Healthy Children

How should you deal with norovirus and prevent the rest of your family from getting it?Norovirus is a contagious virus that creates gastroenteritis. It causes fever, abdominal cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. Most folks refer to it as the stomach flu. How can you prevent it from spreading? Supercharge your brain and reverse memory loss, pick up a copy of Memory Rescue today. - sponsor Wait at least 24 hours after symptoms subside before sending your child back to school. Be sure to let the school know if your child has norovirus so they can wipe down surfaces, as it can survive on surfaces at room temperature for several days. Norovirus lasts 24 to 72 hours, but symptoms may not appear right away. Caring for Those Affected with Norovirus Keep a box of gloves on hand. You’ll be doing lots of scrubbing. Most parents are not prepared for norovirus. Give yourself some distance if you’re present while your child is vomiting. You don’t want to inhale particles and catch the virus. Clean up after your child post-vomiting and/or diarrhea. Clean up your child. Be sure to wash your hands with hot water and soap. Norovirus isn’t killed by antibacterial hand gel. Be sure you clean up with bleach. Put everything in the dishwasher instead of washing by hand. Wash the bedding and towels frequently to kill the virus. Do not share towels or bedding. Limit what you have to clean by quarantining your child. Recovery Treat headaches and body aches with Tylenol. Alert your pediatrician if your infant contracts norovirus. Hydrate. Set your child up with some water and a straw in front of the television. Avoid the sugar load of juices. Sunken eyes and baggy skin are signs of dehydration. Push on your child’s fingernail. If the color doesn’t return quickly, call your pediatrician. Call the doctor if your child hasn’t urinated all day. Stick with the BRAT diet when reintroducing solids: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. The stomach will still be adjusting, so don’t force it. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to deal with norovirus. Sponsor: Supercharge your brain and reverse memory loss, pick up a copy of Memory Rescue today.

Ah-choo! What's behind your child's sudden sinus issues?Break out the tissues! Your child is stuffy and sneezey.  What caused the sudden sniffling and sneezing? It's time to play detective and find out. Supercharge your brain and reverse memory loss, pick up a copy of Memory Rescue today. - sponsor Seasonal changes may be the culprit. Spring and fall bring hay fever. There may be other conditions in your child's life that prompted the condition. Seek out what may be triggering the issues. Allergy testing can narrow down the exact source so it can be avoided. If you know your child’s triggers, you can adjust lifestyle and behavior. Reduce outdoor playtime during pollen season. Remove carpeting to eliminate dust mites that cause allergies. Easing the Symptoms Showering off pollen from outdoor play may reduce symptoms. Take antihistamines and allergy recommendations as recommended. Use a nasal lavage when necessary. Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, with advice on helping your child navigate seasonal allergies. Sponsor: Supercharge your brain and reverse memory loss, pick up a copy of Memory Rescue today.

The holidays and current events are a great opportunity to teach your child empathy and compassion.It’s your responsibility as a parent to teach your child empathy and compassion for others. This will help him have more caring and understanding for others throughout his life. Empathy starts with understanding other people’s emotions and feelings. Kids have to get in touch with their own emotions and feelings first. You can’t understand emotions unless you communicate face-to-face. Talk through what could help others feel better so your child understands how others feel. Expand your child’s experiences through travel and reading. Encourage community involvement. Community Service Show your child firsthand what other people experience through community service. Empower him to make changes in the world by doing something about it. Involve your children in altruistic activities. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can develop your child’s sense of empathy and compassion. Reading List: Books on Food Donations and Soup Kitchens, Turkey Drive/Food Drives, Visiting Food Banks *Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt A young girl realizes her friend’s fridge is often empty. She tries to sneak her food from home. Eventually she confides in her mother that her friend’s family needs food.  Together they help the family and eventually organize a food drive. The book discusses food drives and food pantries. The Author’s Note discusses how 1 in 5 US children live in homes that are food insecure, meaning they run out of food before the end of the month.  Uncle Willie and The Soup Kitchen by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan A young boy accompanies his uncle to work in a soup kitchen. He learns all about how soup kitchens and neighboring communities work together to feed those in need. A prologue gives some background and additional information about soup kitchens and who they serve – although this prologue is better read after the book so that children have an understanding of what a soup kitchen is and can absorb the additional information.  Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña A young boy and his grandmother leave church and take a bus through a culturally diverse community. During the ride, the young boy laments that he isn’t out playing with his friends. Instead, he and his grandmother are going to work at a soup kitchen.  By the end of the book, he realizes how important what he is doing really is. “Last Stop” is a simpler book than “Uncle Willie”. Unlike “Uncle Willie,” the reader does not experience what it is like to work at a soup kitchen. “Last Stop” is more about the journey. The beauty of the book however is that it illustrates that everyone has something to give.  Books About Veterans, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Operation Gratitude *The Wall by Eve Bunting A very moving book about a young boy and his dad who travel to Washington DC to look for the grandfather’s name on the Vietnam Memorial. It helps children to understand the sacrifices these soldiers have made and illustrates that the men and women fighting for our country are someone’s parent, grandparent or child.  Books About Families Who Need Homes and Furniture, Christmas (A Carpenter’s gift is an amazing Christmas story), Furniture Drives, Habitat For Humanity-Type Projects, Losing Homes to Fires *The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel An amazingly beautiful and moving Christmas story about a young poor boy and his dad who drive to NYC to sell Christmas trees. They give the last tree to a group of men working at a construction site. Later those men show up at the boy’s home with left over supplies from their building and help the father to repair and insulate their home. The book’s epilogue discusses Habitat for Humanity and how the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is donated every year to provide lumbar for homes for families in need.  A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams The story of how a young

Keep your child safe with these tips for autumn events.Halloween and autumn festivals are fantastic for getting your child outdoors and active. Dressing up is fun for the whole family. Make the adventure safer with these great tips. Breathe easier with Molekule, the world’s first Molecular Air Purifier. Use code “healthychildren” at checkout to save $75! - sponsor Little Ones Safety is the primary concern. Trip hazards, garments that can get caught on things, and masks that obscure vision and cover the mouth can all be very unsafe. Opt for face painting and costumes with hats instead of masks. Avoid allergens and tampering by sticking to factory-packaged treats. Teach trick-or-treating protocol to prepare you child for going out with friends when older. Older Kids Dark costumes need glow tape or flashlights to be sure you child will be seen by drivers. Remind them to be safe pedestrians and look both ways before crossing the street. It’s better to travel in groups. Teenagers Make sure a responsible adult is around for the party. Remind your teen that people are a little crazy on Halloween. They need to keep their wits about them. Encourage driving a bit slower than usual because there are so many pedestrians. Nutrition It’s fun to allow your children the chance to have the rare sweet treats for celebrations. Feed your kids an early dinner that’s packed with protein. Provide plenty of water and healthy snacks after their outing. Save leftover candy after the first binge for occasional treats, car trips or candy buy-back events. Listen as Dr. Andrew Bernstein joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share tips for Halloween and fall festival safety. Sponsor: Breathe easier with Molekule, the world’s first Molecular Air Purifier. Use code “healthychildren” at checkout to save $75!

Should your child watch 13 Reasons Why?The Netflix series 13 Reasons Why is based on a novel by Jay Asher. The story follows high school sophomore Clay Jensen as he listens to audio cassette recordings of classmate Hannah Baker’s reasons for committing suicide. Each recording blames individuals and incidents for Hannah’s decision to end her life, seemingly giving her the opportunity for posthumous revenge. Appropriate for Young Viewers?  Children as young as 11 and 12 are watching this series without parental supervision. It is not recommended for children under age 12, as the show revolves around the sophomore year of high school (and contains graphic depictions of violence, rape and suicide). Read a synopsis of the show or episode descriptions to determine if it’s okay for your individual child to watch. The narrative doesn’t give an accurate depiction of how depression is typically addressed. When parents express concern about their child’s depression, pediatricians involve a mental health professional. School counselors can also bring in a mental health professional as needed. Contrary to instances of negative feedback, the book and series were not designed to glorify suicide. Instead, they create an incredible opportunity to discuss an important topic. If your child is going to watch the series, you should watch it with him. Pause to discuss situations that come up in the show, like cyber-bullying. Ask your child if he’s seen anything like that in school. Engage him in discussion. Reducing Suicide Risk Teen suicide has increased 300% since 1950. It's imperative that children who are high risk (Native Americans, LGBQT and sexually questioning youth) and want to watch the show do so with an adult. The brain doesn't finish developing until at least age 25. Impulsive behavior is triggered more quickly and intensely in youth. Reduce risk for your kids by locking up access to weapons, medication and alcohol. A moment of hopelessness can push a teen to engage in dangerous behavior. Remember, you are the parent. You have to step up to the plate and communicate with your child. Insist on mental health care improvement. Get involved at your child’s school. Be open. Set a good example. Don’t be afraid to be a parent and say no. Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to use this series as an opportunity to discuss difficult topics.

Prevent the spread of infectious disease in your child's sports program.Sports activities are great for your child. They’re helpful for promoting fitness, socialization, and learning a new skill. However, there is potential for the spread of infectious disease via shared equipment. Common diseases spread in athletics include Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA),  Group A Streptococcus, herpes simplex virus, ringworm, athlete’s food, scabies, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and lice. Speak with your child’s sports trainer. Be sure he is aware of the most common infections related to a particular sport. Examining students before participation is an inexpensive preventative measure. Ask about sanitization of equipment. The cost of improper hygiene is greater than diligence. Encourage your children to have good personal hygiene. Shower after playing. Keep good hand washing habits. Avoid sharing clothing and water bottles. Launder sports clothes regularly. Wipe off mats and gym equipment after using. The pre-participation physical for sports should include a thorough history of prior infections and current lesions. Pediatricians can discuss risks for disease through sports participation. Your child’s vaccinations should be current. Listen as Dr. Dele Davies and Dr. Mary Anne Jackson join Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to keep your child safe from infectious disease while participating in sports.

You can be a cool parent by knowing what to do if your child wants a tattoo or piercing.Tattoos and body piercing are gaining popularity as a form of personal expression. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommendations for your child’s safety with these body modifications. Basic Guidelines Know that each state has a set of rules and regulations for minimum age. Proper identification is needed and so is parental accompaniment in some cases. Look for a clean and sanitary establishment. Watch someone else undergo a tattoo or piercing at your chosen establishment. Meticulous guidelines for care of the wound is important. It’s expensive to get a laser tattoo removal and it isn’t covered by insurance. Consider long and hard before getting a tattoo. A temporary or henna tattoo is a smart first step. No tattoo artist or piercer will do a procedure on someone under the influence. Make sure tetanus, hepatitis and other immunizations are up to date. If the procedure site is red, hurts more than the initial needling, red streaking above or below, pus or fever, contact your doctor immediately. Speak with your child’s pediatrician if he is considering a body modification. She can share risks and complications if your child is passionate about getting a tattoo or piercing. Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to make sure your child is safe when getting a body modification. Read the AAP report here.

Do you know a little one who isn't as talkative as you'd expected?Have you noticed a three-year old who isn’t as talkative as other little ones you’ve known? He could have a speech delay. Speech delay may be the sign of a medical issue. Watch for important milestones.  2-3 months: cooing in response to you 3-4 months: random babbling 5-6 months: babbling in a pattern 12 months: starting to say one or two words 18 months: saying 10-15 words 24 months: saying two-word sentences If your child isn’t achieving this, it’s a red flag. Early intervention is key to get your child on target. Things to Check if Milestones Aren’t Met Hearing. Is she receiving the signal to process sound? Communication. Is it just a speech delay? Is she communicating with facial expressions and emotions? Speech delay is either a receptive or expressive issue. If he receives and understands everything okay, the expression may come with time. Both kinds should still be addressed. Speech therapy teaches the skills of getting the child to talk. It’s typically a 30-minute class a few times a week, based on the child’s need. The child and family learn how to get the chatting started, and the family continues the techniques outside of class. Children with speech delay may have social-emotional issues or development difficulty if the problem isn’t addressed as early as possible. Don’t justify it because a relative spoke late. You want to be sure it’s an isolated speech delay and not another condition. Screen time and handheld devices don’t teach children how to communicate properly with other humans. Give your child a chance to interact with you to help language development. Address any missed milestones with your pediatrician. You are the best advocate for your child. Don’t shy away from bringing up developmental questions with your child’s doctor. Get the proper treatment so your child can get up to speed. Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, to explain speech delay.

Should you give your child juice?A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that fruit juice provides no nutritional benefit for children under one year and should not be included in their diets. Babies need mother’s milk or infant formula in the first year of life. Fruit juice doesn’t provide anything new. It can put the teeth at risk. You may see that juices contain vitamins. These vitamins are often added to the juice to give some benefit. It’s better to give your child whole foods of appropriate size in the second six months of life. Cut up fruits into manageable pieces. This develops good eating habits and provides your child with fiber. Listen as Dr. Steven Abrams joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss juice consumption and alternatives.

Ask the important questions before sending your child on a playdate.One-third of American families reside in a home with a gun. Nearly one and a half million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun. The result? Injuries and death. Your pediatrician isn’t judging you when asking about household guns. Pediatricians advise on many ways to keep your child safe, from sunscreen and vaccines to health checks and car seats. Children are curious, and there is a good chance your child knows how to access the gun. ASK Day (June 21) builds awareness around guns in the home. ASK stands for: Asking Saves Kids. When you have a playdate, ask if there is an unlocked gun in the house. Guns should be stored, unloaded, in a safe. The key should be stashed separately. Setting up a Playdate When you set up a playdate, you need to ask about safety concerns. Trampolines, swimming pools, and food allergies are all important to address. It’s your right to say you aren’t comfortable sending your child to someone else’s house. You can invite their child to come to your home. Have discussions with your child about your safety rules. Listen as Dr. Jaime Friedman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the importance of ASK Day and keeping your child safe on playdates.