Healthy Children

Stay safe as you enjoy the sunshine with your family.Summer is great for outdoor fun. But, you want to keep your children safe as you enjoy the sunshine. The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. You need to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. You can get a sunburn on cloudy days or through windows. Babies under six months should be covered with shade rather than sunscreen. Sometimes that’s not practical. Use hats, lightweight clothing to cover their bodies, canopies and stroller umbrellas. Always consider shade with your baby. You can use a tiny bit of sunscreen on your baby when needed. The best sunscreen for your roaming children is the sunscreen they will use. There are two types of sunscreen: the kind with physical barriers and the kind with chemical barriers. Physical barrier sunscreens have zinc oxide or titanium oxide to reflect the sun back off the body. Chemical barriers are absorbed into the body and react with the sun. Eye health is very important. Be sure your children have hats and sunglasses. Pack hats, sunglasses and sunscreen when your older children head to camp. Sunburn Treatment Avoid the sun the day after getting a sunburn. Apply a cool washcloth to pained areas. Use an aloe cream. Head to the doctor if a fever or blisters appear. Heat Stress Before enrolling your child in sports camp, ask the coaches if the children get regular water breaks. They need to be on board with keeping your child hydrated. Headaches, muscle cramps, and nausea are all signs that your child may be overheated. Get some water and shade. Stop the activity until the child recovers. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion occurs if heat stress isn’t arrested early. The skin is hot and flushed. Sweating has ceased. Heart rate is rapid. Lack of urine is also an indicator. This is dangerous. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to practice sun safety this summer.

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.

Swimming is a family activity. Follow these tips to keep your family safe in the water.Children can drown in only a few inches of water, even if they’ve had swimming instruction. Summer’s trips to the lake and swimming pool demand water safety. First, drowning is not a loud, dramatic event. The mouth slips below the water first, making shouts difficult. Drowning typically looks like quietly slipping under the water. It’s subtle. Pay close attention to your flock in the water. Second, enroll your child in swim lessons when she is developmentally ready. There is no evidence to support infant swim classes prevent drowning. Be sure you are comfortable in the water so you can help any child in trouble. Third, you must exercise constant supervision when your child is around water. This includes bathtubs and kiddie pools along with larger bodies of water. Designate a water watcher to engage only in watching the kids in the pool. No cell phones or alcohol for the water watcher. Little ones must be within arm’s reach in the water.  Finally, mind these additional tips for water safety: Lifeguard presence does not excuse you from watching your children in the water.  Water wings are not a substitute for a life jacket. Use a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Always swim with a buddy, no matter what level of swimming ability. Don’t dive where the depth is unknown. Inspect for hazards before diving. If you own a pool, you should have some basic first aid and CPR knowledge. There is no replacement for adult supervision. Listen as Dr. Sarah Denny joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to exercise water safety this summer.

Find out why your child needs the HPV vaccine.Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It is most common in men and women in their late teens and early twenties. Because there are no symptoms for many types of HPV, it's easily transmitted. HPV can lead to cervical, mouth and throat cancer. Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, is given to children as young as nine. Stimulating the immune response through the vaccine can protect kids before they commence sexual activity. Boys and girls who are 11 or 12 should be vaccinated twice, six months apart. If your child isn’t vaccinated until age 15, three vaccines are needed at six months apart. It can be given as late as 23 years old, but will not cure any earlier exposure to HPV. A Pap smear is a test to look for early signs of cervical cancer. It is recommended that the first Pap now be done at 21. Based on individual health and sexual activity, Pap tests should be performed every two to three years. Adults who have not been vaccinated are likely to test positive for HPV due to unprotected sexual intercourse. The type of HPV exposure (low or high risk) is undetermined with a positive result. Talking to Your Child About HPV Taking every opportunity you can to talk about health, wellness or safety with your child goes a long way. It can be a short chat during an activity. Start talking to your child as early as you can to normalize discussions. Listen as Dr. Margaret Stager joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the importance of the HPV vaccine.

Legalization of marijuana is changing, and fast. How do you talk to teens and families about the shift?Legalization of marijuana is shifting, and fast. Some state laws have changed, making marijuana legal for adults for medicinal and recreational use. This complicates the discussion within the family sphere. To clarify, minors cannot receive medical marijuana for specific conditions without written parental consent. Recreational use is only legally permitted for those over 21. Officially, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would like more research on the benefits provided by medicinal use of marijuana. Use of marijuana can change normal brain development. Teens are interested in brain development, making this a great talking point. Regardless of the legality, it's essential to advise your child against riding with someone who has consumed alcohol or marijuana. Most importantly, set a good example for your child. You can share your personal experiences with your teen, but don’t go into explicit detail. Have an open discussion in a non-judgmental way. Listen as Dr. Seth Ammerman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to successfully discuss marijuana with teens and families.

Can a home remedy address your child's symptoms?Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines aren’t encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Because of this, many parents are reaching for “natural” remedies without knowing the efficacy and side effects. For example, many of these medicines have a form of honey. Honey in any form shouldn’t be given to children under one year of age. Here are some potential remedies: Cold: saline spray, steam or menthol inhalant for the sinuses Car sickness: ventilation, breaks and ginger Restlessness: chamomile Keep in mind, these recommended remedies should be discussed with your pediatrician. Not every remedy works for every child. You want to be certain that any supplement you use will not harm your individual child. Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss natural ways to address ailments.

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.

Meet your breastfeeding goals with these expert tips.Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn’t always easy. Before baby comes, you need to learn what to expect. It’s hard to know what’s normal and what’s not when you’re a first-time mom. Most hospitals advise taking a breastfeeding class, and you can always ask your obstetrician for advice. Many mothers are returning to work after the baby comes, which can make breastfeeding problematic. However, insurance companies are now paying for breast pumps to make it easier on working moms. It’s ideal for your newborn to nurse shortly after birth. The skin-to-skin contact will warm your baby and the milk. Babies naturally want to latch onto the nipple. The golden hour immediately after birth is the perfect time to initiate the first feeding, giving uninterrupted contact between mom and baby as nature takes its course. Many tests and injections can be done as baby rests on mom’s chest. The other post-birth measurements and procedures can take place outside of that golden hour. Common breastfeeding issues include size differences between the breast and the baby’s mouth, medicated delivery that confuses baby and other reasons. Keeping mom comfortable can help with breastfeeding success. Mom laying back at a 45-degree angle can make it easier on baby. The secretions from mom’s breast is unique to that mother and draws the baby to the breast. Find the position where mom isn’t in pain while feeding. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. How do you know your baby is getting enough milk? Poop. Poop is the sure sign that baby is experiencing correct digestion of enough food. Breastfeeding is becoming more normal in the United States. It’s important to have a support system. If your family and friends aren’t cheerleaders for your decision, speak with your pediatrician and find a support group. Dads can get involved by being supportive of breastfeeding. Providing skin-to-skin contact when baby doesn’t need to eat is the perfect job for dads. If you are a working mother, find out if anyone at your office has successfully breastfed. She’s your best source of information. There must be a non-bathroom place for a mother to pump. Try returning to work on a Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to recover. Eat foods that you like and want your child to like. The foods you eat flavors the breast milk. Those flavors make your child more likely to enjoy your culture’s cuisine. Limit caffeine intake. The level of alcohol in breast milk is the same as your blood alcohol level at any given time. Nursing your baby for at least a year is noteworthy in the United States. You can breastfeed your child as long as the baby wants the milk. It’s usually a mutual decision between mom and baby to move onto solid foods. Listen in as Dr. Jenny Thomas shares what you need to know about breastfeeding.

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. 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.