KidsHealth Guide for Parents : Birth to Age 5

by Dowshen, Steven A., M.D.; Izenberg, Neil; Bass, Elizabeth

• ISBN13: 9780809298723
• ISBN10: 0809298724
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-19
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Accessible, authoritative advice from the creators of the award-winning KidsHealth website Now the pediatricians behind the celebrated KidsHealth.org website which averages one million hits a day have created an exciting general children's health reference. Packed with solid advice from medical experts and seasoned parents, The KidsHealth Guide helps new parents master the basics of keeping their children healthy and gives veterans a chance to conveniently review the essentials. User-friendly and fun, this comprehensive guide offers authoritative answers without intimidating length. Lists, tip boxes, decision trees, and bite-size segments with clear headings allow parents--especially the newer, frazzled kind--to find what they need fast. Covers everything from prenatal care, and to common illnesses, emergencies, safety, growth and development, chronic conditions, special needs, medications, nutrition, and invaluable suggestions on making effective and affordable use of the health care system.

Author Biography

Steven Dowshen, M.D., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a subspecialist in pediatric endocrinology/diabetes. In addition to being the chief medical editor of the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, Dr. Dowshen practices pediatrics at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Neil Izenberg, M.D., F.A.A.P., is founder and director of the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, creator of KidsHealth.org. Dr. Izenberg is a board-certified pediatrician at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an associate professor of pediatrics at Jefferson Medical School.

Elizabeth Bass is a veteran writer and editor who specializes in making health information clear and practical for general readers. A science and health editor at Newsday, she has supervised projects that have won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize.

Table of Contents

A Word from the Authors	xxiii
About the Authors	xxv
About KidsHealth and the Nemours Foundation	xxvii
Acknowledgments	xxix
PART ONE Special Delivery! Pregnancy, Birth, and Your Baby's First Months
Prenatal Care
Getting off to a good start	3	(1)
If You Are Planning to Become Pregnant	4	(1)
Healthy Living During Pregnancy	5	(11)
Medical Care	16	(19)
Preparing Your Home and Family
All you need is love (plus diapers, a crib, a car seat . . .)	35	(1)
Preparing the Members of Your Household	35	(5)
Preparing Your Home	40	(4)
Stocking Your Home with Baby Gear (or, How Much Stuff Does One Baby Need?)	44	(24)
Your Baby's Birth
The main event	67	(1)
Getting Help	68	(1)
Plan Ahead to Get Dad or a Close Friend Involved	69	(1)
The Birth Setting	69	(4)
When to Call the Doctor or Midwife	73	(1)
Stages of Labor and Delivery	73	(3)
Cesarean Delivery	76	(5)
Pain Management	81	(2)
Other Common Medical Procedures	83	(4)
Checking Out Your Baby	87	(1)
Bonding	88	(2)
Banking Cord Blood	90	(1)
If There's a Problem at Birth	91	(1)
Thinking It Over	92	(2)
Looking at Your Newborn
``He definitely has your ears . . .''	93	(1)
The Head	94	(1)
The Face	95	(1)
The Eyes	95	(1)
The Ears	96	(1)
The Nose	96	(1)
The Mouth	97	(1)
The Chest	97	(1)
The Belly	97	(1)
The Sexual Organs	98	(2)
Arms, Hands, Fingers, Knees, and Toes	100	(1)
The Skin	101	(6)
Common Newborn Medical Conditions
What they are---and how they're handled	107	(1)
Jaundice	107	(3)
Umbilical Hernia	110	(1)
Thrush	110	(1)
Other Common Conditions in Newborns and Young Infants	111	(2)
Premature Babies
Special care for small packages	113	(1)
Who Is the Premature Baby?	113	(1)
Degrees of Prematurity	114	(1)
Why Are Babies Born Prematurely?	115	(1)
You're in Premature Labor. Now What?	116	(1)
Preparing for Early Delivery	116	(1)
Special Care for Your Special Delivery	117	(2)
Neonatal Transport Team	119	(1)
Getting to Know Your Premature Infant	119	(2)
Overwhelming Emotions for Parents	121	(1)
What Can You Do For Your Premature Infant?	121	(3)
Common Medical Problems and Procedures	124	(6)
Taking Your Infant Home	130	(3)
Circumcision
The issues, the decision	133	(1)
What Is Circumcision?	133	(1)
Making the Decision	134	(3)
When Should the Circumcision Be Performed?	137	(1)
Possible Complications of Circumcision	137	(3)
Breast or Bottle
What's best for your baby and your family?	139	(1)
Making Your Choice: Breast or Bottle?	140	(8)
If You're Still Not Sure	148	(2)
Breast-Feeding
Nature's way	149	(1)
Getting Equipped for Nursing	150	(2)
Two Kinds of Helpers	152	(1)
Preparing Your Breasts	153	(1)
Getting Started	153	(1)
The Early Checkup	154	(1)
How to Hold Your Baby for Breast-Feeding	154	(1)
The Importance of Latching On	155	(3)
A Typical Nursing Session	158	(1)
How Can You Tell if Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?	159	(1)
Stimulating the Milk Supply	160	(1)
What Is Letdown?	161	(1)
Supplementation	162	(1)
Expressing or Pumping Breast Milk	163	(1)
Storing Breast Milk	164	(1)
Returning to Work	164	(1)
Taking Care of a Nursing Mother	165	(2)
How to Deal with Common Problems	167	(2)
Nursing Twins and More	169	(1)
Nursing an Adopted Infant	170	(1)
Weaning	170	(3)
Bottle-Feeding
A parent's guide	173	(1)
Bottle Basics	173	(1)
Choosing a Formula	174	(3)
Types of Baby Bottles	177	(1)
Types of Nipples	178	(1)
Do You Need to Sterilize Bottles, Nipples, and Water?	179	(1)
Keeping Things Clean	180	(1)
How to Prepare Formula	180	(3)
Common Feeding Problems	183	(1)
Weaning	183	(3)
Baby-Care Basics
A how-to manual for daily care	185	(1)
Handling Your Newborn	186	(1)
Soothing and Connecting with Your Baby	187	(2)
Make Room for Daddy	189	(1)
Diapering	189	(4)
Swaddling	193	(2)
Pacifiers	195	(1)
Crying and Colic	195	(3)
Bathing	198	(3)
Care of the Penis	201	(1)
Care of the Umbilical Cord Stump	201	(1)
Limiting the Guest List	202	(2)
Burping	204	(1)
Coughing	204	(2)
Spitting Up	206	(1)
Vomiting	206	(1)
Constipation	207	(1)
``Cradle Cap'' (Seborrheic Dermatitis)	207	(4)
PART TWO Routine Medical Care: Staying Healthy
Choosing and Working with Your Child's Doctor
A partner you can trust	211	(1)
Considering Your Options	211	(2)
Starting the Search for Your Child's Doctor	213	(3)
What You Should Ask the ``Finalists''	216	(2)
Get the Feel of the Office Environment	218	(1)
The Doctor's Personality and Approach	219	(1)
Establishing a Good Relationship with Your Child's Doctor	219	(6)
Routine Medical Care
An ounce of prevention . . .	225	(1)
Childhood Checkups	225	(1)
Well-Child Visits: How Often?	226	(1)
What Happens at a Well-Child Visit?	227	(5)
Making the Most of an Office Visit	232	(1)
When to Call the Doctor About Your Child	233	(1)
Getting Medical Care When Your Child Is Ill	234	(2)
Working the Phones	236	(1)
Children's Fears About Medical Exams	237	(4)
Trust Your Instincts	241	(3)
Health Screening Tests
Which ones should your child have?	243	(1)
Newborn Screening for Hereditary and Metabolic Diseases	244	(1)
Tuberculosis Screening	244	(2)
Cholesterol Screening	246	(1)
Lead Screening	247	(2)
Anemia Screening	249	(2)
Hearing and Vision
Taking care of your child's special senses	251	(1)
Your Child's Hearing	251	(5)
Your Child's Vision	256	(7)
Immunizations
Shots that save lives	263	(1)
Why Some Children Aren't Immunized---Even When They Should Be	263	(3)
Vaccines Commonly Given to Children	266	(13)
PART THREE Your Baby Grows Up: The Joys and Challenges of Parenting
Growth and Development
Measurements and milestones	279	(1)
Physical Growth	279	(5)
Development	284	(6)
Developmental Milestones	290	(11)
Play Time
Growing up by having fun	301	(1)
Play and Your Child's Development	301	(1)
Stages of Play	302	(1)
Helping Your Child Play	303	(1)
Choosing the Right Games, Activities, and Toys	304	(1)
Toys, Play, and Social Skills	305	(1)
Fitness, Exercise, and Sports	306	(6)
TV, Computers, and Other Media	312	(3)
Reading to Your Child: Do It!	315	(5)
Temperament, Behavior, and Discipline
Learning the rules	319	(1)
Developing a Philosophy of Discipline	320	(2)
Establishing General Principles of Behavior	322	(1)
What to Expect as Your Child Grows Up	323	(6)
Tailoring Your Approach to Your Child's Temperament	329	(1)
Dealing with Common Behaviors and Misbehaviors	330	(11)
Toilet Teaching
A how-to guide for parents	341	(1)
Get Ready!	341	(1)
Get Set!	342	(1)
Go!	343	(2)
Tips for Success	345	(1)
Common Problems	346	(5)
Sleep
Patterns, problems, and needs	351	(1)
Getting to Sleep and Staying Asleep	351	(1)
Waking and Feeding	352	(3)
Establishing Good Sleeping Patterns	355	(3)
Where Should Your Baby Sleep?	358	(2)
``Back to Sleep'' to Reduce the Risk of SIDS	360	(1)
Safer Sleeping Quarters	361	(1)
Safety Tips When You're Seriously Sleepy	362	(1)
Sleep Patterns Through the Ages	362	(7)
Sleep Problems	369	(3)
Other Opinions	372	(3)
Healthy Eating
Open wide!	375	(1)
Food Attitudes	375	(1)
Moving from Milk to Solid Foods	376	(1)
In the Beginning: First Foods	377	(3)
How to Feed Your Baby	380	(1)
Foods to Avoid at First	380	(1)
A Totally Solid Food Plan	381	(1)
Drinking from a Cup	382	(1)
Baby Vitamin Supplements	382	(1)
Food Safety	383	(2)
Food Allergies and Intolerances	385	(1)
Nutrition for Ages Two to Five	385	(3)
What if Your Child Is Overweight?	388	(1)
What Should Your Child Eat?	388	(5)
Facts on Fat	393	(2)
Five on Fiber	395	(1)
Vegetarian Diets	395	(2)
Things Worth Limiting in Your Child's Diet	397	(6)
Dental Care
Open wider!	403	(1)
Teething	403	(3)
Tooth Decay	406	(4)
Cleaning Your Child's Teeth	410	(2)
Visiting the Dentist	412	(1)
Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers	412	(1)
Paging the Tooth Fairy	412	(1)
Tooth Grinding	413	(3)
Child Safety
The job that's never done	415	(1)
Safety in Perspective	416	(1)
A General Approach to Keeping Your Child Safe	416	(2)
On the Road	418	(4)
At-Home Safety	422	(10)
Safe Fun	432	(13)
Choosing Child Care
References, please?	445	(1)
Choosing a Caregiver	445	(4)
Getting to Know the Caregiver	449	(1)
Keeping Your Child Healthy in Child Care	450	(3)
Medical Issues in Adoption
The more you know, the better parent you'll be	453	(1)
Gathering Information Before You Adopt	453	(2)
Interpreting Information	455	(1)
Once You've Decided, Get More Information	456	(1)
Health Care When Your Child Comes Home	456	(7)
PART FOUR Using the Health Care System
The Health Care System for Children
People, places, and costs	463	(1)
Health Insurance and Managed Care: Is Your Child Covered?	463	(8)
Medical Care Specialists	471	(3)
The Hospital	474	(7)
The Emergency Room	481	(11)
PART FIVE What to Do if Your Child Is Injured or Sick
First Aid and Emergency Care
Be prepared	491	(1)
Preparing for an Emergency---Before It Happens	492	(2)
Lifesaving Techniques	494	(9)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)	494	(3)
Choking	497	(6)
Common Injuries and Emergencies	503	(29)
Abdominal Pain	503	(1)
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis	503	(1)
Bites and Stings	504	(3)
Bleeding, External (Lacerations and Abrasions)	507	(2)
Bleeding, Internal	509	(1)
Breathing Problems	509	(2)
Broken Bones, Dislocations, and Sprains	511	(2)
Burns	513	(1)
Drowning	514	(1)
Ear Injuries	515	(1)
Electrical Injuries	516	(1)
Eye Injuries	517	(2)
Fainting	519	(1)
Finger and Toe Injuries	519	(1)
Frostbite	520	(1)
Head and Neck Injuries	521	(2)
Heat Illness (Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heatstroke)	523	(1)
Mouth and Tooth Injuries	524	(1)
Nose Injuries	525	(1)
Poisoning	526	(1)
Seizures/Convulsions	527	(1)
Splinters and Slivers	528	(1)
Swallowed Foreign Objects	529	(1)
Unconsciousness	529	(2)
Signs and Symptoms
What they mean and when to call your child's doctor	531	(1)
How to Use This Chapter	532	(1)
Crying/Colic	533	(2)
Ear Pain/Discharge	535	(3)
Eye Redness/Discharge	538	(3)
Fever	541	(11)
Limb or Joint Pain/Swelling	552	(2)
Mouth Pain/Problems	554	(2)
Respiratory and Breathing Problems	556	(8)
Seizures/Convulsions	564	(2)
Skin Problems	566	(6)
Sore Throat	572	(2)
Stomach and Intestinal Problems	574	(10)
Urinary or Genital Pain/Problems	584	(7)
Childhood Infections
The facts about roseola, ringworm, rheumatic fever, and more	589	(2)
How to Use This Chapter	591	(1)
Botulism	592	(1)
Bronchiolitis (Respiratory Syncytical Virus)	593	(1)
Cat Scratch Disease	594	(1)
Cellulitis	595	(1)
Chicken Pox (Varicella)	595	(2)
Common Cold	597	(1)
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)	598	(1)
Croup	599	(1)
Diarrhea	600	(2)
Ear Infection---Ear Canal (Otitis Externa/Swimmer's Ear)	602	(1)
Ear Infection---Middle Ear (Otitis Media)	603	(2)
Encephalitis	605	(1)
Epiglottitis	606	(1)
Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)	607	(1)
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease	608	(1)
Hepatitis, Viral	609	(1)
Herpangina	610	(1)
Herpes Simplex	611	(1)
HIV/AIDS	612	(1)
Impetigo	612	(1)
Influenza (Flu)	613	(1)
Kawasaki Disease	614	(2)
Lice	616	(1)
Lyme Disease	617	(1)
Measles (Rubeola)	618	(1)
Meningitis	619	(1)
Molluscum Contagiosum	620	(1)
Mononucleosis, Infectious	621	(1)
Mumps	622	(1)
Osteomyelitis	623	(1)
Pinworms	624	(1)
Pneumonia	625	(2)
Rabies	627	(1)
Reye Syndrome	628	(1)
Rheumatic Fever	629	(1)
Ringworm (Tinea)	630	(2)
Roseola	632	(1)
Rubella (German or Three-Day Measles)	632	(1)
Scabies	633	(1)
Scarlet Fever	634	(1)
Sinusitis	635	(1)
Staphylococcal (Staph) Skin Infections	636	(1)
Strep Throat/Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)	637	(2)
Swollen Glands (Lymphadenopathy or Lymphadenitis)	639	(1)
Tetanus (Lockjaw)	640	(1)
Toxoplasmosis	641	(1)
Tuberculosis	642	(1)
Urinary Tract Infection	643	(1)
Warts	644	(1)
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)	645	(2)
Yeast (Candida) Infections (Thrush, Diaper Rash)	647	(2)
Medications and Alternative/Complementary Care
A guide to treatments	649	(1)
Using Medications with Care	649	(2)
How to Give Your Child Medicine	651	(3)
Alternative Medicine and Your Child	654	(3)
How Does Alternative Medicine Differ from Traditional Medicine?	657	(8)
PART SIX When Your Child Has a Health Problem
Health Problems in Early Childhood
A parent's desk reference	663	(2)
How to Use This Chapter	665	(1)
Medical Conditions	666	(59)
Allergies	666	(1)
Anemia, Hereditary	667	(2)
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency	669	(1)
Asthma	670	(2)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)	672	(2)
Autism	674	(1)
Birthmarks and Moles	675	(1)
Blindness/Visual Impairment	676	(2)
Celiac Disease	678	(1)
Cerebral Palsy	679	(2)
Child Abuse (Physical and Sexual)	681	(1)
Cleft Lip/Palate	682	(2)
Congenital Heart Disease	684	(2)
Congenital Hypothyroidism	686	(1)
Cystic Fibrosis	687	(2)
Deafness/Hearing Impairment	689	(1)
Developmental Delay/Mental Retardation	690	(2)
Diabetes Mellitus	692	(2)
Down Syndrome	694	(2)
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis	696	(1)
Epilepsy/Seizures	697	(2)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	699	(1)
Growth Disorders	700	(2)
Hemophilia	702	(1)
Hip Dysplasia/Dislocation in Infancy	703	(1)
HIV/AIDS	704	(2)
Hydrocephalus	706	(1)
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis	707	(1)
Kidney Disorders	708	(3)
Lead Poisoning	711	(2)
Leukemia	713	(2)
Metabolic Diseases (PKU, Galactosemia)	715	(1)
Muscular Dystrophy	716	(2)
Obesity	718	(2)
Orthopedic Conditions of the Legs and Feet	720	(1)
Precocious Puberty	721	(2)
Spina Bifida/Myelomeningocele	723	(1)
Tic Disorders/Tourette Syndrome	724	(1)
Surgical Conditions/Procedures	725	(7)
Appendicitis	725	(1)
Hernia	725	(1)
Hypospadias	726	(1)
Myringotomy (Ear Tube Surgery)	726	(1)
Pyloric Stenosis	727	(1)
Strabismus (``Crossed'' Eyes)	727	(1)
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy	727	(1)
Undescended Testicle (Cryptorchidism)	728	(3)
Caring for Your Child with Special Health Care Needs
Being your child's best advocate	731	(1)
Parenting Your Child with a Chronic Condition	732	(8)
Managed Care and Your Child with Special Needs	740	(2)
Financial Considerations	742	(1)
Getting a Second Opinion and Trusting Your Instincts	743	(5)
PART SEVEN Finding High---Quality Health Information
Finding Health Information on the Web
Whom do you trust?	747	(1)
The Web and Health	748	(2)
Online Support Groups and Chat Groups	750	(1)
Beware of Online ``Experts''	750	(2)
Children's Health Information on the Web	752	(2)
How to Use General Search Tools	754	(1)
The Web and Confidentiality	755	(2)
Appendix A Preparing Your Child's Health Record	757	(10)
Appendix B Growth Charts and Body Mass Index Charts	767	(20)
Appendix C Resource Guide	787	(12)
Index	799