Healthy Children

What do you really need in your nursery?Setting up your nursery is an exciting event. You pick out themes, paint the walls, and get new furniture. You want your child to have the best environment in early life, so you plan and decorate accordingly. What do you actually need in your nursery to give your baby the safest, healthiest infancy? Adjustable crib with a mattress you can lower as the baby ages. The bed only needs a tight-fitting sheet-- no bumpers, pillows or toys. Chair you can't sleep in. The chair is for feeding and burping the baby, not for sleeping. Changing table with safety belt. Make sure diapers and wipes are in reach. No baby powder or cornstarch. If the baby has some diaper rash, let him air out for a few minutes before re-diapering. Use over-the-counter ointments when absolutely necessary. Keep all cords out of reach and use safety plugs in unused outlets. Secure all furniture so your curious toddler doesn't pull anything down. If you need a nightlight in the nursery, make sure it is dim. You don't want the baby to think it's party time if she wakes during the night. Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, discusses what you really need in your nursery.

What happens to school lunch recipients during summer months?Food insecurity is a frightening reality. Some families do not have enough resources to purchase the food they need. One in five children lives in a home that is food insecure. This is the reason for the school breakfast and lunch programs. But, what happens with these children when school is out? There are programs like the Summer Food Service program that provide reimbursement to organizations that supply qualifying meals. Schools, government agencies, summer camps, day camps, churches and community organizations tend to participate in this program. Community food banks still provide food for needy families throughout the year. If you are able to volunteer or donate, you can help thwart food insecurity. You can also approach food banks to be sure your children have enough food for summer if you are having difficulty. Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares how you can be sure needy children are well-fed during the summer months.

How can you keep your child safe over spring break?Spring break is like a mini summer vacation. When the weather is warm enough, it's a great time for your child to enjoy outdoor adventures. For peace of mind for you and your child, keep these safety tips in mind: Pay attention to beach warnings. Be cautious of rip tides, wave warnings and beach conditions. Only enter the water when a lifeguard is on duty. Swim only in designated areas. Know what's in the water. Poisonous waters snakes, jellyfish, alligators, crocodiles and sharks pose dangers to swimmers. Learn the hazards of the area where you're swimming. Stay hydrated. Reapply sunscreen regularly to avoid sunburn. Apply insect repellent after sunscreen. Seek shelter if a storm hits. For your older children, you can't always monitor their spring break activities. Here is some advice before they go off with friends: Sobriety is ideal. If your young adult children decide to engage in day drinking, advise them to take their time and drink plenty of water. Alcohol can work faster on some folks than others, so staying hydrated and drinking alcohol slowly is safer. Keep an eye on their drinks. Strangers may be friendly at the clubs and beaches, but they're still strangers. Avoid drugging by watching their beverage cups. Eat protein before having alcohol. They need to know where they are and use the buddy system for safety. Follow safety recommendations. Wear seat belts. Follow boat safety rules. Debra Mulligan, MD, joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how you can keep your child safe during spring break.

Are tanning beds safe?Spring is almost here. Prom is weeks away. School year-end beauty competitions for scholarships are near. Swimsuit season hits within months. It seems like the perfect time for teens to get a “base tan” in a tanning bed. Tanning beds still pump out ultraviolet rays, causing long-term skin damage and increasing the chances of melanoma. They are not a viable alternative for obtaining vitamin D, as one would get from sunshine. And, that base tan is your body trying to protect you from more sun damage. Dr. Debra Mulligan joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to share why you should advise your child against using a tanning bed.

Provide your children with the best nutrition you can.Your child needs food from all five food groups to have plenty of energy, normal growth, and good health. Your child should be eating grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy or dairy alternatives every day. Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares how to provide your child with the best nutrition you can.

Is your teen in an abusive dating relationship?You try to raise your children to make smart choices and lead happy lives. When your teen starts dating, it's natural to worry that the values you imparted won't be followed. Most importantly, you want your teen to be safe. Sometimes, the dates just rub you wrong. Other times, you just wish you had longer to impart more wisdom. But, sometimes your teen winds up in over her head. Is your teen in an abusive relationship? Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares warning signs your teen may be in an abusive relationship and what you can do to help.

Early literacy is an important building block in your child's life.Reading is the building block for education. Early literacy forms the basis for learning all subjects. When you child can read, the world's possibilities open up to him or her. The first step to literacy is reading aloud to your child. You can develop reading comprehension in your child by discussing the books you read. Your child is likely to express a desire to tell you stories from books. Teaching words in the books you read then becomes a fun activity and a shared experience. Listen in as Dr. Tanya Altmann discusses the importance of teaching your child to read as early as possible.

Here are some tips to get your child to sleep alone."Can I sleep with you?" It's a harmless question, but kids sleeping with parents can become a habit. It may seem easier to acquiesce than to find out what's really bothering your child. Sleeping in one's own bed can be pretty scary for a child. When the lights go out, all that was familiar in daylight is now unrecognizable. If your little one doesn't want to go to bed alone, coax your child into explaining what's bothering him. You can provide him with a flashlight or nightlight. A large stuffed animal might allay his fears of being alone. You can also ask your child for suggestions of what might make his own bed (or bedroom) feel more comforting. Dr. Tanya Altmann shares tips on how you can get your child to sleep alone.

How you can protect your child from the cold?Playing in the snow is one of the gems of childhood. Few memories are as delightful as that mug of hot chocolate after digging tunnels in the snow. Before sending your child out to conquer the winter wonderland, it's important to make sure you've protected your darling from the cold. Cold weather tips for babies: Know the temperature and how the wind chill factor can affect the body. Do you really have to go outside? Invest in a car seat with a carrier. Warm the carrier inside so baby gets a warm seat. Dress your baby in a normal layer of clothing and a hat. Strap baby into the car seat, then drape a blanket over the baby. Be sure your baby's face is free. Cold weather tips for all ages: Monitor your child for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Bring your child inside if there are complaints of a burning sensation in the skin, if the skin is bluish or reddish, if there is shivering, or if speech is slurred. Dress your child in layers. Plan outdoor activity for the warmest part of the day. Use sunscreen. Check in to be sure your child isn't too hot or too cold. Special tips for teen drivers in winter: Enroll your child (or whole family) in a defensive driving or winter driving class. Have a clear set of guidelines for winter driving; perhaps restricting other passengers or determining ahead of time when it's okay to take the car. Be sure the child gets some practice while you're in the car. Low visibility, people walking in the road, other drivers, and ease of stopping the moving vehicle are concerns. Make sure your teen knows about these hazards. Listen in as Dr. Elizabeth Murray shares helpful tips on how to keep your child bundled and safe.

What do you need to know about baby teeth?Teething time is stressful for parents and babies. Primary or baby teeth begin erupting between three and 12 months of age. The two lower front teeth tend to erupt first, and the two upper front teeth usually come in a month or two later. It's tough to know your child is teething before the vocabulary is there to explain the pain. It's also important to use this time to educate your child on good dental health habits. What do you need to know about baby teeth? Using a clean finger to rub your baby's gums can help. Chilled teething toys that can't break apart can feel nice on the gums. Fever is not an indicator of teething. Start good habits early. Use a gentle toothbrush or warm washcloth on the teeth each night as soon as the teeth erupt. No bottles or sippy cups of juice or milk in bed because they promote bad habits and harm the teeth. American Academy of Pediatrics endorses "Brush, Book, Bed." Brush teeth, read a book, go to bed. Listen in as Dr. Elizabeth Murray discusses how to teach your children good dental health.