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Newsletter
In this issue:
Tame the Tube!
Please Bear With Us!
Need a Physical Examination? Don't Wait-Schedule Now!
Avoiding Sports Injuries
FYI
Healthly Teeth at Every Age
SIDS Update
Treating Poison Ivy
Tame the Tube! 
Television is a fact of life in the American home today, but it doesn't have to take over the American home. Here are some reminders for good quality T.V. viewing:
- Keep T.V. out of your child's bedroom.
- Don't allow eating in front of the T.V. Increased calories are typically the result.
- Don't leave the T.V. on in the background; radio is better.
- Watch T.V. with your children; you can more effectively monitor what they watch and reinforce the positive messages and discuss the negative ones that are presented.
- Be aware of the content of commercials. There are a lot of alcohol and junk food commercials on T.V.; what are they saying to your child?
Here are some alternatives to sitting in front of the T.V.:
- Read a book - Reading aloud is one of the best things you can do for young children.
- Act out stories - Pick a favorite book or nursery rhyme and let your child act out the story; young children love make-believe.
- Play games - Children love games, either active games like hide-and-seek, charades, and duck-duck-goose, or board and card games like UNO and Chutes and Ladders. And playing games encourages social skills like taking turns.
- Go outside - The weather is warming up, a great time to get outside. Walk the dog, swing on the swings, play ball, ride a bike. The whole family will benefit from the physical activity.
Please Bear With Us!
We live in the information age, and no where is that more true than in the field of medicine. Providing good medical care for your child depends in part on us being able to reach you with lab results or appointment changes, but we can't do that if your phone number is incorrect. We can't bill your insurance company for services if your insurance information is inaccurate. It is imperative that we have up-to-date address, phone number and insurance information for all parents involved in the care of a child, including stepparents. So if it seems that we are asking a lot of questions, please bear with us.
Need a Physical Examiniation? Don't Wait-Schedule Now!
5-Year Pre-Kindergarten Physical Examination:
If you have a child starting school in the fall, please schedule their physical exam as soon as possible. They will complete their immunizations at that time. Appointments can be scheduled from ages 4-1/2 to 5 years of age. They will also need vision and hearing screening, which is scheduled separately from their 5-year appointment. The cost for the hearing and vision screening is $20 each, unless covered by your insurance.
Sports Physicals:
If your child is going to participate in a fall sport, they will need a physical examination effective April 15 of the current year. As our schedule fills up quickly and we are often unable to schedule these exams at the last minute, please schedule these as soon as possible.
Preschool and Day-Care Phyiscals:
The State of Michigan is now requiring that children have a physical examination each year if they attend preschool or day-care.
Well-Care Insurance Benefits:
Are you aware that some insurance companies may have a limit on well-child benefits? In some cases the exam may be covered but not the immunizations, or vice versa. Or there may be a dollar amount of coverage per year for exams and immunizations. Call your insurance company to clarify your coverage.
Avoiding Sports Injuries
Sports help children stay fit, teach social skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and hard work, and give them a chance to learn something new. All sports, however, have a risk of injury, typically sprains and strains. Here are some tips to help reduce injury:
- Appropriate protective gear such as pads, helmets, mouthpieces and eyewear should be worn.
- Gentle exercise like jogging before activity and stretch after to increase flexibility.
- Exercise to strengthen muscles used in play.
- Proper technique reduces strain on ligaments, joints and muscles; the coach should help with this.
- Rest breaks during practice and games can help reduce injury and prevent heat illness.
- Stop activity if there is pain.
- Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after play.
FYI
Smart Sports Snacks
Team sports provide plenty of fun for kids but may also be a source of extra calories and fat. Avoid post-game treats of gummy bears, soda and other junk food, as well as sports drinks which are loaded with sugar and salt. Go healthier with fresh-cut fruit, pretzels, 100% juice boxes and nonfat chocolate milk.
Another Reason to Quit
If you or your spouse smokes, quit today for your kid's sake. Children ages 6 and older who were exposed to secondhand smoke - even in small amounts - had lower math and reading scores than kids who were not exposed to smokers, says a large study published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Family Friendly Websites
- Toy safety: To check for toys that have been recalled, search by product name or by your child's age at www.safechild.net.
- Car Seat Safety: Questions about car seat safety? Check out this website: www.aap.org/family/carguide.html
Healthly Teeth at Every Age
0 to 1 Year - Don't put your child to bed with a bottle; use a pacifier.
1 to 2 Years - Buy a soft-bristled toddler brush, and clean your child's teeth nightly. Schedule a first dental checkup.
2 to 3 Years - Get your child in the habit of brushing after every meal. To ensure a thorough job, you'll need to guide the brush for him or her.
4 to 5 Years - Let your child brush on his/her own, but continue to monitor him/her. Teach them to floss, but help out until they develop more dexterity.
6 Years - Get your child fitted for a mouth guard if he/she plays sports. Talk to him/her about the kinds of foods that can cause cavities.
7 Years - Consider sealants for permanent teeth. Ask your dentist if and when your child needs to see an orthodontist.
Tips to Reduce the Risk of Tooth Decay
- Never put your baby to ed with a bottle or sippy cup.
- Limit intake of pop. Even diet drinks contain acid that will attack the teeth and result in decay.
- Keeping healthy teeth depends on getting three servings of milk or foods from the milk group. People with low calcium intake are at greater risk for gum disease.
SIDS Update
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its SIDS (Sudent Infant Death Syndrome) policy. Placing a baby on his/her back to sleep; providing a firm crib mattress; maintaining a smoke-free home; and removing blankets, pillows, and soft toys all still apply. Here are a few additions:
- Offer a pacifier during sleep. New research shows a link between pacifier use and a lower risk of SIDS.
- Do not let your baby sleep on his/her side. This position makes it too easy for him/her to roll from their side to their tummy.
- Ban co-sleeping. Brining baby into bed to nurse or comfort is fine, but put him/her in their own crib to sleep.
Treating Poison Ivy 
Poison ivy can be everyone's problem. After coming in contact with poison ivy, shower thoroughly with soap and water, washing hair, and paying special attention to fingernails and toenails. Use calamine lotion and oral Benadryl for the itching. After the oils have been washed off, a child is not contagius, and they will not spread it to other children. It is a good idea to wash the clothing and shoes worn, as well as toys and bikes that the child came in contact with after touching the leaf. Pets are great carriers of poison ivy, winter or summer, so beware of this when petting an animal allowed to roam outside.
If the affected area is large, your child must be seen by a doctor.
Spring/Summer
2008
Office Hours by Appointment Only:
Monday-Friday
8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Saturday
8 A.M. to Noon
If you call for an appointment between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M., we will see your sick child on the day you call for an appointment.
There is a doctor on call after the office closes. Please call the answering service at
384-7710 to contact a doctor, for emergencies only.