previously published in KC Baby magazine (fall issue 2011)
by Stacey Hatton, RN
When you first look at your newborn’s face, a parent only sees perfection. But then after you know your child is healthy and all body parts and digits are accounted for, details may start getting noticed and the questions start popping out. There are numbers of rashes and skin conditions that can worry even the seasoned parent, so it is a good idea to know what is normal for your infant and what deserves a call to your primary provider.
Birthmarks
The majority are not problematic. A number of birthmarks develop after birth; some will fade, and others are permanent. “Stork bites” or “angel kisses” are other names for these marks that often appear, especially on fair-skinned infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that “you consult your doctor if you notice that a birthmark develops ‘knots’ or is growing rapidly. Red birthmarks, or hemangiomas, around the eye or that develop sores also require attention.”
Cradle Cap
This condition comprises yellow, crusty or scaly areas on the newborn’s scalp. It’s not contagious and can clear up on its own. If treatment is recommended, shampoo baby’s scalp once daily with mild baby shampoo. Also, gently loosen crusty areas with a soft-bristle brush while wet, before rinsing. “ If the scales are stubborn,” says the AAP, “ rub a few drops of mineral oil onto the scalp, let sit, and then brush and shampoo the baby’s hair. If cradle cap persists, your pediatrician may recommend an adult dandruff shampoo.” Don’t scrub too vigorously or bleeding can occur and you don’t want to press on the infant’s soft spot.
Dry Skin
Christy, a Kansas City mom of one, says her daughter had a pimple-like rash just on her upper arms. “The pediatrician said it was dry skin; and she probably won’t have acne since her skin is more dry and not oily,” Christy says.
Jaundice
Nemours Foundation says, “A yellowish discoloration of the skin and white parts of the eyes is a common condition that normally doesn’t appear until the second or third day after birth and disappears within 1 to 2 weeks.” Jaundice occurs from too much bilirubin collecting in the body and the liver’s inability to effectively clear it out. It’s a serious condition and must be closely monitored by the baby’s doctor.
Miliaria
These common small, raised, white bumps on the chin, nose or cheeks will disappear within a few weeks. Baby acne consists of red or white bumps on the forehead or cheeks. Baby acne appears later, after the first 3 to 4 weeks and is related to hormonal changes which stimulate oil glands. Sometimes this indicates a hormonal problem, but rarely. Wash your baby’s face with water daily, avoiding soaps and lotions, and never pinch or break open the bumps. The AAP says, “If baby acne doesn’t clear up within three months, tell your pediatrician.” Julie, Overland Park mom of three, says that her firstborn developed baby acne. “I was very concerned. So I ‘Googled’ it and read it was from hormones leaving the mom and was worried that it was all my fault,” she says. “Then I talked to some friends and they convinced me it was normal and I felt a lot better.”
Port-wine stains
These sometimes large, flat, purple-reddish birthmarks don’t always go away by themselves. The mark is commonly found on the base of the skull and rarely causes problems. If the mark is more invasive, a dermatologist may need to be contacted for various removal procedures. Karen, a mother of two from Lawrence, says, “My daughter had one over her eye and one on the upper lip. I had never seen these and I was horrified because I thought it was permanent. I was holding the baby in the hospital and crying and the pediatrician walked in and said those marks will disappear,” Karen says. “They all faded, but still reappear with crying fits or a fever.”
The key to keeping your infant’s skin healthy is to wash it gently with mild or natural products. Your pediatrician should have suggestions for you. Anything that says “for sensitive skin” is great for all babies. They all have sensitive skin and as always, if you are concerned, call your baby’s doctor.
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN and freelance writer who is glad the scaly “picking” days of cradle cap are over.
Yes, I realize it is only nearing the end of September, and October 31st is an entire month away, but when you have young children, when is the appropriate time to start asking them what they want to be for Halloween?
For the past several years I have gotten it terribly wrong! I start too early…and they change their minds three times before the big day. I wait ‘til the last minute… then I am either up all night Halloween eve sewing until my fingers are bloody stumps (which apparently is only cool to teenagers and not to preschoolers or kindergartners). OR I am S-O-L when it comes to purchasing the “perfect” costume that is sold out everywhere in the bi-state area!
So do other parents just have kids who are easier to please than mine? Or do you hollerat them suggest, “You have to make a decision by October 1st , OR you will wear your father’s bathrobe AGAIN this year and go again as an hobo or a shepherd!”
When those blasted costume magazines junk up the mail, it’s like Christmas at my house. The girls will turn off their favorite TV show, curl up together in one big chair and peruse the catalog, drooling on the pages and savoring each morsel of fabric and sequins. They will do this for hours and pretend they are each character and their eyes will light up like the top of the Chrysler building.
The problem comes when I finally insist they make a decision and make a top-three list. Just getting this list on paper can produce tears, whining and even hysterics. Really. They love them some costumes!
So you’re thinking, “Well, you should just take that catalog away from them and YOU choose what they will wear.” Nice thought. Tried it one year. They hid under their beds and cried until the sun went down and their dinner turned cold.
Well, this year I am going to win. They are in charge and whatever they wear out of the house (that is presentable, of course) is going to be what they are going to wear. I know there will be tears. Even with weekly reminders to make their decision.
But I am NOT going to get myself in a frazzle…because I will have the bathrobe and an old sheet on stand-by. And if they don’t go out trick-or-treating, that means LESS candy for me and my husband to eat after they go to sleep. (Little jokey!)
previously published in Simply kc magazine (Sept 2011 issue)
by Stacey Hatton
Research by health professionals stresses the importance of routine family dinners. Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian and author of Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family is pro-family dinners and says, “Your child will do better when he spends time with you and when he has a sense of family.”
Even though I’m in agreement with this methodology of family bonding, in today’s chaotic world of after school activities, hours of homework, sports practices and games; combined with group school projects and various music and dance lessons, the bar may be set too high. Daily family dinners just don’t happen for everyone. So when do parents talk to their children? Try to fit in the dinners when you can, but on the other nights, you might attempt this…
When chauffeuring your kids from appointment to practice, shut off the radio, cell phones, MP3 and DS players and announce clearly: “Turn off all electronic devices until the pilot has given the okay.”
Babies and Toddlers:
While little ones are strapped into their seats, with no view of the driver, the next best thing for them is hearing you. Your soothing voice can add great comfort to pass the time with some of these oldies:
ABC’s (different accents and musical styles can make it more entertaining for you)
Childhood songs: (“Twinkle, Twinkle,” “Old MacDonald,” etc…) you can find these online to trigger your memory or check out library books to find the words. It’s alright to use a CD of songs as long as you are singing along and connecting with the child.
Preschoolers:
These kids love to interact and sing. Developmentally they’re ready for rhyming and picking out colors and shapes. Work in their school curriculum to reinforce what they’re learning. Teaching them the changes of the seasons is fun and interesting to them. Try some of these games:
The “I Spy” game is a great one. Focus on one color a day and only spy for objects that color – next try shapes.
“The Wheels on the Bus (but instead insert your vehicle here)” – Kids love this song because you can start off traditionally with various things like turning on the windshield wipers and the kids will squeal the first few times, or the horn (in moderation of course). Then add ridiculous words like T-Rex’s in the minivan go ARRRRRRR-splat. Eventually, as the kids get older they add their own ideas, which are much sillier!
Grade Schoolers:
The standard question, “How was school?” will get you the same answer every time. “Fine.” “Good.” Or maybe you are lucky and you have a “Chatty Cathy” and get the whole scoop, but most parents aren’t this lucky.
Knowing the grade schooler’s daily schedule to check in and help quiz them over math and spelling words can be helpful. And ask them about fun stuff on the way home…what happened at recess or lunch? Did anybody do anything silly or get in trouble? Make it light and fun and use these talks as teachable moments when appropriate, but not every time.
Tweens:
Finding out who is their favorite teacher, and if there are teachers they don’t care for, will bond you and your tween. They usually need support for what they feel is the worst thing that has ever happened. Never mock their drama, but gently help them along. They will be more likely to share, when you treat them respectfully. It’s a hard balance for a parent. Also, asking them if they want your advice is appropriate. Usually at this point they will and you can guide them appropriately.
Teens:
Asking about their friends is a good way to bond with teens. Some may open up and share, while others are painfully stubborn, which is developmentally appropriate. This is how they learn to break away from parents, so they can become self-sufficient adults. However, it often hurts parents’ feelings and causes a great deal of parental anxiety.
Inquiring about their activities, classes, homework load, friends, and making sure your kids know how you feel about drugs, smoking, underage drinking and sex is imperative. Also, teens need to know, if they get into a dangerous situation, they can contact you and trust you to help them is key.
Finally, if your “commute conversation” turns heated, you should put a stop to it and assign another time outside of the vehicle to finish the talk, when everyone has calmed down. These commutes are to be positive talks or exercises which bring the family together – also because we want a safe ride while doing so!
This is a “warm up your heart” story from Tulsa. The Bikes Build Self-Esteem program is still going strong and is changing the lives of these children in this community, just by the commitment by one lone man. It only takes one…~Nurse Mommy
previously published in KC Parent magazine in the September 2011 issue
Whether you have them, are treating them or just reading this article, I bet your head starts itching and your face contorts into unphotographic poses by the end.
Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says, “Head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene, and are not responsible for the spread of any disease,” the public still dreads talking about it.
“No healthy child should be excluded from or miss school because of head lice,” says the AAP and advocates that “no-nit policies for return to school should be abandoned. Your child can return to childcare or school after one treatment with anti-lice shampoo.”
Treatment:
As always, check with your medical provider first for advice. Over-the-counter treatments are effective, but it’s mandatory you follow directions explicitly. Also, do NOT over treat. Studies show if some treatments are overused, pests can develop resistance to some of the medications.
Leslie, an Overland Park mom, said she recently had lice in her home. She was brushing her daughter’s hair and saw a louse “moving really fast. I put it on a piece of tape and took it to a practitioner who agreed to start treatment.” Leslie suspected her daughter might have picked it up from sharing t-ball helmets, so she notified the team.
Then she used one of the common lice elimination systems containing shampoo, comb-out gel and the home control spray. Luckily, says Leslie, “It was only a mild case and no one else got it.”
Wash all bed linens and clothing that’s been recently worn by anyone in your home who’s infested in very hot water (130° F), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
Have bed linens, clothing and stuffed animals and plush toys that can’t be washed put in airtight bags for two weeks.
Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (home/car).
(Nemours Foundation)
Lice Facts:
The nits (eggs) hatch into lice in one week.
Off the scalp, nits can’t survive more than two weeks.
Adult lice survive three weeks on the scalp or 24 hours off scalp.
A louse is the size of a sesame seed.
Live lice can transmit lice to another child.
Transmission is from direct head-to-head contact. Lice cannot jump or fly to another person’s hair.
Transmission of lice occurs at home, not school or other public places. Sleepovers and bed-sharing are major sources.
(AAP, July 2010)
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN and freelance writer.
(If you know who wrote this, please let me know so I can give them proper credit…I just thought this was beautiful!) ~Nurse Mommy
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal~Mart. She must have been 6 years old – this beautiful red haired, freckle-faced image of innocence.
It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Wal~Mart.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in.
“Mom let’s run through the rain,” she said.
“What?” Mom asked.
“ Let’s run through the rain!” she repeated.
“No, Honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,” Mom replied.
This young child waited a minute and repeated:
“Mom, let’s run through the rain.”
“ We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom said.
“ No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl
said, as she tugged at her Mom’s arm.
“This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”
“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his Cancer, you said, “If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything!”
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn’t hear anything but the rain. No one left.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.
Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life; a time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
“Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If God lets us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,” Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars – and yes, through the puddles.
They got soaked.
They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did.
I ran.
I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions. They can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories.
So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day.
Kids often will pick up on what their parents are feeling about disasters and especially one as significant as 9/11. Every channel on the TV will be plastered with images, as well as papers and magazines and any child that can read or understand a picture or listen to parents talking about where they were and their losses, will be affected.
Don’t just shelter the children from this. It is a part of their history and lives and they STILL need to have questions answered. As they age, the impact may be worse for them as they start to realize the true devastation our country experienced.
Walk them through it carefully…don’t give out the gory details, but answer questions truthfully and without too much prejudice and anger. Try to help them see how a select few people in the world were “confused” in what God wanted them to do. Comparisons to your personal religion can be helpful and comforting as well. Not an easy parenting task, but necessary for our children to understand that this behavior is not appropriate and cannot continue. God bless not only America, but all of us! ~ Nurse Mommy
ARTICLE FROM THE ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:
CHICAGO—In school, at home or on social media, children and teens are thinking and talking about the approaching anniversary of 9/11. They may be asked: Where were you on that day 10 years ago? Or: How will you mark the anniversary?
As the date approaches, and with it the painful memories of the event and its aftermath, some Americans may choose quiet introspection, while others may seek the company of other people with whom to share their feelings. Still others will participate by tuning in to media coverage. Many organizations and cities are offering ways to remember the day by taking actions to spread peace. Positive messages will be communicated, yet children and adolescents may experience anxiety around this time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds families, schools, media and other groups to give special thought to children as they plan for the anniversary and the days leading up to it. The AAP is offering resources to help ease feelings of remembered trauma and loss, to encourage healthy discussion around the day, and to reassure children by telling them what their families, schools and government officials do to keep them safe.
“Kids are resilient. But the adults in their lives need to be aware that at times like these, children and teens may have questions or need help processing their feelings,” said Steven Krug, MD, FAAP, Chair of the AAP’s Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council. He added, “When reacting to or remembering disasters, children should be encouraged to take positive actions, and should be included in conversations about how we not only should prepare for adversity, but how we can learn from it and make things better.”
In addition to the upcoming anniversary, September is National Preparedness Month, an ideal time to have some of these discussions in the home and community.
Regarding disasters, pediatricians can be helpful to their patients and their communities both in preparing for children’s needs and responding to them. The AAP offers the following resources:
• How to prepare for disasters in the home and community, including a list of what to keep in a disaster kit and what your town needs to have in place http://www.aap.org/family/frk/frkit.htm
These and many other tips, tools and articles related to specific kinds of disasters can be found on the new National Preparedness Month page of AAP Web site at http://www.aap.org/disasters/natl-preparedness.cfm
At federal, state and local levels, the AAP advocates for adequate systems to ensure that the needs of children—nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population—will be met in disaster response and recovery efforts. Assessing and planning for these needs presents unique challenges, and the AAP urges greater attention to these needs in the context of government planning and exercises; medical capabilities; training of first responders; and preparedness levels of hospitals, government agencies, schools, communities and homes.
The AAP supports the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), a law first enacted in 2006 to improve the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies. As the legislation moves through Congress, the AAP urges leaders in Washington, D.C. to redouble efforts to prioritize the needs of children, including children with special heath care needs. For more information go to http://www.aap.org/disasters/policymakers.cfm#legislation
As every family ponders the messages of the 9-11 anniversary and National Preparedness Month, the AAP reminds parents to consider their own pediatrician as a resource when it comes to helping children at difficult times.
According to Dr. Krug, “As the nation remembers together, it is important to show children and teens how the adults in their lives are securing their future.”
The AAP is a partner in the National Preparedness Month Coalition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.
Now that I’m a married adult with 2 children, I’m reminded why I was cast in the role of Ado Annie in the musical Oklahoma when I was a younger woman. My theme song in the show, “I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No” took on a much saucier flavor at that time in my life; but now that I’m entering the confusing and strangling world of grade school and volunteerism…that song has a whole new meaning – and come to think of it..I like the first version a lot bettah!
Growing up a poor black child…wait that was Steve Martin – I often get us confused. Growing up the daughter of an elementary school teacher, I learned at a young age to appreciate teachers and what was then called the PTA. Listen up, if you want things to happen in your school for your child and keep your teachers happy, monies must be raised; and if you don’t have a handful of parents bakin’ some cakes for the most momentous event of the year = “THE CAKEWALK!” it’s all downhill!!
So when I signed up my kindergartener on the first parent night, I knew I had to maximize my volunteerism without over-committing and risking my failure to the school, my marriage and children and heaven forbid…this blog (aka free therapy). So I had planned in advance what I was going to sign up for. I briskly marched in a straight line to those certain tables, avoiding eye contact with anyone else in the gymnasium. I had a deliberate goal and wasn’t going to let someone with a purdy smile or fresh cookies entice me over to their signup list with pretty handwriting and stickers. “Be Strong! Just say No.”
After I accomplished my stealth mission, I tugged twice on my elevation device indicating completion, and was drawn up into the ceiling to my rooftop helicopter exit. I did it! No one chased after me. No one gave me the puppy dog eyes and most of all, I left feeling proud of the amount of volunteering I agreed to do for this institution. Take that, PTO!! I’m in the club, paid my dues and signed up to fullest of my capabilities. Huzzah!
Then an email came several days later. A lovely picnic for all the new families of the school!!! I love this school. What a sweet gesture to bring the newbies together, so the kids and their parents can get to know each other over homemade goodies and drink. Ahhhh!!!!
And who do you think is sponsoring this? Yup. The PTO and believe you me, there will NOT be a shortage of fully working ink pens to fill in all the blank spaces for those suckahs who haven’t filled up their “dance card” yet!
*cough, cough* I feel a cold coming on. Do I feel feverish?
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) contacted me and wanted to spread this message. Great resource for patients with diabetes…
~ Nurse Mommy
Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel
· Provides school personnel, parents, and students with a coordinated team approach for helping students manage their diabetes effectively in the school setting
· Offers a diabetes primer, glossary, and a review of school responsibilities under federal laws
Parents, health care professionals, and others can access the School Guide and its related resources online at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/SchoolGuide. They also can order a free copy by calling 1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337), TTY: 1-866-569-1161.
In addition to supporting younger children, it’s also critical for teens and young adults with diabetes, their families, and their health care team to work together to help youth make a smooth transition from pediatric to adult health care. NDEP’s online Transitions from Pediatric to Adult Care tool, which contains a Checklist, Clinical Summary, and a Resource List and is available www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/Transitions, helps youth, their parents, youth, and their health care team better prepare for this process.
Have you ever exited your physician’s office and realized you forgot to ask half of your questions? Or you didn’t divulge the most integral symptoms you were experiencing? Frustrating, right!? How are medical providers to give an accurate diagnosis when they get limited pieces of the puzzle?
So What is This Journal?
Any type of recording of a patient’s medical history which is kept at home and updated by the patient, caregiver and/or guardian is this new trend. And according to the Daily Press (Newport News, VA, 2011), “A written record of your health history can help prevent many medical errors.”
Suggested Journal Details:
Hospitalizations and dates
Surgeries and dates
Major illnesses or chronic diseases (date of onset)
Allergies to medicines/foods and reactions
Medications (including herbals, supplements, and over-the-counter): the doses and frequency
Blood type
Immunizations
Family history of major diseases and ages
Blood sugar issues – include BS readings
Blood pressure problems – include BP averages
There are various ways to keep this record for yourself and/or your family. Keeping a folder or notebook accessible, which can be readily grabbed when you head out for appointments, emergencies or when an ambulance is called is advised. The children’s information pages should be made known to your babysitters as well.
Some families put their journals on a CD or a flash drive. Hand the flash drive to the hospital staff and they can download the information, and print it off for the emergency doctors and the chart.
Dr. Marc Scarbrough, a Hospitalist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital says, “It makes caring for the patient safer when we have an accurate list of their medicines, and when we know what medical conditions a person has and the surgeries/procedures they have had performed.”
“People who do not have this information in a printed form are putting themselves at risk for adverse events. It can lead to unnecessary tests or unwanted drug interactions,” reports Dr. Scarbrough.
Pros:
When it comes to healthcare, the days of paper charts are becoming a thing of the past. Not only are hospitals getting rid of paper, but your doctor’s office may be doing so as well.
Dr. Eric Huerter, an Internist from Reed Medical Group says his office uses electronic medical records and believes patients providing personal health journals would be beneficial.
For routine visits, these journals would be especially useful “for diabetics and asthmatics. Blood sugar and peak flow readings are hard to keep up with – but probably it would be most helpful with medication changes.”
Dr. Huerter says, “Primarily it’s a good thing when you are trying to get information in the computer record for that first visit.”
Cons:
The biggest concern of the health journal from a physician’s perspective is having excessive details. “If it is too thorough the most important issues could be negative,” says Dr. Huerter.
The Daily News reports, “You don’t need to record minor illnesses such as colds or strep throat… (just) don’t go overboard.”
It would be harmful that significant information could get lost because it isn’t in the correct program in the computer.
“People bringing in X-rays on CDs are always helpful,” says Dr. Huerter. It could be “frustrating if the (health journal) gets placed in its own electronic file.” A staff person “would have to update their electronic medical record (with the health journal facts).”
So keep in mind, while compiling your journal, countless facts can distract your provider from your main issues, and you don’t want them to stray from the true diagnosis because you got over-zealous with your journal!
When you first look at your newborn’s face, a parent only sees perfection. But then after you know your child is healthy and all body parts and digits are accounted for, details may start getting noticed and the questions start popping out. There are numbers of rashes and skin conditions that can worry even the seasoned parent, so it is a good idea to know what is normal for your infant and what deserves a call to your primary provider.
