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Posts Tagged "Children"

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.

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.

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.

Pediatrics
12Jul2021

How to Deal with a Fear of Shots

One of the most commonly asked questions by any child going to the doctor is whether or not he or she will get a shot. Though as adults we all know that properly administered shots really don’t hurt, many children have at least a mild phobia of getting shots even if they’ve successfully gotten them in the past. As a parent, it’s often good to have a basic strategy to help your child deal with this fear on the way to his or her next doctor’s appointment.

Effectively Explaining Shots to Your Child

It’s never a good idea to lie to your child about whether or not he or she will get a shot at a doctor’s appointment. If you know that he or she will get a shot, tell him or her. If not, be honest and say that you don’t know whether or not a shot will be given. While this might not necessarily assuage your child’s fears, it will help you to build a better bond of trust. This will help lessen your child’s fears of future doctor’s appointments.

It’s likewise vital not to build up a shot as anything more than a standard procedure. Never use it as a threat to scare a child, and never try to downplay what’s going on. If your child asks you whether or not a shot will hurt, be honest – compare it to other mild discomforts that your child has experienced and make sure that he or she knows that the pain will be brief.

Finally, make sure that you praise your child after the shot has been given. Don’t focus on what he or she might have done wrong, but rather on the fact that he or she made it through. Your child will be much more likely to remember how you responded to him or her getting a shot than he or she will be to remember getting the shot in the first place.

Pediatrics
28Jun2021

Getting Back to the Pediatrician

Getting your child back to the pediatrician after a long year of lockdowns and quarantines can be tough, but it’s also necessary. Though many non-necessary visits have had to be put off, many parents now find themselves making up for the lost time as they help their kids get back to something approaching normal. For many, though, getting back to the pediatrician requires a bit of extra work.

Preparing Your Child for the Visit

The first step you’ll need to take to get your kids back to the pediatrician is to contact your doctor. While things might have changed over the last year, your pediatrician still has a vested interest in making sure that your child receives the best care possible. If you haven’t been in for some time, this might mean updating yourself on waiting room procedures and expectations for patients.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your child is ready to get back to the doctor. If you have a very young child, this means setting his or her expectations for what’s going to happen. For some, this might mean letting your child know that there might not be toys to play with while he or she waits. For others, though, it might mean talking about shots or even what it means to go to the doctor.

Ensuring Information is Up to Date

You may also need to remember to update some paperwork. Insurance changes, addresses changes, and other issues still need to be processed, and some doctors now prefer you to fill out paperwork ahead of time. As most parents know, though, filling out paperwork while watching a sick child has never been easy so this might actually be a bit of an improvement for many.

It is, however, important that you get back to the doctor when you need to do so. Though things might have changed on the outside, you should still expect to receive the same level of care that you’ve always received. While adaptation is necessary, it is always good to know that your child’s physician still has his or her best interests at heart.

Pediatrics
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