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18Aug2020

Massage for Babies

If you have ever received a massage, you know just how good you can feel after it. You may have noticed the feelings of stress and anxiety melting away. You may have also noticed that little aches and pains decreased. Over time, massage has even been shown to create real physical and mental benefits that can translate into a better quality of life. If massage is so good for adults, imagine how it could help your infant.

The birthing process is not a gentle one from the infant’s perspective. As you can imagine, it can feel stressful to suddenly be in a new environment and to be away from mom so much of the time. Infant massage is a great way to ease away this stress from your baby while also improving your baby’s ability to relax and fall asleep on his own.

How to Massage Your Baby

You do not have to be an expert to start massaging your baby. In fact, it is something you can easily begin doing at home. You may want to make a regular practice of it, such as by doing it after every bath or as part of your baby’s bedtime routine.

Make sure the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Ensure that your baby is warm and comfortable. You may want to remove only one article of clothing at a time, depending on the warmth of your space.

Be gentle as you knead each area of your baby’s body. Place him on his back to stroke and rub his head, neck, back, and legs. Roll him over onto his back to rub his arms and the fronts of his legs. The longer you massage your baby, the more you will find out what he prefers. You may discover that he particularly likes one type of motion or that a certain body part is very ticklish. You will be able to tell whether he likes what you are doing by how happy or restless he appears.

Benefits of Massage for Babies

If your baby has a hard time getting to sleep at night, you may find that massage helps him better relax. However, massage is also great for encouraging a nurturing relationship between you and your baby. Your baby will learn to trust you more. Finally, massage helps decrease stress hormones and may even be able to reduce crying episodes.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
11Aug2020

Flat Head Syndrome

Flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly happens to some infants if they spend too much time lying in bed with their heads to one side. Because the plates of the cranium are not yet fused together completely as they will be later in life, they can still shift. If this happens to your infant, you may notice that a side or the back of your child’s head appears flat.

This syndrome most often occurs from spending too much time lying in a crib or bassinet. However, it could occur from certain long-held positions in strollers, car seats, or swings as well. In addition, some infants may have a slightly flatter head immediately after birth if their heads were pressed a certain way by the mother’s pelvis or by brothers and sisters in the case of multiple births.

Treating and Preventing Flat Head Syndrome

If flat head syndrome is not addressed immediately, it could result in long-term consequences. Regular visits with your pediatrician can help you catch this problem as early as possible. In many cases, simply making a few changes to how you treat your baby each day can solve the problem entirely. For example, your baby may need to spend more time on his tummy. During these supervised sessions, your baby will not be placing pressure on the back of his head, and he will gain important neck and upper body strength.

Another tip is to change how you lay your infant down in his crib. Most likely, you tend to put your baby down in the same position every night, increasing the likelihood that his head will always be turned in one direction toward the door. If this is the case, try putting his head at the opposite side of the crib.

If increased tummy time, changes in crib position, and similar tips, such as holding your baby more often, do not work, your pediatrician may recommend that your baby wear a special helmet designed to reshape the head. Although it may seem difficult to make your baby wear a helmet that he initially resists, most helmet therapies do not take that much time. Some babies only need to wear helmets for a month or two, while others may have to wear them for up to six months.

If you have any questions about your baby’s health or about flat head syndrome, contact Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
15Jul2020

Easing the Stress of Shots

Almost every child has at least some fear of needles. While it may be tempting to put off shots so that your child stays happy, you could do that at the cost of your child’s health. It is important for long-term well-being that your child stays up-to-date on the vaccination schedule, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are a few ways to get through this process with the fewest tears.

Be Honest

It can be tempting to lie to your child before the appointment so that you do not have to be the one to tell him that he will be receiving shots. However, this method only leads to distrust over time. Be honest about what is going to happen and about what you can do to make the process better.

Bring a Distraction

Very young children respond very well to such distractions as stuffed animals, stickers and suckers during their shots. However, even an older child may like to page through a book or watch a short video to take his mind off the experience.

Give a Comforting Touch

If possible, keep your child in your lap for the shots. You can even be the one to help hold your child’s leg or arm in place while giving a warm hug.

Stay Calm

Above all, remember that your child will mirror the emotion that he feels coming from you. If he feels that you are nervous about the situation, he will be too. However, if he recognizes that you do not see this as a big deal, he will not feel as concerned.

While shots are never going to be something that your child looks forward to, you can take much of the fear out of the situation with these calming tactics. Your child ultimately wants to know that he will be safe no matter what happens and that you will be there for him. In addition, he may appreciate getting to do something special with you following his shots, such as going out for an ice cream cone or having a game night.

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we put the health and happiness of our littlest patients first. You can rest assured that we will always keep vaccinations as pain-free and pleasant as possible. Contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment for your child.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
8Jul2020

What You Can Do About Childhood Obesity

Genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, and daily choices play into the shape and size of every person on the planet. While your child has a great deal of information about how he will look already plugged into him when he is born, there are some things that you can do to prevent problems as he ages. One concern that should be on your radar is childhood obesity.

Create a Healthy Lifestyle

Remember that excess weight is usually put on when a child consumes more calories than he burns off in a typical day. Therefore, it is important that your child learns to eat nutrient-dense foods the majority of the time while also being active every day.

For healthy eating, focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains at every meal. When serving meat, offer mainly lean proteins. Your child can also get plenty of protein from lentils and beans. Try to keep refined sugars and flours to a minimum by limiting them to occasional snacks.

You can also help your child stay active by providing him with a bicycle and plenty of activities that he can do outdoors. Ideally, your child should be active for at least 60 minutes on most days of the week. An organized sport may help.

Be the Example Your Child Needs

If you do not model the lifestyle you want your child to follow, your child may say no to the habits that you are hoping to instill in him. Remember that your actions speak louder than words and that your child is closely watching the decisions that you make.

Get Your Child Healthy

If your child is currently overweight, focusing on these simple lifestyle changes may be enough to turn the tide. Never start a weight loss program for your child without checking with his pediatrician first. Restrictive diets are often missing key nutrients that children need for growth.

By teaching your child how he can maintain a healthy weight in childhood, you are setting him up with the knowledge and skills that he will need to continue making healthy choices much later in life. You can significantly impact the current and future health of your child by teaching him about healthy foods and exercise tips while modeling them yourself. For more help with this topic, schedule an appointment with a trusted, local pediatrician at Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
29Jun2020

Improving Posture at a Young Age

Have you ever told your child to sit up straight? Nearly every parent says that multiple times a week in an attempt to keep a child’s back tall and strong. However, good posture includes much more than simply how you or your child sits and stands. Posture affects many aspects of life, including self-confidence, concentration, and a multitude of physical concerns later in life. If you are concerned about your child’s posture and want to ensure that you are doing all that is possible to improve body mechanics, read on for a few tips perfect for your younger children.

  • First, remember that all bodies are designed to move, and regular movement and exercise will keep your child’s muscles strong and limber. Strong muscles, especially in the core and upper back, are vital for maintaining proper posture. Encourage your child to ride his bike, jump rope, and take part in organized activities during gym time at school.
  • Second, teach your child how to sit correctly. One of the most important aspects of this is ensuring that the chair your child spends the most time in is designed for good posture. Your child should be able to slide his bottom to the back of the chair while still maintaining a straight upper spine. You may also want to consider dynamic chairs, such as ball chairs, which can improve core strength. Some brands make special wobble chairs just for children.
  • Third, remember that it is unnatural for a child to spend hours at a desk or behind a computer. Plus, today’s computer game culture tends to result in bent necks and hunched-over postures. Instead, encourage your child to take plenty of breaks to look up from games, walk around the house and limber up tight joints.

If your child has bad posture, the problem may not be traced back solely to laziness. In fact, heavy backpacks, uncomfortable desk chairs, and even weight gain or genetic issues can be the main cause of bad posture for some children. In some cases, you may even need to talk to a pediatrician about your concerns. Some simple changes may be enough to produce stronger shoulders and backs. You may also need to consult with a physical therapist for special exercises designed just for your child. Contact Kids 1st Pediatrics today for more help with this issue.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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