Give little digestive systems a helping hand

Got a grizzly little one with a sore tummy? It doesn’t take much to upset the delicate chain reaction that is the amazing process of digestion, especially in babies and young children.

The developing digestive system

New babies must kick start their digestive system shortly after being born. The transition from receiving nutrition and eliminating waste via the placenta to complete digestive independence is not always an easy one. Your baby may struggle with cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or simply find it difficult to pass wind. These are all common responses as the digestive tract gets used to its job over the first few years.

Common causes of tummy upsets

Baby colic: Every new parent’s nightmare – your new baby cries incessantly after feeding, pulls their legs up and is clearly very uncomfortable, not settling until they’ve passed wind or faeces.

Reflux: Around 50% of babies spill or burp up a small amount of milk after feeding. This is usually because the oesophagus is not yet fully developed and will resolve over time.

Solids and food sensitivities: As you introduce new foods, keep an eye on reactions to dairy, gluten and some families of vegetables such as onions and garlic – these can trigger wind and bloating in some children.

Harker’s yummy gummies

5 MIN MAKES 53 GUMMIES

For older toddlers and children, try offering these Harker’s yummy gummies made with Harker Herbals Wind, Calm & Settle throughout the day or as an after dinner treat!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Harker Herbals

Wind, Calm & Settle

• 1 tbsp Nutra Organics

Natural Gelatin

• 4 tbsp (60mls) hot water

Method:

• Harker’s Silicone Gummy Mold

1. Add water to a small glass bowl or beaker, slowly add the gelatin and whisk until smooth.

2. Add the Wind, Calm & Settle syrup to the mixture and slowly stir.

3. Use a dropper to completely fill the molds.

4. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until completely set.

5. Pop the gummy bears out of the mold and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Harker Herbals Wind, Calm & Settle

Wind, Calm & Settle is your go-to syrup for all tummy upsets, especially young babies with the dreaded colic. It can help support with bloating and wind, and supports a relaxed nervous system to help calm little ones. Being a liquid, it’s easy to administer and adjust the dosage for new babies through to children up to 12 years old.

Free shaker 700ml, worth $10.90, when you buy any flavour of Balance Plant Protein 440g for $37.90 or 1kg for $74.90

Heavenly

Feeling overwhelmed or anxious: While some feel fleeting “butterflies in the tummy”, others can feel nauseous or even vomit. It’s not uncommon for little ones to complain of a sore tummy the night before school starts or you’re heading out for the evening.

HARKER HERBALS

Free silicone gummy bear mould, worth $9.95, when you buy Wind Calm & Settle 150ml for $31.90.

Many people have trouble sleeping, and breaking the cycle of insomnia can be hard. You can try changing your sleep routine and curbing your caffeine intake, but sometimes these lifestyle interventions fall short.

Magnesium has wide-ranging effects in the body and may influence some of the processes that support restful sleep.

In order to fall asleep and stay asleep, your body and brain need to relax. Magnesium may support this process by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the system responsible for getting your mind calm and relaxed, and ready for sleep.

Magnesium supports the normal signals throughout the nervous system and brain, and can support the hormone melatonin, which guides sleep-wake cycles in your body.

Which magnesium is right for you?

HealthZone Muscle Zone is a combination product that covers many areas of health, maintenance, and recovery from exercise. It is a major supporter of muscle tone, energy production and metabolism of all proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Since magnesium directs blood to the muscles efficiently and helps to remove lactic acid, it supports muscle recovery by alleviating soreness. Magnesium is also essential to muscle relaxation and allows potassium to move into your cells to keep your muscles from tensing.

Muscle Zone supports muscle relaxation while still including support for both energy production, healthy bones, and is recommended for those with an active lifestyle.

HealthZone Magnesium Zone is the most absorbable form of magnesium. It supports intracellular delivery, facilitating critical roles in cardiovascular function, nerve conduction, sleep, cholesterol metabolism and energy production.

Magnesium Zone helps relax the smooth muscle of arteries which may support normal blood pressure balance and support heart health. It is also well tolerated by the bowel, helping to support a calm stomach during periods of stress.

Magnesium Zone is great to use for supporting of muscle tension and tightness, helping to support restful sleep.

Shake up your fitness routine!

PranaOn Plant Protein Shake is the ideal fitness buddy to help improve your daily protein intake, the healthy way. Crafted with premium ingredients, each serve contains 20 grams of clean plant protein, plus probiotics and digestive enzymes for easier absorption and utilisation. Plant Protein Shake is naturally sweetened, and free of gluten, dairy, soy, added sugars, and other hidden nasties.

PRANAON

Plant Protein Shake (chocolate & vanilla)

405g now $29.99 was $35.99