How to Protect Babies from Overheating

Over-bundled babies concern me more than babies who may be a little bit “chilly”—overheating can lead to unnecessary fever evaluations (checking blood, urine and spinal fluid) because of elevated body temperature as well as serious medical issues. In fact, over bundling and excessive overheating is a risk factor for unexpected infant death. Summer is a time to think about the appropriate amount of clothing for babies and toddlers.

Signs of Overheating in Babies & Toddlers

Summer is a time to learn the signs of overheating (also known as heat stroke). It doesn't take much to offset overheating, and it’s an important issue for parents to be aware of. Heat-related illness results in many children being admitted to emergency departments each year and also is a cause of infant and child mortality. This can happen in babies, toddlers and parents—and the symptoms are actually quite similar. In our next post we will explore some easy ways to avoid overheating—today we will share some tips on recognizing overheating or heat stroke:

How to Choose and Use Sunscreen

When my now 5 and 9 year old twins were young, sun screen before 6 months was a huge no-no —now the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending sunscreen for infants under 6 months because the risk of skin cancer outweighs the concern over possible irritation of the skin. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

“For babies younger than 6 months, use sunscreen on small areas of the body, such as the face and the backs of the hands, if protective clothing and shade are not available”

Sun Protection in Infants & Toddlers—Practical Aspects

Here are eight Sassy suggestions for keeping infants and toddlers protected from the sun. If you do them all, your baby will be protected, and may also look like James Bond (think sunglasses, hat, and covered clothes…you get the picture):

1. Be shady! Summer time is all about the pool, the beach, and outings at the park—always be conscious of sun exposure and seek out shady areas when possible. If at the beach, assure there is an umbrella or other safe cover to shade baby. As we talked about in our last posting, baby skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever outside.

Sun Protection in Infants & Toddlers—The Evidence: Part Two

In our last posting, we began to explore the landmark 2011 article by Dr. Amy Paller published in the journal Pediatrics: "New Insights About Infant and Toddler Skin: Implications for Sun Protection". Today, we’ll explore the three common negative effects of sun exposure.

We all know sunburns hurt, but what really happens to the skin itself and why is sun exposure harmful. Is skin cancer the only negative consequence of sun exposure? Before we go back to Dr. Paller’s article, let’s explore what Ultra Violet Radiation is all about:

Sun Protection in Infants & Toddlers—The Evidence: Part One

It is widely known that sun exposure is closely linked to skin cancer in adults. What about babies and toddlers? With information being relayed to parents about the importance of sun exposure for small babies with elevated bilirubin, and for the Vitamin D required for healthy growing bones, it can be confusing. How much sun is healthy and okay? What are the true risks of sun exposure in young children?

In the next two postings on One Sassy Doctor, we’ll review the fantastic research article from the 2011 Dr. Amy Paller published in the journal Pediatrics: "New Insights About Infant and Toddler Skin: Implications for Sun Protection." There is tremendous evidence support from research linking excessive sun exposure in the baby and toddler years to skin cancer later in life. Some interesting facts:

Healthy Bodies—On the Go!

Positive Modeling & Promotion of Healthy Bodies – A Four Part Series with Pediatric Obesity Specialist Dr. Dyan Hes

Part Four—On the Go!

We’ve so enjoyed our series with Dr. Dyan Hes; we learned about activity, portion control and the basics of preventive approaches to keep kids and families healthy. For our final installment (unless Dr. Hes agrees to come back again!), we’ll cover the challenge of how to maintain modeling and provide healthy options while on the go. We know Sassy families are hopping and bopping a lot!

Healthy Bodies—Stay Active!

Positive Modeling & Promotion of Healthy Bodies – A Four Part Series with Pediatric Obesity Specialist Dr. Dyan Hes

Part Three—Stay Active!

In our last installment of this four part series with Dr. Dyan Hes, we learned about portion control and how to model this for children starting from the time they are babies. Today, we’ll focus on being active!

Dr. Jen: Parenting is so... tiring! Dr. Hes, how do you suggest parents of young children model exercise and even get kids moving the appropriate amount?

Healthy Bodies—Portions!

Positive Modeling & Promotion of Healthy Bodies – A Four Part Series with Pediatric Obesity Specialist Dr. Dyan Hes

Part Two—Portions!

In the first installment of this four part series with Dr. Dyan Hes, we learned what being a pediatric obesity specialist was all about and the sensitive, positive, preventive approach that’s most effective. Today, we’ll focus on portion control.

My Baby Has Periodic Red Cheeks, What Does That Mean?

Anchorette P: My son recently had a minor injury and needs to take antibiotics for a week to prevent infection but it's such a fight, he refuses the spoon, tube and won't eat food if we try mixing it, any ideas?
Anchorette, you’re describing a very common problem in treating babies and young children with antibiotics. Sometimes, the texture of the medication or the taste are simply yucky, and we need to be clever, Sassy parents getting it down!

What Is the Best Way to Handle Cradle Cap?

Angela M: What is the best way to handle cradle cap?

Thanks for the question, Angela. “Cradle Cap” is a common skin condition in small babies—fortunately it’s harmless and, with the right care, can most often be treated easily.

Healthy Parents: Acknowledge Food Purchases

How could it get any better? A month full of nutrition tips from Heather Bauer—a nationally known nutritionist who has helped thousands maintain healthy lifestyles. We’re on the last of eight tips and this one is a good one.

Healthy Parents: Be That Mom

We’ve had some great feedback on Facebook & Twitter from these awesome nutrition blogs for parental behaviors from Heather Bauer at Nu-Train. In fact, thinking about whole family health and happiness is what Sassy is all about—happy parents mean happy children. So, we’ve covered the importance of a healthy buddy and the importance of planning ahead for birthday parties, and focused on the behaviors of healthy eating rather than calories or the exact foods to eat. Welcoming back Heather for Tip #7:

OSD: 7 is a lucky number. Give us a good one, One Sassy Nutritionist! 

H: Okay, here you go! Lucky 7!

Healthy Parents: Arrive Prepared

Have you been enjoying this month of nutritional tips from One Sassy Nutritionist? She’s amazing, huh? We love Heather from Nu-Train and these practical, sensible tips.

OSD: And what do you have in store for us this week? 
H: A great one! Haven’t you noticed, I’m sassy too, Dr. Jen!

Healthy Parents: Avoid Skipping Meals

So far this month we’ve heard about everything from packing snacks to avoiding being the human garbage disposal from One Sassy Nutritionist - Heather Bauer from Nu-Train. Her tips are super practical and focus more on the behaviors around healthy eating rather than telling us what to eat. That’s what One Sassy Doctor loves about Heather, she “gets it”—that diets are short term and habits become part of our lives.

Healthy Parents: Find A Healthy Buddy

This month we’ve been hearing about parental nutrition from Heather Bauer from Nu-Train and learning all kinds of simple, easy ways to be healthy. What we’re learning is it’s just as much about the behaviors surrounding our eating habits as it is what we’re actually eating. It’s not about diets—it’s about habits and modeling those habits for children.

Healthy Parents: Don’t Be The Family Garbage Disposal

This month of nutritional advice from One Sassy Nutritionist, Heather Bauer from Nu-Train has been wonderful. We’re all about sharing health, development and play tips on the One Sassy Doctor blog—and part of creating the healthy family balance is including parental nutrition in the mix. So, here we go with tip #3 from Heather!

Healthy Parents: Meet One Sassy Nutritionist!

We’ve written an awful lot about baby & toddler nutrition on the One Sassy Doctor blog and shared an occasional recipe for parents to enjoy with little ones. This month we are taking a break from infant advice & focusing on good nutrition for mom (applies to dads also!).

Baby Burp Care: Support for Your Baby

Burp! Well excuse me—I just burped! Ha ha. In our last love and care post this month, in honor of our favorite valentines, we’re going to close with a nice big … BURP!

Why Do Babies Burp? 
Air gets into the tummy & the gastrointestinal tract each time a baby swallows. With the frequency of feeds a baby has during the first few months of life comes the accumulation of quite a bit of air in the tummy (stomach). It’s important to have a good seal on the breast or bottle nipple to minimize air swallowed during feeding—a small amount is normal but if there is a poor seal, extra gas can slip through and increase air in the tummy. If you think of a soda bottle, what rises to the top? You guessed it: bubbles or air. It works the same inside baby’s tummy: air rises to the top and out the mouth making that familiar (and very cute when it’s from a baby) sound.

Baby Hair Care—Washing, Combing and Caring for Baby’s Scalp

Have you seen (or do you have) a baby with a full on head of hair? A baby without any hair at all? Both extremes are completely normal. In fact, some babies with a whole lot of hair can lose it completely, and some babies lose half of a head of hair, often due to pressure from sleep positions. I’m going to spare my son from future embarrassment and not post a picture of the half head of hair he had and the comb-over his mom (aka – One Sassy Doctor) gave him. Seriously, talk about a parenting moment when mom and dad did not agree: “A hat, Jen, please, or shave it off! He looks like an old man!” vs. “Awww, comb-overs are cute. Look, Donald Trump has one!”

Do I Wash Baby Hair? 
Baby hair requires very little care and can be gently cleaned during a sponge bath using mild soap, making sure not to get the soap in baby’s eyes. Be very gentle around the soft spot, a particularly sensitive area where the four main skull bones meet.