Category : Uncategorized

Vrinda Kumar, M.D.

One thing I have humbly realized in the past two years and 10 months of being a parent, is that medical school and a pediatric residency do NOT fully prepare you for the role of “mommy.” It turns out most babies/kids don’t read the same textbooks we read (imagine that). I never thought I would break so many of my own rules. I also thought I knew what to expect in those first few weeks and months of motherhood. Holy moly, was I wrong about that!

Now that I am expecting my second baby, you would think I feel more prepared. In some ways, I do (I have all my baby supplies already!) but in other ways, I’m more uncertain about things than I was the first time! I am currently six months pregnant and things are already so different, probably because unlike the first time around, when I could rest and sleep, I am now also running around after a rambunctious toddler!

Things I understand and will hopefully be more relaxed about this time around: the lack of sleep, my lack of personal time – to watch my reality shows and get caught up on celebrity gossip ;-), the farewell of my pre-pregnancy body (yikes, this one was tough…hello stretch marks!), and the woes of breastfeeding (I experienced good things with breastfeeding, too, but it was the nursing difficulties that threw me for a loop and had me an emotional wreck the first few postpartum weeks), and the fact that colic, well, it really is just as awful as everyone says it is. I survived being the mom of a newborn once and I can do it again!

Things that I am nervous about: feeling overwhelmed (because I already feel like one kid is keeping me REALLY busy), feeling like I am not spending enough time with one child (this is definitely going to happen, but I think it’s healthy for kids to realize they are not the only person in your universe), the birthing process (because births are like fingerprints…no two are ever exactly the same) but my biggest worry right now is how my little soon to be three-year-old will adjust to having a sibling!

I am expecting some “acting out,” some jealousy, and possibly some regression but in reality, I don’t think I can really anticipate how things will actually go. I have been keeping a running list of suggestions experienced moms have given me to make the transition easier for my little one, my husband and for me too! Below are some of these suggestions (I think these are all great ideas!):

• Tell big-sibling-to-be that the baby will be bringing a gift.  This gives them something to look forward to when the baby comes. Also, after baby first arrives, they are going to feel like he/she is “taking” a lot from them, so it will be nice to feel like baby is also “giving” something.
• Keep several wrapped small gifts aside at home for your older child. When visitors come with a gift only for the baby and not something for older sibling, you can pull one of these gifts out to give to the older child so he/she do not feel left out or jealous.
• Take several minutes aside per day that you can do something with your older child, just the two of you.
• Take your older child for an outing, just the two of you, once a week (ice cream, anyone?)
• Have the older sibling participate in the baby’s care. Older siblings love feeling like they are helping.
• Give the sibling-to-be a doll to carry around BEFORE the real baby comes along. This way, they feel like they also “have a baby” and are sharing the experience with you.

I will certainly be doing all these things when the baby arrives. Thanks to the contributors of the above suggestions, and if anyone else has any great suggestions on how to make the transition from one child to two children easier, please share! I will write a follow-up post a few months after baby #2 comes to let you know how it all goes. Wish me luck!

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

I’m back! Maternity leave is over (so sad!) and I am back in the pediatrician saddle, so to speak. It was really hard leaving my little guy for the first few days but it is getting better every day. As a new mom I have been faced with all the struggles of lack of sleep, endless physical demands of a newborn, and learning how to be “me” in a whole new way. Most of my challenges now don’t come from what I’m going to wear to work or eat for dinner but rather how I’m going to keep my son, Leo, happy and healthy. With that said, I want to talk about car seat safety today as a sometimes overlooked area of your child’s well being.

Nicole Keller, D.O.

Let me start with a story. At first Leo loved being in the car seat – or so it seemed. He would easily doze off until we arrived at our destination and not make a peep. That didn’t last long. He now will get in the car seat, be content for a short time, and then…panic. If we don’t keep the car moving, he tells us! Every stop sign or red light his eyes flash open and the whimpers (and sometimes flat out screams) begin. I was picking up a prescription at the drive-thru one day and had to wait for about 15 minutes and he screamed the entire time!! It was awful! As a parent, I want to do everything possible to not hear my baby cry. So when he started disliking his car seat, my husband and I would wait until the last minute before we tightened the car seat straps in the hope that Leo would stay content as long as possible. We thought if we kept the straps loose, he wouldn’t feel restricted and therefore stay happy.

While our intent was good, one time we forgot to tighten him and didn’t realize it until we were already on the road. Yikes! We pulled over right away and tightened those straps up but boy did that event strike fear in me – much more fear than his crying could ever scare me. What if we had gotten in a collision? Would he have been OK? Would he have stayed in his car seat? How could I ever forgive myself if he had gotten hurt just because we didn’t want to hear him cry?! I tell you this for a couple reasons; first, because I want you to know that we all make mistakes.  Secondly, because I don’t want you to make the same mistake!

Car seats are incredible items that help us run around town with our little bundles of joy as safely as possible. They are meant to be used in very specific ways to ensure safety. Here are some tips for you to remember to keep your little ones safe when in the car:

– Straps should be snug, straight and flat.

– The harness chest clip should be located at armpit level.

– Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible! The AAP recommends until at least two years of age to maximize safety.

– Know your car seats limits. Each car seat has certain weight and height restrictions that should be followed strictly.

– No bulky winter jackets under car seat straps! When kids wear winter jackets/suits under their car seat straps it is almost impossible to get them secure and tight in their seats. Keep them in a warm but thin clothing layer and then cover with blankets as needed to keep them toasty.

– Get your car seat checked out by a professional:  Visit http://cert.safekids.org/ or www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call the DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 to find a professional car seat examiner near you. Many local fire/police stations have trained professionals ready to help you.

– Keep your kids in the back seat until at least 12 years old.

These are just a few quick tips to keep your kids safe. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov for more info on keeping your children as safe as possible when riding in a car. Please, buckle up and have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!

Nicole Keller, D.O.

On September 11, 2014 at 9:14 p.m. my life as I knew it changed forever. After 40 weeks and 5 days of waiting, I welcomed my first child, a son who we named Leo. Just like that, I was a parent. It has been almost 4 weeks since that day and this blog post is dedicated to the adventure that the last 4 weeks have been…..thanks to you, my son, Leo.

Towards the end of my pregnancy, everyone asked me if I was ready for parenthood. I would always respond, “I’m as ready as I’m going to be!” While this statement is still true for me, being “ready for parenthood” is something that I have learned is just not possible! I talk to new moms all the time as part of my job. New babies and their parents are some of my favorite patients. I tell them about sleeping, feeding, peeing and pooping and walk out of the exam room feeling pretty good about my advice. Even though I know all the answers to the “is this normal” questions, having my own baby at home showed me that even though I have had my questions answered, I still constantly question myself with every whimper, spit-up and muscle twitch. To explain, let me tell you a story…

About day 4 after birth, Leo seemed to be crying anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour after eating. My husband, my mom, and I would rock him, shush him, sway, swaddle and do anything else we thought would work with little to no change. We kept saying, “He can’t be hungry – he just ate 40 min ago!” Then it hit me – cluster feeding!! I let him nurse and the crying stopped. It was like magic. And then he cluster fed for the next 2 weeks for what seemed like all day and all night. Then one night in between one of these feeds as I was changing a diaper, he wet his outfit. So I changed the outfit and the diaper again. Then as I was finishing that new outfit and diaper, he pooped all over…this went on for 5 outfit changes. Of course during this time Leo was ravenous again and was screaming for food. I yelled for my husband to come help as I was at my wits end! There was nothing me as a pediatrician could have done/known to make that night any better. This was Leo’s show and I was just the food supply and the maid.

While that was one of the hardest nights, they have since gotten better – for the most part. I am still exhausted every time he wakes me to feed. Nursing still is painful on occasion, although it has improved greatly, thank goodness. But through the pain, the exhaustion, the dirty diapers and costume changes I have continued to learn about being a parent – and I have experienced the love for a child that is unparalleled and worth every ounce of anguish.

I want my newborn parents to know that it is OK to question yourself all the time. It is what makes you a parent – and a good parent at that! I also want you to know that you WILL cry (lack of sleep, hormones, breastfeeding soreness, etc), you WILL have moments of doubt (why won’t you stop crying?! What am I doing wrong?!) and you WILL wonder if you are ever going to sleep again (after the longest 4-6 months of your life, you will get better sleep again, I promise). Along with these feelings, though, you WILL succeed and you will be a great parent to your little bundle of poop…I mean joy!!

With that said, I’m here to offer my story as a way to tell you that you are not alone at that 3 a.m. feed or when your baby won’t stop crying or when you’ve changed 5 diapers in a row because the poops just don’t stop coming! I feel you. WE feel you as your pediatricians, fellow parents, families and friends and we are here for you! Make sure as a parent of a newborn you have support when you need it. Support can be a person to hand off a crying baby to, a person to talk to, or a person that will let you shower while they hold your little one. Make sure to ask your partner for help when you need it as well – they may not know when or how to help, so, vocalizing your need for their support is important. As a new parent you also need to make time for YOU. Whether that be a date night with your partner, time to go grocery shopping, or just an hour to nap (and yes you NEED to sleep when your baby sleeps whenever possible)! While you can’t predict your baby, you can make your life easier by having these support systems in place to get you through the tough times. Remember that it is always darkest before the dawn (literally – I have seen this dark hour nightly for the last 4 weeks!) but the sun will rise and you will be a great parent to your great newborn.

Cheers from the land of parenthood! Thanks for reading.