Latest news with #pediatrician
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
SLC couple charged with child abuse after pediatrician reports injuries, failure to thrive
This article contains descriptions of domestic violence and/or child abuse. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, contact the DCFS 24/7 hotline: 855-323-3237. For more information, visit SALT LAKE CITY () — A Salt Lake City couple has been charged with child abuse after a pediatrician allegedly reported injuries and malnourishment during a doctor's visit. Justus Robert Olsen, 26, and Cheyenne Mika Hokulani Olsen, 30, have both been charged with second-degree felony aggravated child abuse, intentionally or knowingly. Justus Olsen is also facing a charge of Class A misdemeanor child abuse, intentionally or knowingly. According to documents, on June 2, 2025, a (SLCPD) detective received a child abuse and neglect report that outlined two visits to a pediatrician that were found concerning. The child's exact age is not identified. In October 2024, a pediatrician reported that a child patient was unable to maintain weight and made a 'failure to thrive' report. The child did not see the pediatrician again until May 30, 2025. During that appointment, the doctor saw that the child had bruising on the face, thigh, and lower back, as well as bleeding between the toes. The pediatrician referred them to the emergency room and reported the injuries to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). St. George woman who crashed with three juveniles in vehicle was on fentanyl, charges say That same day, May 30, a DCFS case worker visited the Olsens' residence regarding the injuries that the child sustained. Justus Olsen described the injuries as coming from the child's crib and said that the family had genetic disorders that caused them to bruise easily. He also allegedly told the case worker that the child was fed a lot, but could not gain weight. On May 31, the next day, the child was taken to Safe and Health Families, and their injuries were evaluated. The doctor located a fracture on the child's left humerus and ulna (upper and lower arm bones), bruising on their cheek, thigh, and lower back. The doctor stated these bruises are consistent with inflicted trauma. During the evaluation, the doctor also determined that the child's weight was most likely due to an absence of food or not receiving enough food. While at the Primary Children's Hospital, the child began gaining weight. A family member of Justus Olsen told police that she was concerned about the child's weight and had worried about the child. She expressed concern that Justus and Cheyenne Olsen were 'too strict,' and she had previously observed bruises on the child. The family member also stated that she was the only one who purchased formula and diapers for the child. After Justus Olsen was told to take the child to the emergency room on May 30, he did not take the child. The family member stated that she had offered to take the child instead due to her concern after the appointment with the pediatrician. Justus Olsen allegedly declined the offer, and later told police he didn't go because that family member was his ride and couldn't take them. READ NEXT: Nurse allegedly caused 85 y/o patient to fall and sustain injuries, she passed away days later A family friend told police that she had observed bruises on the child before, and that they had been becoming more frequent. She also said that while babysitting, the child took a bottle and two applesauce packets, consuming them all without issue. According to documents, the family friend showed police photos where the child had bruises. In speaking with Cheyenne Olsen, she allegedly told SLCPD detectives that Justus Olsen was the primary caregiver and a stay-at-home parent. Facebook Messenger conversations between the Olsens revealed concerning messages. In the messages, Justus Olsen allegedly said that he was going to 'hit their other child for shoving food in [the child's] crib,' and had locked the other child in their room. He called himself the 'warden' for his disciplinary action. Also among the conversations on Facebook Messenger, Cheyenne Olsen expressed disappointment about Justus Olsen's 'constant lying and neglect of [the child's] needs,' according to documents. She called him 'lazy and neglectful' for the past six months. While the child was receiving treatment in the hospital, Cheyenne Olsen allegedly sent a message to Justus Olsen, asking if he needed to 'pack and dip' and flee the state. A warrant was issued for Justus Olsen's arrest on July 18, and he was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on July 25, posting bond shortly after. Justus Olsen has an initial appearance scheduled for Aug. 11, and Cheyenne Olsen has an initial appearance on Aug. 18. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Woman charged with embezzling from elementary school PTA fund Man accused of killing Sgt Hooser faces new charges after allegedly attacking deputies Monroe Canyon Fire grows over 11,000 acres in 24 hours, crosses 48,000 acres due to active winds 'We are strengthening Utah's role in the global supply chain': Cox inaugurates new railroad facility Senate panel advances funding bill with $1 billion for Ukraine Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Meal Plan for Kids That Actually Works With Their Brain (Not Against It)
Look, feeding kids is hard enough without worrying about whether you're doing it 'right.' Whether you're stretching every dollar or have a full pantry, most of us are just trying to get through the day without a food fight – literally. But what if I told you the secret isn't finding the 'perfect' foods, but figuring out when and how your specific kid's body actually wants to eat? It's like finally getting the instruction manual that should have come with your child. Table of Contents Why Traditional Kid Nutrition Advice Falls Short Your Child's Internal Clock Controls Everything The Gut-Brain Connection Your Pediatrician Didn't Mention When Picky Eating Isn't Really About Food Making This Work in Real Life (Without Losing Your Mind) Emergency Plans for When Life Gets Messy TL;DR Your kid has an internal clock that's way more sophisticated than anything Apple makes – timing matters more than you think Tiny creatures in your child's belly are literally talking to their brain, affecting mood and focus (it's not just about digestion) Many 'picky eaters' aren't being difficult – their brain just processes textures and flavors differently You can start with simple changes like adjusting breakfast timing and gradually build from there This approach works even with busy schedules and tight budgets when you know what to prioritize Why Traditional Kid Nutrition Advice Falls Short Ever wonder why your kid comes home from school acting like they haven't eaten all day, even though you know they had lunch? Turns out, feeding millions of kids the same thing at the same time doesn't work for everyone. Shocking, I know. Most parenting advice treats all children like they're identical little robots, ignoring the fact that kids have vastly different ways their brains work, sleep patterns, and how they experience different textures and flavors. I've spent years watching families struggle with the standard 'balanced meal' approach because it doesn't account for when a child's body can actually use the good stuff or how their unique brain chemistry affects their relationship with food. Over 95,000 schools and institutions serve school lunches to 29.7 million students each day, including 20.5 million free lunches, yet standardized meal timing and composition often conflicts with when individual kids' bodies are actually ready for food. The School Nutrition Association data shows we're feeding millions of kids without considering their individual biological needs. Take Sarah – her 8-year-old Jake turned into a monster every day after school. Everyone kept saying 'more protein at lunch!' But here's the thing: Jake is naturally a night owl who was being forced to choke down eggs at 6:30 AM when his body was basically still asleep. Once she figured out his natural rhythm and shifted things around, the after-school meltdowns disappeared. Like magic, but with science. Understanding your child's unique nutritional needs goes beyond conventional approaches, much like how Dr. Mark Hyman's breakfast principles emphasize timing and individual body chemistry over one-size-fits-all recommendations. When we create a meal plan for kids that honors how their individual body works, everything changes. Your Child's Internal Clock Controls Everything Understanding Your Kid's Natural Rhythm Your kid has an internal clock that tells their body when to wake up, when to get hungry, and when to crash. The problem? Most of us are trying to force our kids to eat on OUR schedule, not theirs. Working with this natural rhythm instead of against it can dramatically improve both behavior and how well they actually absorb nutrients. I've watched families transform their daily struggles simply by paying attention to these biological patterns. If your kid bounces out of bed ready to conquer the world, they need protein ASAP to keep that energy stable. But if they're like my friend's daughter who needs 20 minutes just to remember her own name in the morning? Forcing a big breakfast is like trying to fuel a car that's still warming up. I've seen too many parents battle their naturally late-rising kids over breakfast when the real issue is timing, not appetite. There's a specific window after waking when your child's stress hormones naturally peak, making this the optimal time for their first meal. Missing this window often leads to afternoon crashes and difficulty focusing on homework later in the day. The difference between hitting this window and missing it can be the difference between a smooth day and constant behavioral challenges. Creating nutritious morning meals that work with your child's natural rhythm is similar to the principles found in perfecting oatmeal preparation – timing and technique matter more than ingredients alone. Child Type Optimal Breakfast Timing Best First Foods Energy Pattern Morning Lark Within 30 minutes of waking Protein + complex carbs High energy AM, steady decline PM Night Owl 60-90 minutes after waking Light protein + fruit Gradual energy build throughout day Balanced Type 45-60 minutes after waking Balanced macro mix Consistent energy with minor fluctuations Strategic Timing for Maximum Impact Beyond breakfast timing, there are specific windows throughout the day when children's bodies are primed for different types of nutrients. Understanding these windows allows you to maximize both physical growth and brain performance without turning into a nutrition scientist. After physical activity, children have a brief window where their muscles can rapidly absorb carbohydrates for recovery. Kids who get the right fuel during this window avoid that 4 PM witching hour when your angel turns into a tiny tornado. I've noticed this pattern repeatedly – the children who eat strategically after recess or sports practice maintain better focus and emotional regulation throughout the evening. Certain combinations of foods consumed 2-3 hours before bedtime naturally support your child's sleep hormones. Better sleep quality directly impacts next-day appetite regulation and emotional stability. When you get this timing right, you're setting up a positive cycle that improves everything from morning mood to afternoon attention span. Math homework requires different fuel than creative projects. I've learned to align glucose-rich snacks with analytical tasks while providing sustained energy sources during activities that benefit from deeper thinking. This isn't about micromanaging every snack – it's about understanding that your child's brain has different fuel needs for different types of thinking. The Gut-Brain Connection Your Pediatrician Didn't Mention Specific Bacteria for Specific Behaviors Forget everything you think you know about probiotics. We're not talking about expensive yogurt here. Specific tiny creatures living in your kid's belly are literally talking to their brain, influencing whether they're anxious, happy, or ready to flip tables. The research on this connection keeps expanding, and the practical applications are game-changing for families dealing with behavioral challenges. Certain beneficial bacteria produce calming chemicals that naturally reduce anxiety. Foods containing Jerusalem artichokes and green bananas feed these specific bacteria, potentially helping with test stress and social anxiety. I've worked with families who saw significant improvements in their child's test performance simply by incorporating these foods into their regular rotation. Here's something that blew my mind: most of your kid's 'happy chemicals' aren't made in their brain – they're made in their stomach. So when people say 'trust your gut,' there's actually some serious science behind it. Strategic inclusion of fermented foods beyond basic yogurt – kefir smoothies and fermented applesauce – can support more stable moods throughout the day. Supporting your child's gut health naturally aligns with understanding how drinking vinegars can enhance digestive wellness as part of a comprehensive approach to family nutrition. With meal delivery services becoming increasingly popular for busy families, 'Best Meal Delivery Services for Families' from Bon Appétit highlights how services like Hungryroot and Green Chef are making it easier for parents to provide organic, gut-health supporting meals without extensive meal planning. Fighting Inflammation at the Source Many childhood behavioral and attention issues stem from chronic low-grade inflammation that standard approaches only mask rather than address. Think of your kid's gut like a garden – the good bacteria are like helpful plants that need the right food to grow and crowd out the weeds. Creating anti-inflammatory meal patterns tackles the root cause rather than managing symptoms. I've seen children's focus improve dramatically when we address inflammation through strategic nutrition. The typical American diet creates an inflammatory ratio that can worsen attention and behavioral issues. Achieving the optimal balance requires strategic meal planning that reduces processed food inflammation while incorporating marine-based omega-3s in formats kids will actually eat. This means getting creative with fish preparation and finding plant-based omega-3 sources that don't trigger texture sensitivities. Weekly rotation of colorful plant compounds prevents adaptation while maintaining maximum anti-inflammatory benefits. I use a 'rainbow tracking' system that turns nutrition into a game kids want to participate in. When children feel involved in the process rather than controlled by it, compliance becomes cooperation. When Picky Eating Isn't Really About Food Working With Sensory Processing Differences Before you blame yourself for raising a 'difficult eater,' consider this: your kid might not be picky – their brain might just process textures, smells, and tastes differently than yours does. It's not defiance, it's neurology. Many children have undiagnosed sensory processing differences that dramatically impact their relationship with food. What looks like 'picky eating' is often a brain response that requires specialized approaches honoring how their nervous system processes sensory information. Systematic introduction of new textures through carefully designed meal progressions can expand palate acceptance without triggering sensory overwhelm. This isn't about forcing foods – it's about creating safe pathways for exploration. The key is moving slowly enough that the child's nervous system can adapt without going into protective mode. Some children seek deep pressure sensory input through chewy foods, crunchy vegetables, and resistance-based eating. Understanding whether your child is sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding changes everything about meal planning. A sensory-seeking child might thrive on raw carrots and chewy granola bars, while a sensory-avoiding child needs smooth textures and mild flavors. Emma used to think her 6-year-old Maya was just being stubborn about crunchy foods. Turns out, those textures felt overwhelming to Maya's nervous system – like nails on a chalkboard, but in her mouth. Once Emma understood this wasn't about willpower, she started with smooth vegetable purees mixed into familiar foods, then gradually introduced finely minced vegetables, then small soft pieces, and finally regular textures over a 4-month period. Maya now enjoys roasted vegetables because her sensory system was gradually prepared for the texture changes. Pairing specific food temperatures and textures with strategic meal positioning can support children who struggle with sensory overwhelm during eating times. Sometimes the environment matters as much as the food itself. Dimmed lighting, reduced noise, and comfortable seating can make the difference between a successful meal and a meltdown. Neurodivergent-Friendly Approaches Children with ADHD, autism spectrum differences, and other neurodivergent traits need meal plans that work with how their brain works rather than against it. This requires understanding how executive function, hyperfocus, and sensory processing affect eating patterns. Simple, predictable meal structures reduce the mental load on children who already struggle with executive function while ensuring optimal nutrition for brain development and focus. When every meal requires multiple decisions, neurodivergent children can become overwhelmed before they even start eating. Grab-and-go nutritional options that can be consumed during periods of intense focus allow neurodivergent children to maintain their flow states while still getting proper nutrition. Interrupting hyperfocus for a formal meal can be counterproductive, but having nutrient-dense finger foods available maintains both focus and nutrition. Rather than eliminating preferred foods, I've learned to maintain a core group of accepted options while gradually expanding choices through strategic nutrient fortification and gentle exposure techniques. This approach respects the child's need for predictability while slowly building flexibility. Supporting children with different brain wiring requires understanding how digestive wellness impacts behavior and focus, making gut health a cornerstone of neurodivergent-friendly nutrition. Making This Work in Real Life (Without Losing Your Mind) Honest Assessment of Your Family's Reality Let's get real for a minute. If you're already running on fumes and can barely get dinner on the table, this needs to make your life easier, not harder. We're talking about small tweaks that fit into your actual life – not some Pinterest-perfect fantasy. The most sophisticated meal plan fails if it doesn't account for your actual available time, energy, and skill levels. Realistic planning prevents the all-or-nothing mentality that derails most nutrition efforts. Honestly assessing available time, energy, and cooking skills allows you to create meal plans that reduce rather than increase family stress. This isn't about perfection – it's about sustainable progress that actually fits into your real life. Family Capacity Assessment Checklist: ☐ Available cooking time on weekdays (be realistic) ☐ Weekend meal prep time available ☐ Number of family members with dietary restrictions ☐ Budget constraints for specialty ingredients ☐ Kitchen equipment and storage limitations ☐ Child's current accepted foods list ☐ Family stress tolerance for food changes You don't need to become a meal-prep influencer or blow your grocery budget on superfoods. Sometimes the biggest win is buying the right basics and knowing how to use them when you're exhausted on a Tuesday night. Strategic shopping, batch preparation, and multi-purpose ingredient selection can maximize nutrition while working within budget and time limitations. With 2.6 billion breakfasts served annually through school programs and varying reimbursement rates from $2.37 for free breakfasts to $0.39 for paid breakfasts, many families are looking for ways to supplement institutional meals with targeted nutrition that supports their child's individual needs, according to the School Nutrition Association. Step-by-Step Implementation That Sticks Please don't try to change everything at once. Pick ONE thing that makes you think 'oh, that might explain why…' and start there. Maybe it's just shifting breakfast 30 minutes later. That's it. See what happens. Build from there when you're ready . Introducing advanced nutritional concepts requires a systematic approach that doesn't overwhelm families or trigger child resistance. I've developed a progressive protocol that builds success upon success, because sustainable change happens gradually. Track current eating patterns, mood correlations, and energy levels to establish baseline data before making any changes. This observation period often reveals patterns you never noticed before. You might discover your child's afternoon meltdowns consistently happen exactly two hours after lunch, or that their best focus occurs at specific times of day. Introduce one element (adjusting meal timing) while maintaining familiar foods to isolate the impact of each change. This prevents confusion about what's actually working. When you change multiple variables simultaneously, you can't identify which interventions are creating the positive results. Systematically layer additional elements while monitoring child response and family stress levels. This gradual approach prevents overwhelm while building sustainable habits. Each new element should feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Customize the approach based on observed outcomes and family feedback to create a sustainable long-term system that fits your specific situation and your child's unique needs. By this point, you'll have enough data to know what works for your family and what doesn't. Meal Prep That Supports Brain Development Strategic preparation methods maintain the integrity of time-sensitive nutritional elements while accommodating real family schedules. This isn't about spending entire weekends cooking – it's about smart preparation that saves time and preserves nutrition. Preparing base ingredients that can be quickly assembled into meals that work with your kid's natural rhythm throughout the week, including pre-portioned protein sources for morning energy support and pre-prepped complex carbs for afternoon energy stability. I focus on components that can be mixed and matched rather than complete meals that lock you into one option. Specific storage techniques maintain beneficial bacterial cultures and prevent the degradation of sensitive compounds such as probiotics and omega-3s, ensuring your prep work doesn't undermine your nutritional goals. Heat-sensitive nutrients require different handling than stable compounds, and knowing these differences prevents wasted effort. Effective meal preparation techniques can be enhanced by understanding how to preserve nutrients in homemade preparations while maintaining both flavor and therapeutic benefits. Nutrient Type Storage Method Maximum Storage Time Preparation Tips Probiotics Refrigerate in glass containers 3-5 days Add to meals just before serving Omega-3 rich foods Freeze in single portions 2-3 months Thaw in refrigerator, never microwave Prepped vegetables Store in breathable containers 5-7 days Blanch briefly to maintain nutrients Cooked proteins Vacuum seal or airtight containers 3-4 days refrigerated Cool completely before storing Using Technology Without Obsessing Modern tools can help identify patterns between meal timing, food choices, and child behavior without turning mealtime into a clinical experience. The key is using technology to support intuition rather than replace it. Digital tools that help parents identify patterns between specific foods/timing and their child's emotional regulation, attention span, and energy levels can reveal insights that transform your approach. Simple photo logs of meals paired with brief behavior notes often show correlations that surprise parents. Monitoring how different evening meal compositions affect sleep quality and next-day behavior creates personalized bedtime nutrition protocols that improve the entire family's rest. When you can see the direct connection between dinner choices and morning mood, meal planning becomes much more purposeful. Emergency Plans for When Life Gets Messy Maintaining Nutrition During Crisis Because life happens. Your kid gets sick, work explodes, or you're dealing with family drama – and suddenly your carefully planned meals go out the window. Here's how to keep the important stuff going even when everything else falls apart. Simplified approaches that maintain core nutritional principles during illness, family emergencies, or high-stress periods ensure that nutrition goals aren't completely abandoned when elaborate meal planning isn't feasible. Modified meal plans that support immune function while maintaining gut health during illness, including easily digestible options that still provide mood-stabilizing nutrients when regular meals aren't appealing. Illness disrupts normal eating patterns, but strategic nutrition choices can actually speed recovery. When Marcus got hit with a stomach bug, his mom Lisa didn't panic about 'ruining' his nutrition. She just focused on the basics – keeping him hydrated, supporting his gut recovery, and maintaining his usual eating rhythm with gentler foods. She offered bone broth with a pinch of sea salt for electrolytes, mashed banana with a tiny amount of probiotic powder, and small sips of ginger tea with honey. Even during illness, she maintained his natural eating rhythm with lighter versions of his usual meal timing, which helped him recover faster and return to normal eating patterns without resistance. Portable nutrition solutions that maintain natural rhythm support and sensory processing accommodations while away from home, because vacation shouldn't mean abandoning everything that helps your child thrive. Planning ahead prevents the complete dietary chaos that often accompanies family trips. Disney's announcement of 'free dining plans for kids ages 3 to 9' from ABC7 New York shows how even major family destinations are recognizing the importance of making nutritious meals accessible to families, though parents still need strategies for maintaining their child's specific nutritional timing and sensory needs even during vacation dining. Navigating Social Eating Situations Strategies for maintaining nutritional goals while allowing children to participate fully in social eating experiences such as birthday parties, school events, and playdates without creating food anxiety or social isolation. Social eating presents unique challenges that require advance planning and flexibility. Nutritional strategies implemented before social eating events minimize the impact of less optimal food choices on behavior and energy levels, allowing kids to enjoy celebrations without major consequences. Pre-Party Preparation Checklist: ☐ Serve protein-rich snack 30 minutes before party ☐ Ensure child is well-hydrated before leaving home ☐ Pack familiar backup snacks if needed ☐ Review social eating expectations with child ☐ Plan post-party recovery meal timing ☐ Coordinate with host about food options if necessary Specific meal compositions designed to rebalance blood sugar, support gut health, and prevent behavioral rebounds after consuming party foods or restaurant meals help get back on track quickly. Recovery doesn't mean punishment – it means strategic support for your child's system. Post-celebration recovery strategies work similarly to how immune system support requires strategic timing and nutrients to help the body bounce back from stress or disruption. When you're ready to dive deeper into supporting your child's unique nutritional needs, Organic Authority offers carefully vetted supplements and wellness products that align with this neurodevelopmental approach. Their rigorous evaluation process ensures you're getting clean, effective options that support your child's brain development and overall health. Advanced Troubleshooting for Complex Situations When Multiple Issues Overlap Many children deal with combinations of sensory processing differences, attention challenges, and gut health issues simultaneously. Addressing these overlapping concerns requires a nuanced approach that doesn't overwhelm an already sensitive system. Children with both sensory processing differences and gut health issues need meal plans that address texture sensitivities while supporting beneficial bacteria growth. This often means finding creative ways to deliver probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods in sensory-acceptable formats. Smoothies become vehicles for fermented ingredients, while familiar textures hide nutrient-dense additions. Kids dealing with both attention challenges and anxiety need carefully balanced approaches that provide focus-supporting nutrients without triggering overstimulation. Timing becomes even more critical when managing multiple brain factors. What supports attention might increase anxiety if given at the wrong time or in the wrong combination. With schools serving meals between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM according to federal regulations, children with complex needs often require additional nutritional support outside these windows to maintain optimal brain function throughout the day. Seasonal and Developmental Adjustments Your child's nutritional needs change with growth spurts, seasonal light exposure, and developmental phases. What works perfectly in summer might need adjustment during the shorter days of winter or during periods of rapid physical growth. Ever notice how your kid can survive on air and attitude some days, then eat you out of house and home the next? During rapid growth periods, children's nutritional needs can increase dramatically and unpredictably. Understanding how to scale portions and adjust macronutrient ratios prevents the behavioral instability that often accompanies growth spurts. Suddenly increased appetite isn't defiance – it's biology demanding more fuel for development. Changes in daylight exposure throughout the year affect children's natural sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. Adjusting meal timing and composition seasonally helps maintain optimal energy and mood stability year-round. Winter requires different nutritional support than summer, and recognizing these patterns prevents seasonal behavioral challenges. Building Food Relationship Resilience Beyond getting proper nutrition, this approach helps children develop a healthy, sustainable relationship with food that serves them into adulthood. The goal is raising kids who understand their bodies' signals and can make good choices independently. Many children lose touch with their natural hunger and satiety signals due to external meal scheduling and food rules. Reconnecting kids with these internal cues while maintaining nutritional goals creates lifelong healthy eating patterns. This requires patience and trust in your child's innate wisdom about their body's needs. Balancing the structure needed for optimal nutrition with enough flexibility to handle real-world situations helps children develop confidence around food choices rather than anxiety or rigidity. Structure provides security while flexibility builds resilience. Building a healthy relationship with food parallels the principles found in intuitive eating approaches that honor both nutritional needs and psychological well-being. For families ready to take this approach to the next level, Organic Authority's carefully curated selection of children's supplements and gut health products can provide additional support for the more complex nutritional needs we've discussed. Their commitment to transparency and quality ensures you're getting products that align with this science-based approach to children's nutrition. Final Thoughts Look, I'm not trying to turn you into a nutrition scientist or make every meal feel like a chemistry experiment. Some days, getting any food into your kid without a battle is a win. This is about having a few tricks up your sleeve for when you're ready to try something new. Start small. Pick ONE thing that makes you think 'oh, that might explain why…' and start there. Maybe it's just shifting breakfast 30 minutes later. That's it. See what happens. Build from there when you're ready. Your kid is not your neighbor's kid, your sister's kid, or that perfectly behaved child at the grocery store. They're uniquely theirs, which means what works for them will be uniquely theirs too. Stop comparing and start observing. Here's the truth: you already know your kid better than any expert ever will. You see the patterns, you know their quirks, you can read their moods from across the room. This information is just here to support what you're already noticing, not replace your parental superpowers. And on the days when everything falls apart and you're serving cereal for dinner? Your kid will be fine. Tomorrow is a fresh start, and you're doing better than you think you are. The post Meal Plan for Kids That Actually Works With Their Brain (Not Against It) appeared first on Organic Authority. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Shocking behavior of Oklahoma pediatrician arrested for 'murdering daughter,' then claiming girl had drowned
A pediatrician mother hid in the laundry room from police as they beat down her door to arrest her for the death of her four-year-old daughter. Dr. Neha Gupta, 36, of Edmond, Oklahoma, was hiding in her home on July 1 when Oklahoma City Police Department and the US Marshals came banging on her door to arrest her. Gupta, who had recently been let go from her job and was in the midst of a custody battle, has been accused of killing her four-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi, while vacationing with her in Florida in June. Police have now accused the pediatrician of smothering her daughter to death and then placing her body in the pool in the backyard of the rental home in hopes of passing it off as accidental drowning. Marshals banged on the mother-of-one's door and yelled at her to come outside, but the mother did not, bodycam footage obtained by Daily Mail showed. After busting in the door, police found the mother hiding in the laundry room in what appeared to be her pajamas. Authorities searched her home with guns draw, finding children's toys - a reminder of the innocent life lost. After opening the laundry room door, they found the mother cowering in a corner. 'Hands, hands,' an officer yelled. 'Come out!' She came out of the room without incident, silently falling to the ground as officers handcuffed her. She was led out through the garage. Police had earlier observed Gupta near the door before retreating into the laundry room, the incident report obtained by Daily Mail said. Aria was vacationing with her mother when she was found unresponsive in the backyard pool of their El Portal, Florida, rental house on June 27. Aria's death came nearly a month after her mother was suspended from her job at OU Health and the University of Oklahoma in May and given a notice of termination. Gupta was also going through a custody battle with her ex-husband, Dr. Saurabh Talathi, after they divorced last year. Talathi, also of Edmond, told investigators that he wasn't aware his ex-wife had taken the toddler out of state, Local 10 News reported. Gupta told police she was awoken by a strange sound on June 27 and found her daughter unresponsive in the backyard pool around 3:30am. Aria was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4:28am. However, while doctors were examining the little girl, they found cuts and bruising inside the toddler's mouth, suggesting she may have been smothered to death and had her body placed in the pool, NBC Miami reported. They also didn't find water in the girl's lungs - disputing the mother's story that she drowned. Gupta was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The mother-of-one had told authorities she and the little girl had enjoyed dinner around 9pm before going to sleep in the same bed in the master bedroom of the rental home around 12:30am. When she was awoken by an 'unidentified noise' hours later, she claimed she saw her daughter submerged in the pool. She claimed she had attempted to save her daughter, but was unable to as she didn't know how to swim. Gupta also told police she had attempted to 'assist the deceased victim' for approximately 10 minutes before calling 911. The girl's stomach was also found empty, which contradicted Gupta's claim that she had fed the child earlier that evening. Detectives said surveillance video and the autopsy report burn holes in Gupta's account and suggested she had staged the girl's death. 'The subject attempted to conceal the killing of the deceased victim by staging an accidental drowning within the swimming pool of a rental property,' the affidavit said. The doctor was arrested in Oklahoma City on July 1 by US Marshals and the Oklahoma City Police Department. She was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center and was held without bond until her extradition. Gupta is still being held without bond at the Miami-Dade Jail in Florida. Miami-Dade Sherriff's Detective Joseph. R. Peguero Rivera told Daily Mail earlier this month that they did not know what the motive was for the brutal crime. It is also unclear if the child's remains are in Florida or if they have been transferred back to Oklahoma. Gupta's lawyer, Richard Cooper, previously told Local 10 that police 'rushed to judgement' and 'as a result, a grieving mother who just lost her daughter is in jail.' 'We look forward to a full investigation which will uncover the truth of the matter,' he said. Gupta is expected back in court for her Florida arraignment hearing on August 7. Daily Mail has reached out to Gupta's attorneys for comment.
CBC
22-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Alberta mother feared the worst for 4-month-old with measles
Months after fearing she would lose her baby girl to measles, Morgan Birch says she wants Canadians to educate themselves more about the importance of vaccines. Birch's daughter, Kimie Fukuta-Birch, was too young to be eligible for the vaccine, which is not routinely given to children under a year old. But she feels her baby would not have been infected if more people around her had received the vaccine. "Basically as parents, it's your responsibility to educate yourself with the help of your pediatrician and health-care professionals," she said. "I feel this was completely preventable." Birch, who lives in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., said she is also worried that her daughter may suffer long-term health complications as a result of her getting measles at such a young age. "It's not just that parent or child who it affected when they don't vaccinate, there's a whole other population that needs to be protected by vaccines." Birch isn't certain where her daughter got infected, but said she took her out in the Fort Saskatchewan community before she got sick. Alberta has become a hot spot for measles, with the province reporting nearly 1,380 infections since the beginning of March. This is more than the total number of cases reported in the United States. Ontario has also reported more than 2,270 infections since an outbreak began last fall. Alberta's immunization rates against measles for children fall below the recommended rate of 95 per cent that scientists say is needed to prevent the illness from spreading. The province's 2024 data shows that by age two, 80 per cent of children received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and 68 per cent received both doses. Alberta's vaccination schedule for the two-part shot calls for the first dose at 12 months and the second at 18 months. But even by age seven, only 71.6 per cent had received both doses, provincial data shows. However, it's not the only province with low immunization rates against measles among children. Three out of the four Atlantic provinces told The Canadian Press they also had immunization rates below the 95-per-cent threshold, while one province, Newfoundland and Labrador, has not responded to requests for its data. WATCH | Canada measles outbreaks are preventable, says family doctor: Family doctor says measles outbreaks in Canada are entirely preventable 5 days ago While B.C. has recorded a little over 100 cases of measles as of July 5, neighbouring Alberta has recorded more cases than the entirety of the U.S. despite having a fraction of the population. Dr. Susan Kuo, a Richmond family physician, said the current outbreak could be prevented with up-to-date vaccinations, and the COVID-19 pandemic had led to an increase in vaccine skepticism and poor disease mitigation. Last week, Dr. Kimberley Barker, regional medical officer of health for Sussex, N.B., said measles cases were rising due to factors such as vaccine hesitancy. In some cases, she said parents are too busy and may underestimate the seriousness or risk of infection. Barker said officials are ramping up immunization campaigns when schools start in September to make it easier for kids with busy parents to get vaccinated. Other provinces are also making it easier to get immunized through walk-in clinics, community health centres and health-care providers. Birch explained how the consequences could be severe for those who don't follow recommendations from their local public health officials and doctors. She recalled that before her daughter's bout of measles, she was a happy baby. But it took a month for Kimie to recover from the infection. And although she is now back to her "happy self," Birch said she seems to be falling sick more than she used to. "Her immune system has to be built up again." Overall, Canada has a total of 3,822 confirmed measles cases from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, as of July 5. New Brunswick has confirmed 14 cases. Lingering risks Shelly Bolotin, director of the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the University of Toronto, said the first does of the measles vaccine is usually given at 12 months. But children as young as six months can also be given the shot if they are travelling or living in an area with an outbreak. Although, she added those children who receive a dose at six months will still need to receive two subsequent doses. "As people are going out of town and taking trips — if they are going to measles endemic areas — they can protect their infant if they're a minimum of six months old," Bolotin said, adding it takes up to two weeks for the vaccination to take effect. Bolotin said the incubation period for measles is up to three weeks from the time a person is exposed to the disease until they start experiencing symptoms. Measles infects the immune cells, erasing a lot of the previous immunity and leaving the person susceptible to other bacterial and viral infections for several years, she said. "The technical term is measles immune amnesia." Children who recover from measles can experience other infections more frequently because they have lost this immunity and don't realize that this is a long-term effect of measles infection, she noted. There is also a rare and fatal form of neurological deterioration — subacute sclerosing panencephalitis — that happens in four to 11 in every 100,000 cases, she said. This disorder occurs when measles remains in the body latently, she added. Some of the symptoms include behavioural changes, cognitive decline, jerks, and seizures,with the onset of the disease being late childhood or adolescence. Childhood complications "Canada worked very, very hard to eliminate measles, and we achieved measles elimination in 1998 which means the World Health Organization has recognized that it wasn't circulating regularly in our country, and now we're at risk of losing that," Bolotin said. "And that would be a shame." Dr. Anna Banerji, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto, said some children suffer from complications after measles such as pneumonia, hepatitis or encephalitis. Measles can also cause deafness and blindness, especially if the child is malnourished. Measles cases in Alberta surpass 1,300 4 days ago As Alberta's measles outbreak continues to grow, some residents are reconsidering travel plans — particularly families with young children or individuals with autoimmune concerns. Dr. Christopher Labos addresses and debunks common misinformation about measles vaccines and preventative treatments. CORRECTION (July 18, 2025): A previous version of this title incorrectly stated the number of confirmed measles cases in Alberta as 13,000. In fact, the number of cases in the province is 1,300. After recovering from a bout of infection, Banerji said some children have temporary low immunity. "It can take a while to recover," she said. Meanwhile, Birch said she will carry the heartbreak, frustration and feeling of helplessness as she watched her four-month-old daughter fight measles. "She could have died," she said of her daughter. "A lot of kids died from measles back before there were preventive measures in place."
CTV News
22-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘She could have died.' Alberta mother feared the worst for 4-month-old with measles
Four-month-old Kimie Fukuta-Birch of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., seen in this undated handout photo, was diagnosed with measles. Her mother, Morgan Birch, says she feared the worst for her daughter. While Kimie has now recovered, Birch says she faces a long road to recovery. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Morgan Birch (Mandatory Credit) Months after fearing she would lose her baby girl to measles, Morgan Birch says she wants Canadians to educate themselves more about the importance of vaccines. Birch's daughter, Kimie Fukuta-Birch, was too young to be eligible for the vaccine, which is not routinely given to children under a year old. But she feels her baby would not have been infected if more people around her had received the vaccine. 'Basically as parents it's your responsibility to educate yourself with the help of your pediatrician and health-care professionals,' she said. 'I feel this was completely preventable.' Birch, who lives in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., said she is also worried that her daughter may suffer long-term health complications as a result of her getting measles at such a young age. 'It's not just that parent or child who it affected when they don't vaccinate, there's a whole other population that needs to be protected by vaccines.' Birch isn't certain where her daughter got infected, but said she took her out in the Fort Saskatchewan community before she got sick. Alberta has become a hot spot for measles, with the province reporting nearly 1,380 infections since the beginning of March. This is more than the total number of cases reported in the United States. Ontario has also reported more than 2,270 infections since an outbreak began last fall. Alberta's immunization rates against measles for children fall below the recommended rate of 95 per cent that scientists say is needed to prevent the illness from spreading. The province's 2024 data shows that by age two, 80 per cent of children received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and 68 per cent received both doses. Alberta's vaccination schedule for the two-part shot calls for the first dose at 12 months and the second at 18 months. But even by age seven, only 71.6 per cent had received both doses, provincial data shows. However, it's not the only province with low immunization rates against measles among children. Three out of the four Atlantic provinces told The Canadian Press they also had immunization rates below the 95-per-cent threshold, while one province, Newfoundland and Labrador, has not responded to requests for its data. Last week, Dr. Kimberley Barker, regional medical officer of health for Sussex, N.B., said measles cases were rising due to factors such as vaccine hesitancy. In some cases, she said parents are too busy and may underestimate the seriousness or risk of infection. Barker said officials are ramping up immunization campaigns when schools start in September to make it easier for kids with busy parents to get vaccinated. Other provinces are also making it easier to get immunized through walk-in clinics, community health centres and health-care providers. Birch explained how the consequences could be severe for those who don't follow recommendations from their local public health officials and doctors. She recalled that before her daughter's bout of measles, she was a happy baby. But it took a month for Kimie to recover from the infection. And although she is now back to her 'happy self,' Birch said she seems to be falling sick more than she used to. 'Her immune system has to be built up again.' Overall, Canada has a total of 3,822 confirmed measles cases from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, as of July 5. New Brunswick has confirmed 14 cases. Shelly Bolotin, director of the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the University of Toronto, said the first does of the measles vaccine is usually given at 12 months. But children as young as six months can also be given the shot if they are travelling or living in an area with an outbreak. Although, she added those children who receive a dose at six months will still need to receive two subsequent doses. 'As people are going out of town and taking trips — if they are going to measles endemic areas — they can protect their infant if they're a minimum of six months old,' Bolotin said, adding it takes up to two weeks for the vaccination to take effect. Bolotin said the incubation period for measles is up to three weeks from the time a person is exposed to the disease until they start experiencing symptoms. Measles infects the immune cells, erasing a lot of the previous immunity and leaving the person susceptible to other bacterial and viral infections for several years, she said. 'The technical term is measles immune amnesia.' Children who recover from measles can experience other infections more frequently because they have lost this immunity and don't realize that this is a long-term effect of measles infection, she noted. There is also a rare and fatal form of neurological deterioration — subacute sclerosing panencephalitis — that happens in four to 11 in every 100,000 cases, she said. This disorder occurs when measles remains in the body latently, she added. Some of the symptoms include behavioural changes, cognitive decline, jerks, and seizures, with the onset of the disease being late childhood or adolescence. 'Canada worked very, very hard to eliminate measles, and we achieved measles elimination in 1998 which means the World Health Organization has recognized that it wasn't circulating regularly in our country, and now we're at risk of losing that,' Bolotin said. 'And that would be a shame.' Dr. Anna Banerji, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto, said some children suffer from complications after measles such as pneumonia, hepatitis or encephalitis. Measles can also cause deafness and blindness, especially if the child is malnourished. After recovering from a bout of infection, Banerji said some children have temporary low immunity. 'It can take a while to recover,' she said. Meanwhile, Birch said she will carry the heartbreak, frustration and feeling of helplessness as she watched her four-month-old daughter fight measles. 'She could have died,' she said of her daughter. 'A lot of kids died from measles back before there were preventive measures in place.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025. Hina Alam, The Canadian Press
