Happy Spring from Carroll Children’s Center!!

 

Office Check-In:

As things are slowly improving, we have adjusted our check-in policy. To protect our vulnerable patients, we still require everyone over the age of 2 entering the office to wear a mask. Patients and guardians may walk in to check-in, and those who wish may wait in our designated waiting room after checking in. If you do not feel comfortable waiting inside, please let the front staff know, and you may wait in your car until called.

Please inform the front upon check-in if you have had a close contact exposure to someone with COVID in the past 14 days or have tested positive for COVID in the past 14 days.

Upon exiting, please follow the arrows on the floor.

 

April Showers Bring May Flowers and Allergies

The spring blooms bring so many wonderful colors and the chance to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Unfortunately, it also brings increased pollen counts and allergies. Many parents ask, “are these allergies or a cold?” since these symptoms do tend to be similar and at times may overlap.

Typically, allergies will have:

  • A clear, watery nasal discharge.
  • Itchy eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and sometimes the throat.
  • Spasmodic sneezing

Fever is never a hallmark of allergies. Thick nasal discharge, whether green, yellow, or cloudy, is indicative of an infection. The mucous color is the normal body response to fighting infection and does not mean a bacterial infection. The majority of colds will resolve on their own within 1 –2 weeks with supportive care. Antibiotics will not help allergies or a viral cold.

Allergy

 

Nutrition Corner with Sarah

What and how much is my infant, toddler, or older child supposed to eat?

This is a common question asked by parents. Babies usually eat predictably. Breast milk or formula is the main source of a baby’s nutrition for the entire first year of life. Solid foods help infants gain skills, become familiar with variations in the diet, and learn to join the family at mealtime. Fueling growth and development is the job of breast milk or formula. Between 4 and 6 months of life, when your baby can control his head well and sit with a little support, he is ready to start taking solid foods by spoon. Once-daily is adequate, and there is no goal amount to be eaten. Between 6 and 9 months, your baby will continue to increase the amount taken by breast or bottle. In addition to pureed cereals, fruits, and vegetables, solid foods can include soft, cooked vegetables, fruit, pasta, dry cereal, graham crackers, and tender, chopped meats. This is not an exhaustive list. Transition from 1 to 3 meals daily by 9 months of age. At this point, your baby is likely taking the most breast milk or formula for the whole first year. This may decrease some as he approaches one year. Though babies do not require other fluids, a small amount of water may be offered in a sippy cup for learning purposes. Put only breast milk or formula in a bottle.

After the first birthday, babies will begin to transition to drinking whole milk and water in a cup. Bottles will be weaned. Healthy snacks between meals become important when breast milk and formula are removed from the diet. The predictability of infant feeding changes as a baby becomes a toddler. Between 1 and 3 years, eating may be erratic for your little one. She may eat more than you thought possible at one meal, and just a bite at another. Rather than judging intake at one meal, consider what she has eaten over the course of the whole day.

To encourage our babies, toddlers, and young children to be star eaters…

  • Feed your baby or young child in a highchair or at the table. Avoid offering food as they walk around the house. (This is a good habit for adults as well.)
  • Keep screens out of the eating area or turn them off.
  • Offer fruit juice only occasionally. Avoid sweet drinks, such as fruit punch, sports drinks, and soda.
  • Eat with your child. As children get older, activities may pile up. Be realistic and commit to eating as many meals as possible as a family. We all know there will be times your children need to eat on the go but avoid bringing snacks on every car trip or errand.
  • Offer a wide variety of foods, including foods you do not prefer. Your child may enjoy foods you do not.
  • Of the foods offered, allow your baby or child to decide how much, and even whether, to eat. This will prevent tension, frustration, and arguments at the dinner table.
  • Allow a baby or child to leave the highchair or table when they are no longer interested in eating. No need to “clean your plate”.

Portion sizes based on ages:

Portion Sizes

–JOKE OF THE MONTH–

Why did the pillow go to the doctor??

He was feeling all stuffed up!

LOL! Panda