Emma Sutherland Children Archives - Page 5 of 7

What Sunscreen Should You Use?

After the last few days of beautiful weather I started thinking about how to protect my skin yet still enjoy the sunshine. I love summer and feel so alive after a day at the beach, sand in my toes and sun on my face! So to find out what a natural sunscreen is and how to avoid the nasty chemical sunscreens this summer keep on reading. Personally I use Wot Not sunscreen on both myself and my baby daughter.

How do sunscreens work?

Sunscreens protect the skin from burning by either absorbing the harmful rays or reflecting them from the skin. No sunscreen can provide total protection from all of the sun’s rays and that’s why it is always important to cover up using appropriate clothing and eye wear especially during the hottest part of the day. Sunscreens are filters of UV energy. They are used to filter a proportion only of UV rays.

What active ingredient does natural sunscreen use?

They use Zinc Oxide (250mg/g) which reflects UV-A and UV-B rays rather than chemical actives which absorb these rays.

Does natural sunscreen contain Nanoparticles?

Nanoparticles are man made, extremely small particles that can easily enter the body and can be found in cosmetics, moisturizers, mineral make up and sunscreens. They are used in sunscreens to prevent the white film once applied. Natural sunscreens should not contain Nanoparticles. Friends of the Earth’s Safe Sunscreen Guide states “Studies have shown that Nanoparticles can produce free radicals and DNA damage, especially when exposed to UV light. These studies suggest that rather than offering us sun protection, if nano-sunscreens are absorbed into our skin, they could result in serious damage.”

What does Broad Spectrum mean and is it important?

A sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection protects against […]

By admin|September 30th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Sustainable and Green|0 Comments

Coconut Water – The Facts on the Fad

I have been drinking coconut water for over 2 years and love how I feel! When filming Eat Yourself Sexy, I swore that coconut water kept my skin hydrated on set and my energy levels high. Coconut water is the perfect base for all my smoothies and even just plain as a hydrater. Here are the facts on the coconut craze:

The Facts: Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.• Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.• Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.• Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg. Data is based on a 100ml drink

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. If coconuts get ripe the liquid that is inside will harden and become a part of the white flesh of the coconut

Coconut Water Hydrates the Body: Coconut water is an isotonic solution which replaces the fluids and minerals that the body loses during physical activities. For this reason, many athletes and persons who work out regularly are encouraged to drink coconut water to replace all the minerals and fluid that they lose while working out. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attest to the benefits of drinking coconut water when it fought for a patent in 2000 to market coconut water as the next big sports drinks.

Coconut Water Relieves Urinary Problems: If you consume coconut water on a regular basis it can reduce urinary problems. People who suffer from strangury, polyutra and other […]

By admin|August 14th, 2012|Children, Detox, Emma's Detox, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research, Sustainable and Green|0 Comments

Asthma – a Continual Australian Epidemic

The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world: between 10% and 15% of children and between 10% and 12% of adults has asthma. That is almost 1 in 6 children and 1 in 10 adults! We spent $606 million on asthma annually, approximately 1.2% of all health expenditure and 411 people died due to asthma in 2009.
Asthma is a condition where the airways become inflamed and irritated. As a result they become narrower and produce extra mucous. This makes it more difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs and causes the symptoms of asthma.
Recent research has highlighted a very astonishing fact – that up to 68% of asthmatic children are vitamin D deficient1. Compared to healthy children, asthmatic children were far more likely to have either a moderate or severe vitamin D deficiency. Who would have thought that a lack of sunshine could have such a huge impact on a child’s health?
Another natural treatment for asthma is magnesium and research says its role in managing acute asthma is well established2. Magnesium is highly beneficial as it relaxes tight muscles and reduces spasms within the airways.
Increasing dietary sources of the omega 3 essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect3. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition so this is a perfect example of the power of food as medicine. These foods include oily fish, avocado, nuts, seeds and extra virgin olive oil.
What You May Not Know:

A diet including trans fatty acids and saturated fats doubles the risk for asthma so avoid them at all costs
A high sodium intake sensitizes the lungs to histamine and increases bronchial hyperactivity
Dehydration significantly exacerbates asthma due to thickening […]

By admin|August 7th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments

Save Our Children

Family conflict appears to be causing so much stress to our kids that they are five times more stressed than at the height of the Great Depression says Canadian research professor Stuart Shanker. Adding to the stress pile is television, social media and crowded city living, leaving our kids struggling for some inner calm. And it’s inner calm that is needed for us to “self-regulate” which is our ability to manage our own energy states, emotions, behaviours and attention in ways that are positive.
From a very early age, my daughter would self regulate by looking at me for reassurance. When she couldn’t see me, such as in the car, she couldn’t self regulate and would become very upset. We are hard wired to self regulate to establish balance and if our ability to self regulate is interrupted, such as with stress, things go pear shaped. Little nervous systems become terribly overstimulated!
The amount of time spent on computers and watching TV is rapidly overtaking the time spent on exercise, outdoor play and social interaction. The promotion of narcissism through media and social values leaves young children with very little ability to show empathy and read other peoples body language, which is an invaluable social skill.
Ways to increase Your Child’s Ability to Self Regulate

Sports, music, yoga and non-competitive Tae-Kwon-do all play an incredible role at helping kids regulate themselves
Work out your child’s stressors – what helps them stay calm and what leaves them hyper aroused?
Ensure they are getting as much sleep as possible. This is the time they process information and lay down most of the neurological patterns
Mindfulness – get them to connect in with how they are feeling by using an analogy of a car engine. […]

By admin|July 24th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments

What Causes A Nappy Rash?

Let’s face it, EVERY baby gets nappy rash at some point in their early years! So what exactly is nappy rash and how can we treat it?

As the name suggests, nappy rash is a red rash that appears around the buttocks and genitals of babies and can range from sparse red bumps to an extensive covering. There are a few different reasons why babies develop nappy rash:

1) Teething: I often hear mother’s talk about the correlation between teething and nappy rash…well it’s true. Not every baby going through the teething process will develop nappy rash however some will due to their immune system reacting to the rapid change.

2) Infrequent nappy changes: Bacteria breaks down the contents of a soiled nappy which leads to a skin irritation from ammonia, therefore the longer the contents is in the nappy, the more likely your baby will develop a rash.

3) Reaction to chemicals in creams/laundry powder: Many babies are hypersensitive to chemicals and dyes found in bottom creams and laundry powder so get to know what ingredients are in your babies products and use natural, organic products where possible.

4) Introduction to new foods: When an infant is exposed to new foods through the nursing mother, a skin reaction like nappy rash can occur. This can be seen in foods that the mother is eating like citrus fruits, onions, garlic, leeks and gluten.

5) Candida: As you all know candida loves moist, warm environments so what better place to take up residency than your babies bottom!

6) Antibiotics: If the mother or baby is taking antibiotics than there is a chance that the baby can develop a nappy rash. This can be due to candida developing or from antibiotic associated diarrhoea.

My […]

By admin|July 12th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Research|0 Comments

How to Eliminate Cradle Cap

As a new parent, we get quite startled when our newborns develop a scale like rash on their scalp….but this rash is called cradle cap and is extremely common. Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis) is a common condition that appears in the first three months of your child’s life and disappears by six months of age.

So why do babies get cradle cap? Dermatologists believe that during the final weeks of pregnancy, elevated maternal hormones are transmitted to the baby thus causing an overproduction of the sebaceous glands. This causes an overproduction of sebum and an overgrowth of new skin cells therefore an abundance of flakey crusty skin. It has also been reported that cradle cap may be caused by a yeast infection of the genus Malassezi.

How do you treat cradle cap naturally?

The idea is to soften the area so that the flakes can easily be removed (either by falling off or gently brushed off) – although the area will feel greasy, do not pick the crusty flakes off as it may bleed.

Olive oil – This is probably the most economical oil to use because we all have olive oil in the cupboard. Make sure that it’s a high quality olive oil and organic if possible! Massage gently into the scalp when needed and brush through flakes to loosen them (obviously use a soft baby’s hair brush).

Jojoba oil – pronounced ‘hohoba’, this oil reduces sebum production and protects against bacteria. After a bath, gently massage jojoba oil into your baby’s scalp. A benefit of using organic jojoba oil is that it resembles the body’s own natural sebum therefore it’s readily absorbed and decreases the chance of any allergic reaction.

Apple cider vinegar – This is another product […]

By admin|June 28th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing|0 Comments

Surprising Statistics on the Health of Australian Kids

Recently I was doing research as I am currently studying paediatric nutrition and came across the Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. It was commissioned by the government in 2007 and the next survey is due out 2013. The CSIRO in conjunction with South Australia Uni surveyed over 4,000 children between the ages of 2-16. They reported food and nutrient intake, physical activity levels and the weight, height and waist circumference of the children.
Key findings were:

72% of children surveyed were at a healthy weight: 17% of boys & girls were classified as overweight while 6% were obese
Over 30% of children did less than 1 hour of exercise daily
The older children became, they less likely they were to meet their RDI for fruit
The older children became, they less likely they were to meet their RDI for vegetables
Only 22% of 4–8 year old children and 5% of 14–16 year olds met the dietary guidelines for vegetables
In the children surveyed, sugar contributed to between 23–24% of total energy intake
Some micronutrient intakes such as calcium, sodium and magnesium are likely to be problematic, particularly for the 14–16 year olds who were the least likely to meet the recommended intake
Participation in screen-based activities (mainly TV) peaked in children aged 13–14 years, where screen time varied from 3.5 hours per day for girls to over 4 hours per day in boys

I was amazed at these findings! And I am a little frightened at what the current survey will report when it is released next year. In a relatively wealthy Western country where we have access to fresh fruit & vegetables our kid are really suffering. Are we becoming a nation that is calorie rich yet nutrient poor?
Our bodies are […]

By admin|April 9th, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing|0 Comments

Teething Problems

Teething in babies usually starts between the ages of 5-7 months, sometimes earlier and sometimes much later. It’s such a massive change in our babies lives and they go through tremendous pain to push those little teeth out. Herbal Medicine is a great way to provide care for their nervous system and to relieve pain during their teething episodes.

Tips To Help Your Baby

Matracaria recutita – this is commonly known as chamomile and is anti-inflammatory, mild sedative and a carminative.

Melissa officinalis – Lemon Balm is another beautiful herb to calm your infant when they are teething. It’s also a carminative and mild sedative and helps with irritability.

A great herbal tea for teething is 1tsp of chamomile and 1tsp of lemon balm in 100mls of boiling water and let it infuse for about 30min, once cooled down try to give it to your baby either in a bottle or sippy cup.

Frozen capsicum – Cut up thick red capsicum and freeze. Give to your baby at dinner time for him/her to chew on, the coolness will help with the pain and they are full of antioxidants.

Teething Toys – Find toys/teething rings that are BPA free. It’s really important for your infant to have something to chew during these times of distress and pain. A worldwide popular chewing toy is Sophie le Giraffe – this French giraffe has been around since 1961 and is made from natural rubber and food painted!

Love them – Even when nothing seems to help the pain or take the tears away, a parents cuddle and kiss can do more than we realise!

By admin|March 23rd, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments

Children Born to Stressed Mums Have Higher Health Risks – Latest Research

A study just released has demonstrated the strong link between a pregnant woman’s stress levels and the negative effects this has on her child. It is one of the first big studies to prove that while in the womb we are being influenced by maternal hormones and when it comes to high stress levels, that is not a good thing. In fact, it leads to a higher risk factor for malformations, asthma, and mental and behavioural disorders. The study was based on over 66,000 mums and bubs and assessed by a team of clinical psychologists.
Key findings were:

There was an increased risk of mental disorders during the first 2.5 years of life in children of mothers reporting high life stress during pregnancy compared with mothers reporting low life stress.

Maternal life stress during pregnancy was also associated with an increased risk in the diseases of the eye, ear, respiratory system, digestive system, skin, musculoskeletal system and genitourinary system in children.

Maternal life stress during pregnancy was again associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations in offspring.

Maternal emotional stress during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for the first diagnosis of infectious and parasitic diseases.

The analysis of the data revealed that elevated stress levels across pregnancy altered the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins that serve as messengers between cells of the immune system) in the offspring; the dysregulation of cytokine production could cause certain mental disorders, infectious diseases and diseases of the various body systems. This shows the importance of having an anti-inflammatory style diet that is high in vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish and healthy fats. It also supports a place for antioxidants in pregnancy to counter balance cellular stress.
During my pregnancy I ate organic, anti […]

By admin|December 30th, 2011|Children, Fertility, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments

Kiddy Delights Via the Amazon!

Those clever RioLife boys are at it again – creating a sensational product that gives a little back to local Brazilian communities! They have released a tasty treat that will be popular in every mum’s emergency stash for supermarket melt downs.
Acai berries are incredibly high in anti oxidants which protect your body from disease and keep you feeling energetic and healthy. Acai also contain plenty of fibre as well as beneficial Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
The fruit flakes are a combination of organic Acai berries and natural fruits, are free of preservatives as well as added sugar. The 21 gram packet contains the same level of antioxidants as 120 blueberries! They do contain natural sugar so don’t give them to your kids as an after dinner treat, pop them in their lunch box instead.
1% of all sales are donated to charity to ensure quality schooling for Amazonian children and this is just so close to my heart – every child deserves the opportunity to improve their situation in life.
We take this for granted in our lovely Australian country but this is not an option for many children around the world!

By admin|November 16th, 2011|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments

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