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

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.

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

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 .

Let’s start by staying Back to Sleep is important. Your infant should always be placed on his or her back when is not being directly observed by an adult. By placing your infant Back to Sleep, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been reduced by 70%. Nevertheless, Tummy Time is developmentally import for your infant and can start in the hospital shortly after birth. Tummy time includes chest to chest bonding, as well as placing your infant on a firm surface. Make sure the surface does not have any fluffy blankets or pillows nearby to prevent accidental suffocation. Tummy time can improve gas and digestion and will strengthen the neck muscles, arm muscles and core muscles helping your infant roll, sit and eventually walk. Early and frequent tummy time will also improve head shape preventing positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the head). For more information on back to sleep please check out: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.aspx For more information on Tummy time please see: http://pathways.org/awareness/parents/tummy-time/#.UeRg0HeTe8Y

The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its safe sleep recommendations to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related deaths. What has not changed is that all infants should be placed on their back to sleep on a firm sleeping surface up till his or her first birthday. What is new is that infants should sleep in their own bed in their parents’ room until 6 months of age. Infants should sleep in a bassinet, crib or co-sleeper but should not share his or her parents’ bed. This has been found to reduce the risk of sleep related deaths by as much as 50%. To see the other recommendations please visit http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/10/20/peds.2016-2938

In short yes! In 2015, Illinois began requiring all seniors to have a second meningitis vaccine if they had not received a meningitis vaccine within the past five years. Your teenager should have received a meningitis vaccine to cover meningococcal meningitis going into 6^th grade (ages 11 and 12). This vaccine covers the four most common strains (A, C, Y and W) of the meningococcal bacterial in the United States. Because this vaccine’s protection wanes after five years, the Center for Disease Control recommends that all children ages 16-18 receive a booster immunization to provide additional protection against this deadly illness. Meningitis is a serious infection causing inflammation around the brain and the spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. Meningococcal meningitis is a rare type of bacterial meningitis affecting 800-1200 Americans each year. Although rare, meningococcal meningitis can cause severe permanent disabilities including death, amputation of a limb, neurologic disease and deafness. Treatment requires proper diagnosis and initiation of antibiotics. Meningococcal meningitis is very contagious spread via every day activities such as kissing, sharing utensils, water bottles, and living in close quarters such as dormitories, therefore teens are at increased risk.  For more information on meningococcal vaccination please go to http://cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/default.htm

Did you know that 3 out of 4 children are not as secure as they could be in their car seats? Children should be kept rear facing as long as they are comfortable even beyond the age of two. Forward facing harness seats should then be used until your child is 40-65 lbs (depending on car seat). Then booster seats should be used until your child reaches 4’9”. Booster seats are important because they help position the seat belt in the right position. Then your child should secure him(her)self with a seat belt. Always make sure your child is traveling in the back seat of your car. If you want to check the installation of your car seat check out some of these local events http://www.seatcheck.net/events/

Annually all persons over 6 months of age should receive the annual seasonal flu vaccination. While the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that the flu vaccine should be received shortly after it becomes available, if possible in October, vaccination should and does continue throughout the flu season. Each year the Flu Season varies, starting as early as November and often continues into April with the peak being January and February. Therefore, vaccination in December and even January can be timely. Typically, it takes two weeks for the vaccine to provide protection so getting the vaccine yearly as soon as possible is beneficial. Additional information about the seasonal flu vaccine can be found at http://www.cdc.og/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm