Developing Brains Need Iron

Research is continuing to indicate that iron is extremely critical to early brain development. Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition for young children who are not receiving enough iron in their diets. The danger is anemia can lead to a permanently low intelligence quotient (IQ).

Iron is important because it is an essential part of hemoglobin (Hb). Hemoglobin is what allows the red blood cells to transport oxygen to the body cells. Lack of hemoglobin limits the blood’s ability to feed the cells, which therefore limits tissue growth.

Essentially, iron deficiency anemia results in a lack of oxygen in the body various tissues. When tissue is starved of oxygen, it fails to grow and can suffer permanent damage.

Brain development is of primary concern when considering the effects of iron deficiency anemia on young children. Brain tissue in unborn and young children is under constant development, and an adequate oxygen supply is absolutely critical to proper brain formation. An inadequate oxygen supply can result in an underdeveloped brain with permanently lower cognitive ability.

For this reason, pregnant mothers should be certain to consume enough iron throughout their pregnancies, so that the developing brains of their unborn children can benefit from proper oxygen levels. (Note 20% of women suffer from anemia during pregnancy.) Parents should make sure that their children continue to receive proper amounts of iron throughout childhood.

Iron is available from many sources, such as beef, green leafy vegetables, raisins, dried apricots, almonds, etc. A diet with plenty of Vitamin C is also advisable, because Vitamin C aids in the body’s absorption of iron.

If you are concerned about your child’s iron levels, ask your pediatrician to test your child’s hemoglobin level. The hemoglobin test is a simple blood test that requires a quick prick on the toe or finger and a small blood sample. In many cases, the results of a hemoglobin test can be available in as little as a few minutes. (Note: Pregnant women should also be tested for anemia.)

Correcting iron deficiency anemia is fairly simple. If your or your child is anemic, the doctor will be able to prescribe a diet that will include proper iron levels.

Your Baby’s First Noun

A breakthrough moment in a child’s language development is the realization that objects have names. You can help your child reach this breakthrough moment by repeatedly exposing your child to a single object and stating that name of the object.

The best object to use is a ball. The object is extremely simple, so it is easy to process and remember. The word ball is short and simple to understand.

To teach your child the meaning of the word ball, choose a solid-colored ball. Red is the ideal color for this ball since red is visually striking and babies develop the ability to see red at a very early age.

At random times throughout each day, hold the ball one to two feet in front of your baby’s eyes. Look your baby in the eyes and clearly speak, "Ball." Move the ball slightly to refocus the baby’s attention and repeat, "Ball."

Repeat this up to five times and then offer the ball to your baby. To let this lesson sink in, allow your baby to play with the ball for as long as he or she wishes. Repeat this process a few times each day.

Eventually, you will see a glimmer of understanding in your baby’s eyes. Your baby will eventually comprehend that the object has a name. Your baby will know that the word ball is not just a sound that comes from people’s mouths, but a word with actual meaning. Once your baby gains the understanding that objects have names and words have meanings, your baby will begin to travel down the glorious path of understanding language.

Baby Gyms Provide a Workout for the Brain

A baby gym normally consists of arches that extend over a small cushioned play mat. The gym sits on the floor and provides you with a comfortable and stimulating place to lay your baby when you are unable to hold him or her. (The Tiny Love Gymini is one of the best-known baby gyms.)

The important feature of the baby gym is the arches. These arches generally have several holes that allow you to suspend toys over your baby. The suspended toys give your baby interesting objects on which to focus. This helps with the development of eyes and visual processing skills. The suspended toys also provide your baby with objects to bat around with his or her hands and feet. This helps the development of motor skills.

When selecting a baby gym, try to find one in black, white, and red. If you cannot find one with these colors, look for a gym with a lot of contrasting colors and bold patterns.

When setting up the baby gym, suspend the toys in locations where your baby is likely to hit or kick them by accident during normal movement. As your baby repeatedly bumps the suspended toys by accident, your baby will begin to realize that he or she has control over his or her environment, which is a major developmental breakthrough. If you watch carefully and are lucky, you will actually witness the precise moment that your baby realizes that he or she can manipulate objects by moving arms and legs.