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Keeping kids healthy in the new year:
Three tidbits to achieve a terrific new year
By Erin Washburn, MD, Novant Health Randolph Pediatrics
It never fails. The night before a field trip or a big presentation at work or the day your child is to be the line leader, there you are with a child who has a fever or cough or a snotty head. Now you are wondering what you could have done differently. As a pediatrician and a mother of three little girls, I have been there and done that. I thought I would offer some advice.
Cough pockets and washing hands
 Elmo is right. The common cold and its cousin the flu are passed from person to person by infected droplets. Every time your children cough, sneeze or rub their noses, they have the potential to pass their infection to others. These tiny drops can land on a number of surfaces and be inhaled. By promoting good hand hygiene, you can help protect your children from catching or even passing along their colds. I was taught to cough into my hands as a child. Elmo taught my children to cough into the crook of their elbows. This makes so much more sense than putting one’s contaminated hands all over every surface of the house! Neither measure is perfect, but good hygiene can sometimes be the best way to prevent a missed day of work or school. In the wintertime, expect a cold per month for the younger ones. This is considered normal, and a cold can last up to 14 days. As long as your child is eating or drinking well and has no big fevers, you can probably handle it at home. When the fevers are higher or there is a change in the symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. And remember, a common cold is not treated with antibiotics. Colds and the flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics can be used only for bacterial infections, like pneumonia or ear infections.
Sleep
I know you’ve seen it – the child falling out at 9 p.m. at the restaurant while you and your spouse are trying to enjoy date night. Sleep is something that we don't get enough of. For children, sleep is incredibly important. Sleep allows them to reset. Sleep allows time for the body to heal. Sleep allows you time to get ready to face another day. Make sure you keep a structured bedtime routine. Be consistent every night, even on weekends. Maintaining a schedule can lead to less struggle at bedtime. Some children are good sleepers and some are not. Start early when it comes to regulating a bedtime routine. If your family struggles to get to a regular routine, start small and think big. Do one thing consistently every night, like changing into pajamas at the same time. Give everyone time to adjust to one small step and then move forward again. Work toward being in their room, lights out and staying in bed. Be strong and use some tough love for those children who are little stinkers. It can be extremely hard to hear your children cry and fuss, but they will push through and so can you. These suggestions may seem mundane and obvious for those of you whose children have already established a regular sleep schedule, but these suggestions also pertain to parents. We need to sleep just like our children. If at any time you have concerns about your child's sleep hygiene, talk to your pediatrician. There are certain disorders that can be manifested as sleep disturbances.
Unstructured play
Children today are scheduled and overscheduled. When there is a lull in the activity, it seems like we all grab for our electronic devices. I also love the quiet time I get when my children are plugged in, and I love the excitement they show when we plan for a day of activities with all there is to do around Charlotte. But nothing tickles me more than watching the imaginations of my children. Put aside the electronic devices for 45 minutes every day. Studies have shown that children who have unstructured play, especially outdoors, have the opportunity to use their imaginations which, in turn, has a positive effect on their learning abilities at school. Sit outside with your children and let them run off that energy. Give them a chance to be kids. Let them have a hula hoop or a ball and watch how their imaginations soar. Princesses and warriors, puppies and kitties, babies and mommies are some of the play themes I hear as they run around the yard. Bat ball (using a kickball and a plastic bat), soccer, football and just throwing a ball in the air to see who can catch it brings such joy to their faces. A rousing game of tickle tag or freeze tag also goes a long way in our cul-de-sac. When the temperature cools down and the kiddos don't want to be outside, lock yourselves in a room of the house where everyone congregates with their toys. Play some games, color on paper. Arts and crafts don't have to be the expensive kits you find at the store. Beautiful artwork can be created by your children with a simple crayon and sticky notes. Children need to be children. Letting their imaginations rule is something I don’t believe we let our kids experiment with enough.
Moms are never quiet when it comes to giving advice on raising children. It isn’t easy. I struggle every day just like everyone else. Take some time to enjoy your children. Childhood itself is such a short time, and it’s a rollercoaster. Good luck and happy New Year.
Dr. Erin Washburn is a pediatrician at Novant Health Randolph Pediatrics, located at 6324 Fairview Road, Suite 350, Charlotte.
To make an appointment with Dr. Washburn, call 704-384-8600 or visit nhrandolphpediatrics.org. |
