Advice from a GP Working as a GP who predominantly sees children for the last twenty years has allowed me to observe the changes that have occurred in raising children. You would think it would have become easier, but the opposite probably applies.
For those of us who actually remember the 1970s (as a child – not that old yet) life was uncomplicated. We had little choice in meals, a couple of television channels, and we went to the doctor a couple of times for shots. My parents just sort of let us grow up with support and help from extended family.
This has changed. Today there appears to be a constant campaign to make what is supposed to be a natural process, complicated. There are books, helplines, magazines, websites, television shows, advertisements, and opinions which often contradict each other. What information should you take on board and which should you ignore? Suddenly this child rearing is not so easy. And the changing face of society has not helped.
As people choose to live and work interstate, or overseas, friends become the new support network but trusting advice from them is not the same as family.
Finally, the area of health has become complicated. Medicine has been divided into conventional medicine and alternative medicine. The former includes general practitioners, hospitals and specialists, and the health structure surrounding them. The latter include a list that can vary from the slightly dubious to the downright dangerous.
So this is a list of stuff I find myself repeating to parents who have otherwise healthy children. It is in no particular order.
Be sceptical – we are an inherently successful species having survived millions of years. Children need nutrition, shelter and attachment. There is no need to complicate this with therapies and treatments that have no science, basis, or evidence.
Monitor the toddler’s development – language delay and their associated problems respond much better to early intervention.
If parenting is stressful then get help. Current parenting courses will make life much easier. Both parents will benefit from attending.
Look after your marriage. The infant and toddler years can be stressful on relationships. Don’t hesitate to book a babysitter and spend some time together.
Guilt over bottle feeding, having to use daycare, going back to work, perhaps being a single parent is more damaging than the issues themselves. Toddlers and children prefer a happy parent who has had to compromise than one who puts themselves under unrealistic pressure.
If attending daycare your toddler will be constantly fighting viruses. There is absolutely no evidence that anything you do can ‘boost the immune system’. This is a marketing term not a medical term and there is profit to be made from sleep deprived parents of sick children.
Iron deficiency in late infancy and the early toddler period is common, sometimes resulting in anaemia and developmental concerns. It is often due to too much cow’s milk (the milkaholics). Iron is essential in the production of the neurochemicals serotonin and noradrenaline.
Going off wheat and dairy is only of benefit if you truly have either coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) or cow’s milk protein intolerance. There is no benefit otherwise.
There are doctors who are well trained in kids’ illnesses and then there are doctors who should not see kids.
If your child or children are healthy and functioning you are doing a great job!
For more information: If you do want more information, Dr Scott suggests the best and most up to date resource is www.raisingchildren.net.au
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