ExperTips on Raising and Protecting 3+ Toddlers in a new world!

“Believe in what your child is capable of and support them every step of the way. Let them explore, make mistakes and fall because this will make them strong and successful.”

That’s what Gail has learned over the years of being a mom to four inquisitive kids. Now that everything is slowly settling into the new world, raising her 4-year-old Chelsea can be trickier. “I let Chelsea do things independently,” she shares.  Her biggest concern, however, is keeping Chelsea safe and protected as the toddler learns to explore on her own.

Gail is just one of many Filipino moms we talked to who have experienced the unique hurdles of raising toddlers in this new way of life, mainly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Raising a toddler is very challenging,” another mom, Geezel, agrees. “Lalo na sobrang active and curious sila sa stage na ito!”

Toddlerhood is a crucial time in a child’s development, with nutrition a top priority to make sure kids get all the nutrients their growing bodies need. Healthy toddlers are less likely to get sick and would be more energetic and curious about everything around them.

How do you know that your toddler is in their best condition? Toddler experts agree that parents should learn to recognize the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition. These signs, together with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle, guide Gail, Geezel, and other experienced moms to ensure their kids are healthy and developing normally. Check out their ExperTips below!

1)     Not sickly
Geezel thinks that healthy kids make lively kids, like her son Keondrei. "He is a very active toddler, parang hindi siya napapagod!” she exclaims. “He can play all day.”  Meals with plenty of Vitamin A, C, E, Zinc and Iron help boost toddlers’ immunity, while probiotics like Lactobacillus Protectus help with their respiratory defense. Parents must also teach proper hygiene to keep toddlers from getting sick. “My son washes his hands and feet regularly lalo na kapag nakikipaglaro siya sa labas,” Geezel adds.
 
2)     Right weight for height
“The best way to make sure that my daughter achieves the right weight and height is by ensuring that she gets proper nutrition with a balanced diet, good sleep, vitamins, and active play,” Yce explains her daughter Cassie’s routine. Giving toddlers food rich in protein, calcium, Vitamin D, Phosporus, Magnesium, Zinc, and Potassium can help build their muscles and bone growth. Andrea, who has three kids, also recommends regular checkups with the doctor to make sure toddlers are growing right on track.

3)     Mentally alert
The right amounts of DHA, Iron, Zinc, Folic Acid, B-Vitamins, and Calcium help keep toddlers mentally alert. Brain-boosting activities also support cognitive abilities. “I let my daughter play puzzles, word search games, memory games, and also practice reading and writing to enhance her vocabulary too,” Yce enumerates. Meanwhile, mommy Seyrah also believes that being mentally alert builds independent kids, like her daughter Cady. “She tends to do things on her own,” she says. "She wants to pick her own clothes and [help with] household chores.”

4)     Good appetite
Yce lets her daughter Cassie help her in the kitchen to encourage the toddler to enjoy eating nutritious foods. “Cassie helps in peeling hard-boiled eggs, removing malunggay leaves from stem, and washing rice,” Yce said. Foods like these are rich in B-Vitamins and Zinc that help promote a healthy appetite.
 
5)     Good muscle development
Andrea and her husband love being active, a trait they hope to pass on to their children. "Two activities that gave our kids a clear positive impact would be enjoying the outdoors and learning sports,” she says. “We introduce all sorts of sports activities.” This is why she makes sure her kids get the right nutrients like Protein, Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, Zinc, Potassium, and Magnesium, all of which encourage proper development and repair of muscles, together with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.

6)     Regular bowel movement
“My daughter goes to the bathroom daily,” Yce says. “I attribute it to eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water every day.” To ensure that toddlers have regular bowel movement, give them food rich in Prebiotics and Fiber to help with digestion. “This one is very important for me because it represents my toddler’s gut health,” tells Frances, who has two kids of her own. Her toddler Kyle loves to eat fruits and vegetables. “His favorites are apples, lettuce, and broccoli,” she adds.

7)     Good sleep
“My toddler sleeps 8 hours straight,” Geezel explains. “I make sure na hindi naiistorbo ang tulog niya.”  Toddlers need B-Vitamins and Magnesium to help them have uninterrupted sleep. Sleep gives them the rest they need for the next day, especially for active children. 
 
8)     Clear eyes
A diet rich in Vitamin A, Alpha Linoleic Acid, Zinc, Vitamins E and C help keep eyes clear and aid in good vision. This is important for Frances because she wants to encourage her son Kyle’s creativity. “He’s a typical toddler boy who loves to explore art,” she says. Frances also prefers less screen time for her son so he can focus more on playing with actual toys and more time to practice his writing skills.
 
9)     Clear skin
Toddlers love to explore at their age. Getting minor cuts or bruises from playing seems unavoidable. However, parents can still give the right skincare to their children, like proper sun protection or treating skin conditions right away. Foods with a healthy dose of Vitamin A, Alpha Linoleic Acid, Zinc, Vitamins E and C also keep the skin firm and supple. “I also make sure not to use harsh detergents on her clothes and use gentle body wash to take care of her skin,” Yce shares.
 
10)  Shiny hair
Shiny hair isn’t only an effect of using the right hair products. Toddlers who have a regular diet filled with Protein, Biotin, Iron, Omega 3, Selenium, and Vitamins A, C, and E often have healthy, shiny hair. “I gently comb his hair after taking a bath,” Geezel explains. “I don't put oils or wax to maintain his natural and shiny hair.”
 
Gail and her fellow moms may have different parenting styles, but they all have one thing in common: they all give their children a balanced diet, proper exercise, and age-appropriate growing-up milk like NIDO 3+ and 5+. Milk is an important part of a toddler’s diet, but it has to be expertly formulated for children three years and up. NIDO 3+ and 5+ have all the necessary nutrients mentioned above to supply the right protection and nutrition kids need to grow and thrive during the toddlerhood years. It also helps them show the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition stated above, along with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.

“I believe Nido 3+ is a trusted brand because of its high quality, which is why I choose it for my child,” Gail claims. “I am happy because Nido is specially designed for children. It really helps our growing toddlers reach their milestones.” This is why moms choose NIDO 3+ and 5+ as their child’s growing-up milk of choice. “I love that it does not contain table sugar,” Yce adds. “I also remember that even when I was a kid, it was my favorite milk because it's creamy. No wonder my daughter loves it so much!”
 
Toddlers are learning all the time. By keeping them healthy and creating a safe place for them to explore, parents can give their little ones the courage to think “Yes, I can do this!” as they discover the world during their 3+ years.
 
Click here to learn more: Nestle Mom & Me
Buy now at Shopee: https://shopee.ph/nido_philippines
 
Disclaimer: Nido 3+ & 5+ are not suitable for infant feeding and are not breastmilk substitutes.

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