Myth: Candy is the best and cheapest treat for Halloween.

Answer: BUSTED!

It’s not just the one day of trick or treating that makes parents worry about Halloween treats. It’s that the candy haul sticks around for such a long time. The calories in candy add up fast. Fifteen pieces of candy corn is about 150 calories. A fun size candy bar can have about 2½ teaspoons of sugar. So if you are allowing your child to eat about 2 small pieces of candy a day, they are getting an extra 5 teaspoons of sugar. That’s like giving your child an extra half can of soda each day.

Choose fun (and cheap) non-candy treats* this Halloween. Dollar stores are a great source for these treats. Here are some ideas:

• Stickers
• Bracelets
• Small school supplies like erasers
• Party favors
• Crayons
• Pencil sharpeners
• Hair bows
• Balloons
• Marbles and pens or pencils come in quantities that make for a cheaper treat
• Glow or rubber bracelets can also be purchased in larger amounts so they are not too expensive
• Shoelaces are useful but also colorful and fun – this could be a new idea for a Halloween
• Spider rings are a perennial favorite
• And maybe after you price out all of these items, you might decide that giving out coins is the cheapest and best Halloween treat of all!

*See this link for information about product safety and choking hazards for young children when buying or going through treats at Halloween: http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_product_safety/006367.html

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: My child needs a daily multivitamin to be covered nutritionally.

Answer: BUSTED!

Children who are growing normally do not need multivitamins. Eating a healthy balanced diet can provide all the nutrients most children need. While many young children are picky eaters, that doesn't necessarily mean that they have nutritional deficiencies. Many common foods are fortified with important nutrients, so your child may be getting more vitamins and minerals than you think.

If your child is a finicky eater, encourage (but don’t force) him or her to try a few bites of new, different, nutritious foods at every meal. It’s normal for kids to be introduced to a food 10 or more times before they feel comfortable trying it. Don’t give up after the first or second try! Additional tips can be found at usda.gov.

Talk with your child's doctor if you are concerned about whether your child is getting the recommended level of vitamins and minerals. If your child's doctor recommends a multivitamin, choose one that is designed for your child's age group and doesn't provide more than 100 percent of the Daily Value of vitamins and minerals. In addition, keep multivitamins out of your child's reach and make it clear that they aren't candy.

For more information on feeding young children, visit missourifamilies.org.

Contributor: Damaris Karanja, MA, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, St. Louis County, University of Missouri Extension, Karanjad@missouri.edu

Myth: Claims on dietary supplements are always accurate.

Answer: BUSTED!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Office of the Inspector General analyzed structure/function claims for a sample of 127 dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or immune system support. Claims may describe the role of a nutrient or ingredient and how it affects body structure, for example, “calcium builds strong bones” or how the ingredients maintain structure such as, “fiber maintains bowel regularity.”

Claims were reviewed to see how well they complied with Food and Drug Administration regulations. The report found that 7 percent of the supplements lacked the required disclaimer, and 20 percent included disease claims not allowed on their labels. These results raise questions about the truthfulness of these claims.

Read more of the report at https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-01-11-00210.pdf.

Visit MissouriFamilies.org for more information on choosing supplements.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: It’s normal for breastfeeding to hurt.

Answer: BUSTED!

The bottom line is that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. Some tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding is fairly common; however, this should be temporary and last only a few days. This discomfort should never be bad enough to cause a mother to dread nursing. Any pain that is more than mild is abnormal and is almost always due to the baby latching on poorly. Any nipple pain that is not getting better by day 3 or 4 or lasts beyond 5 or 6 days should not be ignored. Consulting with a board-certified lactation consultant can help with these situations.

Visit MissouriFamilies.org for additional information on the benefits of breastfeeding and feeding young children.

You can also contact a breastfeeding expert for more information.

Guest contributor: Danielle Pelham, Dietetic Intern MDHSS
Reviewed by: Damaris Karanja, MA, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, St. Louis County, University of Missouri Extension, Karanjad@missouri.edu

Myth: Many women do not produce enough milk to breastfeed.

Answer: BUSTED!

It is a common concern for many mothers that they aren't producing enough milk, especially during the first two weeks at home. However, most women produce more than enough milk. One reason that the baby does not get the milk that is available is that he or she may be poorly latched onto the breast. It is important to make sure that the baby is latched on properly in order to get the milk.

It is also important to know the signs to look for to make certain that your baby is getting enough. Some signs include:

• Your baby has frequent wet and dirty diapers. The first few days after giving birth, your colostrum is low in volume but high in nutrients, so your baby will only have 1-2 wet/dirty diapers per day. After your milk supply increases, your baby will have 6-8 wet and 4+ dirty diapers per day until he is older than one month.
• Your baby appears satisfied after feeding.
• Your baby is gaining weight.

You may find it helpful to use a checklist about feeding and diaper changes. You should also have phone numbers of lactation consultants in your area that you can consult with to address your specific needs or concerns. You can also contact a breastfeeding expert for more information.

Visit MissouriFamilies.org for additional information on the benefits of breastfeeding and feeding young children.

Guest contributor: Danielle Pelham, Dietetic Intern MDHSS
Reviewed & submitted by: Damaris Karanja, MA, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, St. Louis County, University of Missouri Extension, Karanjad@missouri.edu