Gastonia’s pediatric practice provides insight into parent-baby bonding Gastonia’s pediatric practice insists that bonding is vital for the baby’s social and cognitive development. But while bonding can be instantaneous for some, it happens gradually for others. It’s quite normal for bonding to take some time to develop and affected parents shouldn’t feel guilty or think that they are bad caregivers. Besides, your baby won’t be harmed if the bonding takes a little longer provided their needs are met. Why is parent-baby bonding vital? Bonding makes parents want to nurture and protect their babies. It also makes the sacrifice and hard work in raising a child rewarding while helping with their development. Additionally, it promotes the feeling of safety and security and teaches babies to form intimate relationships and trust others. Why does bonding take longer in some cases?
Exhaustion Mothers are often exhausted after delivery, particularly if it was a long and painful one. The body will need time to heal, so don’t feel guilty if you aren’t excited to meet your baby and prefer a shower and a nap. Newborn care can be quite a handful to make parents very exhausted and overwhelmed. Don’t forget that both mom and dad must get adequate sleep. Body changes A mother’s hormones start to change dramatically after childbirth. Based on how the body reacts to these changes, it can be a very emotional period. Lifestyle changes The newest addition to the family also comes with plenty of adjustments. Parents can sometimes resent the intrusion on their once orderly life. That is because they feel powerless and are out of their comfort zone. The baby’s health It can be more difficult to bond with a baby who has to stay in the NICU for a while. It will eat into the time you can care for your baby and all the tubes can be intimidating. Some newborns are also demanding with their care needs. It is particularly true if they are colicky or rough sleepers as these can make the experience more overwhelming and exhausting. Personal relationships Our relationships with our parents can sometimes affect how we bond with others, including our children. If you weren’t closer to your parents, it could take a little longer to bond. Marital issues can also intensify after childbirth, causing confusion and resentment. Mother’s mental health It is possible for mothers to experience postpartum depression, making it difficult to bond with their babies. Postpartum depression comes with a range of issues, including fatigue, appetite loss, severe mood swings, insomnia, and destructive thoughts and feelings. But it is not the mother’s fault and they can’t just snap out of this condition. It’s vital to see your medical doctor immediately if you think you could be suffering from postpartum depression. The good news is the condition is treatable with the help of a reliable pediatric clinic. Work with Gastonia’s best pediatric practice One of the best ways to bond with your baby is by caring for and spending time with them. The connection develops as you respond to your baby’s needs and learn about their personality. Gastonia’s best pediatric practice can provide more tips to get you started on a life-long relationship with your baby. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.
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Gastonia’s kid’s doctor helps new parents understand breastfeeding Gastonia’s kid’s doctor recommends breastfeeding as a natural and beautiful way for a mother to feed her baby. But breastfeeding isn’t always straightforward and may not come naturally to a new mother. Babies are all different and as complex as the grown adults taking care of them. Below are facts that first-time moms and breastfeeders should be aware of: Breastfeeding can take time Feeding is a baby’s natural instinct that can sometimes become difficult. If this describes your situation, don’t panic. Instead, relax and relish skin-to-skin contact before feeding and allow your baby to take the lead. Excessive interference and anxiety can make the process difficult for both of you. Seek help if breastfeeding is always a challenge. There’s nothing bad or shameful about bottle feeding Breastfeeding may not work due to physiology or your work schedule. But that doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a mother. Solutions include pumping and bottle feeding or supplementing breast milk with formula. Consult your pediatrician and lactation consultant to foster the best possible outcome for your baby. Bottle feeding allows the baby’s father and other family members to bond with the child during feeding sessions. Seeking professional help is normal Lactation consultants have vast experience in breastfeeding. That said, what seems like a problem to you is likely something they have seen countless times. Asking for help is a great step to take. Babies and moms need adequate food and sleep Mothers must take a balanced diet to produce healthy milk. The best production follows the consumption of 1800 to 2200 calories every twenty-four hours, which often feels like a lot. An online calorie counter can keep track of a mother’s calorie consumption and nutrients. Additionally, avoiding stress and distractions is not only good for the baby, but also for you, making a good night’s sleep a priority. Lastly, accept help from family and friends to take better care of your baby by taking care of yourself. Always listen to your body Being new to motherhood and breastfeeding isn’t easy. If you feel fatigue and soreness with intense pain in one or both of the breasts, you may have mastitis (a breast infection). It can get quite serious with a plugged duct or thrush causing prolonged nipple discomfort or shooting pain. Pay attention to your baby A baby whose cheeks are dimpled sucks the breast loudly or makes a clicking noise can indicate a poor latch. It means the baby is straining to get milk: so break her contact with your breast to try again. A successful latch is characterized by the sound of a baby happily eating, where they swallow and exhale, and can be compared to snuffling, grunting, or the ‘k-ah’ sound. Pump while away with the help of your smartphone The lovely picture of your baby can trigger the let-down reflex when trying to pump for your child. Other triggers include listening to the recorded sounds of your baby or thinking about nursing. Work with Gastonia’s best kid’s doctor Having a hard time breastfeeding? You are not alone. Seeking guidance from Gastonia’s best kid’s doctor can help. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Gastonia’s pediatrics expert helps parents identify different rashes for treatment Gastonia’s pediatrics expert advises parents to involve professionals if they spot a rash on their newborn and aren’t sure how to handle it. Still, most newborn rashes don’t need treatment. Types of Newborn Rashes Erythema Toxicum About half of newborns are affected by this rash. Symptoms can start within a few hours after birth, characterized by red patches on the skin with white or yellow pimples. It can develop anywhere on the body but appears most often on the trunk and never on the feet’s soles. Parents shouldn’t pop the pimples as it increases the probability of an infection. Besides, it disappears before newborns are three to four weeks old. Pustular Melanosis This common rash develops in newborns before they are born, with more cases being associated with African-American babies. It features small pimples on the skin filled with a cloudy liquid. Some of the pimples usually burst before birth, leaving a dark circle or patch of skin. They are mostly found behind the ears or on the forehead, neck, back, and chin. They disappear within two weeks and, therefore, don’t need treatment. Eczema It’s not odd for a newborn to have a genetic predisposition to eczema. This chronic skin condition is believed to be caused by having too few fatty cells in the skin. That means the skin does not retain moisture, allowing bacteria to penetrate the skin. Symptoms start within a few months of birth, characterized by dry, rough skin that may be crusty. Newborns with the rash may scratch or rub the area. It can develop anywhere on a newborn’s body and on the knees and elbows for older children. It usually lasts until the child reaches school age and may continue into adulthood. Applying a moisturizing cream when the baby’s skin is moist is recommended, especially after bath time. The moisturizer should also be applied one to two times a day. Newborn rashes related to the environment Newborns can also develop rashes linked to specific environmental factors like heat and allergens. These include: Heat rash This rash tends to develop around the diaper area, upper chest, and other areas where sweat is trapped under the skin. Its characteristics include red patches that have a slightly rough or smooth texture. It may also have small bumps or pimples on the skin but doesn’t require treatment. Yeast infection It develops in warm and moist areas of the body. These include the diaper area, in the armpits, and around the neck. It may appear like tiny red dots scattered around or pink moist areas that appear irritated. If you think that your newborn has a yeast infection, speaking with your pediatrician is best. Medicated creams can be prescribed to clear this rash. Contact Rash It is an allergic reaction caused by sensitivity to a substance that touches the newborn’s skin. It develops within hours and looks like eczema and a heat rash. It is red and may have a scaly or rough texture. While it doesn’t cause discomfort, there may be itching. Choose Gastonia’s top pediatrics expert A pediatrician can recommend steroid creams to solve the rash problem. But if you do not see any improvements, speaking with Gastonia’s top pediatrics expert can help. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Charlotte’s children’s doctor helps you make the right parenting decisions Charlotte’s children’s doctor agrees that parenting comes with its own share of pressure and responsibility. To make it worse, there is no parenting manual for when you can run to the store and leave your kid behind. Or when to finally let your kid walk to their friend’s house alone, among others. Is your child ready to stay home alone? There is no recommended age for leaving a child home alone since kids grow differently. While one may be ready at age ten, another may require two more years. But you can always tell when your child is ready for the passage. This is through how they handle their responsibilities. If they can handle homework, chores, hygiene, and other personal duties, they may be mature enough to stay home alone. Secondly, you must consider how long you will be gone and how far you will go. Taking more time increases the chances of mischief. The location and condition of your home also matter. Having a home improvement project or water body nearby can be risky. Also, assess if your neighbors can help should the need arise. Tips to ascertain your child’s safety during their first time staying home alone 1. Test it and see You don’t want to get caught in a situation where you have to leave your child without preparation. Such scenarios often cause anxiety and fear for both parents and children. Experts advise leaving the child alone for a brief period, such as thirty minutes while remaining nearby and easily accessible. 2. Always childproof the environment An unintentional injury is the most common killer of children from age one into adulthood. Your child’s safety and well-being are your first responsibility. Therefore, make your home as safe as possible. Get rid of lighters, matches, and tobacco to prevent fires. Also, lock away guns and make sure they are unloaded and separated from ammunition in storage. 3. Create simple rules Making a set of simple-to-follow rules can promote your home’s safety. Homes with pools should forbid swimming without adult supervision. Others include having a rule against children having visitors while the parent is away. The list can always get longer if an older child is required to care for their younger siblings. But avoid giving them duties like giving baths and cooking. 4. Have an emergency plan in place Tell your kids what to do in the event of an emergency before leaving. Create likely scenarios for emergencies and practice them in advance using role play. Discuss each step in-depth and why it is vital. Engage your children by asking for their input and ideas to make sure they remain focused. It’s advisable to compile a list of phone numbers and place them in an easily accessible place. Your child should also know how to use the phone. 5. Stock your home Kids should have access to adequate food and drink. Reducing the need for cooking by leaving healthy snacks that call for little to no preparation is best. Children should also access any necessary prescriptions, but restricted to the amount needed during their absence. Work with Charlotte’s top children’s doctor There is no magic number to when you can leave your child at home. But plan carefully and introduce the idea gradually by extending the time span each time your child proves their competence. Having Charlotte’s top children’s doctor in your corner can help with more parenting tips. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Gastonia’s pediatrician helps parents effectively manage their emotions Gastonia’s pediatrician acknowledges that parenting a child with anxiety can be heartbreaking and overwhelming. It’s easy to concentrate on teaching your child to cope with anxiety. But first teaching yourself to manage their condition is far much important. When anxiety gets intense, your child can drag you into their emotions. How to cope with child anxiety?
Develop personal coping skills You and your child require coping skills. This helps you stay grounded in the middle of an emotional storm. Using timeouts is one of the options, except that may not always work. Things like deep breathing exercises and counting can help. You may have to remind yourself that it isn’t personal and that it’s also difficult for your child. Acknowledge it’s no one’s fault In some cases, parents get caught up in the blame game. You may feel that it’s your fault or that of your spouse. But remember that many kids have imperfect parents, and they don’t have anxiety. It is also not your child’s fault and could be caused by various things. Children with anxiety symptoms simply lack the skills to manage the stresses of life. As they continue growing, they will develop the coping skills required to regulate their emotions. Be sure to observe patience and work together with your child. Plan Decide how you will respond ahead of time to specific scenarios. This could be staying calm, which is easy to follow through. Knowing what to do next eliminates the feeling of helplessness and frustration when a problem emerges. Practice mindfulness The body generally responds to stress by tightening up. When you are under consistent stress, your body doesn’t get the opportunity to release the tension. This can trigger health issues and make it difficult to stay calm. Release the tension by using techniques like progressive relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing. Helping your child learn these skills is advisable. Build a support system Most parents often feel isolated. This feeling increases when a child has special needs. Looking for parents in the same situation or non-judgmental friends to talk to can go a long way. Also, educate your extended family on your child’s special needs and inform them how to help. Finally, find people willing to help and accept help when offered. Your support system can also include a professional like the child’s pediatrician since they will help you understand how best to solve issues. Create good memories A strong parent-child relationship can assist both parties in navigating difficult moments. This is best achieved through family activities. Opt for activities that everyone relishes, and that don’t set off your child’s anxiety. It mustn’t be something fancy. Go to the park or on a hike or play board games. Note the problem areas Take some time to contemplate your typical day to establish the things that cause the most stress. If it's bedtime, for example, can purchasing a better nightlight solve it? Visit Gastonia’s best pediatrician for an evaluation Still unsure if your child has anxiety? Gastonia’s best pediatrician will perform an evaluation to determine if your child suffers from anxiety or typical childhood fears. Pediatricians will then refer you to a professional dealing with pediatric anxiety disorders. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Gastonia’s pediatric practice helps children develop better sleep patterns Gastonia’s pediatric practice insists that quality sleep is vital for the health of the whole family. If you’ve noticed sleep disorders in your child, you are not the only one. However, sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, can result in other health complications. The good news is simple behavioral changes can put this issue behind your back. What to do with a child with a sleeping disorder?
1. Search for the stressors and changes Kids, like their adult counterparts, can develop sleep issues in the event of big transitions, such as divorce and the death of a family member. Eliminating these stressors can be difficult, but understanding their impact on sleep helps parents to be more understanding and patient. Asthma and allergies are some of the underlying conditions that can also sabotage sleep. It’s best to address the root cause in such circumstances. 2. Create a good nightly routine Routines help create good sleep habits. A good nightly routine trains the brain to prepare for sleep and can soothe anxiety and lower levels of stimulation. Start by turning off all electronics an hour before bedtime. Light from these devices can interfere with circadian rhythms, making it hard to fall and stay asleep. Late evening time should be used for quiet activities like reading, coloring, and drawing. 3. Check out their sleep space The answers you seek may as well be within your child’s room. Examine your child’s sleep space by lying on their bed. Could itchy blankets or annoying streetlights be the cause of the disorder? You can always use blinds or blackout curtains to attain darkness. Also, make sure that the room has the right sleeping temperatures every night. That typically ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. The transition from needing help to falling asleep Children who can put themselves to sleep can go back to sleep should they wake in at night. If your child requires reading, rocking, or singing to fall asleep, it’s best to transition. Send your child to bed on their own after story time with a promise to check on them. Do as promised, but add a minute or two weeks before checking in. 5. Assist them to get their dose of physical activity Everyone knows that physical activity is good for overall health. But it also enhances the quality and duration of sleep cycles. Kids should exercise for at least an hour every day. Meeting this requirement during cold and hot days calls for creativity. 6. Know your child’s sleep needs Sleep needs are based on your child’s age and should be adhered to strictly. Your pediatric clinic can let you know your child’s recommended sleep time throughout different stages. Visit Gastonia’s best pediatric practice After determining a good evening routine and ruling out health conditions, it may be time to visit a pediatrician if the sleep issues persist. Start by documenting sleep patterns and habits before visiting Gastonia’s best pediatric practice. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Gastonia’s pediatrics help reduce children’s anxiety during shots Gastonia’s pediatrics agrees that needles are anything but pleasant. Still, they have a significant role to play in the lives of children. They assist in administering lifesaving vaccines, inserting an IV, and collecting blood for testing. While some genuinely fear needles, others can’t help themselves with the tension leading up to the shot. It’s sometimes worse than the pain itself. Parents should focus on reducing anxiety before the shot and distracting the child afterward. Children can quickly forget the shot if they have something to look forward to. Tips and tricks for the vaccination season Don’t hype Once you tell your child about the shot four weeks prior, they will worry about it for four weeks. Waiting makes sure that they have less time to worry. Only give minimal, age-appropriate warnings to make your lives easier. Get ready Ask your kid’s doctor if giving your child a pain reliever thirty minutes before the shot would be okay. You could also apply a topical anesthetic cream to the spot one hour in advance. Carry a treat You can make shot time fun by rewarding your child with a snack. Let your child know about the treat, and be sure to remind them right before the shot. They will anticipate the pleasure rather than the needle. An option is to let them eat sugar or candy during the shot. Sweet taste eases pain, according to studies. Create a distraction Distract your child by talking about any other thing but the shot. Options include telling a funny story, singing their favorite song, reading a book, and making funny facial expressions. A smartphone or tablet, with video games or cartoons, can be a great distracting tool. Keep it cool Children take cues from their parents. If you look worried about the shot, your child will too. Similarly, acting like shots are no big deal will ease your child’s worry. Your child should not see your waiver. They should know the shot is essential and isn’t open for negotiation. No parent wants to see their child hurt, but a shot can prevent a worse situation in the future. Swaddling for small babies Studies show that swaddling, shushing, side/stomach position, sucking, and swinging reduce pain and crying during vaccinations. Still, swaddling was found to make the most significant difference of them all. Tell your child to relax It is especially true for older children. Teach them to take deep breaths and relax their muscles. The tenser they are, the more the shot will hurt going in. Cough Studies have shown that coughing before and right as the needle goes in minimizes the pain for some. An alternative is to have your child blow on a pinwheel. Choose Gastonia’s best pediatrics Children should be handled with care and by an experienced and passionate professional. Gastonia’s best pediatrics understand children and their behaviors and how to maneuver through tricky situations. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. Gastonia’s kid’s doctor helps reduce hospitalizations through vaccinations Gastonia’s kid’s doctor has discovered that unvaccinated people have fallen victim to common myths, even in the face of scientific evidence. Additionally, there are a few exceptions to vaccinations for children attending school in various states. For instance, over half of all the states allow for it for religious exemptions. Some states allow for exemptions for philosophical reasons. Here are the vaccination myths you must know. What are some common vaccination myths?
Vaccination causes autism A 1998 article in the British medical journal The Lancet claimed a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. It particularly drew a link between a mercury-based preservative (thimerosal) that inhibits bacterial growth in multi-dose vaccines and the incidence of autism spectrum disorder. But the study has since been discredited, with the article’s main author Dr. Wakefield losing his medical license for unethical practices during the study. The Lancet also retracted the article in 2004. However, to date, many parents fear that their children may acquire autism from the multi-dose vaccine. Yet, about 20 studies have discovered that no such link exists. Even better, thimerosal was omitted from all children’s vaccines. Modern sanitation eliminates the need for vaccination The truth is that less-cramped living conditions, more nutritional diets, and modern hygiene have all contributed to the reduction in child mortality rates. Still, the effectiveness of these elements is no match for immunizations. To put into perspective, the chicken pox vaccine introduced to the vaccination schedule in 1995 has decreased cases of the disease by 92 percent. There has also been a 90 percent decrease in the number of related deaths. However, there have been no groundbreaking developments in sanitation and hygiene since 1995. Herd immunity can keep a child safe It is where unvaccinated members of a group are protected from disease due to the vaccination of many members of the group. As more members receive vaccination against a disease, it becomes harder for it to spread. Once a specified percentage of that group is immunized through natural means or vaccines, the group or community is said to have herd immunity. But diseases that were already eradicated within a population can quickly return with vengeance. People with allergies and weakened immunities, infants, and pregnant women are also at a higher risk of infection during outbreaks. These groups depend on community immunity to stay healthy. Vaccines could cause the disease they are supposed to prevent Some believe there is a risk of vaccines causing the very disease they should prevent. This probably stems from the few occurrences of the oral, live-polio vaccine causing actual polio. It typically happens in severely under-immunized populations like third-world countries. Live vaccines have been known to produce what looks like a mild case of the disease they are supposed to prevent on rare occasions. With nearly three billion children receiving the polio vaccination since 2000, there have only been such 24 cases. Visit Gastonia’s top kid’s doctor Parents need to have their children vaccinated per the immunization schedule to prevent sickness, hospitalization, and death. Gastonia’s top kid’s doctor can clear any concerns you may have for a healthier, happier family. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care. |
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