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Posts Tagged "Physician"

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
28Mar2020

All About Tummy Time

One of the biggest surprises for many parents is the requirement of tummy time for their infants. In their concerns over breastfeeding, sleep schedules, and developmental milestones, they may forget about the importance of daily time spent on the belly. This practice can actually help your baby develop properly.

What Are the Benefits of Tummy Time?

One of the most important benefits of tummy time is the overall physical strengthening effects for your baby. Your infant will learn how to lift his head and will develop strong muscles in his neck and upper back. In addition, this can lead to an improvement in gross motor skills, which can lead to an earlier development in the areas of rolling over, sitting, and crawling. In addition, getting your baby off his back for at least some of the day can prevent the flat head syndrome.

How Much Tummy Time Should Your Baby Have?

At first, your baby will probably not want to put up with much time on his tummy. In fact, you may find that he can only make it for five minutes or less before he begins crying. You may also find that you need to interact directly with your child for much of the time to keep him content. However, as your child becomes used to this time, you can increase tummy time length each day.

How Can You Get Started with Tummy Time?

It is best to start tummy time as early as possible because your baby will be quite resistant to it the older he is when starting the routine. Tummy time should happen once or twice per day at a minimum. However, as your baby gets used to this time, you may be able to encourage it after diaper changes or upon awakening from a nap.

Consider buying your child a special tummy time mat and pillow, which is perfectly sized for his tiny chest. This will also help him lift his neck and head off the floor to look around and better enjoy himself. You may also be able to use a breastfeeding pillow if you have one. As your child gets older, place age-appropriate toys near him to encourage motor skills and enjoyment.

Tummy time is an important part of every infant’s daily life. If you have further questions about how to get started, check with Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
24Feb2020

Help Your Child Build Strong Bones

Childhood is the most important time to focus on bone health because 90 percent of one’s bone mass is in place by the time he is 20. If bones are not properly built during childhood, there may not be another good time to strengthen these vital cells. In fact, this could set up individuals for osteoporosis and dangerous fractures much later in life. If you are a parent, you should be aware of three key ways that you can affect your child’s health in this matter.

Give Children Plenty of Calcium and Vitamin D

Nutrition is a key component of good bone health. You probably remember hearing your mother reminding you to drink your milk for strong bones. This tip remains true today as milk and other dairy products are great sources of the important bone mineral known as calcium. Even if your child is not a big fan of dairy products, you can find plenty of calcium in many other common foods, such as leafy greens, fish, and nuts, as well as in calcium-fortified bread and juices.

You must also give vitamin D along with calcium because it helps the body absorb this necessary mineral. Vitamin D can be found in some types of fish, as well as in egg yolks and fortified milk. If your child does not get enough vitamin D in his diet, your doctor may recommend a supplement.

Encourage Physical Activity

Weight-bearing activities are important for growing not only strong muscles but also strong bones at any age. Sadly, many children get very little activity on most days of the week, leading to weak bones. Running, climbing, and jumping are all great activities at this age.

Keep Children Away from Secondhand Smoke

Cigarette smoke is a known cause of weak bones at any age. While you may not be concerned about this for your child because he most likely has never tried a cigarette, you should be aware that many people try cigarettes for the first time at a very young age. In addition, secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous for children to breathe.

While these tips can positively affect people of any age, they are particularly important for children who are actively growing new bone cells and especially for those in their teenage years. For more information, schedule an appointment at Kids 1st Pediatrics today.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
17Feb2020

Do You Have a Sleepwalker?

A pediatric parasomnia is a childhood condition that disrupts sleep. Parasomnias are actually much more common in children than they are in adults, and most children grow out of them over time. The most common parasomnia other than nightmares is sleepwalking. Although it can be distressing to see your child walking around confusedly in the middle of the night, there is usually little to worry about.

Common Conditions Involving Sleep

Parasomnias, such as sleepwalking, usually run in families. However, some of them can be caused by brain disorders, sleep disorders, irregular sleep schedules, and general anxiety. Most of the time, children who sleepwalk do not need any treatments as this condition usually goes away on its own by the teenage years.

If your child sleepwalks, you may see him wandering around the house and even participating in seemingly complex activities. Other children may seem clumsy and dazed as they walk. You will know that your child is still asleep because he will not respond to you when you talk to him. Despite popular beliefs, it is not dangerous to wake up someone who is sleepwalking. However, you may find that it is difficult to get your child back to sleep if you awaken him. Instead, you may be able to direct your child back to bed.

What to do if Your Child has these Conditions

While sleepwalking itself is not usually dangerous, it can lead to dangerous consequences if your child is not in a safe location as he walks. For this reason, you may need to invest in extra locks on doors leading out of your home and will want to lock bedroom windows and remove dangerous items from your child’s room.

Similarly, if your child talks in his sleep, there is most likely little for you to worry about unless it happens frequently or goes on for years. Frequent sleep talking could point to high amounts of stress and anxiety in your child, which may need to be treated so that it does not negatively impact other areas of his life.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
27Jan2020

What Is Flat Head Syndrome?

Once you get your baby home from the hospital and adjust to life as a new parent, you may think that your biggest worries are over. However, you will probably find yourself faced with some surprising scenarios over the next few months. These will challenge your knowledge and patience, but they can be overcome with the help of your pediatrician. One such concern that happens to numerous babies is the flat head syndrome.

Causes, Symptoms, and Adjustments

Flat head syndrome is known medically as positional plagiocephaly, and it occurs when your baby spends too much time on his back. Because the bones in your baby’s skull are not yet fused together, they can shift and move for several months at the beginning of life. Over time, the back or sides of your baby’s head may begin to look flat rather than rounded. Although this condition does not cause long-lasting disabilities, it can certainly cause aesthetic changes as well as worry for you.

If you are concerned that your baby may be developing flat head syndrome, there are several things you can do. First, try to have your baby spend less time on his back. Tummy time is good for building up muscular strength in his neck and back, and it will also keep him off his back during the daytime hours. Second, although you should always put your baby on his back when he sleeps, you may find that varying his position in his crib will cause him to turn his head in a new direction, balancing out his head shape.

If you are still concerned about the shape of your baby’s head by the time he reaches the age of four months, you should definitely check with his pediatrician. She may have some other steps for you to try, or she may recommend a molded helmet that your child can wear for several months. Although it may seem difficult to put a helmet on your child and your child may resist it initially, realize that your baby will not even remember this period, which is bound to be quite short.

Rather than worrying over the possibilities of flat head syndrome for your baby, get solid answers today by scheduling an appointment with your baby’s pediatrician. If you have recently moved to the area or are looking for a new pediatrician, call Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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