holds.
Encourage your child to try new positions while holding
As your child feels more comfortable, encourage them to try different positions while they’re holding, like extending their legs straight out in front. Or bringing their legs up towards their chest. You can also encourage them to swing. This will help them get a better sense of the momentum of the bar.
You can also encourage your child to see if they can move their legs to the other side of the bar. This can help your child feel more in control of the bar and more familiar with the way it moves.
When you’re ready, have your child shake out their arms and legs
Before you let your child walk along the bar from one end to the other, have them shake out their arms and legs to help them release any extra tension in their muscles. This will reduce the risk of injury. And it will help them stay focused and relaxed.
You can say something like:
“OK, now shake out your arms and legs. Loosen up. Get ready to walk on the bars.”
This can help your child stay focused on the task at hand and reduce the chance that they’ll get overwhelmed or anxious.
Have your child walk along the bar from one end to the other
Once your child is relaxed and focused, they can walk along the bar from one end to the other. This will help them become more familiar with the way the bar moves and gain a better sense of balance.
You can say something like:
“OK, now you can start walking on the bars. Let’s try to walk all the way to the other side and back.”
Then encourage your child to focus on moving their legs to maintain their balance.
Give them a boost so they can jump up on the next bar or platform
If your child is ready to move on to the next bar or platform, you can give them a boost to help them get there. Have them hold on to the bar below them and have you hold on to their legs so they can focus on using their upper body for the jump.
You can say something like:
“OK, hold on to the bar below you. I’ll hold on to your legs. Ready? Jump up.”
Then help them lift their knees to give them a boost, and give them a little a push so they can get up onto the bar above them.
Bottom line
Monkey bars for kids are an ideal way to help your child build strength, agility, and confidence. By finding a safe setting, either at home or at the playground, you can help to reduce the anxiety of your child.
While it’s important to set the stage for a successful experience, it can sometimes be helpful to encourage your child to go slow and steady. This can help them build the confidence they need to master a challenging skill.
If your child is afraid of the bars, then it may take some patience and creativity to help them overcome their fear. It’s a personal choice, so don’t force the process. With the right approach, i.e. take a backward step and view from afar how your child is before you proceed, then they can learn to appreciate the joy of this fun play structure.
FAQ
Are monkey bars banned?
No, but there have been some talks of getting them banned because they can be dangerous. More information can be found here.
Are monkey bars good for you?
“Swinging forward and backward with their legs tucked up helps children improve and develop the right posture. They will also improve body strength at the same time. In the meantime, they also train to attain full control over their balance and hand-eye coordination.”
Dunster House Kids Monkey Bars Pressure Treated Childrens Wooden Climbing Frame UK. Buy from Amazon here*
Can I buy a kids monkey bars kit from Amazon?
You can get swing sets with monkey bars for your backyard from the Amazon shop like this one* which also has a playhouse too! Make sure you have the right height and width in your garden to house all the accessories as well. You can hire someone to come to your home to build this for you, but remember, the installation might not be free. So be sure to factor in all the costs before you buy.
Monkey Bars Climbing Frame Pressure Treated Playhouse Wave Slide Swing Set – MonkeyFort® Wilderness. Buy from Amazon here*
I have old monkey bars, which haven’t been used. Can my child still use them?
You need to make sure that the bars are safe to use. Is there any rust? Any breakages? Make sure the bars are safe before your child uses them.
Are monkey bars a good workout?
“Many of us have plenty of experience playing and swinging on monkey bar when we were young. Other than it being fun, the strength needed to use the monkey bars is also a great form of exercise. They are extremely effective for building on core and upper body strength.”
The bars are extremely effective at building upper body and core strength, so it definitely helps to build muscle.
Are monkey bars good for shoulders?
“Swinging on monkey bars, or any implement, is a fantastic way to strengthen your grip, develop your lats, and improve your posture. It also provides decompression on your shoulder and is a great way to train your scapula to function properly.”
“While pull-up bars may not directly work in increasing your height, they actually help in improving the overall posture which helps an individual look taller.”
See above. The bars can help improve your posture and make you appear taller.
Do monkey bars work biceps?
See above under the question where the bars help build muscle.
Is monkey bars a good workout?
See above.
Are monkey bars dangerous?
The bars can be dangerous if not used properly. Read the above article and take it easy. Always maintain good posture and cushion the ground under you.
Is monkey bars aerobic or anaerobic?
The bars are mostly an aerobic exercise (as it’s a good cardio) and are a great workout.
Are monkey bars good for adults?
Absolutely! When done safely, the bars are great for kids of all ages.
*Collaborative feature post*
The risks of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 million women get bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy each year making it the most common cause of vaginal complaints in pregnancy. But its prevalence is low and most women are asymptomatic.
So why is it so common? This article will discuss bacterial vaginosis (BV) while pregnant and how women who are pregnant with BV treat this common pregnancy health issue. We will also talk about symptoms, treatment and disease control so you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy free from vaginal problems.
What causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Lactobacillus and especially Gardnerella, which also play important roles in maintaining healthy vaginal flora. Bacterial vaginosis is characterised by a fishy or sour odour, frequent discharge, and a thin fluid-like yellowish film on the mucous membranes.
What is the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy?
The risk of developing bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is low (at around 20%), but it is not clear how much the risk has changed now that douching is no longer recommended.
Douching is the process of intravaginal cleansing with a liquid solution to prevent or treat an infection. One study looked into the risks and benefits of douching because the act has been associated with many adverse outcomes including pelvic inflammatory disease, BV, cervical cancer, low birth weight, preterm delivery, human immunodeficiency virus transition, sexually transmitted infections, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and infertility.
The study found that more research needs to go into whether douching is a causal factor in diseases like BV or whether it is more common among those who are at risk of STDs. Perhaps there is an increased risk of adverse effects associated with douching if certain solutions are used.
How can you lower your risk of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy?
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is the most common cause of vaginal complaints, but the complications associated with untreated BV can be serious. Therefore, it is important to understand the risk factors, symptoms, and tests for the condition. Improving hygiene, reducing stress, and making lifestyle changes are the best ways to reduce the risk of BV.
BV while pregnant – symptoms
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is characterised by a fishy or sour odour, frequent discharge, and a thin fluid-like yellowish film on the mucous membranes. The most common symptom for women in bacterial vaginosis when pregnant is a vaginal odour that differs from normal vaginal discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis discharge can be described as “fishy” or “sour.” It may also have a mild to strong salty or acidic smell. Other symptoms of BV in pregnant women include increased vaginal discharge, itching and burning during urination, and pain during sex.
Tests for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy
The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is made by a thin, watery, yellow-green or grey discharge and a fishy odour. There are several tests for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: wet mount, vaginal pH, Gram stain, and KOH prep.
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy – treatment
Treatment for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy can be treated with antibiotics. But this treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the gestational age of the foetus. In most cases, there are no adverse outcomes associated with BV during pregnancy. However, if a pregnant woman does contract bacterial vaginosis, then treatment may be necessary to prevent complications.
If you are allergic to penicillin or tetracycline antibiotics then treatment should not be administered. If you have questions about bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy, you should consult your health care provider.
Overcoming any barriers to treatment
BV is treatable, although, there can be side effects from treatment methods. Therefore, it is important to research your options before deciding on one course of treatment and consult your doctor, as some treatments may work well for others with similar symptoms, but may not work for you.
Conclusion
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. The symptoms are often mild and may not be noticeable. However, if you are pregnant, BV can pose pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth (having the baby before your due date). Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
To reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases, maximise your prenatal care, including only having unprotected sex with your partner who has had a negative STD screening or uses birth control that does not contain hormones, such as an IUD or a NuvaRing. If applicable, reduce the number of sex partners, to minimise STD transmission.
Triclosan soaps and douching should also be avoided. In addition, always practice good hygiene by wiping from front to back and making sure not to wear tight-fitting clothes that may trap moisture. And if you are experiencing vaginal discharge, odours, or burning during urination, see your doctor as soon as possible to get treatment for bacterial vaginosis or other possible relevant issues.
FAQ
I can’t get rid of BV during pregnancy – what do I do?
Pregnancy bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics to kill off the bacteria. The antibiotic may be oral or a cream/gel that you put into your vagina. BV antibiotics are safe for your baby during pregnancy and they may help to reduce your risk for STIs.
How do you avoid recurrent bacterial vaginosis when you are trying to conceive?
To treat bacteria in the vaginal canal which may be pregnancy BV your doctor may prefer to prescribe Oral metronidazole (Flagyl for BV in pregnancy). Intravaginal metronidazole gel or intravaginal clindamycin cream are alternatives but less preferred.
What is the diagnosis for bacterial vaginosis?
Your doctor may examine the vaginal secretions to look for ‘clue cells’ which are a sign of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.
What could cause BV Bacterial Vaginosis?
BV results from an imbalance of ‘good’ and ‘harmful’ bacteria in the vagina. Having multiple sex partners and not using condoms can upset the normal balance of the bacteria in the vagina, which increases the risk of getting bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.
Can birth control cause bacterial vaginosis?
“Hormonal birth control has not been shown to cause these infections, but for some women, it can change the pH balance of the vagina and make them more prone to overgrowth of yeast or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV.) Both can cause dryness, irritation and itching.”
“Although BV can be triggered by sex, having BV is not an STI (you can still get BV even if you have not had sex) and it doesn’t mean your partner is cheating or has passed something on to you.”
What antibiotics women should take during pregnancy?
The following antibiotics can be taken by pregnant women:
Penicillins, including amoxicillin (Amoxil, Larotid) and ampicillin.
Cephalosporins, including cefaclor and cephalexin (Keflex)
Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clinda-Derm, Clindagel)
Can men carry bacteria that infect women with bacterial vaginosis after they have been treated with antibiotics?
Men can’t get BV because the penis doesn’t contain the same delicate balance of bacteria, but they can pass on bacteria which can cause bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy because of a change in the vaginal bacteria balance and/or exposure to a new sexual partner.
I had an IUD inserted 3 weeks ago and my vagina has had an odour in the past week. Could there be something more going on than just the IUD?
“An IUD should never cause a weird smell, itching, redness, or other irritation. These are all signs of infection and should be checked out asap.”
Is bacterial vaginosis and a friable cervix that bleeds because of inflammation a sign for cervical cancer?
Friable means easily irritated, which makes the cervix prone to inflammation, bleeding, or tearing. BV can affect the cervix. It’s possible that BV and a friable cervix can clear up on their own, but if left untreated, it could lead to other health issues like infertility and possibly cervical cancer. If you have BV and a friable cervix, you should visit your doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
What’s the best treatment for recurrent bacterial vaginosis BV?
“Antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis. Oral antibiotics are the first-choice treatment in pregnant women with BV. A full course of metronidazole tablets is the common treatment. Metronidazole is an antibiotic.”
Why would bacterial vaginosis symptoms persist through antibiotic treatment when doctors say I’m clear then later recur?
“Around a third of women who take antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) find that the problem recurs within the next two to three months. Some strains of BV organisms may have resistance to some antibiotics. You should return to your healthcare provider and describe the problems you are having.”
Can the antibiotics of sulfamethoxazole treat bacterial vaginosis?
“Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should be avoided, if possible, during the first trimester of pregnancy because of the antifolate effect associated with neural tube defects.”
What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy signs include:
thin, grey, white or green vaginal discharge
foul-smelling ‘fishy’ vaginal odour
vaginal itching
burning during urination
How do I cure vaginal bacterial infections naturally without antibiotics?
Most women with BV can have a normal pregnancy and up to half of the cases resolve on their own. however, studies still show that having BV while pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth and having a low birth weight baby. There are some home remedies to treat BV but antibiotics can treat most cases. These are:
Use barrier protection when having sex
Urinating immediately after intercourse
Avoid scented vaginal products
Abstain from douching
Washing the vagina regularly
Wear breathable cotton underwear
Keep the vaginal area dry
Wash your hands before you touch your vagina
Taking probiotics like yoghurt, fermented foods, some cottage cheese and kefir
Garlic supplements
Please check with your doctor trying the above during pregnancy.
Can one treat bacterial vaginosis with dicloxacillin?
Dicloxacillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic and is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Dicloxacillin has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. It should only be given when need has been clearly established as there has been no controlled data relating to its use in pregnancies. Therefore, it is not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect tooth and bone development in your baby. Talk to your doctor about taking a different antibiotic for bacterial vaginosis.
How efficient are boric acid suppositories for treating bacterial vaginosis?
Please note Boric acid should not be taken during pregnancy and is toxic to the developing foetus.
“The cure rates with boric acid ranged from 40 to 100 percent.
This review, however, did not specifically focus on the bacteria that causes BV.
While these results are encouraging, more studies need to be done to confirm that boric acid is, in fact, an effective add-on treatment for BV.”
How should I take antibiotics to cure bacterial vaginosis?
A bacterial infection during pregnancy can be treated with antibiotic tablets or gels/creams to prevent preterm labour and ultimately premature birth.
Consult a medical professional for more information on BV in pregnancy and do not rely on the information in this article to diagnose yourself or someone else with BV.
*Collaborative feature post*
ADHD support for parents – actions to implement now
Children often experience moments when their behaviour is out of control. During these times, they may make constant noise, speed about in aggressive motion, crash into anything near them, or refuse to wait patiently for their turn. They may fail to finish what they started, drift as if they’re in a daydream, or cannot pay attention to certain activities.
These behaviours are more prevalent in some children, and can be referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children experiencing ADHD have ranging severity in behavioural problems that can affect their ability to live a normal life.
ADHD parenting can be tough, especially when you’re stabbing in the dark. This article will discuss how you can recognise ADHD and effectively deal with it so there is more ADHD support for parents to make the right decisions and help your child live their best life.
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common health condition that makes it hard for children to pay attention, concentrate, follow directions, sit still, and manage impulsive behaviours. Although kids are often distractible and oblivious to instructions, those with ADHD behave like this more consistently than other kids of the same age.
Their inability to follow through with their tasks and settle down in age-appropriate groups can make it difficult for kids to carry out what is expected of them at school or at home. This can lead to difficulties in getting along with their peers and family members which is why it’s important to provide ADHD support to parents.
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD is categorised into two distinct groups – inattentive and impulsive/hyperactive behaviours.
Inattentive Symptoms
The child is easily distracted
The child commits careless mistakes
The child can’t organise their things
The child is forgetful or loses things frequently
The child has problems following instructions
The child avoids sustained effort or dislikes it
When talked to directly, the child doesn’t seem to listen
Impulsive/Hyperactive Symptoms
The child is very impatient
The child can’t play quietly
The child squirms or fidgets when waiting for their turn or staying in one place
The child blurts out answers, constantly interrupts conversations, or talks excessively
The child always looks like they’re “driven by a motor” or ever on the go
Some children display the first group of symptoms only, while some display those of the latter group. However, most of the children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD show both groups of symptoms. As a result, it becomes arduous for the children to function in their school or other places, and often leads to conflict with other people.
What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Also known as ADD, attention deficit disorder is the older term that refers to the condition that we now call attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The condition was known as ADD until 1987, when “hyperactivity” was added.
ADD/ADHD refers to the same condition. Some people still use ADD because they’re more familiar with it. Others use ADD to refer to children with ADHD who aren’t hyperactive.
Besides at home and school, how else does ADHD affect children?
The impulsivity and inattention of children with ADHD also negatively impact their family life, friendships, and extra-curricular activities. They may experience problems making friends and keeping them as they constantly interrupt and may blow up if things don’t go their way.
Children with ADHD are often blackballed from attending playdates, as they can’t be depended on to behave well. They also have problems playing in a team setup, as they find it difficult to concentrate and follow rules.
How do I help my ADHD child? ADHD support for parents
How to help a child with ADHD will be the same as how to help a child with Attention Deficit Disorder. Parenting a child with ADHD requires all the help you can get from professional resources, so you understand how this disorder works for your child. The National Resource Center offers some very helpful tips on parenting children with ADHD. Their advice includes:
Don’t waste your limited emotional energy on self-blame
Learn all you can about ADHD – collate ADHD information
Make sure your child has a comprehensive assessment
Become an effective case manager for your child at school
Form a team that understands ADHD and be the team captain
Learn all you can about your child’s educational rights
Become your child’s best advocate
Communicate regularly
Join ADHD support groups for parents
Seek mental health professional help
Work together
Learn the tools of successful behaviour management
Find out if you have ADHD
ADHD Parent training will help you learn to:
Provide clear, consistent expectations, directions and limits
Set up an effective discipline system.
Help your child learn from his or her mistakes
Training helps to provide ADHD support to parents
The bottom line
Parenting an ADHD child is tough. You need the support, whether it is behavioural therapy which involves putting strategies in place to help ADHD children navigate the neurotypical world, and/or educating yourself on parenting ADHD children. But, what can parents do to help their children deal with ADHD and bolster their executive functions?
First, they can give them a checklist to guide them in their activities. Second, they can assign a certain time limit for every process to help them manage time. For example, set limits on video games because even though gaming can build important skills, it’s common for ADHD kids to suffer more with excessive screen time. Finally, parents can also have a reward chart at home to motivate their kids to avoid being easily distracted. Luckily, childhood ADHD symptoms typically reduce as the child grows.
With ADHD, it’s often the case for parents to lose their patience or believe their child is being naughty when in most cases they can’t help it. Knowledge is power, so learn what you can and help your child use their ADHD in a positive way to become their best selves in adulthood.
FAQ
How can parents help their child with ADHD/ADD to be independent?
“The transition to independence is far from instantaneous. This is a slow-motion passing of the baton that takes place one step and one problem at a time. Once you get started, your child may adapt to some of his new responsibilities well — maybe laundry is no big deal, for instance — but continue to struggle with others, like taking his medication regularly. That’s normal, and totally okay. Parenting is a gradual process of letting go, and even when a child is fully independent, a parent’s job is never really done.”
I have no patience for my ADHD child. How do I learn to be more patient?
“There have been times when I have screamed at my daughter: “Why can’t you listen like your sister?!” When she doesn’t do what I ask, I punish her by yelling, taking away screen time, or taking away a toy. I punish her for not listening, so of course she thinks it is a sin. I am punishing her for having ADHD, which is something she can’t control.
Realizing this, I feel like crap. I pray to God to help me be more patient, compassionate, and understanding, but… It is up to me to make that change…. I know the mother I want to be, the one that my daughter needs me to be. It is time to practice what I preach, and to ask my daughter for forgiveness for the sin I have been committing.”
ADHD parent support groups online can help with learning how to manage an ADHD child.
How can I convince my parents to let me get help with ADD/ADHD? I’ve brought up this topic to them, yet they don’t take me seriously and think I can just focus even though both my dad and uncle have it.
“Parents don’t always get it the first time. They might say what you’re feeling sounds normal. If that happens, let them know you’re pretty sure this is more serious. It’s become a big problem in your life… Pick a low key moment… Say what you’re having trouble with, and how it’s affecting you… Just say, “I want to see someone who can help. I want to learn some strategies so I can start feeling better… The sooner you ask for help, the sooner you’ll start feeling better, so don’t put the conversation off. You’ll be proud of yourself afterward, and feeling less alone can be a big relief.”
How do I get help with getting diagnosed with ADHD because my parents think I’m fine and I just don’t focus enough and I don’t know how to tell my teacher? We talked about it before, but I don’t know how to bring it up.
Please see above.
What do I do if my nephew had ADHD and his parents won’t help him
Click here for more information on how to handle this situation
What have you given your ADHD child to help them focus?
Click here for five concentration building techniques which you can work on with your child
How do you help your child with ADHD stay focused while doing chores, hygiene and having a conversation
Does counselling help kids with ADHD? Can counselling help parents deal with a child who has ADHD?
“Counselling for ADHD can help both adults and children learn effective strategies to make everyday life easier, and cope with associated mental health challenges.”
Can steroids prednisone help those with ADHD by improving focus?
“Prednisone is a steroid used to help with inflammatory illnesses, such as arthritis. I have not heard about it being used to help with symptoms of ADHD or ODD. Prednisone can also cause concerns with the immune system, making it easier for people to contract viruses, etc.”
Are there any ADHD students that do well in school?
“Various studies on ADHD have shown that these children can achieve great success if they are given adequate attention by their teachers, experts, and parents.”
“Does music help with ADHD symptoms? There is limited evidence that musical training may improve attention in children and adults with ADHD. A 2018 paper in Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience found that developing musical expertise appears to strengthen some of the neural circuits that ADHD weakens.”
What is the best book for help with raising a child who has ADHD?
Additutemag.com has a top ten list of books about ADHD that you could read to your child.
Is ADHD hereditary?
“Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it’s thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.”
What medicine does your child take for ADHD? Does it help?
“Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine for ADHD. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.”
And, since your sleep habits are skewed, you may find you have trouble drifting to sleep when your head hits the pillow, especially if you’re a new parent (it’s a learning curve that all experienced and new mums go through with their babies that not even a comfy mattress and pillow can diminish).
Not getting enough sleep isn’t just limited to parents, it affects family life and mental health; whether you’re worrying about work, financial problems (companies like creditfix.co.uk can help you with your debt management, find out more here) or your brain simply won’t switch off. Why is something so simple like falling asleep so difficult now?
Well, you’re having trouble sleeping because your body clock is out of whack. So the aim is to work out how to help mum sleep better at night and fix your body clock so it works around your new normal. The key is consistency, adopting healthy sleep habits as much as you can and arming yourself and your baby with sleep tools that will enhance sleep and maximise heath for sleeping mum and baby.
How much sleep does a mum need?
New mum sleep deprivation is real! But trying to get eight hours of sleep a night right now is unrealistic. So, here are some tips on how to help mum sleep better at night – even during nightly wake-up calls (you should let your baby sleep and wake up naturally unless medically advised).
Reduce your blue light exposure
You may be tempted to browse your phone when you’re feeding your baby, or catch up on emails when you have a spare few minutes to yourself. But, that blue light emitting from all of your screened devices, i.e. smartphone, TV, laptop, tablet etc. is currently tricking your mind into thinking it’s daylight, which makes it difficult to relax and fall asleep. The answer is simple – try to reduce the amount of screen time you’re getting as the day goes on. And at least one to two hours before you head to bed, have no screen time at all.
Alternatively, you can purchase blue-blocking glasses from your opticians or download an app that can help reduce the blue light. Android phones have a natural blue light filter on, which helps. But, you’re better off staying away from the screen completely to help you get the best sleep possible.
Be wary of your caffeine intake
Caffeine is so helpful to keep us going during the day, especially when we’ve been up all night. Yet, so many of us continue to drink it before we go to bed. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and doesn’t allow your body to relax naturally. So, heading to bed a couple of hours after a cup of coffee or a nice cup of tea won’t help you sleep.
Caffeine stays in your bloodstream for around six hours, so one of the best home remedies for good sleep is to cut caffeine out of your day from about 3 pm. This also counts for alcohol, which reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. And the more you drink before bed, the more it affects your sleep.
You may feel like alcohol helps you fall asleep quicker and more deeply for a while, but it isn’t good quality sleep. You’ll wake up drowsy and groggy, which is not what you want when you have a million tasks to get on with as soon as you wake up.
Relax and clear your mind in the evening
Easier said than done, right? But believe it or not, the world won’t fall apart if you don’t get through that pile of laundry or respond to those important emails late at night. Make some time in your evening that is dedicated to rest and relaxation. Whether it’s a relaxing massage – you can do one for yourself or get your partner involved – listening to relaxing music, a gentle podcast, or even reading a book, select your activity and relax! Deep breathing and meditation techniques are also proven to help – check out YouTube for some beginner videos.
Optimise your bedroom
Your bedroom doesn’t always feel like your own, especially when you have little ones. But, if you want to get a good night’s sleep, you need to consider optimising your bedroom environment for sleeping. Ensure your bedroom is a quiet, relaxing, clean and enjoyable place that will allow your mind to associate with rest and relaxation. You might struggle with a waking baby, but as long as your bedroom is somewhere you can retreat to, you’ll get good sleep, even if the amount of rest you get is reduced.
Tools to help you sleep
Below are some great tools from Kally Sleep*, The UK’s sleep specialists, to help you drift off into the land of nod.
Find your perfect pillow
Using the right pillow for you makes all the difference when you can get your head down to sleep. Are you a back sleeper, a side sleeper, front sleeper or do you toss and turn during the night? Take Kally Sleep’s* two-minute pillow finder quiz* and they’ll be able to pinpoint the perfect pillow you need.
If you’re a back sleeper, you’ll need to find the right orthopaedic pillow to help your back align properly and support your head and neck. The Kally Back Sleeper Pillow* is a medium-lofted and medium-soft firmness pillow, so it is ideal for people who sleep on their backs.
Back pain can also arise from the way you sit during the day. If you work from home, you may not be sitting in an optimal position, leading to back problems that stop you from sleeping well at night. The Kally Lumbar Back Support Cushion* provides comfort when you’re sitting down at your desk.
The slow-rebound memory foam provides cushioned support for the spine to ease lower and mid-back pain and pressure on the spine is reduced which promotes for correct spinal alignment too.
If you’re pregnant, use a pregnancy pillow to help you sleep
A pregnancy pillow is a necessity when you’re pregnant and trying to sleep because it helps to realign the spine and provide support for the bump and lower back. My favourite is the U-shaped pillow* which provides support all around.
But don’t throw or give away the pregnancy pillow when you give birth, you can also use the U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow* post-pregnancy for back support, sitting up in bed reading or watching or nursing your baby. The U-shaped pregnancy pillow also helps sufferers of sciatica, fibromyalgia, arthritis, gastric reflux and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Help baby transition from mum’s womb to cocoon in their new bed by easing the gap from crib to cot with a baby nest. We’ve used a Baby Nest* with our two girls and it has worked so well to calm them down and keep them cosy during sleep.
The Kally Baby Nest* is a multi-functional cocoon that keeps the baby safe and comfortable during supervised naps and tummy time. The Baby Nest* comes with a pillow and pillow cover, and a blanket too. I would recommend buying a Baby Nest from Kally Sleep*because it keeps baby safe and comfortable during sleep and playtimes.
A comfortable duvet can mean you’re not too hot or cold when you’re covered up at night. And if you’re fighting for duvet space, it might be worth getting one for you and another for your partner. So if you like your duvet warm and they like their duvet cold, there’s no fight in the middle of the night thanks to The Warm and Cool Duvet which allows for climate control by having a different tog rating on each side.
On the warm side the tog rating is 7 which means you can experience a refreshing sleep without waking up too hot and sweaty. The opposite side has a tog rating of 14 so if you feel cold this side will no doubt keep you warm throughout the night.
Use a sports recovery pillow for sports injuries
If you exercise, sleep is one of the most important tools in life for muscle recovery because it helps prevent injury and enhances performance. But if you’re not sleeping properly or you have suffered an injury, then lack of sleep can prolong recovery time. Using a Sports Recovery Pillow* designed by sporting experts can help reduce the pressure placed on affected joints and helps to reduce pain and discomfort. The Sports Recovery Pillow can also speed up muscle recovery and growth.
Your sleep cycle may be skewed, and you’re getting much less sleep than you did previously. But, adopting better sleep habits and following the tips above will help you maximise the rest you can have, even if it’s broken.
What is keratosis pilaris in children and how can you treat it?
*This post is sponsored by Ameliorate but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own
For those who have experienced bumpy skin or ‘chicken skin’, as keratosis pilaris is otherwise called, then you will know exactly what this article will be about. But what is keratosis pilaris in children and how can you treat it?
We will go through what keratosis pilaris is, what the symptoms are, what causes keratosis pilaris in toddlers and children, and how to treat the skin condition using a fantastic tried and tested moisturiser called the Transforming Body Lotion from Ameliorate* that is shaking the nation of keratosis pilaris sufferers due to its proven results.
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless and very common skin condition that appears as small bumps on your skin, often in patches on your arms (sometimes just the upper arms), thighs or buttocks. They can appear in other places too and can last for a long time. The bumps can also be itchy, red, white, skin-toned or darker than your skin.
You may find that symptoms improve in the summer and worsen in the winter when it’s colder and your skin is dryer.
What causes keratosis pilaris?
Contrary to what people think, keratosis pilaris doesn’t happen because of a build-up of oil or bacteria. It actually occurs when the hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of keratin, a protein that is naturally occurring in your skin, hair and nails to help form a protective layer and strengthen the skin. There isn’t much evidence on why this protein builds up on the skin and causes keratosis pilaris.
Recent studies suggest that a deficiency in vitamin A, which is crucial for skin health and regeneration, could contribute to the severity of keratosis pilaris. The skin’s inability to shed dead skin cells efficiently leads to these rough patches, making ‘retin’ based treatments potentially effective.
Is keratosis pilaris contagious?
Keratosis pilaris is not infectious so you cannot spread it to anyone else or catch it from anyone.
What is it like to have keratosis pilaris?
Sufferers say it’s like having dry skin which is bumpy to the touch. Some parents say their baby’s skin feels like goosebumps. Keratosis pilaris on the arms can look red and inflamed and some people say they seem to appear where people can see the skin, so cheeks and legs too.
Sufferers can often feel self-conscious and are bothered by the appearance of their skin.
Is keratosis pilaris genetic?
Science suggests that family trends follow an autosomal dominant pattern which means each child of an affected parent has a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the condition. Research also indicates a link between keratosis pilaris and atopic conditions such as asthma and hay fever, suggesting that genetic predisposition to these conditions may also influence the development of keratosis pilaris.
There is currently no known cure for keratosis pilaris but there are ways to manage keratosis pilaris if the skin condition is bothering you by becoming itchy or inflamed. Your pharmacist can recommend certain creams or lotions to help your skin and whether you need to visit your GP or health clinic for medical advice.
The NHS have some dos and don’ts for improving the appearance of keratosis pilaris. These are:
Moisturise your skin – having a good cleansing skincare routine can help
Use mild and unperfumed soaps and bathing products
Exfoliate/scrub your skin with a washcloth or mitt
Have cool/lukewarm showers and baths
Pat skin dry instead of rubbing after washing
Do NOT scratch, pick or rub your skin
Keratosis pilaris can often (but not always) clear up during adult life.
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“Been using Ameliorate for months now and will continue to use it. It has made my skin smoother and softer. I recommend this Body Cream and now you can purchase it with different (light) fragrances. Inexpensive too, in my opinion.”
19/02/21 by Alexandria
Why is there no cure for the skin disorder keratosis pilaris?
There is no treatment available for reducing the over-production of keratin in your skin but you can improve the condition temporarily using emollients or moisturisers. More on what you can do to manage keratosis pilaris below.
Moreover, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that while there’s no cure, understanding the underlying factors, including a potential vitamin deficiency and associated conditions like ichthyosis vulgaris, is essential for effective management.
Keratosis pilaris typically begins in childhood and gets worse during puberty. Some people find that keratosis pilaris clears up in adulthood but not always. We’re going to go through what you can do to help your child manage keratosis pilaris.
Is there any keratosis pilaris treatment around which is effective?
Yes! And we will go into treatment in more detail below using a step-by-step skincare routine that can also be used for your child from the age of three.
For more stubborn cases, dermatologists might recommend retinoids. Topical treatments such as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene help by promoting cell turnover and reducing the cohesiveness of keratinocytes in the follicles.
Step 1 – Cleanse
Cleanse using tepid showers/baths and use non-soap cleansers rather than soap, which can dry out the skin. Your GP will recommend a suitable cleanser for children.
“I love this [AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion], I always use it after my shower and paired with the exfoliator it produces amazing results.”
18/11/20 by NikiFr – VERIFIED PURCHASE
Step 2 – Exfoliate and Moisturise
Gentle exfoliation can help to remove dry dead skin, but make sure you exfoliate gently to not irritate the skin further. Creams containing lactic acid and/or urea are more effective than emollients and can be purchased over the counter or obtained on a prescription by the doctor. Other treatments can be used but are not offered on the NHS.
Treatment often involves a comprehensive skincare routine. The key to this routine is moisturisation, but not just any moisturizer will do. The Transforming Body Lotion from Ameliorate, containing lactic acid, is formulated to not only hydrate but also exfoliate the skin, tackling the accumulation of dead skin cells. However, for those looking for an alternative or an addition to their exfoliation process, salicylic acid offers a potent solution.
Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, is renowned for its ability to penetrate deep into the pores and dissolve the keratin and dead skin cells that contribute to keratosis pilaris. By incorporating a salicylic acid-based product into your regimen, you can enhance the exfoliating efficiency, making it an excellent complement to the Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion. Together, they can provide a more comprehensive treatment approach, addressing both the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
It’s a groundbreaking solution that’s gained traction for its efficacy among those battling keratosis pilaris. When using products containing salicylic acid, it’s essential to monitor your skin’s response, especially if it’s sensitive, and adjust usage as needed to avoid irritation.
Physical exfoliation with a loofah can be effective, but gentle use is advised to avoid irritation. Furthermore, avoiding tight clothes can reduce friction and irritation, contributing to symptom relief.
Some home remedies and lifestyle adjustments, such as using humidifiers to add moisture to the air or choosing loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction, can also support skin health.
AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion has been proven to be very successful at treating and managing keratosis pilaris
Containing optimum levels of Lactic Acid, which is a naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid, the Transforming Body Lotion exfoliates and renews skin cells while drawing moisture into the skin. The Hydrating Sweet Almond Oil softens and protects the skin while enhancing the natural moisture barrier.
The great thing is that the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* is suitable for children aged three years and over and can be used on the face. Plus, 87% of sufferers agreed that the appearance of their skin had improved and felt softer and smoother! (The product was tested on 77 people with rough, dry, bumpy ‘ chicken skin’ (Keratosis Pilaris) in a four-week independent consumer trial).
“I purchased this [AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion] after it being recommended on a Facebook forum. I have had keratosis pilaris all my life. Felt like I tried everything and nothing worked. In summer I refuse to wear vest tops as I’m so embarrassed by them. My 5-year-old daughter has recently started looking like she has the same issue starting on her upper arms so I started to look again for something.
Well, I am so glad I found this product. Both of us have been using it for a fortnight and the results are amazing. Much smoother skin and the redness in some of the bumps have greatly reduced. Both of us are keeping up the skincare routine and seeing results! I actually think this might give me the confidence to actually wear a vest top this summer. Highly recommend.
29/03/21 by Diane – VERIFIED PURCHASE
For persistent keratosis pilaris, laser treatments like pulsed dye laser and YAG laser have been explored for their efficacy in reducing inflammation and improving skin texture, according to studies cited by the American Academy of Dermatology.
If you have keratosis pilaris how do you control picking it?
Picking your bumps will only cause irritation so it’s important to never pick, scratch or attempt to pop the keratin plugs. Control picking by exfoliating, cleansing and moisturising regularly to reduce the appearance of bumps and irritation.
I have keratosis pilaris. Will my child get it?
More than half of people who are affected by keratosis pilaris inherited the condition from their family, so it is deemed to be genetic. It is also much more common in adolescence and can be made worse in cold weather when the skin is lacking in moisture.
I’ve had keratosis pilaris on my face ever since I was born. Does anyone know of any treatments that could help make it less visible make the bumps less rough?
Yes! The AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* has been tried and tested and 87% of sufferers have noticed a marked improvement. Plus the lotion is suitable for the face.
I’ve had tiny raised bumps on my arms and chest for a while I can’t figure out how to get rid of them. Could it be caused by food intolerance?
There is no scientific evidence to support a link between food allergies, intolerances and keratosis pilaris. Some people believe that eliminating gluten from their diet improved keratosis pilaris, but there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this.
Having said that, if you believe your child may have an intolerance or insensitivity it’s worth checking it out with the doctor to see if eliminating/reducing the food group from their diet may improve symptoms. Make sure you see a medical professional to properly diagnose and treat the issue.
Does the arrival of keratosis pilaris on my nine-year old’s arms mean she will suffer from acne?
Not necessarily. Acne spots are filled with an oily substance called sebum rather than keratosis pilaris spots are a build-up of keratin, so the two are not linked.
How do you cope with having keratosis pilaris and without losing confidence?
The best way to cope with keratosis pilaris is to adopt a great skincare routine by cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising regularly, which has been proven to work. Try the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* as this is a tried and tested product that has been specifically designed for keratosis pilaris sufferers.
Will my keratosis pilaris go away with age? I am 16 and have had it for four years.
Keratosis pilaris has been known to get better by the age of 30, but not in all cases.
How do I cure keratosis pilaris on my butt and tailbone area?
Use a good skincare/moisturising routine and regularly ensure you remove and exfoliate the skin.
What is the best way for a teen to treat keratosis pilaris?
AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* is suitable from the age of three. Use non-perfumed soap and soft exfoliation to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Then the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* can moisturise the skin which has been known to improve and even treat keratosis pilaris.
I have keratosis pilaris but its so bad that it gets itchy and it looks like really bad whiteheads. How do I get rid of it?
Again, use a good skincare routine to and avoid picking it as this could cause an irritation.
What are the best ways of getting rid of keratosis pilaris caused by shaving?
Keratosis pilaris isn’t caused by shaving, it is caused by a build-up of keratin in the skin. Use a non-perfumed shaving gel and always moisturise after shaving with AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion*
Switching from shaving to alternatives like waxing may help some people avoid exacerbating their keratosis pilaris, as it reduces the risk of causing additional irritation or lesions in the affected areas.
Can you get a tattoo over keratosis pilaris? How does that affect the quality of the tattoo?
You can get a tattoo, which won’t be affected, but you’re only tattooing over bumpy skin and it won’t treat the bumpy skin.
It’s important to note that with everything, keeping up a good routine is key. For keratosis pilaris suffers from all ages, this is a good skincare routine. So make sure you are cleansing using tepid water and an unperfumed cleanser. Exfoliate gently and moisturise use proven moisturisers like the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion* which can help to treat and even help clear bumpy skin.
Start early with children so they are used to establishing a good skincare routine to improve chances of growing out of KP when they’re older.
Recent evaluator-blind studies, such as evaluator-blind study published in ‘J Dermatolog Treat’ in Aug and Apr, by researchers Pongprutthipan M and Saelim P, have shown promising results in the treatment of keratosis pilaris with newer methods like the pulsed dye laser and YAG laser, offering hope for those seeking alternative treatments.
*Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy at no extra cost to you”
*This article is sponsored by Ameliorate
The effects of poor personal hygiene
Getting children into the habit of washing themselves, brushing their teeth, and even grooming their hair can be tricky. Many children find this to be a dull chore, or cannot fully grasp the importance of keeping clean and establishing proper hygiene. Yet, without cleanliness, they open themselves up to many bacteria and infections that can impede their ability to go about their usual daily activities.
But what are the effects of poor personal hygiene?
To help your children make the most out of life and avoid as many unpleasant experiences as possible, it is vital that you get them into a solid hygiene routine as soon as possible.
What is personal hygiene and why is it important?
The definition of personal hygiene as per encyclopedia.com is:
“… Maintaining cleanliness of one’s body and clothing to preserve overall health and wellbeing.”
So fulfilling a certain number of self-care activities every day can ensure your children are on top of personal hygiene. Making sure they wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, grooming and dressing up with clean clothes, and bathing are all top examples of how to have good hygiene.
What are the effects of poor personal hygiene on health and well being?
But what are the consequences of poor personal hygiene?
Lack of hygiene can impact your health and wellbeing negatively to where it could lead to serious health problems. For example, not brushing your teeth can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease. Plus, poor hygiene habits can affect your self-esteem and mental health. We’ll discuss these in more detail below.
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What are the negative social effects of poor personal hygiene?
If you’re not taking good care of yourself and have bad personal hygiene, you may find that you will receive negative reactions from people around you, and this can affect social interaction with your loved one and other friendships. Your child may be subjected to a certain stereotype, rejection, or prejudice, as well as negative influence, which can impact your child’s quality of life.
Kids can be cruel, often chanting nasty things like, ‘Ooh you’re smelly!’ for example. This can cause a detrimental impact on your child’s mental and emotional psyche, so it’s important to ensure that your child looks and feels their best, starting with good personal hygiene as the first step towards a healthier and happier life.
Below, you can find poor personal hygiene examples people suffer from and which have been medically reviewed as causes of serious diseases if not treated promptly.
I will also talk about personal hygiene types and practices which can help children to understand the importance of being healthy and hygienic.
Bad hygiene examples – styes
AllAboutVision explains what a stye is in more detail but we will touch on the basics here. Styes look similar to pimples and are commonly located around the eye area. They can be sore and affect adults and children alike, but thankfully they are not classed as contagious. Warmth can help to get rid of some swelling, and painkillers can reduce the soreness your child might feel.
Keeping hands clean and limiting the number of times your child touches their face can not only help to prevent styes but also speed up the recovery process. This may seem difficult, especially if the eye area is itchy, but it is imperative.
Remind your child to not touch the affected area and use cooled boiled water, clean cotton wool and properly washed hands to treat the area every day. Some people say tea helps with certain eye conditions like conjunctivitis that may result from styes, but be sure to practice good hygiene yourself first to minimise the risk of more bugs transmitting into the affected eye area.
Examples of poor hygiene – stomach bugs
Even though stomach bugs and the stomach flu might do the rounds at your child’s school or day-care centre, there are ways you can limit their presence in your home. Spraying services with germ-killing cleaners, and washing your hands with antibacterial soap, can help kill off any viruses.
Ensuring your children gets into the habit of washing their hands after touching high-traffic surfaces, as well as after using the toilet, coughing, or blowing their nose, can also help to prevent infections.
Signs of poor personal hygiene – headlice
Headlice, or nits, (they can sometimes be called body lice if found elsewhere on the body) can become a problem when your child is often around other children. These little insects can cause seriously itchy scalps and can spread quickly. Using a nit comb regularly can help you detect the signs of headlice early on, as well as clear the scalp.
If your child does have head lice, inform their school, so they can be kept away to prevent the spread. Tying up long hair and washing and combing the hair frequently can also help tremendously. Another preventative measure is to make sure belongings are stored separately, and items such as towels or bedding are not shared among different members of the household. Use a nit comb regularly through conditioned hair to make sure you’ve caught all the nasty critters before you send them back to school.
Not treating head lice can lead to skin infections, so make sure you act quickly!
Oral hygiene is massively important and the earlier you teach kids about dental hygiene, the fewer problems they will have later in life. Poor oral hygiene can lead to many problems, including tooth decay, bad breath or gingivitis and gum disease.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a form of sticky bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Build-up can first start with gingivitis but if not treated straight away can lead to bleeding and swollen gums, receding gum line, bad breath and loose teeth. Eventually, if not treated, your teeth can fall out.
Gum disease doesn’t present itself straight away, which is why it’s massively important to visit the dentist regularly to spot any signs early.
Make sure your children brush their teeth twice daily, morning and night, and up to the gums too, for at least two minutes. Using an electric toothbrush will help to ensure teeth are brushed properly.
Skincare and hygiene is very important. Not washing your skin regularly can lead to a condition called dermatitis neglecta, which leads to an accumulation of corneocytes, sebum and sweat. Clean your skin properly and regularly to avoid skin complaints.
Signs of bad hygiene – food poisoning
The consequences of poor personal hygiene when handling food are food poisoning. Food poisoning is an illness that is caused by poor personal hygiene in the kitchen or eating contaminated food, either from unwashed hands or from not properly cooked or washed food.
In most cases, food is contaminated by bacteria such as salmonella, E.coli or the norovirus. Food can become contaminated at any stage during production, processing or cooking, for example:
Not cooking food properly
Not correctly storing food that needs to be chilled at below 5C
Leaving cooked food for too long at warm temperatures
Not reheating previously cooked food properly
If you’re ill or have dirty hands and you touch the food
Eating food that has passed its “use by” date
Bacteria spreading between contaminated foods (cross-contamination)
Practice proper hand washing before you put anything in your mouth. I often tell the boys, if their hands are going anywhere near their face, wash them! Poor personal hygiene with food can cause weight loss or, worse, fatal illness.
What is the cause of unhygienic food?
Bad or not hygienic food can lead to heart disease if not properly treated, which is one disease caused by poor personal hygiene. So it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle and teach your kids about the dangers of eating unwashed and improperly cooked food as early as possible.
It’s important to identify the cause and effect of poor personal hygiene on health and food safety and educate yourself and your kids so you can prevent serious illness.
Undergarment hygiene healthy practices to follow
It’s important to practice proper hygiene with your underlayers. Ways to have good hygiene with your undergarments include:
Change your undergarments every day to minimise risk of bacteria from vaginal discharge and sweat
Opt for breathable, natural material to prevent fungal and bacterial infections
Wear the right size – too tight can cause UTI
Wash your undergarments properly to avoid any buildup and hidden bacteria
Can TB occur due to lack of personal hygiene?
Lack of personal hygiene can increase the risk of tuberculosis infection. If you or your child has TB, then it’s very important to maintain personal hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission to other people living with them.
Your healthcare professional can provide medical advice on how to combat TB as it’s a long treatment process.
Bad hygiene habits that are way worse than you thought
Here are some regular bad hygiene habits which people don’t realise can be quite bad for you:
Not regularly brushing or flossing your teeth – can lead to gum disease and tooth decay
Not showering regularly – can lead to skin problems and infections
Going to bed with your makeup on – can lead to clogged pores and even eye damage
Not washing your bedding regularly – can lead to infection
Leaving your contacts in – can lead to corneal damage
Not washing your underwear regularly – can lead to infection
Sharing your items, like razors, toothbrushes and towels – can lead to transmission of diseases and infections
Reusing towels – can lead ot infection
Walking barefoot in public showers – can lead to fungal infections
Not washing your produce – can lead to food poisoning
Using your sponge for too long- can lead to poisoning
Leaving in tampons for too long – can lead to toxic shock syndrome
Reusing plastic bottles – can even lead to cancer!
Does ADD affect personal hygiene?
This is an interesting question. An association has been found between ADHD and living a less healthy lifestyle. Children with ADHD are almost twice as likely to have fewer healthy lifestyle behaviours like consuming less water, drinking more sweetened drinks and exercising less.
What is the difference between hygiene and grooming?
Hygiene is a set of practices that preserve healthy living and cleaning the body to prevent germs while grooming is the art of caring for and maintaining parts of the body. Poor grooming can cause poor physical appearance which can be linked to bad hygiene.
Are there any disadvantages of personal hygiene?
Health and hygiene are paramount to living happy and healthy lives, but there are some negative side effects of over-cleaning like skin irritation and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Maintain a healthy balance of cleanliness and lifestyle enjoyment and model that on your children. If you have certain health concerns and complexes yourself, be mindful not to pass these on to your child.
What are some great examples of personal hygiene?
Types of personal hygiene practices that you can encourage your child to do now are:
Helping your child establish a personal hygiene routine
Ensuring that your child has a face wash each morning
Making sure your child has a good shower or bath in the evening to remove dead skin cells and body odour. This act of washing themselves can go a long way towards improving their health and reducing the chances of cross-contamination of bacteria.
Personal hygiene habits will help prevent any nasty smells or, with cleaning their teeth, cavities or premature tooth loss.
Spend the time to teach them how to clean themselves effectively so they are set up for life with positive routines, while also minimising the likelihood of illness within your home
Don’t forget that good personal hygiene practices can boost mental health too!
What are your thoughts regarding personal hygiene? Are you put off by BO? What do you think about poor hygiene practices and their effects from a social standpoint? What are your own personal hygiene habits? Do you have any bad hygiene habits you need to fix? Share your opinions with us in the comments below about how you practice good hygiene.
Frequently asked questions
What does poor personal hygiene mean?
Other questions asked were:
What is poor personal hygiene a sign of?
What is bad personal hygiene?
How to address poor personal hygiene?
What is hygiene poverty?
What does poor hygiene mean?
What does it mean to have bad hygiene?
What is bad hygiene?
“Poor personal hygiene arises from either intentional or unintentional neglect of your body’s cleanliness and health requirements. Your body begins to look unhealthy, you experience unwanted health concerns, and your overall well-being is affected.”
Can you provide examples of poor hygiene bad habits you should avoid?
What are signs of poor hygiene?
Four examples of poor personal hygiene include:
Body odour from not washing regularly
Bad breath from not brushing teeth
Recurring infection from not washing hands properly
Dishevelled, dirty appearance from poor grooming
What causes poor personal hygiene?
Other questions asked were:
What does poor personal hygiene cause?
What are the causes of poor personal hygiene?
What are the causes of poor hygiene?
What problems does poor personal hygiene cause?
What are the Longterm effects of poor hygiene?
“Poor hygiene often accompanies certain mental or emotional disorders, including severe depression and psychotic disorders. Dementia is another common cause of poor hygiene. Other people may develop poor hygiene habits due to social factors such as poverty or inadequacy of social support.”
“It is more common for women to get UTIs because the urethral opening is close to the vagina and anus. Poor hygiene and wiping ‘back to front’ (rather than front to back) after going to the toilet can enable bacteria from the bowel and vagina to enter the urethral opening to the bladder more easily.”
Continuous poor hygiene, especially in the female area, can cause sepsis and septic shock, like toxic shock syndrome can result from anywhere in the body, even a UTI. Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body. Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment.
“Personal hygiene issues can cause significant problems in the workplace. Not only do they make the environment unpleasant for others, they can also cause difficulties for businesses where staff are interacting with the public”
How does poor personal hygiene affect your personality?
“Poor hygiene habits can also affect your self-esteem. Looking and feeling presentable can give you a confidence boost and a sense of pride in your appearance. Other conditions may be prevented or the risk minimized by practicing good personal hygiene.”
How can poor personal hygiene affect relationships?
How can poor personal hygiene cause harm to others?
Why does bad personal hygiene affect others?
Having a high standard of personal hygiene improves personal and professional relationships because it reduces the risk of social rejection which may lead to bullying, low confidence and low self-esteem.
How can poor personal hygiene lead to foodborne illness?
Other questions asked were:
What is poor personal hygiene in food?
“Good personal hygiene is essential for any food handler and minimises the risk of food contamination. Most people carry harmful bacteria on their bodies and can unwittingly transport them to food. Touching your mouth, nose, hair or even your clothing can spread bacteria and cause contamination.”
How does poor personal hygiene affect your health?
What are the impacts of personal hygiene on your health?
“For example, not washing your hands after you use the toilet, handle food, or touch dirty surfaces can spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These can lead to infections and diseases, like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, cold and flu, and hepatitis A — just to name a few.”
washing your hands with soap after going to the toilet.
brushing your teeth twice a day.
covering your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your sleeve) when sneezing or coughing.
washing your hands after handling pets and other animals.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/personal-hygiene
Is poor personal hygiene a sign of depression?
Yes. Mental health can impact hygiene and depression may make you not want to get up every day and make the effort to clean.
Is it necessary to practice personal hygiene everyday?
It’s good to get into the habit of performing basic personal hygiene every day. For example washing your hands multiple times of the day will prevent germs from entering your system.
How to maintain hygiene at the workplace?
Regularly clean your desk. Stop infections from spreading, and dust from gathering, by cleaning your desk.
Sanitise your hands at least once day. …
Regularly wash your cups, mugs, plates and cutlery. …
Keep a box of tissues on your desk.
https://employsure.com.au/blog/workplace-hygiene/
Is poor personal hygiene a sign of abuse?
In some cases, elder abuse has been found in care homes which has resulted in residents having poor hygiene standards. The same goes for children in a neglected home. However, a lot of the time it is down to lack of education on why hygiene matters for your health and the effects of good personal hygiene on health.
