Parenting 101: 12 October 2012

Jenni Johnson, our resident ‘Baby Whisperer’, has been a practicing child-care practitioner for 15 years, and owns a busy ante and post natal clinic in Durban. This week she talks about aggression and diet, among other things.   

* Biting and hitting and other aggressive behaviour in toddlers is normal but shouldn’t be ignored. Try to intervene before the bite or smack has happened and show your toddler how to apologise.
 
* Giving yourself time-out in tense parenting moments is as good as giving your child time-out. It can save the day and is very effective when dealing with teenagers and partners as well!
 
* If your child snores or breathes through his/her mouth or has smelly breath it may be because of enlarged adenoids or tonsils. A visit to your doctor can verify this. Tonsils are generally not removed before the age of two.
 
* Sleep or rather lack of it is the biggest concern for parents of young children. Good habits for sleep can be taught from new born AND teaching your child how to sleep well is a gift to her or him.
 
* If your child loves egg and one is never enough use 2 egg whites to one egg yolk and make scrambled eggs or an omelet. If your child’s diet is healthy and generally fast-food free three to five eggs a week is fine.

* Catch Jenni on-air every day just after 10am with her tip of the day.

At Jenni’s ante and post natal clinic in Durban, parents are taught a system that gives them structure and routine to the baby and childhood years. Jenni has a nursing background. She’s a registered nurse, midwife, psychiatric nurse and private nurse practitioner.

Jenni’s online clinic, can be accessed online via www.jennisays.com. For appointments, e-mail [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter via @JenniSays or on Facebook by 'liking' The Berea Baby Clinic.