FAMILY LIFE
Give presents that promote a healthy lifestyle. Keep health in mind when making your list and checking it twice.
Ask for or give “Gift of Time Coupons” for shoveling snow, cooking a healthy meal, cleaning the house, and doing other active household chores throughout the year.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Many babies use pacifiers or their fingers to soothe themselves. But which is best and when should they stop?
The thumb and finger habit
Many babies will suck on a favorite thumb or finger. This is normal. There are some good things about this habit:
* You don’t have to buy a pacifier. And, you don’t have to worry about it falling on the floor and getting dirty.
* A baby always has it when they need it.
There are some downsides to this habit, including:
* Babies may touch things and get germs on their hands. Then, these germs get in their mouth.
* Thumb sucking may increase the risk of ear infections.
* You can’t take it away when you want them to quit the habit!
Using a pacifier
Many babies get pacifiers right after birth and use them for months or years. They can be helpful because they:
* Can reduce pain during shots or blood draws.
* They may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
* You can take them away when you want them to stop using it.
Pacifiers aren’t always good. They can:
* Cause problems with breastfeeding.
* Get lost or fall on a dirty floor or surface.
* Increase the risk of ear infections.
* Cause dental problems with long-term use (longer than 6 months).
Your child’s needs
Many parents find that they need to allow their baby to soothe with fingers or a pacifier. Without it, their baby may be fussy or may not sleep well. Keep these things in mind when weighing the pros and cons:
* It’s best to use pacifiers in babies under 6 months. After 1 year of age, babies should start to wean off the pacifier.
* Don’t put honey or anything else on a pacifier. Wash it often and especially after it touches the floor or dirty objects.
* Thumb and finger sucking can be hard to stop. If your child doesn’t stop by age 4, talk to their doctor.
If you have questions about pacifier use or thumb sucking, talk to your child’s pediatrician.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
For more and more school-age children the Epipen is becoming a necessity for completing the back-to-school supply list. In fact, allergic conditions are one of the most common medical conditions affecting children in the U.S.
“Accidental exposure to allergens at school is a major concern for kids with severe allergies since any exposure could be fatal,” said Dr. Joyce Rabbat, pediatric allergist at Loyola University Health System.
Food allergies are the most concerning for school-age children since allergens can be hidden in food or utensils and pots and pans could be contaminated without the child’s knowledge. Dr. Rabbat said that parents of children with food allergies should ensure an Allergy Action Plan is in place for the child at his or her school.
This really could mean life or death to the child,” she said in suggesting that parents should make sure the school reviews the child’s health records that they provide from the doctor. She also suggests asking what the school does to prevent accidental exposure and that staff are trained to deal with an emergency situation.
If the child is older and knows how to self-administer medications, Dr. Rabbat suggests talking to the school about allowing the child to carry the medication with them. If that is not allowed at the school, make sure the following medications are available:
* Epinephrine autoinjectors
* Antihistamines
* Albuterol rescue inhalers
Also make sure a staff member, who is available at all times, is properly trained on to how to administer these medications and that your child is familiar with this person.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Your family is where you learn who you are and how to relate to others. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the human need to belong and have close, long-term relationships. Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, family experiences can promote or hinder your well-being.
Tips to foster family well-being
* Live a healthy lifestyle together.
– Plan for, shop, and eat healthy foods.
– Exercise as a family if you can. Or, promote physical activity suited for each family member.
– Get enough sleep.
* Plan to eat at least one meal a day together. Have each person talk about his or her day, such as stating the best part and worst part.
* Spend time together. Attend important events for each family member.
* Express care and concern. Be available to help each other out. Listen, listen, listen.
* Practice good manners. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Make it a practice to send thank you calls, notes, letters, or emails to others for gifts and other acts of kindness.
* Express affection. Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.”
* Discuss the value of the family as a whole. Encourage individual expression and development.
* Define clear, yet flexible roles for family members. Assign family chores.
* Keep the house as organized as possible.
* Discuss the need to adapt to changes and deal with stressful events.
* Seek professional help for problems the family cannot deal with on its own.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Moving is a major change for all members of the family. Whether you’re buying a house across town or heading across the country, a new home can be stressful, fun and confusing at the same time. Kids – and parents – of all ages may need some help during the transition:
*Plan in advance.Sometimes moves have to happen quickly due to a new job or other situation. But if you can, give your kids plenty of time to tell their friends about the move and to say goodbye. Get addresses, emails and phone numbers so they can keep in touch. Take pictures with friends and at your old home.
*Talk about it and support each other.Be open with your child, teen or spouse. It’s okay to miss your old home or town. Ask them how they’re feeling. Having good communication can help relieve stress and work through tough feelings.
*Keep your routine.As much as possible, do the same things you used to do once you’re in your new home. Cook familiar dishes for dinner and keep family activities the same. This can help everyone adjust.
Essential moving items
When you’re moving, you may feel like you don’t have anything you need at your new place. Make sure you pack these important items to get by until you’re settled in:
* Keys, wallet, purse and cell phone
* Chargers for electronics
* Medicines
* Toiletries, such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and deodorant
* Toilet paper and tissues
* Shower curtain
* First aid kit
* Sheets and pillows
* Plates, cups, utensils and napkins
* Dish soap and hand soap
* Easy meals and snacks
* Favorite books or toys for kids
* A few changes of clothes and laundry detergent
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Children can be strangled by window cords on blinds and curtains. In fact, such tragedies are among the top hazards in American homes. Infants and children die each year from accidental strangling in the cords.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that only cordless window coverings or those with unreachable cords be used in homes with young children. They are available today in the marketplace and will prevent window blind strangulations.
In addition, the Window Covering Safety Council encourages parents, grandparents and caregivers to follow these basic cord-safety precautions:
* Move all furniture, cribs, beds, and climbable surfaces away from windows.
* Keep all window shades, blinds, and drapery cords well out of the reach of children.
* Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Marriage and relationships take lots of work. When a couple has a problem, they may wonder whether marriage therapy or couples counseling could help.
Counseling usually includes talk therapy. This means you talk to a professional counselor about your issues. But, therapy isn’t just about talking. Your counselor may help one or both partners address mental health problems that can interfere with the relationship. For example, issues such as depression or anxiety may need treatment. This can go hand-in-hand with the couples counseling.
When a couple goes to counseling, they can get “tools” to use in daily life that help them with their communications. For instance, therapy can give you new ways to look at challenges or problems. This can help you address issues before they become too big to handle. You may also learn ways to talk to each other so you can work out arguments in positive and constructive ways.
However, if the marriage involves physical or emotional abuse, couples counseling is not going to be the answer. Instead, the person who is abusing their partner should seek treatment for their problems. The victim of abuse should speak privately with their doctor about how they can get away from the abuse.
Help for resolving arguments
If you need to talk something out with your spouse, try these tips:
* Listen first. Rather than tell your side, calmly listen to what your partner has to say. When he or she is done, then take your turn to speak.
* Don’t interrupt, and don’t yell.
* Be honest, but don’t insult. Talk about the behavior or incident that upset you. For instance: “When you did X, I felt like you didn’t care about my feelings.” Avoid name-calling.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, National Domestic Violence Hotline
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
Going back to school is a big transition for kids. Providing extra support and understanding can ensure a smooth start to the school year and a positive school experience.
Ease into a daily routine
A week or two before school starts, gradually establish an appropriate sleep and meal schedule. A tired or hungry child will struggle to manage their feelings. Set them up for success.
Plan a daily chat time
It doesn’t have to be long, but set aside ten or fifteen minutes to check in with your child. Ask questions and let them share their thoughts and feelings about their day.
Make time for play
Play is how kids relax and make sense of the world around them. Unstructured play should be a non-negotiable part of your child’s day.
If your child is struggling, it helps to talk to your pediatrician. Your healthcare provider can recommend stress management techniques or address any other needs your child may have.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
When somebody needs to see the doctor, it’s best to make the most of your visit, said Dr. Hannah Chow, Loyola University Health System pediatrician, who shares this advice:
* Ask your most important questions first. Bring a list of questions. Keep it short.
* Make good use of the office nurse. Sometimes the nurse can answer your questions by phone right away. A doctor may not be able to call you back until the end of the day.
* Make sure your phone number and address are correct in your chart.
* Never assume no news is good news regarding tests, labs, X-rays and other similar results. Always contact your doctor’s office if you do not receive a test result in the expected time frame.
* Fill out papers to the best of your ability. If the doctor needs to sign a release to the school to give your child medication, fill out which drug and which child.
* Don’t bring too many other children to the appointments.
* Schedule annual physicals early. Doctors’ offices get very busy for back-to-school and sports appointments.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
FAMILY LIFE
When it comes to finding toys to encourage a child’s interest in science, sometimes simpler can be better and yet more sophisticated.
Creighton University professor of physics Dr. Gintaras Duda suggests looking at toys with a tactile, kinesthetic component that can help illustrate scientific principles while allowing a child to come up with new ways to play.
“If you can get kids to be creative, that’s the main thing,” Dr. Duda said. “Let them sort of figure out how these things work. It’s great scientific learning. Yes, kids love to play with the iPad, but if you dump a bin of Legos out in front of them and let them go, you’ll always be surprised at what they come up with.”
Hands-on building blocks, tower sets, and a strangely behaving substance known as kinesthetic sand, which shares certain properties with regular sand but performs differently as it’s being molded, have all captured children’s attention and imagination.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine