Top parenting stories this week
Keeping Kids Healthy
Five ways to protect your family during cold and flu season
by: Dr. JJ Levenstein
Preventing Colds and Flu
- Bundle kids up and go outside instead of hanging out in germ-ridden indoor playgrounds, malls and other densely populated areas.
- Teach kids to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm running water for 20 seconds.
- Use disinfectant furniture wipes around surfaces such as doorknobs and shopping carts.
- Keep a sick child at home and avoid traveling until she’s feeling better–typically 24 hours after her fever is gone.
s a pediatrician and mom, I know the flu often favors little ones who aren’t overly concerned about catching a bug when they’re jumping into a ball pit at an indoor playground. Fortunately, in addition to getting them the flu vaccine, there are a number of things parents can do to keep kids healthy and bug-free during cold and flu season. To view the full story click here.
Halloween Safety Tips
How to protect and prepare your children for Halloween without making them afraid to have fun
by: Paula Statman
Halloween Safety
- Discuss Halloween safety tips with all of your children, no matter what age they are.
- Empower your kids by teaching them exactly what to do instead of warning them about what could happen if they disobey. (Fear disables kids and prevents them from thinking on their feet.)
- When you're out trick-or-treating, only visit well-lit areas and stay on porches rather than entering people's homes.
- If they're out with other kids, attach their names and addresses inside their costumes.
- To prevent falls and other injuries, make sure your child's costume fits properly and is no longer than her ankles. Use makeup or face paint as opposed to masks that might block her vision.
alloween is a fun time for kids and adults alike–even toddlers can have a blast when it comes time to trick-or-treat. But, as with everything, "safety first." Here's how to keep your tiniest ghosts and goblins protected while having fun on Halloween. To view the full story click here.
Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
With a resurgence of H1N1 virus, keeping their kids healthy is on every parent’s mind. Here’s how to keep your family cold and flu free.
by: Nancy Ripton
Flu Prevention
- Washing hands is the best way to prevent illness.
- Baby wipes are not strong enough to kill germs.
- Teach your child to cough or sneeze into her sleeve.
- Don’t send your child to school with a fever, stomach flu or if she is feeling ill.
- Everyone over the age of six months should get a flu shot.
lu season officially starts in October, and with a new resurgence of H1N1virus (Swine Flu) excepted to hit soon, it’s more important than ever to take a few precautions. Here’s how to keep your family flu-free this year: To view the full story click here.
Preventing Food Allergies
Could your child be allergic to certain foods? Here’s what you need to know.
by: Joey Shulman
Food Allergies
- Parents can minimize, or even prevent, the onset of an allergic response.
- An allergic response occurs when the body identifies an otherwise harmless food as a dangerous invader.
- Delayed allergic response can occur anywhere from one hour to several days after contact with an allergen.
- Avoid introducing cow's milk until your child is a year old and their digestive system is more mature.
ood allergies can be an underlying cause of many childhood illnesses such as skin ailments, digestive issues or respiratory problems, but in many cases you can minimize, or even prevent, the onset of an allergic response. Here's what you need to know about food allergies: To view the full story click here.
Kids and Stomach Flu
Here’s what to do when your child comes home with the flu
by: Sydney Loney
Kids and Stomach Flu
- Children are prone to stomach bugs because their immune systems are immature.
- If your child has a stomach virus, he's likely to be most contagious up to the first few days of the illness.
- Flu bugs can last anywhere from one to 14 days, although vomiting shouldn't last for more than 24 hours.
- Instead of plain water, give your child Pedialyte, ginger ale or sports drinks to prevent dehydration.
- Give your child nothing but fluids until at least six hours after the vomiting has ended, then slowly introduce bland foods, such as plain white toast.
tomach bugs are common when it comes to kids–if your child is attending nursery school, going to daycare or simply hanging with friends at the park, there's a good chance he'll eventually end up with the flu. Here's what you need to know: To view the full story click here.
