Deck The Halls with Boughs of Poison, Falalalalalalalala

Judging by the traffic at the mall, the winter holiday season must be in full swing. I love the food, music, and other traditional festivities of Christmas and Hanukkah. My kids are now at the age that the holidays more manageable - gifts are smaller (but pricier), they play well together, and they help me decorate cookies without licking their fingers every three seconds. Nonetheless,  I still fondly recall the days when they were babies.  With the car loaded up - Pack 'n Play, swing, blankies, friends, and all the gifts - we would head out on our evening journey to a visit our families scattered throughout the Midwest. This was no small feat with four sets of grandparents, not to mention Chicago weather in December. Once at our destination, there was little rest for the road weary parents. The kids were wide awake from their five hour power nap in the car and the grandparents were chomping at the bit for the kids to open a gift even though it was about midnight local time. We knew from that point forward and until our return home, our children were spoiled and broken of all set routines. Oh the memories of holidays past!

Just the other day, I was discussing holiday plans with my sister-in-law. She is the mother to Harry, an almost 3-year-old-I-need-to touch-everything-that-is-breakable-or-dangerous boy and little 7-month-old Max, who can traverse the floor, caterpillar-style, with a world record pace.  Our families are spread over a three state region, so inevitably there is travel involved this time of year.  To help her get through the coming weeks of chaos, I tried to think of some sage advice. My tips included how to tactfully tell the grandmothers that babies do not NEED cookies, a few diversions to get a willful two-year-old to let go of grandma's tchotchke without dropping it after ineffectively, but calmly saying, "No, Don't Touch That!" a few hundred times, plus ways to simplify shopping with these perfect words "free shipping to anywhere in the US". Unfortunately the latter only works for gift giving, not receiving, and as we seasoned parents know...grandparents tend to buy the largest plastic playthings available, that once assembled cannot be undone. So my best advice to Crystal is to have a glass or three of wine, sit back and enjoy the show. She can relax in the quietness of her car on her trip home with the Little Tikes 6-in-1 Town Center Playhouse in her lap.

The winter holiday season presents unique situations when it comes to keeping children safe. There are special hazards inside and outside the home. Additionally, airline travel, hotels, visiting relatives in environments that may not be childproofed, disruption of normal routines and seasonal festivities mean that parents are often distracted. This recipe for disaster may leave little ones with less than optimum supervision. Here are some safety tips from The Baby Squad to help you make it through the holidays in one piece.

Trees - A Christmas tree is found in many homes during the holidays. It is important to have a fresh tree that is properly watered and placed away from fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.  If an artificial tree is used, look for a “Fire Resistant” label. Do not allow children to handle the tree lights. Not only is there an electrocution risk but many light strands contain lead in the plastic coverings. Avoid using bubble lights as they contain a chemical found in paint thinner. Never use candles on or around a tree. Check for faulty light strands and do not overload outlets or extension cords.

Decorations - Both the tree and home are often decorated with brightly colored and enticing objects.  In homes with small children, it is best to avoid decorations that are small, sharp, and fragile. Antique and foreign-made ornaments may contain lead paint. Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia is not a very poisonous plant, but holly and mistletoe are common holiday plants that are quite poisonous. Do not use them in homes with young children and pets. Avoid the use of decorative candles in houses with small children. Keep the Hanukkah menorah well out of the reach of children and pets. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Check that smoke alarms are in working order. 

Toys and Gifts - It is very important to select toys that are appropriate to a child’s age and developmental skills. Always read the instructions for a new toy. Toys with small parts and strings are choking hazards for young children. Discard wrappings, ribbons, boxes, packing materials, and plastic wrap immediately after opening gifts. Do not burn these materials in the fireplace as a flash fire and toxic fumes may result.

Visiting - Most families either travel during the holidays or have visitors in their home.  It is important to remember that other homes may not be childproofed like your own home.  Grandparents may have medications that is not in a child proof container. There are many hazards present with crowds at parties. Supervision is key when in a new environment. Remember to travel with important phone numbers such as your child’s pediatrician and the National Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Slick roads and sidewalks can  be perilous, especially for young children and adults carrying them. Keeps walkways clear of snow and ice. Slow down when driving in adverse weather. Always buckle up and secure children in an appropriate safety seat.

So deck your halls with any non-poisonous, non-breakable, lead-free, large, kid-friendly objects you have, and enjoy all that the holidays bring your way. The Baby Squad wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

 © Copyright The Baby Squad, LLC, All right reserved.

Sex Ed and Santa - The Dichotomy Facing Our Tweens

Do you remember how old you were when you learned about puberty? The birds and the bees? Was your innocence shattered by a parent, a friend, a sibling, or "The Movie" brought to you by our friends at Kotex? I have an older sister so I was in the know earlier than the norm. Much of the information I was told came from her, served with a large helping of disbelief and a side of shock and horror. None of it made sense to my mind that was too young to absorb the facts of life. Too embarrassed to ask my own mother, I went to the next best resource in 4th grade - The World Book Encyclopedia! Contained in its volumes were the words - menstruation and sexual intercourse - I learned from my sister. Paul Rosenkranz and I giggled at the back of Mrs. Vaughey's classroom as we filled our brains with facts that were too bizarre to comprehend. Our only escape from our discomfort was laughter.

Well, here I am many years later, facing this topic with my own 10 year old daughter. The clock is ticking with 7 days until she views "The Movie" with her fifth grade classmates. Last week, I had the parental obligation of previewing this film at her school. It was corny and full of 80's hair and fashion styles, but the information was well presented and factual. The teacher recommended that we brief our kids on the movie beforehand, so there would be no surprises at school (and probably less snickering).  I knew today was the day - my husband was at the gym and my son was at a friend's house. We were alone and there were no "boy" ears to overhear this delicate conversation that was about to take place. So like any good mother, I scooped up spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough and sat down with my daughter to burst her bubble of innocence. She quietly and tearfully listened as I described the pubertal changes that we all must endure. I introduced her to some new terms that will never appear on her vocabulary list for English class. I am fairly confident that I rocked her secure, little world. Overall, I feel it went well and that she actually heard what I was saying. In the past, we have had related discussions, mostly about personal hygiene, friends, and privacy, that laid the groundwork of today's topic.  I know this is just the beginning of a new chapter in her childhood, and there are many more conversations ahead of us, likely with more detail. Until that time comes, I will enjoy this tween phase with my daughter who still believes in Santa, plays with American Girl dolls, and sleeps with her baby blankets.  So as I tucked my baby girl in bed tonight, I realized that this new knowledge does not mean the end of her innocence, just a new awareness of the people and world around her, and that is a good thing.

For years, I have counseled parents about sexuality in children. Teaching a child about sexuality begins at birth through the trust and intimacy they have with their parents. A parent unknowingly models sexuality by having gender-specific roles, clothing they wear, and how they show affection. Toddlers are curious about their bodies. Preschoolers ask "Where do babies come from?", and school-aged children pick up sexual messages from TV and their peers. By nine years of age, most children know something about puberty or may be entering into it themselves. Parents are supposed to guide their children through each stage of this budding sexuality. Teaching sexuality to children is as important as teaching them about a healthy diet. It does not culminate with one conversation when puberty is knocking at the door. Teaching about the physical characteristics of sexuality is such a small part compared to teaching and modeling the emotional aspects of sexuality - family values, respect for others, and having a strong sense of self-worth.  I have found two resources to be invaluable for this topic - "Becoming an Askable Parent" by the American Social Health Association and The American Girl book, "The Care and Keeping of You".  Find them and read them before you think you need to - chances are if you are thinking about it, your child already has been for a long time. As always, your health care provider can also be a great resource. Keep your mind and your ears open and the answers will come your way.

 © Copyright The Baby Squad, LLC, All right reserved.

The Big "O" - Is It All That It Is Cracked Up To Be?

OK people, get your minds off of whatever you think I was implying and onto your grocery list - I am talking organic food here.

A friend of mine recently asked me about organic food and if I thought that it is worth the expense for her children. My immediate response was yes, and I based this answer on my own research of this topic and my knowledge of the basic physiological differences between children and adults. Over the past few years, there has been much controversy surrounding organic foods and I believe the organic movement is gaining momentum, as evidenced by the growing supply at my local stores.  Critics argue that organic food is too expensive and the health benefits are unproven. Proponents claim that the long-term safety of food additives and pesticides is unknown. I partially agree with both sides - going organic can be an expensive endeavor (50% or more cost over non-organic food), but at the same time, I worry about those unnatural food additives and pesticides and the potential harmful effect on growing bodies and brains, not to mention the devastation that conventional farming does to our environment (a topic for another post). Does my level of concern warrant the expense of feeding organic food to children and pregnant women? Absolutely! Science has proven that a fetus develops faster than at any other point in life and that rapidly dividing cells are susceptible to damage from chemicals (think DDT and DES).  Additionally, children between 1 and 5 years of age eat 3-4 times more food per kilogram of body weight than an average adult. This means they ingest 3-4 times the food additives and chemicals per kilogram of body weight and possess immature liver and kidney function to detoxify and excrete contaminants, unlike adults.  A study done in Seattle a few years ago looked at school age kids with 100% of them having pesticides detected in the urine. All students were put on an organic diet and after 4 days of the diet, only 1 child in study had pesticides remaining in the urine. Our bodies are remarkable machines, but our bodies should not be used as filtration factories for food additives and pesticides.

So what does it mean to be organic? Many products tout an organic origin but to truly know what you are buying you need to start reading the labels on your food.  To be Certified Organic, the food must be grown/raised, handled and processed without conventional pesticides or herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetic engineering or irradiation - and produced with the emphasis on soil and water conservation. While 100% Organic means the food must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. Any product that uses “Made with Organic Ingredients” on the front label must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Any food with less than 70% of organic ingredients can claim to be organic but can only be listed on the side panel.  "Free Range" is not organic as it is not standardized and only means that the animal spent some time outside each day.

Like everything in life, we have to weigh the pros and cons and make our decisions based on  information available to us.  I realize that feeding a family a diet of organic food is costly, but health care is even more expensive. I usually make choices for my family based on health consequences before cost. So I choose to feed my children many organic foods but not everything. Oreos are not, nor ever will be, organic, but I am OK with that.   

Milk/Dairy

We drink organic milk because my kids drink a lot of milk. It is free of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), which has been used in the US since 1994 to boost milk production by 25%. I personally think that messing with nature's hormone balance in animals is like playing with fire - someone will get burned.  In addition to rBGH, there are antibiotics injected into the cows to keep them (the cows) healthy. My kids are healthy and do not need cow antibiotics. These antibiotics were banned in Europe over a decade ago, and interestly, there has been a decrease in bacterial resistance to important live-saving human antibiotics.  Hmmm...maybe there is a correlation between the higher number of children I see with ear tubes now compared to when I started practicing over 15 years ago. Also down the dairy aisle are eggs, although not technically a dairy product. Organic hens roam free and are fed only grains. They lay organic eggs that are higher in vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids and have less cholesterol. Non-organic hens are kept in cages smaller than an 8x11 sheet of paper, have their beaks trimmed, and are fed an unnatural diet. Easy choice here!  

Produce

Fruits and vegetables are also a huge part of my kids' intake so we try to get organic as much as possible. We try to buy seasonal fruits from local sources and have grown some great fruit and veggies in our home garden. Nothing is fresher than homegrown - no pesticides used and no pests either - except for the bunnies that nibbled our pepper plants a bit. If homegrown or local sources are not an option then use the lists from The Environmental Working Group to help you decide which produce is better if organic or not.

• "The Dirty Dozen" (Buy organic - highest in pesticides) peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes (imported), pears, spinach, and potatoes.
• "The Cleanest 12" (lowest in pesticides) onions, avocados, sweet corn (frozen), pineapples, mangoes, sweet peas (frozen) asparagus, kiwis, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant. 

Meat/Poultry 

I am not here to argue about vegetarianism. It is a lifestyle that most Americans have not adopted. It is a personal choice. So if you are a vegetarian, please skip this paragraph as I discuss organic meat. First,  I have to say the organic meat and poultry is a little more difficult to find and the selection is  limited. However, organic beef is healthier for our bodies and our environment so I continue my search. Conventionally farmed cattle is fed a steady diet of corn or other grains.  When a cow is fed a corn-filled diet, it alters the acidity in their stomachs causing the overgrowth of the bacteria E.coli O157:H7 which is then treated with antibiotics. This bacteria can make cows sick and has been the culprit in countless meat recalls and illness and deaths in humans, especially children. Cows are grazers by nature, and organic cattle are allowed to roam and feed on grasses, leading to leaner, healthier cows without the use of antibiotics.  It is a similar story for organic farmed chickens.

So as I presented you a little "food for thought", I hope you do a bit of research on your own as you make decisions about feeding your family. I suggest visiting the website of the Environmental Working Group or if you are in the Indianapolis area check out The Baby Squad's "Growing Up Green" class on December 14, 2009. Maybe then, you too, will agree with me and many others that The Big "O" is all that and much more. 

http://thebabysquad.com/Home.html

http://ewg.org/

 © Copyright The Baby Squad, LLC, All right reserved.

Things That Go Bump In The Night - Staying Safe On Halloween

You may call it Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve or just October 31st. This annual haunting involving costumes, treat-or-treating, and things that go bump in the night is just around the corner. It is an evening filled with excitement for many children (and some adults too) who enjoy disguising themselves as their alter ego, a favorite pop idol, an ordinary household object, or a scary creature from the another world. I see it as a day that orange and black can legally be worn together without the Fashion Police writing citations for the obvious fashion "DON'T".  I also enjoy the seemingly endless supply of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (mini and regular) and other tasty but rot-your-teeth-just-by-looking-at-'em gooey morsels. As a child, I remember the anticipation of the big reveal of my costume to my friends - some years they were hand-made by my mother, and in other years, my costumes were straight from the box, complete with the plastic mask held in place by that nasty, pull-your-hair, snap-your-eye-out elastic string. We carried pillow cases to collect our candies, popcorn balls, and the occasional apple that my mother was sure had a razor blade hidden deep within its flesh. In addition to the edible treasures, we collected pennies for UNICEF too. Do you remember the little boxes the schools would give out to raise money for the children in Ethiopia?  What ever happened to those tiny orange boxes that required an engineering degree just to assemble? However, my favorite memory of Halloween was coming home and dumping all of the  goodies on the floor. My mother, of course, removed the fruit and popcorn, and I was left with this pile of colorful wrappers and boxes promising something sweet and delicious inside. I deceptively traded my pastel Tootsie Rolls for my naive younger brother's fun-size Snickers (he eventually learned). We ate candy until our stomachs rebelled and our teeth were fuzzy. Mmmm!

As a veteran mom with ten Halloweens behind me, I enjoy this day as much as my kids do. They are at an age that they decide what they are going to be, and as a team, we pull their costumes together, part hand-made and part store-bought. Thus far, they have steered clear of risque or gory costumes, but I know this issue along with unsupervised trick-or-treating is on the horizon. Until then, I enjoy the fact that my kids want to wear silly, juvenile costumes and stroll the neighborhood, unembarrassed by parental presence.  Despite all of the adult supervision our children have on this night, there are still dangers out there on the dark streets, even in our safe neighborhood.

So to keep your children safe this Halloween, I share the following safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Baby Squad.

Your Haunted House:

• Don't block walkways with decorations that may trip trick-or-treaters. Clear the front yard of wet leaves, garden hoses, toys, and bikes.
• Pumpkins are fun to carve, but should only be done by adults. Children can draw a face with markers, and parents can do the cutting.
• Small battery-operated candles are a safer option to real candles in a pumpkin.
• If candles are used, the pumpkin should be placed on a sturdy surface, away from curtains and other flammable objects. NEVER leave it unattended. 
• Keep your outdoor lights on during the hours of trick-or-treating.
• Keep your pets restrained - many children are fearful of animals and may cause your pet to jump or bite. 

Dressing the Part: 

• Costumes should be bright and reflective - add reflective tape to costumes for greater visibility.  Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flames.  Make sure that shoes fit well and are comfortable or you may be carrying your little trick-or-treater all the way home.
• Masks can limit or block eyesight, non-toxic makeup and properly-fitted decorative hats are fun and safer alternatives.
• Costumes and accessories should be flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of the costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long.

 The Road to Reese's

• Use flashlights with fresh batteries while out trick-or-treating.
• Carry you cell phone and teach your child how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
• Always accompany young children while trick-or-treating.
  
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Cross the street with your children at a corner. Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Older children who treat-or-treat without an adult should plan and review the route with you before leaving. Agree on a specific time when they should return home. They need to stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Report any suspicious or unlawful activity. 

The Motherlode of Goodness 

• Sort through all the treats before allowing your child to eat any. Though tampering is rare, throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Give young children age-appropriate treats. Remove hard candies, large chewy bars and gum as these can be choking hazards. 
• Not all candy will be labeled with the ingredients, so use caution if your children have food allergies.
  
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween. 
• Extra time with a toothbrush is highly recommended.

So go out and enjoy all that Halloween offers. Throw on a costume, mingle with neighbors, take lots of photos, and warm up with some post trick-or-treating chili and a bonfire. Most importantly, keep your children safe.

 © Copyright The Baby Squad, LLC, All right reserved.

It's 2:30...Time To Go To The Dentist

I am sure you remember the childhood joke - Someone would ask you, "What time is it?" You would reply, "It's 2:30...time to go to the dentist!" Laughter would ensue on your part followed by the explanation for the dim-witted, "It's 2:30...tooth hurt-y (with a slow enunciation) ...get it?"

Well, this time came for my own children just the other day, and luckily not because of a toothache. It was time for their bi-annual visit to the pediatric dentist for some routine maintenance on their pearly whites. They have seen the dentist every six months since the time when I still counted their age in months. One might think that after 9+ years of regular trips to the dentist with them, it would be no big deal...right? Then why do I have a sense of dread over a little dental prophylaxis? Why do my palms get sweaty as my children are taken to the back office? Will they misbehave and bite someone? Are they experiencing any discomfort or psychological damage? Why do I feel guilty that maybe I brushed off the brushing a few times since their last visit? Are the hygienists judging my parenting abilities by the number of cavities they find? And, of course, what is it all going to cost me?

I realize that this angst is deeply seeded in me. It does not arise from prior personal experience with long, painful dental procedures, as I have had none, except the usual orthodontics during my formative years of adolescence. I do fear my own visits to the dentist. I just loathe the dentist, nothing personal. Fortunately, my children must have some paternally-inherited immunity to the dental chair jitters. They are not concerned by the poking and prodding in their little mouths, but instead, by what color of toothbrush they will receive. I am amazed by this, particularly with my son. He has so much silver in mouth that we refer it to as his "grill". We have spent thousands of dollars and many grueling hours under the influence of Valium to get his teeth filled, crowned, or extracted. Despite all the years of proper dental care, he has endured more than a lifetime of dental procedures for any one person. We hope that one day these carious baby teeth make way for healthier, stronger grown-up teeth. I know my son is not alone in his experiences at the dentist, as there is usually at least one other child zoned out from Valium in the waiting room. In my practice, I have seen many children who have required general anesthesia for the major work that is required to stop the disease of dental caries. Sometimes there are medical conditions that predispose a child to "bad teeth" as with my son. There can be genetic causes too. However, the vast majority of dental disease in young children is completely preventable.
 
According to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, it is estimated that 20% of children aged 2 to 5 years and about 50% of children aged 5 to 9 years have experienced dental caries. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommend the first dental visit within 6 months of the first baby tooth eruption or by 12 months of age, whichever occurs first. However, only one-third of children aged 2 to 4 years have ever been to the dentist. Oral health is directly linked to general health and dental caries is the most common oral disease in children. Dental caries is an infectious disease - a chronic process that destroys teeth by the interactions of normal mouth bacteria and the food sugars that stick to the teeth. Both the AAP and AAPD firmly believe that early dental care and parental education would significantly reduce the incidence and long-term consequences of this disease. Other preventative measures for oral health include: 

• Breastfeed your baby for at least the first year of life and beyond, if both mom and baby desire. It is best to wean to a regular cup when the time comes.
• Clean your baby's gums and teeth twice a day. Plain water on a soft cloth or a small soft toothbrush works just fine.
• Fluoridated toothpaste can be used with a soft toothbrush once your child can "spit" (often between 2 and 3 years of age). Use a small pea-sized amount and always supervise children when using toothpaste - it can be toxic if ingested.
  
• Never put your child to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup. Not only is it a choking risk, it can cause "Baby Bottle Mouth", a severe form of dental caries. Water in a bottle before bed is acceptable.
• Encourage your child to eat fruit and limit fruit juice (100% only) to no more than 4 oz a day.
• Children do not need carbonated beverages, sweet tea or other sweetened drinks containing high-fructose corn syrup. There is nothing of nutritional value in these drinks.
  
• Limit sugary drinks and foods to mealtimes. Water may be offered between meals as desired.

If you have questions about your child's dental health, please contact your child's health care provider or a pediatric dentist. Here are a couple of helpful links.          

http://www.aapd.org/parents/

http://www.aap.org/commpeds/dochs/oralhealth/audience-families.cfm

© Copyright The Baby Squad, LLC, All right reserved.

Let 'Em Play Just Put 'Em in Bubble Wrap First

Baseball, football, basketball, soccer - if you are a parent of a child older than 4 years, you have probably had an encounter with one or all of these sports. Football season is in full swing this time of year - from a friendly backyard game to flag or full-on tackle. I have never been a huge fan of football - pro, college, or otherwise - and my son shares my opinion on the sport too. Recently, he quite confidently told me that "football is boring" and he was just going to "swim until he beats Michael Phelps' records". I admire that goal but part of me feels as if he is missing a fundamental slice of boyhood with his disinterest in "ball" sports. Of course, the other part of me is relieved as his risk of injury is miniscule with swimming compared to the other sports. Maybe I would feel differently if football was his passion. I wonder about other moms, sitting on the sidelines, watching their beloved children being tackled to the ground with bone-breaking force. How do they do it? Are their hearts in their throats the whole game? How do they restrain themselves from running on the field to protect their son from the chaotic roughness of tackle football. Well, my friend has a son who is quite an athlete - he lives and breathes ball sports year round. The family has spent countless hours at practices and games. Last week, my friend's son was injured during a football game. He was grabbed around the collar and thrown to the ground by another 9 year old. Despite all of the proper protective equipment, he suffered an elbow fracture and a bruised liver. His injuries were significant enough to warrant avoidance of all sports, including gym class, until the Spring. Time will tell if surgery is needed to repair the fracture in his arm. His liver is resilient and will mend without intervention. Until then, he will support his team from the bench while his mother is thinking of creative ways to camouflage the bubble wrap under his clothing. Not the place any parent wants their child to be, but it will be the reality at some point in most young athletes' careers.

Injuries occur everyday in the sports world. According to Safe Kids USA, over 3.5 million children ages 14 and under receive medical care for sports injuries each year. Fortunately, fatal injuries from sports activities are uncommon. Baseball has the highest rate of fatal injuries with 3 to 4 children killed each year, most likely from a traumatic brain injury. Contact sports carry higher rates of non-fatal injury. One study from Safe Kids USA found that 28% of football players (ages 5 to 14 years) have been injured playing the sport. In 2002, 187,000+ young football players were treated in hospital emergency rooms for their injuries. Countless others were treated in physician offices and clinics that go unreported. This same report indicated that 62% of sports injuries occur during organized practices rather than games, and that about one-third of parents do not utilize the same level of safety precautions for practices as they do for games. Why is this and how do we change it to make our young athletes safer?

First, we need to raise awareness and parents need to understand that children are not just little adults. They are more at risk for injury because they are less coordinated, less accurate, have slower reaction times and possess a poor judgment of danger and risk. Sports injury risk is related more to the child's developmental stage than age or weight. Girls are more likely to be injured at younger ages, but by puberty, boys are more frequently injured and usually with more severity. Developing tendons and ligaments are most commonly injured, and bony injury is less likely. However, caution must be taken because injury to the growth plate of immature bones can be serious.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these sports injury prevention tips:

• Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate and properly fit protective equipment such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and/or eyewear. Young athletes should not assume that protective gear will protect them from performing more dangerous or risky activities.
• Strengthen muscles. Conditioning exercises before games and during practice strengthens muscles used in play.
• Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises before and after games or practice can increase flexibility.
• Use the proper technique. This should be reinforced during the playing season.
• Take breaks. Rest periods during practice and games can reduce injuries and prevent heat illness.
• Play safe. Strict rules against headfirst sliding (baseball and softball), spearing (football), and body checking (ice hockey) should be enforced.
• Stop the activity if there is pain.
• Avoid heat injury by drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play; decrease or stop practices or competitions during high heat/humidity periods; wear light clothing
  

Please visit www.aap.org or www.usa.safekids.org for additional information.

There's An App For That!

When I hear the familiar tune for an iPhone commercial, I drop what I am doing and "rewind" the DVR, not wanting to miss a single second of the ad. I marvel over the latest apps that promise me efficiency, knowledge, fun, and tight abs. There are thousands of apps out there - 66,000 according to the newspaper this week. I thought that somewhere among the thousands of iPhone apps there had to be a few that would be beneficial to moms, so I started my search in the iTunes Store. Within minutes, I discovered I could learn Aussie slang, find my way through Paris, or track my finances. I could even identify a rare bird or a poisonous mushroom while out on a hike. Well, as a busy mom, I do not see the practicality of learning Aussie slang, and since a nature hike is a rare occurrence, an overseas adventure would be even more unlikely. Which leaves me with tracking my finances, but like I said, I have children, and well... you know what I am saying.

Dissatisfied with my initial results, I continued my quest. I had an inkling of success when I noticed, glowing on the right side of the iTunes Store window, these two perfect words - power search. Using this feature, I entered mom-related keywords, and boy, did I find the mother load of apps for mothers. There are apps that log the entire pregnancy, practically from conception. Some apps can time contractions or track the number of kicks from baby, while others are more suitable after baby for recording feedings and diaper changes. Even though the iPhone is one incredible device, it can't actually change the baby...yet. There are apps that can direct moms to the nearest playground, record vaccinations, and plot out growth charts for kids. Right at our fingertips are the tools to make parenting just a little easier.

With continued investigation, I came upon an app that all parents and moms-to-be should put on their iPhones. This free app isn't about convenience or entertainment, it is about health and safety. Fish4Health educates users about safe fish consumption for women and young children. For years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has publicized fish advisories for women and young children. The reason being that many fish and shellfish are contaminated with toxins such as mercury, PCBs, chlordane, dioxins, and DDT. These chemicals may harm the developing nervous system of a fetus or young child. Here's a quick biology lesson - these contaminants end up in our lakes, rivers, and oceans from man-made causes such as insecticide and fertilizer use in agriculture and burning of fossil fuels. These toxins settle in the water and persist for long periods of time. Bottom-feeding creatures accumulate the toxins which pass up the food chain to larger fish...the higher up the food chain, the higher the levels of contamination. Think about where humans are in the food chain and you will understand why this is a health problem for our offspring.

We know that fish consumption is an important part of a healthy diet for everyone. By following these recommendations from the EPA, women and young children can get the health benefits of eating fish and shellfish while at the same time reducing exposure to the harmful effects of mercury and other toxins. Keep in mind that children need to eat child-sized portions of fish and shellfish.

• Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
• Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
  • Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
  • Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
• Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.

So keep this advice in mind next time you are eating fish or shellfish. Download Fish4Health if you are an iPhone enthusiast. If you have other parenting issues, quandaries, or questions, take a look-see at the iTunes Store because "there's an app for that".

www.epa.gov

Holding Hands Is More Than A Sign Of Affection

The other day, my mom eyes (you know, the ones on the back of your head) caught sight of my eight-year-old son as he was darting out from our parked car right into oncoming traffic. My Ninja-like reflexes sprang into action. I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, just as any good mother in the animal kingdom does to get the immediate attention of her wayward offspring, and pulled him to safety. I gave him the stern lecture about parking lot rules for what I believe to be the bazillionth time since he took his first steps at the age of 14 months. The seriousness of my words melted him into a puddle of tears, but he needs to learn how to stay safe. My son, like other children his age, is impulsive, impatient, and inattentive, and he does not have ADD. His young mind is distracted by the way the wind blows, "Puffles", and coming up with another reason why he can't clean his room. In addition, he is completely incapable of just walking anywhere, his choice of forward motion is a jump, lunge, or gallop. I know from all my child development classes that children do not fully their develop depth perception or spatial awareness until the tween years. When you add in impaired judgment of speed and distance and the usual clumsiness of a growing body, my son (and every other child) is a walking, talking accident waiting to happen. Fortunately, I have managed to keep him from harm's way and have every intention of continuing this trend, even if it means that I occasionally dent his self-esteem. My thought is that tears and sadness can be fixed with a big hug and an "I love you", where as an injured brain...not so much. Within minutes following this incident, I knew all was fine with him as his little hand grabbed onto mine when we reached the corner of the street and safely crossed it together.

I share this little tale as children everywhere are heading back to school. They will be spending more time out of view of your watchful eye. According to a recent statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), approximately 900 pedestrians younger than 19 years of age are killed each year. Additionally, another 51,000 children are injured as pedestrians and about 10% of these children require hospitalization for their injuries. It is suggested by the AAP that children 10 years and younger be supervised when crossing the street or when in other areas with vehicular traffic. You need to be aware of pedestrian safety and review it often with your children, no matter what their age is. Use those teachable moments to your advantage, whenever or wherever they occur. There is a great song called "In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle" by They Might Be Giants. With its toe-tapping xylophonic refrain, this memorable tune teaches young kids the basics of safely crossing the street. For additional information about pedestrian safety for children, please refer to Safe Kids USA. Since 2000, their initiative, "Safe Kids Walk This Way", has provided pedestrian safety education around the world. So whether you use a song, a safety tip sheet, or teach your children the rules of the road (and parking lot) by rote, just remember to hold their hands too.

http://www.usa.safekids.org/wtw/

Sleep And A Little Shakespeare

Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber;
Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.

Sleep...we all do it, none of us get enough of it, and as parents we obsess about it at various points of our child's life. A parent of a newborn is thrilled with the little milestones...a 2 hour stretch of sleep at night...a nap that coincides with a much-needed shower for mom. We all remember when our baby slept through the night for the first time. I thought that I would be well rested when that day came, but I was not. Instead of reveling in the quiet slumber of my baby and catching some solid zzz's myself, I would anxiously drift in and out of sleep all night, believing at any moment, she would wake. With the preschool years come new sleep issues...they need the nap and we need them to take the nap, but by nightfall, they are not tired because of that nap. Also, the monsters under the bed, extra drinks and then visits to the potty are diversional tactics that all 4-year-olds master. It is all over when they figure out that asking for extra hugs and kisses actually get a reaction from mom and dad. They eventually grow out of that and one day wake up as a teenager. However, I will leave this topic to a future post as there is so much to say about the vampire-like sleep habits of adolescents. Today, I am focused on my school-aged children and their sleep hygiene (a term I haven't used since grad school). According to the research, many school-aged children average 1-2 hours less sleep each night than they require for expected growth and development. This can lead to inattention, poor performance in school and athletics, and cranky kids with crankier parents.

School starts in two days for my children. During the summer, school-year bedtime habits fall by the wayside and are replaced by late nights and late mornings. We will have a brutal wake-up call as my daughter catches her bus at 7:25 AM., over an hour earlier than previous years. Every August, we have this same conversation about two weeks before school starts, and it goes something like this..."Tonight, let's put the kids to bed 15 minutes earlier than last night and wake them up earlier, and do this each night until they are back to the usual school-year bedtime." However, it never happens. Somehow it just does not seem right to force them to go to bed when the sun still shines and other kids are outside playing. I did give the earlier bedtime a go last night, but ten minutes later I heard "I can't fall asleep" uttered by my son. I do take comfort in the fact that my friends and their kids are in the same sinking ship as we are, just like when we had sleepless nights with our newborns. Now that it is Tminus48 hours until school, I guess my kids will have to get by on the first-day-of-school rush and hope is lasts until the weekend, and we grown-ups will rely on our friend, Caffeine, a little more than usual over the next few weeks. Tonight, I will try our bedtime plan again, and when I hear "I can't fall asleep!", perhaps I will read them some Shakespeare.

There's A First Time For Everything

A first child, a first smile, a first tooth, a first haircut, a first step, a first word...there are many "firsts" in the journey of parenthood. As a mother of two, I have experienced many of these "firsts" with my own children and I know I have many "firsts" still yet to come. Some I will embrace (like a first place finish in a swim meet) and some I will want to delay (like the first heartbreak of a teen crush). It is inevitable, our children grow up without our consent. They continue to have "firsts" just as we do as parents. We all remember our first gray hair, right?

Well as I sit here today, with my Mac in my lap, I am experiencing another "first" of my own. I am blogging. I am a blogger. I have a blog. A few years ago, these words were not in my vocabulary. Now I can't make it through a day without saying some derivation of the word "blog". I have read many blogs in the past...happy, intense, silly, political, humorous...I have enjoyed them all for what they offer.

My blog, The Crib Sheets, is a new feature from The Baby Squad. I chose this name because of its double entendre - the obvious meaning of bedding for a baby's bed, and alternately, a cheat sheet, a concise set of notes used for quick reference. My intention is to provide new and seasoned parents with helpful tips and information to get them through all of their "firsts". My years as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner have given me insight, knowledge and many funny tales. I hope that you continue to read and follow my blog and see how it grows.