Halloween Safety

This was posted on our Facebook page, but I wanted to bring it here as well. 
Halloween Safety tips from Healthy Children.org

Remember to check us out at ACMA facebook page  and give us a like or even a review!

Vaccine myths

This is a lovely little article that covers most objections that I have heard to vaccination.
Anti vaccine myths and misinformation

Facebook Plug!

We have finally entered the realm of facebook!  Please like us and check back for (hopefully) weekly posts that we have found from trusted sources. 

Abilene Children's Medical Association

No juice required

New recommendations have been released that say no need for any juice for kids under the age of 1. Read all about it at the healthychildren.org post below.
Note: sometimes your physician may prescribe juice specifically for treating constipation but not for nutrition.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Fruit-Juice.aspx

Trampoline safety

Trampolines are a good form of exercise and great fun but like everything else you need to consider the risks involved.
https://www.facebook.com/AmerAcadPeds/videos/10155092292755432/

"Dry drowning"

The latest buzz word in pediatric medicine in social media is "dry drowning".  Like every media hype, there is some truth and some exaggeration.  This one has the added in complexity of terminology confusion. 

This article is good brief version: "Dry drowning" what parents need to know
Here is the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) drowning prevention advice: Drowning
While these two discuss the misinformation spreading: on dry drowning and Drowning in a sea of misinformation

Healthy eating on the go

Sports and other extra curricular activities are revving up leading to busier schedules.  Temperatures are rising leading to hot practices and games.  How do you make sure that your kids are getting good nutrition and staying well hydrated?  Here is a link from the American Academy of Pediatrics parent's website www.healthychildren.org giving some advice.

Sports nutrition for busy families

Sleep can save your mind

During a well check, I ask some basic questions about several different areas of life to try and figure out where we need to focus our time:
- Is your kid doing ok in school?
- Are they brushing their teeth?
- Do they have friends (Are they developing socially?)
- Do they eat at least some vegetables?
- Do they sleep ok at night?

I feel like over just my short 5 years of practice, the question regarding sleep has become more and more of a problem.  There have always been a few people that have pathologic sleep problems that need professional help.  But now "basic" sleep hygeine does not seem to be basic anymore.

Here is a great article from healthchildren.org with a great reminder of the little things you can do to help improve your child (or your own) sleep.

Sleep and Mental Health 

Miralax

Is miralax really just anti-freeze causing my child to go crazy?
Read Doc Smitty's answer:
Is Miralax safe?
followed by
7 questions answered about miralax

a "croupy" cough

Happy New Year to everyone!

Every area of knowledge comes with its own vocabulary, including the field of medicine.  Unfortunately, I think patients have learned to use certain words with a newer broad definition without realizing that it has a very specific meaning.  Some examples would be "wheezing" "croupy" and "lethargic". 

Doc Smitty at Cook Children's Hospital has a great post about what a "croupy" cough really means and what to do about it.

"croupy" cough