Issue 3

WELCOME:

Keeping children healthy is the main goal of parents and caregivers.  But we know it’s not always easy!  This issue of Toddler Topics is dedicated to some common questions parents have about children’s health.  We hope by reading this, you as parents, will make more informed decisions regarding health care.

Have a good day.

Nancy E. Wallace

Extension Agent/Family Living

Penn State Cooperative Extension offers many educational programs.  You can contact your local county extension office at:

 

                  

·Limit sticky, sugary foods and snacks. 

· Don’t let your child fall asleep or walk around with a bottle of juice, milk, soft drinks, or formula.  Use only plain water. 

·Clean teeth frequently to remove food deposits and plaque.

Pharmacists, although they don’t diagnose illness, are just as important to a child’s health as a doctor.  They have current information on medicines, possible side effects, drug interactions, and recommended over-the-counter-medicines. 

To help your pharmacist help you, it is important that he or she knows your child’s age, allergies, current medications, height and weight. 

Here are some suggestions to get a dialog started the next time you need to fill a prescription:

·         What happens if my child misses a dose?

·         Are there any side effects to this drug?  What are they?  What should I do if I notice them?

·         Is it OK to crush pills and add them to juice or food?

·         Will this affect the medication that my child is already taking?

·         Does my child need to take the entire prescription?

Ever wonder why a child wakes up in the middle of the night with pains in his/her calves or feet? And why massage isn’t enough to get those tight muscles loose?

Well, first of all, your child isn’t alone!  Limb pain, especially at night, occurs in as many as one-third of all children.  It generally strikes during two periods of growth in childhood: between the ages of 3 to 5 and 8 to 12.  No evidence suggests that growing pains are actually a result of the growth of bones!  Instead, research suggests that growing pains are the result of daily stresses to children’s bodies such as, jumping, climbing, and running.  Pains tend to occur after children have had a full day of activity.  The degree of pain varies from child to child.  Common areas of pain are the front of the thighs, calves, or behind knees.

Suggested treatment for growing pains ranges from massage and stretching, to heat, or administering children’s acetaminophen.

Next time a child has growing pains, try stretching the afflicted area.  For example with calf pain, push the foot and toes upward as far as they will go and then try a deep massage.  By stretching the muscle in the same way during the day a few times, may actually reduce the occurrence of growing pains in the night.

If symptoms persist more than 24 hours or are accompanied by: fever, joint pain, redness, swelling, limping, weakness; or if the joint can’t be fully moved it is important to call a doctor.

THE WELL CHILD EXAM:

Taking children to the doctor can sometimes be an unnerving experience.  With so much going on it’s easy to forget to ask the important questions.  Here are seven essential questions, provided by pediatrician, Dr. Robert Steele, ParentsPlace.com, that parents must ask the doctor:

     Is my child’s growth appropriate and expected?  Check for a steady increase in your child’s growth rate.

     Is my child due for immunizations?  Minor illnesses are no reason to delay immunizing.  Is my child’s diet appropriate?  Many parents are concerned that their children aren’t getting proper nutrition.  They have questions about advice they have received.  ASK now!

     Is this “thing” on my child’s body normal?  This can be a bump, misshapen toenail, or a crooked ear - everyone needs some reassurance sometimes!

     Is my child’s blood pressure normal?  Children should begin having their blood pressure checked at age three.  High blood pressure doesn’t usually have many overt symptoms at first.

     Is that test really necessary?  Two “routine” tests are recommended for children.  They are: hemoglobin (9 to 12 months) and analysis of urine (between 4 to 6 years).  Children deemed at risk may also have: lead test; tuberculosis skin test, or cholesterol (1 year old).

      Is my child’s development appropriate?  Your doctor should ask about and observe your child enough to give you feedback in each of the four categories: Gross motor skills; fine motor skills; social skills, speech and language development.

TV and Your Child’s Health  

The average child spends 900 hours in school and almost 1,500 hours in front of the TV.  Many people consider a positive medium for children.  Educational programs such as Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers can teach young children the alphabet, how to count, about kindness and sharing, or even make it less traumatic to use the potty.  But television also has its drawbacks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report has found the following:

*  Children who consistently watch 10 hours of TV weekly are more likely to be overweight, aggressive, and learn more slowly in school.

* Children who watch violent shows are more likely to be fearful that something bad will happen to them.

* TV tends to reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

 

Here are some suggested guidelines for toddler TV watching:

1.  Talk to your child about what you view on TV.  Focus on your beliefs and values.

2.  Talk about what you see on TV.  When a child sees someone using physical violence, ask if there is a better way to solve the problem.  Ask how he/she would handle that situation.

3.  Check TV listings ahead of time and find  shows that can be watched as a family.

4.  Limit the number of hours spent watching TV to 1 or 2 daily.  Relocate the TV to a less prominent area of the home.

5.  When in doubt about a TV show, turn it off and pick up a book!

is a normal childhood response to some types of distress.  Children may cry because they are sad, frustrated, confused, or even angry.  Because coping skills and verbal ability have not yet matured, children tend to resort to crying as a means of communication.  Instead try setting some behavioral guidelines to help the child learn appropriate responses.  For example, praise or reward the child’s ability to delay or withhold crying until a more suitable place and time.  Teach your child to respond to distressing situations with an alternative behavior such as talking.          

   

 

ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES:

TIPS FOR TRIGGER PROOFING A HOME

           

The best way to prevent an allergy or asthma attack is to take steps to rid the home of allergens that cause the problems.  Common environmental allergens are: dust mites, pet dander and saliva, weeds, grass or pollens, mold and mildew, and cockroaches.

DUST MITES:

Buy only washable stuffed animals.

Wash bed linens weekly in hot water.

Keep wooden floors and furniture dusted.

Vacuum daily, especially with pets in the house.

PET DANDER AND SALIVA:

Keep pets outside or limit their indoor access to certain rooms of the house.

Do not let pets on furniture.

Wash hands immediately after petting an animal.

POLLEN AND GRASSES:

Limit outdoor activities when counts are high.

Bathe and wash hair at bedtime to avoid bringing allergens into the bed.

MOLD AND MILDEW:

Use this basic cleaning solution in problem spots, such as window sills and bathroom surfaces: 3/4 Cup household liquid bleach + 1 gallon water.  Remove visible soil.  Wipe surface with solution and leave on for 2 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly and dry.

COCKROACHES:

Store box food in plastic containers.

Clean crumbs out of toasters.

Do not leave pet food or bowls of fruit out over night.

           

For more information on allergies or asthma, contact www.clorox.com/childcare OR the PA Department of Health.

 

KIDS & HYGIENE

Starting children on a proper hygiene routine while they’re young is a good way to insure they will stay healthy.  Good hygiene is important because it removes the dirt and germs from your body and it lets you look and feel your best.  But more than that, poor hygiene can lead to a greater chance of disease, loss of teeth, infections, or a poor self-image.

Here are some tips, from the PA Dept. of Health:

SKIN:

Take a bath every day.  Dirt and germs build up in the creases of the skin so these areas should be lathered rinsed, and dried well.  To keep skin clean, change underwear daily and sheets once a week.

FACE:

Wash your face one to two times daily.  Use a mild soap and lukewarm water.  Water that is too hot can dry the face out and soaps that are too harsh can lead to irritation.

EARS:

Wash ears when washing the face. Concentrate on behind the ears where dirt and oil build-up.  Remember, never stick anything smaller than your elbow into your ear!  If a child has wax build-up contact your doctor.

FEET:

Wash feet every day. Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.  Moisture left between the toes can cause athlete’s foot.  Toenails should be clipped straight across and even with your toes when they get too long.

HANDS:

Hands should be washed often during the day.  Wash them with soap before meals, after using the toilet, and before going to bed.  Fingernails should be clipped shorter than the fingertips so it is easier to keep dirt out from underneath them.

 

IMMUNIZATIONS:

Are you thinking that your child doesn’t need to be immunized?  Without immunizations a child has an increased risk of coming into contact with another unvaccinated child and becoming ill.  The fewer children immunized, the greater the chance of some highly contagious disease spreading through a community.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH FROM 1 MONTH TO 16 YEARS:

A Summary of Immunizations

Source: The Little Book of Parenting

AGE	VACCINE
Birth	Hep B-1
1 Month	Hep B-2
2 Months	DTP-1, OPV-1, Hib-1
4 Months	DTP-2, OPV-2, Hib-2
6 Months	DTP-3, Hib-3
12-15 Months	MMR-1, DTP-4, OPV-3, Hib-4(VAR)
16-18 Months	Hep B-3
4-6 Years	MMR-s, DTP-5, OPV-4
11-12 Years	MMR-2, Hep B-3 VAR
13-16 Years	If the child does not already have: TD-Adult

IS TAKING YOUR CHILD FOR IMMUNIZATIONS GIVING YOU THE BLUES?  TRY THESE TIPS:

Talk to you baby in a soothing voice

Rock or hold your baby close to you

Have a pacifier handy

Bring a familiar object such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal