All About Playground Safety
Keep Kids Safe on the Playground If you’re planning to visit a play park or playground this summer, we have some tips about playground safety. Although playgrounds are an excellent setting for exercise and fun, we at Pediatric Care Centers know that more than 200,000 children are treated in the emergency room for playground-related injuries each year. Generally speaking, if your children’s playground has a safe (soft and thick) surface, with equipment in good condition and moving equipment like swings and seesaws positioned away from static equipment, the odds are better that they will have a safe, enjoyable experience! Age-appropriate Activities Younger children should be supervised by an adult on the playground at all times. Ensure children only climb and play on equipment appropriate to their age. Children younger than five may not have the upper-body strength to climb equipment built for older children. Limit preschoolers to climbing up only five feet and school-age children to seven feet. Swings and Slides Teach children to swing sitting down, not standing and not more than one child to a swing at a time. Supervise young children and remind all children to stay well clear of active swings. Instruct children that going down a slide should only be done feet first, not head first. Monitor slides so only one child is on the platform at a time and is able to clear the bottom before another child begins to slide. Spray Parks Read park rules to children before they enter, and help to enforce them. Have children wear water shoes with non-skid soles to avoid slips and falls. Remind children not to swallow or inhale water from the jets. General Behavior Discourage children from rough housing with or pushing other children. Encourage children to park their bikes and backpacks away from the equipment. Ensure children are not wearing necklaces, purses, or clothes with drawstrings or cords to prevent choking injuries. Unsafe Equipment The well-respected Nemours Foundation states on its www.kidshealth.org website that the following types of equipment are not safe for playgrounds: Animal figure swings Glider swings for two children Swinging ropes Exercise rings and trapeze bars Monkey bars Trampolines
Tackling the Challenge of the Picky Eater
Is there a picky eater in your family? Is each mealtime a battle that ends with your child only eating a few bites of food – or none at all? At Pediatric Care Centers, we understand that some children start out or evolve into picky eaters. This situation may be very stressful for the whole family. We’d like to offer some reassurance about your child’s nutrition, as well as some tips about how to manage a child who’s favorite word is “no” at mealtimes. Causes for Picky Eating Many factors figure into how an individual child perceives food. Although most children favor sweet tastes and dislike bitter, some children carry an extra gene that make them really hate bitter tastes. And for many children, most vegetables taste bitter. Some studies have indicated that young children have more taste buds than adults. That means they taste a flavor more intensely than their parents or older siblings do. This explains why a food a parent finds delicious can be rejected outright by a toddler. Other studies have shown that food marketing has an effect, too. If children are presented with food in familiar packaging with a name brand (think McDonald’s), they will prefer that food over the same food in plain or no packaging. Tips for Handling Picky Eating Allow your child to choose at least one food for meals. Set a meal rule that each food on the plate must be tasted at least once. Repeat exposure to foods. Some experts say that a food has to be introduced a dozen or more times before it is accepted. Offer less accepted foods at the beginning of the meal. After that one bite, allow your child to move on to foods she prefers. “Hide” less accepted food in sauces, such as broccoli in spaghetti sauce or zucchini in zucchini bread. Avoid giving young children milk and juice between meals; offer water instead. Also limit calorie-loaded snacks between meals. Make food fun and interesting. Serve food as if you’re serving tapas. For example, offer first a small plate with a small square of cheese and a few grapes. Remove that plate and offer a toasted cheese sandwich triangle. Remove that plate and then offer a few berries. Give food inventive names. Call a few cauliflower florets “snowflakes” or cut-up meat as “building blocks.” Be patient. Your children will eventually outgrow picky eating or will find a way to sustain themselves as they grow and are influenced by family, friends, schoolmates, and teachers about their own food preferences. Are They Eating Enough? Ask the Doctor! Whatever the cause of picky eating, the best gauge to determine if your children are receiving enough nutrition is through regular checkups at Pediatric Care Centers. We routinely measure your child against standards for all children to learn whether his or her growth and development are proceeding at a normal pace. In most cases, even picky eaters meet those standards.
When Your Baby Has a Rash
At Pediatric Care Centers, we know that with all of the excitement surrounding the arrival of a newborn, the first few days at home can be bewildering. Among the concerns parents may have — including the newborn’s eating and sleeping patterns – are rashes. Most rashes are commonplace and disappear in the first few weeks. They can include red blotches and pimples on the face. White spots on the gums and roof of the mouth are common. They do not harm the baby and go away without treatment. Over the first year, other rashes may appear. They can be caused by something as simple as drooling during teething, resulting in a rash around the mouth and on the chest. Common rashes are usually harmless to babies’ general health but may make them uncomfortable. You can take simple home measures to relieve the baby’s discomfort and promote healing. Cradle Cap. Dead skin cells and skin oils can combine to form a yellowish, scaly crust on the baby’s head or around the face and ears. Avoid scratching at the scales. Shampoo with baby shampoo or apply mineral oil to relieve the condition. Heat Rash. This rash, also called “prickly heat,” is common during warm summer months. It can occur in multiple body areas and causes itching and discomfort so that the baby becomes fussy and hard to comfort. To reduce the temperature of the baby’s skin, remove blankets and dress him in light, loose clothing. Bathe him periodically with cool water. Diaper Rash. A red rash in the diaper area can occur when diapers soaked with urine and/or feces are left on too long, or if the baby is sensitive to diaper material. Make sure to change diapers frequently, at least every three hours, as prevention. If diaper rash develops, clean the area gently with a mild soap. Avoid using baby wipes with alcohol or propylene glycol as ingredients. Leave the rash area diaper free for frequent periods to promote healing. Protect the healthy skin near the rash, not on it, with creams like Desitin or Diaparene. If the skin becomes raw, sit the baby in a baby tub with warm water to which 2 tablespoons of baking soda has been added. Never leave the baby alone in the tub! If diaper rash keeps recurring, change brands of disposable diapers or switch to cloth. If you are already using cloth, try switching to an additive-free laundry detergent. Call us at Pediatric Care Centers if your baby’s rash appears to become infected or you detect pain, swelling, pus or red streaks in the rash area. Please also contact us if the baby develops a temperature over 100 degrees or becomes very fussy even after you’ve performed the procedures for rash relief.
The Best Thirst Quenchers to Keep Kids Hydrated
In our Northeast Florida practice area, the summer temperatures are already upon us. For our Pediatric Care Centers patients, it’s a time for fun play activities – camping, sports, beach and biking. It’s also a time when parents need to be especially vigilant for kids overheating and becoming dehydrated. Signs of Dehydration Some children naturally know to reach for their water cup when thirsty. Others will only take a sip or two when prodded by parents or care-givers. General guidelines for young children to teens are to have water or a diluted juice with each meal and with two snacks a day. During periods of vigorous physical activity, they should take a break and have a drink at 15-minute intervals. Children who are dehydrated may exhibit these symptoms: Dry mouth No tears when crying Lack of urination or dark yellow urine Sunken eyes Fatigue, dizziness or marked irritability The best way to avoid dehydration in children is to encourage them to drink regularly. Use these tips to help making drinks more attractive to them. Best Thirst Quenchers Water is the best thirst quencher, but many children resist water, preferring to have soda or a juice box. Start good habits early by offering babies and toddlers water to drink between meals. Avoid sodas and other sugary drinks like iced tea. Understand that 100% fruit juice is loaded with sugar and should be well diluted with water or sodium-free seltzer. Try these tips to entice your children to hydrate with water and healthy treats: Keep a sippy cup or reusable bottle of water within reach and visible to children throughout the day. Keep a pitcher of chilled water that children can reach themselves in the refrigerator. Add chilled slices of fruit like orange slices or berries to add color and interest to water. Freeze water or diluted juice into fun shapes with novelty freezer trays and add them to drinking water. Add homemade juice ice blocks to drinking water. Offer homemade popsicles like these on hot days. http://www.superhealthykids.com/strawberry-watermelon-kiwi-popsicles/ Set a good example! Let them see you choose water as your preferred drink.
Cool Fun in the Hot Sun!
Summer will be here before we know it. All the staff members at Pediatric Care Centers are big fans of summer and the great recreational activities available in the Jacksonville area. This month we’ll enjoy the Memorial Day weekend for what we consider the opening of the summer season. Right now is a good time to brush up on summertime safety tips for kids. While we welcome summer’s bright sunny days, they also pose the risk for harmful ultraviolet radiation exposure and sunburn. All kids are vulnerable to overexposure to the sun, so parents must be prepared to take the steps necessary to protect the younger children and teach older children the do’s and don’ts of sun safety. We agree with these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and encourage you to make them a part of your summer outdoor routine. Infants under Six Months Use loose, lightweight clothing for cover-ups while outdoors. Dress infants in long sleeves, long pants and brimmed hats that shade the face and neck. If you are in a situation where cover-ups and shade are not adequate or available, perhaps while waiting in line at a theme park, apply a small amount of sunscreen at least SPF 15 on the baby’s hands and face. Infants and Children Older than Six Months Have children wear loose, lightweight clothing as cover ups. Use sunscreen SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after a session of swimming or sweaty exercise. Use sunscreen on both sunny and cloudy days. Wear a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses that give 97-100 percent protection against UVA and UVB rays. Heat Protection Infants and Small Children Since they cannot regulate their own temperature like older children and adults do, special precautions should be in place to keep them out of the heat for prolonged periods. Always check the back seat of your car before exiting to be sure you’ve removed the kids. Place your purse or bags in the back seat to remind you to check. Be especially alert when your routine changes or others are picking up or dropping off your children. Set your phone to signal you to call the daycare or child care provider to double check. Active Children Limit vigorous exercise to 15 minutes at a time in the hottest hours of the day – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Provide a drink every 20 minutes or remind your older children to keep a water bottle close by and drink even before they’re thirsty. Teach children that if they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated, they should seek shade and a cool drink and notify an adult.
Safe Swimming Fun
As a parent, you know it’s an exciting experience to have your children enjoy the water at the beach, river, lake or pool. At Pediatric Care Centers, we often receive questions on the best way to introduce infants and children to the water. We are happy to advise our patients and parents, especially given the wealth of water recreation resources we have here in Northeast Florida. Here’s one sobering fact, though. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages one to four, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. We believe that our parents, by taking simple precautions and learning basic skills, can prevent water accidents and provide wonderful, safe, water-based experiences for their children. Tips for Parents Always closely supervise your children when in or around water. Be sure a lifeguard or other attentive adults are present when your children attend a swimming event. Teach kids over one year to swim or enroll them in a swimming program, but understand that swimming lessons are not drown-proofing. Kids still need close adult supervision whenever they are around water. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through certified classes. Make sure your home pool has a four-sided fence around it. When boating or swimming, always ensure your child wears a U.S. Coast Guard-approved swim jacket. At the Beach Always ensure your child wears an approved swim jacket. Children under five should have a well fitting jacket with a flotation collar. Swim jackets should be worn whenever kids are around water, even shallow ponds and water elements. Inflatable toys, “swimmies,” and water mattresses are not suitable substitutes for a life jacket. Guard against rip current accidents. Have your child avoid swimming around jetties or piers. Check for water conditions and warning flags; swim only in the presence of lifeguards. Teach your child that if caught in a rip current to stay calm and swim parallel to the beach until clear of the current, then turn toward the beach. Parents can wave or shout to signal lifeguards, who can throw flotation devices or physically retrieve the child. Advice for Older Children Avoid horseplay around the water. Do not dive into water headfirst without knowing that it is of adequate depth. Do not swim in areas where there are boats and/or fishermen. Expect river or lake water to be choppier, full of currents and swifter running than pools. Stay closer to shore and well within your swimming capabilities. Leave the water in the presence of thunderstorms or lightning. Most of all, have fun!
Baby’s First Year: What to Expect at the Pediatrician’s Office
What an exciting time! You and your new baby are headed home from the hospital. It’s exciting and also a little scary to take charge of your little one’s schedule and all that’s involved. Beyond the routine you establish for taking care of your baby at home, you’ll also need to establish the routine for visits to the pediatrician. Although you probably were briefed on pediatrician visits before you gave birth, it can all seem a little confusing. You’ll need to work with your pediatrician’s office to make appointments at the proper intervals. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your newborn will be developing during this time. There is a formal schedule of visits that you will follow for the first year. This schedule was created so that your pediatrician can make sure everything stays on track. The first year of care schedule that we follow at Pediatric Care Centers was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Below is what you can expect during each visit. First month: You should plan your first pediatric visit when the baby is 3 to 5 days old. During that visit, the doctor and staff will perform a typical newborn checkup: assessing weight, eating and sleeping habits, condition of the umbilical cord, bowel and urine habits, and doing a head-to-toe physical exam. Two weeks old: A second newborn checkup including measurement of weight, length and head circumference; assessment of general behavior; and full physical exam. The schedule for the Hepatitis B vaccine will be based on whether the first dose was received at the hospital. Two-month visit: Repeat of the newborn checkup and a round of immunizations: rotavirus (RV); diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP); influenza type B (Hib); pneumococcal vaccine (PCV); inactivated poliovirus (IPV). Some vaccines can be combined to reduce the number of needle sticks. Four months: A repeat of the same exams as above, as well as blood tests. Second doses of RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV and IPV will be given. Six months: Once again the same exams are performed and immunizations are given: RV, third doses of DTaP, PCV and possibly Hib. The third doses of IPV may be given any time between 6 and 18 months. Nine months: Same exams as before plus developmental screening for skills, growth and behavior; and an oral health check. 12 months: Same exams as previously plus blood screening tests. Immunizations include final hepatitis B; third or fourth dose of Hib now or by 15 months; fourth dose of PCV now or by 15 months; third dose of IPV; first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) now or by 15 months; varicella (chicken pox) now or by 15 months; dose of hepatitis A vaccine now or by 23 months. As you can see, the first year is the busiest in terms of routine pediatric care, so once you’ve passed this milestone, it’ll be smoother sailing. More importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions during the first year. The entire staff at Pediatric Care Centers will be happy to answer any question you have. And because we are open 24 hours a day, you can call us at any time of day or night! How’s that for peace of mind?
Beat The Bedtime Blues: Tips To Help Children Get Enough Sleep
Bedtime is a time of transition for all members of the family. For young children, it may be a time when they resist giving up their activities and the company of family members. We receive many questions from parents about how to get youngsters to settle down for bedtime. Because many of us at Pediatric Care Centers are parents as well as pediatric professionals, we have lots of tried-and-true advice to share. Sleep Requirements for Babies to Teens The goal at bedtime and throughout the day/night is to ensure that your baby or child has the hours of sleep needed to promote health and normal development. Those hours decrease with age, but even teens need at least eight to nine hours of sleep per day. Newborns to one month old – 16 to 17 hours, in periods of one to two hours at a time. One to 12 months – 14 to 15 hours. Until about six months, babies usually need three naps during the day for about one hour morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. By six months, babies usually are sleeping through the night and need only two naps. One to three years – 12 to 14 hours. Toddlers this age usually still need naps, which may decrease to just one a day by three years. At that time, too, bedtime problems have usually disappeared. Three to six years – 10 to 12 hours. Seven to 12 years – 11 hours. 12 to 18 years – 8 to 9 hours. Making Bedtime a Stress-free Zone Planning bedtime around a set routine every night is a good way to help children make the transition to sleep. Be sure to set a an age appropriate bedtime – usually between 7 and 9 – so children’s body rhythms adapt to that sleep pattern. The routine can include a warm bath or a quiet story time so they settle down to a slower pace. Avoid giving caffeinated drinks like colas in the hours before bedtime. For younger children, keep TVs and computers out of the bedroom. For the child who is particularly resistant to going to sleep, here are some tips: Allow your child to go to bed with a familiar “blankie,” stuffed animal or toy. Keep the room dark but use a night light if you prefer. Take your time responding to a child who calls out for you repeatedly. Gradually increase your response time so that the child has the opportunity to fall asleep on his own. When responding, reassure the child that you are there, but do not turn on the lights, play, or explain. Do not stay more than a couple of moments. Gradually keep your distance, do not enter the room, and from outside the door remind the child that it’s bedtime.
5 Things To Do When Baby Has A Cold
At Pediatric Care Centers, we’ve found one of the biggest challenges for parents is dealing with a baby with a cold. Babies may come down with colds multiple times in their first year, so we like to keep our parents informed of what to expect during their baby’s illness. First, colds are caused by viruses and so are unresponsive to antibiotics. Cold weather is not a cause for colds; they may occur any time during the year. Direct exposure to a sick person at home or in day care is the most likely cause for the spread of colds. Here are five things you can do to care for your baby with a cold. At Pediatric Care Centers, we agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies and children under the age of 2 years should not be given over-the-counter cold remedies. Avoid giving the baby any medicines without your pediatrician’s direction. Use simple home remedies to make your baby more comfortable. For stuffy noses and chest congestion: Use salt water (saline) nose drops to thin the mucus and then use a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator to suction the mucus. Run a cool-mist vaporizer in the baby’s room. For fever: Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for babies 3 to 6 months old. Encourage your baby to take plenty of liquids. This would include breast feeding, and formula or water if bottle feeding. Keep the baby’s room at a comfortable temperature. Dress the baby in light sleepers and only use blankets if the room temperature is typically cool. Contact us at Pediatric Care Centers if your baby exhibits any of these signs and symptoms: Temperature over 100.4 degree if three months old or younger; temperature 102 degrees or higher in an older baby Baby is either unusually drowsy or unusually irritable Coughing that leads to vomiting or lasts more than 72 hours Breathing that seems labored or sounds unusually loud while sleeping Cold that persists for longer than a week Remember that Pediatric Care Centers is open around the clock, so you can rest assured there is always someone you can talk to by phone. Do not hesitate to call if you have questions. We’ll be happy to advise you as the cold takes its course and your baby is back to health.
Walk With A Doc!
How would you like to go for a walk on the beach with Dr. Pitocchi? Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle and is presented to you as part of our Healthy Habits program. What better way to start your weekend than on your feet making strides to help your heart and improving your general health to live longer! While you walk at your own pace, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions to Dr. Pitocchi on healthy living topics. According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Think it doesn’t do any good? Think again. Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running. And it’s safe – with a doctor’s okay – for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions, and those who are more than 20% overweight. For more information and to sign up, contact Jennifer Kespohl at 904-249-3375 X 235 OR email her at Jennifer@247.lenadev.com.