Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Pediatric Health

Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby and Parent

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Happy National Breastfeeding month!  Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies for the first six months of their lives. It provides all the nutrients and water your baby needs in the right amounts, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of your child’s life. After that, you can begin supplementing with solids while continuing to nurse until your child is one or beyond (if desired by both you and your baby). In addition to nutrition, breastfeeding has several other benefits for both the baby and the parent. Read on for more information.

Breastfeeding Benefits for the Immune System
Breast milk strengthens your baby’s immune system by providing antibodies to fight infection. Colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, is particularly rich in immune-boosting components, but protective antibodies remain present throughout breastfeeding. These antibodies, combined with the milk’s proteins, fats, and sugars, support your baby in fighting gastrointestinal infections and other illnesses, with benefits that often continue even after breastfeeding ends. Research has revealed that breastfed babies are less likely to get ear infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and some forms of meningitis, as well as lower their risk for leukemia and lymphoma. Breast milk also contains probiotics that promote healthy gut bacteria, which can reduce the risk of allergies, asthma, obesity, and chronic conditions later in life.

Bonding and Development Benefits from Breastfeeding
The skin-to-skin contact of breastfeeding helps nurture the emotional bond between you and your baby. It also helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heart rate, and stress levels while providing comfort and reassurance. Studies show that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 64%, and reduces overall infant mortality by as much as 40%. Nursing also supports sleep, brain development, and emotional growth in infants.

Breastfeeding Benefits for the Parent
For nursing parents, breastfeeding offers many health benefits as well. It can lower the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, improve bone density, and help with getting better sleep. It may also aid postpartum recovery and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Additionally, breastfeeding can provide metabolic support to return to pre-pregnancy weight. 

Breastfeeding Advice and Frequency
It’s recommended to begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth whenever possible. During the first year, babies typically nurse 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, depending on hunger cues. You can tell if your baby is getting enough milk when they produce at least six wet diapers per day once milk supply is established. It’s important to keep track of their weight, which your pediatrician can help you with. 

If you return to work or need to be away from your infant, pumping breast milk can help maintain your supply and ensure your baby continues to get breast milk. Always follow the breast pump manufacturer’s instructions, keep the equipment clean, and store milk properly in the refrigerator or cooler if it isn’t used immediately. Massaging your breasts before pumping can help stimulate milk flow. For guidelines on proper milk storage, check out this guide. For tips on how to clean your pump parts, click here. 

As a reminder, make sure to schedule your newborn’s first check-up within 72 hours of hospital discharge. Your pediatrician can assess whether your baby is getting enough milk, address any feeding concerns, and provide additional breastfeeding guidance. To learn about our breastfeeding support and lactation services, please contact our office.



Measles Outbreak: What Parents Need to Know

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The recent measles outbreak is causing many parents to feel concerned. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications, especially in young children.As cases are currently on the rise, it’s important for families to understand the symptoms, how to prevent measles, and what to do if their child is exposed. In this blog, we provide essential information about measles and how to best protect your children 

Measles is caused by a virus that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person. It can also travel along air currents and infect people in a different room. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours as well. Even brief exposure is risky, and those who have conditions that cause a weaker immune system are at greater risk of infection. If someone has become infected with measles, they are contagious even before they start experiencing symptoms and can be contagious for up to 4 days after they get a rash. Symptoms may begin to appear 8-12 days after exposure. The most common symptoms include a high fever, rash, runny nose, red, watery eyes, diarrhea, and ear infection. Some kids might have small white spots (also known as Koplik spots) that appear inside the mouth. Children with measles can feel very ill,and the rash can last longer than a week.

Measles is considered a dangerous disease because it can lead to severe illness especially in those with weakened immune systems, such as babies, children, and those who are pregnant. Other potential complications include hearing loss from ear infections, pneumonia, and brain swelling that can cause seizures or brain damage.  

Some families might wonder if vitamin A can prevent or cure measles. While getting enough vitamin A can help reduce the severity of the disease, it is not a preventative method. During a measles infection, however, the virus can cause a vitamin A deficiency. Therefore, if a child is diagnosed with measles, the pediatrician may recommend two doses of vitamin A, 24 hours apart and for a total of two days. It’s important to keep in mind that vitamin A should not be used to prevent measles and that giving your child too much vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, joint and bone pain, blurry vision, skin and hair problems, high pressure in the skull, liver damage, and even a coma. Most kids get vitamin A from a healthy diet, and babies get the vitamin from breast milk or formula. If you believe your child needs a supplement, talk to the pediatrician first.  

The best way to protect your children from measles is to get them vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Children should receive the first dose when they are 12-15 months old and the second dose when they are 4-6 years old. Children who are at higher risk may need three doses. The MMR vaccine can provide lifelong immunity to measles and can help prevent the spread of the disease. It is also safe, and contrary to some beliefs, it does not cause autism. Occasional side effects can occur, like a fever, skin tenderness, or a rash. Babies under the age of one should have limited exposure to crowded areas whenever possible, especially during an outbreak. They should also be kept away from any sick individuals. 

If you think your child has been exposed to measles, contact our pediatrician right away. To schedule your child’s vaccination, please call our office.

Protecting Children from Winter Injuries

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Despite the cold, many children find the winter season exciting, especially when they get to play in the snow. Snowball fights, making snow angels, and building snowmen are activities that bring joy to kids. Some also enjoy winter sports like ice skating, sledding, skiing, or snowboarding. While winter activities can be fun and beneficial for children’s health, they can also cause injuries if proper precautions are not taken. It’s important for families to be aware of the common types of winter injuries and how to prevent them.

 

One major risk is exposure to cold temperatures, which can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when the skin and sometimes the tissue below, freezes. The most susceptible parts of the body to frostbite are the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature drops below normal, which can be life-threatening. To prevent both, make sure your child does not spend a long time outside in the cold, especially if the temperatures are freezing or there are windy conditions. It’s also important that your child dresses warmly, with layers, hats, gloves, and warm socks. 

 

If your child gets frostbite, bring them indoors immediately. Avoid rubbing the affected area or placing anything hot on the skin. Instead, place the frostbitten areas in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes or use a warm washcloth. If the pain or numbness doesn’t go away after several minutes, call the pediatrician.  Hypothermia, on the other hand, is a medical emergency. If you suspect that your child has hypothermia, call 911 right away and bring your child indoors. Remove any wet clothing and replace them with warm clothes, or wrap your child in a blanket. If they’re not breathing or their pulse is weak, perform CPR.

 

Winter sports like ice skating, sledding, skiing, and snowboarding can cause injuries if safety guidelines are not followed. Children should only go ice skating on approved surfaces and never alone. Advise your child to skate in one direction and encourage them to wear protective gear like a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. For kids who enjoy sledding, it’s essential that they do so properly – always feet first or sitting up and never lying down. Only steerable sleds that are structurally sound, free of sharp edges and splinters, and have a well-lubricated steering mechanism should be used. Children should avoid crowded areas and sled on slopes that are free of obstructions like trees. The slope should also not be too steep or have an incline that is more than 30 degrees. 

 

For skiing and snowboarding, kids should be properly trained by a qualified instructor and be supervised by an adult. Wearing a helmet is important to protect the head from potential injury. It is also recommended to wear goggles for eye protection. As with sledding, don’t let your child ski or snowboard down steep slopes or slopes that are too icy. 

 

In general, when it’s snowing or icy, kids need to be extra careful outside, as slippery surfaces can lead to falls. Wearing proper footwear with adequate traction can prevent slips. If your child does fall and experience a sprain or bruise, we suggest using the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to reduce swelling and pain. Keep the injured area rested without bearing any weight on it. Apply an ice pack to the area for 20-minute sessions several times. Additionally, wrap the area with a bandage and keep it elevated to promote drainage.

 

If your child has a serious injury, such as a fracture or concussion, please call our office. We hope your family stays safe and enjoys the rest of the winter season!