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Puberty is the stage of life when your child’s body starts going through physical changes as it becomes sexually mature and capable of reproduction. For most girls, this is typically between the ages 8 and 13. The earliest sign you might see is the development of breast “buds,” which are tiny bumps under the nipple. Your child might start growing body hair as well, including pubic hair. Menstruation also begins about 2 or 3 years after the start of puberty. The average age in America for when girls get their first period is 12. As a parent, it’s important to talk to your child about the new changes they experience and to prepare them in advance. It’s likely your child will have questions and knowing how to answer common questions will make having these conversations easier.

 

Breast development can make young girls anxious, especially since usually one breast starts developing before the other, causing the sizes of the breasts to be different. Let your daughter know that this is completely normal to ease any potential fears. You may also want to help them find new clothes and a training bra that disguises their breast development if it will make her feel more comfortable and less self-conscious. 

 

As your daughter starts growing body hair, she might show an interest in shaving and removing the hair. Keep in mind that this is a personal preference your child might have and it is not medically necessary. But if your child chooses to shave, it’s important to teach them how to do so safely. Without following precautions, shaving can cause cuts, razor burns, and irritation, leading to the risk of skin infection. Advise your daughter to always wet their skin first and apply lotion or gel. They should only apply light pressure when shaving and replace the razor or blade often. Razors should never be shared as that can cause an infection. There are electric shavers designed for girls that could be used as safer alternatives to traditional razors. 

 

As girls approach their first period, they may experience vaginal discharge which is usually clear or white. This can occur 6 months to a year before menstruation begins and is a response to the increase of estrogen happening in the body. Let your daughter know that this is normal. She might have questions about periods and you’ll want to make her feel comfortable to talk about it. It’s especially helpful to let your daughter know what to expect before they get their period. Talk to them about using menstrual products like pads and tampons and good hygiene practices, such as changing the pad or tampon often. If your child expresses concern about menstrual cramps and discomfort, let them know about home remedies that can help such as using a hot water bottle or heating pad, as well as taking an over-the-counter painkiller. 

 

Puberty brings about new changes for children as they make the transition into adulthood. And those changes can bring about uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety. By engaging in conversations with your child about puberty, you can make the navigation during this life stage easier for them. If you have any concerns about your child’s development or if you notice signs of early puberty (before age 8), call our office to talk to our pediatrician.

 

 

It’s winter and keeping your child safe is important during the cold season. Dressing your child with thick puffy coats may keep your child warm, but it can be unsafe if worn in a car seat. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 years in the US, but car or booster seats can provide protection. It’s important to use the right car seat correctly whenever your child is in the car. 

 

In order for car and booster seats to function properly, your child needs to remain tightly strapped, with the straps against the child’s chest. Snowsuits and puffy coats may loosen the way your child fits into the car or booster seat, making your child more susceptible to slipping out during an accident. They will be more likely to hit hard parts of the car, like the front seat, window, or door, which may cause significant injury. This is why it is extremely important that the car seat’s strap and belt stays close to the child’s body at all times. If your child is wearing a thick winter coat, you will end up tightening the straps to the size of the coat, not the size of your child. In case of an accident, this can cause the coat to compress and create space between your child and the belt. As a result, your child might slip out. 

 

The following is a safe car seat product list for different age groups provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It is important to note weight restrictions:

 

• Infants/Toddlers: Rear-facing car seats used until at least one year of age and weight is 22 lb (10 kg). 
• Toddlers/Preschoolers: Front-facing car seats used until weight is 40-65 lb (18-30 kg). 
• School-aged children: Booster seats used when children are at least 40 lb (18 kg). 
• Older children: Seat belts should be used when your child is at least 80 lb (36 kg) and 145 cm (4 feet and 9 inches) tall. All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in the back seat.

 

Always keep a copy of the car seat manufacturer’s instructions in your car and follow them carefully. Make sure the car seat is right for your child’s weight and height. It’s recommended to place the car seat in the middle of the back seat. After installation, the car seat should move no more than an inch in forward or side to side.

 

While protecting your child’s safety inside a car is crucial, keeping your child warm is also important. There are different ways you can keep your child warm without having them wear a thick winter coat while in their car seat. Below are some recommendations:

 

• Store the carrier portion of the car seat inside the house at room temperature when not in use.
• When ready to travel, make sure the car seat is ready before bringing your child out into the cold. You can bring your child out in a winter coat but remove the coat when placing them in the car seat. Hats, mittens, socks, and boots can stay on, as these do not interfere with car seat safety. It’s best to dress your child in thin, but insulated layers, so the child stays warm but the clothes do not impact the safety of the car seat.
• Warming up your vehicle with the car heating system before placing the child in the car seat will prevent your child from feeling cold. Placing a blanket over the child after they are strapped in the car seat may also be beneficial in keeping your child warm throughout the trip.

 

Regardless of the weather, parents should never leave their child alone in the car at any time. If you have any questions about your car seat and how to properly use it safely, contact our office.   

 

 

 

It is that time of year!  The common cold and the flu are both respiratory viruses that spread more frequently during the winter months of the year. There are many respiratory viruses that can cause a cold.  Healthy children get about 6 colds a year.  Being near a sick person, especially when they cough or sneeze, can cause children and adults to pick up the viruses from breathing in the droplets released. You can also get infected by touching objects and surfaces that contain the viruses and then touching your nose and mouth. Good sanitary and hygiene habits such as washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and wiping down surfaces with disinfectants are helpful practices to prevent becoming ill. For the flu, it’s important for your family to get the vaccine to prevent serious sickness and complications. 

Typical symptoms of the common cold include a runny nose, sore throat, loss of appetite, constant sneezing and coughing, swollen glands and low-grade fever. These symptoms show up when your child has the flu as well. But with the flu, you might also see a sudden and high fever, a dry cough, chills, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Children with the flu usually feel sicker than they do with the common cold and the flu often lasts longer. Flu symptoms can also remain for at least a week.  Colds are generally not serious.  With a cold, about 5-10% of children will go on to develop another health problem caused by a bacteria such as a sinus infection or an ear infection.  While there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are things you can do to help your child feel better. If your child is sick, make sure they’re getting plenty of rest and hydration. As congestion can be uncomfortable and leave kids feeling down, you can use a nasal spray with saline (salt water) to loosen and remove mucus. A cool mist humidifier is also effective for relieving congestion and making it easier for your child to breathe. Warm baths or sitting for 10-15 minutes in a steamy bathroom are helpful for clearing out congestion as well.  

To help soothe a sore throat, you can mix some honey into water or herbal tea if your child is older than 1. It is not safe for babies under one year of age to consume any honey. Children between ages 1 and 5 can be given half a teaspoon. For ages 6 to 11, you can give one teaspoon, and for children over 12, you can give two. Cough drops can also be used as a last resort if your child is older than 6, but it’s important to avoid giving your child more cough drops than instructed on the product.  

Fevers can occur to help your child’s body fight infections. But if they cause extreme discomfort, you can give your child an acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Be sure to follow the correct dosage based on your child’s age. For the acetaminophen dosage table, click here. And for the ibuprofen dosage table, click here. 

Most cold and flu symptoms will go away on their own and home remedies will be enough to make children feel more comfortable. However, in certain circumstances, your child may need to see the pediatrician. Always call the doctor if your baby is under 3 months of age and has sick symptoms or you have a baby under one year with a fever. For any child older than 3 months, it is recommended to call the pediatrician if nasal congestion/mucus last more than 2 weeks, their cough lingers for 3 weeks or changes, they have ear pain, they have a fever that lasts longer than 3 days or sore throat that lasts longer than 5 days. 

Trouble breathing, also known as respiratory distress, is a reason to see a doctor right away.  These are some symptoms we worry about:  struggling for each breath or shortness of breath, trouble speaking or crying due to difficulty breathing, ribs pulling in with each breath, noisy breathing such as wheezing, fast breathing, lips or face turn a blue color.  Additional reasons to seek care right away are chest pain, severe muscle pain, extreme dehydration, or seizures. Keep in mind that risks for complications from the cold and flu are higher in children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, an immune system condition, or lung, heart, or kidney disease. If complications occur, please bring your child to the doctor. 

If you have any concerns about your child’s sickness or fever, please contact our office.  

Wishing everyone a healthy winter season!