Good Infant Care Practices

This morning on WINK TV’s XCW, I discussed a recent report that doctors either don’t advise new mothers or incorrectly advise new mothers on breastfeeding, sleep position and location, pacifier use and immunizations. Here’s the link:

http://winknews.com/2015/07/30/healthy-kids-infant-care-practices/

Best way to keep your weight in control when you have diabetes.

The key is to find the right balance between carbohydrates, fat and protein. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and am constantly trying to find the right balance. I have several good friends presently with the same battle and diabetes. This article comes up with a nice balance.

http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/diabetes-weight-loss-diet-plan?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Car Safety for Children and Infants

Today on WINK I discussed car safety for children and infants. We ran out of time, so I will post the important information about children being left in a hot car.

http://winknews.com/2015/07/23/healthy-kids-preventing-child-car-deaths/

Preventable and heartbreaking deaths happen when children are left alone in hot cars. Here in the US, more than 600 children have died that way since 1990.

No Exceptions, No Matter How Brief:

  • Inconvenient but necessary
  • Important for pets and children
  • Greenhouse effect – gets hot very fast
  • Children are more susceptible than adults
  • Children cannot cool through sweating easily
  • Pets are even more vulnerable to heat.

Know What Can Go Wrong:

  • In 1 hour, temperature inside a car can increase 30-40 degrees
  • 70% of increase occurs in first 30 minutes
  • Heat stroke occurs when body temperature passes 104 degrees
  • Symptoms: dizziness, disorientation, agitation, seizure, LOC, death

Bystander? Get Involved:

  • If you see a child in a car alone, call 911 immediately.
  • If in distress, get child out ASAP.
  • Get a device to break the window.
  • More safety standards need to be in place.

Remind Yourself:

  • I do have a child in the car.
  • Put your left shoe or phone next to the car-seat.
  • Put a sticky on your purse or briefcase.
  • Put the diaper bag next to your seat.
  • Open the back door before leaving your car.
  • Routine is the key.

Prevent Kids From Wandering Into the Car:

  • Always lock your car. Even in the garage.
  • Keep children away from cars when playing outside.
  • Keep car keys/remotes away from children.
  • 30% of children who die in hot cars enter on their own.

Other Safety Measures:

  • Ask Daycare to call you if your child doesn’t arrive one day.
  • When a child is missing, check all vehicles immediately.
  • Use drive-through services when available.
  • Use a debit or credit card and pay at the pump for gasoline.
  • Keep a large stuffed animal in the car-seat when not being used.
  • Put it in the front seat when your child is in the car-seat.

Let’s do this for the boys and girls!

I think we all need to remember that there are lots of men and women overseas who are in the Armed Forces and assuring our Freedom. A friend told me of one man’s concern over in Afghanistan. He sees his fellow soldiers not getting mail or packages from home. I want to start a letter writing campaign and ‘comforts from home’ drive for these wonderful Americans.

My office will be a collection point. Have your children write letters and draw pictures. We’ll have stationary in the office for your kids while waiting for their appointments. Funny thing happened as I was thinking of this. My son and I were talking and he’s donating a bunch of candy for the troops. He figures that they probably get the necessities of life, but not the fun or luxuries! I never thought of it that way. Ask your children what they would miss if they couldn’t go down to the store and buy it.

My office is MacKoul Pediatrics Fort Myers, 8530 Granite Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908. 239-415-1131. Email is [email protected]. I can’t wait to see what the children come up with!

Energy For Life Walk!

Fort Myers will be hosting the First Annual Energy For Life Walk on November 14, 2015. I have a team that I am organizing and we want lots of teams to walk and sponsor this event. Sponsorships start at $25,000 for Presenting Partnerships and go all the way down to $500 for Supporters. We are also looking for ‘In-Kind’ Partners if you have snacks, drinks, face painting, bounce houses, etc…

The Energy For Life Walk is to support United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Research for a Cure. I have followed three children with Mitochondrial Disease. Two have since passed from the disease and they were brother and sister. Their surviving brother Drew has joined up with Mckenzie, who’s brother is fighting the disease now, to raise $1,000,000 to help find a cure for this devastating disease.

Please help me to support them and this cause. My team is:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1137190&lis=1&kntae1137190=6F01F0E7EF934A89BD56E6209F958100&supId=422845595&team=6371282

There is also a link to be able to form your own team. If you would like to be a sponsor or donate or contact me about this cause, please email me at [email protected]. Let’s make this the biggest and best walk of the year!

So sorry to all my followers.

It was just brought to my attention last night that you can’t just click on the links and open them up.

For those of us who are not ‘tech-savy,’ just copy the link and then paste it in the search bar to open it up.

Enjoy!

Food Allergy Testing

I was on WINK – TV’s XCW discussing allergies to food and testing. We do allergy testing in the office and have had lots of great results with the testing and therapies.

http://www.winknews.com/2015/07/16/healthy-kids-food-allergies/

It’s important to disconnect from electronics.

I have had lots of discussions lately concerning mental health and electronic usage. It’s great to take a break!

http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20150715/daily-smartphone-use-might-offer-clues-to-depression?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Allergic reactions are no joke!

If you or your children have allergic reactions, sometimes a second reaction can occur hours later. This article discusses why this happens and what to do about it.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/296469.php

Your teeth last you a lifetime!

Don’t forget to take care of them and teach your children the same. I tried to instill good dental hygiene in my children and attempt to do it daily in the office.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/296692.php

Talking to your baby!

Language development in babies starts right from birth. Here’s the latest research on how to maximize your child’s language.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/talk-your-baby?src=RSS_PUBLIC

How early is too early for sports?

In case you missed it this morning, here is my WINK XCW segment discussing just this topic.

http://www.winknews.com/2015/07/09/healthy-kids-extracurricular-sports/

A phrase I say at least daily …

If your child has chronic diseases or illnesses, please read this and be your own best advocate.

http://themighty.com/2015/04/the-3-words-i-want-every-single-hospital-employee-to-hear/

All Children in a family are equal!

I have so many wonderful families in my practice. They all involve the same dynamic: a parent /parents and a child / children. Please take a look at this article:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a32823/things-to-never-say-to-adoptive-families/

I hope that all of you have a wonderful 4th of July!

I think it’s important to remind our children of the meaning behind the holiday!

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/db56fe3d-09b4-4494-a3bf-fcc78e06e4d9/independence-day-all-about-the-holidays/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mktg2015

In case you missed it this morning on Wink TV …

I discussed Water versus Energy Drinks.

http://www.winknews.com/2015/07/02/healthy-kids-staying-hydrated/

We didn’t get to everything, so here is the ‘nitty-gritty:’
Hydration: Water vs. Sports Drinks:

Exercise < 60 minutes + Low Intensity = water Exercise < 60 minutes + High Intensity = diluted sports drink Exercise > 60 minutes + Low Intensity = water should be OK
Exercise > 60 minutes + High Intensity = sports drink
————
Why use Sports Drinks:

Electrolytes = regulate nerves and muscles
Carbohydrates = restore the body’s glycogen – or fuel – levels
Water = hydration
Helps the body achieve optimal performance during exercise
——————–
All electrolytes are not equal: Sodium

Sodium is the most important = Salt
Helps the body hold onto, and supply the body with, water
Guideline = 2300 mg per day
Average intake = 3000 mg
In processed foods – not recommended
In beverages like ‘sports drinks’
Women are more sensitive than men
———————
Best Absorption by the stomach and intestines:

Cold fluids
Less sugar
Low carbohydrates (6-8%)
OK to dilute Sports Drinks
Goal: rehydration vs. energy replenishment
———————————–
Gatorade G2 vs. Gatorade vs. Powerade:

20 vs. 50 vs. 50 calories per serving (8 oz)
110 vs. 110 vs. 100 mg sodium
30 vs. 30 vs. 30 (same) mg potassium
5 vs. 14 vs. 14 grams of carbohydrates
—————-
Coconut Water:

43 calories per serving (8oz)
39 mg of sodium
495 mg of potassium
11 grams of carbohydrates
Potassium is less important than sodium
————-
Endurance Sports Drinks:

50 – 70 calories per 8 oz.
120-190 mg of sodium
13 – 17 gm of carbohydrates
———————
How much to drink?

Pee check = should be light lemonade
Weight divided by 2 = # oz you should drink a day.
Before exercise, take in 16-24 oz fluid
Add 1 cup every 15 min. of exercising
Add 1-2 cups after exercising
———————-
Another check:

Weigh yourself before and after exercising
Every pound lost = replenish with 2.5 cups of fluid
Never lose more than 3% of body weight (4.5 lbs for 150 lb person)