DAD.info
Forum - Ask questions. Get answers.
DAD.info | Lifestyle | Sport, Health, Fitness & Grooming | Health | Can you boost your kid’s brain power?

Can you boost your kid’s brain power?

Nurturing a child genius may be a tricky feat, but you can help to boost brain development from an early age 

Between birth and two years old is the key period when infants need DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) for brain development and to aid their longer term neuro-cognitive function. DHA is required during foetal and child development for the growth of healthy eyes, plus the heart, brain and central nervous system. DHA deficiency could also be a possible cause of some behavioural and mood disorders affecting children.

Breast milk may not have sufficient levels of DHA if the mother lacked DHA during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and even many milk formulas may be lacking.

Vitamin D deficiency is also on the rise in the UK, and this can lead to rickets in children, particularly among Asian, Afro Caribbean and Middle Eastern infants, children and adolescents. The UK Department of Health recommends all infants and children aged six months to five years take a vitamin D supplement.

BrightStart Vitamin D Drops (£7.99, health stores, questexcellence.com) contain 400iu of Vitamin D along with essential nutrients; Vitamins A, E and DHA. Suitable for children aged one to five years, they’re perfect for fussy eaters.

Related entries

Blue Monday: A Survivor’s Guide

Blue Monday: A Survivor’s Guide

Monday the 16th of January marks ‘Blue Monday’- known as the most depressing day of the year. Mid-January feels bleak, landing in the middle of the grey, cold winter, after the jollity of Christmas has ended and long before the blue skies and warmer weather of spring....

How’s Mum doing?

How’s Mum doing?

Dads, have you asked the 'Mums' in your life how they are doing recently? New research figures published today have revealed that two thirds (66%) of mums say their mental health has been negatively affected by the pandemic and only 16% said that their partner was...

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION DURING LOCKDOWN

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION DURING LOCKDOWN

A viral tweet sent by an unemployed, divorced, but proud dad of twins has shone a light on an issue that is not always given enough attention amid the current endless news cycle: men’s mental health.   51-year-old father Edmund O’Leary, who lives alone,...

Latest entries

Budgeting tips for single parents

Budgeting tips for single parents

For single parents it's not just the lack of support that is overwhelming, but also managing on one income. It can have a real impact on your wellbeing. Thankfully there are free resources available to help you with budgeting and managing debt. Read on to find out our...

Single parent benefits

Single parent benefits

Raising children is an eye-wateringly expensive business- particularly in a cost of living crisis. But when the burden falls entirely to one parent it can feel especially stressful. In 2023 the cost of raising a child in the UK rose to £166,000 for a couple and...

Pin It on Pinterest