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Category "Pediatrics"

8Oct2021

How to Talk About Medication with a Pediatrician

If you’ve ever spent time watching television, you’ve almost certainly come across ads that ask you to talk to your doctor about some type of medication. While this might be a tough thing to do for the average person, it can feel even more challenging if you are doing so on behalf of your child. Luckily, it’s usually simple to talk to your pediatrician about your concerns.

The Important Factors to Discuss with Pediatricians

It’s always best to go into a conversation about medication with a pediatrician with the goal of solving a problem rather than talking about a specific medication. If you’ve noticed a drug that is advertised to help your child with a particular type of illness, for example, the best way to start the conversation with your doctor is to talk about how you can better manage that illness. Talking about medication is usually a logical follow-up question to that.

You may also want to spend some time doing some research on your own before you talk to your doctor. While pediatricians do a great deal of research on their own, being able to bring up specific concerns or points of interest can be a great way to help your doctor get a bit more information about your child’s needs. The more you’re able to bring to the table in this conversation, the better.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns about medication. You may be able to not only get more information about the medication in question, but you may also be able to work with your pediatrician to find a way to better manage your child’s condition. In addition, if you’re willing to start the conversation, your pediatrician may be able to find a suitable course of action that can help your child to live a better life regardless of what they end up being prescribed.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
29Sep2021

How to Talk to Children About Eating Healthy

A good diet is incredibly important for growing children. It ensures that they’re not only able to grow, but that they also receive the fuel that they need to meet the challenges of growing up. While you can certainly make dining decisions for your children when they are very young, things become more complex as they get older. As such, it’s essential to start talking to your children about making healthy eating choices.

Starting Healthy Eating Habits as Children

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that healthy eating isn’t about how someone looks. Don’t bring up issues like weight with your child when you talk about eating healthy. Instead, focus on his or her health as it relates to how he or she eats. With younger children, it might be essential to talk about strong bones or a healthy heart. With older children, though, it might be best to talk about how they feel after they eat certain things.

Above all else, this process is about helping your child to understand that he or she will have to make choices. Don’t talk about completely eliminating desserts or going on diets; instead, talk to your child about how it’s important to practice moderation with certain kinds of treats. Helping your child to understand that eating healthy doesn’t mean giving up the things he or she loves can be a great way to help make the lesson stick.

Don’t forget to involve your child in helping to make healthy meal choices. For example, let your child help the family’s shopping list and discuss why you choose certain items instead of others. If you can get your child involved with his or her own diet early on, he or she will find it much easier to eat healthy when he or she is out on his or her own. The groundwork you lay now can lead to a healthier future for your child.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
24Sep2021

Talking to Your Child About the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 continues to be an ongoing issue across the world, with vaccination becoming a hot topic among many groups. As a parent, you do owe it to your child to have a frank discussion about what the vaccine may mean for him or her, and you’ll need to be able to answer any questions that your child may have. Fortunately, doing so is really a matter of being able to find the correct information.

Providing Your Child with Valuable Information

The beginning of your discussion should always start with a frank discussion of what the vaccine is and is not. If you’re not sure about the definition of a vaccine, it’s absolutely fine to look it up and learn a bit more yourself. From there, you can explain to your child that the vaccine is much like those he or she already received for school – not a cure for an illness, but rather protection from contracting the illness itself. You can talk to your child about the risks that are still present even if he or she is vaccinated and, if appropriate, what you consider the risks of vaccination might be.

It’s vital that you present accurate information to your child, so use this time to work together. Ignore social media and stick to well-regarded, peer-reviewed journals or to public health websites that break down the information from those sources. This will not only help your child learn a bit more about the vaccination process but also about how to look up credible sources for health information in the future.

Don’t think that you have to do this all alone, though. You can and should involve your child’s pediatrician in this discussion. Not only will this allow you to bring a more authoritative source into the conversation, but it will also give you a chance to ask the questions to which you might not be able to find satisfying answers online.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
27Aug2021

How to Keep Your Child Safe at the Pool

While the summer months might not be around for much longer, it doesn’t mean that many parents aren’t looking for ways to take advantage of the weather. Of course, high heat means only one thing – time spent at the pool if you are like many parents. It’s essential, though, that you keep in mind some basic ways to keep your child safe at the pool so that a great day of play doesn’t turn into a medical emergency.

Important Steps to Pool Safety for Kids

The first and most crucial step to take is to make sure that your child is never in the pool area without supervision. Not only is drowning a genuine concern even in children who know how to swim, but there are always plenty of hazards around pools that an excited child might ignore. From broken glass to half-eaten food, it’s essential to keep an eye on your child so that they stay away from any of these potential dangers.

It’s also a good idea to remember that, as fun as it is to be in the water, your child will still need frequent breaks. Swimming is actually quite physically taxing, and the last thing you want is to let a child who’s tired overexert themself in the pool. Though the amount of time that a child can spend safely in the pool varies by personal fitness levels and age, having your child get out and rest for a few minutes every so often is always a good idea.

Finally, remember to bring waterproof sunscreen any time your child is in the pool. Though their body might be underwater, that doesn’t mean that they can’t still get skin damage from the sun. So apply sunscreen every time your child gets in the water, and make sure to reapply it regularly to keep your child safe.

The pool can and should be a safe and fun place for your child. However, keep an eye on them, be sure that you keep an eye out for signs of exhaustion, and make sure that your child’s skin is as protected from the sun as possible. If you can take these simple steps, you’ll be able to have a great time at the pool without worrying about your child’s health.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
20Aug2021

Keeping Your Child Safe in the Heat

The temperatures are rising, and the last days of summer break are here, leading many parents to want to make the most of the waning days of summer. It’s essential, though, to stop and think about the dangers posed by the record temperatures when your child is playing outside. Taking some time to look at how to keep your child safe in the heat is always a good idea.

Pay Attention to these Summer Heat Dangers

First and foremost, you’ll need to remember that it’s never a good idea for a child to stay outside in extreme temperatures for very long. You’ll want to use your best judgment, of course, but frequent breaks from playing outside are a must. Even if this just means sitting in the shade under an umbrella for a few minutes, giving your child’s body time to cool down and adapt will be helpful.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your child is wearing light clothing that won’t further increase their body heat. Hats can do a great job of providing shade and protection, but make sure that you’re also using sunblock on your child when they go outside – the last thing you want to deal with is a sunburn, after all. Remember, sunblock does need to be reapplied, so pay attention to the labels on the products that you use.

Finally, make sure that your child stays well-hydrated when outside. Bring a large water bottle with you any time you go outside, and make sure that your child is frequently drinking. It’s also a good idea to consider bringing some kind of healthy sports drink with you as well, as your child will need to replenish their electrolytes after a hard day of playing and sweating.

While you certainly don’t need to feel like you should always keep your child inside, it is important to make sure that you’re keeping your child safe when the temperatures rise. The right clothing, the right amount of water, and frequent breaks during play can help your child stay safe while still giving them an excellent chance to make the most of these last days of their summer break.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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