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Going Out With A Newborn

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 21:19:24 GMT

With the holidays approaching, one of the more frequent questions we get while rounding in the newborn nursery is, "when is it safe to take my newborn out?"

The quick answer that most pediatricians will give is 6-8 weeks. Infants in the first 2-3 months of life are susceptible to numerous infections both viral and bacterial. Some of these include RSV, pertussis (aka whooping cough), and influenza. Newborn infants do not have the immunity to protect themselves from these infections.

Most pediatricians understand his is not always practical to a family's day to day routine. Most do not expect new parents to lock themselves in their home and not leave for 8+ weeks.

Here are a few tips to help keep your baby well when out and about:

1. Have family and friends visit your baby at your house. This way parents are able to "screen" for anyone sick who may want to visit.

2. Avoid large gatherings, especially gatherings with many small children. Parents have better control over who is touching and holding their baby if gatherings are small or hosting visitors in the home.

3. Make sure anyone holding your new baby washes their hands or uses hand sanitizer. Also, keep extra sanitizer in your diaper bag, purse, or stroller when out.

4. If out running errands, go in the morning when less people are out. Avoid crowded areas with poor ventilation (i.e. the mall).

5. Avoid extreme heat or extreme cold when going out. A good rule of thumb is to dress baby in the same number of layers an adult would be wearing. A light blanket or jacket can always be added if necessary.

Do not stay cooped up in the house for 2 months. Follow the above tips, use good common sense, and enjoy going out and getting some "fresh" air with your new baby.

Is It Too Hot For My Child To Play Outside?

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:32:06 GMT

HOT OUTSIDE?

We all love the sun! We love the pool, we love the playgrounds and riding our bike, but with the sun comes high temperatures and it is natural for a parent to worry about whether it is too hot for their child to safely enjoy the outdoors. The good news is, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there is no specific temperature that’s too hot for a baby or child to go outdoors. What is important is to be safe by limiting the amount of time your kids spend outside during the hottest hours and have the right protection to safely enjoy the summer.

LIMIT DAYTIME SUN

The AAP recommends limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when the sun is the strongest. This is especially important for infants, who are less able to sweat, your body’s way of keeping its internal temperature down. Since that’s a considerable part of the day, try to stay in the shade whether under an umbrella, tent or trees. Things to consider:

Find playgrounds that have lots of trees that create shade and know what times of day the shade is cast over the playset.
Have a tent or umbrella for beach trips.
Find a table with an umbrella at the pool.
If you have a covered deck or porch, make use of it! There are also covers you can buy that will provide shade on your deck or patio.

If your baby isn’t used to hot weather, introducing him to the outdoors slowly. It can take up to 14 days for little ones to acclimate to hotter temperatures. Start by gradually increasing outdoor time over a 10- to 14-day period, taking breaks every 15 to 30 minutes during extreme weather. Experts recommend using caution in temperatures above 90 F (or 84 F with 70 percent humidity). Be extra careful about bringing baby outside in temperatures above 100 F, which can be potentially hazardous to little bodies. Avoid draping a blanket over your stroller or car seat for sun protection, even breathable fabrics. They can pose suffocation risks, increase the chance of baby overheating from poor air circulation, and prevent you from seeing your baby if she’s in distress.

Mom knows best. If you’re unsure about your baby’s safety in the heat, use “mom intuition.” If you are too hot, sweaty or uncomfortable, chances are your baby is and it is time for some air conditioning. For older children, keep in mind that they may be more active than an infant or even yourself so make sure you are taking steps to keep them hydrated and taking rest breaks.

DRESSING FOR OUTSIDE

On very hot days, avoid overdressing your baby and leave that extra layer or light blanket in the car. A light-colored short-sleeved onesie for young babies may be the best outfit, as long as you can keep your baby out of the direct sun. Hats are great for infants and older children to help protect their face and skin around their neck. It does not take away the need for sunscreen but is helpful. It is especially important for infants with little or no hair.

If you can’t avoid direct sun exposure and your child is younger than 6 months, dress her in lightweight long pants and a light long-sleeved shirt. For children older than 6 months, lightweight shorts and a shirt in a breathable fabric like cotton are best. Look for clothing with a tight weave (not see-through) for maximum UV protection.

You can read our article about how to choose and apply sunscreen here.

OVERHEATING

Your baby cannot tell you if she is feeling uncomfortable or overheated except for crying, which could indicate a dirty diaper, hunger or other things. It’s important to be looking for cues of heat exhaustion or other heat-related conditions. Warning signs include being very warm to the touch (more than how your baby’s typically-warm belly feels), extreme thirst, sweating profusely, acting very tired or weak and showing a general lack of energy. Since your baby may just be tired because it’s nearing naptime or he had an exciting morning, your instinct will tell you if your baby seems more off than usual.

If your baby is suffering from heat exhaustion, immediately take her to a cool place and undress her to help her body more easily give off excess heat. Sponge her body down with cool water (but not cold enough to cause shivering). Continue to give your older baby small sips of water or your under six-month-old infant breast milk or formula. Call the pediatrician right away if symptoms worsen or seem severe.

DEHYDRATION

You and your child(ren) should have water and fluids readily available outside. Infants under 6 months who aren’t drinking water should regularly drink breast milk or formula. If you live in a particularly hot climate and think your infant might need more liquids, talk to your doctor about whether you should offer her an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte) to replenish lost vitamins.

The easiest way to tell if your baby is becoming dehydrated is to monitor wet diapers she’s making (just like you did when she was a newborn). Other signs to be on the lookout for include:

Dry and tacky mouth
Crying without tears or many tears
Less energy than usual

It’s a good idea to call your doctor if your child is displaying signs of dehydration so he can do a thorough checkup and offer the most appropriate method of rehydration. If your baby is displaying severe symptoms of dehydration, see the doctor immediately.

Tips For Fun In The Sun And Water

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:32:06 GMT

This summer, make sure to keep your family safe by following some tips recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The best way to protect yourself and your children from harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is to cover up. It is best to limit exposure during hours of intense sun, which are between 10 a.m. to

4 p.m.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect against UVA and UVB rays on both sunny and cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after sweating or any activity in the water, such as swimming.

To prevent heat stress in exercising, children should choose light-colored and lightweight clothing.

Dress in one layer of absorbent material to help with the evaporation of sweat. Ensure that your children take a break to drink every 20 minutes while active in the heat.

The best way to prevent drowning in children is to closely supervise your children while near water.

Avoid inflatable swimming aids, such as “floaties,” as they can give a false sense of security. Instead, use approved life vests if your children need help in the waters.

For more tips on sun and water safety, visit healthychildren.org .

It's Never Too Early To Get Ready For The First Summer Job!

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:32:06 GMT

Summer is the perfect time for your teen to get their first job! The search alone will help them boost their interview skills, résumé, and ultimately work experience. Not to mention the communication skills and responsibility they can learn!

To help your teen, suggest they begin with a list of interests, strengths, and dislikes. This will help to narrow down possible areas to search. For example, an interest in swimming could prompt life guarding at a pool or beach, child swim instructor, or assistant aquatic physical therapist. If interested in animals they could walk dogs, pet sit, work at a pet store, animal shelter, vet clinic, or dog groomer.

Your teen will be excited about the opportunity to make their own money. However, the aim of their first job should be to learn, as well as make money. Ideally, a job that can help lead towards future, long-term goals, and careers. For instance, if they potentially want to study art in college, they could find a gallery assistant job. This will help determine if they are truly interested, as well as getting experience in the area. Entry level seasonal jobs fill quickly so begin the search early and be persistent. It’s important your teen take charge of the search. You can support and assist, but the process of job searching takes initiative and requires communication. They will also learn how to cope with rejection as well as the rewarding feeling of experiencing their hard work, and mild discomfort pay off with a job.

To get the job search started here are 3 steps your teen can take:

Prepare a résumé

Their résumé should focus on schooling, extracurricular clubs, sports, and volunteering.

Network

Have them hand out their résumé to friends, family, teachers, and people from the neighborhood or other activities. People who know your teen are likely to spread the word or may know someone who is looking for a summer employee.

Go shop to shop

Make sure to help your teen practice what they will say, this can be intimidating and successful.

It is always an exciting time in life when your child is old enough to start their first job! It puts money in their pocket (and keeps it in yours!) and most importantly teaches them skills they will be able to use for a lifetime.

Happy job hunting!