ML Interest Tag: medication

11 Things That Should Be on Your Daycare Checklist

by Oz Spies

Set up your child for a great start with this list of must-haves

Diapers? Check. Lunch? Check. A sleepy child? Check! If you’re wondering what to pack for daycare, and even if your childcare provider has a list of items kids will need on a typical day, some things can make all the difference in your little one’s day. From weather-appropriate gear to a family photo, here’s your handy daycare checklist of must-haves and why they’re important.

1. Labels
Slap your kid’s name on everything, from bottles to clothes. We love Mabel’s Labels because they’re pre-printed with your child’s name, come in easy-to-use packs, and stay put through hundreds of washings. Put waterproof labels on your child’s bag, lunch bag, jacket, and inside shoes. If your child has food allergies, order allergy labels, too.

2. Bottles & Liquids
Depending on how long your little one will be at daycare, you’ll need baby bottles plus breast milk or formula or, for older kids, a leak-proof water bottle. Be sure to pre-measure the formula. Most daycares have refrigerators or freezers available to keep liquids cold.

3. Lunch Bag & Bibs
You’ll also need a lunch bag and bib if your little one eats solid food. An insulated lunch bag is best, as it keeps food cool and can be used later on for picnics and other excursions. We love the PackIt lunch bags with built-in cold packs.

4. Diapers & Wipes
Gather up diapers in the right size, and send off as many as your little one will need at the start of each week, with a few extra just in case. It’s easiest to label diapers with a Sharpie. Be sure to send a labeled pack of wipes, too. And pack diaper cream if your little one is prone to rashes.

5. Spare Clothes
Pack at least two spare outfits for your child. You never know when your little one will have a blowout or get food or art supplies on themselves, and childcare centers don’t usually have spare clothes in every size. Check the size and seasonality of the spare clothes in your bag every two or three months so your kiddo isn’t stuck in shorts two sizes too small in January. Oh, and don’t forget extra socks!

6. Medication
If your child takes medication regularly, bring a brand new bottle with you in its original packaging. Most daycares have very specific requirements due to licensing and keeping little ones safe. Be sure to follow those requirements carefully so your baby’s medication is readily available and can be dispensed by daycare staff when needed.

7. Sunscreen & a Hat
You want your baby’s skin protected during outdoor playtime, so packing baby-friendly sunscreen is a must. Send a labeled bottle of your favorite sunscreen, and add a sun hat for extra coverage.

8. Weather Gear
Fresh air is brain food for babies, and most daycares bring kids outside as often as possible, even if it’s just for a few minutes. That means toddlers might stomp around in puddles or stare up at snowflakes. Pack weather-appropriate gear (boots, jackets, hats) so your little one is comfortable, no matter the weather.

9. A Family Photo
Many daycares put family photos up on their walls or have them in a readily available photo album. Little ones love to look at pics of their family members—just like we do. Check with your child’s school to see if they have specific requirements for what types of photos to send.

10. Lovies
Lovies make the transition from home to daycare a little easier, so it’s a must on our daycare checklist. Remember, while it’s a good idea to pack a favorite snuggly item, don’t send something irreplaceable (or buy a backup), as blankies can disappear. Also, ask if your daycare center has policies on what you can and can’t bring. Order a pair of matching lovies, like the snuggly offerings from Bunnies by the Bay, or the two-packs of security blankets from Copper Pearl, and you’ll be all set. A few days before the big drop-off day at daycare, hold the lovie to give it some of your comforting scent.

11. Lists of Your Little One’s Likes & Dislikes, Plus Paperwork
Does your baby love a good lullaby before naps or hate avocados? Daycares usually send home paperwork that includes a getting-to-know-you child form, plus essential information like medical history and development and milestone updates. Fill out these forms and include any additional information your baby’s caregivers might need so they can take good care of your sweet babe.

Make sure to snap some photos of their first day of daycare—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

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Getting Help for ADD/ADHD

By Angela Rainbolt

Our family has a history with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) that goes back to the late 70s. My brother was the first person in the family that was labeled in this way. I use the word labeled as opposed to diagnosed because there was no treatment. My brother was not prescribed medication and my parents were not prompted to see a therapist, or purchase any books, or anything else that was helpful. My parents were told that it was a discipline problem.

Fast forward to sometime in late 1994. My two-year-old daughter went to bed one night as a sweet little girl and woke up the next morning a different kid.  I’m quite aware of how crazy that sounds and, perhaps, the change was not that fast. I think the important thing is that it felt that fast. I was a single working mother, so my daughter had to attend daycare/preschool. I thought this might be exactly what she needed, but the problems started almost immediately. Daycare providers would complain that she wouldn’t take a nap. It’s hard to talk about but twice I was called about a daycare teacher putting their hands on my daughter. I looked forward to her school years because I was under the impression that public schools would be more trained at handling a child like my daughter.

In 1998, she finally entered kindergarten, and, to my dismay, it was rough. We lived in a small town and nearly every day at pick up I was greeted by a teacher that could not cope. The unfortunate part was that she never requested that we sit down and come up with solutions. Instead, she was demanding and insistent that I take care of my daughter’s behavior in the classroom from home. I was dumbfounded and saddened by this. Little did I know, this would be the theme of her educational years.

There were only three teachers over the years of her education that tried to be helpful. We moved halfway through her kindergarten year. It was after we moved that her new kindergarten teacher and I spoke about ADHD. The teacher sent me home with some materials to read and, to me, ADHD was undeniable. I took my daughter to her pediatrician. The doctor agreed that she had ADHD and prescribed Ritalin for her. Yes, the Ritalin helped a great deal. What didn’t help were the teachers that would call and admonish me on the days that the medication was forgotten. Over the next twelve years, I battled teachers and counselors for accommodations, help, or just some compassion. There was very little of that over the years.

I’ve thought a lot about those years. Between the ages of 6 and 18, there were more and more “symptoms” that popped up. I questioned whether my child’s only problem was ADHD. The problems increased astronomically after the age of 13 and at 16 I took her to therapy/counseling. This wasn’t her first visit.  She had been in and out of counseling for years, but this was the first time that I had brought up some of the more disturbing behaviors concerning food and social cues. I was never prompted to do psychological testing. At no point over the years was I ever prompted to get an official psychological diagnosis. So, you can imagine how hard it hit me when my daughter was given an additional diagnosis of Asperger’s at the age of 27.

My daughter is a grown woman now with a husband and two children. She has been taking ADD medication as an adult and helps tremendously. At the time that she was diagnosed we were never told that medication could be a lifetime endeavor. I never found ADD/ADHD support groups and I always felt as though I was dealing with it alone. I’m sure she felt the same way. Those years created a person that will always speak with passion and compassion about ADD/ADHD. The path that I was pointed towards should never be the path taken.

So, if one morning you wake up with a child that is world’s different than they were the day before…breathe. ADD/ADHD is not an easy road and your life will never be the same. I am urging you to do things differently than I did. Much like “When you know better, you do better,” I am passing on a different adage, “When you know better you let everyone else know.” Back then I read a lot of books and magazine articles. They were all about behavioral issues and how to solve them. The topic was always the child. This isn’t a bad idea, and I would still recommend it. But here’s what I would do differently now.

Maybe you’ve heard that “patience is a virtue.” I can tell you, without a doubt, that it is and when you have a child with ADD/ADHD you will find yourself running very short on patience. Take care of yourself. Practice yoga.  Go to the park and join those folks doing Tai Chi. Meditate. Normalize imperfection.  Please do not ever be afraid of taking time for yourself. Even flight attendants tell us to put our own oxygen on before helping others. And after you have taken care of your own oxygen mask, take your child to a psychologist. Your entire family deserves to know what you are dealing with. A psychological diagnosis, as opposed to just visiting your family doctor or a pediatrician, could change you and your child’s lives. And lastly, find yourself a support group. There seems to be a group for just about everything on Facebook these days and, more than likely, there is one out there that would be a good fit for your situation. From one parent to another, you’ve got this!!

I am a single mom of three beautiful daughters ages 29, 20, and 15.  At 50, I am recently divorced and making a career change.  I'm trying to put my BA and my MA to use finally!  My life hasn't always been easy but I feel good about the future!

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3 Ways to Combat Postpartum Depression

By Dr. Alan Lindemann

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it’s not uncommon for women to get the “baby blues” in the first 8–10 weeks after delivering. Mothers with the “baby blues” will often contact their care providers one or two weeks after giving birth complaining of sadness and difficulty taking care of their newborn. Some express guilt over feeling they’re not being a good parent. Some may be having trouble breastfeeding their babies. These “baby blues,” ACOG claims, resolve on their own. If depression continues after 8–10 weeks, however, it is called postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression poses a serious risk to new mother’s lives. When left untreated, they may even develop postpartum psychosis, in which the mother’s life and those of her children are then at risk.

Approximately one in seven women experiences postpartum depression in the first year after birth. You are certainly not alone if you are struggling with this experience. The very good news to be aware of is that postpartum depression is absolutely treatable.

This well-known, challenging condition so many new mothers battle also has a well-worn path to remediation. You do not need to suffer in silence or “tough it out.” In fact, it is much more dangerous to do so. If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, contact your doctor right away and begin the three-step process detailed below.

How to Beat Postpartum Depression

1. Secure a Diagnosis 
The first step in treatment is diagnosis. In the more than 6,000 births I’ve facilitated, none of my patients came to bodily harm due to postpartum depression or psychosis because I implemented checkups within the first two weeks—not six, as insurance companies deem necessary. In the absence of a proactive postpartum checkup plan from your doctor, however, it is crucial that you set up a plan yourself. Talk to your care providers, your partner, and trusted loved ones and create a checkup system for your first six weeks after birth, and throughout the first year.

Your spouse can be a valuable resource for women suffering from postpartum depression. Spouses can often recognize the signs of depression before the mother does.

And if you are reading this after giving birth and already in the midst of your struggle, call your doctor and any support people in your life now. Having a plan beforehand is wonderful, but it is not too late to get the help you need and start feeling better, for yourself and for your new baby.

2. Commit to Counseling
Work with your obstetrician to connect with a psychiatrist right away. In my experience, postpartum depression can be greatly mitigated by simple and timely access to care for the problem.

If you do not have a preexisting relationship with a psychiatrist and have not established one through your doctor before the birth, you can still start now. It may take time to get in for your first psychiatric appointment, however, so be prepared for your OBGYN to connect you with an appropriate postpartum counselor in the meantime.

3. Be Open to Medication
When “baby blues” become postpartum depression, the priority must be helping you break free from this debilitating and dangerous state. Medication is a reliable way to achieve this. Once postpartum depression is diagnosed, treatment involves counseling and taking serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications. SNRI medications motivate and promote happiness and comfort. Moms are not only less depressed, but also begin to feel like taking care of their new baby.

Getting well and breaking the cycle of depression must be a priority. If you are in the midst of postpartum depression now, share your feelings with your spouse or a support person. Your OBGYN should be an excellent resource for you to tap into right away for listening to you and helping you get the care you need. Your physician can get you connected with a counselor and, ultimately, a psychiatrist.

If you are breastfeeding and need to take medications for postpartum depression or anxiety, both you and your physician should discuss the risks and make the decision together about what medications to take. Research shows very little of the medication for postpartum depression or anxiety will get into your breast milk, but you and your physician should make this decision together.

And if you need to speak with someone immediately and cannot reach your physician or support person, don’t hesitate to use your local community hotlines for depression.

Again, postpartum depression is a treatable condition. Discussion of postpartum depression with your physician should be part of your birth plan. You absolutely can make it through this challenging time and begin feeling like yourself again—and actually enjoy having time with your new baby.

RELATED:
What You Need to Know about Postpartum
Is it Postpartum Depression or Just ‘Baby Blues’?
To the Mothers who Struggle With Postpartum Depression

Dr. Alan Lindemann
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

An obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, “Rural Doc” Alan Lindemann, M.D. teaches women and families how to create the outcomes they want for their own health and pregnancy. In nearly 40 years of practice, he has delivered around 6,000 babies and achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero! Visit LindemannMD.com

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There Is No Silver Bullet to Healing from Trauma

By Jess Ader-Ferretti HBIC at Shit Moms Won't Say

Trauma isn’t linear.

I’ll start there. You don’t wake up one day and say “I’m going to quickly fix and move on from this thing that’s been stabbing me with a million tiny needles an hour for years. (Wipes hands) problem solved.” There is no silver bullet to healing.

Trauma also begets trauma. Once you’re exposed, it’s like an all-hands-on-deck pile on until you finally figure out how to genuinely feel your feelings. Recently, I was enlightened to the idea that instead of going through healing, I could go around it. You believe you’re doing the work. Truly, you do. In reality though, you’re kind of just going around it. Yes, you’re checking all of the boxes: Therapy. Check. Medication. Check. Openness to new ways to heal. Check, check friggity check.

You’re showing up to find the light, but you’re keeping your sunglasses on. To attempt a bit more eloquence, it was described to me like this: Picture a sphere. You can go over it and look down at it, you can go around it and take a quick peek, but the biggest impact would come from going through it. You can’t miss it if you go right through it. You become engulfed by the sphere and, by proxy, have to take some of it on to get back out again. Sure, you can see it from all of the angles, but you won’t heal from a drive-by. You need to be stuck in traffic for a while to really appreciate a clear lane.

I had never really thought about it before. I mean, I can’t deny it – I essentially hold a Ph.D. in intellectualizing the intangible. I don’t cry often, I carry other people’s guilt, and the word “trauma” makes me cringe. I invalidate my own feelings about my own trauma as soon as it comes out of my own mouth. I started thinking though, I can’t be alone in this. I am not the only person working around healing. More specifically, I’m not the only parent struggling with what it looks like to do the work while being present for your family.

Trauma manifests in the ways your body allows it to. The ways in which our brains and hearts feel like it won’t kill us. That’s really what we’re fighting for, right? This trauma that was imposed on us as kids, teenagers, young adults, whatever has the ability to literally kill us if we let it. I process things to abandon them; I don’t process to own them and learn from them. I want them gone as soon as I acknowledge it. Out of sight, out of mind has been my factory setting for a long time.

I’ve been in and out of therapy most of my life. When I was younger, I shared a therapist and a psychiatrist with my narcissistic parents. So, as you can imagine, the narrative was a bit cloudy when it came to healing. I took a long break. I made the choice to stop therapy and stop medication at a point where I felt like I could handle the world without it. In reality, I wasn’t actually getting anything from it because I wasn’t encouraged to put anything into it. We learn how to process our emotions from our upbringing, that’s no major secret. If your upbringing correlates emotions that don’t fit a specific narrative to insanity, you very quickly learn to get in line and keep your thoughts to yourself.

I’m at the point in this piece where I’m questioning why I’m even writing it. Do I want to congratulate myself for someone else recognizing that I have more work to do than I thought? Or, do I want to write about this because I feel alone in it and know that’s not the case. I’m cautiously optimistic that it’s the latter. Becoming a parent rocked my world in a way I really wasn’t expecting. Being the product of cyclical, narcissistic abuse and mental illness, I went into parenthood with the fear of repetition. Would I be capable of loving my daughter in the way she deserved to be loved? Would I impose my own emotional detachment and accidentally discourage her feelings? Would I repeat the cycle?

I’m writing this from the outside of the sphere as I contemplate what it looks like to actually go in. I worry that doing the work now will take away from the most innocent years of my daughter’s life. I also worry that saving the work for later will take away from a time where she’ll need my emotional availability the most. Being a parent is freakin’ hard. We are challenged to be our best selves while raising better versions of who we became. I want my daughter to know that crying isn’t weak and that being yourself isn’t shameful. I want her to stay weird and feel like she can tell me when she does something stupid. I don’t want her to make a story shiny just because it will be more consumable for someone to digest. I don’t want her to hold her opinions—she has them, she should use them. She’s entitled to them.

That’s why I have to do the work now. Through my box-checking (and a great therapist and the support of my friends and family to explore healing outside of traditional therapy), I’ve certainly made progress. I have pride in my learned ability to parent in spite and the very genuine bond I have with my daughter. I recognize my inability to let go of the past and my trauma-based identity. If you’re reading this and nodding, I see you. We are not all our mother’s daughters. We are not all our parent’s children. Being a product of your environment and your trauma doesn’t have to equate to repetition or, even worse, regression. Recognizing where you’ve been has the best potential to navigate where you need to go.

Jess Ader-Ferretti HBIC at Shit Moms Won't Say
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Jess Ader-Ferretti is the creator and host of the growingly popoular web series, Shit Moms Won't Say. Jess is a born and rasied New Yorker who lives with her wife, Katie and their daughter, Lillie. Tune into Shit Moms Won't Say every Monday at 8PM EST

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Suffering from Anxiety While Pregnant? Here’s What You Need to Know

By Dr. Alan Lindemann

If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from clinical anxiety, you may be wondering how best to navigate it during your pregnancy. Here are answers to some of the most common questions pregnant women with anxiety are curious about. As with any pregnancy advice you read, be sure to connect with your key care providers to help support you through your unique pregnancy journey.

1. Are many pregnant women bothered by anxiety? Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder, and women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with it. If you historically suffer from anxiety, you are likely to need strategies to deal with it and keep you and your baby happy and healthy during your pregnancy. Onset of new pathologic anxiety during pregnancy is not common, but communicate with your care provider if this is your experience so you can get additional support as needed. (Normal pregnancy-related anxiety is common, and doesn’t need any treatment.)

2. Does anxiety carry risks to my pregnancy? Anxiety and other stresses in pregnancy are associated with miscarriage, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. If you are suffering from anxiety and become pregnant, it’s important to work with your care provider to create an action plan so you can optimize your pregnancy outcomes.

3. What are some natural (drug-free) ways to deal with anxiety during pregnancy? Enlist the help of your partner in creating and maintaining a calm pregnancy environment. You can also try yoga, meditation, and walking. Be sure to talk to your obstetrician as well. If s/he doesn’t feel comfortable helping you with your anxiety, ask for a referral to a counselor

4. Is it safe to take anxiety medications while pregnant? Taking anxiety medications during pregnancy does carry some risks to your baby (depending on the medication), including cleft lip and “floppy baby syndrome” (i.e., hypothermia, lethargy, poor respiratory effort, and feeding problems). Your infant may also suffer from withdrawal from certain medications. Be sure to consult with your prescribing physician and understand all the risks before making your decision.

5. What if I’m on anxiety medication when I get pregnant? Work with your prescribing physician to slowly decrease dosage over a period of about three weeks until you can wean yourself off. While some anxiety medications can be taken during pregnancy, they all cause some risk to your baby, and it is best to go off the medications if possible.

In the end, the decision needs to be weighed from the perspective of where the greatest benefit will be compared to the greatest harm. If not taking your medication could result in self-harm, for example, your physician may recommend you continue taking it in spite of the potential risks to your pregnancy.

Dr. Alan Lindemann
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

An obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, “Rural Doc” Alan Lindemann, M.D. teaches women and families how to create the outcomes they want for their own health and pregnancy. In nearly 40 years of practice, he has delivered around 6,000 babies and achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero! Visit LindemannMD.com

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A Pediatrician Mom Shares 10 Tips to Survive Cold & Cough Season

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

The sniffles, a bug, a common cold—no matter what you call it, being sick is a pain, and seeing your tiny human under the weather is tough on parents. While you may not be able to fully prevent your little one from catching a virus, there are some steps you can take to help your odds and ways to make things easier on your family when you have a child feeling out of sorts.

We talked to Dr. Amna Husain, a board-certified pediatrician at Pure Direct Pediatrics in Malrboro, New Jersey and mom of one, about her tips for making cold and cough season a little easier on her young patients. Read on for her ten tips to survive cold and cough season:

This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**

The Common Cold Is Very Common

Ermolaev Alexander via Shutterstock

We’ll start with some tough news: your kid will likely get sick. “It is really normal to have a cold. The common cold is caused by a lot of different viruses,” says Dr. Husain. “There’s tons of viruses out there, and it’s very normal for a child to get eight to twelve colds a year.” The good news: The sniffles are usually not something to stress about, and the average cold will last three to seven days—so you don’t have to worry about them being under the weather for too long.

Remember the Basics

You already know the easiest way to prevent illness, and you child probably does too. “It really goes back to the mainstay of things that we’ve heard so commonly like wash your hands and cover your cough,” says Dr. Husain. Remind little ones to wash their hands when they leave the bathroom, before they eat, when they come in from being outside and after they sneeze, to name a few. Now is also a great time to refresh your kid’s memory about coughing and sneezing into their elbow or into a tissue, when possible.

Sanitize Smartly

As a mom herself, Dr. Husain knows the importance of on-the-go options: “Nothing will ever replace soap and water, but hand sanitizer is incredibly convenient.” If you’re using hand sanitizer, Dr. Husain says to look for a sanitizer that is at least seventy percent alcohol, which will be listed on the back of the bottle. It’s also important to use hand sanitizer correctly, which means rubbing it onto your hands until it dries naturally, as opposed to wiping off excess.

Know What to Look For

fizkes via Shutterstock

Each child and each sickness will look a little different, but there are a few things you’ll want to check no matter what.

Fever: Kids can be sick with or without a fever, but if they are running a temp, Dr. Husain says the main thing to look for is that the fever is going away, either on its own or with proper dosing of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If fever is not going down with the appropriate dosing of antipyretic medications or persists beyond 3 to 5 days, contact their pediatrician.

Hydration: When your little one is sick, there’s a good chance they won’t want to eat. Rather than focusing on appetite, Dr. Husain suggests closely monitoring their hydration. “When your child doesn’t get enough hydrating fluids and, they can get tired, lose energy and even begin to appear sick are much faster,” she says. If you have a young child, Dr. Husain says the number of diapers they put out is a good indicator—three to five wet diapers is ideal. With older kids, checking the color of their urine can let you know if they’re hydrated. 

Energy: Parents know their children’s energy levels. When they’re sick but still playing, it likely means they’re fighting the virus off just fine. But if they’re truly lethargic and having difficulty waking from a nap, that’s when it can become worrisome. "As a pediatrician, that’s something I want to know about," says Dr. Husain. 

This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**

Check for Retractions

You remember contractions, but do you know about retractions? “If your child is really struggling to get air in, you can see their muscles working,” says Dr. Husain. “We call these retractions.” Retractions can look like their belly popping in and out, the muscles in between their rib cage pulling in and out or their clavicles poking in and out.  If you’re noticing retractions in your kiddo’s breathing, it may be a sign that they’re struggling to get air—and a reason to get in touch with your pediatrician.

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Pick the Right Cough Syrup

kornnphoto via Shutterstock

If your kid is old enough, cough syrup can be a game changer on sick days. “I often tell parents you have to look at what’s in cough syrups because there is such a big variety,” says Dr. Husain. “You have to focus in on what you’re trying to treat.” If you’re using a cough syrup, first make sure that you are giving your child medication that is FDA approved for their age. Look for a cough medicine that covers the symptoms you’re trying to treat (cough, runny nose, nighttime relief) and double check the dosing.

Children’s Delsym® provides 12-hour cough relief and multi-symptom treatment just for kids. Children’s Delsym® has a single active ingredient, dextromethorphan, and is free from pain relievers, sulfites and alcohol—which some kids may be sensitive or allergic to. Whether your child has a cough, cold, or chest congestion, Children’s Delsym ® relieves their symptoms and helps little ones feel better. If you’re dealing with more than a cough, Delsym has Cough+ products for both adults and children with daytime and nighttime formulas. Plus, it comes in two flavors: orange and grape. 

Stop the Snot with Saline

No matter how many times they blow their nose, the snot still stays. “Saline helps to clear the nasal passages, which loosens the mucus and helps them to breathe a little easier,” says Dr. Husain. She suggests using saline nasal drops and suctioning or a saline spray after bath time (when steam has helped loosen everything up) or before they go down to sleep to prevent a post-nasal drip that may cause middle-of-the-night coughs.

Cuddles Could Be a Cure

Tomsickova Tatyana via Shutterstock

Sniffles mixed with exhaustion is a recipe for disaster. “If they’re in the safe age group, you can let them sleep near you,” says Dr. Husain. “That way you can keep an eye on them, and you’re able to comfort little ones.” A warm drink can also be your best friend before bed: think warm milk with honey, hot chocolate or tea.

This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**

Keep It Contained

What’s worse than a sick kid? Multiple sick kids. “The best thing you can do is make sure that your little one who is sick stays to their room, if possible,” says Dr. Husain. She also suggests designating their own bathroom apart from other kids and holding off on sharing toys, utensils and anything else for a few days.

If You’re Concerned, Call Your Pediatrician

As a parent, it’s stressful to wonder if it’s just the sniffles or potentially something more serious. “If you’re considering going to the emergency room or an urgent care, try to talk to your pediatrician before you make a decision go somewhere,” says Dr. Husain. Your pediatrician may be able to help you determine where to go next, if needed, and can help your little one get the care level they need.

 

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A post shared by Pediatrician in NJ (@dr.amnahusain)

Dr. Syeda Amna Husain

Dr. Amna Husain is a board-certified concierge pediatrician providing quality pediatric care to children of all ages throughout Marlboro, NJ. At her private practice she offers a wide spectrum of services for young children including acute and non-acute sick and well-care visits, physical examinations, minor procedures, and lactation services for mothers.

* Based on the QuintilesIMS ProVoice Survey, 2016
** Based on Pharmacy Times’ OTC Guide 2016-2017

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Yo-Yo Ma Joins Raffi and Lindsay Munroe on “For All You Do”

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Raffi and Yo-Yo Ma are back with a new collaboration. Featuring rising children’s artist Lindsay Munroe this new original song is a heartfelt expression of thanks to all the helpers, frontline and behind the scenes, who are working on our behalf during the ongoing pandemic. Proceeds from downloads and streams of “For All You Do” will go to Direct Relief, an organization dedicated to providing equipment and medication to health care workers around the world.

Raffi

“For All You Do” is the second collaboration between Yo-Yo Ma and Raffi, following last month’s recording of a 40th-anniversary version of “Baby Beluga” for Ma’s #SongsofComfort video series. Earlier this year, Raffi produced Lindsay Munroe’s debut album, I Am Kind: Songs for Unique Kids.This critically acclaimed album features Lindsay’s beautiful voice and songs, enriched by Raffi’s instrumental and vocal performances.

Advocacy is nothing new to Raffi, the internationally renowned children’s entertainer, who just last year released “Young People Marching” in gratitude to Greta Thunberg. The song highlights the passion and energy of young people in awakening adults to do their duty in stabilizing the climate. Over the years, Raffi has emerged as a respected advocate on behalf of children, lending his voice, insight and experience to a number of crucial issues through the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, a unifying vision with the child at its heart.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Raffi

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GlaxoSmithKline Temporarily Stops Production of 2 Kinds of Excedrin Products

by Erica Loop

If you’re a migraine sufferer and take over-the-counter meds, GlaxoSmithKline’s recent announcement may apply to you. The company has temporarily stopped production of Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine products.

Why has GlaxoSmithKline halted production of the popular pills? Inconsistencies in how the manufacturer transferred and weighed ingredients were found in both products. While GlaxoSmithKline doesn’t believe the migraine medications pose a safety risk right now, the current halt in production is a precaution as the company resolves the inconsistency issues.

In an emailed statement to Red Tricycle, a representative from GSK said, “Patient safety and product quality are our utmost priorities at GSK. Through routine quality control and assurance measures, we discovered inconsistencies in how we transfer and weigh ingredients for Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets and Geltabs and Excedrin Migraine Caplets and Geltabs. Based on the available data, GSK believes that the product does not pose a safety risk to consumers. However, as a precautionary measure, GSK Consumer Healthcare has voluntarily implemented a temporary discontinuation of production and distribution.”

As a result of the product discontinuation stores have pulled both migraine medications from their shelves. If you’re not sure what to do about your migraines, the GSK statement continued, “This is a short term issue for which we expect production to begin again shortly. In the meantime, other Excedrin products are available along with other pain-relieving drugs, but dosages may differ. Consumers should consult their pharmacist for the most suitable alternative product.”

Consumers should also contact their physician or other medical professional before choosing a new migraine medication or treatment.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Excedrin/GlaxoSmithKline

 

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This 13-Year-Old’s Invention Helps Kids to Feel Better about IVs

by Erica Loop

Ella Casano isn’t what you’d expect from a typical teenager. The 13-year-old is the brains, and heart, behind Medi Teddy—a stuffed animal pouch that cutely conceals an IV bag.

Casano was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP, when she was seven-years-old. ITP causes the body to destroy platelets in the blood. While some children outgrow the disease, Casano didn’t. This means the now-13-year-old needs to spend one day every eight weeks in an outpatient clinic getting an IV infusion.

No stranger to IVs, Casano understand the fear and intimidation young patients often feel around these bags. The teddy bear bag covers cleverly camouflage the bags, while still making it possible for parents and medical staff to see the medication or blood products inside (each Medi Teddy has a mesh back).

Not only did Casano invent the Medi Teddy, but the 13-year-old also set out to help children—for free! Casano and her family started a Meddy Tedi GoFundMe fundraiser last summer to raise money for the first order of 500 bears. Instead of directly selling all the products, Casano decided to donate the teddy bear bag covers to children in need.

Even though the initial fundraiser had a $5,000 goal, the Medi Teddy GoFundMe campaign has raised over $24,500! Along with the fundraising campaign, Medi Teddy is now a registered 501(c)3 public charity that accepts donations.

If you would like to help Casano and her cause, visit the Medi Teddy GoFundMe page or the Medi Teddy charity site. To order a Medi Teddy for your child or children in need, visit Medi Teddy’s site here. Families in need can get one free donated Medi Teddy from the charity’s site too.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Laura Barr Photography

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Why a Good Night’s Sleep Is So Important for Teens

By Sarah Daren

Many of today’s teens aren’t getting enough rest. With the popularity of social media, online games and streaming music and video services, there’s just not enough time in the day to do it all and also fit in all the necessities of life – like sleep, for instance.

According to a National Poll on Children’s Health conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 43% of parents reported teens who have sleep troubles, and more than half of these parents think electronics are to blame.

They may, indeed, be right, but another poll determined that three out of four of today’s teens also suffer from anxiety, and the nasty one-two punch of anxiety and sleep deprivation can spell big trouble for your teenager.

Restless in America

With poor sleep being one of the major signs of anxiety in today’s teens, and anxiety leading to a lack of sleep, parents need to combat this classic “chicken or the egg” scenario first, but finding the granular reasons for the anxiety/poor sleep combo is a good way to formulate a plan for a better night’s sleep.

The “social” aspect of those social media late nights is a key factor in keeping teens awake. Everyone wants to know how many likes they got or if their crush is dating anyone. This teen angst is nothing new, but far more accessible with electronics.

Educational and athletic stressors (e.g., a big test or a big track meet in the morning) are still heavily reported as reasons for sleep deprivation as well, and though not directly related to electronics, these stressors can be reasons teens reach for their phones to try to think about something else for a while.

Ultimately, limiting these granular stressors can prevent the anxiety spiral from getting worse.

The Risks of Restlessness

The social and educational stress teens feel is nothing new, but the Mott Poll mentioned earlier has determined that restlessness can be directly related to irritability and moodiness, a lack of attention span, and ultimately a loss of friends due to the mood swings.

Further down the preverbal spiral, this restlessness has been proven to increase auto accidents for teen drivers and sleep deprivation has also been cited as a predecessor to health issues such as obesity and depression.

Limiting these stressors in teens is not only good for their minds, but also for physical health.

Helping Your Teens Get a Good Night’s Rest

Simply banning electronics in the bedroom not only prevents teens from checking their Snapchat feeds, but it also reduces light and sounds in the room, both resulting in a more relaxing sleep environment and an easier means of maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Though it may seem contradictory, limiting naps and establishing a regular wake-up time are great ways to improve a regular sleep schedule and ultimately reduce stress and anxiety.

A healthy diet has also proven to increase sleep, as well as an increase in physical activity and time spent outside, and medication is an option as well, but most parents believe over-the-counter drugs are not good for teens and a doctor should always be consulted before any sort of regular medication schedule would start.

When All Else Fails

When Mom or Dad simply can’t figure out why their teen is having sleep issues that are or could ultimately lead to much more important issues, an applied behavior analyst may be a good option for righting the wrongs of anxiety and sleep deprivation in teens.

If the above tips simply aren’t fixing the issues, the issues could be signs of psychological issues that require professional help and behavior analysts will be able to determine the deeper issues causing the anxiety, and these analysts can offer more unique means of getting troubled teens on the right sleep track.

Sarah Daren has been a consultant for startups in industries including health and wellness, wearable technology, and education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life, including her position as a yoga instructor and raising her children. Sarah enjoys watching baseball and reading on the beach. 

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