How to Handle a Head Lice Problem
Nobody likes to talk or think about head lice. Cases of head lice are a common occurrence, however, and your children may become infected. We at Pediatric Care Centers are up to date on the newest recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some of the newest findings may differ from what you understand about head lice. About Head Lice Head lice are certainly a nuisance, but they pose no serious danger. In addition, having head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene. These insects, about the size of a sesame seed, feed on blood from the scalp. They do not survive if they’re removed from the scalp. They reproduce quickly, and the eggs and casings appear as nits that are attached to the hair. To get rid of head lice, that reproductive cycle must to broken. Most lice are acquired outside of school. Unlike in the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that children not be restricted from school because of head lice or nits. After treatment, the child should return to school. How Lice are Spread Despite popular beliefs, lice do not jump from person to person. The only way they spread is close head-to-head contact or use of shared combs, brushes or hats. Treatment Contact us at Pediatric Care Centers if you have seen head lice after a close examination of your child’s scalp. Over-the-counter medications containing permethrin or pyrethrins are readily available at drug stores. After the medications are applied to the hair according to package directions, wet combing with a fine-toothed comb will help remove nits. Treatments can be repeated 10 days later and, if lice are still present, 18 days later. In some areas of the U.S., lice are resistant to over-the-counter treatments. If that is the case, we can prescribe newer prescription medications to treat the head lice. Ridding the Household of Lice Once a member of a family has acquired lice, all members of the household should be checked for lice and treated if they are present. No special scrubbing or environmental cleaning of the house is needed. However, pillow cases, combs, brushes and hats that have been shared or in contact with the child with head lice should be washed in the usual way. A Few Cautions Do not apply head lice treatments in children under two years unless you first check with your pediatrician. Do not allow children to handle the head lice medications. Pregnant women should not handle head lice medications.
Set the Scene for a Successful School Year
School’s back in session, and you are no doubt adjusting to the busy schedule. At Pediatric Care Centers, we want your child to have the most successful school year ever. That’s why we’re offering these tips to help your children make the most of their time in the classroom. Maintain a Healthy Environment As a parent, you are well aware that good health habits are the foundation for an alert, fit child. Encourage healthy eating, with lots of fruit and vegetables and limited sweets and treats. Teach your children to stay hydrated throughout the day but avoid sweetened drinks. Make sure the children are settled into bed early enough to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Encourage walks, biking or outdoor play to ensure children are receiving enough exercise, especially if your school doesn’t provide time for recess. Stay Organized Designate a “landing place” for folders, papers, homework and notices from school so that everyone knows just where to find them before and after school. Be sure to check your child’s assignment book and homework folder every night and discuss things she needs to do to prepare for the next day. Be Consistent Creating a regular routine is especially important for younger children so they know what to expect and feel secure in their environment. Knowing that routine will help them develop consistent habits on when to eat, get dressed, wash, brush teeth, and get ready for bed. That consistency can reduce stress for you and your children. Show Interest, Expect Success Talking with teachers, attending school events, and possibly volunteering for activities at your child’s school will help make the education process a family affair. Those actions will also help you to build the connections between school and home in your children’s eyes, and demonstrate that both settings are for learning, growing and doing their best. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Talk to your children throughout the day and encourage them to share their experiences and thoughts. Look for ways to reinforce what they’re learning in school; for example, watch the news together and discuss, look at the night sky and identify the stars, cook together and practice measuring, and read together daily.
Get to Know Your Schoolchildren’s Friends
Developing friendships is a good way for children to form stronger attachment with their environment, including school. Friendships nourish the development of social skills like empathy, listening, negotiating, speaking tactfully, and “learning the ropes” about interacting with others. At Pediatric Care Centers, we heartily encourage childhood friendships from an early age on. You can help your children form meaningful friendships by setting an example through your own social interactions. As you welcome friends into your home, speak to them on the phone or in person, and attend events together, you are helping to set the pattern for how your child will behave toward others they care about. Here are some tips for guiding your children on ways to form meaningful friendships: At school events, talk to your children’s friends. Address them by their names. Introduce yourself to their parents. Encourage get-togethers between your children and their friends within reason. Let them know when they are welcome to visit, and likewise allow your children to visit their friends. Make sure an adult will be present, and find out when the visit will be over. Advise friends’ parents about what activities the children will be engaged in while at your home, and reassure them that an adult will be present. Let them know the times when the visit will begin and end and discuss any special circumstances like unusual diets, allergies, or pets. Use gentle encouragement with your shy child. Give him opportunities to be in variety of settings and talk to people of different ages. Offer him the chance to socialize one-on-one with cousins or neighbors of similar ages. Allow him to struggle a bit before stepping in. For example, avoid intervening with an answer too quickly after someone has asked him a question. The reward for your children, with your subtle oversight, will be hours of enjoyment and a broader view of life’s positive experiences at home and at school.
School Days – What’s for Breakfast?
At Pediatric Care Centers, we agree with nutrition experts who report definite benefits for children who eat breakfast. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have better test scores, better attention span and memory, body weight in a healthier range and better overall general health. While we understand that the morning routine can be hectic on school days, we’ve also learned that with some advance scheduling and planning most families can fit in breakfast for their schoolchildren. Enforce Reasonable Bedtimes Children who are rested are more likely to wake up earlier in the morning with time to eat breakfast. Bedtimes should be timed so your children receive all the rest they need before awaking in the morning. Each child has different sleep requirements, but starting with toddlers, they should have 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Older children may need less sleep, but most schoolchildren should have a minimum of 8-10 hours. Rely on Ready-to-Eat Foods If your family is consistently pressed for time at breakfast, rely on already prepared but nutritious foods. Boiled eggs, cut-up fruit, bagels with healthy spreads, cold cereal, milk, yogurt, and whole grain muffins are examples. If you enjoy being more creative in the kitchen, research recipe sites online for make-ahead breakfast solutions. Click on this link for some examples: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20725555,00.html Seek Out Alternatives You may find that your child’s school or day care already offers breakfast options that your child might enjoy. These may help to make especially hectic mornings easier to manage. Talk with your children to find out ways they’d like to receive their morning meal.
What’s in That School Lunch Box?
We all know that some kids really look forward to lunch time at school, while others would prefer to skip lunch in favor of playing with their friends. Either way, it’s often a challenge to give them healthy foods you can be sure they will eat. There’s no sure-fire way to please each child each day, and some lunch boxes may come home barely touched. One simple rule of thumb is to pack healthy foods you already know they like, such as sliced meat, grapes, yogurt and crackers. In general, try to pack an item from each of these food families: Fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables Lean protein like sliced meat or poultry, hardboiled eggs, nut butters (many schools bar peanuts or peanut butter) A dairy product such as cheese, yogurt or milk A grain-based food such as bread, pita, crackers, or tortillas Convenience Counts Simple, easy-to-prepare foods are a must for busy families. Sometimes time for packing a healthy lunch is at a premium during the morning rush. One solution is preparing foods and freezing them the night before. Many foods are suitable for freezing and can thaw through the morning without becoming soggy. Experiment with freezing your child’s favorites. Examples of freezable foods include: Breads, tortillas, pitas (and sandwiches made with ingredients below) Cooked meat Soft cheese Peanut butter Baked beans Mashed eggs Keep it Safe! Packing non-perishable foods is a must in school lunches. Most sandwich ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables should be fine if prepared in the morning. Using insulated lunch boxes and bags goes a long way in helping ensure foods remain cool before the children report to the lunch room. Try freezing foods (see above) or use a freezer pack in the lunch box as an extra precaution. Water should be included in every lunch box to encourage your children to stay hydrated. Freezing the water bottle will provide cool water when they are ready to drink it, as well as keeping packed lunches cold.
Time for Back-to-School Exams and Immunizations
What Home Remedies are Effective for Teething Pain?
At Pediatric Care Centers, we understand that babies’ behaviors surrounding teething can be some of the more difficult to handle. Trying to comfort a drooling, cranky baby can cause much frustration in the family. At the same time, there are so many “home remedies” for teething discomfort – both good and bad – that parents can easily become confused about which are helpful and which are old wives’ tales. The Teething Timeline Most babies start teething at four to seven months. If your child doesn’t begin teething in that time frame, don’t worry – teething will start on your baby’s own schedule. The first teeth to erupt are usually the bottom and top central incisors. Most babies produce a new tooth about once a month. Tooth eruptions will continue until the baby is about two years old. Ways to Relieve Teething Discomfort If your baby shows signs of teething – irritability, excessive drooling, sore or tender gums – here are some do’s and don’ts to make him or her more comfortable. These are tips we approve at Pediatric Care Centers. There are many unfounded remedies mentioned online or in the news. It’s best to avoid over-the-counter or online remedies that lack approval from pediatric medicine experts. DO Rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger or moistened clean cloth. Pressure on the gums soothes soreness. Refrigerate a soft cloth, teething ring/toy, pacifier or a spoon and rub on baby’s gums or let the baby hold them. Cold reduces swelling and discomfort. Wipe away drool frequently to avoid irritation around the mouth. Try offering foods like bagels to gnaw on if the baby is old enough to tolerate solids and if you’re available to guard against choking. Give a dose of acetaminophen (Baby Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children’s Motrin) if the baby is older than six months and if other methods aren’t working. Do not give more frequently or in a higher dose than recommended. DON’T Use frozen teething rings or toys. They may cause more irritation to the gums. Apply herbal or homeopathic medicine remedies containing benzocaine. They may be harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the mouth’s soft tissues. Call Pediatric Care Centers You may find that your baby experiences a low-grade temperature during teething. Other than that, teething does not cause diarrhea or other symptoms throughout the body. Contact us today if your baby has vomiting, diarrhea or a temperature higher than 101. These signs signal that your baby has another condition besides teething.
Bedwetting: A Problem with a Happy Ending
Your child may be one of millions in the U.S. who is still wetting the bed at night beyond the typical toilet training years. Although bedwetting by an older child is not physically harmful, it can cause much frustration for a child and adults in the household. It is especially stressful for children who are looking forward to attending camp or an overnight with a friend. Several common causes may be responsible for your child’s bedwetting, including a history of bedwetting in the family, a small or underdeveloped bladder, deep sleeping that doesn’t allow the child to awaken in response to a full bladder, or stressful life situations like a death in the family. We welcome the opportunity to discuss bedwetting management with you at Pediatric Care Centers. One of the first steps we take is to rule out any possible medical conditions that may be causing the problem such as urinary tract infection or a neurological defect. Once that is done, we can proceed with any of a number of available treatments. Stick with Proven Treatments One or more treatments can be used with your child. The good news is one method or a combination of methods is very likely to resolve the problem. The bad news is there are unproven “cures” and devices falsely advertised to be successful. Talk with your health care professional at Pediatric Care Centers before investing in any of these. Best available treatments include: Bedwetting alarms. These devices sound an alarm at the first sign of wetness so your child can wake up and use the toilet. They are successful 50-70% of the time. Medications. We can prescribe medications to treat children six years and older, but before you determine it’s a good choice for your child we’ll also provide advice on dosage and possible side effects. Encouragement. Keep a positive, non-judgmental attitude in the home. Let bedwetting children know that this is a problem they’ll outgrow with time and/or treatment. Meanwhile, take steps before bedtime to limit fluids after dinnertime and encourage using the toilet before bed.
Coping with Food Allergies
Up Close with Dr. Hightower
We welcomed Dr. Hightower to our Pediatric Care Centers last October, and she’s already become an important part of our practice “family.” We’ve learned she’s not only a compassionate and highly skilled pediatrician but also a really fun person. Read this recent interview to learn more about her. Q. If you were an animated character, who would you be and why? Dr. Hightower: Doc McStuffins because she helps fix toys. Q. What is your superpower, or what is your spirit animal? Dr. Hightower: I’m the Baby Whisperer. Q. Who has inspired you in your life and why? Dr. Hightower: My parents, because they are both retired public school teachers and I witnessed their dedication to their students. Q. How would your best friend describe you? Dr. Hightower: Hard working, funny and smart. Q. Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows. Dr. Hightower: I used to be a pretty good tap dancer! Q. If you weren’t a pediatrician what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like? Dr. Hightower: I would be a chemistry teacher or researcher. I majored in chemistry in college. Q. What is your favorite 90s jam? Dr. Hightower: “Killing Me Softly” by the Fugees. Q. What did you have for breakfast? Dr. Hightower: Boiled egg, sausage and a banana Q. If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be? Dr. Hightower: Whitney Houston’s version of “I’m Every Woman.” Q. If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children? Dr. Hightower: Respect yourself and others, love God, and family time is the most important. Cherish your time together. Q. What was your first job? Dr. Hightower: Teleresearch. Q. If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Dr. Hightower: The March on Washington. Q. Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us. Dr. Hightower: I went to modeling and acting school. Q. Name five things on your bucket list. Dr. Hightower: Visit a national park, take some time off and travel around the country visiting family, be debt free, renew my wedding vows, live to see my child graduate from college and get married. Q. What is your favorite thing to do in Jacksonville? Dr. Hightower: Spend time with my family. Q. You’re happiest when? Dr. Hightower: I’m doing an activity with my family. Q. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role? Dr. Hightower: Angela Bassett. Q. If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? Dr. Hightower: Give 10% to my church, pay off debt, save money for my daughter’s college fund and spend the rest on family. Q. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you like to have and why? Dr. Hightower: A solar-powered radio, a tent and a knife to have shelter, food and entertainment. Q. If you could be a character in fiction, whom would you be? Dr. Hightower: Wonder Woman. Q. What was the last movie you saw/favorite movie/favorite song/last book you read? Dr. Hightower: Star Wars/Ghostbusters/Prince – I Adore You/Daily Bread booklet.