As I strive to run faster and improve my foot strength, I’ve tried to run and walk in shoes with less and less support.  This has included wearing “toe shoes” or Vibram Five Fingers while running or even running barefoot when the weather cooperates.  Since Vibram recently came out with a model that might be tolerated in the work environment, I’m giving them a shot.  I’m already getting comments from families, but overall the kids love them.  I’ll let you know if wearing these on a daily basis turns out just to be a fashion statement or if they indeed make my feet stronger.

On a different note, I have now started training for the Boston Marathon and am starting to do some longer distance running again.  This morning I did 17 miles – it was bitter cold but I still love to be out running for a couple hours at a time.  It is usually on a run that takes awhile that my mind finally “quiets down” and gives me any ideas to blog about.  So I should have plenty of material between now and April 16th in Boston.  Stay tuned!

Article By Jessica Ester, ARNP

Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm.

What to Wear

• Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities.  Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.

• The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

• Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment.  Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.

• If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as your baby’s chest, so the infant’s face is less likely to become covered by bedding materials.

Hypothermia

• Hypothermia develops when a child’s temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing or when clothes get wet. It can occur more quickly in children than in adults.

• As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy.  Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.

• If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets or warm clothes.

Frostbite

• Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen.  This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose.  They may become pale, gray and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.

• If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water.  104° Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most hot tubs) is recommended. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.

• Do not rub the frozen areas.

• After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink.

• If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.

Winter Health

• If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child’s room at night. Saline nose drops or petrolatum may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.

• Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s first year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.

• Cold weather does not cause colds or flu.  But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other.  Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.
• Children 6 months of age and up should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.

Winter Sports and Activities

• Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.  Have children come inside periodically to warm up.

Ice Skating

• Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces.  Check for signs posted by local police or recreation departments, or call your local police department to find out which areas have been approved.

• Advise your child to:
• Skate in the same direction as the crowd
• Avoid darting across the ice
• Never skate alone
• Not chew gum or eat candy while skating.
• Consider having your child wear a helmet while ice skating.

Sledding

• Keep sledders away from motor vehicles.
• Children should be supervised while sledding.
• Keep young children separated from older children.
• Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries.
• Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding.
• Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes.
• Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
• Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30º), and end with a flat runoff.
• Avoid sledding in crowded areas.

Snow Skiing and Snowboarding

• Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.
• Never ski or snowboard alone.
• Young children should always be supervised by an adult.  Older children’s need for adult supervision depends on their maturity and skill.  If older children are not with an adult, they should always at least be accompanied by a friend.
• Consider wearing a helmet.
• Equipment should fit the child.  Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year.  Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Eye protection or goggles should also be used.
• Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder.  Avoid crowded slopes.
• Avoid skiing in areas with trees and other obstacles.

Sun Protection

The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow.  Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.

Fire Protection

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:

• Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Practice fire drills with your children
• Install a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms

American Academy of Pediatrics, 12/10
SafeKids,  11/105

What Does 5-2-1-0 Healthy Mean?

This easy to remember message stands for the following healthy habits:

5              Eating fruits and vegetables at least 5 times a day. Limit 100% fruit juice.

2              Cutting screen time to 2 hours or less a day.

1              Participating in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

0              Restricting soda and sugar-sweetened sports and fruit drinks. Drink water and 3-4 servings/day of fat-free/skim or 1% milk.

Helping Your Kids Learn Healthy Habits

As a gentle reminder, put this article on your fridge. Take a few minutes each week to sit down and talk about it with your children to help them become more aware of their eating and exercise habits. Take the snack lists below with you on grocery shopping trips.

No Prep “One Serving” Snacks

• Whole fruits
• Fruit salad: 1/2 cup store-bought, fresh fruit, unsweetened canned fruit, or snack cup
• Apple sauce: 1 snack cup (unsweetened)
• Nuts: 1/3 cup of nuts such as almonds, peanuts, cashews, or mixed nuts
• Cheese: Low fat string cheese, or 2 slices low fat cheese
• Granola/Fruit bar: 1 low fat, whole grain bar
• Cereal: 1 cup whole grain cereal (unsweetened)
• Fruit smoothies: Store-bought or homemade with fresh or frozen fruit and low fat milk or yogurt
  

Weekend & Evening Snacks (Some Prep)

• Veggies & dip such as baby carrots, red pepper slices, chopped broccoli, or cherry tomatoes served with hummus, low fat salad dressing, or other low fat dip
• Snack kabobs: veggie or fruit chunks skewered onto thin pretzel sticks
• Sweet potato fries: baked sweet potato wedges, tossed lightly with olive oil and salt
• Low fat cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit and/or granola
• Homemade Popsicles: made with 100% fruit juice or low fat yogurt
• Taco roll-up: small whole wheat tortilla rolled w/low fat cheese, beans and salsa
• Mini pizzas: toast pita bread or half of a whole wheat English muffin w/tomato sauce, cheese, and chopped vegetables
• Mini bagel with spread with 1 tablespoon light cream cheese, peanut butter, or hummus

Rewards & Celebrating a Job Well Done

Sometimes we’re tempted to reward good behavior with food. While your kids may enjoy this, invite them to suggest alternative rewards that are not food based. As you come up with ideas, create a list of inexpensive rewards and post it where the whole family can see it. You can also put together a separate list of special rewards to recognize fabulous achievements.

Potential “Healthy Habit” Rewards

• Give certificates or ribbons for healthy behaviors.
• Allow your child to have a few friends over after school to play sports.
• Invite a few of their friends to a sleepover.
• Have a family game night.
• Keep a box of special toys or art supplies that can only be used on special occasions.
• Attend a sports game.
• Camp out in the back yard.
• Encourage the use of electronics that support physical activity, like Dance Dance Revolution.
• Choose toys and games that promote physical activity like jump ropes, balls, or Skip-Its.

It takes time for eating and exercise habits to change and “stick.” Encouraging your kids to make those changes week by week with healthy snacks, gentle reminders and appropriate rewards, will help you and your family create your own ways of becoming healthier.

> More information about the Nutrition: 5-2-1-0 Program

If you have any questions about the Nutrition 5-2-1-0 program or anything else relating to your kids’ health please Contact Us  (859-525-8181) Today!

Pediatrics of Florence has a contract with 2 of the 3 MCO’s. We will be accepting WellCare of Kentucky and Coventry Cares. We will not be accepting Kentucky Spirit Health Plans. If you have been assigned to Kentucky Spirit Health Plan and wish to remain in the care of this practice you will need to contact your worker to have your plan changed to either WellCare of Kentucky or Coventry Cares..

Please contact us (859) 525-8181, if you have any questions about medicaid or any other matter relating to your child’s health.

Simply pull up to the office and get your child’s flu mist without having to get the kids out of the car. The clinic will be for flu mist only.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive the mist, your child must be over the age of 2 years, not have an allergy to egg, and not have
a history of wheezing or asthma.   If you are not sure if your child can receive the mist, please contact (859) 525-8181 the office prior to the clinic to determine if they are eligible.

Drive Up Flu Clinic Dates

• Wednesday, October 5^th from 3:00pm – 5:00pm
• Saturday, October 15^th 9:00an- 12:00pm
• Wednesday, October 19^th from 3:00pm-5:00on

If we are experiencing severe weather please call the office to verify that we are still holding the clinic. Please be sure to follow the step by step instructions in order to make the clinic flow smoothly for both our patients and our staff.

Drive up Flu Mist Clinic Instructions

1. When you arrive in the office parking lot, please call 525-8181 to let us know that you are here.
2. You may park anywhere in the parking lot, but please turn on your hazard lights so you can be easily identified.
3. Please provide the name of each child that you wish to receive the flu mist.
4. A nurse or medical assistant will be out shortly with the immunization.

Please contact us (859) 525-8181, if you have any questions about flu vacinnes or any other matter relating to your child’s health.

Well-child visits are when you and your doctor have the opportunity to evaluate your child’s ongoing growth, development and overall health. These appointments also help your child become more comfortable with their doctor, and it’s the perfect time for you and the pediatrician to ask questions and communicate important information.

Along with a complete physical exam including height and weight, each visit may include:

• Tests, such as vision, hearing and lab services
• Shots (vaccinations)
• Lead screening (children under 3 years or as needed for older children)
• Tracking growth and development
• Providing you with information about normal development, nutrition, sleep, safety and diseases that are “going around.”
• Medical referrals to specialists, if needed

(By the way well-baby visits include all these areas as well as head circumference.)

Bring Your Questions

Well-child visits are key times to talk with your doctor. Before your visit, write down and bring with your questions and concerns.

As you can tell, well child visits help you as a parent stay in touch with your child’s’ healthcare needs. Preventive care can also keep your kids healthy. With regular well child visits, your doctor can often detect and address health problems before they become more serious.

Please contact us (859) 525-8181, if you have any questions about well visits or any other matter relating to your child’s health.

What is the Menactra Booster Dose?

The Menactra vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine against meningococcal disease.

Why is This Booster Dose Important?

Meningococcal disease, which most commonly affects teens and young adults, can be deadly and rapidly progressive. Between 1000 and 2600 cases of meningococcal disease occur in the United States annually.¹

Two forms of this illness are 1) Meningitis, an infection in the brain and spinal cord fluid and; 2) Septicemia, which is blood poisoning. Although rare, meningitis can be devastating. Within hours of the first symptoms, there can be organ failure, brain damage or loss of limbs.

Who Needs the Menactra Booster?

• Adolescents and persons at high risk for meningococcal disease (people without the function of a spleen or who have complement deficiency or HIV positive).
• Kids who are 11-12 years old, who will also need a booster shot at 16. If your child got their Menactra vaccine at 13-15 years old, they should get their booster at 16-18. If your child is 16 or older it is likely they need a booster soon.
• Unvaccinated college freshman should receive one dose.

For more information about this vaccine, please see this information sheet provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Please contact us (859) 525-8181, if you have any questions about the Menactra Booster or any other matter relating to your child’s health.

¹ http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed August 2011.