New York. July 31, 2019. It happened again. A father, a social worker, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for leaving his one-year old twins strapped into the backseat of his car on a hot July day while he worked his eight-hour shift at a VA hospital. He forgot to drop them off […]
Sun-protective clothing has gone high-tech
June 27, 2019 by
Sun-protective clothing has replaced sunscreens as the first line of defense for protecting your children (and yourself) from the harmful rays of the sun. However, rarely, excessive sun protection can itself lead to health issues. 1. The UV rays of the sun are as damaging to children’s skin as tobacco smoke is damaging to […]
What are the chances of your child being bitten by a dog?
June 6, 2019 by
There are numerous benefits in raising young children with a dog in the family, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. However, hundreds of thousands of children are bitten by dogs every year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. 1. Dogs are more than playmates for children. They help children develop […]
Car Seats / Safety / Kids
April 30, 2019 by
Installing children’s safety seats into cars is not child’s play. More than ninety percent of first-time parents make at least a minor error in installing seats, in positioning infants in seats, or in transitioning children to advanced seats as the children grow. An appropriate seat – optimally installed and correctly used – reduces the risk […]
Locking the door on measles!
April 13, 2019 by
Your family no longer has to travel overseas to come home with one souvenir you didn’t bargain for, a vaccine-preventable disease. Such “souvenirs” may be coming to visit you. Currently, measles is the prime example. 1. Measles, which had become a rarity in this country, is popping up all over. As of mid-April 2019, cases […]
Safe sleeping away from home
March 3, 2019 by
“Safe sleeping arrangements” should be at the top of your list when you plan nights away from home with your infants and young children, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The safe sleeping practices you have developed at home are often difficult to duplicate in new surroundings. This may result in you making rash […]
Teaching Young Children to Cross Streets
January 5, 2019 by
Crossing streets is not child’s play. In simulated studies done at the University of Iowa, when compared to adults, 8% of 6-year-olds might be hit by cars when crossing streets. The percentage drops to 6% for 8-year-olds, and 2% for 12-year-olds. Adult street crossing skills are not reached until the age of fourteen. (To read […]
Myths regarding Children/Cold weather/Health
December 15, 2018 by
The “official” 2019 debunking issue Hey parents, don’t fret every time your kids catch colds. Yes, you can try preventing colds by having kids wear facemasks, not sending them to daycare or school, banning birthday parties and never having visitors. It may even help. But don’t be surprised if child welfare people come calling. Alas, […]
Caution: New car odors may be hazardous for infants. An update.
December 1, 2018 by
A newborn in your home and a new car in your garage are events worth celebrating. But celebrate them separately. Resist the urge to take your baby for a spin in your new car to show baby and car off to your neighbors. New car odors may be hazardous for an infant’s wellbeing – and […]
Can infants and young children travel by air? Answers to frequently asked questions. An update.
October 17, 2018 by
1. Can healthy newborns travel by air? Healthy newborns, yes. However, two groups of infants require medical evaluation prior to flying: those born significantly premature and those having heart and lung issues at or soon after birth. Such infants should be evaluated by pediatricians until they reach their first birthday, even if they show no […]
