by Dr. Katie Baker, ND/LMP of Stone Turtle Health
posted 9 December 2013
Naturopathic medicine is a great choice for pediatric concerns, and as a provider focused on prevention I’m happy to see steps taken to ensure the continued good health of our community’s children.
Winter has arrived, a bit earlier than expected, and there are many small steps that can help children avoid illness or accidents, especially those specific to this season. Here are ten quick suggestions:
10. Holiday Parties & Children – Remember the energy spike, followed by the crash and subsequent behavior issues after eating a tummy-full of sweets from last year, or the last birthday party? Be sure to put some healthy dips, fruits and veggies on the kids’ plates (or, better yet, have them eat a healthy meal at home beforehand). Don’t push them to finish everything on their plate (that’s a good recipe for a sick kiddo after all the running around), give them a choice between two desserts, rather than letting them eat both, and remember portion sizes for kids are much smaller than you think they are (think 1-2 baby carrots, not 5-6 with dip).
9. Travel- Cars need to be tuned up, the tires and gas tank filled and anti-freeze topped off before long trips. Patient driving in icy weather- drive slow, stop gently and well in advance, and leave lots of room between cars- is key to arriving at your destination safely. If you do start to slip, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction of a skid. Braking too hard can compound the problem. Remember four-wheel drive is great if you’ve got traction, but on ice, there is no traction.
8. Store Safely – Anti-freeze is a pretty color and tastes sweet. Keep auto supplies in the garage or trunk of your car, and out of reach of young children and pets. If you suspect your child has been into any hazardous materials, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
7. Emergency Shelter – During a power outage, remember to never use a grill indoors to prepare food or for heat. Tragedies have occurred when fires have started or entire families poisoned by the fumes from a grill used inappropriately. In many severe storms, the American Red Cross will open shelters with electricity, heat, and hot meals for families who can’t stay at home.
6. Emergency Kit – Keep blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, bottled water & snacks, first aid kit, and jumper cables in the trunk of your car. At home, have flashlights, bottled water, food and blankets, board games and books available for power outages. Don’t forget the emergency chocolate!
5. Sunscreen- Glare off snow intensifies sun exposure, just like being on the water in the summertime, so be sure to put on kid-friendly sunscreen (and protective eyewear) when spending the day on the slopes to prevent sunburn.
4. Layers – Small children should wear one more layer than adults. Layers are especially important if kids are going to be back and forth, multiple times, between inside and outside through the day. Wool is a great insulator that doesn’t soak up water like cotton does.
3. Extremities- An extra pair of socks (don’t forget about them when selecting new winter boots), mittens or gloves (pinned to sleeves,) and frequent breaks from outdoor play to come inside and warm up are all important. Make sure little hands and feet stay warm and dry.
2. Heads – Cover ‘em up! Hats and scarves prevent body heat from leaving through the top of the head. Wet hair won’t cause pneumonia (regardless of the old wives’ tale- it’s an infectious disease), but it can cause a chill which leaves the body’s immune system more susceptible to the ugly bugs of winter illnesses.
1. Illness – Winter is the time for nasty coughs and colds. If your child is sick, keep them home to prevent the spread of germs at school or holiday parties. It’s not fun, but it beats being known as ‘Typhoid Mary’ for years to come! Wash hands, sneeze into the crook of your elbow instead of your hand, and moisturize your hands well after washing (dry skin has more cuts and scrapes that germs can enter).
Flu shots are still available for this season, as well as other immunizations, for children aged 1-month to 19 years. Well-child exams (which are fully covered by insurance,) can also be administered. However, common sense steps can prevent a lot of illness and accidents. If something does arise that causes deeper concerns, please contact your pediatrician or our office.
With over 20 years of experience working with children and families, and providing care for the past five years – at Stone Turtle Health – in the same neighborhood in which I live, I find that caring for my neighbors is an excellent way to contribute to the improvement of my own community. Keeping our kids and families healthy should be a priority for us all.
About The Author: Dr. Katie Baker, a graduate of Bastyr University, practices naturopathic medicine from her practice at Stone Turtle Health. For more information, visit Stone Turtle Health website and read her blog. Or, schedule an appointment at 206/355-4309.
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©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.