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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. 

Using car seats properly is extremely important for protecting children while riding in a vehicle. Car seats can protect children from being injured or killed during a car crash. But finding the best car seat to use and learning how to install it properly can be overwhelming as a parent. In this blog, we break it down to make it easier and to ensure that you have all of the information you need for car seat safety.

 

When it comes to choosing the right car seat, you’ll want to take into account your child’s age, size, and developmental needs. Car seat manuals will provide recommendations based on these factors so it’s important to read them thoroughly. The manuals will also provide step-by-step guidelines on how to install the car seat. But if you have any trouble or doubts, it’s best to work with a professional who can install the seat for you. For a list of car seat products based on your child’s height and weight, click here. 

 

Car seats should be installed in the back of the vehicle. Older children should also sit in the back until they’re 13 years of age. When you install the seat, you can use the vehicle’s seat belt or its LATCH (attachment system for car safety seats). Forward-facing car seats will have a top tether which should be securely attached to the top anchor. The lower anchor connectors should be fastened to the lower anchors. If you’re using the seat belt instead of the LATCH system, it’s important to make sure that the seat belt is locked securely to hold the seat tightly. If you’re able to move the seat at the belt path more than an inch in either direction, the seat is not tight enough. When using a rear-facing car seat, place the harnesses in slots that are at or below your child’s shoulders.

 

Many rear-facing car seats will also have load legs and anti-rebound bars to help absorb the energy of a crash and protect your child from being injured. For children with disabilities who are not able to keep their head and neck straight, they will benefit from the recline feature on forward-facing convertible, all-in-one, and combination seats. The feature can keep your child’s head from drooping forward.

 

When newborn babies first arrive home from the hospital, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to use a rear-facing car seat and to continue using one until your child reaches the highest weight and height permitted by their car safety seat manufacturer. After that, children should continue to ride rear facing in a convertible or all-in-one seat until they outgrow rear-facing seats but no earlier than 2 years of age. They can then start to use forward-facing seats until they’re ready to use booster seats, typically after 7 years of age. Older children should remain in the booster seat until they’re big enough to fit in a seat belt properly, usually after 12 years of age.  

 

Before installing a booster seat, read through the instructions and the safety manual. The lap belt should lie low and snug across children’s upper thighs and the shoulder belt should cross over the middle of children’s chests and the shoulders. 

 

When using car or booster seats during the winter, it’s important to remove any coat or jacket off your child. Children should be tightly strapped in and bulky coats create space between the child and the belt. If an accident occurs, the child will be in danger of slipping out of their car or booster seat. To keep your child warm, you can put a blanket over them and use your car’s heating system. When you’re cleaning the car or booster seat, read the manufacturer’s guidelines first and avoid using disinfectants as they can decrease the protection of the seat.

 

As a reminder, if you have any trouble installing a car or booster seat or doubts about their security, seek guidance from a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one on this website. 

February is Children’s Dental Health Month and something to always remember when it comes to your child’s health is that their oral health is important for their overall health. Your child’s dental health begins when they get their first tooth, which typically occurs when they’re between 4 and 7 months old. Once you see their first tooth erupts, you’ll want to start tooth brushing by using a soft-bristled brush that’s specifically designed for babies. Make sure to only use a small smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) until they reach age 3. It is also recommended to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, a natural mineral which strengthens the enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. 

 

After your child reaches the age of 3, you can start to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. And when your child is able to brush their own teeth, they can begin to use a normal amount. This is usually when they’re about 5 or 6 years old. At this point, you’ll want to make sure that your child is taught the proper techniques of tooth brushing and good oral hygiene practices. Encourage them to brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes during each session. Children should brush their teeth thoroughly from top to bottom and inside and out. You might also want to consider using music or a counting game that lasts 2 minutes to make the cleaning routine more fun and easier to stick to. Keep in mind that the back molars are the most common teeth to get cavities so remind your child to brush all the way back into their mouth to reach those areas. It’s recommended for families to supervise children when they’re cleaning their teeth until they’re about 10 years old. 

 

In addition to brushing the teeth, it’s also essential that your child flosses every day. Flossing removes plaque and food in between teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Without flossing, the plaque remains and can harden into tartar, leading to gum disease. For older children with braces or fixed retainers, they will need special types of floss products that are designed to get in between or around braces and retainers. 

 

Rinsing with mouthwash can help maintain your child’s dental health. However, it is not safe to use mouthwash until the child is 6 or 7 years old. Younger children may accidentally swallow it. Before your child starts using mouthwash, teach them how to rinse properly and warn them that mouthwash is never safe to swallow. It’s also best to buy mouthwash that is alcohol-free.  

 

Good oral hygiene practices are very crucial to protecting your children’s teeth. But diet is another key contributing factor for children’s dental health. Added sugar in candies, sweets, syrups, and sugary beverages can cause bacteria on your child’s teeth to grow and can lead to tooth decay. You’ll want to limit their consumption of added sugar and have them brush their teeth soon after consuming any of these items. The longer the residue stays in their mouth, the more damage it can cause. It is also important that your child maintains a well-balanced diet with plenty of calcium and Vitamin D, both of which are necessary to build strong teeth. 

 

When your child comes in for a well-check visit, we will always check in on their teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy. It is also important that your child keeps up with regular dental visits for routine cleaning and checkups. Having your child’s teeth monitored helps ensure that any potential problems like cavities are addressed early before they can worsen. Children should start visiting the dentist by age one. 

 

Instilling good dental habits in your children can foster long-term dental health success so that your child’s teeth can develop strong and healthy. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, please contact our office.