Here are a couple of things to think about regarding your son's tiredness after school. Is he getting enough sleep because if he's not then he will probably be exhausted after a full day at school. Another thing to find out is whether he's eating his snacks and lunch when at school because if he isn't then he's likely to be tired when he comes home.
Try giving him a snack when he comes out of school as this might keep him going until teatime.
Also, think about whether he's doing too much during the day, for example, is he doing an after school club too?
Perhaps ask your GP to check him over in case he's iron deficient, for example.
My son has been at a prep school for the last year that he really enjoyed. However we now need to move house due to work and he really doesnt want to go to this new school. Have you
Any advice on how i can make him feel less worried?
I'm sorry to hear that you had such as rotten time last year.
To boost the immune system a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, plenty of activity, and enough sleep are essential. Try and keep your children away from cigarette smoke as this can leave them more susceptible to infection.
In the UK it's recommended that children up to the age of 5 have a daily vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C, and D. Your health visitor will be able to advise you about a suitable one.
My 2 year old son has a habit of storing food in his mouth until it goes dry. I think he is trying to suck all the flavour out. I am worried that if I am not there to ask him to spit out the food (at nursury) he will choke.
Could you help, it can be frustrating having to take a mouthfull of chewed food every time he takes a spoonful of something to eat.
Well lets hope if i stuck to your advice, this new nusery year will be much better. (Very interesting fact about the cigerette smoke - I will let my mother-in-law know ha ha ha.
Im sure i will have more questions, its not that often you have a doctor on hand.
Every child is different and this can be perfectly normal. In fact, this kind of behaviour is more common than you might think. Usually children grow out of it as they learn to socialise.
It can help to set-up play dates with similar aged children with whom you know your son is happy around so he gets used to social environments and you can be reassured that he plays nicely.
It's often the case that once in nursery a child behaves totally differently for one reason or another!
Perhaps have a chat with your health visitor as she will be able to offer helpful suggestions.
Also, this must be very stressful for you so make sure you take time for yourself and if it is getting on top of you then don't feel embarrassed about asking your GP for help and support.
In the UK it's recommended that children up to the age of 5 have a daily vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C, and D. Your health visitor will be able to advise you about a suitable one.
Good luck and thank you for this popular question!
Im in the process of sorting my daughter out for school, she has got long hair and it’s pretty thick last year the school a few out brakes of nits. I know she will be getting them at some point which nit lotions have the best results? Also what ways can I help prevent her from getting nits?
Also I have a 4 month old, my first daughter I managed to get into a routine quickly. However sam (my 4 month old ) I cant get into a good routine at all especially at night any tips??
Often this is something that children do for a while and then it becomes a thing of the past.
However, I think a check-up with your son's doctor is warranted to make sure there isn't a problem that is preventing him from swallowing the food properly that needs treatment.
Slapped cheek is a common viral infection that causes the typical 'slapped cheek' rash and high temperature and for most people is a mild illness that doesn't cause problems.
Take a look here for lots of great information about slapped cheek:
It’s difficult to prevent headlice since they are passed from head to head when children play together.
Try and get into a routine of checking your daughter's hair once a week, sometimes using conditioner makes this easier.
Treatment is only needed if you see live lice. Using headlice treatments to prevent headlice is not recommended because this is ineffective. If, and when, she gets headlice your local pharmacist will be able to advise you on the most effective treatment.
Regarding routine at night for your 4-month old take a look here:
Generally speaking it's better to get chickenpox in childhood because it tends to be a much milder illness than when contracted as a teenager or an adult.
The majority of people get chickenpox in childhood so personally I don't think it's necessary to go looking for it!
Some things to try and make this easier are to make at least one visit to the new school before the first day of school, and also to try and help your son meet one or more of his new classmates beforehand so when he does go to school it's not all so 'new' for him.
Also, arrange for a treat after the first day at school so he is focussed on this positive thing rather than his anxiety about starting in a new school.
Replies
Hi CherylW2
Here are a couple of things to think about regarding your son's tiredness after school. Is he getting enough sleep because if he's not then he will probably be exhausted after a full day at school. Another thing to find out is whether he's eating his snacks and lunch when at school because if he isn't then he's likely to be tired when he comes home.
Try giving him a snack when he comes out of school as this might keep him going until teatime.
Also, think about whether he's doing too much during the day, for example, is he doing an after school club too?
Perhaps ask your GP to check him over in case he's iron deficient, for example.
Thank you for your question.
Hi again,
I have a few more questions (sorry).
My son has been at a prep school for the last year that he really enjoyed. However we now need to move house due to work and he really doesnt want to go to this new school. Have you
Any advice on how i can make him feel less worried?
Thanks!
Hi Aoife D
I'm sorry to hear that you had such as rotten time last year.
To boost the immune system a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, plenty of activity, and enough sleep are essential. Try and keep your children away from cigarette smoke as this can leave them more susceptible to infection.
In the UK it's recommended that children up to the age of 5 have a daily vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C, and D. Your health visitor will be able to advise you about a suitable one.
Here's some more information:
www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/healthy-eating-from-toddlers-teens?ecd=cpl_bex_hea
I hope this coming year is better for you.
Great, thanks so much Dr Hicks. Some very useful information there
DeeHi Dr Hicks,
My 2 year old son has a habit of storing food in his mouth until it goes dry. I think he is trying to suck all the flavour out. I am worried that if I am not there to ask him to spit out the food (at nursury) he will choke.
Could you help, it can be frustrating having to take a mouthfull of chewed food every time he takes a spoonful of something to eat.
Thanks
Thank you Dr Hicks
Just had a call from my son's nursery to say that they have a case of slapped cheek disease in the room - what is this?? should I be worried?
Thats really really helpful!
Well lets hope if i stuck to your advice, this new nusery year will be much better. (Very interesting fact about the cigerette smoke - I will let my mother-in-law know ha ha ha.
Im sure i will have more questions, its not that often you have a doctor on hand.
Thanks again!
Hi New_BaBy56
Every child is different and this can be perfectly normal. In fact, this kind of behaviour is more common than you might think. Usually children grow out of it as they learn to socialise.
It can help to set-up play dates with similar aged children with whom you know your son is happy around so he gets used to social environments and you can be reassured that he plays nicely.
It's often the case that once in nursery a child behaves totally differently for one reason or another!
Perhaps have a chat with your health visitor as she will be able to offer helpful suggestions.
Also, this must be very stressful for you so make sure you take time for yourself and if it is getting on top of you then don't feel embarrassed about asking your GP for help and support.
Thank you for asking this question.
Hi YumMum2
Great question - We've all been through this so be reassured you are not alone!
There are a number of ways of overcoming this challenge which are covered here:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/children/ss/slideshow-picky-eaters?ecd=cpl_bex_eat
In the UK it's recommended that children up to the age of 5 have a daily vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C, and D. Your health visitor will be able to advise you about a suitable one.
Good luck and thank you for this popular question!
Hello there,
Im in the process of sorting my daughter out for school, she has got long hair and it’s pretty thick last year the school a few out brakes of nits. I know she will be getting them at some point which nit lotions have the best results? Also what ways can I help prevent her from getting nits?
Also I have a 4 month old, my first daughter I managed to get into a routine quickly. However sam (my 4 month old ) I cant get into a good routine at all especially at night any tips??
Hi daddy patrick
Thank you for your question about food storing.
Often this is something that children do for a while and then it becomes a thing of the past.
However, I think a check-up with your son's doctor is warranted to make sure there isn't a problem that is preventing him from swallowing the food properly that needs treatment.
Thank you again for your question.
Hi minniemax
Slapped cheek is a common viral infection that causes the typical 'slapped cheek' rash and high temperature and for most people is a mild illness that doesn't cause problems.
Take a look here for lots of great information about slapped cheek:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/children/guide/slapped-cheek-syndrome?ecd=cpl_bex_scs
Thanks for asking this question
Thank you Dr. Hicks
We'll keep an eye on it.
Hi Jamie
It’s difficult to prevent headlice since they are passed from head to head when children play together.
Try and get into a routine of checking your daughter's hair once a week, sometimes using conditioner makes this easier.
Treatment is only needed if you see live lice. Using headlice treatments to prevent headlice is not recommended because this is ineffective. If, and when, she gets headlice your local pharmacist will be able to advise you on the most effective treatment.
Regarding routine at night for your 4-month old take a look here:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/children/ss/children-sleep-problems?ecd=cpl_bex_slp
Thank you for your questions!
Hi again saw82
Generally speaking it's better to get chickenpox in childhood because it tends to be a much milder illness than when contracted as a teenager or an adult.
The majority of people get chickenpox in childhood so personally I don't think it's necessary to go looking for it!
Thank you for your questions today.
Hi again Aoife D
Changing school can be difficult.
Some things to try and make this easier are to make at least one visit to the new school before the first day of school, and also to try and help your son meet one or more of his new classmates beforehand so when he does go to school it's not all so 'new' for him.
Also, arrange for a treat after the first day at school so he is focussed on this positive thing rather than his anxiety about starting in a new school.
Thanks again for your questions.
Our huge thanks to Dr Rob for such helpful and informative answers. Hope you all found the webchat useful? Web Ed
Thank you everyone for your excellent questions!
For more information about children's health take a look here:
www.webmd.boots.com/children/default.htm
Time for a cup of tea
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