Happy Halloween and Part three Tips

Happy Halloween! We hope as you plan your day with your families you can keep a few of these tips in your mind.

• 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

Ever wonder what to do with all of that extra Halloween candy that you don't want to keep around your house?  Maybe we can help with that!  There are numerous dental and orthodontic offices around the valley that will pay you for your leftover Halloween candy!  Most of the offices who participate in this will donate the candy to a charitable cause.  There is even a dentist in our building that is paying people for their Halloween candy for the entire week after Halloween!  This particular office is donating all of the candy they collect to our troops overseas.  So if you are wanting to get rid of some of those mountains of candy, call up your dentist office and see if this is something they do!

We are wishing you a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN and please have fun and BE SAFE!
**safety tips from AAP

Fact Friday: Crib Bumpers are more harm than good

Parents will soon hear from their pediatricians that bumper pads should not be used in cribs because babies can suffocate against or be strangled by the popular bedding product.The American Academy of Pediatrics set the guideline for its physicians as part of updated policies to create safer sleep environments for babies and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. To read more about this article and the new guidelines click here. Here is part of the article with some great "FACTS". Remember to talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions.

Every five years the pediatrics academy updates its official policies, which serve as a guide to pediatricians and other medical professionals throughout the country. Previously, the policies stated that if crib bumpers were used, they should be thin, firm, well secured and not "pillow-like" — a vague term that irked safe-sleep experts and SIDS groups.

"It was just confusing," said Nancy Cowles, director of Kids in Danger, a safety advocacy group. "I think this clarifies things — bare is best."

In a statement, the academy said that although the number of deaths associated with sudden infant death syndrome has declined in the last two decades, sleep-related deaths from suffocation, entrapment and asphyxia have increased.

Besides stating that bumper pads should not be used, the group also recommended that babies always sleep on a firm surface, not in car seats or other products that babies sit in. Wedges and positioners shouldn't be used, and the policies recommend breast-feeding and immunizations to reduce SIDS deaths

Info from AAP and http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-crib-bumper-warning-20111018,0,1998372.story

Halloween Safety Part 2

This is part two of our three part series about Halloween Safety. This part is about keeping your home safe for your children and also while you are on the "trail". Also remember that small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting. Thanks to healthychildren.org and the AAP for part of this information that we have for you today. HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

Home Safe Home:

• 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.

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 in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).
• 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.

Info from healthychildren.org to read the full article click here

Halloween Safety tips Part one

Are you children counting down the hours until Halloween? We know that this can be such a fun holiday to celebrate but wanted to give you some great reminders and tips to make sure you have a very safe and healthy Halloween. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some great tips for dressing up during Halloween.

Dressed up/Costumes:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

To read the full article click here (thanks to healthychildren.org for the info)

Remember to sign up for Parenting Class!!

Remember only a few more days to sign up for the Parenting Classes offered at Willow Creek. Ask your self these questions--Do you want better behavior from your kids? Less shouting and arguing?  More patience? Better family relationships? Fewer tantrums? If you answered YES to any of these questions you should sign up and attend the 4 part class "Parenting with Positive Guidance". Click here for more information.

• Four sessions that start Thursday nights, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm October 27-Nov 17th
• At Willow Creek Pediatrics Conference Room
• $65 for individuals or $100 for couples
• Sign up at the front desk or email margiet@wasatchpeds.net to reserve your spot!

Amanda has been a guest "blogger" on our site and has given us valuable information. Our doctors are so excited to offer such a great resource to our parents. Amanda has a Master's degree in Family and Human development and has worked with children and families in a variety of settings. She currently works part-time as a trainer and consultant for The Children's Center of Salt Lake, and full time as a mom to three boys. She also writes at Not Just Cute,a blog devoted to intentional whole child development.

Check our her blog here to see her great ideas and if you can't attend let us know if you would be interested in another session. Hope to see you there!

Utah Child Care centers improve diet and add exercise

It is so great to see Utah Child Care providers taking an aggressive role in helping with childhood obesity. Dr Jopling recently found this article from the Standard Examiner and thought we would share it.
Ask yourself each day three questions. 
1- Does my child eat healthy?
2-Did my child get exercise?  
3- How much TV does my child watch?
 It is a great reminder to look at these once in a while and reevaluate!
  
OGDEN -- Healthy food choices and more exercise are among the lifestyle changes being made by dozens of child care centers in the Top of Utah. Both Weber-Morgan and Davis County health departments are participating in the pilot program called "Targeting Obesity in Preschool and Child Care Settings (TOP Star)," coordinated through the Utah Department of Health.
"The purpose of the program is to help child care providers improve their physical activity and nutrition environments," said Jessica Haymond, TOP Star project coordinator at UDOH.
"The assistance from the participating local health departments has been key to the implementation of this project."
Tiffany Leishman, community health educator at Davis County Health Department, said she likes the results she's seeing so far.
"The program hasn't been running long enough to get all of the results back yet, but some of the changes I'm seeing are just remarkable," she said.
"One home day-care center has cut down the amount of TV the kids watch from 56 hours a week to 30 minutes a week. They've replaced that screen time with healthy physical activities."
Monica Gailey, director of Let Them Be Kids in Clearfield, said her day-care center has made several changes so far, including providing more fruits and vegetables for the children.
"We have also added an extra recess for the kids, so they can get out and exercise more," she said.
"The teachers are also more involved with the kids during recess. Instead of watching them, they are participating in physical activities with them. The kids are having a lot of fun and don't even realize they're getting exercise."
Leishman said one in five Utah children is considered overweight or obese by the time they enter first grade. She said it's important to instill healthy lifestyle habits before children get used to bad ones.
Rochelle Creager, program manager for physical activity, nutrition and obesity prevention at Weber-Morgan Health Department, said each day care that participates in the program is given a self-assessment to see in which areas it is doing well and which areas need improvement.
"We talk about nutrition, exercise and breast-feeding environments," she said. "Once we see where they are in those areas, we come up with an action plan and set some goals."
Leishman and Creager said each center is given about three to six months to work on its goals.
"We hope to see an improvement, but if not, we will continue to work with them," Leishman said.
Some of the changes that can be made include serving more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as playing games that include running, skipping and jumping.
"If we can have an impact before these kids get into school, then hopefully we can prevent some bad behaviors," Creager said.
"If the day-care centers are successful, we will give them an endorsement both on our website and the state health department's website."
--Info from http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/09/27/care-providers-increasing-childrens-healthful-eating-exercise

Fact Friday: Facts about the Flu

We hope the following information that is put out by the AAP will you help make an informative decision about the flu shots or flu mist. To read the whole article click here. Thanks to healthychildren.org for a great resource page. Please call us if you have any questions.

What is the flu?

The influenza (flu) virus causes serious illness that may result in hospitalization or death. It mostly affects the breathing system, but may also affect the whole body. The flu season usually starts in the fall and ends in the spring.

People can get the flu many times in their lives. Flu viruses are always changing over time and from year to year. Three seasonal flu viruses are expected to make children sick again this flu season.

Signs of the flu

All flu viruses cause a respiratory illness that can last a week or more. Flu symptoms include

• A sudden fever (usually above 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Chills and body shakes
• Headache, body aches, and being a lot more tired than usual
• Sore throat
• Dry, hacking cough
• Stuffy, runny nose

Some children may throw up (vomit) and have loose stools (diarrhea). Talk with your child’s doctor if your child has ear pain, a cough that won’t go away, or a fever that won’t go away. There can be serious complications, even death, from the flu, but these are uncommon.

How to prevent the flu

Get the flu vaccine every year

Safe vaccines are made each year to protect against the flu. This year’s flu vaccine protects against the same 3 strains of influenza virus in last year’s vaccine. These are

• Influenza A (H3N2)
• Influenza A (H1N1)
• Influenza B

The number of vaccine doses your child needs this year depends on his age at the time the first dose is given and his flu vaccine history.

• Children 6 months through 8 years of age should get 2 doses if they did not get a flu vaccine last year and 1 dose if they did.
• Children 9 years and older need only 1 dose.

Everyone should get the flu vaccine each year to update their protection because

• Protection from the flu vaccine lasts for about 6 to 12 months.
• The virus strains in the vaccine may change, so your protection usually needs updating.

Who should get which flu vaccine?

There are 2 types of flu vaccine.

Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) is given as a shot. There are 2 kinds of shots. The intramuscular (into the muscle) shot is licensed and recommended for children 6 months and older and adults, including people with and without chronic medical conditions. The new intradermal (into the skin) shot has been licensed for the 2011–2012 season to use in people 18 through 64 years of age. 
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of getting severely ill from the flu and their close contacts, the close contacts of healthy children younger than 5 years, all health care personnel, and all pregnant (or postpartum) women.
Live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is sprayed into the nose. LAIV is recommended for healthy children 2 years and older.
Both types of flu vaccine are very safe and work well to protect your child from the flu. Check with your doctor about which is best for your child and family.

Are there side effects of the flu vaccine?

There are very few side effects of the flu vaccine. The area where the TIV flu shot is given may be sore for a day or two. Fever may occur within 24 hours after in about 10% to 35% of children younger than 2 years but rarely in older children and adults.
Because LAIV is sprayed into the nose, your child might get a stuffy, runny nose within the first few days. LAIV may produce mild symptoms, including rhinitis, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever.
You or your children will not get the flu from the vaccine. It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to start working, so people can catch the flu before they are protected. 

Is the flu vaccine safe for children with egg allergies?

In the past, children with egg allergies were not recommended to get the flu vaccine because they might have a reaction. There is now enough scientific information to show that influenza vaccine given in a single, age-appropriate dose is well received by nearly all children and adults who have egg allergy. Check with your doctor if you have any questions.

• Children with a history of mild egg allergy (hives) can get the flu vaccine safely at their doctor’s office.
• Children with a history of severe egg allergy should have their doctor consult with their allergist before getting the flu vaccine.

When should my child get the flu vaccine?

The best time to get the flu vaccine is the early fall or as soon as it is available in your community. If your child does not get the flu vaccine right away, it is still important to get it anytime. The flu virus infects people in the fall, winter, and well into the spring each year. Your child can still be protected if she gets a flu vaccine as late as March, April, or May. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about the flu vaccine.

Keep flu germs from spreading

The flu virus spreads easily through the air with coughing and sneezing, and through touching things like doorknobs or toys and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Here are some tips that will help protect your family from getting sick.

1. Everyone should wash their hands often. You can use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. That is about as long as singing the “Happy Birthday” song 2 times. And an alcohol-based hand cleanser or sanitizer works well too. Put enough on your hands to make them all wet, then rub them together until dry.
2. Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Show your child how to cough into the elbow or upper sleeve (not a hand) or use a tissue.
3. Throw all tissues used for runny noses and sneezes in the trash right away.
4. Wash dishes and utensils in hot, soapy water or the dishwasher.
5. Don’t let children share pacifiers, cups, spoons, forks, washcloths, or towels without washing. Never share toothbrushes.
6. Teach your child to try not to touch her eyes, nose, or mouth.
7. Wash doorknobs, toilet handles, countertops, and even toys. Use a disinfectant wipe or a cloth with soap and hot water. (A disinfectant is a cleaner that kills germs.)

**info from Healthychildren.org
full article here

Flu Shot and Flu Mist time!

It is that time again to get your annual flu shot or flu mist. Flu shots for all children ages 6 months and up, as well as FluMist for all children ages 2 years and up!  All of our doctor's do recommend getting an annual flu vaccination.

Flu vaccines will be by appointment only; we will not be doing walk-in flu vaccines this year.  Appointments are available on Tuesday from 2:00-7:30, Wednesday from 2:00 7:00 and Thursday from 2:00- 5:00.  Feel free to call the office Monday through Friday to schedule your children for their flu vaccine!

Please contact your insurance company prior to your appointment to find out if they cover the flu vaccine and if they require a copay.  Most insurance companies do require a copay anytime a fee is generated.  If you choose not to pay your copay at the time of service, there is an additional $5 fee to bill you for your copay

Fact Friday :Many parents switch child safety seats too soon

75% of 500 parents started placing their child in a front-facing car seat before age 2 and 30% of parents switched their child to the front-facing seat before age 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines for the use of car seats in April, recommending that children stay in rear-facing car seats until age 2. A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body. Thank you Dr Jopling for bringing this article to our attention. Click here for the full article and also read a past blog entry reminder about the new recommendations.

Utah has Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations in every community throughout Utah that work to educate families about the proper use of child safety seats.  Many of these Inspection Stations offer child safety seats and booster seats at a reduced cost to low-income families. To find the nearest location, call the Primary Children's Car Seat Hot Line 801-662-CARS or visit these informative web sites:

• Safe Kids Utah
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Utah Department of Public Safety
• Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes

We know you want to keep your children safe and we want to help. If you have any questions please ask your pediatrician or visit one of these great websites.
Info from-AAP and
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-x-1005-car-seat-guidelines-20111005,0,50595.story

Organic or Not?

Eat your fruits and vegetables! The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. Dr O'Mara recently found this website that will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce. Click here for the full article and use EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides to reduce your exposures as much as possible, but eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all.

Buy these organic:
Apples
Celery
Strawberries
Peaches

Spinach
Nectarines (imported)

Grapes (imported)
Sweet bell peppers
Potatoes
Blueberries
Lettuce
Kale or Collard Greens

Lowest in Pesticide :Ok to Buy

Onions
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Avocado

Asparagus

Sweet peas

Mangoes

Eggplant

Cantaloupe(domestic)

Kiwi

Cabbage

Watermelon

Sweet potatoes

Grapefruit

Mushrooms

 

*info from http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/