Is it reasonable for parents of young children to go on a seven-day vacation if they leave their child(ren) with a competent caretaker? Lots has been written on the subject. Google has 5,520,000 entries! No, I did not read them all. However, I did look at several dozen and read those who had thoughtful opinions. […]
Protecting infants and young children from the sun
June 14, 2018 by
Parents! Take this quiz: In which month is sun protection for infants and young children especially important? a) June b) July c) August d) September 1. The (maybe surprising) answer: a) June. Many adults erroneously associate sun problems with hot weather and believe that serious sun protection is not necessary until the hot summer months […]
“Flying” through the airport with young children: An update
May 22, 2018 by
If a car seat containing an infant is placed “just for a moment” on a non-moving conveyor belt at an airport security machine, the infant may pass through the machine. It has happened. How? Parent places car seat on the belt. Parent turns around to take off his/her shoes or to tend to another child. […]
Can you outsmart insects? Your kids’ health depends on it.
May 3, 2018 by
Part l: An update on zapping insects. May 1, 2018. The number of diseases caused by insects, mostly mosquitoes, has tripled in recent years, and children may be especially at risk, warns the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in a special report. No longer must you visit tropical rain forests or other faraway places to […]
Children/Travel/Tootbrush/Illness. Are they related?
April 22, 2018 by
Can your children’s toothbrushes make them sick? Many dentists think so. And they think it’s more likely to happen on trips and vacations. 1. Germs that cause upper respiratory and intestinal illnesses thrive on toothbrushes. Moisture from saliva, food particles, cellular matter derived from gums, and high humidity in bathrooms create a favorable culture medium […]
How long is too long to allow infants to sleep in car seats?
March 31, 2018 by
Infant car seats present dilemmas for parents. 1. A car seat is practically part of your family. Chances are you had a car seat delivered to you before you delivered your baby; hospitals won’t discharge you without one. The seats are mandatory to take your baby for a car ride. Once home, with a car […]
Will family vacations ever be all fun and games?
March 16, 2018 by
Poor parental planning spoils more family vacations than lousy food, miserable weather, no-star accommodations – or cranky children. While a family vacation will rarely be all fun and games, savvy planning can keep the inevitable misadventures down to a manageable few. 1. Successful family vacations are primarily kids’ vacations. This means getting away from daily routines and regimentation, declaring a moratorium […]
Warning: Escalators are hazardous for young children
March 3, 2018 by
There is more to protecting your young children from injuries on escalators than just holding their hands, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Each year, for several thousand children, most of them under the age of five years, an escalator ride is the first leg of a trip to the ER. Injuries most commonly […]
Influenza/Children Repost
February 16, 2018 by
Hi reader: This article “Children/Influenza/Travel) is a repeat. It first appeared several weeks ago. Some clinics asked us to repost it. Karl Neumann MD This winter, keep influenza (“flu”) in mind when planning travel for your family. 1. The winter of 2018 will be a significant flu season. The disease has already spread to virtually […]
Influenza/Children
January 28, 2018 by
This winter, keep influenza (“flu”) in mind when planning travel for your family. 1. The winter of 2018 will be a significant flu season. The disease has already spread to virtually all parts of the country. The flu virus currently circulating has a history of causing severe illness in infants, and this year’s vaccine is […]
