Family Day in Ontario was introduced in 2007 with the goal being people should spend more time with their loved ones.  While many people argued the necessity of this date, if we take it at face value and use it for what it was intended for, it could actually improve your health.

While writing this article today, I took a break for my regular 4:00 phone call with my 5 year old daughter.  Mondays and Wednesdays she goes to school and I’m adjusting people until 6PM.  Therefore I’m not there to see her when she gets off the bus and this phone call is our way of catching up and me hearing about her day.  Who was the star of the day in her class, who got to take attendance down to the office, who fell down at recess...these are the topics that make me beam.  My kids mean everything to me and listening to her tell me about what was important in her day, reminds me of what is important in my life.

So we take Family Day to mean just that - quality time with our kids.  We go sledding or skating, make lunch together, draw some pictures, read books, and maybe snuggle together under a blanket on the couch while watching Toy Story.  I come away from Family Day feeling renewed and connected to my husband and my kids.  

Studies have shown us that people who have close connections with their family and friends live a healthier, longer life.  It doesn’t surprise me!  No one can argue that if I have a day of special family time and I feel awesome, that if that time is re-created over and over, I’m bound to feel more awesome, which in turn will lead to a happier, and healthier, life.

So, this Family Day, while it sounds redundant, spend time with your family!  Real time.  Put together a list the week before of activities everyone would love to do and do them.  Once Family Day is over, keep adding to that list...and take one activity a week that you do as a family.  While I agree with the people who say we don’t need a special day in February to remind us that family is important, maybe we can use this “reminder” to make Family Time a weekly event. 

When parents talk about taking their children to visit a chiropractor regularly, many of them feel like they're in a secret club, and should be saying, "My name is Jane, and my children are adjusted by a chiropractor." They know that few parents know about this club, and yet they treasure their membership because it gives them healthier kids. And as a parent, nothing is better than knowing your children are healthy.

Before you join this club, however, you have to get over one big misunderstanding about its premise:

Chiropractic is not about back pain.

Instead, chiropractic is about turning on life. It's every child's birthright to be healthy. When we start to lose health at any level, we have started to decrease our potential. Think of your child's health as a dimmer switch. When turned all the way up, your child shines. They exude energy, vitality, fascination, focus, creation and above all, health. But as that light begins to dim, so does your child's level of health.

It may start off as a cold, a slowing or inability to reach milestones, a lack of concentration in school, ear infections or just knowing that something isn't "right" with your child. Sometimes there aren't any symptoms but you just know something is off. Whatever process they are going through, it is a red flag to let us know that they have lost health at some level.

So how does a chiropractor fit into this?

Chiropractors help move that dimmer switch back up to full potential by checking your child's nervous system. The nervous system is the master control system of the body. The brain sends signals down the spinal cord and out the nerves, which reach to all cells, tissues and organs in the body. If there is interference at any level of the spine, the signal will be distorted, slowed down or in some cases, sped up. This process translates as a lack of ease and, as a result, a decrease in health. A chiropractic adjustment removes the interference and restores the nerve signals to the rest of the body.

As a chiropractor and a mother, I made sure that our own kids were checked soon after they came into the world. I wanted to make sure that they were expressing their full potential right from day one. When parents ask when their kids should get their first adjustment, my answer is always "as soon as possible." Why wait for your child's health to dim? And even if day one was a long time ago, it's never too late to start chiropractic care. 

This article originally appeared on the Wellness Blogs website at http://getwellnessblogs.com/wellness/wellness-articles/chiropractic-and-kids/.

Whoa!  Two blog posts in two days...we're on a roll!  I was reading through my daily emails and came across this fantastic overview of growing pains from Dr. Jennifer Barham-Floreani in Australia.  She is a chiropractor and author of, in my opinion, the most comprehensive book out there with regards to children's health and wellness for parents.  The book, Well Adjusted Babies, details exceptional health from even before conception through until teen years.  A great resource for any parent! 

Growing Pains is a concern I hear a lot about in my practice.  How do they start? What are they?  How can I help my child?  This article by Dr. Barham-Floreani is a "must read" for any parent who has a child with growing pains.  My best advice?  See your local family chiropractor for a functional and neurological assessment of your child.  The nervous system runs all things in the body and so if there is interference at any level due to stress, your child's health could already be seeing the devastating effects in more ways than one.  Children go through a lot of stresses - physically, biochemically, and emotionally - in one day.  Think of the times they have learned to walk or ride a bike, prepared for a big exam at school, played sports, eaten a less-than-optimal diet, the list goes on...all of these stresses effect your child's potential. 

Enjoy the article!  You can find it HERE.  And let me know your feedback by posting a comment in our comments section!

Recent concerns about the quality and safety of sunscreens have got a lot of parents wondering whether or not they should be slathering their children while out in the sun.   
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) investigated 785 name-brand sunscreens and now raises serious questions about the safety and efficacy of these products.  The EWG found that 83 percent of sunscreen products that were evaluated either did not provide adequate protection from the sun or they contained dangerous ingredients. 

• One in eight high-SPF sunscreens do not protect against UVA radiation, immune system problems, and skin cancer
• Many contain nanoscale ingredients with potentially toxic properties
• Ingredients listed may disrupt hormone systems, promote allergic reactions, and release skin-damaging free radicals
• Many ingredients break down in the sun and become ineffective
• Half of the products listed had “misleading” claims

After these allegations were revealed, a lot of parents were left wondering what they could do to protect their children.  Take heart in the fact that sun exposure can actually be healthy for you!  The “sunshine vitamin” – vitamin D – is created by your body when you are exposed to the sun.  Vitamin D is essential for growth and development of bones and teeth in children.  It protects against muscle weakness and it is involved in the regulation of your heartbeat.  It is also important in the prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia (low calcium).  By allowing your children sensible sun exposure, you are actually helping their immune systems to grow stronger and their bodies to function optimally.  When the sun's rays hit your skin, cholesterol is converted to vitamin D and this is a good thing!

We're not suggesting that anyone roast in the sun.  But slow exposure through the summer is vitally important to health -always avoid getting sun burned.  While outside, wear loose, comfortable clothing to cover up and take cover under an umbrella or other shade to avoid baking in the sun. 


Looking for alternatives?   There are plenty of natural sunscreens on the market that do not affect the body in negative ways!  Go to your local health food store to find them.

Have you ever done affirmations with your child?  Affirmations are positive statements that "affirm" the qualities one wishes to be aware of in them selves.  They asert the existence of truth of something positive.  If you have seen the Maxwell House commercial on TV, there is a great affirmation by "Jessica" who loves everything about her life and she wants people to know it.  Click HERE to check it out!

Affirmations are a great way to build self esteem, increase self confidence, and impact the subconsious mind in a good way.  Focusing on capabilities, strengths, talents, securities, etc. that you already are aware of can vastly improve those qualities by simply repeating these affirmations regularly.  And the key is REGULARLY.  Our family likes to recite affirmations before going to bed at night so that as our children drift off to sleep, they are reminded of all of their great qualt

If you are unsure as to how to create an affirmation, why not use our "sprout!" affirmation to start with and then tweak it to meet your child's needs.  Let your children come up with their own affirmations that highlight what is great about their lives.  Maybe it's a special grandparent, a new friend, their bedroom, their health, their backyard....let their imagination run wild! 

The "sprout!" Affirmation

Today is a great day!
I am happy and healthy.
I am loved and appreciated by my family. 
I have lots of friends and I am a good friend in return.
I enjoy learning new things and having fun every day. 
I love to play, run, jump, and laugh. 
I like water and healthy foods that are tasty and good for me. 
I sleep well at night knowing that each morning I wake up to a new day. 
I am smart, funny, creative, friendly, and joyful.
I am patient, polite, gentle, honest, and respectful of others. 
I love being me!

Breastfeeding

 

Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for your child.  Your milk is specifically designed to completely sustain the life of your child.  It contains specific amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that are unique to a human baby.   The World Health Organization, The Canadian Pediatric Society, and La Leche League all agree that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is optimal, and it can continue for up to two years and beyond. 

Breast milk is unique in that it changes it’s composition during the breastfeeding term.  In the beginning it comes as colostrum.  Colostrum, the “first milk”, is what is produced in the first few days of breastfeeding.  It is a thicker, yellowish milk that is incredibly high in antibodies to help protect a newborn against disease.  Within a week or two, breast milk will change in it’s consistency and colour – looking more like cow’s milk.  It is still full of antibodies that change based on the needs of your baby.  For example, the breast milk you produce in the first month will be very different in it’s protective qualities than that produced in the second, third, fourth month, and beyond.  This is because your body produces different antibodies based on the germs it encounters – and these antibodies are passed onto your baby through your milk.   

There benefits to breastfeeding are numerous to both mom and baby.

BABY

• Immunity – Your child will gain natural antibodies passed through your breast milk that will help to fight off diseases such as allergies, asthma, colds, flu, etc.
• Dental & Jaw Development – There is a marked decrease in the number of dental caries with breastfed babies and they also benefit from proper jaw, tooth, and speech development.
• Reduces Risk of Childhood Obesity
• Beneficial Effects on Cardiovascular Health – Studies link breastfeeding to a decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as a decrease in C-Reactive Protein, a blood protein elevated with inflammation due to atherosclerosis.
• Higher IQ – Breastfed babies have an increased IQ and studies show the longer a baby is breastfed, the higher the IQ
• Other studies have linked breastfeeding to a reduced risk of celiac disease, diabetes, some childhood cancers, Crohn's disease, urinary tract infections, atopic disease, and reduced endometriosis in women in later life

MOM

• Reduces Rates of Breast Cancer – Studies have shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces the rates of breast cancer in women who breastfed for a “longer duration”.   Similar studies have shown early evidence that it can also help to reduce incidence of ovarian cancer as well
• Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis
• Weight Loss – Breastfeeding moms will burn up to 500 extra calories per day!
• Amenorrhea -  Breastfeeding moms will usually experience a delay in the return of their menstrual cycle

Other benefits to think about are:

• No cost!  Breastfeeding is free!
• Easy laundry!  Breast milk, unlike formula, doesn’t stain clothing and is easily washed out in the next laundry cycle.
• Travelling becomes a breeze.  There is no need to find water, mix formula, warm a bottle, etc.  Breastfeeding can be done anytime and anywhere.

Aside from every benefit already mentioned, breastfeeding is a phenomenal way to bond with your baby.  Knowing that you are his or her source of complete nutrition and sustainability is incredibly nurturing and empowering. 

There are great support groups and informational resources for women who choose to breastfeed.  La Leche League (www.lllc.ca) is an internationally known support system for breastfeeding moms and they have chapters all over Canada, the United States, and the world.  Your health care provider should also be able to help you with finding the information and resources that you are looking for.  

At all times of the year, there are great ways to be active and have fun.  The big misnomer out there is that physical activity is boring – it’s work.  Go back to your childhood and think of the summer days where you were so busy with your friends that you were outside all day and you forgot to eat lunch.  You were probably running around, having fun, hiding from the adults, and essentially being active for twelve hours in a row.  When was the last time you spent an honest hour with your family and doing some form of physical activity the entire time?  (And no, I’m not talking about playing “Wii” where half of your family watches on the couch while the other half is mildly active)  

One of the easiest “family friendly” activities is to walk.  It doesn’t require a financial commitment and it can be a fabulous bonding time for parents and children.  Parents can start early with newborns in their strollers and then graduate to the entire family walking within a few years.  Make it a fun activity – count the number of red cars you see, alternate between skipping & walking, see who can get to the next telephone pole first, walk backwards (just make sure you have a clear path so as not to run into anything!), or have your kids make up their own activity. 

Ask your kids to create a game to keep the family active.  You may have forgotten all of the fun children’s games that are out there, but your kids are still playing them daily on the school yard.  Tag, Red Rover, Simon Says, skipping, hopscotch, capture the flag, and more are all great ways to have fun and be active at the same time. 

Into the winter months it is just as easy to stay active.  There are a plethora of winter sports that the whole family can take part in – downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, skating, etc. – as well as “fun” activities such as building a snowman (or snow family), snowball fights, and snow angels.  Embrace the cold weather and engage in winter activities – your health will be better for it!

The benefits of physical activity are numerous.  Regular exercise will increase your energy, decrease your weight, increase muscle tone, improve heart, lung, and muscle function, and it can help you to fight off ill health and dis-ease.  Research has shown that physical activity increases certain white blood cells which target and destroy viruses and bacteria.

Setting the example for your children is incredibly important.  Proper nutrition, healthy exercise, good sleep, positive attitude, and choosing wellness health care are all incredibly important.  Your children learn from you – the more involved you are in your health, the more they understand the importance of taking care of themselves. 

Breastfeeding goes far beyond the immediate benefits of optimal nutrition and heightened immunity for your child.  A 2002 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that infants breastfed seven to nine months had higher IQs as adults than those breastfed for less than seven months.

Across the board, breastfed infants showed higher intelligence compared to those who were bottle fed, however the seven to nine month duration showed the largest increase in IQ scores – six points higher than those breastfed for one month or less. (1)

The study was done in Copenhagen, Denmark and researchers looked at all factors that may influence the IQ increase such as parental social status, parental education, single mother status, mother’s height, age, and weight gain during pregnancy, and cigarette consumption during the third trimester as well as number of pregnancies, estimated gestational age, birth weight, birth length, and indexes of pregnancy and delivery complications. 

There have been many previous studies that have shown a positive correlation between breastfeeding and psychomotor and mental development in children.  This study, however, goes far beyond just the immediate effects and instead focuses on long-term benefits of mental aptitude in adults.

1.  Mortensen EL, et al. "The Association Between Duration of Breastfeeding and Adult Intelligence", JAMA, 2002; 287 (18) 2365-2371

The development of a fetus fascinates me.  I realize it may not get everyone excited; however I’m sure most parents would agree with me when I say it is fascinating to learn about how and when your baby is developing inside of the womb.  

For instance, did you know that within hours of fertilization, the egg cell begins to divide?  From one cell to two, two to four, four to eight, eight to sixteen, sixteen to thirty-two, and so on?  And from there, those cells initially specialize into the most important system in your body.  This system runs everything – from your heart rate to your breathing patterns, to the ability of you to put one foot in front of the other while you walk.  This system controls and co-ordinates every function of every cell, tissue, and organ of your body.  Are you aware of what that system is and the importance of it?  It’s the nervous system – your brain, spinal cord, and all of the nerve extensions that go to every cell, tissue, and organ in your body.  Picture your nervous system as your own source of electricity – it gives you the power to function each day.  And as long as there is not any interference with the function of your nervous system, you are healthy. 

The challenge, however, is when there is interference and as a result, your body doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.  Your brain communicates with the rest of your body via your spinal cord and nerves.   Those nerves send information from your brain into the different cells, tissues, and organs they supply.  Can you imagine that if there was pressure on one of those nerves, that it might not work as well as it should?  For example, if the nerve going to your heart was being choked off (interference), do you think your heart would work 100%?  Of course not!  As a result, a person might experience heart palpitations or chest pain.  What would happen if the nerve into your leg was being interfered with?  Do you think that if the sciatic nerve had pressure on it, it might send pain and numbness down the back of your leg?  It’s definitely possible.

As a chiropractor, my job is to make sure that your spine is aligned and that your nervous system is free of any interference so that your body can work that way it was intended to.  Chiropractic isn’t about treating the symptoms of sciatica or heart pain, it’s about removing any nervous system interference so that your body can heal itself and function appropriately! 

Now, let’s go back to the fetus that is developing and a few months later, is born into the world.  Do you think it might be important to have that baby’s spine checked to make sure it has every chance to lead the healthiest life possible?  I feel very strongly that each person deserves to be checked by their family chiropractor to ensure that they have every chance possible to live a live full of exceptional health and vitality. 

 

Recently both of my children, ages 2 and 4, got the chicken pox.  I was thrilled for them.  Well, let me clarify.  I wasn’t happy for them in that my oldest one was pretty itchy in areas that no one wants to be itchy.  And it made for three nights of limited sleep.  My youngest got away with just ten spots and other than me pointing to them, he would never have known they were there.  No itch, no fuss, no muss.  I was happy for them because  now both of my children are immune to a disease because they went through it 100% naturally and on their own. 

Is the innate power of the immune system not the most miraculous thing?

Childhood diseases such as chickenpox get a bad wrap.  We’re told, as parents, many stories laced with fear-inducing tales of the terrible side effects.  We are rarely supported and given the proper information on how to support our children through the process of dis-ease.  When a child gets a fever, the first thing shoved at us is a myriad of fever reducing medication.  We never ask the question WHY our child has a fever in the first place.  We just assume that his or her body can’t possibly deal with the fever on their own and so we try to dampen the fever, to make them feel better.  This doesn’t allow their body to go through the natural process of creating antibodies for the disease and getting healthy on its own.  Fever is the process by which the human body destroys invading organisms – it raises its temperature above normal because it knows that pathogens cannot sustain themselves over 37 degrees Celcius.  Fever might not make a child feel great, but during this time is when they need rest, water, comfort, and support from the people they love them.

Yes, there are times when a fever needs to be looked at by a health care professional.  If a child is under three months, make sure they are checked.  And if a fever is stagnant for 24 hours with no fluctuation at all, it is worth having it looked at.  But both of these cases are a minority, and most times, a fever will pass on its own and your child will be stronger for it.

The immune system is a miraculous thing – it creates antibodies and memory cells to protect against the disease process that is invading it.  Immunity is gained when the body can go through the healing process on its own.  When we interfere in any capacity, we do more damage than good.  Research shows that children who go through childhood diseases on their own and get natural immunity to these diseases (febrile infectious childhood diseases) actually have lower rates of cancer and autoimmune disorders as adults. 

The next time your child comes down with something, take a step back and watch how they respond.  You may be amazed at how they do on their own and the benefits will far outweigh the temporary symptoms of the dis-ease itself.