Foods to avoid for thyroid patients

 

20-Month-Old Development

Twenty-month-olds tend to have two sides to their personalities: the fun-loving, energetic side and the side that's a bit of a challenge. Your little rebel may be resisting feeding, changing, getting in the car seat, washing hands…and just about anything else you want them to do.

 

Toddlers this age like to feel like they’re in control, so offer lots of opportunities for your kiddo to “help” or make their own choices. Let your child feed themselves, for example (even if it’s messy), and if they say they're done after two bites, so be it. And give your kid a chance to feel as if they're making their own decisions. For example, you might ask, “Do you want to bring your teddy or your truck for the trip?” as you get ready for a car ride, instead of simply, “It’s time to get into your car seat.”

 

20-month-old weight and height

A 20-month-old’s weight is, on average, 24.4 pounds for a girl and 25 pounds for a boy, according to the World Health Organization. Wondering how tall your 20-month-old should be? Average height is 32.6 inches for a girl and 33.1 inches for a boy.

 

20-month-old milestones

What should your 20-month-old be doing? Here are some 20-month-old milestones your child may have hit or may be working on:

 

Walking. Some 20-month-olds can stand on one foot while holding on to the wall or a chair. Your toddler is probably working on learning to walk up steps; next will come walking down them. At this point, make sure to use gates at the top and bottom of stairs to protect your little climber. To prevent children from falling out of windows, keep furniture away from windows and make sure windows have guards.

Speech. Your child may be saying up to 50 words, and will soon start asking "What?" and "What's that?" to just about everything. They’ll also use two-word combinations and reply to requests with “no.”

Teething. 20 months is about the time a child's first lower molars pop through, so don't be surprised if there are a few nights with disrupted sleep.

Potty training. A few 20-month-olds show signs of potty training readiness. Now might be a good time to buy a training potty seat and/or start reading potty training books together, if you haven't already. But beware of putting pressure on your kid to potty train too soon. Most kids aren't really ready to start until about 24 months.

20-month-old behavior

Your now almost-2-year-old is ever-changing, but here’s advice on how to deal with some potentially challenging behaviors:

 

Tantrums. Even though your kid's language is developing by leaps and bounds, they still can't communicate everything they want to say, and that can lead to some meltdowns.

Separation anxiety. At this age, your kid might become more aware of being away from you and may make a scene—especially if they're hungry, tired or sick. Though it's tempting to linger at daycare drop-off, it's best to make goodbyes quick and to stick with a routine. Reassure your child you'll be back and be specific about when.

Pushing, hitting or biting. Chalk it up to experimentation, but 20-month-olds tend to have their moments of behaving badly. Avoid overreacting or using physical punishment—"biting" your kid to show them how much it hurts doesn't stop them from doing it. Stay calm and keep telling your child that hurting others is never okay.

 

20-Month-Old Health

Twenty-month-olds seem to have mild illness after mild illness. Some common health questions parents have at this age include:

 

My 20-month-old has diarrhea. What should I do?

What should I do about constipation in my 20-month-old?

My 20-month-old has a temperature that's high. What should I do if a fever develops?

 

20-Month-Old Food

Feel like a short-order cook? It’s okay to let your toddler know “this is what’s for dinner” and not offer other options. They won’t starve by refusing a meal now and then.

 

How much should my 20-month-old eat and drink?

One- to 2-year-olds should be eating much like you do: Three or four meals per day, plus two snacks. Give them a variety of foods in all food groups—vegetables, fruits, grains, protein and dairy—daily.

 

What to feed my 20-month-old

Toddlers need plenty of calcium, iron and fiber. In addition to dairy products, your child can get calcium from foods such as green leafy veggies, broccoli and tofu. Tofu can provide iron too, as can fortified cereal, dried fruit and lean ground beef. For fiber, you could offer pinto or refried beans, prunes, bananas and whole wheat pasta.

 

For meal inspiration, check out these food ideas for a 20-month-old: 

Germany

 

Germany's central and southern regions have forested hills and mountains cut through by the Danube, Main, and Rhine river valleys. In the north, the landscape flattens out to a wide plain that stretches to the North Sea. Between these extremes, Germany is a country of incredible variety.

 

Germany's location at the heart of Europe has shaped its history both for good and bad. It borders nine neighbors, more than any other European country.

 

Germany's largest wooded area, and its most famous, is in the southwest near the Swiss border. This is the Black Forest, a mountainous region full of pines and fir trees. This forest contains the source of the Danube, one of Europe's longest rivers.

 

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Today almost one in every ten Germans comes from a foreign country. That is more than at any time in history. The largest minority are Turkish, who started coming in the 1950s to work. About two-thirds of Germans are Christians.

 

Germany has been called the "Land of Poets and Thinkers." Germans are famous in all forms of art, but particularly classical music. Germany's famous composers include Bach, Brahms, Schumann, Wagner, and Beethoven

 

NATURE

The German government works hard to protect the country's wildlife. There are 97 nature reserves in Germany, the biggest of which is the Black Forest. Despite these efforts, though, many species are at risk of extinction, including certain species of whales, beavers, and minks.

 

Germany's major unspoiled habitats are in two main regions. The flat northern coast is home to sea life and wading birds, while the forested hills and mountains in the south are the best place to find wildcats, boar, ibex, and other large mammals.

 

The lakes and wetlands along Germany's coastlines are important stopover points for many migrating birds. The government has set up reserves for the birds' protection.

 

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

After losing World War II, Germany was in ruins. West Germany recovered to become Europe's richest country, but East Germany, under communist control, fell far behind. After reunification in 1989, Germany spent billions of dollars to modernize the East

 

HISTORY

Humans settled in northern Europe about 10,000 years ago, after the end of the last Ice Age. The first people to speak a language similar to modern German probably lived in the area about 5,000 years ago. It was still thousands of years, though, before Germany was created.

 

Early Germany was a patchwork of small states ruled by dukes and kings. But in 1871, the country was united, through force and alliances, by a politician named Otto von Bismarck.

 

In the late 19th century Germany began competing with other European countries to set up colonies in Africa and Asia. These tensions led to World War I in 1914, the worst conflict the world had ever seen. Germany and its allies lost the war to Britain, France, the Soviet Union (now called Russia), and the United States.

 

Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party came to power in 1933 promising to make Germany great again. In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, starting World War II. During the war, Hitler created camps in Germany where millions of Jewish people and others were murdered. The war ended in 1945 with the Germans' defeat and Hitler committing suicide.

 

After World War II, Germany was divided into West and East. The country became the center of a standoff between the Soviet Union and Western powers. This confrontation, which lasted 44 years, was called the Cold War. In 1989, East Germany opened its borders and the Cold War came to an end.

Turkey

Turkey is a large peninsula that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia. Turkey is surrounded on three sides by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is built on land in the Bosporus seaway. The city is partly in Europe and partly in Asia. Turkey is larger than the state of Texas.

Turkey is one of the most earthquake prone areas on Earth and has suffered from 13 earthquakes in the past 70 years. The North Anatolian Fault extends hundreds of miles from the Sea of Marmara in the western part of the country to the Eastern Anatolian Highlands. The fault moves back and forth about 8 inches (20 centimeters) a year.

Turkey's highest mountain, Mount Ararat has two peaks, with Great Ararat reaching 16,945 feet (5,165 meters). The mountain is considered sacred by many people and is believed to be where Noah beached his ark after the great flood.

Travelling is one of the pleasures of life that everyone must experience. It changes your perspective about the world and throws new light on things. You can also meet some amazing people while you travel, which is great.

There are many spectacular countries that you can visit, and one of them is Turkey. Turkey is a breathtaking place for people who wish to see stunning architecture and empires. The mesmerising beauty, mouth-watering delicacies, and vibrant and rich culture here attract people from all around the globe.

Turkey is a must-visit place, but it is a large country with so many things to offer. So, it is essential to shortlist the Turkey tourist places that you wish to visit in a limited number of days. To help you with this, we have compiled a list of Turkey famous places that you can visit.

Let us go into the details of the Turkey tourist places and famous things in Turkey. 

List of Turkey Famous Places

Here is a list of Turkey’s beautiful places that will leave you in awe of the beauty of the country, and you might never want to leave once you are here:

Hagia Sophia

In case you wish to explore one of the intellectual places in the country, Hagia Sophia has to be on your bucket list. The heritage site has been preserved by UNESCO and is a treasury full of ancient wisdom and knowledge.

In the 6th century, the Ottoman Turks refurbished the church into a mosque. But, later, the mosque was secularised. It is one of the top Turkey tourist places that you must visit on your trip.

Kabak Bay

The hustle and bustle of the cities can put a toll on you, but Kabak Bay is your perfect escape if you wish to avoid it. It is a seashore that is located near to the Lycia village. The village does not have a huge population.

On your trip, you can enjoy many activities like snorkelling, swimming, and sunbathing. You can also use the tents for relaxing and have a scrumptious meal at a restaurant nearby. This place is definitely one of Turkey’s beautiful places. 

Topkapi Palace

To get a view of the grand lifestyles of the Ottoman Turks, it is important to visit the Topkapi Palace. The palace features many chambers and rooms that display different antique objects.

 You will also be able to catch a glimpse of the royal treasury, harem chambers, Topkapi dagger, Ottoman clothing, weapons, armour, manuscripts, etc. This is one of the top Turkey famous places to visit.

Mount Nemrut

The stunning monument was the home to King Antiochus I Theos, who belonged to the Kingdom of Commagene. You will catch a glimpse of stone heads featuring ancient Gods, stunning remains of huge statues, and Greco-Persian deities. Thus, it is one of the top Turkey beautiful places.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale, which is translated to cotton candy, is a place that tourists from all over the world visit. It has terraces that look like cotton candy. The terraces are white and look like they are covered with snow and surrounded by lush scenery.

Some of the top highlights of this breathtaking place are calcite hill, white travertine terraces, and hot water springs. Thus, if you are in Turkey, this is a Turkey tourist place that you must go to.

Blue Mosque

A true delight for your eyes, the Blue Mosque is a splendid blue-coloured building that comes in the list of one of the most visited places in Turkey. You can go to the mosque at any time except for the time of prayer.

However, to enter the mosque, the dress code has to be strictly followed - women have to cover their heads, and men have to keep their legs covered at all times. The mosque has intricate floral detailing that you must pay attention to so that you can make the most of your visit to the place.

Chora Church

Earlier a Byzantine Greek Church, it was later revamped by the empire of Ottoman Turks. In the year 1948, this Byzantine church was turned into a museum so that the stunning Byzantine frescoes and mosaic work could be preserved. This place has to be on your list of places to visit as it is sure to mesmerise you with the architecture that the country has to offer.

Grand Bazaar

If you love shopping, this place will leave you mesmerised. In this market, you can purchase jewellery, carpets, Turkish crockery, Turkish tea, and exquisite antiques. You can purchase souvenirs for your loved ones from here.

The shopkeepers in the market keep calling out to you as you pass through, so ensure that you keep bargaining so that you can get a decent price. While you go around the country, ensure you do not end up missing this place. Thus, it is one of the top Turkey famous places to visit.

Devrent Valley

The beauty of nature will leave you stunned in this valley that has lunar-shaped landscapes and unique formations of rock. The place is also known as Imagination Valley because you can get yourself clicked with one of the rock formations that look like animals, fictional characters, mythological beings, and ladies.

A tip here would be to wear off-white so that it is easy to blend with the surroundings and also be creative when you pose!

Uchisar Castle

If you come to Turkey with your friends or lover, the castle is a place that you need to visit. The small rooms of the palace are connected using stairs and tunnels. This will add an element of thrill and fun when you are exploring the castle.

You will also be able to see a breathtaking view of your surroundings from the castle’s top. This is surely one of Turkey’s beautiful places that you have to visit on your trip.

 

Soganli Valley

One of the abandoned towns of the country, the Soganli Valley is a treat for all adventure lovers. Exploring the valley can be quite adventurous, and you will be thrilled. If you love hiking, you can hike to one of the churches, or you can keep exploring the valley to make the most of this place.

Love Valley

One of the most famous Turkey tourist places is this valley. It is essential that you hike to the very top of this valley to catch a glimpse of the fairy chimney and the entire valley. Also, you can ask for a wish from the wish tree that is present in the valley. This is a place for people who love to click pictures, so take plenty of stunning ones for yourself.

 

Antalya Museum

Known as the largest tunnel aquarium, this is a place for people who wish to see various species of aquatic life. It can be a great experience for the kids as they can understand in detail about aquatic life and its traits. You can enjoy a fun learning session during the trip here.

 

Kaleici

The stunning old town located in Antalya will provide you with experiences that you will never forget. You can witness the splendid Hadrian gate, private beaches, the watchtower, and bohemian cafes here. Also, while you are here, you cannot afford to miss the mesmerising sunset if you wish to get a wholesome experience of the place.

 

Perge

This is a famous place in Turkey that has been inspired by Roman architecture. It is the best place for photography and mini shoots. You can see the preserved Roman gates, the Roman stadium, and the Tomb of Plancia Magna. These ruins have been maintained well for the people who are visiting from all around the globe. 

8 Learning Activities for Toddlers

8 Learning Activities for Toddlers

Even though your toddler isn't enrolled in school, the world serves as one big classroom for them. As they navigate everyday life, they're learning basic concepts (like shapes and colors), beginning to grasp more complex skills (like math and language), and gaining a greater sense of self. Parents can further this education by introducing some toddler learning activities at home.

1. Displaying Their Name

Around age 2, your child will begin to recognize the letters that make up their name, so be sure to display it throughout your home on their bedroom door, a bathroom step stool, the fridge, etc. Point to the letters, saying each one out loud, suggests Dr. Seaton. Talk about other words that begin with the same letter as their name does ("C is for Caitlin, but it's also for cat and cup").

 

2. Reading Signs

Point out words and letters on street signs, in stores, and at the doctor's office, says Sherril English, an education professor at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas. Say them out loud ("That sign says stop"), and help your child think of other rhyming words ("Stop sounds like hop, bop, and mop"). To help your toddler connect letters to the sounds they make, speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and place your finger under the letters and words as you read.

 

3. Counting Everyday Items

Your 2-year-old may be able to recite the numbers one to ten in order, but the ability to truly count probably won't come until their preschool days.

4. Separating Objects by Type or Color

The act of observing, comparing, and contrasting objects is a vital part of early mathematics

5. Making a Shape Book

Lots of children's titles teach kids about shapes, but you can go one better by helping your toddler make their own bound volume. After drawing shapes on a piece of paper, flip through magazines and newspapers together and cut out items that match each one, suggests English. Then go for a walk to look for other objects with distinctive shapes. Snap photos of the things your child points out—a square window, a round tire, a rectangular brick. Print out and paste the pictures into the book when you get home and label the shapes. Put multiple examples on a page to show that shapes come in different sizes.

 

6. Teaching Shapes in the Kitchen

Cookies needn't always be round, and not all sandwiches are square. Many favorite foods—pancakes, cheese slices, and bread—can be cut into triangles, squares, stars, ovals, diamonds, and more. Out of the kitchen, try letting your child trace shapes of cookie cutters onto a piece of paper, and then help them identify and label each one, recommends English.

 

7. Finger Painting for Color Recognition

For hands-on exposure to colors, let your child dip into finger paints as a fun learning activity for toddlers. Name the colors as they spread each one. Once the masterpiece dries, you can go on a scavenger hunt around your home, looking for items that match the colors used in the picture. Talk about how there are many shades of colors—from pale sky blue to blue that's so dark it looks almost black.

 

8. Incorporating Colorful Language

Use descriptive language as much as possible to help your child recognize different colors ("Can you put this yellow ball into the blue bin?"). At mealtime ask, "Do you want more of the red apple or the yellow banana?" You can also try designating a day in honor of a color, says English. Wear green on Thursday and eat green grapes and green beans while drinking green-colored milk (a little food coloring will do the trick). Then, at the end of the day, let your child unwind in a bath tinted green with fizzy bath tablets.

16–18 Months

At this age, your child is likely to have intense emotions. He may react quickly and impulsively to them. Excitement, frustration, joy, anger, and fear are some of the feelings he has.

Help your child understand these feelings by giving them a name. When a box will not open or a car will not roll, your child may drop it in tearful frustration. Say “I know it makes you angry when your toy won’t work.” These words show your toddler that you understand his frustration. It gives him words for understanding his feelings. Showing him how the toy works or substituting another toy may help him gain control over his frustration.

It takes many years for a child to learn about and to cope with his emotions. Giving names to feelings is the first step.

What it’s like to be 16–18 months

How I grow…

·         I walk by myself.

·         I can throw a ball from a standing or sitting position.

·         I may be able to climb stairs with help.

·         I may start creeping down the stairs backward.

·         I am very good at pushing a small chair.

·         It gives me a real sense of power to test out my developing muscles.

How I talk…

·         I may be able to hum.

·         I have long babbling “conversations” with you or with my toys.

·         I can combine two words such as “go bye-bye.”

·         I may let you know when my diaper is wet or soiled.

·         I will begin to say “please” and “thank you” if I regularly hear you say them.

How I respond…

·         I am struggling to be independent and to do things by myself.

·         I depend on your help when I am in trouble.

·         I don’t understand what it means to share. I like to play near other children but not with them. When I want a toy, I can’t understand that another child may also want it.

·         I hunt for you by going from room to room.

·         When I give you something, I want to see how you like it.

·         I will play by myself for awhile but I like you nearby.

·         I may help put toys away if you show me where they belong. I can’t do it by myself. Make a game of it for me.

·         Tickling and squeezing me may be fun for you but might make me uncomfortable. If you toss me up in the air, I may get scared and the rough movement could damage my brain.

How I understand…

·         I am beginning to put things inside other things to see how they will fit.

·         I am beginning to remember where objects belong.

·         I try to copy adults.

·         I spend a lot of time staring at things, animals, and people.

·         I can understand simple directions most of the time and follow them some of the time.

·         I may go find a toy in another room if you ask me to get it.

How you help me learn…

Toddlers are curious, loving, and full of fun and laughter. They can melt your heart and lift your spirits. They can also be very demanding. They have little patience and endless energy. Toddlers have their own schedules. Just because you’re tired at the end of the day, doesn’t mean that your toddler is. Or your toddler may be exhausted yet unable to wind down when you are needing quiet time.

Talk about your frustrations to a friend, counselor, or doctor to help put things in perspective. Call The Parent Line to get support and ideas on how to cope with your active toddler.

·         I am figuring out how things work and may discover that your lipstick marks just as well as crayons. It may be difficult for you to imagine how clever I was to have made that discovery. It will be easier for both of us if you put the “no-no’s” out of my reach. I need to explore, and I need a safe place to discover how things work.

·         Play with me. One of my favorite games now is “chase-and-be-chased.” Other favorite games are “hide-and-seek” and “roll-the-ball.”

·         Give me lots of hugs and kisses.Tell me you love the way I smile, that you like my giggle, that you love my nose, my toes, and my ears. Tell me over and over again.

·         Talk to me, even though I don’t understand everything you say. Talk to me as you would talk to an adult. Listening to you will help me under stand longer sentences. Tell me what is going to happen today, where we are going, and what we will see.

·         Let me play with an old purse with a handle. I will put my treasures in it and carry it around.

·         Let me sit in a laundry basket or cut out the ends of a large box and let me practice crawling through it. Hang a towel over one end of it and I’ll hide from you.

Guidance

Anger and Tears

A toddler’s ability to handle frustration is very limited. He gets angry and upset easily. An outburst is most likely to happen when he is hungry, tired, or excited.

To help prevent outbursts:

·         Maintain your child’s routines: eating, napping, and bedtime.

·         Give your child a few minutes notice before ending an activity. This advance notice makes “changing gears” easier.

·         Take snacks, books, and small toys with you when you go places. Avoid large crowds, long waiting periods, and too many errands which may overstimulate your child.

·         If you see that a situation is upsetting him, stop or change the activity. Respond to your toddler’s tears before he loses control.

·         Make sure you are not expecting too much of your toddler by setting too many limits or using “no” too often.

When an outburst does occur:

·         Realize that it is always worse for you when it occurs in public. If you can find a quiet place to help your child calm down, it will be easier for both of you. Think about what your child must be experiencing.

·         Try not to get angry yourself. If you do, the outburst is likely to get worse instead of better. However, don’t give in to unreasonable demands.

·         Depending on the situation, if there are safety issues involved, you may need to restrain your child. Decide whether to ignore an outburst or to hold your child securely. Offer your child comfort when he has calmed down. These outbursts may continue through age five. They may be less frequent but more intense as a child grows older. It takes a long time for a child to learn self-control. He needs support, understanding, consistency, and encouragement as he learns to handle his emotions.

Choking

Your toddler can easily choke on food. To prevent choking, here are some things to remember:

·         Avoid giving food such as crack seed, arare, chips, peanut butter served from a spoon, nuts and iso peanuts, raw carrots and celery, hard pieces of fruit, gummy candies, popcorn, trail mix, marshmallows, mochi crunch, hard candies, and jelly beans.

·         Cook carrots. Cut grapes into quarters and remove the seeds. Cut hot dogs and Vienna sausages lengthwise into four strips.

·         Always watch your child when he is eating.

·         Never give him food when he is lying down.

·         Insist that he sit down to eat. Foods that cause choking are often eaten “on the run.”

·         Keep eating times relaxed. Fighting, laughing, and crying can make him catch his breath and inhale food.

Weaning From a Bottle

A toddler can usually drink from a cup quite well. However, many parents continue to give their child a bottle because they prefer giving liquids in a spill-proof container. Other parents are worried that their toddler will not get enough to eat if he doesn’t get a bottle. The bottle may also provide a lot of comfort to a child. If your toddler continues to use a bottle with milk or juice in it, problems can occur. A child may carry his bottle around sucking on it frequently during the day. At night, he may go to sleep with the bottle in his mouth. Juice or milk is in frequent and continued contact with his teeth. These liquids feed bacteria in the mouth and can cause cavities. If he sucks his bottle while lying down, there is also a chance of painful ear infections.

To prevent these problems, help your toddler gradually give up the bottle.

·         Give him milk and juice only from a cup. If he insists on having his bottle, fill it with water or allow him to have it when it is empty.

·         Be prepared for a few tough weeks of crying and whining. Look for ways to distract your child from his bottle.

·         Continue your special routines. If the bottle has been associated with cuddling and rocking, carry on these activities, but without the bottle.

·         Keep his bottle out of sight unless you intend to give it to him.

Food Choices

Your child knows when he has had enough to eat and what foods he likes. He doesn’t know what foods are needed for growth and health. That part is your job.

Offer several small servings of food from each of these groups daily:

·         Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, crackers, poi

·         Vegetables cut in small pieces

·         Fruits cut in small pieces

·         Milk, yogurt, or cheese

·         Meat, fish, poultry, egg, tofu, beans

The Parent Line Keiki Guide describes a typical child at each age. These descriptions are based on the study of many children. Because your child is unique, he may do things somewhat earlier or later.

Health

Dental Care

Schedule your child’s first visit to a dentist sometime between the ages of 1 and 2. Dentists who have special training and equipment to care for children are called pediatric dentists or pedodontists. Your own dentist may also be willing to care for your child.

This important first visit should be a pleasant experience. Prepare your child for the visit by reading him a children’s book about going to the dentist. Explain to your child that the dentist is a helper to mom and dad in caring for his teeth. Before he gets there, tell him what to expect. Playing “dentist” may also help.

During the first visit, ask your dentist how you can keep your child’s teeth strong. Ask for a lesson on how to teach your child to brush his teeth properly. Find out if you need to floss your child’s teeth. Regular brushing and flossing, the use of fluoride, regular check-ups, and a diet low in sweet foods and drinks will help reduce dental problems.

This is the time to establish good dental habits. Young children often feel very grown-up when they are given their own toothbrush and are allowed to brush and spit to their heart’s content. You will need to help your child do the actual daily brushing but toothpaste is not needed until age three.

Safety

Make your home safe for your child.

·         Plastic bags and balloons are responsible for many suffocation deaths. Tie each bag in a knot for storage or disposal.

·         Medicines, household and garden chemicals, paints and craft supplies make kitchens, bathrooms, work-shops, and garages especially dangerous. Lock up all these hazards.

·         Fluoride and vitamin pills (child or adult type) are a major cause of poisoning for children this age. Over the counter and prescription drugs (including birth control pills) are also dangerous.

·         A friend’s purse containing pills that look like candy is tempting to a curious child. A pill bottle in plain view at a grandparent’s house is a safety hazard.

·         If you suspect that your child has swallowed something dangerous, immediately call the Hawaii Poison Center or dial 911. Keep Ipecac syrup on hand and locked up. Do not use unless advised to do so by medical personnel.

·         Keep toothpicks out of reach. They can cause serious injury to eyes and ears and can be swallowed.

·         Check window openings and lanai railings to be sure a child could not slip through. Remove lightweight lanai furniture or planters that your child could push close to a lanai railing. He could climb up and over the railing. Check to see that window screens are secure and furniture is away from a window to prevent falls out of the window.

·         Put screening around your railings if the bars are too far apart.

A Parent Asks

Q – My baby is 18 months old. I am still breast-feeding him. My mother says I should have weaned him a long time ago. One of my friends breast-fed her baby until she was three years old. What do you think?

A – There is no right answer. By 18 months, children are able to drink quite well from a cup, so breast-feeding becomes a way of asking for and receiving comfort more than a way of fulfilling nutritional needs.

Some children lose interest in breast- feeding before the mother is ready to stop. Other children want to continue well into the third year. Some mothers believe that breast-feeding should continue until the child stops nursing by choice.

When you decide to wean your baby, here are some suggestions:

·         Avoid weaning when your child is faced with a stressful situation. Your return to work, a family vacation, or the excitement of a holiday could be a difficult time.

·         Wean your child gradually. First, stop the feeding that seems least important to your child. Then gradually stop other feedings one at a time. Look for other ways to respond to your child’s hunger, thirst, or his desire for attention and affection.

·         Be sure to offer your child a variety of protein-rich foods. Meat, fish, cheese, tofu, and eggs can make up for the decrease in breast milk.

·         Continue pleasant routines such as bedtime rocking and singing that your child has come to associate with his breast-feeding.