Everything we've written about Tips and tricks
Jan 27, 12 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
“Read to me Daddy”
Reading to your kids is one the most important things you can do for them. I enjoy reading to my children (most nights), and it always helps when they pick a book I like too. I mean, I will read them stories about Dora, but I can only take so much…
One of my favorite authors is Mo Willems, who has books about a number of different characters. My son’s favorite stuffed animal is his knuffle bunny, the star of a trilogy that adults can relate to as well as the children can, and I love to read the twins The Pigeon Loves Things That Go. My older girls like me to read them the longer Pigeon books or one of the Elephant and Piggie tales. My personal favorite Mo Willems book is Leonardo the Terrible Monster. Check it out if you haven’t yet read it. More »
Jan 23, 12 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Have the resolutions made it past the first month
Every year people make New Year’s resolutions. We resolve to eat more healthy, exercise more, and lessen our stress. When I went to the JCC to work out last week, the gym was packed. Each day though I see fewer and fewer people there. All the resolutions are good ones. How can we make them stick? More »
Jan 17, 12 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
My kid is sick- and we are on vacation!
It never fails- every time you go on vacation it always seems that one of the kids are sick. We were in Hawaii when my two year old developed a hoarse barky cough and trouble breathing. We were embarking upon the road to Hana- a crazy drive through the mountains with over 600 cliffs and patchy cell service. I knew she had croup, but knowing what it is and being able to treat it are two separate issues! Obviously it is a little easier for me because I am a doctor; however, I didn’t have a stethoscope, ear looker, or meds. Luckily, we were able to get her through it with steaming, a call to one of my partners, and lots of mommy time. She of course got better after we got home! More »
Dec 1, 11 | Posted by: Bayshore Pediatrics
Pertussis – Just in time for the Holidays
Pertussis or “whooping cough” has reemerged in our community. There are now five confirmed cases of pertussis in Mequon area. We have blogged about this in the past and it seems time again.
Pertussis is highly contagious and can be dangerous for those who are not vaccinated. Surprisingly, even students that are vaccinated can acquire pertussis. Vaccinations are not 100 percent effective, and efficacy is different for each individual vaccine.
Part of why vaccines work so well is something called “herd immunity,” which means if enough people are vaccinated, they prevent the disease from reoccurring even if the vaccine itself is not completely effective. Due to the concerns with vaccine safety, fewer people are vaccinating. This allows diseases that were nearly eradicated to reemerge and infect patients.
Pertussis look like a cold at the beginning, with a runny nose, possible fever and a mild but irritating cough for 1-2 weeks. What separates pertussis from a cold is the explosive coughing that can interrupt breathing, eating and sleeping and is commonly followed by vomiting and exhaustion. Pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, gets its name from the loud loud crowing or “whooping” sound that patients make as they struggle to inhale air. The coughing spells can last for several weeks or longer. In younger children, the symptoms are usually milder and without the typical whoop.
There is no “cure” for pertussis, antibiotics can shorten the time someone is contagious and can prevent the transmission to other people.
Click here for more information about pertussis.
Please call us if you are concerned about your child’s health and pertussis.
Nov 9, 11 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
Mommy, How Do People Get Fat?
Wow! Now there is a loaded question. My five year old son asked me that as we were driving in the car the other day. I told him there were lots of ways that people can get heavy, but the most common was that they don’t eat healthy and they don’t exercise. I didn’t want it to be that concrete (5 year olds are very black and white and I could totally see him going up to an overweight person and saying “you eat too much junk”) so I also went on to talk about how every person burns calories differently, and we get that from our families. For example, Daddy can eat ice cream everyday and won’t gain weight, but mommy can’t.
How to talk to kids about healthy eating habits is something I deal with every day- ask any of my patients how I drone on and on about fruits and vegetables. I try and focus on “healthy lifestyle” as opposed to weight. I never talk about a diet, instead I focus on how to make a diet healthier. I ride a fine line between needing to educate kids on how to make their diet and lifestyle healthier, yet not cause an eating disorder or poor self esteem.
I do not always eat healthy, and neither do my kids. However, we eat fruits and vegetables every day, try and get enough calcium, and promote activity. When they want a sweet at night, I quiz them on what they have eaten over the day. If no veggies are in there, there is definitely no dessert. My oldest loves video games and TV, but after his two hour limit- he has to go on the treadmill or walk the dog to earn more time.
I think the key to education about healthly living is like other things- you have to set the example for your kids and follow through. If you don’t eat vegetables, why would your kids?If you don’t exercise, they probably won’t either. Talk to your kids about being healthy, and give them the tools to do it.
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