As many families get ready to head to the beach or jump in the pool, it is important to be aware of water safety.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated guidance on water safety and drowning prevention.

In the new policy, the AAP reinforces its existing recommendation that most children age 4 and older should learn to swim, but the AAP is now more open toward classes for younger children. In the past, the AAP advised against swimming lessons for children ages 1 to 3 because there was little evidence that lessons prevented drowning or resulted in better swim skills, and there was a concern parents would become less vigilant about supervising a child who had learned some swimming skills.

The AAP does not recommend formal water safety programs for children younger than 1 year of age. The water-survival skills programs for infants may make compelling videos for the Internet, but no scientific study has yet demonstrated these classes are effective, the policy states.

For more info on this topic you can visit the following webpage.  http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail.cfm?id=2660

 

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We all lead very busy lives and sometimes we forget to slow down and enjoy small moments with our kids.  Here is a link that has some cute ideas that families can do with kids as we run errands and go about our day to day lives.

http://handsonaswegrow.com/2011/12/10-simple-ways-to-slow-down-make-your-childs-day.html

Here is a fun rainy day activity to do with the kids.  Make a fish bowl!  Use blue jello and sweedish fish candy to create a fun and edible treat.

Registration will begin soon for the 2012-2013 school year.  Texas schools require 4-5 yr olds to have Tetanus/Pertussis, Polio, and Varicella booster vaccines before entering Kindergarten.  Texas schools also require Tetanus/Pertussis & Meningitis vaccines before entry to 7th grade.  If your child need vaccines, please call for an appointment   (281)292-0999

Mosquito Bites in kids

Mosquitos have been a big problem in our area for the past few weeks.  When a mosquito bites an individual, various chemicals are injected into the skin. The red bumps are actually the body's reaction to these chemicals.   Most insect bites result in a red bump.  Some are larger (like a hive) and some have a small water blister in the center.  These are normal reactions to an insect bite.  Mosquito bites of the upper face can cause eyelid to swell up for several days.  With bites, the swelling can be red as well as large (especially age 1-5 years).  Insect bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye, but this is usually harmless.  The swelling is usually worse in the morning after lying down all night. It will improve after standing for a few hours.  If your child develops a fever, irritability or the skin in the area of the bite is tender to touch, call the office.   If you think you've been bitten by a mosquito, wash the bite with soap and water.  Put on some calamine lotion anti-itch cream to stop the itching.  Placing an ice pack on the bite may also help.   The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to wear an insect repellent.   Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, it's also a good idea to empty out buckets, flower pots, toys, and other things in your yard that may have collected water during a rainstorm.  Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Let’s test your knowledge about mosquito bites. 

True or False

A large hive at the bite site means your child is having an allergic reaction. False- this is a normal reaction

The area is red and there is a clear dot in the middle.  This means that the bite is infected.  False – this is a normal reaction

Most insect bites are itchy for several days.  True

The area may be red, pink, and swollen for up to 7 days.  True

 

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The Flu has arrived in our area.

Influenza, or the flu, is a very common illness that is caused by the influenza virus, which strikes most commonly in the winter.  Although children get more mild flu infections than adults, rates of flu are much higher among children. Flu symptoms usually develop 2-3 days (incubation period) after coming in contact with someone else who is sick with the flu.

The most common symptoms of the flu are the sudden onset of a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat from post nasal drip, cough, fever, which can be either low grade or very high, chills, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually worsen over the next 3-5 days, and then gradually improve over the next few days without treatments.

Although antibiotics do not work against the flu, there are some things you can do to make your child more comfortable as he recovers, including bedrest, plenty of fluids, a pain and or fever reliever, or use of a humidifier.

Remember that since the flu is caused by a virus, your child will not need an antibiotic as treatment to get better. Antibiotics do not kill the flu virus. There are some antiviral medicines that may help your child get better quicker if they are started within 48 hours of the first signs of illness.

Since the flu is spread by coming into contact with the secretions of someone who is already infected, the best way to not get the flu is to teach your children to wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom, to not share cups or glasses, and to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze. Also wash toys and other objects and surfaces after someone with the flu (or any other infection) touches them.

www.keepkidshealthy.com

This is link to a great website to help your kids with speech issues.  Check it out!

http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/

The transition from baby to toddler brings many changes. One of the biggest changes is moving from breast milk or formula to cow's milk at 1 yr of age.  If your child has a milk protein allergy or your family does not eat cow's milk products, soy milk can be a good alternative for meeting your child's calcium needs.

The growth rate of a toddler is slower than it was when he was an infant, however a nourishing diet remains essential. Milk is an important part of a toddler's daily diet to provide calcium and vitamin D for growing bones. Your child should consume about 4 cups of milk or dairy foods per day to meet the estimated needs for calcium and vitamin D, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The fat provided by the whole milk is necessary for proper brain development and normal growth patterns.  For children who have a milk protein allergy or intolerance or whose parents have chosen to follow a vegan diet, soy milk is an alternative. A main difference between whole cow's milk and soy milk is the fat content, generally 8 g of fat in one cup of whole milk and about 4 g of fat in one cup of soy milk. Providing fat in the diet from other sources can make up the difference.

If your child does not like the taste of cow's milk, soy milk may be a good choice. Soy milk comes in many flavors, most commonly vanilla, and has a much sweeter taste than cow's milk. Look for enriched soy milk to ensure adequate calcium is available in each glass since milk products are the primary way toddlers consume calcium. Enriched soy milk may also have added fiber and iron and lower amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol and sugar.

(Info obtained from Livestron.com & The American Academy of Pediatrics)

For older children and adults, here is a good article about the different types of milk available .

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43672735/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/skinny-milk-nutrition-cow-goat-rice-or-soy/

 

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This week we will begin a new series on safety tips.  Each week we will discuss safety information for a different age group.  Stay tuned for more...

http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-help-kids-christmas-stress-732585.html

This looks like a fun project to do with the kids.  We have not tested this one, so if anyone tries it, let us know how it turns out!

http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-rock-candy.html

Most breastfeeding women can eat any foods that they want without any ill effects to their baby, but occasionally a baby will be fussy at the breast or gassy after you eat a particular food.  If you think that something you're eating is causing problems for your baby, it's usually something you've eaten two to six hours before feeding. 

If you think that a particular food is giving your baby gas or making him irritable, avoid that food for a few days.  To test whether that food really was the cause, reintroduce it once and see if there's an effect.  Here are some foods that mothers have reported to cause gas or irritability in some babies.

• Dairy (cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream)
• Chocolate
• Spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper)
• Citrus fruits and their juices, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
• Strawberries, kiwifruit, pineapple
• Veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers)
• And fruits with a laxative effect, such as cherries and prunes.

A daily cup or two of coffee is fine, but too much caffeine can interfere with your baby's sleep or make him fussy. Remember that caffeine is also found in some sodas, teas, and over-the-counter medicines.

Most women will be able to re-introduce food back into their diet as their baby gets older.  Breastfeeding moms should always continue taking prenatal vitamins for the duration of breastfeeding. 

 

If you have any questions, please call our office. 

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This is a cute recipe and a fun way to get your kids involved in Thanksgiving Day prep.  We hope that you enjoy the recipe!

http://www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/rice-krispies-treats-on-a-stick.aspx#/recipes/turkey-pop-treats 

Here is a link to guide parents in choosing age appropriate toys!  Just in time for Christmas shopping...enjoy.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/smart_toys.html#

Colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, your immune system attacks. Some of the effects of this immune response are the classic symptoms of a cold, such as congestion and coughing.  The germs that cause colds are contagious. You can pick them up when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or you touch the germs with your hands.  Colds can last 10-14 days and do not respond to antibiotics.

Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system. For some reason, your body mistakes harmless substances -- such as mold or pollen -- for germs and attacks them. Your body releases chemicals such as histamine, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. Allergies are not contagious, although some people may inherit a tendency to develop them.

Characteristic	Cold	Allergy
Duration	three-14 days	Days to months -- as long as you are exposed to the allergen
Time of year	Most often in the winter, but possible at any time	Any time of the year -- although the appearance of some allergens are seasonal
Onset of Symptoms	Symptoms take a few days to appear after infection with the virus.	Symptoms can begin immediately after exposure to the allergen
Cough	Often	Sometimes
Aches	Sometimes	Never
Fatigue	Sometimes	Sometimes
Fever	Sometimes	Never
Itchy, Watery eyes	Rarely	Often
Sore Throat	Often	Sometimes
Runny or Stuffy Nose	Often; usually yellow mucus	Often; usually clear mucus

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s symptoms please call the office.

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This is a great article in Parents magazine that has easy explainations for kids on staying healthy.  Check it out. 

http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/health/other-issues/instilling-healthy-habits/

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN 

Kids love Halloween because they get to dress up in fun costumes and they get lots and lots of CANDY!!

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Have a safe and fun Haloween.  Happy Trick or Treating!!

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All week we will be posting Halloween safety tips.  Check back frequently to see the next post.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

•  A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group. Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

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All week we will be posting a series of safety tips for Halloween.  Check back frequently for more info!

Home Sweet Home

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.

Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.

Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

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