Healthy Children

Grandparents step into parents' shoes when necessary. Grandfamilies are presented with unique challenges.Millions of children across the United States are being raised by their grandparents. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Grandparents have always played a role in children’s lives, but their involvement in raising the children has increased in the past twenty years. Their involvement can go beyond serving as a sitter or providing care while the parents are working. Grandfamilies are often formed under stress. Grandparents typically step in as primary caregivers because of a crisis. Relearning how to parent in modern times with today’s challenges mean a learning curve for grandparents. Listen as Dr. Andrew Adesman joins Melanie Cole, MS, discuss how grandfamilies are formed and resources available to families to manage the new commitment and responsibilities these grandparents have. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Learn more about respiratory syncytial virus.Every parent worries when their children get sick. Many children get respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at least once before age two. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor RSV pops up mostly from late fall to early spring. It presents as cold-like symptoms with sneezing, runny nose and coughing. It can cause pneumonia or other bronchial difficulties. Early symptoms aren’t worrisome, because they mimic the common cold. If the child has respiratory distress on the third or fourth day (fast breathing, grunting, nodding head to breathe, whistling on exhalation), contact your pediatrician right away. If your child is blue, gray or has stopped breathing, contact emergency services. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Steroids won’t help. Supportive care is the only treatment. Stay in contact with your pediatrician. Fluids, cold-mist humidifiers, and saline nasal rinse can ease the symptoms. Listen as Dr. Candice Jones joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to manage RSV. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Winter is here! Keep your child safe and warm.Winter is here. Make sure your child stays warm and healthy during these frigid times. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%- sponsor Infants Dress baby in thin layers before putting him in a car seat. Strap him in and cover him with blankets for warmth. It’s safer than strapping in a baby in a puffy coat. Babies should be in one more layer than an adult requires for warmth. Your baby should wear warm pajamas in the crib. Don’t leave spare blankets in the crib. School-Age Children Drive your kids to school if it’s really cold. Dress them in several thin layers. Add a warm coat, mittens, hats and scarves. Helmets are best for winter sports. Don’t forget sunscreen. Wet clothes draw heat from the body. Make sure your children change clothes if they get wet or excessively sweaty outside. Hypothermia happens when the body temperature drops below normal because of cold weather. Watch for shivering, tiredness and behavior changes. It’s best to schedule breaks to warm-up inside during the outdoor playtime. Frostbite affects extremities and smaller body parts like the ears, nose and fingertips. Watch for pale or gray skin. Your child may complain that the area hurts. Apply warm water to the area and watch for recovery. Wrap your child in blankets and feed her some soup. If you see blistering or hear complaints of numbness after gently warming the area with water, contact your pediatrician or visit the hospital. Dry Skin Winter wreaks havoc on skin. These tips will help: Stick to warm baths— not too hot. Pat dry after the bath and apply moisturizer and any balms or ointments. Remind your children not to lick their lips and chap them. Heating Watch out for carbon monoxide poisoning from a wood burning stove. Don’t operate a space heater unattended. Use cold water on burns, not ice. Don’t pop blisters, because they protect the sensitive skin beneath. Listen as Dr. Jaime Friedman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share winter safety tips. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

When your child acts up, work to improve behavior without spanking.Parenting can test your patience, especially when your child misbehaves. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the use of spanking as a disciplinary tool. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Spanking or physical discipline can have long-lasting effects, increasing aggression in children. It doesn’t teach responsibility or self control, particularly when parents lose control to administer the spankings. Discipline That Works Model good behavior. Show how to be calm and respectful of others. Let them know expectations beforehand so they know the rules of the game. Explain how you expect them to behave in the store or at a restaurant before you even go out. Time-outs work best for kids two to five years old. Give one minute per year of age for them to think about what happened and remove them from the troublesome situation. Praise your child for good behavior. Natural consequences work well. “If you throw your snack onto the floor, it goes into the trash.” Use non-optimum behavior you see as a teaching opportunity. Listen as Dr. Jennifer Shu joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to help your child curb behavioral issues without spanking. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Develop your kid's motor skills or problem-solving ability with non-digital gifts.With gadgets so integrated into daily life, it can be tough to find non-digital gifts for your children.  How do you manage your child’s holiday expectations? Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Discuss how wish lists work. Items on the list are not guaranteed. Manage those expectations. Non-Digital Gifts by Age Little ones: pop-up tunnels, stacking blocks and cups, board books, pretend play sets, modeling dough, crayons School-age children: model planes and cars, building kits, board games, toys that stimulate the imagination Tweens & teens: board games, journals, art supplies, cookbooks, things that can bring people together Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share ideas for non-digital gifts. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Make the most of your holidays while easing your stress and delighting your children.Kids get excited while parents are stressed over the winter holidays. How do you manage the holidays while still making sure they’re enjoyable despite the activity? Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor First, manage your child’s expectations. Instead of a list of every possible thing they want, ask them to narrow it down to what’s most important to them. Talk about that thing and what is realistic and appropriate but will still enjoyable for your kid. Second, help your child think about others. Take a laundry basket through the house with your child and collect up toys and games that aren’t often used. Discuss how these toys can benefit others who aren’t as fortunate. Additionally, encourage mindfulness. Embody the season with activities that create a great family time. Schedule it but don’t stress out about it. Decorating a gingerbread house, baking cookies or viewing holiday lights in the neighborhood can be very enjoyable. Be present and put devices aside as you share the activity. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to make the holidays kid-friendly. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Have a happier holiday with these tips for your family.Holidays are joyful for many. There are a few things to keep in mind to keep your family happy and safe. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Safety Don’t let your tree dry out. Don’t leave your tree lights on when you aren’t home. Don’t overload outlets and extension cords. Be sure outdoor lights and power cords are intended for outdoor use. Stash guest belongings out of your child’s reach so no one gets into personal pill boxes. Hire a sitter if you have lots of toddlers at your large party. Make sure gifts are age appropriate and not flagged as dangerous. Fireplace embers can stay hot for days so put ashes in an ash bucket. Know that other people may not have the same safety practices when you go to visit. Managing Expectations It’s a tough balance to give your child the best gifts you can while instilling a sense of gratitude. Discussing the significance of the holidays in your family leading up to festivities can help. Focus on family traditions like cooking, games, singing and celebrating. This is time you can build traditions to carry you throughout the year. Talk about gratefulness and giving with your children. It’s important for your children to realize that things cost money. Your family may not be able to afford the latest cell phone technology for the kids. Sometimes Santa leaves notes to redirect unrealistic requests, leaving a hand-selected gift instead. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to enjoy this time with your children safely and happily. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

The future of virtual health may enable you to have your child diagnosed and treated without having to miss work.Children under age 15 in the United States make an estimated 71 million visits to the doctor annually. Parents miss plenty of work to make these appointments. Telemedicine is a fantastic alternative. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%- sponsor Telemedicine or virtual care is an extension of in-person care using video visits or emails and phone calls. In many cases, video visits with clinicians can appropriately allocate medical resources and get your child the diagnosis and treatment plan you need. When Telemedicine is Appropriate The exam should be as good as in-person care. For example, ear infection complaints require looking into the ear. Telemedicine works best if the technology is readily available for the necessary examination. Chronic disease management is possible through telemedicine for tracking symptoms long term. Apps and web portals are in development for this purpose. Rural doctors can connect up with experts via technology for assistance in diagnosis and treatment in some cases. It is worthwhile to discuss virtual care with your pediatrician. The ideal is to see a provider virtually who is connected to your child’s medical home, working under the same umbrella with the same access as your primary pediatrician. The goal is to have the standard of care that enables you to get a correct diagnosis for your feverish child without having to take off work and haul him to the pediatrician or urgent care when possible and appropriate. Listen as Dr. Alison Curfman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the future of telemedicine and how it may help your child. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Herbal supplements worked for your friend's kid, but should you give them to your child?Parents want to help kids feel great. Many look to herbal supplements to aid health and performance. How do you know these supplements are safe? Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor First, the health supplement industry is not regulated. They could potentially be contaminated with something unsafe. There can also be potency irregularities on the shelf. However, many companies self regulate. Check the label for evidence of screening by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This means it isn’t contaminated and potency matches the label. Additionally, tell your providers what products you’re giving your child. Some herbal products react poorly to medications. Your provider can prescribe medications with full awareness of your child’s supplements. A healthy diet and enough sleep go a long way to support your child’s wellness. For children on antibiotics, probiotics can nurture good bacteria. Start probiotics at the same time you begin antibiotic treatment. Zinc reduces the duration of respiratory symptoms by three to four days. Start zinc within 24 to 48 hours of the start of infection. It can cause the loss of a sense of smell in some people, so zinc supplements are not recommended on a regular basis. Fish oils or omega-3s are often lacking in the foods we eat. They promote better mental health and can support efficacy of psychiatric medication. Be wary of anecdotal recommendations. Just because it worked for your friend doesn’t mean it will work for you. Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss which supplements you can share with your child and when, and which supplements it’s better to avoid. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Keep your kids safe with the current recommendations for car safety seats.Your job as a parent is to keep your child safe. Car seats are vital for your little ones. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Babies You can’t leave the hospital without a rear-facing car seat. To keep things simple, consider a seat with a carrier with a base that stays in the car. There are also convertible seats that can face the rear and be turned around when the baby is older. Installing child safety seats can be tough. Work with a certified child passenger safety technician in your community before delivery to make seat utilization safe and easy. Be sure straps are snug. Bigger Kids Forward-facing seats have a five-point safety harness. This mimics race car seat belts. Most forward-facing seats are designed for children who weigh 40 to 65 pounds. Booster seats use the seat belts installed in your car, but they consider the child’s smaller frame. Seat belts fit appropriately across the shoulder and hips with the booster seat. Most kids don’t fit in regular seat belts until they are eight to twelve years old. Keep your child in the backseat until age thirteen or older. Front-end crashes and airbag deployment can still injure a child. Used Car Seats Car seats have an expiration date that is six years from the date of manufacture. Made with materials that degrade over time, car seats become unsafe at that expiration date. You should know the history of any car seat. If it’s been in a crash, the seat’s integrity may be compromised. Milestones in your child’s life are typically positive advancements. However, progression to the next car safety seat means a reduction in protection as your child grows. Try to keep your child in the more protective seat as long as possible. Follow the car seat manufacturer’s guidelines for child weight and length for that seat. Listen as Dr. Benjamin Hoffman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share details on keeping your child safe in a car seat, along with updated AAP policies on car seats. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%