--- title: Calming your anxious child | PaediaSure Shake UK --- [![PediaSure](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure%20UK/Homepage/PDS-logo.png?width=120&height=60&name=PDS-logo.png)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/) [Where to buy![arrow-white](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/WArrow.svg)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/where-to-buy) [![logo-black](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/abbott-logo-black.svg)](https://www.uk.abbott/) Healthy Nutritious Shakes for Kids ![close](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(1).svg) ![menu](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/menu-burger.svg) [![logo1](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure%20UK/Homepage/PaediaSure_Logo_300px.png?width=300&height=143&name=PaediaSure_Logo_300px.png)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/) [![logo2](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/abbott%20logo.svg)](https://www.uk.abbott/) [![cart](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Registration/header_cart.png?width=46&height=46&name=header_cart.png)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/where-to-buy) ![menu](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(2).svg) [Where to buy![arrow](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/arrow-white.png)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/where-to-buy) *Healthy Nutritious Shakes for Kids* ![close](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(1).svg) [**Home**](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/) / [**Healthy Life **](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/healthy-life) / Anxious Child ![Paediasure UK Mobile Images (4)](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Paediasure%20UK%20Mobile%20Images%20(4).png?width=346&height=346&name=Paediasure%20UK%20Mobile%20Images%20(4).png) # How I keep my anxious child calm on Bonfire Night # How I keep my anxious child calm on Bonfire Night   ***by Rachel Bellingham ****Paediatric nurse and mum of two.* While lots of families love Bonfire Night, we used to dread it in our house. My daughter has always been terrified of loud noises and I know that some young children with anxiety and autism spectrum disorders will also struggle at this time of year. So, here are a few tips and tricks that I’ve developed over the years to help my daughter. If you have an anxious child, they might be worth a try! 1. **Talk to your child, then listen.** The thing that helped me the most was explaining to my daughter, in ways she could understand, what the celebration is about and what she can expect in the days leading up to the event. After I spoke to her I made sure to listen to her fears and concerns, and come up with ways to address them. 2. **Leave little ones at home.** When my daughter was little, especially as she’s nervous around loud noises anyway and Bonfire Night could have caused unnecessary stress to her, I found it was best for her to just stay at home. Luckily my mum was happy to babysit as she doesn’t like fireworks either! 3. **Write a social story. **Someone introduced me to social stories which are a great way to help children prepare for things that are scary for them. In the days leading up to Bonfire Night, I would either write or help my daughter write a positive social story about what she may experience, and then we’d read it back together. This really helped her feel calmer about the fireworks and festivities. 4. **Plan a calming bedtime routine. **Some years, when my daughter was feeling more anxious than usual, we’d decide that staying home was the best thing to do. We found it was a good idea to put her to bed nice and early, with a soothing bedtime routine, so that she would be asleep before any fireworks begin. Our routines included: a warm bath with bubbles, playing relaxing music as she got ready for bed and during story time, reading a soothing story (or two or three) in a cosy chair under a soft blanket. 5. If you do decide to attend a Bonfire Night celebration, **pick a family-friendly spot near the exit. **Seeing other kids enjoying the show usually helped my daughter realise that there is no immediate danger and that bonfire night could be enjoyable. But, if the event didn’t go as planned, we could pack up and leave quickly. 6. And finally, **don’t force it.** If your children don’t enjoy fireworks, that’s okay. They may learn to love them later in life, and in the meantime, you can plan different activities as a family that don’t require loud noises, like reading a book or making a PaediaSure Shake hot chocolate together✝. [Access our Recipes](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/recipes/hot-chocolate) How do you keep your children calm on Bonfire Night? Share you story with other mums on the PaediaSure Shake Facebook page! [Visit Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PaediaSureShake) *✝Do not exceed the maximum number of servings per day* ![Component 49 – 3](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/Component%2049%20%E2%80%93%203.svg)![Component 49 – 3](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/insta-hover.png?width=92&name=insta-hover.png) ## Life with PaediaSure Shake [Follow PaediaSure Shake UK![](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/arrow-white.png)](https://www.instagram.com/paediasureshakeuk) ![Soc_mobile-bottom](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure%20UK/Homepage/Soc_mobile-bottom.webp?width=375&height=360&name=Soc_mobile-bottom.webp) [Get your discount](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/join-our-family) [![PaediaSure_Logo_300px](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure%20UK/Homepage/PaediaSure_Logo_300px.png?width=300&height=143&name=PaediaSure_Logo_300px.png) ](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/) #### FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL  [![icon](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/Group%2033.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaediaSureShake)[![icon](https://uk.pediasure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/Group%2034.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/paediasureshakeuk/) Food supplement should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Ask a healthcare professional for guidance regarding your child's specific nutritional needs. Do not exceed the recommended number of servings per day: 1 for 1-3 year olds, 2 for 4-10 year olds. UK Pharmacy No.1 Children’s Nutritional Supplement Drink. Source: PaediaSure Shake is part of the PaediaSure brand. IQVIA wholesaler unit sales into UK community pharmacies, year MAT April 2023, Infant & Paediatric Oral Nutritional Supplement Drinks only. To verify email [paediasureshake@abbott.com](mailto:paediasureshake@abbott.com). *Essential fatty acids are needed for normal growth and development of children. This beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of α -linolenic (ALA) and 10 g of linoleic acid (LA). Contains protein and calcium. Protein and calcium are needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. ** Triple Sure System: Immune System†, Cognitive Development‡, Essential Nutrients^. †Contains vitamin D which contributes to the normal function of the immune system in children. ‡Iron contributes to normal cognitive development in children. ^Contains protein and 26 vitamins and minerals including calcium. #Survey 84 respondents of whom 95% would recommend to a friend or family member. Source: PaediaSure Shake, Verve, February 2021. §Nielsen value sales data (year to February 2022). Number of vitamins & minerals: Market leading kids’ multivitamin contains 7. PaediaSure Shake contains 26. To verify email [paediasureshake@abbott.com](mailto:paediasureshake@abbott.com). ¶Data on File. Abbott Laboratories Ltd., 2018 (chocolate flavour, strawberry flavour, vanilla flavour) & 2022 (cookies & cream flavour). PaediaSure Shake CLT in Spain. 1McCance and Widdowson, 2021. Composition of foods integrated dataset (CoFID). Available online: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/composition-of-foods-integrated-dataset-cofid](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.gov.uk/government/publications/composition-of-foods-integrated-dataset-cofid__;!!BBM_p3AAtQ!IXRTy7yy-ZA-5Q5G3X3nHUarvDnt3ZOtlskCaXatjJ5b-iqA_brR8jSjBxAYlUkgbc8tgONeNyyBlIdgkn_DyyP7ju5-QbqH6Ne2$). Last accessed May 2023. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. One glass of PaediaSure Shake powder is 225ml. 2RCPCH, 2012: [https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/uk-who-growth-charts-2-18-years](https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/uk-who-growth-charts-2-18-years) Accessed August 2025 ♢Source Euromonitor International Limited; total global retail sales in 2025 for growing up milk formula that is marketed as complete and balanced nutrition for kids 2-13 years old. Euromonitor and Abbott calculation based in part on custom research conducted between December 2025 and January 2026 and Euromonitor Passport Dairy Products and Alternatives 2025. ♦6 in 1 Supplements include: Omega 3, iron, phosphorous, calcium, protein, vitamin D  PaediaSure Shake, and related brand marks, are trademarks of Abbott in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. No use of any Abbott trademark, trade name, or trade address in this site may be made without the prior written authorisation of Abbott Laboratories, except to identify the product or services of the company. This website and the information contained herein is intended for use by residents of the UK. The product images are for illustrative purposes only. Registered Number: 329102 England. Registered Office: Abbott House, Vanwall Business Park, Vanwall Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4XE. © 2025 Abbott Laboratories Limited. 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