I had the day off yesterday and took the time to get some overdue appointments taken care of. It occurred to me that as parents our children are our first priority and our own health gets neglected. So I thought I would review the reasons to take care of your own health.
1. If you don't feel well you can't be a good parent. If you are in pain from a toothache or you have the flu how can you have the patience to care for your children.
2. It sets a good example for your children. If they see you getting a flu shot or visiting the dentist they are more likely to do these things with less complaining. These good habits often times comtinue on into adulthood.
3. You provide safety for your child. When we have children do the eye chart in the office I am astounded at the number of parents who say they can't read the chart. It worries me that they driving their child around without a current eye exam or glasses! Also keeping your immunizations up to date can help prevent your children from getting sick.
So, let's make the time for our regular appointments and continue our healthy habits for our children's sake as well as our own!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Obesity and the Media
Regular readers of this blog know that I have already done several posts about the media and children but I thought I would revisit the topic. This month the American Academy of Pediatrics put out a policy statement "Children, Adolescents, Obesity, and the Media" so I thought I would summarize it.
Research shows that there is a strong correlation between excessive TV viewing and obesity. Also research shows that a bedroom TV is a significant risk factor for obesity.
There are several ways in which watching TV can contribute to obesity.
1. The more time a child spends watching TV the less time they spend doing a physical activity.
2. Unhealthy eating habits are learned from the programming as well as the advertisements.
3. Increased snacking while watching TV. Not only do the ads make you think you are hungry when you are not but when you eat in front of the TV you tend to eat more than when you sit at the table without the TV on.
4. The TV disrupts normal sleep patterns. When a TV is in a child's bedroom they are often watching it instead of sleeping. This leads to more of numbers 2 and 3 above but also makes the child more tired. When you are tired you often inclined to eat to help boost your energy level.
So, what is a parent to do. First of all take the TV out of your child's bedroom. (Tell them that Dr. Krieg is making you!) Then make rules about TV viewing that include how much, when, and what they are allowed to watch. It is recommended that children (over age 2) spend no more than two hours a day in front of a screen (computer, TV and video games). Also make the rule that all food belongs in the kitchen or at the table. (your house will be neater!) Turn the TV off when you are eating. You are the parent and are allowed to make rules. Do not give in when you children complain!
Have questions or are uncertain what to do? We are more than happy to talk about media usage at your child's well child check as well as review their body mass index (BMI).
Research shows that there is a strong correlation between excessive TV viewing and obesity. Also research shows that a bedroom TV is a significant risk factor for obesity.
There are several ways in which watching TV can contribute to obesity.
1. The more time a child spends watching TV the less time they spend doing a physical activity.
2. Unhealthy eating habits are learned from the programming as well as the advertisements.
3. Increased snacking while watching TV. Not only do the ads make you think you are hungry when you are not but when you eat in front of the TV you tend to eat more than when you sit at the table without the TV on.
4. The TV disrupts normal sleep patterns. When a TV is in a child's bedroom they are often watching it instead of sleeping. This leads to more of numbers 2 and 3 above but also makes the child more tired. When you are tired you often inclined to eat to help boost your energy level.
So, what is a parent to do. First of all take the TV out of your child's bedroom. (Tell them that Dr. Krieg is making you!) Then make rules about TV viewing that include how much, when, and what they are allowed to watch. It is recommended that children (over age 2) spend no more than two hours a day in front of a screen (computer, TV and video games). Also make the rule that all food belongs in the kitchen or at the table. (your house will be neater!) Turn the TV off when you are eating. You are the parent and are allowed to make rules. Do not give in when you children complain!
Have questions or are uncertain what to do? We are more than happy to talk about media usage at your child's well child check as well as review their body mass index (BMI).
Monday, August 8, 2011
Roll Baby Roll!
As a pediatrician I get many phone calls about injuries to my patients so I thought I would take a few minutes to discuss how to prevent them.
The most important thing to remember is that if something has a strap then use it. It was put there for a reason. This includes straps in shopping carts, swings, strollers, high chairs, car seats, changing tables, etc.... Even if you don't think your child can get out strap them in anyway!
Our most common calls involve children rolling off beds or sofas. Even newborns can roll and putting pillows around them doesn't help. With my children I put them on a blanket on the floor to play and also changed their diaper on the floor. You can't fall off the floor!
Also we get calls about children that are put in car seats or bouncers on the counter unsecured. The child not only falls out of the seat but then also off the counter! Again I would recommend putting them on the floor.
I will end the post with a tip from my mother-in-law. If your monkey child can climb out of the grocery cart seat even when strapped in try tying their shoes together!
The most important thing to remember is that if something has a strap then use it. It was put there for a reason. This includes straps in shopping carts, swings, strollers, high chairs, car seats, changing tables, etc.... Even if you don't think your child can get out strap them in anyway!
Our most common calls involve children rolling off beds or sofas. Even newborns can roll and putting pillows around them doesn't help. With my children I put them on a blanket on the floor to play and also changed their diaper on the floor. You can't fall off the floor!
Also we get calls about children that are put in car seats or bouncers on the counter unsecured. The child not only falls out of the seat but then also off the counter! Again I would recommend putting them on the floor.
I will end the post with a tip from my mother-in-law. If your monkey child can climb out of the grocery cart seat even when strapped in try tying their shoes together!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
New Crib Safety Standards
For the first time in almost 30 years there are new federal safety standards for cribs. These changes are to protect the safety of infants and to decrease the suffocation deaths that occur in unsafe cribs.
The biggest change is that drop sides are no longer allowed. Also stronger slats and better mattress supports are required as well. Also crib manufacturers are to do more rigorous testing on their product before it goes on sale.
Unfortunately this means that when you need a crib you need to buy a new one. Ones from garage sales, thrift stores and friends are not to be used. Old cribs need to be dismantled and thrown away. I know it seems wasteful but it is for your infant's safety.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/New-Crib-Standards-What-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx
The biggest change is that drop sides are no longer allowed. Also stronger slats and better mattress supports are required as well. Also crib manufacturers are to do more rigorous testing on their product before it goes on sale.
Unfortunately this means that when you need a crib you need to buy a new one. Ones from garage sales, thrift stores and friends are not to be used. Old cribs need to be dismantled and thrown away. I know it seems wasteful but it is for your infant's safety.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/New-Crib-Standards-What-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx
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