Children can have a lot of fun playing with their toys. However,
it’s important to keep in mind that safety should always come first. Each year
thousands of children are injured by toys. So how can you be sure you are buying toys that are safe for your child? Read on to learn what to look for
when buying toys and how a few simple ideas for safe use can often prevent
injuries.
How to prevent injuries
Most injuries from toys are minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
However, toys can cause serious injury or even death. This happens when toys are
dangerous or used in the wrong way.
Tips for buying toys
Here are 10 tips to help you choose safe and appropriate toys for your
child.
Read the label. Warning labels give important information about how
to use a toy and what ages the toy is safe for. Be sure to show your child how
to use the toy the right way.
Think LARGE. Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your
child’s mouth to prevent choking.
Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious
eye injuries or choking.
Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child’s
hearing.
Look for stuffed toys that are well made. Make sure all the parts are
on tight and seams and edges are secure. It should also be machine washable.
Take off any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation. Avoid toys that
have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation
if swallowed.
Buy plastic toys that are sturdy. Toys made from thin plastic may
break easily.
Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning. Make sure
the label says “nontoxic.”
Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12
years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous
chemicals. Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of
toys.
Electric toys should be “UL Approved.” Check the label to be
sure.
Be careful when buying crib toys. Strings or wires that hang in a
crib should be kept short to avoid strangulation. Crib toys should be removed as
soon as your child can push up on his hands and knees.
Gift ideas by age
Age recommendations on toys can be helpful because they offer
guidelines on the following:
The safety of the toy (for example, if there any possible
choking hazards)
The ability of a child to play with the toy
The ability of a child to understand how to use a toy
The needs and interests at various levels of a child’s
development
Important information about recalled toys
One of the goals of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
is to protect consumers and families from dangerous toys. It sets up rules and
guidelines to ensure products are safe and issues recalls of products if a
problem is found. Toys are recalled for various reasons including unsafe lead
levels, choking or fire hazards, or other problems that make them dangerous.
Toys that are recalled should be removed right away. If you think your child has
been exposed to a toy containing lead, ask your child’s doctor about testing for
elevated blood lead levels.
We wanted to honor and thank all the Veterans that have served our country and who are currently serving! We are so grateful to you and your service. To our patients, friends and family we hope you can all honor and thank a Veteran today.
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips from the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe holiday.
All Dressed Up:
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.
Carving a Niche:
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.
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.
Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
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.
Healthy Halloween:
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.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a dangerous virus that can cause people to get very sick and even die. The virus is causing the biggest problems in western Africa, where it has spread quickly. People all over the world are concerned about Ebola and are taking steps to stop it and to treat those who are sick.
Ebola symptoms can start with fever and headache, kind of like the flu. But it can get worse and cause life-threatening symptoms, such as bleeding and trouble breathing.
It's very important that infected people get treatment right away. People who have Ebola also need to be cared for in a special way so that the disease doesn't spread to doctors, nurses, or other in their families and communities.
How do people catch Ebola?
Ebola does not spread like colds or the flu because it does not float through the air. Ebola also doesn't spread through food or water, like some other viruses.
Instead, Ebola spread when someone touches the body fluids(such as spit) of a sick person. That's why it's so important that hospital workers protect themselves by wearing surgical gloves and other protective equipment.
What is an Outbreak?
An outbreak is when many people are getting sick with the same illness around the same time. You may have heard of a flu outbreak, which is when lots of people get sick from the same types of flu virus. When an outbreak happens because of a virus, more people could get sick because there is a lot of that virus around.
Where did Ebola come from?
Scientist aren't sure how the first person gets Ebola at the start of an outbreak. But they think that people may pick up the virus by touching or eating infected animals. Tropical animals in Africa believed to carry the virus include great apes and other primates, fruit bats, porcupines and forest antelope.
Ebola gets its name from the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The disease was first reported in a village on the river in 1976. Since then, there have been a few outbreaks of the disease in western Africa, Uganda, and Sudan.
What do Kids need to do about Ebola?
Ebola is making many people sick in Africa, but no matter where you live, it's a good idea to keep up on a good routine of handwashing. If you keep your hands clean, you can help prevent more common illnesses such as colds and he flu.
**We will keep you updated if you need to know more information in the future
***Article by Kids Health/reviewed by Dr Rupal Gupta MD
Even though we are short on time and sometimes it's easier to keep the kids out of the kitchen, having your child help you cook will provide some reasons why your child should be your little sous chef!
Here are some reasons from kidsarefrompluto.com and DDI Vantage Family Focus
Literacy--Cooking provides a natural way for children to learn new vocabulary and their meanings. As you are cooking, talk to your child about the ingredients, the cooking processes , and the changes occur. Read the recipe out loud to your child and go back to it as you cook. This teaches them two of the most important aspects of learning--obtaining information and executing instructions.
Food Knowledge--Cooking together is a fun opportunity to talk about the carious types of foods and their nutrition. Teach your child why eating fruits and vegetables are beneficial to your health.
Brain Development--Sensory experience are great fro brain development. It is amazing how cooking engages all of your child senses--sight, hearing, smell, touch, and of course, TASTE!
Motor Skills--Fine motor skills (fingers, hands and co-ordination) and gross motor skills (arm and body), develop through practive, practice and more practice! There are numerous cooking processes that give your child the chance to improve these skills: stirring, whisking, chopping, peeling, beating, kneading, tenderizing and much more!
Mathematical Concepts--Cooking with your child offers a hands- on way to become familiar with mathematical concepts, especially with theories relating to measurement, number and sequencing. Toddlers can learn to count the number of eggs used in making your favorite omelet and grade schoolers can get a mini lesson in fractions from how many teaspoons of salt to use in the chicken noodle soup.
Self-Esteem-- Your child will feel a great sense of accomplishment when seeing everyone eating and enjoying something they took part in making.
Family Tradition--Food plays an important role in every family's unique culture. Teach your children to follow the recipe
Developing Life Skills--Cooking is a very useful skill in life and involving your children in the kitchen at an early age is a big step towards developing their independence for the future.
It is fun! Need we say more? When kids have some input during meal preparation, they tend to ea better, especially if they are a picky eater.
**info from : kidsarefrompluto.com and DDI Vantage Family Focus
Parents have been asking what is the Enterovirus D68--So here are a few questions and answers straight from the CDC that we hope will help. Please call us if you have any questions.
Q: What is enterovirus D68?
A: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962, but it has not been commonly reported in the United States.
Q: What are the symptoms of EV-D68 infection?
A: EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
Mild symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.
Most of the children who got very ill with EV-D68 infection in Missouri and Illinois had difficulty breathing, and some had wheezing. Many of these children had asthma or a history of wheezing.
Q: How does the virus spread?
A: Since EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, the virus can be found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.
States with Lab-confirmed EV‑D68 Infections
From mid-August to September 24, 2014, a total of 220 people in 32 states have been confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. Learn more about states with confirmed cases.
Q: How common are EV-D68 infections in the United States?
A: EV-D68 infections are thought to occur less commonly than infections with other enteroviruses. However, CDC does not know how many infections and deaths from EV-D68 occur each year in the United States. Healthcare professionals are not required to report this information to health departments. Also, CDC does not have a surveillance system that specifically collects information on EV-D68 infections. Any data that CDC receives about EV-D68 infections or outbreaks are voluntarily provided by labs to CDC’s National Enterovirus Surveillance System (NESS). This system collects limited data, focusing on circulating types of enteroviruses and parechoviruses.
Q: What time of the year are people most likely to get infected?
A: In general, the spread of enteroviruses is often quite unpredictable, and different types of enteroviruses can be common in different years with no particular pattern. In the United States, people are more likely to get infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall.
We’re currently in middle of the enterovirus season, and EV-D68 infections are likely to decline later in the fall.
Q: Who is at risk?
A: In general, infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses and become ill. That's because they do not yet have immunity (protection) from previous exposures to these viruses. We believe this is also true for EV-D68.
Among the EV-D68 cases in Missouri and Illinois, children with asthma seemed to have a higher risk for severe respiratory illness.
Q: How is it diagnosed?
A: EV-D68 can only be diagnosed by doing specific lab tests on specimens from a person’s nose and throat.
Many hospitals and some doctor’s offices can test ill patients to see if they have enterovirus infection. However, most cannot do specific testing to determine the type of enterovirus, like EV-D68. Some state health departments and CDC can do this sort of testing.
CDC recommends that clinicians only consider EV-D68 testing for patients with severe respiratory illness and when the cause is unclear.
Respiratory illnesses can be caused by many different viruses and have similar symptoms. Not all respiratory illnesses occurring now are due to EV-D68. Anyone with respiratory illness should contact their doctor if they are having difficulty breathing, or if their symptoms are getting worse.
Q: What are the treatments?
A: There is no specific treatment for people with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.
For mild respiratory illness, you can help relieve symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever. Aspirin should not be given to children.
Some people with severe respiratory illness may need to be hospitalized.
There are no antiviral medications currently available for people who become infected with EV-D68.
Q: How can I protect myself?
A: You can help protect yourself from respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Also, see an infographic that shows these prevention steps.
Since people with asthma are higher risk for respiratory illnesses, they should regularly take medicines and maintain control of their illness during this time. They should also take advantage of influenza vaccine since people with asthma have a difficult time with respiratory illnesses.
Q: What should people with asthma and children suffering from reactive airway disease do?
A: CDC recommends:
discuss and update your asthma action plan with your primary care provider.
take your prescribed asthma medications as directed, especially long term control medication(s).
be sure to keep your reliever medication with you.
if you develop new or worsening asthma symptoms, follow the steps of your asthma action plan. If your symptoms do not go away, call your doctor right away.
parents should make sure the child’s caregiver and/or teacher is aware of his/her condition, and that they know how to help if the child experiences any symptoms related to asthma.
Q: Is there a vaccine?
A: No. There are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68 infections.
Parent Teacher Conference are right around the corner! Dr Jopling found a great article that address how to be prepared with the best questions for your time with the teacher.
LA Johnson/NPR So you finally get the chance to meet one on one with your child's teacher — now what? Like a good Boy Scout, be prepared: Educators agree that doing your homework before a parent-teacher conference can make a big difference. The Harvard Family Research Project's Tip Sheet for Parents suggests reviewing your child's work, grades and past teacher feedback. Ask your child about his experience at school and make a list of questions ahead of time to ask during the conference. A good parent-teacher conference, experts say, should cover three major topics: the child, the classroom and the future. The Child Most experts suggest telling the teacher about your child: Describe what they're like at home, what interests and excites them, and explain any issues at home that may be affecting your child at school. "Often times we don't have any understanding of what happens when a child leaves school," says Amanda Wirene, a reading specialist at the Montessori School of Englewood in Chicago. "Often parents are our only way to know what's going on at home." Be thorough, but do be aware of the time. "You always get that one parent who wants to stay forever and tells you in great detail all about their child," says Colleen Holmes, assistant principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Erie, Pa. Share information, she says, and if you need to talk more, schedule another time. The Classroom Ask about what's happening in the classroom — both academically and socially. "Parents have more access to student information than ever before," says Scot Graden, superintendent of Saline Area Schools in Saline, Mich. "Chances are, anything that's going to come up at parent-teacher conferences, the student will already know about it."
By talking to your child in advance, you can ask more specific questions about grades or behaviors, says Graden. Don't be afraid to ask the teacher to clarify what assessment or grades actually mean. "Teachers can sometimes use educational jargon that may seem alien to you," Karen Mira writes in The Asian Parent, a parenting magazine in Singapore. "Don't be shy to ask your child's teacher to explain what a certain educational word means." If teachers bring up areas for improvement, don't get defensive, says Holmes, the elementary school assistant principal. And don't let the meetings be a dumping ground for pent-up concerns or frustrations. "We don't want parents to load up on things they've wanted to discuss and are looking to have a sort of 'gotcha' moment," says Graden. The same holds true for teachers: Lindsay Rollin, a second-grade teacher at Teachers College Community School in New York, says conferences should never be the first time parents are hearing about problems their child is having. "I am not dropping bombs on anybody," she says. Before the meeting is over, you should be sure you're clear on the teacher's expectations for your child. "It's important for everyone to understand what the goal is at the end of the year," says Graden, the school superintendent. "That way you all have a stake in that success." The Future Spin the conversation forward and ask what you can do to help. Parent-teacher conferences are no longer a once-a-year check-in; they can provide useful insight for immediate and clear next steps. "Conferences are now a progress report timed so parents can actually do something about what they learn from teachers," says Heather Bastow Weiss, founder and director of the Harvard Family Research Project. To get the most out of the conversation, she says, both the teacher and the parent should know what comes next. Brainstorm with the teacher to come up with ways to solve challenges your child faces. Ask for concrete examples of things you can do at home to help. "Go in looking for an opportunity to get involved with supporting your child," advises Holmes, who taught for 16 years before becoming an administrator. Parents should leave knowing the resources that are available to them, says Holmes, such as teacher or school websites and assignment calendars. Ask if the teachers can recommend resources outside of school. "There are many out-of-school programs that can help kids improve their success in school," says Weiss. "The nonschool learning experience should be part of the conversation at conferences." Concrete next steps are essential, says Graden. If parents feel as though they didn't get answers to all of their questions, he recommends trying to connect with the teacher again within a week. "We want both the teacher and the parent to have a positive experience," he says. "When parents and teachers work together, the results are always better."
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; Tuesday from 9-5, Wednesday 2pm-6pm, Thursday 2-7 pm. We will add another morning as the need increases. We will not be doing walk-in flu vaccines this year. At this time we do NOT have any VFC flu shots or mist. Please call us with any questions.
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.
Dr Jopling found a great article! Another great suggestion in helping our kids!
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Like victims of face-to-face bullying, kids who experience internet bullying are vulnerable to mental health and substance use problems – but spending more time communicating with their parents may help protect them from these harmful consequences, a new study suggests.
For example, the researchers found, regular family dinners seemed to help kids cope with online bullying. But they say talk time with parents in cars or other settings can also help protect against the effects of cyberbullying.
“In a way, cyberbullying is more insidious because it’s so hard to detect,” said lead author Frank J. Elgar of the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University in Montreal.
“It’s hard for teachers and parents to pick up on,” Elgar told Reuters Health by phone.
He and his team used voluntary, anonymous survey data from more than 18,000 teens at 49 schools in Wisconsin.
About one in five students said they’d been bullied on the Internet or by text messaging at least once over the past year.
“The good news is that most of the kids in this sample from Wisconsin had not been cyberbullied,” Elgar said.
Cyberbullying was more common for girls than for boys, for kids who’d been victims of face-to-face bullying, and for those who themselves had bullied other kids in person. Cyberbullying tended to increase as students got older.
Youngsters who’d been cyberbullied were more likely to also report mental health problems like anxiety, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, fighting, vandalism and substance use problems, according to results in JAMA Pediatrics September 1.
Almost 20 percent of the kids reported an episode of depression, while around five percent reported suicide attempts or misuse of over the counter or prescription drugs.
Teens who were often cyberbullied were more than twice as likely to have been drunk, fought, vandalized property, or had suicidal thoughts, and were more than four times as likely to have misused drugs than those who were never cyberbullied.
One survey question asked how many times each week the teen ate the evening meal with his or her family.
As the number of weekly family dinners increased, the differences in mental health issues for kids who were or were not cyberbullied decreased.
“It’s hard for parents to know where kids are spending time online on their smartphone, laptop or other device,” said Catherine P. Bradshaw of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
“It’s more challenging for parents to be able to monitor,” she said.
Bradshaw wrote a commentary that was published in the same issue of the journal, along with the researchers’ paper.
“We don’t know exactly what those parents were talking about at dinner, but we do know they were spending more time together face to face,” she told Reuters Health by phone.
Family discourse can happen in many settings, including at dinner or while driving around in the car, she noted.
“If parents want to try to figure out how many nights a week should I turn off the TV and spend time with my kids, it’s nice to see data on this,” she said.
Parents who have an opportunity to talk to their kids about bullying problems should emphasize that it wasn’t the victim’s fault and that you shouldn’t hit back or retaliate, Bradshaw said.
“The more contact and communication you have with young people, the more opportunities they have toexpress problems they have and discuss coping strategies,” Elgar said. “Essentially the relationships between victimization and all other mental health outcomes were lessened with more frequent family dinners.”
Family dinners are a proxy indicative of a range of other contextual factors that affect kids relating to family contact open communication, he said. Many families aren’t able to have family dinners together, but that doesn’t mean the kids are out of luck or that communication can’t happen, he said.
“It would be wrong to focus solely on family dinners as the active ingredient in all this,” Elgar said.
“The message that comes through for us is to talk to your kids,” he said. “Unless you take time to check in, a lot goes undetected.”
We hope you all have a wonderful and safe Labor Day. Our office will be open for SICK patients only on Monday September 1st. You may start calling at 8:30 am and we will be there for urgent sick patients for a few hours. We will resume our regular office hours Tuesday starting at 8:00 am. Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!
Digital media may lower children's sensitivity to emotional cues When children were restricted from using electronic devices such as smartphones and TV for five days, their ability to identify facial expressions and emotional cues improved, according to a study to be published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. Replacing in-person interactions with screen interactions may contribute to the reduced sensitivity to emotional cues, the lead author said
Dr Jopling wanted to share this great article about your kids about soft drinks, fruit juice and sport beverages.
(HealthDay News) -- High acidity levels in soft drinks, fruit juice and sports beverages pose a threat to youngsters' teeth, a new study reports. "Our research has shown that permanent damage to the tooth enamel will occur within the first 30 seconds of high acidity coming into contact with the teeth. This is an important finding and it suggests that such drinks are best avoided," study corresponding author Dr. Sarbin Ranjitkar, of the Craniofacial Biology Research Group at the University of Adelaide in Australia, said in a university news release. "If high acidity drinks are consumed, it is not simply a matter of having a child clean their teeth an hour or 30 minutes later and hoping they'll be OK -- the damage is already done," he added. The findings were recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. Normally, Ranjitkar said, there's a balance between acids and protective mechanisms in a healthy mouth. But, "once that balance is shifted in favor of the acids, regardless of the type of acid, teeth become damaged," he explained. High acidity drinks also can combine with other factors to cause major, irreversible damage to youngsters' teeth, according to Ranjitkar. "Often, children and adolescents grind their teeth at night, and they can have undiagnosed regurgitation or reflux, which brings with it acidity from the stomach. Combined with drinks high in acidity, this creates a triple threat to young people's teeth which can cause long-term damage," he said. Tooth erosion caused by acidic beverages is on the rise in children and young adults, according to Ranjitkar. "Dental erosion is an issue of growing concern in developed countries, and it is often only detected clinically after extensive tooth wear has occurred," he said. "Such erosion can lead to a lifetime of compromised dental health that may require complex and extensive rehabilitation -- but it is also preventable with minimal intervention." More information The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about child dental health.
SOURCE: University of Adelaide, news release, Aug. 5, 2014
Dr Jopling found this great article. It makes you really think what your child is watching. Check it out! MAILMOREWASHINGTON — Researchers are increasingly looking at how much time babies and toddlers spend in front of TV, laptops or iPads, but now some are saying the debate needs to shift to what's on the screen. "It's never so simple as it's bad or good. It's content based," says Deborah Linebarger, director of the Children's Media Lab at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, who presented her most recent study over the weekend at the American Psychological Association's annual convention, which ends Sunday. "There's a lot of research now that shows when you design infant and toddler-directed media in ways infants and toddlers can learn, they can learn from it," she says. "If you use screen media and pick the right stuff, it can be another tool." Linebarger's study of 498 children, ages 8 months to 36 months, isn't an endorsement of those baby-focused videos. Rather, her research shows that some types of programs help babies and toddlers with their language skills and increase vocabulary, while others do not. Prior research has shown that 74% of infants are exposed to TV before the age of 2, despite a 2011 statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics that viewing by infants and toddlers is not recommended and likely harmful. "The average infant or toddler spends about an hour and half per day watching or interacting with screen media directly and, perhaps more distressing, they're exposed to 5.5 hours of TV that's on in the background," Linebarger says. Babies and toddlers learn best from interacting with humans, which is why screen content that mimics real persons in real situations is best, Linebarger says. Her study's focus is content, with programs that have characters telling a simple story, such as Clifford the Big Red Dog on PBS or Blue's Clues on Nickelodeon. "When you have a show like Blue's Clues specifically where a character talks directly to the child through the screen, that is exactly how you do language intervention. That models how to have a conversation," she says. Babies and toddlers exposed to other types of programming have smaller vocabularies, her research finds. Those programs include what's been labeled "educational," such as Sesame Street on PBS or those baby videos such as Brainy Baby or Baby Einstein, Linebarger says. She says Sesame Street isn't appropriate for those under age 2 because it doesn't tell a narrative tale and is filled with "an enormous amount of information coming at them quickly." "It keeps their attention, but they're less effective at making sense of it. To an older child, it's a fantastic program, but for kids under 2, it is not appropriate," she says. Baby videos have the same problem, she says, because they don't really have characters telling a story. "They'll show a picture of an apple. There's a lot of content and it's quickly changing. There's too much information for an infant — too much production features, with lots of cuts and it's fast-paced. It shows objects, but they are not really in context and there are no real characters." What she calls "entertainment television" is either directed at kids or adults. Young children watching these programs also have smaller vocabularies. Such programs include cartoons, such as SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon. Background television "wasn't good and wasn't bad," she says. "It's not associated with vocabulary."
Dr. Waterhouse is looking forward to meeting all of the wonderful patients and families as the newest pediatrician at Willow Creek! She was chief resident this year at Primary Children's Medical Center. We are lucky to have her here full time. Lu Lu was born in China and moved to Pittsburgh, PA with her family when she was 5 years old. She went to Princeton University for undergrad where she met her husband, Tyler. She stayed in the east coast for medical school, going to the University of Connecticut. Lu Lu and Tyler decided to head west to the mountains and fell in love with Salt Lake City where Dr. Waterhouse just completed her pediatrics residency at the University of Utah/Primary Children's. They welcomed their son, Bode, in September 2012 and are loving the adventures of parenthood! In her free time, Lu Lu enjoys hiking with Tyler, Bode, and Fenway (their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who was their first "son"), skiing, baking, and traveling. Dr. Waterhouse loves pediatrics because kids have such fun and amazing personalities and she cherishes the relationships she's able to form with them and their families as their pediatrician."
We are so excited that Dr. Lu Lu Waterhouse is part of our Willow Creek Family and we hope you get to meet her soon!
Is your Laundry Room Childproof? Anything within your child's reach can end up in his or her hands and mouth. Don't forget to check for safety hazards in your laundry room.
Here are some great safety tips:
Keep laundry detergent and other cleaning products in their original packaging
Call Poison Control for Help 800-222-1222
Store all cleaning products in locked cabinets or containers, out of sign and reach of children
Install safety latches that lock when you close the door on child-accessible cabinets.
Never let your children touch single-use laundry packets. The packets dissolve quickly when in contact with water, wet hands or saliva
Always follow the instructions on the product label
Use childproof locks on front-loading washers and dryers
Make sure laundry chute doors are childproof
Keep irons and iron cords out of reach of children
Happy 4th of July! We hope you have a very safe and fun holiday. We will be seeing urgent sick patients only on Friday July 4th. Our phones will turn on at 8:30 tomorrow morning and we will book in consecutive order for a few hours that morning to see Urgent sick patients. We will also have our regular Saturday and Sunday clinics to accommodate sick patients over the weekend. Check out our past post about Fireworks and Sun Safety! Have a wonderful and Safe July 4th weekend!
According to the journal Pediatrics, approximately 9,400 children in the U.S. are treated each year for lawn mower related injuries. These injuries result in loss of fingers, toes, hands, feet and even eyes. Injuries involving lawn mowers can also results in permanent brain injury or death.
These general lawn mower safety tips have been developed by The American Academy of Pediatrics.
--Always prepare your lawn for mowing--Check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, sport equipment, dog bones, wire and equipment parts. Make sure miscellaneous items are not hidden in tall grass. The debris could be thrown while mowing, possibly hitting the operators or bystanders
--Check your children--Always make sure children are indoors or at a safe distance from the area you plan to mow.
--Make sure the operator is age appropriate--Children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use ride on mowers. Children younger than 12 should not use or walk behind mowers.
--Handle fuel with care--Always use care when filling the tank with gasoline. Wipe up spills. Start and refuel mowers outdoors, no in a garage or shed. Never fill the tank on a mower that has been operation and is hot. Never smoke or use any type of flame around gasoline.
--Mow forward--Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
--Wear protective clothing and shoes--Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, close fitting clothes, eye protection, heavy gloves and hearing protection. Wear sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles.
--Turn it off--Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute or crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas.
One of our offices at Wasatch Pediatrics is holding a Bike Safety Fair this weekend and we wanted to let you know of this fun event!
Safety Clinic Featuring:
-Bike safety stations for the older kids including a track to practice traffic laws.
-Bike course for the younger kids to ride and learn skills and practice bike safety
-Balance bikes to help beginners and kids with physical challenges.
-Helmet fitting and prizes.
-Minor bike maintenance assistance.
-Bring your own bike or try one of ours.
-Raffle for 3 bikes!!!
Don't Miss:
-Princesses will be there to sign autographs and take pictures.
-Face painting
-The Matterhorn French Toast Food truck
Sponsored by:
-South Point Pediatrics
-Jerk's bike shop
-UDOT
-Salt Lake County "Safe Kids"
We are seeing asthma flare up right now and thought it would be a good idea to go over what to do to help it. Certain things cause asthma “attacks” or make asthma worse. These are
called triggers. Some common asthma triggers are
Things your child might be allergic to. These are called allergens.
(Most children with asthma have allergies, and allergies are a major cause of
asthma symptoms.)
House dust mites
Animal dander
Cockroaches
Mold
Pollens
Infections of the airways
Viral infections of the nose and throat
Other infections, such as pneumonia or sinus
infections
Irritants in the environment (outside or indoor air you
breathe)
Cigarette and other smoke
Air pollution
Cold air, dry air
Odors, fragrances, volatile organic compounds in sprays, and cleaning
products
Exercise (About 80% of people with asthma develop wheezing, coughing,
and a tight feeling in the chest when they exercise.)
Stress
Be sure to check all of your child’s “environments,” such as school,
child care, and relatives’ homes, for exposure to these same
things.
Help Your Child Avoid Triggers
While it is impossible to make the place you live in completely
allergenor irritant-free, there are things you can do to reduce your child’s
exposure to triggers. The following tips may help.
Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke in your home or
car.
Reduce exposure to dust mites. The most necessary and effective things
to do are to cover your child’s mattress and pillows with special allergy-proof
encasings, wash their bedding in hot water every 1 to 2 weeks, remove stuffed
toys from the bedroom, and vacuum and dust regularly. Other avoidance measures,
which are more difficult or expensive, include reducing the humidity in the
house with a dehumidifier or removing carpeting in the bedroom. Bedrooms in
basements should not be carpeted.
If allergic to furry pets, the only truly effective means of
reducing exposure to pet allergens is to remove them from the home. If this is
not possible, keep them out of your child’s bedroom and consider putting a
high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in their bedroom, removing
carpeting, covering mattress and pillows with mite-proof encasings, and washing
the animals regularly.
Reduce cockroach infestation by regularly exterminating, setting
roach traps, repairing holes in walls or other entry points, and avoiding
leaving exposed food or garbage.
Mold in homes is often due to excessive moisture indoors, which
can result from water damage due to flooding, leaky roofs, leaking pipes, or
excessive humidity. Repair any sources of water leakage. Control indoor humidity
by using exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, and adding a dehumidifier in
areas with naturally high humidity. Clean existing mold contamination with
detergent and water. Sometimes porous materials such as wallboards with mold
contamination have to be replaced.
Pollen exposure can be reduced by using an air conditioner in
your child’s bedroom, with the vent closed, and leaving doors and windows closed
during high pollen times. (Times vary with allergens, ask your
allergist.)
Reduce indoor irritants by using unscented cleaning products and
avoiding mothballs, room deodorizers, or scented
candles.
Check air quality reports in weather forecasts or on the
Internet. When the air quality is poor, keep your child indoors and be sure he
takes his asthma control medications.
Decreasing your child’s exposure to triggers will help decrease
symptoms as well as the need for asthma
medications.
If you feel like your child may have asthma please call and schedule an appointment with your Primary Care doctor today. He/She would be happy to help and see if your child has asthma. If you child is having a lot of "flare" ups than you may want to also consider coming in to manage your childs asthma better. Please feel free to contact us for more questions.
Wear a helmet every time you lace up your roller blades or climb on your bike, skateboard, scooter or horse--no matter what your age!
To fit your child's helmet, follow these steps:
1-Place a snug-fitting helmet on the child's head
2-Adjust the helmet straps so the helmet cannot be moved from side to side or back and forth.
3-There should be about one finger width between the chin strap and the child's chin.
Remember to:
1-Ride your bike on the right-hand side of the street
2-Obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals
3-Ride skateboards and scooters on the sidewalk
4-Give cars and pedestrian the right-of-way
5- Wear a helmet and protective clothing, no matter how slowly you are riding, because a fall at any speed can cause severe head injury.
Set an example by wearing a helmet and encouraging your friends to wear them! Remember a helmet only works if you were it!
Summer is right around the corner! We suggest that you make reading a part of the FUN that you do for the summer. Dr Jopling found this wonderful report and wanted to share it. Your local libraries all have summer activites planned for the next few months. Drop by your local library to pick up a schedule and a few "FUN" books while you are there! Have a fun time reading!
A Common Sense Media report showed that 76% of 9-year-olds reported reading for pleasure at least once a week in 2013, down from 81% in 1984. Reading for fun was less prevalent among older children, with approximately a third of 13-year-olds and nearly 50% of 17-year-olds in one study saying they read for fun less than twice a year. (Reuters Health) - Although American children still spend part of their days reading, they are spending less time doing it for pleasure than decades ago, with significant gaps in proficiency, according to a report released on Monday. The San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media, which focuses on the effects of media and technology on children, published the report, which brings together information from several national studies and databases. “It raises an alarm,” said Vicky Rideout, the lead author of the report. “We’re witnessing a really large drop in reading among teenagers and the pace of that drop is getting faster and faster.” The report found that the percentage of nine-year-old children reading for pleasure once or more per week had dropped from 81 percent in 1984 to 76 percent in 2013, based on government studies. There were even larger decreases among older children. A large portion rarely read for pleasure. About a third of 13-year-olds and almost half of 17-year-olds reported in one study that they read for pleasure less than twice a year. Of those who read or are read to, children tend to spend on average between 30 minutes and an hour daily with that activity, the report found. Older children and teenagers tend to read for pleasure for an equally long time each day. Rideout cautioned that there may be difference in how people encounter text and the included studies may not take into account stories read online or on social media. The report also found that many young children are struggling with literacy. Only about one-third of fourth grade students are “proficient” in reading and another one-third scored below “basic” reading skills. Despite the large percentage of children with below-basic reading skills, reading scores among young children have improved since the 1970s, according to one test that measures reading ability. The reading scores among 17-year-olds, however, remained relatively unchanged since the 1970s. About 46 percent of white children are considered “proficient” in reading, compared with 18 percent of black children and 20 percent of Hispanic kids. Those gaps remained relatively unchanged over the past 20 years, according to the report. “To go 20 years with no progress in that area is shameful,” Rideout said. The report highlights some behaviors that have been tied to children being more frequent readers. Those behaviors include parents setting aside time to read with their children and parents reading themselves to model good behavior.
The American Lung Association has announced the summer camp at Camp Wyatt. July 14-18 for kids ages 7-14 with asthma. It takes place at the Utah Elks Camp Wapiti in Tooele. They will canoe, swim, and zipline while learning to control asthma with new friends. Registration ends June 27th. For more information or to register please contact: 801-931-6990 glanham@lungutah.org
More than 90 percent of poisonings happen in people's homes, mainly in the kitchen or bathroom.
Keep all medicines, household cleaners and garden chemicals up high where children can't see or reach them.
Never store household cleaning products in containers looking like cups or bottles
Never mix household cleaning products together. Mixing them can cause poisonous gas
Swallowing a button battery can be deadly for a child. Call right away if a battery is missing from an electronic.
Spotlight on Prescription painkillers:
The FDA is calling prescription drug abuse an "Epidemic". Prescription painkillers are responsible for a lot of addiction and abuse
Get rid of prescription painkillers when you are finished with them. (you can take them to your local fire department or police station-no questions asked)
If you are currently using presciption painkillers, lock them up so you are the only one that can use them.
Prescription painkiller abuse does not draw boundaries, This epidemic hits the young, old, women and men and all income levels.
General Tips:
Buy products in child-resistant packaging whenever possible. But remember, child-resistant is not childproof. They are designed to keep children away from the product for a short time period.
Tell children what medicine is and why you are giving it to them.
Never leave medicine out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child's bedside
Always turn the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.
Clean out medicine cabinets periodically
Use the measuring device that the medicine came with, not a kitchen spoon for instance
Never share or sell your prescription medication
Keep medicines in there original bottles or containers wherever possible. If you transfer medication to a different container, put in a high place where children can not see or reach the medication
Laundry products labels contain first aid information and are valuable resource for consumers
Teach children that laundry and cleaning solutions are not toys.
Store food in a separate area than cleaning products and chemicals
While working with chemicals wear protective clothing, goggles, gloves, etc
Keep Magnetic toys and other magnetics items away from small children.
Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. One in every area of the home
If calling poison control have the bottle handy to read all information for Poison Control
This week we will be giving you several tips and facts about Poison Control Prevention Week. We hope that this information is a great reminder on how to keep our children safe. Children Act Fast....So do Poisons
Over 50% of calls to poison centers involve children 6 Years and younger. Keep medicine locked up and out of reach
Keep cleaning supplies and medicines locked up and away from children.
When it comes to poison prevention, child-resistant is not child-proof. Layer the protection: re-seal, lock up, out of sign and reach
Tell children what medicine is and why you must be the one to give it to them. Never call medicine "candy" to get them to take it
Keep the Poison Control line number handy. Save it to your cell phone also
Poison Centers: Saving you Time and Money
Poison centers are Fast, Confidential, and give expert medical advice 24/7 for free
More than 90 percent of cases from the public can be managed over the phone without a hospital visit.
Poison Centers save $1.8 billion a year by keeping people out of hospitals and getting them back to work and school sooner.
This week is National Poison Prevention week. The purpose of this week is to remind everyone of the dangers of unintentional poisonings and how best to prevent poisonings in the first place.
The Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) was established in 1954 and since that time has responded to more than 1 million calls for assistance. The UPCC is a program of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. In 2013, the UPCC responded to over 46,000 calls for assistance. Of the potential poisonings, 61% of these cases involved children less than 6 years of age. The UPCC specialist in poison information were able to safely and effectively manage 76% of the poison exposures at home with telephone follow up. You can check out there website at www.utahpoisoncontrol.org or follow them on Facebook.
We are very grateful for this resource that we have in our community and thank all of those people that help keep our children safe. More to come this week about how to avoid having to call poison control.
Dr Jopling found this article and we thought it would help many sleepless nights!!
Sooner or later, most parents face challenges at bedtime. From infants and toddlers, to school-age kids and adolescents, sleep time problems can affect everyone in the family. And no matter what your child's difficulty may be – getting to sleep, staying asleep, bed-wetting, fears or nightmares -- it's never too late to take steps to correct it. As part of the series of parenting books from the AAP, Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know helps parents and caregivers better understand sleep, answering questions and examining conflicting theories in order to help make the best decisions for their families.
It is a great link so check it out! Thanks to the AAP for helping us stay up to date on our kids!
The number one question we always get is... "How can I avoid getting my children sick?" It is actually really simple and is the best thing you can do to help your child--Handwashing!
Article Body
How many times have you and your child washed your hands today?
You might not have given it much thought. It’s either part of your routine,
done frequently without thinking, or maybe you don’t do it much at all. But as
your pediatrician may have told you, hand washing may be the single most
important act you and your child have for disease
prevention.
Making It Habit
As early as possible, get your child into the habit of washing her hands
often and thoroughly. All day long, your child is exposed to bacteria and
viruses—when touching a playmate, sharing toys, or petting the cat. Once her
hands pick up these germs,
she can quickly infect herself by:
Rubbing her eyes
Touching her nose
Placing her fingers in her mouth.
The whole process can happen in seconds, and cause an infection that can last
for days, weeks, or even longer.
When To Wash
Hand washing can stop the spread of infection. The key is to encourage your
child to wash her hands throughout the day. For example, help her or remind her
to wash her hands:
Before eating (including snacks)
After a trip to the bathroom
Whenever she comes in from playing
outdoors
After touching an animal like a family pet
After sneezing or coughing
if she covers her mouth
When someone in the household is ill
Studies on hand washing in public
restrooms show that most people don’t have very good hygiene habits. “Hand
washing” may mean just a quick splash of water and perhaps a squirt of soap, but
not nearly enough to get their hands clean.
Steps to Proper Hand Washing
So what does a thorough hand washing involve? The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following steps:
Wet your child’s hands.
Apply clean bar soap or liquid soap to the hands, and then place the bar on
a rack where it can drain before the next hand washing.
Rub the hands vigorously together. Scrub every surface
completely.
Keep rubbing and scrubbing for 10 to 15 seconds to effectively remove the
germs.
Rinse the hands completely, then dry them.
About Antibacterial Soaps
Drugstore shelves are full of trendy antibacterial soaps, but studies have
shown that these antibacterial products are no better at washing away dirt and
germs than regular soap. Some infectious disease experts have even suggested
that by using antibacterial soaps, you may actually kill off normal bacteria and
increase the chances that resistant bacteria may grow.
The best solution is to wash your child’s hands with warm water and ordinary
soap that does not contain antibacterial substances (eg, triclosan). Regular use
of soap and water is better than using waterless (and often alcohol-based)
soaps, gels, rinses, and hand rubs when your child’s hands are visibly dirty
(and with children, there usually is dirt on the hands!). However, when there is
no sink available (eg, the car), hand rubs can be a useful alternative.
How Long to Wash
Keep in mind that although 10 to 15 seconds of hand washing sounds like an
instant, it is much longer than you think. Time yourself the next time you wash
your hands. Watch your child while she’s washing her hands to make sure she’s
developing good hygiene behaviors. Pick a song that lasts for 15 seconds and
sing it while you wash. Encourage your child to wash her hands not only at home,
but also at school, at friends’ homes, and everywhere else. It’s an important
habit for her to get into, and hopefully one that’s hard to break
Thanks to the AAP and www.healthychildren.org for this great article and reminder about washing hands! Good luck and hopefully spring is right around the corner!
We are so excited to announce the newest member of our team here at Willow Creek Pediatrics. We have already had so many patients tell us how much they love having this amazing doctor here with us. Welcome Dr Fruin!---
Dr. Fruin is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She relocated to Utah in 1989 after finishing her pediatric residency in the Chicago Area. She attended both college and medical school at the University of Illinois. She has two grown sons, Ben and Paul, and two daughter dogs, Scarlett and Libby. Her husbandMark is a radiologist with Mountain Medical. She has joined us as a part-time physician after working many years at the Bountiful office Grow up Great. Dr. Fruin became a pediatrician because being around children and watching them grow up makes her happy. In her spare time she enjoys movies, music, biking and working on child advocacy issues.
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