P&K Insider

I just came from a dentist appointment with my 6-year-old son. I hate to admit it…but he had a cavity that needed to be filled. Much like me, he doesn’t care for pain, especially in form of the outrageously large Novocain needles. When I tell you, that I lost sleep over this procedure for weeks leading up to the appointment, I’m not exaggerating.

I called the dentist office to hear a step-by-step description of the procedure and I googled “cavities and children” to find out what methods are most safe. I woke up with a stomachache, which went nicely with the super, fake smile plastered on my face as to not alert my offspring that anything too horrible was coming.

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The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is a great source for accurate information regarding the H1N1 Flu. Today, they released guidelines for breastfeeding mothers. In short, they advise breastfeeding mothers to take everyday precautions by washing their hands and staying away from sick people. Although they are unsure if breastfed babies are protected against the flu, mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding. That’s a good thing.

There’s also great advice on how to talk to your children…
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For better or worse, I haven’t tackled the swine flu in my blog (yet). I think mass media has a hold on that topic quite well. I don’t want to add to the near hysteria instead I want to point you to a few reliable resources for information on protecting your family.

I was also proactive as possible in my own home and reminded my children how to properly wash their hands.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention updates info on the site throughout the day with key facts, antiviral drugs, how to take care of s a sick person.

Local pediatrician and trusted source for the real deal, Dr. Gwenn offers some sage advice and some reassuring words.

And obviously the World Health Organization is another great source.

I’m the recipient of oodles of press releases and news flashes. Some are super cool and relevant, others are more on the whimsical side.

I’ve devoted this blog entry to moms-to-be!

Here’s a round up of the latest:

Time to De-stress: A study released by Dr Rosalind Wright, from Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical in Boston states “Scientists believe if a mother-to-be is stressed it can influence the development of her baby’s immune system. This research adds to a growing body of evidence that links maternal stress such as that precipitated by financial problems or relationship issues, to changes in children’s developing immune systems, even during pregnancy.” As far as I can tell, the study doesn’t account enough for the RAGING hormonal influences during nine-months of sheer exhaustion and anxiety.

Time to Tune In: Will music be a part of your birth plan? According to March of Dimes, many women feel that music can ease the pain of labor — and medical professionals across the country are increasingly embracing this notion. The organization has created Stork Tunes - a new compilation CD consisting of soothing music by Norah Jones, Billy Joel and other top artists that celebrates motherhood and helps women relax while preparing for and giving birth. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will fund March for Babies efforts to give every baby a health start in life.

Time to be like the Aussies: According to the age.com.uk, They’ve got a killer idea for a maternity leave that involves both parents.

PARENTS would share one year of government-funded parental leave between them when they have a baby, including “supporting parent leave” for women’s partners, under a two-stage process proposed by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

In case you didn’t know, May is Mental Health Month - a time when families are encouraged to recognize and promote their children’s mental health with increased communication and proper emotional support. Thought I’d share some pointers given by Mental Health America.

Research shows that children who feel warmth and caring from their parents are more likely to be successful in school, less anxious and depressed, and have higher self-esteem than those without.

Give unconditional love.  Children need to know that your love does not depend on their accomplishments.
Nurture confidence and self-esteem.  Praise and encourage your children. Set realistic goals. Be honest about your mistakes and avoid sarcasm.

Encourage play.  Play time is as important to a child’s development as food. Play helps children be creative, develop problem-solving skills and self-control, and learn how to get along with others.

Enroll children in after-school activities.  This is a great way for kids to stay productive, learn something new, gain self-esteem and have something to look forward to during the week. If they are home alone, check in on them after school. Children need to know that even if you’re not there physically, you’re thinking about them, and interested in how they spend their day.

Provide a safe and secure environment.  Fear can be very real for a child. Try to find out what is frightening him or her. Be loving, patient and reassuring, not critical.

Give appropriate guidance and discipline.  Be firm, but kind and realistic with your expectations. The goal is not to control the child, but to help him or her learn self-control.

Communicate.  Make time each day to listen to your children and talk with them about what is happening in their lives. Share emotions and feelings with your children.

Get help.  If you’re concerned about your child’s mental or emotional health, consult with teachers, a guidance counselor or another adult who may have information about his or her behavior. If you think there is a problem, seek professional help right away. For more information, contact your local Mental Health America affiliate, call Mental Health America at 1-800-969-6642.

The ticks are back

On one of the first spring like days we’ve had this year (Friday), my kids and I decided to play some Frisbee in the back yard. The next morning, my son complained that his ear was hurting. I assumed he meant his inner ear until I spied a spec behind his earlobe. That little bugger had already dug himself under my son’s skin and had grown to the size of a pencil eraser.

The pediatrician’s office confirmed that ticks are back. Here’s a great segment I caught on NECN about the dangers of Lyme disease and how to protect your child.