And we’re here again…lunch box time! For some it’s same old, same old but for many this is new territory! What do you pack? Will my child miss me? Will I miss them? What if….? One of the big things I see every year is the wee ones struggling to leave mum’s side. It’s overwhelming and tough for everyone! There are a few things you can do food wise to help and it starts with breakfast.
Breakfast: start the day with porridge or muesli. Oats contain tryptophan which is the precursor to serotonin- our feel-good hormone. They are also going to release energy more slowly than a sugary breakfast keeping your child’s energy, and emotions, more stable.
Another option is eggs with wholemeal toast or avocado as it’s a protein rich meal, that again, will stabilise blood sugar levels helping your child remain calm. Also rich in tryptophan! Win win!
The lunchbox: things can come unstuck here so if time is an issue pack it the night before. Basically, include fruit, a protein snack, a protein rich lunch with good fats and maybe a homemade healthy sweet treat. Steer clear of bought treats like muesli bars as they are loaded with sugar which create unstable blood sugar triggering big emotions!

• Other tryptophan rich foods beside egg and oats include yoghurt, cheese, salmon, poultry (think chicken and turkey), nuts and seeds so add those in the lunch box.
• Pumpkin seeds and banana are potassium rich with could help with anxiety as well. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc which is super for the areas in the brain dealing with emotions.
• Fermented foods help keep our bowels in tip top condition AND we also look after our mental health. Start adding ferments in ASAP. There is a clear gut/brain connection that is becoming more apparent as the research goes deeper. Fascinating!
• Homemade jellies and jubes sweetened with fresh fruit and a drop of raw honey rock here! Gelatine has glycine which is, amongst other things, a neurotransmitter that can have a calming effect. Get your Google on and do a search for a recipe!

Rock the lazy lunchbox by making dinners full of the above things and send as leftovers the following day. Make big batches of healthy snacks and freeze those. And suddenly the lunch box is full before you know it! Phew! And mum and dad….hint hint…these foods are good for you too! 

The information given here is general in nature and not intended as a diagnosis nor should it be taken as such. It is in no way intended to take the place of advice from your chosen healthcare professional or specialist. If symptoms persist, or you have further concerns please see your chosen health care provider. 
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Tears, meltdowns, clinginess…and that’s just the parents! Jokes aside this is a really tough time for lots of little ones. There is a million things you can do but one basic one that gets frequently missed is sleep. Super basic and incredibly important for our ability to emotionally regulate. Any sleep deprived parent will be able to tell of heightened emotions of some sort. Our little ones are absolutely no different. The only difference is they don’t have the maturity to know that one influences the other…plenty of time to work that out!
to edit.

​A number of studies have linked a lack of sleep to anxiety and mood disorders. As science discovers more we have explanations for so many things- sleep loss and irritablilty, teariness, inability to control anger, depression…the list goes on. Some of it is chicken and egg stuff but a good night’s sleep will help regardless.
Here’s a basic idea of how much sleep kids need:

​                      Age                                                                  Recommend hours of sleep
                 2-5 years                                                                           10-13 hours
                 6-13 years                                                                          9-11 hours
                 14-17 years                                                                         8-10 hours

​That is a LOT of sleep! If your 5 year old goes to bed at 8pm then the earliest they should wake is 6 or 7am. Your 8 year old for example, goes to bed at 8.30am and they will be waking at around 6.30am. Don’t forget to account for time to get to sleep. Not all kids fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow. I know I’m not the only one with kids that go to the loo 4 times after getting into bed and get up for at least one drink! That can go on for more than an hour…
I’m not telling you this to make you feel guilty. I ask my clients to ditch the mother guilt at the door. This is about knowledge because once we know we can do something about it. Lots of these tips apply to parents as well so pay attention- sleep can become a family project!

​Weirdly, sleep begets sleep. That is the more good quality sleep you have the more you will get. And lots of sleep helps our wee ones regulate their emotions that much better…I’m not going to guarantee no tears but giving your kids the best opportunity to sleep you possibly can is giving them a stable base for the day. 

References
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/child-sleep-zzzs/201805/how-much-sleep-are-children-getting
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/sleep-disorders
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/mood
https://psychcentral.com/news/2013/06/27/sleep-loss-increases-anxiety-especially-among-worriers/56531.html
https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/files/pdfs/Sleep-Needs-Across-Lifespan.pdf
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Disclaimer: Homeopathy is a traditional medicine.The TGA considers Homeopathy a low risk medicine. It may be used in conjunction with other medicines. For any ongoing chronic condition, it is important to be assessed or examined by your healthcare professional or specialist. 
Information given here is in no way intended to take the place of advice from your chosen healthcare professional or specialist. Any examples given from the authors life do not indicate that the remedy in question will work for everyone in every instance. They are used solely to illustrate the use the medicine in a practical situation.
Information is generally in nature and nothing said on this website is intended as a diagnosis and should not be taken as such.
Always seek medical advice in emergencies.
​

And here we are again...expected to come up with so many ideas on how to create the perfect lunch box. Only who has time? Chuck out the glossy magazines with pretty pinwheeled sandwiches. 
I'm a mother of 4 school aged kids, a business and I'm still studying to be the best I can for my clients. Time is valuable in my world and fiddly little lunch box items don't make the cut! 

Here's my favourite 3 tips that really did rock my world! Lunch boxes don't need to be complicated. They need to be nutritious and they need to be eaten. That's it!

Of course Bowen for babies!  It's non invasive and oh so very gentle.  NO manipulation, no pushing and pulling just very gentle, rolling moves while being held by the mum or dad (or whoever brings bubba in). 
​It can be used on babes straight from the womb.  Birth is a beautiful thing but the trip down the birth canal is a cracker!  If the birth has been a bit trickier and a ventouse or forceps used then definitely consider a quick trip to your Bowen therapist.  It's a very quick treatment for a wee bub.   A couple of quick Bowen moves could make all the difference...

So what's wrong with my baby????  NOTHING!  Nothing is wrong.  But if bub is having trouble from feed from one side or even just has a preference a couple of Bowen moves might just help sort things out (and maybe prevent mum getting mastitis on one side).  Are you concerned that bub has colic and/or is projectile vomiting?  Yep Bowen may help.  Is your babe unsettled or distressed generally?  A few Bowen moves may settle bub down. 
​Honestly, as a mother of 4 I wish I'd had some of these things offered to me!  So, I would like to make a permanent offer at my clinic.  All babies under the age of 6mths can be treated with Bowen for FREE.  It's a small offering but I hope that many of you will take it up. Just give me a call so I can slot you in.

Having a baby is utterly wonderful. Let yourself enjoy it.  I hope to see you soon!

​Love and laughter til I write again!
​Sarah