My child is starting Kindergarten this fall, and the school says that immunizations are required. I have heard scary things about some of the shots. Do you think immunizations are necessary?
Starting school is often a scary time for both the child and the parents. There are so many concerns, such as transitioning and separating from the parent, behavior while away from home, friendships, tantrums, bathroom breaks, and the like. What should not be a concern is worrying whether your child will contract a serious illness. These are preventable by the use of immunizations.
We are fortunate. Since the onset of
Children and the Sun
by Tom Seman MD FAAP July 27th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
I am going on a beach vacation with my husband and six month old. I know that babies burn easily, so what is the best way to protect her delicate skin?
The answer is fairly simple. For children under 6 months, it is best to avoid sun as much as possible. This does not mean that the child cannot go outside, rather the child should stay in an area of deep shade. This can be accomplished by placing 2 large beach towels over 2 beach chairs. When you place your hand in the shaded area, it should feel cooler than
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The answer is fairly simple. For children under 6 months, it is best to avoid sun as much as possible. This does not mean that the child cannot go outside, rather the child should stay in an area of deep shade. This can be accomplished by placing 2 large beach towels over 2 beach chairs. When you place your hand in the shaded area, it should feel cooler than
Second Hand Smoke and Children
by Tom Seman MD FAAP June 27th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
My mother-in-law, who babysits my one year-old, smokes. Although she only has her cigarettes outside when my son is there, she smokes in the house the rest of the time. Should I be concerned?
Second hand smoke is increasingly cited as a causative agent for a variety of issues. Children in a household with a smoker are at greater risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma, and ear infections to name a few. Although the greatest risk is when there is active smoking going on while the child is in the house, the literature shows that there is still
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Second hand smoke is increasingly cited as a causative agent for a variety of issues. Children in a household with a smoker are at greater risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma, and ear infections to name a few. Although the greatest risk is when there is active smoking going on while the child is in the house, the literature shows that there is still
Calcium and Teen Girls
by Tom Seman MD FAAP May 24th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
My 13 year-old daughter refuses to drink milk. Does she need calcium supplements?
Calcium is a very important mineral for the body. It is used to allow muscle contractions in all muscles, including the heart. Calcium is the compound with which the bones are hardened. Calcium concentrations also help regulate Vitamin D concentrations, which we are discovering have more and more value. The bones in the body are major depositories for the calcium, and the circulating calcium concentrations are carefully controlled through a number of mechanisms; therefore, if a person does not eat sufficient amounts of calcium, the body will
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Calcium is a very important mineral for the body. It is used to allow muscle contractions in all muscles, including the heart. Calcium is the compound with which the bones are hardened. Calcium concentrations also help regulate Vitamin D concentrations, which we are discovering have more and more value. The bones in the body are major depositories for the calcium, and the circulating calcium concentrations are carefully controlled through a number of mechanisms; therefore, if a person does not eat sufficient amounts of calcium, the body will
End of School Stress
by MPK May 17th, 2011 | Children's Health, Mental Health
For many students, May and June are an exciting time of year. The number of days until school ends and summer begins are counted with great anticipation. Students daydream about days without homework assignments and the hectic pace of the school day. However, before summer begins, teens have responsibilities to handle: year end projects, final exams, summer job hunting. While parents can't (or at least shouldn't) take on these jobs, they can help their teens learn to manage the stress involved with them.
Lisa Greenberg, a psychologist in Madison, New Jersey, offers the following suggetions:
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Lisa Greenberg, a psychologist in Madison, New Jersey, offers the following suggetions:
- Empathize with the stress your teen