Category Archives: breast feeding

Are your children and teens getting enough vitamin D?

Vitamin D:  it helps build strong bones, may be protective of some diseases both now and in later life, and very few people get enough of it.

Generally, you hear about vitamin D in relation to milk (it often has vitamin D added to it) and time in the sunlight because UV rays trigger vitamin D production.

However, nearly everyone is short of the recommended dosages of vitamin D.  This time of year, for example, there is precious little sunshine, and on sunny days we apply sunscreen to prevent the skin damage and sunburn those same UV rays cause.  As much as we promote sunscreen for those very good reasons, it limits the production of vitamin D in our bodies.

The only way for most of us to get all the vitamin D we need is through supplements.  They are inexpensive, easily available, and easy to administer.

An article by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) announces their new recommendations that all ages should take vitamin D supplements to ensure bone and immune system health, both now and in the future.

  • Infants.  Since breast milk doesn’t usually contain enough vitamin D, a supplement of 400 IU (international units) is recommended daily for breastfed babies.  The recommendation is the same for formula-fed babies, unless they are receiving 32 ounces of formula per day (formulas contain vitamin D).  Liquid supplements are best for infants.
  • Children.  By the age of three, when children can chew hard foods, a chewable multivitamin that contains 400 IU of vitamin D is the daily recommendation.  If your child is drinking 32 ounces of vitamin-fortified milk each day, she should be getting enough vitamin D without a supplement.
  • Teens.  The recommendation holds for teens:  400 IU of vitamin D daily, whether through diet (though few get enough through food alone) or supplement.

Remember to keep all supplements and medications out of reach for a child.

Build a stronger skeletal and immune system now, and let your child reap the benefits both now and later.

© MBS Writing Services, 2015

Vitamin K: a very necessary injection for newborns

An injection of vitamin K for newborns has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) since 1961.  Routinely, it is given a few hours after birth for the prevention of very serious bleeding.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced an online brochure describing the need for a vitamin K injection.

According to the brochure, babies are born with a vitamin K deficiency because they have not yet developed the good bacteria in their digestive tract that produce the vitamin, and they can’t get enough of it from their mother’s milk or while they are in the uterus.  Since vitamin K is essential in the clotting of blood, babies can get what is called vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).  VKDB is very dangerous.  “Without enough vitamin K, your baby has a chance of bleeding into his or her intestines, and brain, which can lead to brain damage and even death. Infants who do not receive the vitamin K shot at birth can develop VKDB up to 6 months of age.  The good news is that VKDB is easily prevented. The easiest and most reliable way to give babies vitamin K is by a shot into a muscle in the leg. One shot given after birth will protect your baby from VKDB.”

Are there any dangers?  One 20-year-old study seemed to find a link between vitamin K injections and childhood cancers.  However, follow up studies have never been able to show such a link.  (Read the CDC’s brochure for more detail.)

This is an essential, one-time  injection that could save your baby’s life.

© 2014 MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved.

Probiotics

You’ve likely heard the term “probiotics”.  Maybe you’ve also wondered what it means and what, if any, benefit probiotics could provide for your family’s health.

What are probiotics?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Probiotics are defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the World Health Organization as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”  Sound appetizing?

Every human intestinal tract contains beneficial bacteria that helps break down food products into compounds that are more easily absorbed into the body.  Sometimes the beneficial bacteria need a boost over the harmful bacteria that share the same space, or during or after a round of antibiotics that may kill the good bacteria along with the bad.

Probiotics contain the helpful bacteria.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, giving probiotics early in the course of “acute viral gastroenteritis can reduce its duration by one day. Probiotics also have been found to be modestly effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in otherwise healthy children, though there is no evidence probiotics are effective at treating this type of diarrhea.” [Italics ours.]  Note the term “healthy children.” Probiotics don’t have any proven effects on treating chronic diarrhea, Crohn’s Disease or other chronic illnesses.

When a mother cannot breastfeed, special probiotics can be introduced to the formula that will help to replace the natural ones found in breast milk.  Ask your pediatrician about this before trying these products.

Where do you get probiotics?  They are available over the counter in drug stores and healthcare departments of grocery and discount stores.  They come in foods or as supplements.  Buy from a manufacturer you trust, remembering that probiotics are not regulated the same way prescription drugs are.

As always, eat a balanced diet, which is the best road to gastrointestinal health.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

I’m thirsty!

School is almost out and warmer weather is on its way.  Hydration is always important, but never more so than when you’re active in warm temperatures.  What are the best things to give your kids to drink, and are there drinks they should avoid?

First, drinks to avoid completely:

  • Energy drinks.  Make sure you know the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks.  Energy drinks contain stimulants like caffeine and are not appropriate for children and teens.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:  “Caffeine… has been linked to a number of harmful health effects in children, including effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems.”  Caffeine is a drug, and is addictive.
  • Caffeinated soft drinks.  (See bullet point above about the ill effects of caffeine on children and teens.)

Drinks that are okay for occasional use:

  • Sports drinks.  These replace electrolytes and calories lost from prolonged exercise.
  • Non-caffeinated soft drinks.  They are okay on special occasions, but only for older children.  Sodas are acidic and therefore are harmful for teeth.  Add sugar to that equation and you could be creating some real dental health problems.
  • Sugary drinks, carbonated or not.  These have been linked to childhood obesity in children as young as 4.  As with soft drinks, all sugary drinks can cause tooth decay.
  • Fruit juices.  Better options than carbonated drinks, and often a good source of vitamins, they are still calorie rich and shouldn’t be overused.

Drinks that are best:

  • Water.  Always the best way to hydrate, water can be a great part of the healthy child’s diet throughout the day, even when they’re not thirsty.  Your kid doesn’t like water?  Check out the flavor packets and squirts that add flavors to water.
  • Low fat milk.  If your child or teen can tolerate milk, it is an indispensable source of calcium.  If she is unable to drink milk, talk to the pediatrician about alternate sources of calcium.

Finally, a note about very young children.

  • Nothing but breast milk or formula should go in a baby’s bottle.  Even fruit juice is too sugary and can lead to tooth decay.  Read here about beverages for the very young.
  • Children can start learning to use a cup at about 6 months.  Still, limit juice to 4-6 ounces per day until the age of 2.
  • Wean completely from bottles at about 12-15 months of age.

What we drink becomes habit, and starting good drinking habits in childhood is an excellent way to build healthy bodies and teeth for a lifetime.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

Our own dietician on staff!

Did you know that Georgetown Pediatrics has our very own dietician?  Amy Crist has been with us for about 9 months and is available by appointment through our office.

Working part-time for us, Amy is a registered dietician (RD) with a master’s degree, has also worked at Georgetown Community hospital, and makes her home right here in Georgetown.

Amy loves working with infants, children, adolescents and their parents in developing healthy eating habits, including those who have dietary restrictions.  She is a frequent speaker at local elementary schools to teach children about healthy eating and nutrition.  She’s even led a support group on breast feeding.  She is happy to have an appointment with you and your child or teen to discuss:

  • breast feeding,
  • dietary restrictions and planning as a result of disease or condition (diabetes, drug therapies, etc.),
  • concerns about weight or eating disorders,
  • helping the whole family develop healthy eating habits,
  • diet and sports,
  • picky eaters,
  • and anything else you want to talk over with a dietician.

Call our office and set up an appointment soon!

Amy Crist, our dietician

Amy Crist, our dietician

© 2013, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved