Author : Eva Alessia, D.O.

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Binky, paci, pluggie, nuk, dummy…no matter what you call it, there has been some controversy over using pacifiers. Probably the major concerns are nipple confusion for breastfed babies and dental issues in the future.

Let’s face it – babies love to suck. It is their primary way of getting food in the first 4 to 6 months of life. It is also a soothing, comforting mechanism. Here are some tips and info regarding pacifier usage:

• If, for no other reason, pacifiers actually decrease the risk of SIDS by keeping the baby’s airway open.
• Offer the pacifier at naps and bedtime.
• Do not offer the pacifier when the baby may be truly hungry.
• If baby is nursing, consider waiting until baby is 3 to 4 weeks of age before offering pacifier, to diminish “nipple confusion” (though in my experience, this is rare).
• Look for a pacifier that is one molded and solid piece. The shield should have ventilation holes.
• It may take several different pacifiers to find the one baby likes.
• Keep extras on hand, in case one is lost!
• Wean off the pacifier by age 2, if possible, to decrease risk of dental issues.
• If your baby does not want a pacifier, no big deal.
• NEVER tie the pacifier to baby’s crib, hand or neck!

Here’s a Monty Python video about pacifiers. Some babies are truly like this!

For more information, check out www.healthychildren.org.

A diagnosis that we make a lot during the winter months is Bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is an infection or inflammation of the smaller airways in our lungs, called bronchioles.  It usually caused by a virus.  Any virus can cause bronchiolitis, but the most common is RSV.  Bronchiolitis occurs in the Northern Illinois area between November and April and is a disease of children ages two years or younger.  

Symptoms include wheezing, a coarse cough that can sound like rice krispies crackling in milk, vomiting after coughing hard, fever, stuffy and/or runny nose, nostrils flaring, decreased appetite and pulling in of the skin of the chest or stomach while breathing (retractions).  Usually, it starts like a cold and then goes to the chest.

Treatment may be as simple as suctioning the nose/mouth frequently and using a humidifier.  Some children need nebulizer treatments, using albuterol with or without a steroid, to help open up their airways.  Other children need admission to the hospital, because they need oxygen or they are becoming dehydrated (due to difficulty eating and drinking). 

Prevention includes good hand hygiene and limiting exposure to large groups of people who may be sick.  Some preemie babies can receive a shot to help prevent RSV infection.  This shot is given monthly throughout the RSV season.  Call your doctor if your child is struggling to breathe, breathing rapidly, taking shallow breaths, looks dusky around the mouth, etc.  Breathe easy this winter!

The Christmas season is here, and that can mean a lot of toys under the tree.  Here are 10 tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help you choose safe and appropriate toys for your child.

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Read the label.  Warning labels give important information about how to use a toy and what ages the toy is safe for.  Be sure to show your child how to use the toy the right way.

Think LARGE.  Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking.

Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air.  They can cause serious eye injuries or choking.

Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child’s hearing.

Look for stuffed toys that are well made.  Make sure all the parts are on tight and seams and edges are secure. It should also be machine washable.  Take off any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation.  Avoid toys that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.

Buy plastic toys that are sturdy. Toys made from thin plastic may break easily.

Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning. Make sure the label says “nontoxic.”

Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12 years.  They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals.  Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys.

Electric toys should be “UL Approved.”  Check the label to be sure.

Be careful when buying crib toys. Strings or wires that hang in a crib should be kept short to avoid strangulation.  Crib toys should be removed as soon as your child can push up on his hands and knees

Here are some additional resources to check out regarding toy safety.

Happy Holidays!

Consumer Product Safety Commission

HealthyChildren.org

Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls

Happy back to school!  Many schools have a program or a “talk” on puberty for both boys and girls.  However, many families still have a lot of questions.

Puberty starts at 12 years old on average. It can start as early as age nine. T here are differences among ethnic groups, with African American males starting earlier than other backgrounds.  Puberty in a boy starts with the increase in size of the testicles. A s a boy develops, penis size increases along with growth of pubic hair.  “Wet dreams” may occur. Boys will have a growth spurt about two years into puberty.  The voice “cracks” and “zits” start popping up. Some boys develop faster than others.  Puberty is considered late if the boy is 14 years old.

Puberty can be a very scary time for a young man.  There are so many changes happening! If you would like more info, I will be giving a presentation on puberty in boys. It will be on October 15, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. This presentation is for parents and sons to attend together. The program is free, but you do have to reserve a seat. Please visit rushcopley.com or call 1-866-4COPLEY (1-866-426-7539) for more details!

Have a great school year!

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Before you became a parent, you probably never thought that you would fixate on the quality of another individual’s poop. Yet, here you are: My child’s poop is blue. My baby has loose, like diarrhea, poops. My toddler is passing poop that looks like balls. Is this ok?

A newborn’s poop is called “meconium”: it is thick, very sticky and dark green, practically black. You could probably use it to spackle your walls or mortar bricks together.

This poop goes away in about 3 to 5 days. The newborn’s poop will change to a loose/mushy stool that can be yellow, orange or even green in color.

A breastfed baby’s poop will be a little looser than a formula fed baby’s and can have little chunks of solid poop within the “liquidy” stool that can remind you of curds in cottage cheese. This is called a “seedy stool” and is normal.

An infant’s poop should not look like it is thicker than peanut butter. If so, then your child may be constipated. Likewise, an older child should not be passing pellets, balls, anything hard and/or dry or a poop that you remark “I can’t believe that came out of my child!”

As you start adding solid foods to your baby’s diet, the color of the poop will change. The color will depend on what you are feeding your child. Pretty much, any color of poop is ok (yes, even blue!), except white, black and red. If you see any of these colors, talk to your child’s doctor.

Seeing mucous in the stool here and there is ok; there could be more when your child is sick. If you notice that your child is passing mucous with every bowel movement and your child is not sick with a cold or tummy flu, call your child’s doctor.

Now you have the scoop on poop!