Health Tips for October 27

Health Tip: Protecting Your Child at Day Care

Bacteria, viruses and other germs are easily passed between children at day-care centers.

Here are suggestions to reduce your child's risk of catching -- or spreading -- a nasty bug, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Make sure your child washes his or her hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Encourage the day-care center to regularly sanitize toys.
• When your child is sick, keep him or her home from school.
• For your infant in day care, try breast-feeding to boost the infant's immune system.
• Encourage the day-care center to implement procedures to reduce the spread of germs.
• Encourage the daycare center to change diapers away from food preparation and serving areas.
• Remind staff that they and children at day care should be current with all recommended immunizations.

Health Tip: Signs of Problems at Daycare

Daycare centers can be a great source of comfort for working parents. But sometimes there are warning signs that your child should be cared for elsewhere.

Here's a list of daycare red flags to watch for, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• You cannot get the staff to answer your questions or address your concerns.
• The staff does not allow parents to participate in daily practices at the center.
• You hear about problems at daycare from your child, or your child doesn't seem happy there.
• Accidents happen frequently and without explanation.
• There is frequent staff turnover.
• Other parents tell you about problems they have encountered.