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Category "Pediatrics"

3May2021

How to Talk to Your Child About the Doctor

Many children are afraid to visit the doctor. This can be a fear of the unknown in some and a result of bad interactions in the past for others, but this kind of fear is distressingly common. As a parent, though, your goal is to help your child get past this fear. In many cases, the best way to do so is to make sure that you have honest conversations with your child about going to see his or her pediatrician.

Helping Children Understand What Doctors Do

The best place to start is to familiarize your child with what happens at the doctor. Let him or her ask you questions, and don’t be afraid to answer honestly. You obviously don’t need to get too technical with the answers, but you should be as honest as you can. Make sure that you always preface your information with the fact that everything that happens at the doctor’s office is done to help your child stay healthy.

It’s also a good idea to let your child express any fears he or she has. If he or she is afraid of being alone, for example, let him or her know that you’re going to be there. If your child is afraid of a shot, remind your child that the shot won’t hurt and that it will be over quickly. Anything you can do to acknowledge your child’s fears but to turn them into positives is a good thing.

Don’t be afraid to let your child know that going to the doctor is a normal part of life

Don’t be afraid to let your child know that going to the doctor is a normal part of life. Make it part of a bigger day out if you can, but consider adding a reward for going if your child absolutely can’t handle going otherwise. Sometimes that small bit of positive reinforcement is all that it will take to get your child into the doctor’s office willingly.

Pediatrics
23Apr2021

Nutritional Help for the Picky Eater

Many children are picky eaters as they often seem to have more sensitive tastebuds than many adults do. As your children grow, you may very well find that they become less picky over time and that they are more willing to try new cuisines, unique condiments, and different fruits and vegetables. Until that time, here are some tips for getting your picky child the nutrition that he needs.

  1. Be a Good Role Model

It may seem obvious, but your child will not be motivated to try different foods if you display the same sort of pickiness. Show your child firsthand how tasty it is to try new foods and flavors.

  1. Schedule Regular Meals and Snacks

When your child is overly hungry or thirsty, he is not motivated to eat healthy foods. Sticking to a routine will keep your child from filling up on processed, sugary treats.

  1. Stay Away From Pressure, Threats, and Rewards

Although these options may work initially, they eventually lose their effectiveness as your child no longer wants to eat anything without being rewarded. This teaches independence and healthy, lifelong eating habits.

  1. Try One New Thing at a Time

Instead of serving a meal filled with new foods, offer mainly foods that you know your child will enjoy along with one new food to try to limit overwhelming sensations.

  1. Let Your Child Take Only One Bite

Tell your child that he only has to take one bite of a new food. If your child does not like the food, try it again in a few weeks.

  1. Listen to Your Child’s Appetite

Trust that your child knows when he is hungry, thirsty, or full.

Keep in mind that it is best to make mealtimes family times. Instead of serving your child a different meal from the rest of his family members, remember that you are the one who chooses what foods and drinks are put out on the table. It is your child’s job to decide whether he will eat and how much food will be cleaned up on his plate. Over time, you will find these picky eating habits falling by the wayside as you follow these tips. If you have any concerns about your child’s health, growth or development, do not hesitate to contact a trusted provider at Kids 1st Pediatrics today.

Pediatrics
16Apr2021

How to Deal With Head Lice

It is estimated that at least 6 million children in the United States have head lice every year. It is particularly common for infestations to happen in schools where kids spend a great deal of time together. If you find your child scratching at his head more than he usually does, you may be wondering whether lice should be a concern for you and how you should address this problem.

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that only feed on human blood. Because lice do not have wings, they cannot fly long distances. Instead, they can only be passed from child to child through direct contact or through very close proximity.

How to Determine Whether Your Child Has Lice

Although frequent scratching of the scalp is a major symptom of head lice, an itchy scalp could be caused by other problems, such as psoriasis or even an allergic reaction. To determine whether lice are to blame, you will have to get close to the problem area to check for these tiny creatures. You should be able to see lice on the hair or even on the shoulders if they have fallen out of the hair. The tiny eggs, which are called nits, may be attached to individual strands of hair. Your child may also complain of a ticklish feeling on his scalp.

Choosing the Right Treatment for Head Lice

If you see tiny adult lice or nits in your child’s hair, you will most likely be able to treat the problem on your own in the comfort of your home. While treatment is time-intensive, it is quite effective when done correctly. There are several over-the-counter shampoos that you can use along with a fine-tooth comb to get rid of all the lice. If this does not take care of the problem completely, you should contact your child’s pediatrician for a topical or oral prescription medication because some lice have become resistant to the ingredients in over-the-counter shampoos.

Why You Should Not Let Head Lice Worry You

Although head lice is certainly an inconvenience and may mean that your child has to take some time off school, you should rest easy knowing that lice are not known disease carriers and that there are plenty of good treatments for the problem. Contact Kids 1st Pediatrics if you have any further questions.

Pediatrics
5Apr2021

The Importance of Outdoor Play

As the weather becomes increasingly warmer and sunnier, your children are probably more than ready to shed their jackets along with their homework and head outside to play. Outdoor play is actually a vital part of childhood, not only for the imaginative fun and socialization it provides but also for the physical and mental benefits that come hand-in-hand with this type of natural exercise.

  • First, children who play outdoors are able to get the vitamin D that their bodies desperately need. Vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods, although it can be gained from supplements or from certain fortified cereals and juices. However, as always, the best way to gain any type of nutrition is from natural sources, and sunshine is a great option for vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones. Not only can getting regular sunshine exposure provide necessary vitamin D, but also it can improve sleep and boost the immune system.
  • Second, children can benefit from activity in the fresh air. Children can build muscular strength and improve cardiovascular performance with simple activities, such as jumping rope, playing games of tag, and biking. Ideally, your children should be active for at least 60 minutes every day, and the outdoors provides a big enough space for this to happen easily. Plus, fresh air can help clear your child’s lungs, improve mental clarity and even improve digestion.
  • Third, outdoor play actually impacts mental health, improving executive functioning and even boosting your child’s mood. Outdoor environments are inherently calming, with plenty of green grass, blue sky, and sunshine to spark the imagination. By using the imagination to play in nature, children can avoid spending so much time in front of computer screens, smartphones and televisions and can instead explore for themselves and interact with their friends or siblings. This is critical for social development, especially in the early childhood years. In addition, the outdoors is a great place for children to explore taking risks and to develop numerous gross and fine motor skills.

Spending plenty of time outdoors during the growing years is vital for good physical health and mental wellbeing. If you are concerned that your child is not spending enough time outside or if springtime allergies or illnesses are keeping your child indoors more than you would like, schedule a visit with your trusted physician at Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Pediatrics
29Mar2021

Growing Healthy Bones

When you think about nutrition for your children, you are probably most concerned about limiting sugar and ensuring that your children are maintaining healthy weights. Even though your child’s bone health has probably not made it to the top of your list of concerns, this is the single most important time in your child’s life for building healthy bones. In fact, almost all of their bone mass is built by the end of their teenage years. The bone built during these beginning years will be used throughout the rest of their lives.

Nutritious Yet Delicious Foods

Now that you know just how important it is to focus on your children’s bone health, you may be wondering how they can ensure their bodies have what they need to create stronger and more resilient bones. Your first concern will certainly be nutrition. The most important vitamins include vitamin D and vitamin K. Of course, many minerals are also vital, with calcium and magnesium quickly coming to the forefront of the nutrition discussion.

Most parents know about the importance of calcium, but your children may not be interested in eating many naturally calcium-rich foods, such as cheese, yogurt, and leafy greens. Thankfully, many foods that kids do love, such as breakfast cereals, milk, and juice, are typically fortified with calcium along with vitamin D, which is necessary for your children’s bodies to make full use of the calcium they consume.

Physical Activity & Exercise

However, while good nutrition is vital for the growth of healthy bones throughout childhood, regular physical activity also plays a major role. High-impact exercises that put plenty of pressure on the bones actually help the bones grow stronger. Encourage energetic games and sports, particularly those that include jumping, such as jump rope, basketball, and volleyball. Even a high-energy family dance party counts as a bone-building exercise.

In addition to these tips, you will also want to encourage your child to stay away from soda and processed foods. Consuming these foods and drinks will actually strip bone material as the body will use bone cells to get the nutrients it needs. Instead, focus on good fats, such as avocados and nuts.

Kids 1st Pediatrics is here to help your child stay strong and healthy all the way through the teenage years. Schedule an appointment today for an annual physical or to discuss any concerns that you may have about your child’s health.

Pediatrics
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