Peninsula Pediatrics

Author: Splash Creative

Keeping Your Baby Safe and Cool During the Summer

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Your baby’s first summer can feel exciting as you get to spend more time outdoors with them and enjoy the sunshine together. While summer is a fun season, it also comes with potential risks for babies. Infants are more sensitive to high temperatures and sun exposure because their bodies aren’t yet able to regulate temperature as effectively as adults. That’s why it’s important to take extra steps to keep your baby safe, cool, and comfortable throughout the warmer months.

Dress Your Baby for Hot Weather and Protect Them from the Sun

One of the best ways to keep your baby cool during the hot season is to dress them in light-colored, lightweight, and breathable clothing that covers most of their skin to also protect them from the sun. Be careful not to overdress them, however, as too much clothing can make your child feel overheated and uncomfortable. If your baby is sweating or acting fussy, that’s a sign that they’re feeling too hot. It’s also beneficial to give your baby a wide-brimmed hat to keep their head, face, and neck shaded.

Remember that babies under 6 months of age should be away from direct sunlight, as they have delicate skin that is more sensitive to the sun. When you go outside with your child, find shade under a tree or use an umbrella or the stroller canopy. Limit their sun exposure during the sun’s peak hours (between 10 am and 4 pm) as this is when the UV rays are strongest. It’s also important to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside (if your baby is over the age of 6 months) and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days and should have an SPF of at least 30. We recommend giving your baby sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection as well. 

Keep Your Baby Hydrated

Babies are at greater risk of dehydration because their small bodies lose fluids more quickly. If your baby is under 6 months old, breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need. It’s important to offer feeds more frequently during hot weather. If your baby is over 6 months old and is eating solids, you can offer 4-8 ounces of water per day in addition to breast milk or formula. Watch for signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, dry lips, fussiness, or unusual sleepiness. If you notice any of these signs, please call our pediatrician.

Protect Your Baby from Water

Water safety is also important to consider when keeping your baby safe during the summer. Babies should never be near water without adult supervision, even if the water is shallow. Just 1-2 inches of water can be dangerous for infants. If you have an inflatable or portable pool, empty it after every use and turn it upside down. If you have a regular pool, make sure it is fenced properly or covered when not in use. Babies should not be introduced to pools until they’re at least 6 months of age. 

Protect Your Baby from Insect Bites

There are more insects around in the summer, especially in areas of vegetation. To prevent insect bites, you can use an insect repellent, but only if your baby is at least 2 months old. Make sure to use a repellent that comes in the form of a stick, lotion, or unpressurized spray. Pressurized spray can cause your infant to breathe in the repellent or get it in their eyes. Avoid applying the repellent on your baby’s hands in case your child puts their hands in their mouth. When you bring your baby back inside, wash the repellent off their skin with soap and water. If your baby is younger than 2 months, we recommend placing a net over their stroller or carrier to prevent bugs from getting inside.

Keep Indoor Spaces Cool

Babies should always be kept in a comfortable temperature at home. Overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The ideal temperature is between 68-72°F (20-22°C). We recommend using an air conditioner or fan to keep your home cool. Make sure your baby is also dressed in a single layer of light clothing only. If there are a lot of windows in your baby’s room, keep the curtains or blinds closed during the sun’s peak times, as the sunlight can increase the temperature of the room. 

Lastly, keep a lookout for signs of heat illness and exhaustion, such as rapid breathing, flushed skin, restlessness, vomiting, or even becoming unusually quiet or unresponsive. If your baby shows any of these signs, move them to a cool area immediately and call our office. Remember, if you have questions or concerns about your baby’s health during the summer, our pediatrician is here to support you. 

Mental Health and Emotional Development in Children and Teens

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Depression and anxiety have been on the rise in children and teens. Kids are facing all types of stressors that are impacting their mental health. Social media, upsetting news, peer pressures, academic pressures, and social exclusion are some of the things that can exacerbate mental health challenges. Fortunately, however, parents and families can provide their children with mental health and emotional development tools to build resilience and learn healthy ways to cope and thrive in tough situations. Below are 4 building blocks to support your family’s mental health. 

Supportive and Stable Relationships at Home  

Every child benefits from strong, stable, and healthy relationships at home. It’s important that kids feel secure and connected with a caring adult and that their home environment is a safe space for them. One way to help children experience stability and connection is to create structured routines. This can include establishing regular mealtimes for eating together, setting specific times for kids to work on their homework, involving children in regular chores to instill a sense of responsibility and belonging, and creating a bedtime ritual. Structured routines can help kids feel more in control of their lives, reduce stress through predictability, and ensure that they’re maintaining their physical health by eating and sleeping well. It’s also beneficial to carve out time for kids to play, relax, or engage in fun activities that give them joy. We recommend dedicating some time to family activities like game nights. 

Another tip to keep in mind is to use positive discipline strategies to teach kids how to manage their behavior. Set limits and consequences for harmful behaviors, and make sure to model the behavior you expect of your kids. Additionally, you’ll want to recognize positive behaviors to encourage your kids to continue them. 

Creating Space for Open Communication

When kids feel anxious or depressed, having a space to express their thoughts and feelings to a trusted adult can make a huge difference. To encourage open dialogue, practice active listening, and foster a supportive, non-judgmental environment so that your child feels comfortable sharing what’s on their mind or what they’re dealing with. It’s helpful to ask open-ended questions instead of yes-or-no ones to better understand your child’s struggles.

Teaching Kids How to Understand and Manage Emotions

Learning how to understand and manage emotions can prevent children from feeling overwhelmed, and you can help your child with the process. Start by acknowledging, naming, and validating their emotion without excusing inappropriate behavior. For example, if your child is lashing out at home, you can say something like, “I see that you’re feeling angry right now. I understand that you’re frustrated, and that’s ok, even though your behavior is not.” From there, you can share healthier ways for them to cope and techniques for calming down, such as deep breaths, muscle relaxation, and visualization, i.e., imagining they’re relaxing on a beach.  

Helping Kids Connect with Peers and Their Community 

Having a strong support system, including trusted friends, and being involved in a community is valuable to a child’s mental health and emotional development. Kids will feel connected to others and that they have a purpose. Starting at a young age, schedule playdates for your toddler so that they can start learning how to form friendships. For older kids, encourage them to invite their friends over or schedule times to meet up with them. Volunteering and participating in extracurricular activities like sports or school clubs help children develop empathy and respect for others. It also improves their self-esteem and confidence and can prevent suicidal thoughts. 

Although more kids today are experiencing mental health issues, these emotional development building blocks can help children overcome their challenges and develop resilience. In some cases, however, children may need additional support. If your child is struggling with depression or anxiety, call our office to speak with our pediatrician.

Anxiety in Children and Teens

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Do you notice your child worrying a lot or struggling with a phobia? An anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition affecting many children and adolescents. While it’s normal for kids to feel anxious from time to time, such as before a test or a presentation in class, an anxiety disorder is when the fear is constant and intense to the point that it interferes with daily life. In recent years, anxiety has increased among children and teens. Pressures from school and peers, social media, and negative news in the media can contribute to anxiety in kids. Understanding the signs and addressing the disorder early can help your child get the support they need. 

Signs of Anxiety in Kids 

Common symptoms of anxiety include recurring fears, irritability, avoiding certain activities or situations such as school or social interactions, a drop in school grades and academic performance, trouble sleeping and concentrating, headaches, stomachaches, or substance use. Kids may shake or sweat often, feel their heart racing, or struggle with sitting still. If you notice these signs, it’s important to talk to your child right away. Start by discussing the potential triggers for their anxiety to get to the source. You can then help them manage their fears by using methods such as deep breathing, meditation, muscle relaxation, or positive self-talk.

Below is information on the different types of anxiety disorders that can affect children and teens. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about everyday things, like school, events in the news, or family issues. Kids with generalized anxiety disorder may constantly seek reassurance or may struggle to relax. They may feel that their worries are difficult to control and that they disrupt their day-to-day functioning. 

 

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Social anxiety disorder occurs when kids are excessively afraid of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations. As a result, they might avoid social situations such as parties or school events. They might also be afraid to speak up in class or participate in extracurricular activities. Social anxiety disorder can make it difficult for kids to make friends or connect with their peers.

 

Separation Anxiety Disorder:

Separation anxiety disorder causes kids to have an intense fear of being separated from their parents or caregivers. Children may refuse to go to school, sleep alone, or attend playdates out of fear that something bad will happen when they’re away from their family. While separation anxiety disorder is more common in younger children, it can also occur in older kids.

 

Phobias:

Phobias occur when kids have an irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity, like the dark, dogs, needles, thunderstorms, clowns, or heights. Phobias can cause kids to panic when faced with their fears and lead to avoidance behaviors. 

 

Panic Disorder:

Panic disorder causes kids to have panic attacks when triggered by their anxiety or phobia. Children may feel short of breath, dizzy, or lightheaded. They may also hyperventilate and suffer from heart palpitations. 

 

Treating Anxiety in Kids

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed by a mental health specialist or a pediatrician during well-check visits. The diagnosis is done through a comprehensive evaluation where children and families are asked questions about mood, thoughts, behaviors, and activities. The most effective and common type of treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help kids understand where their anxious thoughts come from and learn coping strategies for managing those thoughts. Through CBT, kids can learn to manage their fears through gradual exposure in a safe environment. In some cases, however, children may need medication in addition to therapy. 

 

While your child is being treated for anxiety, it’s important to take care of the other aspects of their health, such as diet, exercise, and sleep. Although these are not substitutes for therapy and medication, they can aid in the process and support your child’s mental health. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s anxiety, call our office. Our pediatrician is here to support your family.