Healthy Children

Do you really need to get the flu vaccine for your family this season?Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu. The flu vaccine for 2016/2017 is recommended for every child over six months of age. It’s considered an essential vaccine. If this is your child’s first flu vaccine you have to get it administered in two doses. The flu vaccine contains three or four dead viruses. Side effects from the vaccine include a sore arm at the vaccination site, redness or a low-grade fever. The vaccine teaches the immune system how the body needs to deal with the flu.  The recipe changes each year based on global surveillance. The formula is based on what is anticipated to come to North America. The vaccine should last throughout the season. Flu season peaks in January and February but it begins to circulate in autumn. Babies generally do wonderfully with the flu vaccine. Over 75% of parents are getting flu vaccines for their children annually. The nasal flu spray is not recommended this year. It was not as effective in the past two to three seasons as it was on children over two years of age. The flu shot last year was over 60% effective. The flu can have severe effects including lung infections and death. This is why physicians advocate so strongly for vaccination. Those allergic to eggs needn’t worry about this year’s vaccine. Past production of vaccines has involved eggs in the production. There’s not the same contamination and reaction to the content of the vaccines. The flu vaccine is 50-60% effective. It’s great for those who are high risk like the elderly, pregnant mothers and children under age five. If you get the vaccine but still get the virus, you may have a milder case of flu. If you think you’ve been exposed to the flu go to the doctor right away. A nasal swab will determine your diagnosis. If you get sick then stay home. Listen in as Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson shares the current information on flu vaccines.

Are there benefits if your child chooses a sports specialization early?You watch your child participate in sports with a mixture of pride and fear. You may even have hopes for your child to have a successful career in sports. Sports are an excellent form of exercise. Starting sports young creates a lifelong habit of physical activity. Children can also learn leadership, teamwork, and socialization from participating in team sports. When is specialization a good idea and when is it not? Specializing early can be detrimental to a young person's health. The same muscles are constantly being worked and can become overly fatigued. These kids will be at higher risk for injuries and burnout. Playing multiple sports at a young age can lead to more success as an athlete. Ninety percent of the first round NFL draft picks in 2016 played multiple sports in high school. The majority of female soccer players in the 2015 World Cup played multiple sports as well. Encourage your kids to find sports they enjoy. Fun is the main factor that will keep them participating. They don't have to play organized sports to be active. Deliberate play without adult organization will help them succeed, as well as provide recovery time from other sports. Only one percent of high school athletes will receive a scholarship for sports. That scholarship may only cover part of college expenses. Only .03% of high school athletes will reach a professional level. Feel out your child's desire to succeed with a sport and support that. You can't tell if a ten-year-old will eventually become a professional. By trying out multiple sports, your child may find skill and joy in something unexpected. Be your child's advocate. Make sure she has one to two days off each week from her particular sport. Listen in as Dr. Joel Brenner shares the importance of variety in your young athlete's sports involvement. For more information on sports specialization, you can check out Dr. Brenner's report here.

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.

Keep that pinkeye from spreading with plenty of hand washing.Pinkeye can be one of the worst experiences for a child. Itchy, watery, sensitive eyes that develop a crust are telltale signs of pinkeye. It's very contagious, prompting daycares and schools to send the affected children home until the condition is gone. You don't want your child to be the reason for the dreaded pinkeye letter to be distributed to all the parents.  Bacterial pinkeye or conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms include redness, itchiness and watering of the eye. There may be a green or yellow discharge. Bacterial pinkeye can lead to an eye crusting shut overnight. Viral conjunctivitis is also contagious. The eye or eyes are red, watery and light sensitive. It will go away after five to seven days. Both bacterial and viral pinkeye are treated with eye drops, warm compresses and lots of hand washing. If your child has crusty eyes clean the area with a warm, wet washcloth. Do not reuse the washcloth. You may choose to wear gloves when treating the eye. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water immediately. Allergies can also cause conjunctivitis. Allergy-caused pinkeye is not contagious. Anti-allergy eyedrops typically help. One of the best steps you can take to prevent pinkeye is to be mindful about where your child plays. If you see a bunch of sick kids playing in the ball pit, find something else to do. If your child insists on playing in an area of concern, be sure you child doesn't touch his face while playing and washes his hands with soap and water after playtime. If your child experiences any swelling in the eye area then take him to the pediatrician right away. Avoid the spread of the infection to other areas of the face and the brain. Listen in as Naveen Mehrotra, MD, shares what you need to know about conjunctivitis.

Enrich the lives of your children with overseas travel. Prepare for a safe and healthy trip.You want your children to experience the joys of international travel, exposing them to new cultures and languages. You also want to keep them healthy and safe on the journey. While strengthening your family bond while adventuring overseas, planning ahead will make the travel as pleasurable as possible. First, different countries have different requirements so you have to plan ahead. Some paperwork takes six weeks or longer. Travel with birth certificates, health certificates and immunization records. See if there are any shots your family will need ahead of time. If only one parent is traveling with the children, it might be wise to carry a notarized document showing the other parent has consented to the travel. Second, give your children comfort and stress the security of the nation you're visiting. Make sure your child knows that you are concerned with her safety. Even situations like Brexit can be an educational experience. Third, speak with your pediatrician about a medicine box for travel. Consider a fever reducer and cold/allergy medication. Your pediatrician can guide you on stocking the medicine box based on your destination. Finally, be prepared in case you need to visit a pediatrician in another country. If your kids get sick, a local pediatrician will have a better idea of what colds and health conditions are going around. Check your insurance coverage before you travel and get supplemental insurance to be cautious. Listen in as Naveen Mehrotra, MD, discusses smart practices for overseas travel.

Watch for signs of dehydration and know how to treat them.It's summer and the temperature is going up, up, up. You may want your child to play outside for various reasons. But, it's important to prevent dehydration and treat symptoms should they arise. How hot is it? How humid is it? These factors exacerbate water loss. Keep these things in mind when your child engages in outdoor summer activities. Watch for early warning signs of dehydration. The first indicators are dizziness, tiredness and headache. Hydrate right away. Drinking water every 15 to 20 minutes is advised for outdoor activity. Carrying water helps. Heavy activity requires salt replacement, which may be the rare occasion for sports drinks. Heat exhaustion is more dangerous than simple dehydration. Lack of urine or dark urine, heavy sweating when still, nausea and high heart rate are indicators of heat exhaustion. Get your child out of the heat immediately. Find some shade or go into a space with air conditioning. Rehydrate with water. Do not give your child a caffeinated beverage because it does not hydrate. Heat stroke is extremely dangerous. The internal body temperature goes as high as 104 degrees. This can cause internal damage. The body can't cool itself down. Contact your pediatrician right away. Apply cold compresses to the torso, head, neck and groin. A cool bath may help. Rehydrate with water or sports drinks. Intravenous rehydration may be necessary. Listen in as Dr. Corinn Cross advises how to watch for and treat dehydration.

Summer is perfect for expanding your child's horizons with books.Summer is perfect for expanding your child's horizons with books. Younger children should be encouraged to branch out, because there is no school deadline for finishing bigger books. Look into different genres of fiction. Your child will likely enjoy reading about children around the same age. Help your child read more this summer by participating in the adventure. Set goals and challenges for your child. Consider rewards for accomplishments. Pick out a summer reading list online with your child. Take your kid to the library to select books together. Your older child should still be reading. You may need to make an agreement that involves privileges for keeping up with reading habits. There are college preparation reading lists that can help your kid prepare. Listen in as Dr. Corinn Cross advises on getting your child into books this summer.

The 4th of July is a fun-filled holiday. Be sure to stay safe.Independence Day is celebrated in the great outdoors. Picnics, parties and beach shindigs are popular for the holiday. With all of the outdoor fun, how can you keep your family safe? First, leave the fireworks shows to the professionals. Please don't use fireworks at home. They aren't worth the risk. There were 10,000 fireworks-related injuries in 2015. Sparklers reach 2000 degrees, so give your kids glow sticks instead. If your family insists on having fireworks in the backyard, be prepared for incidents. Keep viewers away from the lighting area. Have water buckets, a fire extinguisher or hose handy. Drink after the fireworks are over. Second, biting bugs are rampant in the outdoor experience. Of the 3000 species of mosquitoes, only a few like to pester people. The problem is that those pests carry diseases. Get rid of stagnant water in your yard. Fix window screens so bugs can't come in the house. Don't dress your children in colorful outfits because those colors are bug targets. Don't combine insect repellent and sunscreen together for your outdoor activities. Apply sunscreen first and let it soak in. Apply the insect repellent later. Be sure you don't apply chemical insect repellent to your baby. Finally, watch out for stings. Know any bee and wasp sensitivities and be prepared for allergies. Generally, you can use a credit card to flick out a stinger. Clean the site with gentle soap and water. Apply some antihistamine cream or cortisone ointment if it still hurts. Listen in as Dr. Deborah Mulligan shares how you can have a happy and safe holiday.

Learn about the new American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines for sleep.The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new set of sleep guidelines. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses these guidelines. Here is how much your child should be sleeping: Infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps) Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps) Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours Teens are the toughest to improve sleep hygiene. Their body clocks change so they are biologically night owls. Some schools are now starting later so teens can get enough sleep. Getting plenty of sleep leads to better learning, increased attention, and fewer injuries and fights. For kids under 12, sort out when they need to get up to prepare for school. Count backwards from that time to establish a bedtime. Your kids may function fine with nine hours of sleep or may require 12. For little kids, watch for signs of sleepiness. The rubbing of the eyes and the long blinks are clear indicators your child is tired. Notice the time these sleepy symptoms occur and use that as your bedtime guide. Everyone should finish all games, chats and dealings with electronics 15 to 30 minutes before bed. Don't take the cell phone or tablet to bed with you. Keep the bed dedicated to sleeping. Listen in as Dr. Lee J. Brooks discusses these new guidelines.

New findings show the positive impact of fathers on child development.A recent report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics proves the importance of fathers in the development of young children. Engaged fathers are associated with better academic success, health, social skills and confidence. Their children also have less delinquency and reduced likelihood of substance abuse. It really matters to get dads involved with children. They don't have to serve the same functions as mothers. It's great when fathers will jump in and change diapers and rock babies to sleep, but they can be involved in other ways. Daddies tend to be more playful with babies and tend to get more belly laughs. Fathers encourage their littles to climb to the top of the monkey bars and take risks on the playgrounds. Encouraging all fathers to get involved with children will improve those children's lives. Giving fathers paid parental leave will help with this. If your child's father is unavailable, this role can be filled by any male or person identifying as male in the child's life. Grandfathers, uncles, adopted fathers or males who are committed to the child's well being can assist in the positive development of children. Listen in as Dr. Michael Yogman shares the importance of fathers (or father figures).