If you have ever browsed the shelves of your local supermarket or Pharmacy, you will have seen bottles of omega-3 capsules, typically recommended for maintaining a healthy heart and for reducing inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. Did you know that these essential fatty acids are also vital for a healthy pregnancy and for the health of your baby? Omega-3: Vital for Baby’s Brain Development Essential fatty acids act as building blocks for your baby’s brain and eye development, and an omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy can have permanent effects on your child’s cognitive function. Scientific studies found that children whose mothers did not get enough omega-3 during pregnancy were more likely to score lower on tests of IQ, verbal intelligence, memory, fine motor skills, behaviour, social skills, and communication skills,1 compared with those whose mothers did get enough omega-3. DHA Makes Smarter Babies Your baby’s brain and eye development during pregnancy depend on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the essential omega-3 fatty acids. As we cannot make DHA ourselves, babies rely on their mother’s dietary intake to get what they need. Studies have linked high-DHA supplements taken in pregnancy with greater memory and problem-solving ability in babies at nine months of age,2 improved attention in toddlers,3 and...

Whether due to an intolerance or allergy, the choice to follow a vegan diet, or the want to reduce environmental impact, the number of people choosing to go dairy-free has risen dramatically. To meet this demand, the range of non-dairy milks has never been greater. Derived from grains and legumes, each type of milk alternative comes with its own benefits. However, some milks may have hidden pitfalls, such as additives or greater ‘food miles’. Given the myriad of dairy-free options, how do you choose the right one for your needs? To help you make an informed choice, read on for details about the most common dairy-free alternatives and how to navigate your way through their ingredients Got Mylk? When it comes to dairy-free milk options (aka ‘mylk’), there are several popular types you will see on the supermarket shelves. Below are some of the benefits of each, to help you decide on the right option for you: Oat: A source of blood sugar-balancing and gut health-promoting fibre. Rice: A low allergen option with a mild taste. Soy: High in protein, soy has received bad press in the past due to its purported capacity to increase oestrogen levels (not true!). To learn what...

Recipe to Support Children's Health Quinoa is a seed with many class as a superfood and is suitable for your healthy baby. It’s nutritionally packed and high in protein to support overallchildhood development. It’s high in vitamins and minerals and full of fibre to benefit kids gut health and help to avoid children’s constipation. Ingredients ½ cup white quinoa2/3 cup baby bone broth or water (see our recipe)200 gm pumpkin, chopped and cooked until tender Method Rinse quinoa in a sieve under running water and drain well. Combine quinoa and bone broth or water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes or until quinoa is tender. Mash the cooked pumpkin and add to the quinoa mix. Mash to the desired consistency.Makes: 1 ½ cupsHealthy Baby Tip: You can safely store this purée, covered, in the fridge for1 to 2 days. Alternatively, freeze leftovers in 1 tablespoon portion sizes in ice cube trays, covered for 1 month.   Suitable from 8+ months   Naturopathy Can Help With the Following Childhood Conditions Fiona provides tailored health plans based on a multitude of factors relevant to your child’s symptomology (how they are feeling), pathology (how their body is responding), plus dietary and lifestyle factors. ✅ Digestive...

 “Good fats” from foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and cold pressed vegetable oils are an important part of a healthy diet.  Remember; these dietary fats are especially good for your heart and may help you burn body fat. Oils:  Different oils are good for different purposes.  Olive oil is the only healthy oil which is stable enough to use for cooking.  Other healthy oils can be used as dressing for salad and vegetables.  Buy salad oils fresh and keep refrigerated.  Always choose oils which are cold pressed and extra virgin where available. *Consumption of cooking and salad oils should be limited to approximately 2 tablespoons daily.  Cooking oils:  Olive oil Salad oils:  Flax seed oil, apricot kernel oil, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, walnut oil, sesame oil Nuts and Seeds:  Nuts and seeds are nutritious, healthy vegetarian food sources, high in protein and omega 3.  However, nuts and seeds are high in fat and should not be over consumed.  Nuts are delicious as a snack or in salads or meals. You can enjoy a small handful or ¼ cup of nuts and seeds daily.  Cashews are kept to a minimum because they are high in natural sugars and peanuts can be contaminated with a toxic...

If your child is having trouble taking their medicine, try these tips. ✅. Take with soda water or natural mineral water.  The bubbles reduce the sweetness.✅. Mix with water or fresh juice and make into ice cubes – 1 dose per cube.  This can be sucked on directly or added to a glass of water/juice.  This helps to reduce the sweetness.✅. Encourage your child to drink liquid mixtures through a straw to bypass the tastebuds at the front of the mouth.✅. Mix with yoghurt, stewed fruit, mashed banana, natural peanut butter or apple sauce.✅. Mix into smoothies/milk shakes.✅. Make into jelly cups – 1 dose per cup.✅. Mix with a little honey (easier for dispensing into suckling children).✅. Mix with a little water and use a pipette to dispense down infant’s throat. FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY To make an appointment with Fiona Stock, naturopath in Melbourne, Contact hello@thechildrensnaturopath.com. I’m here to assist you and your child on your journey to better children’s health. Online Learning | Healthy Kids | Children's Health Class Would you like a consultation with me at a fraction of the cost? My online learning classes are jam packed with...

Over the past decade or so, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with compromised brain function which include conditions such as ADHD, autism, cognitive problems, alongside an increase in depression and anxiety.   So, what is it about the modern lifestyle that is so destructive to the health of our children’s brain function? The gut as key to mental development Research papers backed by clinical experience indicate there is a definite connection between gut health and brain function.  In fact the gut and brain originate from the same area in the embryo. Therefore children who suffer from digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, nausea and tummy pains may also experience disruption to their brain function. The second brain in the gut Interwoven within the wall of the gut is the second largest part of the nervous system called the Enteric Nervous System (or ENS for short).  The ENS that resides in the gut is directly connected to the brain.  To keep this simple, we will call the brain in the head the main brain and the brain in the gut our second brain.   In fact, scientists have nicknamed the gut, the second brain because of the massive amount of information it processes on a daily basis.  While these two brains have different...

Children’s ADHD is a common childhood disorder that affects approximately 10% of children.  These kids experience persistent and developmentally inappropriate levels of behaviour that can continue into adulthood.  Children with childhood ADHD may know what is expected of them but have trouble following through because they are overactive and can’t focus long enough to complete a task. Symptoms of children’s ADHD vary and are sometimes difficult to recognise.  A common sign of children’s ADHD is an inability to identify other people’s needs and desires, they can interrupt others when they are talking and have trouble waiting their turn in the classroom.  Children’s ADHD can also have difficulty keeping their emotions in check and younger children can have temper tantrums.  Signs & Symptoms of Children’s ADHD include: ✅ Doesn’t give close attention to details✅ Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities✅ Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly✅ Does not follow through on instructions✅ Fails to finish tasks✅ Fidgets and squirms✅ Has difficulty waiting their turn✅ Interrupts✅ Is forgetful in daily activities✅ Easily distracted✅ Children’s Anxiety FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN'S NATURAL HEALTH To make an appointment with Fiona...

If your child struggles in the classroom with tasks such as reading, writing and mathematics they may have childhood dyslexia.  Children with childhood dyslexia can’t complete tasks as easily as their peers.  This can lead them to thinking they are ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’ which can have a long term negative impact on their self-esteem. It’s important to remember that intelligent people can have childhood dyslexia too.  Signs & Symptoms of Children’s Dyslexia include: ✅. Inability to follow through on instructions✅. Clumsiness✅. Dislikes reading or finds reading hard✅. Failure to recollect facts✅. Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities✅. Difficulty learning new facts and/or skills✅. Inability to listen when spoken to directly✅. Have trouble spelling common words✅. Does not feel very confident about school work✅. Poor performance at school✅. Language difficulties and/or trouble with words✅. Easily distracted✅. Forgetful with daily activities FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S HOLISTIC HEALTH To make an appointment with Fiona Stock, naturopath in Melbourne, Contact hello@thechildrensnaturopath.com. I’m here to assist you and your child on your journey to better children’s health. https://thechildrensnaturopath.com/masterclass-building-healthier-kids/ Online Learning | Children's Health | Melbourne Naturopath Would you like a consultation with me at a fraction of...

Type 1 diabetes is classed as autoimmune disease, a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.  The job of the immune system is to guard against germs like bacteria and viruses. When it senses these foreign invaders, it sends out an army of fighter cells to attack them. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and your own cells. In the case of Type 1 diabetes the immune system cells destroy the cells in the pancreas that create insulin.  Insulin is the hormone that signals your blood cells to take up glucose, which regulates blood sugar levels. Without enough insulin, blood sugar levels can become extremely high and cause long-term damage to your body. Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Type 1 Diabetes include: ✅ Excessive hunger✅ Excessive thirst✅ Blurry vision✅ Fatigue and weakness✅ Frequent urination✅ Nausea and vomiting✅ Abdominal pain✅ Dramatic weight loss in a short period of time✅ Poor wound healing✅ Fruity breath FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN'S NATURAL HEALTH To make an appointment with Fiona Stock, naturopath in Melbourne, Contact hello@thechildrensnaturopath.com. I’m here to assist you and your child on your journey to better...

Bed wetting can cause your child embarrassment and it’s a very frustrating experience for parents.  And this is why it is an important reason to treat bed. As most bed wetting children feel alone with their problem, encourage family members and other sufferers to share their experiences and offer moral support to the child. The knowledge that another family member had and outgrew the problem can be therapeutic. Encourage the child’s attention to a normal daytime voiding pattern. When voiding, the child should relax, use optimal posture and take the time to completely empty the bladder. Common Causes of Children’s Bed Wetting Include:  ✅ Bed wetting is sometimes associated with food allergy or intolerance.✅ Children should be instructed not to drink to excess with the evening meal and to minimise fluid intake after mealtime.✅ Common sense modifications of fluid intake are necessary to maintain hydration in children who play sports or who are otherwise physically active in the evening after mealtime. FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN'S NATURAL HEALTH To make an appointment with Fiona Stock, naturopath in Melbourne, Contact hello@thechildrensnaturopath.com. I’m here to assist you and your child on your journey to...