Southwest Pediatrics, LTD.

Why we chose to vaccinate our daughter against COVID-19?

southwestadmin — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:40:17 +0000

Eva’s dad and I decided to vaccinate her against COVID-19 because we believe that the vaccine offers the best way to protect Eva from moderate to severe illness as well as any long term effects from a COVID-19 infection. We believe that the research is sound demonstrating that the vaccine is safe. Prior to her appointmen we had an age appropriate discussion with Eva. She knows that the vaccine not only protects her but in being vaccinated, she will be doing her part in protecting others.

How to wear a face mask…

southwestadmin — Fri, 08 May 2020 23:23:32 +0000

A face mask or covering fits correctly if it covers the wearer’s nose and mouth, lays flat against the wearer’s cheeks and stays in place while talking. Remember the purpose of the mask it to catch water droplets that can be spread while breathing or talking. So wearing a mask below the nose or under the chin defeats the purpose of wearing the mask in the first place! Frequently, movement of the mask or covering occurs because it is the wrong size. Simple fixes can include tying the ear loops tighter or securing them behind the head with a clip.

Remember… put on the mask with clean hands; adjust it only from ear loops; or ties and avoid touching the front of the mask once wearing it (it is dirty). When you no longer need it, take it off completely and store it in a bag (ideally paper). Also, everyone should have their own masks. Do not share masks unless they have been cleaned. Cloth masks should be washed daily. Disposable (surgical masks) can be reused by the same person but should be allowed to dry out at lease overnight in a paper bag. Do not use a mask that has either become wet or appears dirty. And please do not spray masks with bleach or alcohol (it can break down the fibers). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

What is the best way to take my child’s temperature?

southwestadmin — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:12:33 +0000

Fevers, a.k.a. elevation of you child’s body temperature, can be very frightening. Your child may feel unwell, act irritably or appear sleepier. Typically, fevers are associated with an illness, although they can be associated with other inflammatory processes (some autoimmune conditions) and can simply indicate overheating (think athlete on a hot day or an over bundled infant in a car seat). While we all wish to be as good as our mothers and grandmothers and just place a hand on our child’s forehead and know that he or she is burning up, inevitable you will get the dreaded question at the doctors of how high the fever has been and for how many days the fever has been present. The pattern of your child’s fever (the height and the length of the fever) in addition to other symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, diarrhea), typically can indicate the diagnosis. So what’s the best and most accurate way to take your child’s temperature? First of all, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you always use a digital thermometer. Glass and mercury thermometers should NOT be used. The AAP also discourages use of pacifier thermometers and also fever strips. There are three types of digital thermometers: digital multiuse thermometers, temporal artery thermometers and tympanic (in the ear) thermometers. The digital multiuse can be used rectally (this is the BEST method for infants < 6 months of age), orally (when your child is > 4-6 years) and under the armpit (axillary) that is a good alternative for children of all ages. Both the temporal artery and the tympanic thermometers are accurate in infants older than six months, although there is evidence that excessive earwax may alter the reading. Please remember, for infants < 3 months and patients with supressed immune systems, please call the doctor for temperatures > 100.4 Degrees F (38 degrees C) immediately!! Please visit healthychildren.org for step-by-step instructions on how to use each thermometer: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/How-to-Take-a-Childs-Temperature.aspx

Cold weather, the car seat and your child…

southwestadmin — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:30:37 +0000

As the temperature outside drops, many families wonder how to safely dress their infants and children. especially when riding in the car. First of all, when dressing your child or infant consider how long your trip will be and then what you will be doing at your destination (i.e. will you be outside or inside). For short trips, unless your preheat your car your car would likely be cooler and your child may need more covering. For longer trips, the car will likely be toasty and lighter layers may be needed to prevent your child from overheating. In addition, bulky clothes can cause safety problems. Hoods can push an infant’s head forward. And, plush fluffy coats will compress in the force of the collision and put your child at risk of sliding out of the care seat! The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests in the winter these tips : 1) Store the carrier portion of infant seats inside the house to keep them warm; 2) Get an early start by not only allowing the car to preheat, but allow more time to drive safely to your destination; 3) Dress your child in layers starting with tights, leggings and long-sleeved body suits and then cover with a sweater or track suit and then layer a thin jacket over top; 4) Don’t’ forget hats, mittens, socks and booties. Though you may need to remove them on longer trips; 5) Use a coat or blanket over the straps for extra warm. You can put the coat on backwards over the straps or just cover the seat with a blanket to cut out the winter wind chill; and 5) Make sure to tighten your child’s harness straps. Remember if you can pinch the straps of the harness then it’s too loose! For more information please visit: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx

How much should my child be eating?

southwestadmin — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 13:13:58 +0000

Nutrition is very important for your growing child. Good nutrition is three-fold: enough fuel (ie calories), well balanced (ie a healthy mixture of fats, protein and carbohydrates) and diverse (containing necessary vitamins and nutrition). A diet lacking in any of these three components can affect your child’s health increasing risk of infection, affect growth, affect behavior and could cause fatigue, headaches and abdominal pain. We have learned that children even though they consume a lot of fuel may actually be malnourished. Nevertheless, let us first look at how much your child should per consuming, ie calories per day. While this may vary based on how active your child is typically the AAP recommends that a child between 2-3 years consume 1000 cal/day and between 4-8 years consume 1200-1400 cal/day. In reference a Happy Meal can contain as much as 700 calories in 1 serving. Once your child hits puberty girls and boys need a different amount. Typically a girl between ages 9 and 13 years requires 1400-1600 calories perday and boys will require 1600-2000 calories per day. And girls 14 to 18 will need about 1800 calories per day, whereas boys will need 2000- 2400 calories per day. The importance of yearly check-ups can help us detect over eating or under eating. For more information please visit: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Childhood-Nutrition.aspx https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/nutrition/Pages/Making-Healthy-Food-Choices.aspx https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Energy-In-Recommended-Food-Drink-Amounts-for-Children.aspx

What Bug Spray is safe for my kids?

southwestadmin — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:17:24 +0000

As the weather starts warming up, biting and stinging insects will make their return. Biting insects like Mosquitoes and Ticks may carry diseases like West Nile, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and in warmer tropical climates can carry other diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Zika etc. Mosquitoes and ticks live in darker most areas, like wooded areas, marshes and grassy fields. Prevention is the best way to prevent these illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control recommends elimination of standing water where mosquitoes may breed, wearing loose light colored long sleeved shirts and long pants when out at dusk, hiking in woods or walking in fields, performing skin checks prior to returning back into the house and checking animals for ticks. In addition, deterrents like Deet are important. Currently products with less than 30% Deet are safe for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends spraying your child’s clothes and avoiding hands, feet and faces. Prior to travel, you can check with the office to see if there are additional travel recommendations for your vacation to prevent any of these illnesses. For more information please visit: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/Insect-Repellents.aspx https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/

What toothpaste should I use?

southwestadmin — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:22:28 +0000

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association changed the recommendation of when to start fluoride containing toothpaste. Now, it is recommended to start using a fluoride toothpaste at the time of first tooth eruption. A smear the size of a grain of rice should be used until your child turns 3 and then after your child should use a pea sized dollop. This has been shown to help prevent dental caries (cavities). For more information on cavity prevention please visit : https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/How-to-Prevent-Tooth-Decay-in-Your-Baby.aspx

The new HPV Vaccine dosing schedule

southwestadmin — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:21:16 +0000

At the annual American Academics of Pediatrics (AAP) meeting this October, the AAP along with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced a change to the vaccination schedule for the HPV vaccine. Previously all children over 9 years of age were recommended to receive 3 doses of the vaccines over six months. After careful study, it was discovered that children who complete the vaccine series prior to his or her fifteenth birthday only need two doses of the vaccine 6 months apart instead of completing the three dose series. The HPV vaccine protects against nine strains of the human papilloma virus. These strains cause cervical cancer and precancerous changes of the cervix in women and cancers of the throat and voice box in both men and women. For more information of the HPV vaccine please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/hpv-gardasil.html . And, for more information on the dosing change in the vaccine please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p1020-hpv-shots.html.

Safe Teething Relief

southwestadmin — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:18:46 +0000

We feel your pain! Waking up at three o’clock in the morning to a screaming infant is never fun. And while tooth eruption can be painful to your infant, many of the over the counter teething relief products can be very harmful to your infant. A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended against the use of benzocaine containing oral gels (found in Oragel, Anbesol, Orabase and Hurricaine). It was found that in children under two the use of benzocaine containing oral gels could lead to a fatal condition called methemoglobinemia (basically, poisoning of the body’s oxygen carrying cells). Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a similar recommendation against teething products containing Belladonna Alkaloids after belladonna containing teething tablets were linked to sixteen infant deaths. Belladonna comes from a poisonous plant called Night Shade. While in low levels it can be a very effective numbing agent especially to the mouth, higher levels can cause systemic symptoms and lead to death. Recently varying levels of belladonna was found in homeopathic teething tablets with some tablets testing above the safe limit. In addition, accidental ingestion of an entire bottle by a toddler could be very dangerous. We recommend use of teething rings and toys instead of medication. Gum massage also can be helpful! Just make sure that your infant won’t be able to choke on the toy or device. If that does not help we are happy to discuss other safe alternatives.
For more information on the dangers of teething products please visit: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm306062.htm and http://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/01/27/Belladonna012717

Is any TV or Media good for your baby?

southwestadmin — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:08:03 +0000

Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would have said no. And now the answer is maybe… Recently the AAP, updated its guidelines for media exposure in infants (children < two years). The AAP has found that media can be a useful tool. Facetime with parents and or grandparents may be beneficial in fostering bonds when the parent or grandparent is not local. Interactive e-books and apps can help foster language, such as teaching letters and colors and numbers as long as the parent or caregiver participates in the activity. And media may provide a distraction from painful procedures or stressful situations, however the AAP recommends against use of media to keep your child entertained as it still is important that your child learn to self soothe and not be a ‘shut-up toy’. At this point, no TV show is recommended for children under age 2. It is important that while media can foster learning, it does not replace learning to hold a pen, tell a story, turn a page or other fine and gross motor skills. For developmentally appropriate activities for your child please visit www.zerotothree.org . Tips for useful media use for your baby and your teenager can be found here https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Children-And-Media-Tips-For-Parents.aspx ; and http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/1/1 .