A-Minute-for-Kids A Minute for Kids The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers advice on various health topics as part of the 'A Minute for Kids' radio program. A Minute for Kids Audio ADHD: Structuring the home Environment When a child has Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the smallest things can be the biggest distractions. Adoption: Talking with Your Child For some parents, telling their child that he is adopted is a daunting task. Aggressive Child Parents of a two-year old can tell you that children at that age often become more aggressive. Air Swallowing and Burping Parents know it is standard procedure to burp a baby after a meal. But it’s not only babies who can burp after a meal. Anemia Is your child getting enough iron? A diet low in this important mineral can lead to anemia - a condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Anesthesia A hospital visit can make parents and children nervous, especially if surgery and anesthesia are involved. Appropriate Newborn Hospital Stays Mothers are often anxious to take their new babies home from the hospita, but there is no rush to leave before mother and baby are truly ready. Asthma Friendly Schools Is your child’s school asthma-friendly? Children with asthma need support and supervision at school to keep their asthma under control. Baby Tooth Care Parents often ask, when should I start cleaning my child’s teeth? Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant's first tooth appears. Babysitters Is your baby about to meet a new babysitter? Whenever possible, let your baby get to know this new person while you’re there with him. Bipolar Disorder About 1 in 100 American children have bipolar disorder or a related mood disorder. Booster Basics Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children, yet using booster seats could prevent many deaths. Breastfeeding and Chemicals Breastfeeding is best for babies. But some parents worry: what about chemicals, pesticides and pollutants that may contaminate breastmilk? Building Resiliency Life today as a teen can be equally, or actually more stressful, than an adult’s. Kids have busy schedules, as well as pressure to do well in school and athletics. Bunk Bed Safety Although children love them, bunk beds can be dangerous. A child sleeping in the top bunk can fall out. Calcium Calcium is an important part of your child’s daily diet. But many children don’t get enough calcium, which can lead to an increased weak bones and risk of fractures later in life. Carbon Monoxide Many people have heard about the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home. Caring for a Cast If your child has broken a bone, he may require a cast so that the bone can heal. Chewing Gum Parents who let their small children chew gum may want to rethink that practice. Child Abuse Prevention Month April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. A child you know may be the victim of physical or emotional abuse. Childhood Obesity: 30-Second Childhood Obesity: 60-Second Children Who Bite There are many ways your child can show her anger, but biting is one way that is not acceptable. Choosing a FAAP Children's health needs are different from those of adults. Pediatricians have been trained specifically to prevent and manage health problems in children, from birth to age 21. Cold Sores Don’t let the name fool you - cold sores are not caused by catching a cold. Constipation All babies are different - and baby bowel patterns are no exception. Coping with Teen Anxiety Anxiety is the uneasy or apprehensive feeling we have when we’re facing a stressful or uncertain situation. Cough and Cold Medicine - Not for Children Makers of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine have responded to the FDA ruling that their products not be given to children under age 4 by removing them from store shelves. Dealing with Cyber Bullies There is a new kind of bully in town - the cyber bully. Dealing with Teen Pregnancy Each year more than half a million teenage girls become pregnant. Discipline Disciplining your child is not easy, but it is a vital part of good parenting. The AAP recommends a three-step approach toward effective child discipline. Dizziness Our ability to remain upright depends on a complex system of nerves in our eyes, ears and brain, as well as muscles that help us walk and maintain balance. Driveway Dangers It’s what every driver fears when backing out of a driveway - hitting a child. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are a serious concern, especially for teens. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Energy Drinks There has been an explosion of energy drinks, with rebellious sounding names, targeted to young people. Enrollment in State Children's Health Insurance Program You may be surprised to know that there are more than six million children in the U.S. who are eligible for government health insurance programs but have not enrolled. Environmental Management of ADHD Attention-Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a common condition among children. Most of the time, symptoms are treated with medication and a treatment plan. Exercise-Induced Asthma While exercise is a normal activity for all children, youngsters with exercise-induced asthma, or EIA, usually need to take special precautions to exercise safely. Fainting Chances are most of us have felt faint at one time or another, so it should come as no surprise that children can feel faint too. Falling Asleep at the Breast/Bottle It’s natural to let your baby fall asleep while nursing or drinking from her bottle. But this is a habit you should not encourage. Family-Directed Home Health Care Many chronically ill or medically fragile children are institutionalized. This often happens because they are not sick enough to be in the hospital, but are too sick to stay home without expensive, around-the clock nursing care Fetal Alcohol Syndrom Though most of us know that pregnant women shouldn’t drink alcohol - approximately five-thousand infants are born each year in the U.S. with fetal alcohol syndrome. Fighting Vitamin D Deficiency Studies have found that at least four out of every ten toddlers and children are vitamin D deficient. Flu Immunization: 30-Second Flu Immunization: 60-Second Food Allergies: Babies at High Risk If there’s a history of food allergies in your family, chances are your baby may have those allergies as well. Foot Aches and Pains Foot pain is common in young athletes. Foot injuries that develop suddenly are considered acute and include bruises, sprains and fractures. Genetic Counseling Many people take advantage of genetic counseling before getting pregnant. Golf Carts In recent years, golf carts have become popular with drivers of all ages. People use them not just on the golf course, but also as a way to get around their neighborhoods and communities. Good Health Before Pregnancy The first steps to your baby’s good health can start before pregnancy. Head Lice Every year, 6 to 12 million school-age children get head lice. Close, head-to-head contact is the primary way head lice are spread. Healthy Eating for School-Age-Kids Getting school-age kids to eat a diet that has less fat and cholesterol can be a challenge. Highchair Safety If you are shopping for a highchair for your baby, keep in mind that falls are the most serious danger associated with highchairs. Hives Hives are a common skin reaction in children. Hockey Safety and Checking The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that hockey players age 15 and younger should not body check other players. Home Workshop Safety If you have children - and a home workshop - remember that the two don’t mix. Immunization Awareness August is National Immunization Awareness Month - a good time to remind parents, caregivers and others that immunizations aren’t just for infants and young children. Indoor Allergens One in every six children suffers from indoor allergies. Allergic children have immune systems that overreact to substances that don’t have an affect on most people. Insect Repellents The warmer weather is here and that means bugs. Mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks can make children miserable. Ipecac The AAP says throw out bottles of syrup of ipecac. For many years pediatricians suggested that parents keep syrup of ipecac handy in case of poisoning. Irritability Just like grownups, children sometimes feel irritable. But unlike some grownups, children can’t always express their underlying problems in words. Kawasaki Disease Kawasaki disease affects more than three-thousand children in the U.S. each year - usually older infants and preschoolers. Kids and Stress Adults often talk about feeling “stressed out.” But let’s not forget that children can get stressed out too. Limit Television: 30-Second Limit Television: 60-Second Managing Newborn Jaundice Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies. It appears within a few days of birth and makes a baby’s skin look yellow. Medical Records While your child’s pediatrician maintains a complete medical record of the care she provides your child – parents may want to keep a record of their own. Mercury in Fish Did you know that some fish has mercury in it? Mercury is released as gas from the earth’s crust and oceans, or as a chemical by-product from industry. Military Deployment and the Family Military efforts to protect our nation affect some American families in a tangible way - the military deployment of a parent. Monitoring Your Child's Media Diet By the time they are 18, young people will see an estimated 200,000 acts of violence in TV, movies, video games and hand-held screens such as phone and other devices. MRSA Infections MRSA: this bacterial skin infection has been in the news quite a bit lately. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Myth of the Perfect Parent While some may believe perfect parents exist, an ideal mother and father who raise happy, well-adjusted, problem-free children, there really is no such thing. Obesity and BMI Pediatricians have identified another tool to help them diagnosis, and prevent, childhood obesity. Over-Scheduling Your Child's Life There are many activities available to children these days, but parents should be careful not to over-schedule their child’s day. Pacifiers Some people believe that using a pacifier can harm a baby. This certainly is not true. Paintball Paintball is an increasingly popular with teens and young adults. Pesticides in the Food Supply Farmers use pesticides to grow better crops. But the thought of pesticides in and on the foods our children eat can be scary. Posture Remember your mother telling you, “Stand up straight!”? Preparing for a Hospital Stay An overnight stay in the hospital can be scary for kids and parents too. Privacy of Medical Records When you take your child to a pediatrician’s office, you may be asked to read and sign a notice about your privacy rights. Protecting Children from the Flu Protecting children from the flu. Protecting Infants from HIV In developed countries, care and treatment are available for pregnant women that can reduce the spread of HIV infection at birth to less than 2 percent. Restless Legs Does your child ever complain that he can’t sleep because his legs just can’t relax? RICE If your child has a sprain or strain, and there is swelling and pain, remember “rice” R-I-C-E: a four-step process to reduce swelling. Roller Shoes The newest craze to catch on with children and pre-teens is roller shoes - also known as “heelys”. RSV Infection Did you know that respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children? School Vaccinations: 30-Second School Vaccinations: 60-Second Seasonal Affective Disorder Studies suggest that more than one million children and adolescents suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Secondhand Smoke Do you or does someone in your family smoke? Separation Anxiety and Sleeping Between the ages of six months and two years, your child’s sleep patterns may be disturbed by separation anxiety. SIDS and Misshapen Skulls For more than 14 years now, the AAP has recommended that infants be placed to sleep on their backs, to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. Sleep Walking Did you know that about 15 percent of children between the ages of six and 16 are sleepwalkers? Sleepy Teens Any parent will tell you: it’s hard to get a teenager up and ready for school in the morning Slide Safety If your child loves the slide in the backyard or at the park, keep in mind that some slides are safer than others. Special Time "Time-In" We hear a lot about “time outs” as an effective disciplinary tool for young children. Spotting Allergy Symptoms Not all allergies are as obvious as wheezy breathing while petting a cat, or breaking out in a rash immediately after eating a certain food. Spring Cleaning Tips Now that spring has sprung, families are thinking about cleaning out a winter's worth of dust and dirt. Stealing Stealing is something no parent thinks their child will do but it can be common among children between the ages of six and twelve. Swimming and Beach Safety If you and your family plan to head to a beach for some time off, here are some tips to ensure your beach time is safe time. Swimming Programs for Infants and Toddlers The AAP wants parents to know that swimming lessons for infants and toddlers do not protect children from drowning. Teaching Kids to Share If you have children, you know that getting them to share toys and other holiday gifts can be a problem. Teen Acne and Diet If your teen suffers from acne, you may wonder if her diet is causing her skin to break out. Well the fact is, food is not the problem. Teen Cutting While not something new, teen skin cutting has been receiving more attention. Teen Role Models Teenagers need competent, caring adult role models. Teens and Internet Safety Have you ever found your child sitting in front of a new or blank screen on his computer? Texting, Social Media, and More Tweens and teens use social networking sites on the Internet to stay connected. The Importance of Vaccines If there was a magic potion that would protect your child from deadly diseases, a potion proven to be effective and safe, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to give it to him? Thumbsucking Does your baby suck his thumb? Don't worry.This habit is very common, and has a soothing and calming effect. Tummy Time While it is important to place your baby on his back for sleep, it’s also important to make sure that as he gets older, he gets some tummy time. Understanding Asthma According to government statistics, nearly 9 million children have been diagnosed with asthma. Understanding Portion Sizes Americans are fond of supersizing. But all those large portions have distorted our ability to estimate an average portion size. Used Car Seats A new car safety seat is best for your baby, toddler or older child until he is ready for a standard seat belt. Using Asthma Inhalers For most children with asthma, an inhaler is an important part of their prevention and treatment plan. Weaning from the Bottle Getting your child to give up his bottle can be challenging, but the AAP recommends weaning before 18 months of age. West Nile Virus Mosquitoes are annoying, but they can also be carriers of diseases including West Nile Virus. What's in Your Blood? Most of us don’t think twice about the blood in our bodies unless it leaks out. But blood does many important things. What's on TV? What’s on TV tonight? The next time your child asks that question, think a moment before you answer. When to Call 9-1-1 An important part of emergency care is knowing when to call for help. Is the child’s injury life-threatening? Window Blind Cords Since 1991 more than 175 infants and children have died from accidentally strangling in window cords. Window Safety Many people assume that children who are injured in falls from windows are hurt after a fall from a high-rise. Zinc-based Cold Products You may have heard claims that some zinc-based intranasal products can shorten the length of a cold. Now the FDA says they may reduce something else - your sense of smell.