Thursday, March 24, 2011

Health Tips for March 24

Health Tip: Taking Baby's Temperature

Getting an accurate reading when taking a wiggling infant's temperature can be a challenge.

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests how to determine if your little one has a fever:

  • If you have a rectal thermometer, label it so it isn't used orally by mistake.
  • Always wash the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and warm water, then rinse with cool water before you take your child's temperature, and again after use.
  • If taking your child's temperature orally, don't do so until at least 20 minutes after the child consumes anything hot or cold.
  • Avoid tightly bundling up baby or giving baby a bath just before taking baby's temperature.
  • Don't leave your child unattended when using a thermometer.

Health Tip: Reduce Your Baby's Risk of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs when an infant under the age of 1 year dies without an explainable cause.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions on how you can help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS:

  • Make sure baby sleeps on his or her back, on a firm mattress in a crib that meets government safety standards.
  • Ideally, only use a fitted sheet in baby's crib. If you use a blanket, carefully tuck it into the mattress. Also avoid crib bumpers (unless they are thin, tightly secured and firm), and pillows, quilts or comforters.
  • Don't let baby sleep on a chair, couch, water bed, cushion or sheepskin.
  • Set up baby's crib in your room, but don't let baby sleep in your bed.
  • Make sure baby doesn't get too hot while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that's comfortable for you.
  • Don't smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around baby.
  • Avoid products that claim to reduce an infant's risk of SIDS. No product has been proven to do so, the academy says.

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