When coughs don’t need antibiotics
When coughs don’t need antibiotics

Article at a Glance

  • Most coughs are caused by a viral infection from influenza, croup, or a cold.
  • The average cough lasts 18 days, but it is not uncommon for coughs to last up to 3 weeks.
  • If your child has a chronic cough, it might be allergies, asthma, or reflux.
Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause behavioral problems
Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause behavioral problems

Article at a Glance

  • Exposure to secondhand smoke made it 50 percent more likely that children would develop neurobehavioral disorders like ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders.
  • Children’s bodies develop rapidly, putting them at a higher risk for adverse side effects.
  • Parents are in an excellent position to help protect their children from secondhand smoke.
How to feed a teenage boy without breaking the bank
How to feed a teenage boy without breaking the bank

Article at-a-glance

  • Provide your teen with healthy choices, but don’t nag or lecture.
  • Prepare healthy snacks ahead of time to make them easy to grab.
  • Preparing a well-thought-out grocery list will help discourage unhealthy and expensive impulse buys.
When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics
When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics

Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like colds or the flu. In these cases, antibiotics don’t work and can actually make you sick longer. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection won’t cure your sore throat, keep others from catching it, or help you feel better. In these … Continue reading “When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics”

Talk to your child about drinking as early as 9 years old
Talk to your child about drinking as early as 9 years old

Article at a Glance The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you talk to your child about the dangers of drinking as early as 9 years old. Help your children understand the dangers of drinking and teach them “media literacy” techniques. Because teens and children are smaller than adults, it takes fewer drinks for them … Continue reading “Talk to your child about drinking as early as 9 years old”

Drop in ear infection rates attributed to vaccines, breastfeeding, and a reduction in smoking
Drop in ear infection rates attributed to vaccines, breastfeeding, and a reduction in smoking

Article at a glance: The percentage of babies who get an ear infection has dropped in the last 20 years. Doctors believe the decrease is due to the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, flu vaccines, an increase in breastfeeding, and a decrease in smoking. According to a recent study, fewer babies are getting ear … Continue reading “Drop in ear infection rates attributed to vaccines, breastfeeding, and a reduction in smoking”

10 travel tips for children with autism
10 travel tips for children with autism

Article at a Glance Keep things as familiar as possible by sticking to a routine and incorporating familiar toys, experiences, and foods. Keep your expectations and itinerary realistic. Find out ahead of time what special accommodations may be available for your child at amusement parks, attractions, and the airport.   At first, taking a family … Continue reading “10 travel tips for children with autism”

Does my child have an ear infection?
Does my child have an ear infection?

Article at a glance: Common signs of an earache or ear infection include tugging on the ears, fever, fussiness, or ear pain. Your pediatrician is in the best position to diagnose an ear infection. Prevent ear infections by keeping your children up to date on their immunizations, avoiding secondhand smoke, breastfeeding your baby, and practicing … Continue reading “Does my child have an ear infection?”

When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good
When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good

If you don’t need antibiotics, play it safe. Learn when antibiotics can do more harm than good. Antibiotics work great on bacterial infections – shortening illnesses and saving lives. But most colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and earaches are caused by viral infections. If you have a viral infection, an antibiotic won’t help and the … Continue reading “When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good”

Child abuse – reducing the risk
Child abuse – reducing the risk

Article at a Glance Be aware of the signs of child abuse and be ready to take a stand. If you feel overwhelmed with parenting, talk to your pediatrician about available resources. Carefully screen and get to know the people who interact with your children. Educate your child on how to respond to and report … Continue reading “Child abuse – reducing the risk”

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