Tag Archive for: Babies

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THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU CAN MAKE WITH A CAR SEAT

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wants parents to know that sleeping in their car seats when not in transport has significant risk and has caused an alarming number of deaths nationwide.

Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, the lead author of a study looking at risk for infants in car seats, found that “most of the deaths occurred when the car seat was being used as a sleeping device.” He further noted “It really appears that the deaths in these car seats occurred in the context where the car seat wasn’t being used for its purpose in transporting a child, but instead it was being used as a substitute for a crib or bassinet.”

The AAP study further noted that “compared with other deaths, deaths in sitting devices had higher odds of occurring under the supervision of a child care provider or babysitter (our italics) compared with a parent.”

Dr. Colvin told Today that while there is no definitive reason for the number of deaths in car seats, he suggested the angled position of the device might be a factor, as well as the straps and side padding that could potentially be a strangulation or suffocation risk. He also stressed that “before there is widespread panic every time a child falls asleep in a car seat, parents should absolutely not be concerned if their baby falls asleep during the usual time in transit.” Various experts have opinions as to how long it is safe for them to be sleeping during a car trip. Please discuss this with your pediatrician for their expert advice.

SHARE THE BEAT! THE SINGING CONNECTION

According to a study conducted at Vanderbilt University, engaging infants with song encourages social development and interaction.

Researchers enrolled 112 infants who were either 2 or 6 months old and tracked these infants’ moment-by-moment eye-looking to reveal that the rhythm of caregivers’ singing causes infant eye-looking to become synchronized or entrained to the caregiver’s social cues at sub-second timescales.

As early as 2 months of age, when infants are first engaging with others in an interactive manner, they were twice as likely to look to the singer’s eyes time locked to the musical beat, than might otherwise occur by chance.

By 6 months of age, they were more than four times as likely to look to the singers’ eyes synchronized to the musical beats.

“Singing to infants seems like such a simple act, but it is full of rich and meaningful social information, said Miriam Lense, PhD., assistant professor. She adds, “Critically, the predictable rhythm of singing is essential for this entrained social interaction. When we experimentally manipulate the singing so that it no longer has a predictable rhythm, entrainment is disrupted and infants no longer successfully synchronize their eye-looking to the caregivers’ social cues.” she added.

“Although what a caregiver expresses is important, when and how they express social cues is particularly critical for infant-caregiver communication,” Lense added. “Rhythmic predictability — a universal feature of song — is an integral mechanism for structuring social interactions and supporting infant social development.”

The important conclusion the study underscores is that making music is not only about entertainment but it is also a core aspect of early socio-emotional development.

So parents, nannies, and caregivers, sing on! Not only is it fun for both you and the child, it’s life-enriching as well.

 

The original article published by Vanderbilt University can be found here.

IS CAR SEAT SLEEPING DANGEROUS?

We’re all accustomed to seeing infants and toddlers nod off when traveling in a car. The question is, how safe is it?

Although their car seat is angled back a bit, you will have noticed that when they fall asleep their heads inevitably fall forward. This is considered to be safe since the amount of pressure on their airway isn’t sufficient to stop breathing.

That being said, safety experts have known for some time that prolonged sleep in a car seat poses the risk of impaired breathing. This is due to the amount of pressure that the infant’s head puts on the breathing passage in a “hyper-flexed” or head down position. Infants, in particular, have large heads and small, very weak neck muscles making it impossible to hold their head steady, especially during sleep. Consequently, their head will usually fall forward during a car ride which can apply unsafe pressure on the airway making breathing difficult.

But just how long is it safe for a baby to slumber in that position? There seems to be some disparity among experts but most of them recommend no longer than one hour due to the possibility of reduced oxygen, while others extend that time closer to two hours.

So, if you’ve just pulled into your driveway and your little one is fast asleep,  is it safe to let them sleep while you attend to other things?

Helen Arbogast, injury prevention manager at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, says no, especially for those under two years of age.  The reality is that car seats are not designed for infants or toddlers to sleep in safely for an extended period of time. Ultimately, infants and toddlers are safest when sleeping in a crib or bassinette.

One question parents often ask us is what precautions we suggest if they are taking a longer road trip. Expert opinion suggests that either you have someone in the back seat with the child who can stimulate the infant periodically and/or make more frequent stops.

Be sure to pose the question to your pediatrician during your next well-baby visit.

In a related issue, Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-Panorama City) sponsored the passage of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act which passed both the house and senate. (Finally, something they can agree on!) The bill issues strict guidelines for crib safety that all crib manufacturers are now required to follow.

Updated June 06, 2025.

SMALL CHILDREN AND PETS

Staying home during this pandemic has both good and, on occasion, not-so-good implications from an injury standpoint.

There has been a recent surge in dog and cat bites, especially where children are concerned. Let’s face it, small children and pets can be a volatile mix.

Dog bites alone account for tens of millions of injuries annually. A great number of these bites are provoked by toddlers and children. If a dog is frightened, experiences pain or is approached while eating the risk of a bite is greater. Dogs that are ill or older have a lower tolerance and may bite when younger dogs might not.

Dog bites can be minor or severe in nature. Many of them can be treated at home with basic first aid, but others may require a scary visit to the emergency department. Canines have very strong jaws and can exert up to 200 pounds of pressure per square inch while larger dogs are capable of twice that much.

The most common bites are to the hands and arms. These can be very serious due to the pain inflicted and because of the risk of infection. Dog mouths have as many as 64 types of bacteria including staph and strep microbes.

As a community we have done well by adopting dogs of every shape and size. The vast majority of these animals are welcomed into our homes and become our loving pets. All the same, you should be aware of the dog’s history and if that history includes aggression and/or unprovoked biting.

One of your best resources is your own veterinarian. Make sure that you discuss issues of safety if a dog has come from unsafe circumstances.

 

THE #1 PANDEMIC VIRUS THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR FAMILY

Hype or hyperbole? Headlines scare people, for sure. The number of coronavirus comments, articles and statistics can make you shudder. You might even purchase protective masks or simply stay home in fear.

Americans, much like many others, are actually at much greater risk from a virus which is here, now. This season, influenza (the Flu), has already claimed the lives of at least 40 children and it remains a far greater health concern for your family than any other communicable disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) the flu has sickened 13 million Americans this winter, putting 120,000 of them in the hospital and has already taken 6,600 lives. The flu season has not yet peaked and when all data is in the flu may take as many as 61,000 American lives.

Protection from the flu takes a number of forms. Although imperfect due to the changing nature of viral illnesses, the flu vaccine is still your best hedge against this awful disease. According to the CDC, fewer than half of American adults got a flu shot last season. For children, who are more vulnerable to the respiratory effects of the flu, only 62% received the vaccine last year.

Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia believes that because the exotic viruses from foreign lands have such different and scary names (Ebola, Zika, Wuhan, etc.) we fear them even more than our generic annual flu strains. When the SARS virus caught our attention, causing a global panic, the U.S. “dodged a bullet” according to the CDC with only 8 Americans becoming infected. There were no deaths from SARS in the U.S. Yet, it caused panic on a global scale.

Children are most often hit the hardest with the flu and statistics reveal that most kids who die from the flu virus have not been immunized against it. Many of these children were previously healthy.

Protection from the flu not only includes getting vaccinated. If you or a family member develops a fever, body aches, headache and/or cough they should be seen by the family physician and screened as early as possible for the flu. Early detection is essential as there are anti-viral medications that can be prescribed to lessen the negative impact.

Other simple methods of disease prevention include keeping sick individuals at home, frequent hand washing and covering ones mouth when coughing.

8 WAYS TO REDUCE A CHILD’S RISK OF CHOKING

In the 20 years that I have been teaching for Save A Little Life™  I have heard countless stories from parents regarding choking or near-choking events with their infants and/or children. These reports stick with me and I try to learn something from each parent who experiences them.

In our CPR and First-aid classes we always discuss the realistic chances of an infant or child choking. It remains one of the top causes of accidental death and the risks vary depending on the age of the infant or child. What has become clear, however, are the circumstances and conditions that either increase or decrease these incidents.

Human beings are born with good reflexes (gagging, coughing, vomiting) that most often reject items that threaten the airway. Parents will readily tell me about these episodes and most have learned how to prevent a choking episode.

Prior to eating semi-solids and solid foods infants thrive on breast milk and other fluids. Parents observe gagging episodes and almost always find ways to reduce (or at least panic less) these. Once we begin more solid foods there is a palpable increase in parental concern. This is understandable and we never minimize those concerns.

So, what can any parent, family member or care provider do to lessen the choking risk? Here are the most effective measures you can take to lessen the risk:

  • Infants & children need to be seated in an appropriate highchair or booster seat when eating. No exceptions
  • A responsible adult needs to be present during all feeding times
  • Try and avoid doing other activities during feeding because a choking person makes no sound!
  • Once an infant or child is able to crawl or walk they should have no food in their mouths or hand(s). The risk of choking elevates when these activities coincide.
  • During family activities, vacations and/or parties (birthday’s, etc.) there should be no letdown of your focus.
  • Pay close attention to toddlers who, when self-feeding, attempt to put too much food in their mouths at once. You have control of this!
  • Never allow infants or children to eat in the vehicle…especially during the first 2 years when they are seated facing rear.
  • Make sure that any family members, care providers or friends who assist during feeding understand these risks and observe the same precautions

There is always the possibility that, even when safe eating practices are used, some little ones will choke. Most people have about 30 seconds of consciousness once their airway is completely blocked. There is no reason to (initially) call 9-1-1 for a choking person since effective removal of an obstruction is done by those present. Paramedics are anywhere from 4-10 minutes away.

During the Save A Little Life™ class we prepare all in attendance to be able to identify a blocked airway and to remove it by safe and established emergency guidelines.

Prevention is the key to reducing risk for all health emergencies. It is woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We are always living with risk but with the proper understanding and consistent practice these risks can be lowered.

DO INFANT SLEEP PATTERNS AFFECT NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT?

This study, recently published in the Journal Pediatrics, attempted to examine the relationship between length of infant sleep and expected levels of growth and development in various aged infants and children. The phrase “sleeping through the night” has had different meaning depending on what era and/or whose criteria one used. The most current definition is… “the longest period of uninterrupted sleep without parental intervention.”

In the past, other criteria were considered, including “total nocturnal sleep” (total of hours slept during the night) or “total sleep duration” (number of hours slept in the last 24 hour period.)

Using their criteria of 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, the authors discovered that 27.9% to 57% of infants (6 to 12 months old) did not sleep through the night. (Our italics) In addition, this study found that 43.4% of 12 month olds did not sleep through the night as well. Using well-developed study criteria, the authors found that, despite less than “optimal” sleep, these infants had normal physical and emotional development.

Maternal mood was another important consideration of this research as well.  These assessments were done in the 3rd trimester, at 6, 12 and 36 months postnatally. Items on the scale reflect frequency of symptoms in the previous week. Given the many differences in households, the research also looked at issues of maternal education, income and socioeconomic status. Issues of maternal depression, infant gender and breastfeeding were factored in as well.

Their conclusion states: “Considering that high proportions of infants did not sleep through the night and that no associations were found between uninterrupted sleep, mental or psychomotor development, or maternal mood, expectations for early sleep consolidation could be moderated.”

As always, we want you to seek the advice of your pediatrician on all issues of pre and postnatal care…for both your baby and yourself!

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TYLENOL USE AFTER A FEBRILE SEIZURE

This article is a condensed version of several recent medical studies, representing their highlights and conclusions concerning Febrile Seizures (high fever) and the use of Tylenol afterward to prevent further seizure episode(s). We hope you find it relevant.

Febrile seizures are convulsions that can happen when a young child has a fever above 100.4°F (38°C). The seizures usually last for a few minutes and stop on their own, although the fever may continue for some time.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is a time proven safe fever reducer for infants and children.

Prior to this study it was widely believed that the administration of Tylenol was ineffective in preventing a second seizure after a first had already occurred.

This study involved infants & children from 6-60 months of age who visited the hospital after a febrile seizure. The use of Tylenol in these cases was compared with patients who received no medication after their seizure.

The dose of Tylenol given was 10mg. per kilogram (rectally) every 6 hours until 24 hours after the first seizure…if the fever remained greater than 100.4 (F).

Of the 423 patients in the study 219 received the Tylenol dose and 204 did not receive any medication for fever reduction. Results of the study showed that a recurrence of another seizure in the following 24 hours was significantly lower in the group that received Tylenol.

When administering Tylenol products at home it is important to follow accurate product dosing instructions unless your physician specifically asks you to alter the dose.

Given that there may still be some differences regarding treatment of infants or children after a febrile seizure it is important to speak with your pediatrician and/or emergency room physician should this event occur.

Your own pediatrician is always your first and best resource for diagnosis & treatment of all pediatric illnesses.

WHY COVERING YOUR STROLLER WITH A BLANKET IS DANGEROUS

In the blazing summer heat with the full sun bearing down on us, countless parents and caregivers drape a blanket over the stroller to give babies shade. It turns out, while we think we are protecting our little ones from the sun, we may be putting them at risk for heatstroke and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

 

Based on an interview with Stockholm pediatrician Dr. Svante Norgren about the dangers of covering a stroller, the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, conducted an experiment by putting a stroller out in the sun, midday, in the summer. Without a cover, the stroller was about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. After covering the stroller with a thin cover for 30 minutes, the temperature rose to 93 degrees and after an hour, 100 degrees!

Because babies sweat less, they are not able to adjust their body temperature as easily, compared to adults and older children. Their body temperatures can rise 3-5 times faster than ours. According to SIDS Australia, “Thermal stress (overheating) has been implicated in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for many years and avoiding overheating has been one of the strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS.”

So how can you keep infants cool, safely?

Staying indoors during the peak heat of the day (between 10am and 3pm) can be helpful. If you must head outdoors, use a UV cover that doesn’t enclose the stroller, like a parasol. Look for strollers with large sun canopies, ventilated or removable back panel, and no excess cushioning. Air circulation is critical. Wide-brimmed hats are also a good way to protect them from the sun. Dress children lightly, use plenty of sunscreen, and keep them well-hydrated. Sponge your child with a damp cloth to keep them comfortable. A small clip-on fan can be attached to their stroller for added circulation – just be sure to keep it out of reach.

When in their stroller, check your baby to ensure they are not overheated. An overheated baby may sleep a lot. Ensure they are not sweating or are hot to the touch and head indoors if the sun and heat get too strong.

 

Article courtesy of our friends at
Tot Squad Baby Gear Services

 

 

 

EMERGENCY CARE WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT

For years we have been telling parents that if someone other than you arrives with the baby or child (in your absence) that a form should accompany them. The form is known as the Parental Consent Form. This form, allows medical personnel to initiate care for your infant or child prior to your arrival at the hospital.

Examples of this potential conflict would be when a grandparent or aunt/uncle, babysitter, nanny, etc. brings the baby to the E.R. without a signed statement from the parent, allowing care to proceed until you arrive. This would provide the doctors & nursing staff with knowledge about the infant/child’s medical history (allergies, other health issues, medications). The assumption is that this information would clear the way to initiate treatment with medications, imaging studies, other necessary sedation of the baby or child for a wide variety of illnesses or injuries.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a new policy statement regarding these potential conflicts. The decision of the AAP for the revised policy on parental consent was summarized in this statement:

“Current medical ethics recommendations also appear to support the E.D./E.R. treatment of unaccompanied minors“ so the statement reads. Furthermore, the AAP statement included: “The physician should seek consensus from the patient or family as soon as possible.”

Simply put, this change suggests that preauthorization (with a note or letter, signed by the parent) is not a necessity and that proceeding with treatment of the minor will be based on a variety of factors.

When we instruct parents in our CPR and first-aid classes the issue of parental consent is always on our check-list of important things to do. We strongly suggest that all parents provide this document to those who have childcare duties, even those blood relatives who are not the parent or legal guardian of that minor.

Forms of this type are easily found on the internet and simply requesting a generic parental consent for medical treatment of a minor. Some states may have laws requiring notarization of the document. Not so in California.