I’m so excited I feel like hopping like a little Easter bunny. Mother dearest probably guessed my thoughts because she’s decided to dress me like one, white ears, cute fluffy tail. Seriously why do parents do this to us, we are poor innocent helpless babies, parents dress us up like all sorts of cartoon characters, a Santa for Christmas, Cupid on Valentine’s Day, little leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day... and don’t get me started on Halloween, it’s the mother of public humiliation. I mean all I want to be is something evil, not your everyday cute little devil or witch, why can’t I be the destroyer of the universe or even SATAN.

Anyways, enough venting from a 24 month year old baby dressed like the Easter bunny. Hey if I’ve got the costume on I might as well play the part, just as I was going to scream for more chocolate, a live moving humongous yellow baby chick shuffled into the room. I scream blue murder and was inconsolable, until the yellow chick had to take its head taken off... SHOCK and HORROR... it was only Big Sister, I guess Mother’s evil doings had permeated on to the rest of the family.

Anyway the reason for my extreme happiness, before the “bunny” incident and being horrified by a yellow chick was that it was Easter and I get to eat chocolate... WOOHOOO... Mother dearest doesn’t know it yet, but hey I’m going to drown myself in chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, and any sugary concoctions that  come my way. I’m going to rope in our sweet aunty or grandma who can’t usually say no when I bat my eyelids, curl my lower lip and have that 'please, grandma' look on my face. I get served the world. A bit evil you think, but listen I’m dressed in a scratchy bunny suit and chocolate is the only way to soothe my tortured soul. I will of course have to steer clear from Mummy dearest this holiday, she has the whole family on some healthy eating crazy plan on hers. It all started when “Just Dad” discovered he was ten kilos more than he should be, and couldn’t fit into anymore of his clothes, so WE all have to suffer just great Just Dad!

Some fruity no sugar granola nonsense for breakfast, health snacks of carrots... YUCK... lunch of brown rice and steamed evil things, I could go on but I feel you are traumatized by my plight already. Anyway, today I make up for all the deprivations, I EAT candy and I love it... and I then I start again next week because it’s Avurudu... I LOVE the April holidays. Happy Easter and Suba Aluth Avuruda to all my dear baby peeps.

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How much sugar and salt is good for your babies?

It’s so easy to feed your toddler too much sugar and salt without realising it. We’re all eating way more sugar than we think – especially our kids. The World Health Organisation says sugar should make up no more than 5% of our daily diet. Sugar damages our teeth, and eating too much also makes kids overweight and puts them at risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease in later life. The trouble is, a lot of the sugar we eat is hidden in the food we buy – even in savoury food. And one study found that foods specially aimed at children, like yoghurts, breakfast cereals and ready meals, were some of the sweetest of all. For example, did you know that: A glass of orange or apple juice contains as much sugar as cola. That’s six teaspoons in a 250ml glass. You’ll already know not to add salt to your baby’s food, as babies under one should have no more than 1g a day. Their tiny kidneys can’t cope with it. But even when they’ve turned one, we still have to be careful not to add salt. But because salt is added to so many of the foods we buy, it’s easy accidentally to eat too much.

For example, one slice of bread can contain up to 0.5g of salt – so your 18-month-old would only need to eat two slices to reach their daily maximum. Go easy on processed meats, including sausages, which are high in salt. Opt for fish or chicken instead.

Why does babies get startled easily?

It seems like so many noises startle him. Why does this happen and when will it stop? We all get startled now and then. But the startling reflex in infants is a bit different. “The startling reflex, known to physicians as the Moro reflex, is usually caused when your baby’s head changes position or falls back abruptly, or when she hears a loud or unusual noise,” explains Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, a family physician and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. “When babies exhibit the startling reflex, they typically react by throwing out their arms and legs and extending their necks, and then rapidly bringing their arms back together. Often they cry at the same time or shortly afterward.” It’s all part of being a baby, and you don’t really need to do anything about it.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe