Pediatric Health Archives

Beach Safety Tips for Families

Posted on June 2, 2024August 14, 2025 by Splash Creative

Going to the beach this summer? For many families, beach time is an exciting thing to look forward to during the summer season. But before you head out with the children for fun in the sun, sand, and water, we’d like to share important tips to keep your family safe.
One of the crucial things to do first before you arrive to the beach is to apply liberal amounts of sunscreen on your children’s skin to keep them protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

The most effective sunscreen to use is one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and a “broad-spectrum” label. As it takes time for sunscreen to absorb, make sure to apply it 15 to 30 minutes in advance. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.

To keep your children’s eyes safe from the sunlight, make sure they wear sunglasses with 99% UV protection. If you’re at the beach during the sun’s peak hours, bring an umbrella that you can anchor to the sand and use as a shade. Just keep in mind that sunscreen will still need to be applied as the umbrella does not provide enough UV protection.

Many kids love playing or swimming in the water when they go to the beach. But there are a lot of hazards and safety issues to consider, including drowning. Only allow your child to go in the water in areas where there are active lifeguards on duty. It’s also important that you keep your eyes on your children when they’re in or near water. If your children are young, an adult should accompany them in the water.

Children who lack swimming skills should wear life jackets, including while participating in any boating activity. Keep a look out for how high the waves are. If the currents are strong or if you have any doubts about your child’s safety in the water, do not let them go in.

Another water precaution to be aware of is that the ocean has marine life that can harm your child, including jellyfish. Lifeguards will often put up warnings in areas where jellyfish or other dangerous marine life are around. You can also scan the waters for them. If your child does get a sting by any chance, get them out of the water immediately and inform a lifeguard who can assist them. Avoid rubbing the area where your child was stung or using ice packs as these can make the sting worse. Instead, you’ll want to rinse the area with vinegar and have your child checked by the doctor. There are certain creams and pain relievers that can be used to make your child feel better.

A fun activity to do on the beach is to play in the sand or build sand castles. Just be careful not to let your kids dig holes that are too deep for them as they might fall and become at risk for suffocation. Advise your child on how to properly play and dig in the sand to prevent them from getting sand in their eyes.

Lastly, always monitor the weather as thunderstorms pose dangers on the beach. If you’re at the beach when a storm hits, find a building or shelter for your family immediately. If you have any questions or concerns about summer and beach safety, please call our office!

Tips on Sleep Safety for Babies

Posted on May 4, 2024August 14, 2025 by Splash Creative

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of injury death in babies. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sleep safety guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. In this blog, we cover these guidelines and tips to ensure a safe sleep environment for your infant.

The AAP recommends putting babies on their backs on a firm and flat surface without any soft bedding, like pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Soft bedding and inclined sleeper products can cause accidental suffocation and should be avoided. Instead, it’s best to use a fitted sheet and keep everything else out of your baby’s crib. A great reference to use for finding a safe crib or bassinet is Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Their website also provides updates on product recalls.

Babies should not sleep on their stomachs as this increases their risk of SIDS. Research indicates that SIDS might be caused by defects in the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up. When your baby is lying down on their stomach, they will sleep more deeply and may not wake up when they need oxygen. It’s also important to avoid the side position as your baby may roll onto their stomach. Some premature babies in NICU might need to be placed on their stomachs, but this should be done only temporarily under physician guidance. Once they’re stable, they should be placed on their backs so they become accustomed to sleeping in this position. After 12 months of age, babies can sleep safely on their stomachs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding bed sharing. If you have twins or multiples, they should sleep in separate cribs and never together. Additionally, babies should not be allowed to routinely sleep in car seats, strollers, infant carriers, or swings. If your baby does fall asleep in any of these products, it’s important to move them to a firm sleep surface as soon as possible.

Another way to ensure that your baby stays safe is to keep their environment free of any exposure to nicotine. Never smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS as it can impair your baby’s breathing. You’ll also want to avoid letting your baby’s sleep environment get too warm as overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Check for any signs of overheating like flushed skin or sweating. The best temperature for your baby’s room is normal room temperature. Sharing a room with your baby can make monitoring their environment and sleep easier and has been known to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%.

Some parents have questions about whether or not it’s safe to swaddle their infant. Swaddling is safe as long as you follow key guidelines. Babies should not be swaddled tightly nor should weighted blankets be used. Use a thin blanket instead and spread it out flat with one corner folded down. Then, place your baby face-up on the blanket so that they’re still sleeping on their back as they should and place their head above the folded corner. Wrap the left corner of the blanket over their body, tucking it between their right arm and their right side. The right arm should then be tucked and the right corner of the blanket should be folded over their body and under their left side. Then, fold the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of them. If your baby looks like they might roll over, stop swaddling right away. At night, preferably use a zippered or velcro sleep sack.

If you have any questions or concerns about sleep safety or your baby’s health, contact our office.

How to Prepare Your Family for Seasonal Allergies

Posted on March 9, 2024August 14, 2025 by Splash Creative

Springtime is known for seasonal allergies as this is the season when trees and plants begin to pollinate. And unfortunately, changes in temperature and more rainfall can worsen allergies. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to certain substances in the environment. If your child suffers from allergies, it’s important to be prepared for the spring season.

Common symptoms of allergies are similar to those of a common cold, such as a runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, sniffling, headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, itchiness, and sometimes even rashes or hives. If you notice any of these, your child might have allergies and we recommend calling our office to make an appointment for an evaluation. If your child does have seasonal allergies, know that there are several options for management and that it’s essential to start right away before symptoms worsen and lead to a sinus or ear infection.

One of the most important things to do is to limit your child’s exposure to pollen and mold as much as possible. That doesn’t mean your child can’t go outside, but they should stay indoors when it’s particularly windy or the grass is being mowed. They should also avoid going near pollen or decaying vegetation and dead leaves as these can contain mold.

At home, it’s beneficial to turn on an air conditioner and an air purifier as both of these can filter out the air. However, both the air conditioner and air purifier should be properly maintained and cleaned in order to work efficiently and help with allergies. When kids return indoors from playing outside, make sure that they change their clothes and shoes that might have pollen on them and take a bath. Pets should also be brushed when brought back inside. Regularly vacuum and dust the house to get rid of any allergens as well. A clean and dust-free house is very important for treating seasonal allergies.

To help manage congestion when reducing exposure is not enough, you can give your child over-the-counter nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines. If your child struggles with hives or rashes, antihistamines, like Benadryl, can alleviate these symptoms. For itchy or irritated eyes, over-the-counter eye drops for allergies are helpful. It’s important to first to talk to a pediatrician before using any of these and to also get their advice on the proper usage and dosage. When any of these treatments don’t work, your child may benefit from allergy immunotherapy which can desensitize your child’s allergy response.

Another important thing to keep in mind about allergens is that they can be especially triggering to children with asthma. Not all kids with allergies have asthma, but at least 80% of kids with asthma have allergies. Allergens can cause asthma attacks so it is crucial that children with asthma avoid exposure.

If you believe your child’s allergies are out of hand or they’re experiencing severe symptoms, contact our office. Our pediatrician can also guide you on treatment options and how to create an asthma plan.