News Moms Need

It may be tempting to put your infant or toddler in front of the television, especially to watch shows created just for children under age two. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says: Don’t do it! These early years are crucial in a child’s development. The Academy is concerned about the impact of television programming intended for children younger than age two and how it could affect your child’s development. Pediatricians strongly oppose targeted programming, especially when it’s used to market toys, games, dolls, unhealthy food and other products to toddlers. Any positive effect of television on infants and toddlers is still open to question, but the benefits of parent-child interactions are proven. Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child’s development than any TV show. For more information on your child’s health, visit www.aap.org.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and some people like to go out and enjoy a special meal at a restaurant. As you all know, that can be challenging if you have babies or toddlers.  Here are some tips to make the experience a bit smoother for you and the others in the restaurant.

Consider feeding your child something before you leave home.  That way he’ll be able to wait longer for his kiddie meal.  Or, bring some finger foods for him to munch on while you wait.  Older children are easily occupied with a few crayons and the back of a paper place mat.

If you need a highchair and the restaurant doesn’t have any, consider going elsewhere.  It helps a lot to be in a child-friendly atmosphere. If your baby uses a highchair, bring along some plastic utensils and soft toys.  That way it won’t sound like band practice when he gets excited.

My grandson was a huge flirt and loved attention from surrounding diners.  He would ham it up, make googoo eyes and occasionally get fairly vocal (I’m being nice.)  Once his parents recognized this, they would always ask for a side or corner table, reducing the size of his audience and making for a much calmer meal.

If you have an infant, plan your meal when your baby is likely to be tired, like right after he has been fed.  The car ride may sooth him to sleep, so bring him into the restaurant in the car seat and just tuck your little bundle under the table where a chair might normally go or on a booth bench.

Whether you eat in or out, Happy Valentine’s Day!

With cold season just around the corner, you might be confused about the safety of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for children.  Yesterday, the makers of children’s cold and cough medicines said they recommend parents not give these meds to children under age 4.  The cold meds will now have a label on them warning parents about giving cold meds to young children.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there isn’t enough research to show that these medicines work in young children.  The FDA had already warned that cold meds aren’t safe for babies and toddlers because they can lead to serious life-threatening side effects, like difficulty breathing and unconsciousness.

If your young child has a cold, there are lots of things you can do to make her feel better without using cold meds. For babies, try using a rubber suction bulb to help clear a stuffy nose. Your provider may recommend nasal saline (salt water) drops to ease stuffiness. Putting a cool-mist humidifier in a child’s room may also help her breathe more easily.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still trying to figure out what to do about cold and cough medicines for children.  At a public hearing late last week, the FDA said that parents should avoid giving children under age 6 over-the-counter cold medicines. They said there isn’t enough research to show whether or not they work in kids aged 6 and under.  But, the FDA is still not sure if a recall of these meds is necessary.

Earlier this year, the FDA warned parents that cold and cough medicines are too risky for babies and toddlers. Some of these cold medications can actually cause serious life-threatening side effects (difficulty breathing, unconsciousness) in children under age 2. 

While the FDA continues to hammer out this issue, there are certain steps you can take without using meds to make your child more comfortable during a cold. For babies, try using a rubber suction bulb to help clear a stuffy nose. Your provider may recommend nasal saline (salt water) drops to ease stuffiness. Putting a cool-mist humidifier in a child’s room may also help her breathe more easily.

News Moms Need will be sure to keep you posted on any new updates to this issue as they come.