Parenting and medical professionals, as well as leading entrepreneurs, answer some of your most pressing questions
Adele Marie
Ego Hair, Queen’s Park’s favourite salon
What are the benefits of organic shampoos?
There are plenty of benefits to using organic shampoos and conditioners which extend far beyond the clean conscience they inspire. Firstly, you avoid harmful chemicals. Commercial shampoos often have a wide number of chemicals such as sodium and aluminum lauryl sulfate, derivatives of lauryl alcohol, propylene glycol and olefin sulfonate. These chemicals can have several negative effects on the hair and scalp. Not only can they cause irritation in the sebaceous oil glands, they can also dry out the hair which leads to split-ends and a dull look. Sodium lauryl sulfate is also considered to be especially harmful as it is absorbed by the body and may have further negative consequences. Secondly, organic shampoos and conditioners are excellent for sensitive skin. Since organic shampoos are made of natural products, the likelihood of allergic reactions and causing skin sensitivity is low, making them perfect for those with allergic and sensitive skin. Another benefit of going organic when it comes to haircare is its environmental credentials. Organic shampoos do not pollute the environment, instead they break down into organic compounds. These compounds then decompose into the soil without causing any harm to plant and animal life. Finally, organic shampoos stimulate hair follicles. The stimulation leads to accelorated hair growth, plus, it promotes the growth of new hair, all of which will leads to thick, shiny locks.
Heather Morris
Heather Morris is a Registered General Nurse and State Certified Midwife. She is mum to Freddy, Harry and Jack..
My little one has just got her first tooth coming through and she’s got nappy rash. Are the two related?
Although there’s no clinical evidence of a link between nappy rash and teething, many parents say they’ve noticed an association between the two. It could be that the extra saliva produced when a baby is teething leads to looser stools and, in turn, a greater chance of nappy rash developing. Others claim that a hormonal imbalance arises during teething, when the stress hormone endocrine is produced, which leads to fluid imbalance in the gut, causing diarrhoea. Whichever camp you and yourself in, it’s always worth trying to prevent nappy rash occurring in the first place. Try to maximise the time your baby spends with no nappy on, so that fresh air can get to her most sensitive skin. You can also try using plain warm water and cotton wool to wipe your baby’s bottom instead of typical wipes, and, finally, try to always use a barrier ointment or spray at each nappy change.
“TRY USING WATER AND COTTON WOOL TO WIPE YOUR BABY’S BOTTOM INSTEAD OF WIPES”
Darren Breen
iMEDicare
How can I prevent and treat my weak pelvic floor?
Emerging research suggests that high-impact exercise is closely linked with incidence of urinary leakage, all the while it is increasing in popularity amongst women in the UK. e physiology of high impact stress incontinence is complex, but the majority of women exper
ience symptom relief through pelvic floor strengthening. The best way to treat a weak or leaky pelvic floor is with daily targeted pelvic floor exercises. These days, there is a whole host of products on the market that can assist you. The most important aspect of your attempts to strengthen your pelvic floor is to ensure correct technique. Then it’s a case of practise followed by persistence. It can take anything from a few days, to a few weeks or months to achieve a completely leak free pelvic floor. A new device now available in the UK is called Vibrance, distributed by iMEDicare. Vibrance is a vibration feedback kegel educator. It works by vibrating each and every time you contract your pelvic floor muscles correctly. A beeping system alerts you to the fact that you’re contracting for long enough, and if you feel the gentle vibration, it means you are spot on with technique. You are likely to see results faster using this little machine, rather than struggling along while using a poor technique. All it takes is one or two, very simple five-minute daily routines. You can also purchase resistance sleeves which serve to add difficulty. They also keep you motivated to improve pelvic floor tone faster and achieve a leak free lifestyle – sooner rather than later.
Dr. Aamer Khan
Co-founder of the leading Harley Street Skin Clinic
How can I protect my skin from the elements during colder months?
Great skin thrives on routine. Often patients come to me complaining of excessively oily skin, but what it is really a sign of is extreme dryness. Your skin is very intuitive, if it’s struggling to stay hydrated then it will make up it with an influx of oil. Changing your routine simply breaks the cycle, making it almost impossible to keep skin under control. Once you and a skincare regime that works for you, keep to it, making small adaptations as seasons change. You should be aiming to use gentle cleansers and moisturisers twice a day to help re-educate the skin. It will find its stride soon enough. How you apply your moisturiser is also very important. Friction between your skin and hands generates heat, which can cause water particles in products to evaporate before they absorb into the skin. Eye serums should be delicately pressed onto the skin, and any product which needs to be worked in should be applied gently in circular, upward motions. Many people fall short of their daily water intake due to sheer monotony. A lot of the time the incentive just isn’t exciting enough. I suggest investing in an infuser bottle to help hydrate whilst keeping things interesting. Packing your water bottles full of fruit has a whole host of biological benefits, too. While lemon will help to replenish the body’s natural electrolytes, strawberries are loaded with vitamins. And they taste great!
Sally Wade
Healthy living blogger and founder of Treat Trunk, healthy snack boxes for families.
My child doesn’t like vegetables, what can I do?
Having a child who doesn’t like vegetables can be really stressful, especially when they refuse to eat any at all. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help to encourage them.
Get Creative – Grating, mashing or blending vegetables into foods your child will eat can help get their taste buds used to them.
Increase their nutrient intake in other areas – By increasing nutrient dense foods you can be assured their growing bodies are getting what they need.
Snack Healthy – Kids love to snack, and the range of healthy, childfriendly snacks available in the UK is huge.
Eat vegetables yourself – Kids love to copy us, so modelling a healthy relationship with vegetables is one of the best things you can do.
Grow Veg – Even if it’s one small pot of carrots, get your child involved with the whole process and they will be more likely to want to try the finished product.
Let them help in the kitchen – When children have helped created a dish (even if it’s just a REALLY chunky salad) they are also more likely to try some during the meal. You can buy child safe knives for this purpose
Don’t Stress – is is likely just a phase and by reducing any stress around vegetables they are more likely to try them in the future.
“MODEL A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH VEGETABLES”
Emily Williamson
Mum of two, experienced Sling Librarian, Carrying Consultant, Trainer and Inventor of the Izmi Baby Carrier.
What should I look for in a baby carrier?
Check that your baby is comfortably supported, with their head and neck in the correct position and their airways clear. They should be held high and close to your chest and you should be able to see their face. The carrier should also be a good fit for the adult with the weight distributed evenly so it is comfortable to wear and easy to take on and off and position your baby correctly.
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