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.

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.

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.

Getting Your Kids Out The Door In the Morning This Summer

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Getting yourself AND your children ready in the morning can sometimes seem like an impossible task. Follow these tips to avoid the mania associated with trying to get your kids out the door for daycare or summer camp and still get to work on time.

• Establish a Set Routine – A non-negotiable routine must be created and adhered to. An important part of the routine is establishing consequences for failing to follow them. If your child understands the repercussions of not getting up the first time they are called, and understands that they will be enforced, they will be more likely to abide by them.

• Stagger Wake-Up Times – If you’ve got more than one kid in the house, and especially if you have a large family, consider staggering wake-up times for greater efficiency. Start with kids who need assistance first, or the ones who move at a snail’s pace come mornings.

• Determine Choices in Advance – Decide what your children will be eating for breakfast and what they will be packing for lunch the night before. Also choose and lay out your child’s entire outfit, including accessories before you go to bed. Not waiting for the last second to make these choices will help avoid arguments over meal choices and identify potential wardrobe issues such as stains or tears.

• Only do What is Important – By getting caught up tackling chores that you don’t have time for, you are setting yourself and your children up for failure. Consider creating a checklist of what absolutely must be done each morning and leave the other stuff until you get home.

• Designate an Essentials Area – Pick a place in your home for everything you will need the next morning. Shoes, backpacks, car keys, and cell phones should be placed in this area every day, so you don’t spend unnecessary time hunting for them in the morning and running the risk of missing a bus or a train.

• Be a Good Role Model – If you are grumpy and lethargic in the morning and running late yourself, then how can you expect your children to behave differently? A good tip is to get yourself up 10 minutes before your kids to brush off the cobwebs so you can greet your children with a positive attitude when they wake up.

Honey Hastens Healing

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Did you know that out of all areas in the home, the kitchen is number one for getting burns and did you, also, know that the kitchen is a place you can find home remedies for that burn?

While most minor burns will heal on their own, there are home treatment remedies that can relieve your symptoms and promote healing, such as:

Honey – Honey has long been a remedy to disinfect wounds and heal burns. When applied to a burn, honey draws out fluids from the tissues, effectively cleaning the wound. You may also apply the honey to a gauze bandage, which is less sticky than direct application. On a piece of sterile gauze, place a dollop of honey and put the bandage directly on the burn, honey-side down. The dressing should be changed three to four times per day.
Additional home remedies for burns that can be found in your kitchen are:
Oatmeal – Oatmeal baths can help relieve the itch while the burn is healing
Tea bags – Tea bags contain tannic acid and help draw the heat from a burn. Gently dab the liquid, from a luke-warm water moistened tea bag, on the burn site.
Vinegar – Vinegar works as an astringent and antiseptic on minor burns and helps prevent infection. Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water, and rinse the burned area with the solution.
Cool water. – While ice is nice for sore muscles, cool water is the best liquid refreshment for burned skin. Ice can restrict blood flow to the burn site and further damage delicate tissues. Instead, gently run cool water or place cool compresses over the burn site for ten minutes. Do this as quickly as possible, preferably within seconds of getting a burn. Cool water not only feels good but will help stop the burn from spreading, and the sooner you run cool water on the burn, the greater the effect will be to reduce it.

Do’s and Don’ts to avoid burns:

DO lower the temperature of your hot-water heater to below 120 degrees F. A second-degree burn can happen within seconds in water that’s hotter than 120 degrees.
DO turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
DO keep that steaming cup of java out of a child’s reach, which means off the coffee table or other low-lying areas.
DON’T ever leave a child unattended in the kitchen.
DO make the stove area off-limits to children.
DO put a childproof lock on the oven door.
DO keep oven mitts and potholders handy when cooking.

You can try these remedies for minor burns, but if you suspect you may have a more severe injury, please seek medical treatment immediately.

The Fight Against Obesity is a Family Affair

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

The childhood obesity problem in the United States has reached epidemic proportions with many political leaders and health advocates turning their attention to bringing awareness to this issue.

Interventions have been suggested, school lunches have become healthier and more attention has been given to the benefit of outside play, recess, and cutting back on the consumption of processed foods.

One of the most effective solutions to the issue of childhood obesity may be a simple one; scheduling time for a healthy family dinner. The ritual of eating meals together, as a family, has shown to greatly improve healthy eating habits.

Studies have shown that families who dine while watching television tend to be heavier than those who make to time to sit down, together, for a meal on a regular basis. As a parent, eating with your family will give you the opportunity to encourage our children to eat mindfully, reinforce healthy eating habits and teach your children to eat slowly.

Some idea’s to make family meals regular events at your house are:

Turn off the TV
Make a date to have a meal together
Share the meal preparation process with the whole family
Select a healthy alternative to a favorite meal

In addition, eating is about so much more than the food and nutrients we receive from it. Meal time should be pleasurable, social and a time to connect with each other.

If you or someone you know is struggling with obesity, contact the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory care Center to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed Nutritionist’s at 718-206-7001.