by: Vicki Rackner
Believe it or not, you impart a legacy of health to your children that goes well beyond the genes you give them. You also pass along health beliefs and model health-related choices.
Here are 5 tips that will set your kids up on a path towards a healthy life.
1. Instill a sense of wonder about the body.
Many adults fear and distrust their bodies. They believe that the body is fragile, and illness is just around the corner. The myth that you will catch a cold if you go outside without a coat persists. Your kids are listening when you look in the mirror and say to no one in particular, “I’m so fat.â€
The truth is your body is the most miraculous mechanical system on the planet. Cuts heal without a single thought or action on your part. Your immune system is your own personal homeland security system, protecting you from bacterial and viral terrorists. Yes, illness is part of the human condition. And we have powerful treatments that add to your body’s own ability to heal. Look at your body’s ability to battle illnesses, such as the common cold. This alone offers concrete evidence of your body’s resiliency.
Comment on your child’s amazing body. “Wow, that cut healed in no time!†or “You have such strong fast legs†or “Look at what your hands have been able to draw.†Remind your child how great it is to have eyes and kidneys and hearts that work so well.
2. Become a student of the human body with your child.
Your kids will come to you with questions about how their bodies work. It can be uncomfortable for both you and your child when you don’t have the answers. This discomfort can teach children that they should avoid questions about how their bodies work, which may, in part, explain why parents themselves are reluctant to ask doctors embarrassing questions.
Remember, no one has all the answers. That’s why your doctor participates in continuing medical education. Your child can remind you of the joy of discovery. Together you can look for answers. I mentioned to my son that bones make blood and he asked, “What about creatures with exoskeletons?†I said, “What an interesting question. Let’s get on the Internet and see what we can find out.†Have a child-appropriate book about the body available and learn and use anatomically correct words. Maybe you can have a family contest to come up with the coolest medical term.
3. Teach your kids to listen to their bodies.
Often it feels as if adults are rewarded for ignoring or overcoming the signals from their bodies. The “hero†who comes to work with the flu or the mom who ignores her need for food or sleep. Health is maintained when you know the signals that suggest your body is out of balance and respond in a timely manner when your body indicates it needs something.
Help your kids identify when they’re cold or hungry or tired. You can say even to an infant, “You look hot, so I’m taking off the blanket.†Give your child some experience regulating his external environment like taking on and off sweaters. Educate your children that pain is there to keep them safe. Say, “Owies are no fun, but they’re there to keep you from burning yourself on the stove or cutting yourself with a knife. That’s how your body reminds you to be careful.â€
4. Model healthy eating habits.
Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Talk with your kids about good food choices and bad ones. Encourage them to ask themselves, “What kind of food is my body hungry for right now?’ and “Am I full?†even if there’s still food on the plate. Pay attention to see if your child is a “grazer†or a 3-squares-a-day kid and set an eating schedule that reflects their style. Decide whether it’s OK to indulge in unhealthy food choices now and then. When I inquired about the nutritional value of my son’s snack of donuts, he said, “It’s health food for the soul!â€
5. Reward health rather than illness.
Some of my best childhood memories come from times when I was sick. In an effort to ease my pain, my mother unwittingly rewarded illness by lavishing attention on me, delivering endless bowls of ice cream and playing games with me. Who wouldn’t want to be sick!
Instead, lavish attention on your kids when they’re well. While you don’t want to punish your kids for being sick, consider which privileges of health should be withdrawn during sick days.
When you instill in your children a sense of pride, wonder and respect for their bodies, you have given them the foundation of health.
Have you ever left your doctor's office with unanswered questions? Been embarrassed to talk with your doctor about a health issue concerning your child? If so, you're not alone. Vicki Rackner MD is a board-certified surgeon who helps people get the health care they want, need and deserve. Sign up for Dr. Vicki's free monthly newsletter at www.DrVicki.org and get tips that will put you incharge of your child’s health care.
Child Dental Health
BySeth Miller
You should start taking care of your child�s dental health even before the child�s first tooth comes in. To begin with, wipe your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings. That helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth begin to show up, start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.
As your child reaches preschool age, brush his teeth with a tiny quantity of fluoride toothpaste. Kids have a tendency to swallow toothpaste, and too much fluoride can lead to permanent stains on their teeth. Fluoride strengthens teeth by hardening the tooth enamel. If your tap water lacks fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about six months old. Although fluoride is a vital part of your child's dental health, its overuse should be avoided.
Children generally suffer from cavities, i.e., holes that are formed when bacteria in one�s mouth use the sugar in food to make acid which eats away at the teeth. To prevent cavities, avoid giving your child too many sugary foods like raisins, cookies and candy, and sweet drinks like fruit juice. If your child was born prematurely, weighed very little at birth, has ongoing special health care needs or has white spots or brown areas on any teeth, he/she might develop cavities.
All family members should take care of their teeth, as they can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to children. Apart from brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, everyone should see the dentist twice a year.
Avoid giving your child sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks. Follow a regular schedule for meals and snacks. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers are good for teeth. Do not let your child walk around with a bottle, and teach him to use a drinking cup as soon as possible. Thumb sucking is normal for children unless it persists after age 4. It is advised that parents take their child to a dentist around his first birthday.
As your child reaches preschool age, brush his teeth with a tiny quantity of fluoride toothpaste. Kids have a tendency to swallow toothpaste, and too much fluoride can lead to permanent stains on their teeth. Fluoride strengthens teeth by hardening the tooth enamel. If your tap water lacks fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about six months old. Although fluoride is a vital part of your child's dental health, its overuse should be avoided.
Children generally suffer from cavities, i.e., holes that are formed when bacteria in one�s mouth use the sugar in food to make acid which eats away at the teeth. To prevent cavities, avoid giving your child too many sugary foods like raisins, cookies and candy, and sweet drinks like fruit juice. If your child was born prematurely, weighed very little at birth, has ongoing special health care needs or has white spots or brown areas on any teeth, he/she might develop cavities.
All family members should take care of their teeth, as they can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to children. Apart from brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, everyone should see the dentist twice a year.
Avoid giving your child sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks. Follow a regular schedule for meals and snacks. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers are good for teeth. Do not let your child walk around with a bottle, and teach him to use a drinking cup as soon as possible. Thumb sucking is normal for children unless it persists after age 4. It is advised that parents take their child to a dentist around his first birthday.
How to Bottle Feed Safely
by: Anne Stiller, RNC, IBCLC
If your baby is not breastfed, or if you must supplement feedings with additional milk, there are important facts you need to know to make bottle feeding safe for your baby.
Formulas:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies under 12 months of age should be fed either breastmilk or infant formula. No other type of milk provides all of the nutrients in the right amounts to support optimal growth. Formula companies use human milk as a standard and produce a product, usually based on cows� milk, which contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates in a proportion that is close to human milk. Then they add vitamins, minerals and other ingredients to bring the final product as close to human milk as possible. As ongoing research reveals factors in mothers� milk that were previously not known, the drug companies that manufacture infant formula add them, and advertise the product as being �new� or �improved.� Some recent additions are ARA and DHA. The living cells in breastmilk, so important to a baby�s immune system cannot be duplicated. Read labels carefully to know what is in the brand you purchase. When you choose a formula for your baby, it is usually best to start with one that is milk-based, since these are tolerated by most babies and are lower in cost than the specialized formulas. If your baby does not tolerate his formula, consult your pediatrician about which one to try next. While soy based formulas contain all of the nutrients needed to sustain growth, they also contain phytoestrogens that may affect a baby�s growth and development, and they hinder the absorption of zinc and calcium. According to an FDA paper, the AAP states �Healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary." (http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/596_baby.html) Specialized formulas for allergic babies are more expensive, and should be used on the recommendation of a pediatrician.
Bottles:
If your formula feed your baby, you will need bottles, nipples (teats), and a bottle brush for effective cleaning. There are many types and styles of bottles available, and what you choose depends upon your preference.
Bottles with disposable liners are fairly easy to use and easy to clean, but they are more expensive than other types because the liners have to be purchased throughout the months that your baby uses a bottle. Plastic bottles are lightweight, and most are easy to clean with hot soapy water and a brush. In recent months, news articles have warned about possible dangers from the leaching of a chemical called bisphenol A or BPA into milk from the plastic when bottles are heated, and also from the linings of the can the formula comes in. Although the FDA states that plastic bottles do not present a hazard to babies, you might want to research the different brands to see which are considered safer before purchasing bottles for your baby. A google search turned up lists of brands which are BPA free.
Different babies do better with different types of nipples. You should choose those with a slow flow at first, especially for a very young baby. If the milk flows too fast the baby may choke, or take in too much air. Be sure to replace nipples that become worn so that they do not break during a feeding. At times a baby who is teething may chew on the nipple and cause tiny pieces to come off, so inspect them on a regular basis.
Formula Preparation:
Infant formula comes in three forms: ready to feed, concentrate, and powder. Ready to feed formula is the easiest to use. It can be stored at room temperature until the can is opened, and is fed to the baby directly as it comes from the can. It is, however, expensive compared to the other types. Both other forms of formula must be mixed with water before feeding. It is very important to read the directions on the can to be sure that you add exactly the right amount of water so that the milk the baby receives is neither too dilute (which could lead to malnutrition) nor too concentrated (which could be hard on the baby�s kidneys). Some pediatricians (and the World Health Organization) recommend boiling all water prior to using it for a baby. Other doctors feel that it is OK to use water directly from the tap as long as it has been proven safe for drinking. If you are not sure, ask your pediatrician. Powdered formula is not sterile, and in recent months, reports have warned about the potential contamination of some such formulas with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause infections in all ages, but newborns (under 1 month of age) and premature babies are at greatest risk. The World Health Organization recommends that formula given to these infants be ready to feed, or concentrate. If powdered formula must be used for a newborn, it should be prepared with boiling water or heated almost to boiling, then cooled before feeding to kill the bacteria if it is present. Once it is prepared, the formula should be refrigerated or kept cold with ice packs until the baby is fed. Discard any unused milk left in the bottle after feeding, since bacteria multiply quickly in warmed milk. Heating baby bottles in the microwave is not recommended because �hot spots� that can scald a baby may occur. If you do use a microwave, be sure to shake the bottle thoroughly to mix the formula completely. (Never microwave expressed breastmilk because that would kill some of the living cells that protect the baby from illness.)
Feeding the Baby:
Feeding time is very important in terms of your baby�s emotional and social well-being. You should always hold your baby in your arms when giving him a bottle, and cuddle him close. This is a good time to talk to your baby, look into his eyes, and watch him smile and interact with you. His head should be slightly elevated because most bottle nipples flow fast enough to choke a baby who is lying flat when he swallows. When feeding a newborn, stop and try to burp the baby every ounce or so. As baby grows, he can take in larger amounts without burping. Ask your pediatrician how much formula to feed your baby. Don�t force him to finish a bottle if he stops drinking and acts full. Most babies know how much they need, and overfeeding can predispose him to obesity later on. Never prop a bottle because of the danger of choking, and don�t put your baby to bed with a bottle. Milk that remains on his teeth during the night will promote tooth decay.
However your baby is fed, feeding time should be very comfortable and enjoyable for both of you.
Formulas:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies under 12 months of age should be fed either breastmilk or infant formula. No other type of milk provides all of the nutrients in the right amounts to support optimal growth. Formula companies use human milk as a standard and produce a product, usually based on cows� milk, which contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates in a proportion that is close to human milk. Then they add vitamins, minerals and other ingredients to bring the final product as close to human milk as possible. As ongoing research reveals factors in mothers� milk that were previously not known, the drug companies that manufacture infant formula add them, and advertise the product as being �new� or �improved.� Some recent additions are ARA and DHA. The living cells in breastmilk, so important to a baby�s immune system cannot be duplicated. Read labels carefully to know what is in the brand you purchase. When you choose a formula for your baby, it is usually best to start with one that is milk-based, since these are tolerated by most babies and are lower in cost than the specialized formulas. If your baby does not tolerate his formula, consult your pediatrician about which one to try next. While soy based formulas contain all of the nutrients needed to sustain growth, they also contain phytoestrogens that may affect a baby�s growth and development, and they hinder the absorption of zinc and calcium. According to an FDA paper, the AAP states �Healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary." (http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/596_baby.html) Specialized formulas for allergic babies are more expensive, and should be used on the recommendation of a pediatrician.
Bottles:
If your formula feed your baby, you will need bottles, nipples (teats), and a bottle brush for effective cleaning. There are many types and styles of bottles available, and what you choose depends upon your preference.
Bottles with disposable liners are fairly easy to use and easy to clean, but they are more expensive than other types because the liners have to be purchased throughout the months that your baby uses a bottle. Plastic bottles are lightweight, and most are easy to clean with hot soapy water and a brush. In recent months, news articles have warned about possible dangers from the leaching of a chemical called bisphenol A or BPA into milk from the plastic when bottles are heated, and also from the linings of the can the formula comes in. Although the FDA states that plastic bottles do not present a hazard to babies, you might want to research the different brands to see which are considered safer before purchasing bottles for your baby. A google search turned up lists of brands which are BPA free.
Different babies do better with different types of nipples. You should choose those with a slow flow at first, especially for a very young baby. If the milk flows too fast the baby may choke, or take in too much air. Be sure to replace nipples that become worn so that they do not break during a feeding. At times a baby who is teething may chew on the nipple and cause tiny pieces to come off, so inspect them on a regular basis.
Formula Preparation:
Infant formula comes in three forms: ready to feed, concentrate, and powder. Ready to feed formula is the easiest to use. It can be stored at room temperature until the can is opened, and is fed to the baby directly as it comes from the can. It is, however, expensive compared to the other types. Both other forms of formula must be mixed with water before feeding. It is very important to read the directions on the can to be sure that you add exactly the right amount of water so that the milk the baby receives is neither too dilute (which could lead to malnutrition) nor too concentrated (which could be hard on the baby�s kidneys). Some pediatricians (and the World Health Organization) recommend boiling all water prior to using it for a baby. Other doctors feel that it is OK to use water directly from the tap as long as it has been proven safe for drinking. If you are not sure, ask your pediatrician. Powdered formula is not sterile, and in recent months, reports have warned about the potential contamination of some such formulas with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause infections in all ages, but newborns (under 1 month of age) and premature babies are at greatest risk. The World Health Organization recommends that formula given to these infants be ready to feed, or concentrate. If powdered formula must be used for a newborn, it should be prepared with boiling water or heated almost to boiling, then cooled before feeding to kill the bacteria if it is present. Once it is prepared, the formula should be refrigerated or kept cold with ice packs until the baby is fed. Discard any unused milk left in the bottle after feeding, since bacteria multiply quickly in warmed milk. Heating baby bottles in the microwave is not recommended because �hot spots� that can scald a baby may occur. If you do use a microwave, be sure to shake the bottle thoroughly to mix the formula completely. (Never microwave expressed breastmilk because that would kill some of the living cells that protect the baby from illness.)
Feeding the Baby:
Feeding time is very important in terms of your baby�s emotional and social well-being. You should always hold your baby in your arms when giving him a bottle, and cuddle him close. This is a good time to talk to your baby, look into his eyes, and watch him smile and interact with you. His head should be slightly elevated because most bottle nipples flow fast enough to choke a baby who is lying flat when he swallows. When feeding a newborn, stop and try to burp the baby every ounce or so. As baby grows, he can take in larger amounts without burping. Ask your pediatrician how much formula to feed your baby. Don�t force him to finish a bottle if he stops drinking and acts full. Most babies know how much they need, and overfeeding can predispose him to obesity later on. Never prop a bottle because of the danger of choking, and don�t put your baby to bed with a bottle. Milk that remains on his teeth during the night will promote tooth decay.
However your baby is fed, feeding time should be very comfortable and enjoyable for both of you.
