The doctors and staff of Willow Creek Pediatrics would like to wish all of our patients and their families a very happy and healthy 2012!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Happy New Years and Holiday Hours
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Build-A-Bear Recall
(CNN) -- The Build-A-Bear Workshop company is recalling nearly 300,000 Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears sold in the United States and Canada due to risks of choking, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced.
The agency warned that while no injuries have been reported, the "teddy bear's eyes could loosen and fall out, posing a choking hazard to children," according to a statement.
"Consumers should immediately take the recalled teddy bear from children and return it to any Build-A-Bear store to receive a coupon for any available stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear," the statement said, advising buyers to contact the firm at 866-236-5683 with additional questions.
The Chinese-made toy is a stuffed animal, roughly 16 inches tall with black plastic eyes, that is sold in the United States for $18.
The bears were sold at Build-A-Bear Workshops and through the firm's website from April through December.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Happy Holidays and Holiday Hours!
We wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Just a reminder, for your convenience, the Willow Creek office does have holiday hours! We will have a doctor available on Christmas Eve (Saturday) for sick patients. Our phones will turn on at 8:30 for you to schedule an appointment or to speak to a nurse for medical advice. We will book appointments in order and stay until our latest scheduled appointment. We will be closed on Christmas day (there will be a doctor available for phone calls for urgent medical advice) and we will reopen on Monday, December 26th for SICK only. The phones will turn on at 9:00 and we will book in order and again stay until our latest scheduled appointment. We will have a nurse available for medical advice. Our normal regular schedule will resume on Tuesday Dec 27th with our phones turning on at 8:00 AM. We hope you have a very safe and healthy Holiday season from everyone here at Willow Creek Pediatrics.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Enfamil recall Warning
We wanted you to be aware of a new voluntary Enfamil formula probe (from the AAP)
Wal-Mart announced Wednesday it has pulled Enfamil Premium Newborn formula from its store shelves nationwide after the death in Missouri of a newborn boy who was given the formula. The move was a precautionary measure, Wal-Mart said. No government or manufacturer recall had been issued as of Thursday, December 22. Mead Johnson Nutrition said the lot of 12.5-ounce cans had tested negative for the suspected rare bacterium, Cronobacter sakazakii, before being shipped. The lot number ZP1K7G is stamped on the bottom of the formula can. Public health experts are investigating the source of the possible contamination and also whether any patient or environmental factors such as the water used in preparing the powdered formula played a part. Mead Johnson is preparing a public statement to be posted to its Enfamil.com website. Parents are encouraged to follow World Health Organization guidelines for safely preparing powdered infant formula. These include: washing your hands with soap and water, cleaning all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water and preparing enough formula for just one feeding at a time. As we go into a long holiday weekend (the AAP is closed until Tuesday, December 27), updated information may appear on the FDA.gov, CDC.gov, Missouri Department of Health (http://health.mo.gov/) and Enfamil.com websites.Monday, December 19, 2011
Don't let this season be a nutrition nightmare
The holidays don't have to be a nutrition nightmare. In fact, many popular appetizers and even some desserts are low in calories and pack a powerful nutrient punch, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, a nutrition blogger and author of Read It Before You Eat It. Dr. Jopling found this article and wanted to share it with you.
MORE: Battle holiday weight gain and treats with workouts
BLOG: Read more advice from Bonnie Taub-Dix at Nutrition Nation
Like holiday gifts, the food's wrapping has a lot of impact, she says. "Fried foods and those wrapped in bacon or bathed in sauces can add unwanted pounds."
Some holiday foods are loaded with good nutrition such as lean protein in shrimp appetizers, fiber in roasted vegetable side dishes and beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian in Chicago.
"Just because the appetizers never made it to a plate doesn't mean these foods won't make it to your hips," she says. To read the full article click here.
**info from USA today
Friday, December 16, 2011
Holiday Safety Tips from the AAP
The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Trees
1-When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
2-Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Lights
1-Check all tree lights--even if you've just purchased them--before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
2-Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
1-Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
2-Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.
Toy Safety
1-Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated. Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death -- after swallowing button batteries and magnets. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one. Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons; do not allow young children to play with them. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
2-Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children. Food Safety
1-Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits. Be sure to keep hot liquids and food away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens. Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
2-Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Happy Visiting
1-Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
2-Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Fireplaces
1-Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
2-Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
**Thanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics for all the above information! Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sharing the gift of Christmas :Guest Post
December can be a tricky time. While we all want children who understand concepts of unselfishness and service, Christmastime too often ends up with a lot of emphasis on “What do YOU want for Christmas?”
One of the ways I have tried to help children get a hands-on feel for service is by turning our preschool Christmas party into a service party. (Details and links can be found in this older post.) I took a preschool social studies approach, including projects that represent expanding spheres of social connection: family, neighborhood, and city.
At the service party there are several activities going on at the same time (and parents are there to help). As service to family, the children can decorate cookies to bring home and share. To serve a neighbor, they put together a meal to share with a neighbor who may be in need, sick, or lonely. To serve others in the city, they help make simple fleece scarves or blankets to donate to a local homeless shelter.
The children really seem to enjoy the activities, and I enjoy taking a break from focusing only on what they want out of Christmas. I hope they really get a sense of the joy of service as they take part in each activity. TO read MORE....click here....
**INFO FROM www.notjustcute.blogspot.com
Friday, December 9, 2011
Fact Friday: Fever Medication CHANGE!
Thanks to articles in healthychildren.org the AAP is clarifying some information for us and also click below to see what Tylenol is saying.
Parents need to be aware that the dosing amounts are different depending on the concentration they are using.
Why the change?The change to one concentration for all children is being done to help reduce dosing errors that can lead to accidental overdoses. Too many times parents have mistaken the strength of the infant drops, which are stronger than the liquids, and accidently given their children too much medicine.
What to doAlways call your pediatrician before giving acetaminophen to a child under 2 years of age, and call right away if your child is under four months of age and has a fever. Be sure when calling that you know which concentration you have, either 80mg/0.8mL (these are the drops which are being discontinued) or 160mg/5mL (children’s liquid). You can find this information on the front of the medicine bottle. Have the bottle with you when you call. For children over the age of 2 years, check the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child's weight, use that. If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age for the dose amount.
Important reminders•Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
•Use only the dosing device that comes with the product
•Never give adult medicines to children
•Always read and follow the instructions on the label
•Talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions and pick up our current dosing chart in the office
•If you think your child has taken too much of this or any medicine, call poison control at 800.222.1222
Also TYLENOL has a great website with further information to help with this transition. Click here for the full article.
**full article and links http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/treatments/pages/Fever-and-Pain-Medicines-Major-Change-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx
**info from Tylenol.com
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tips on a Healthy December
Hygiene Strategies
When your child or another family member has a cold or cough, there are extremely important steps in addition to frequent hand washing that can lower the risk of spreading the infection to others. Some experts call these strategies respiratory hygiene, and they can be very effective if followed carefully. For example, to keep your sick child from blowing secretions into the air, where they can land on other people or on toys and other objects- Encourage her to cough or sneeze into a tissue or, if a tissue isn’t available, onto her sleeve.
- Discourage your child from covering her mouth with her hands while coughing or sneezing because this will leave germs on the hands that can be spread by touching other people or objects. Most often, germs are spread by the hands, not through the air.
- Throw away tissues immediately after each use, putting them in a nearby wastebasket or other container.
- Once your child is old enough, teach her how to blow her nose into a tissue.
- Don’t allow your child to share pacifiers, drinking cups, eating utensils, towels, or toothbrushes whether she is sick.
Clean and Disinfect
Housecleaning may not be the most enjoyable activity in your day. If you spend a few minutes killing germs, especially those in the kitchen and bathroom, it can go a long way toward keeping your child healthy.After you’ve prepared a meal, wash the kitchen counters with hot, soapy water and disinfect them using a household bleach solution or other disinfectant. Infectious bacteria can thrive in foods like uncooked beef and chicken. In the bathroom, use the same cleaning and disinfecting routine on the toilet, sink, and other surfaces. This is especially important when a family member is sick with an infectious disease, particularly one that causes diarrhea. Also, frequently clean the area where you change diapers, including the changing table. (Be sure you keep the bleach and all cleaning products out of the reach of infants and young children.) Avoid changing diapers in areas where food is being prepared or consumed.
Some germs can survive and thrive for hours unless you take steps to wipe them away. After using soap and disinfectant, dry the cleaned surfaces with paper towels or a clean cloth. After you clean up, be sure to wash your own hands.
Click here to read a great article put out by the Washington Post.
**Info from aap.org
**Link to Washington Post above
Friday, December 2, 2011
Fact Friday : Kindergartners today Heavier overall
So what can you do to help this: We have several old post with great information so click on the following links.
The AAP has a great worksheet that you can down load to assess your child's eating. Click here for the link. What can you do to make sure your child is not becoming a "heavier" child?
**info from usatoday.com
**info from healthychildren.org
and www.willowcreekpediatrics.blogspot.com
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