Bed Bug Prevention for Kids

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Growing up you may remember hearing “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” as a sweet, night time rhyme. But recent reports of bed bugs in hotels, movie theaters and even the cleanest of homes have people on high alert. While kids are out of school for winter break they may have traveled with a few critters before returning to class.

Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They come out at night to feed on blood which means biting you up in your sleep. After feeding bed bugs tend to hide in clothing in your luggage which moves them to another location, causing them to spread. Since you are more likely to encounter bed bugs while traveling than in your home, here are some prevention tips:

Do a bed bug check of every room before settling in. Small spots of blood on the sheets or mattresses usually reveal bed bug trails.
Keep luggage zipped up and off of the floors and beds by using the luggage racks provided.
Keep clothing in a tied or sealed bag and wash immediately after returning.
If purchasing used clothing wash your items immediately before use or storage.
Keep your home uncluttered so bed bugs won’t have anywhere to hide.

If you think you have a bed bug problem notify your local pest management provider immediately, or tell your property manager if you are renting so they can begin to create a customized treatment for your bed bugs. Bed bugs can multiply quickly, so early detection is critical to help prevent an even larger infestation.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Choosing Safe Toys for Toddlers

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

toys toddlers -156930341 The holiday season is the best time of the year to buy toys for children. However, parents are often overwhelmed by a larger selection and choosing the best toy can become challenging. The most important thing to remember when choosing toys for toddlers is picking toys that are safe and appropriate for their age.

Each year hospital E.R.’s are visited by over 200,000 young children, typically under the age of three, who have incurred toy-related injuries. These injuries can be avoided if parents keep these guidelines in mind when buying toys:

Carefully read warning labels
Do not buy toys with small and removable parts
Check to see if toys are on a recall list by visiting sites such as recalls.gov or cpsc.gov.
Avoid buying toys with parts that launches or projects
Do not purchase toys with sharp edges or points
Make certain that cords or strings are shorter that seven inches
Avoid buying toys that make extremely loud noises
Check to see if toys have been tested for lead based paint by visiting websites such as www.ecocenter.org

Most toys come with warning labels that advise parents of potential choking hazards and compatibility by age group. Parents should pay close attention to these labels and also do due diligence by researching toys and inspecting them for further dangers.

SNACK CHIPS THAT WON’T GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR HIPS!

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Joann Ariola

With the holiday season in full swing and snacking at an all-time high, you may be interested in this delicious and healthy alternative potato chips for your party table…

Cracked Pepper Potato Chips with Onion Dip

Ingredient’s for the chips:

3 Large russet potatoes (2 ¼ pounds total), sliced into 1/8-inch thick rounds
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
Salt

Ingredient’s for the dip:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, minced
2 scallions, thinly slices, greens and whites separated
1 ¼ cups nonfat Greek style yogurt or 1 2/3 cups regular nonfat plain yogurt
¼ cup of mayonnaise
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

How to make this recipe:

Chips – Toss potatoes in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of oil, and pepper until well coated. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange potato slices in 1 layer on 2 cookie sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until chips are crisped and lightly browned. Remove from oven, season with salt and cool.

Dip – Heat oil over a medium heat and add onions and scallion whites. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown and soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. If using regular yogurt, place it in a strainer lined with a paper towel and set the strainer over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain and thicken for 20 minutes.

Combine onions with thickened or Greek style yogurt, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt pepper and scallion greens and stir well to incorporate. Chill for 1 hour to let flavors meld.

Serve with chips

Excellent source of Vitamin C

Good source of Potassium

For more healthy snack recipes visit http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-appetizer-recipes/healthy-appetizer-recipes.html

Baby’s First Year

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

If you are a new mom or dad, you may wonder what to expect and how to know if your baby’s development is on target.

In the first 12 months, your baby will undergo an incredible transformation with every month bringing new and exciting developmental strides.

There is a wide “window” for when it is normal for a baby to reach a particular developmental stage. If your baby reaches one milestone sooner and another later, he or she may be focused on perfecting another skill.

Keeping in mind that babies will progress at their own pace, here’s a list of what your baby may be doing during each three-month stage of the first year:

Zero to Three months

Early on, it will be just to him/her, but within three months, baby will be smiling in response to your smiles and trying to get you to smile back
Raising head and chest when placed on the tummy
Track objects with eyes and gradually decrease eye crossing
Open and shut hands and bring hands to mouth
Grip objects in hands
Take swipes at or reach for dangling objects

Four to Six Months

Roll over from front to back or back to front. Front to back usually comes first
Babble, making sounds that can sound like real language
Laugh
Reach out for and grab objects
Manipulate toys with their hands
Sit up with support and have great head control

Seven to Nine Months

Start to crawl
Sit without support
Respond to familiar words such as name
Babble becomes “Mama” and “Dada”
Clap and play games such as peekaboo
Learn to pull up to a standing position

Ten to 12 Months

Self-feeding and holding small objects such as O-shaped cereal between thumb and forefinger
Cruising or moving around the room
“Mama and “Dada” become more specific as a name for parents. The average is about three spoken words by the first birthday
Take first steps

If you are concerned that your baby may not be marking the strides expected each month after birth and would like to speak with a pediatrician, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center for an appointment at 718-206-7001.

Trampoline Safety Tips to Avoid Serious Injury

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Put a kid in front of a trampoline and dare them NOT to jump on it. They can’t resist! Trampolines provide hours of fun for children (and even some adults), but how safe are they?

The answer is not very safe at all. Trampoline jumping poses a high risk of injury for children. The activity can result in strains, sprains, fractures and other injuries — including potentially serious head and neck injuries. In fact, over a ten year period, trampoline injuries accounted for nearly one million visits to emergency departments. Due to these alarming statistics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now strongly discourages the trampolines for residential backyard use. In addition, most home owner insurance policies don’t cover trampoline-related injuries.

Despite these risks, parents are still buying and kids are still jumping on trampolines. If you choose to allow your child to jump on a trampoline, here are a few safety tips to greatly reduce the chances of injury:

Only allow children on trampolines with safety nets. Trampoline enclosures are special nets that surround the trampoline to ensure children don’t fall off.
Make sure they are padded. Trampolines padding should cover the frame, springs and surrounding landing surfaces with shock-absorbing pads.
Place the trampoline on level ground. Make sure it’s a safe distance from trees and other hazards.
Limit trampoline activity. Allow only one person to use the trampoline at a time. Don’t allow somersaults or other potentially risky moves on the trampoline.
Don’t allow unsupervised jumping. If you use a trampoline ladder, always remove it after use to prevent unsupervised access by children.

While following these rules won’t guarantee that your child won’t get injured on a trampoline, they can decrease the likelihood of having to take a trip to your local emergency department.

Tips for the Single Parent

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Being a single parent is not easy; it has its own set of challenges.

Couples get together with the very best of intentions, full of hopes and dreams of white picket fences, 2.5 kids.

No one enters into a committed relationship with the intention of uncoupling. Nonetheless, it’s a distressingly common occurrence.

Suddenly, you find yourself a single parent. Even if you have always been an active, involved parent, this is a completely different experience.

In the best of situations, with a support team of grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends, etc. you may have bouts of frustration and fatigue.

During these times you will have to push through and step-up. There is no substitution for a parent when dealing with a crying toddler, grumpy daughter or a son who failed to make the last out. These are hurdles you and your children will have to scale together.

Some of the most common ways a single parent can cope with and reduce stress are:

Finding a balance – Remember that parenting is about the moment. Take a deep breath and let go of your expectations.
Show your love –Praise your child. Give him or her unconditional love and support.
Create a routine – Structure, such as regularly scheduled meals and bedtimes help your child know what to expect.
Find quality child care – If you need regular child care, look for a qualified caregiver who can provide a safe environment. Do not rely on an older child as your only babysitter and be careful about asking a new friend or partner to watch your child.
Set limits – Explain house rules and expectations to your child, such as speaking respectfully and enforce them.
Don’t give in to guilt – Don’t blame yourself or spoil your child to try to make up for being a single parent.
Make time for yourself – Include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. Make time to enjoy alone time or activities with close friends.
Lean on others – It’s okay to join a support group for single parents or seek social services. Call on trusted loved ones, friends and neighbors for help.
Stay positive – Be honest with your child if you’re having a difficult time, but remind him or her that things will get better. Try to keep your sense of humor when dealing with everyday challenges.

Mistakes may be made, but with love and the best of intentions, you’ll make it through.

How Your Body Makes Milk for Your Baby

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

breastfeeding-475378452 Your breasts give you the earliest clues that you are pregnant. When you become pregnant, they become swollen, tender and the skin on your nipples and areolas become darker. Within the first trimester you will continue to experience physical changes in your breasts-such as the bumps(Montgomery glands) surrounding your areolas increasing in size. Milk –producing cells (alveoli) and ducts in the mammary glands will also multiply in preparation for the distribution of milk.

Usually by your fourth to sixth month of pregnancy, hormones will be released which tell your mammary glands to begin producing milk. The alveoli draw fats, proteins and sugars from your blood to make breast milk. At this point of pregnancy, it is not unusual for your body to begin leaking milk. This form of milk is called colostrum and may be yellow or orange in color and sticky.

After the birth of your baby the body increases levels of the hormone prolactin. This hormone releases signals to produce more milk. It is also known as the hormone that makes mothers feel maternal.

You can attempt to feed your baby soon after delivering; however some mothers are not fully capable of feeding their newborn within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Your “first milk” will be colostrum, which will have a creamy appearance. Colostrum is specially created for newborns; it is high in protein, low in fat and sugar and is easy to digest. It also helps your baby to make the first bowel movement and provides antibodies that strengthen the immune system.

As you can see, your body is designed to make the nutrients most essential to your baby’s health. Breastfeeding will provide many benefits for your bundle of joy and it will also provide you with countless health, emotional and financial benefits.

Vaccination Timeline

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

There has been much debate over the importance of having children vaccinated. There have even been legal battles in some municipalities over school policies that sought to prevent children who were not vaccinated from attending school. Many of the communicable diseases that were prevalent in the early part of the last century have now been almost completely eradicated in the United States due to the discovery of vaccines.

It would appear that the benefits of having your child vaccinated outweigh the risks. Now that we live in global society and we are exposed to people who may be coming from parts of the world where vaccinations may not be readily available, it is recommended that you follow a vaccination timeline for your children.

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends that the following vaccines be given at the appropriate time in a child’s life.

The CDC has set guidelines for vaccinations

Discuss with your pediatrician having your child vaccinated against communicable diseases. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center also offers our patients access to a program called “My Chart” which allows you to access your child’s medical records and to keep track of all tests results and all scheduled vaccines.

Is Your Child New to School?

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Joann Ariola

It is summertime but before you know it , it will be the end of August and a good time to start preparing your young child for their first experience at school. It is normal for young children, as well as their parents, to have some anxiety about starting something new.

Here are some tips on how to make the first day of school go well:

Visit the school and get familiar with the layout.
Become familiar with the school schedule.
Try to meet the teacher before school begins.
Reassure the child that everyone gets nervous and that it is okay.
Tell the child about all the new friends they are going to make.
Try to find someone who may be going to the same school in the same grade.
Parent should be calm and confident so your child will be more at ease.
If the school will permit it, see if you can bring a child’s stuffed animal to keep in their cubby
Always say good bye to your child when dropping them off or putting them on the bus. Reassure them that you will pick them up at the end of the day

It is natural for a child to have separation anxiety, especially if this is going to be their first time away from a parent. With a little bit of pre-planning, a child will adapt to the new routine and be just fine. Speak to your pediatrician to see if they have any other suggestions about getting your child off to school for the first time.