Wednesday's Results...

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. Babies can drown in only 1 inch of water. True

Unbelievable but believe it! One inch of water is enough water for your baby to drown. When it comes to water safety think beyond pools, lakes and bath tubs... think toilets, buckets of water, coolers, mop water. Do not leave your baby alone around water even briefly. We've all been tempted by the ease of "it'll just take a minute and I'll be right back, but many a drowning story started just like that. Don't risk it, take your baby with you or stay with your child.

2. Pools are where most infant drownings occur. False

Pools can pose a significant drowning risk but are not where most infant drownings occur (see #3). If you have a pool or are visiting somewhere with a pool here a few ways to keep your baby safe. Seemingly simple but make sure you know where your baby/toddler is at all times. Most pool drownings occur at residential pools and parents report not knowing their child was anywhere near the pool at the time. Safety gates are only safe if they remain closed. Make sure you and everyone who uses the pool closes the gate. Start teaching pool safety rules early and have baby where a life jacket. Designate one adult at a time to be a vigilant "lifeguard". Trade shifts as often as necessary but be clear who is responsible for what amount of time because inevitably on a busy fun summer day we all think someone else is watching.

3. Bathtubs are where most infant drownings occur. True

More than half of infant drownings occur in the bath tub. Once again, don't leave your baby alone in the bathtub ever, ever, ever. Make sure that you and everyone who cares for your baby follows this simple lifesaving rule.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic- Drowning

Which 2 are true, which one is not?

1. Babies can drown in only 1 inch of water.

2. Pools are where most infant drownings takes place.

3. Bathtubs are where most infant drownings takes place.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

This EPA website is a summer must for all families!

Check out todays UV index for your city at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

Wednesday's Results...

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. You won't get a sunburn on a cloudy day so no need for sunblock. FALSE

Sunburns are caused by UV radiation not "sunshine". You can get a sunburn

even when the sun is behind the clouds. UV rays are usually most dangerous between the hours of 11 am- 3 pm. Sunblock, sunblock and more sunblock!

2. Hats keep out 50% of UV radiation. TRUE

Don't forget the sunblock on your face but throw a hat on for extra protection. This is great not only for children but for preggy moms and/or postpartum moms if you have the "pregnancy mask". The sun accentuates the hormonally induced color changes on your face. If you neglect your skin during the time, that "mask" can be extremely difficult for you and your dermatologist to get rid of.

3. Keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun. Really. TRUE

Your baby's skin is thinner than yours and therefore burns more quickly than adult skin.

So if you have to be out with your 6 month old (or younger) for the day, what should you do? Dress him/her in light loose clothing, have a parasol on the carriage, have them wear a hat and keep them in the shade.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic- Sun Smarts

Which 2 are true, which one is not?

1. You won't get a sunburn on a cloudy day so no need for sunblock.

2. Hats keep out 50% of UV radiation.

3. Keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun. Really.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

A mother saves her six week old baby- an inspiring story.

Wednesday's Results... on Friday.

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. Give a cool alcohol bath to treat heat exhaustion. FALSE
The days of alcohol baths are long gone. Pediatricians no longer recommend this practice as the alcohol absorption may have toxic effects.

2. Heat exhaustion untreated may lead to heat stroke. TRUE
Signs of heat exhaustion:
pale, moist skin, usually a fever over 103 degrees, nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps
Signs of heat stroke:
red, dry skin, usually a fever over 105 degrees, nausea, vomiting, headache, lethargy, rapid heart rate, seizures, coma and death are possible.

What should you do?
heat exhaustion: remove excess clothing, move to a cool place to rest, try to give fluids. If your child is unable to drink, IV fluids are most likely necessary- call you pediatrician.
heat stroke: remove excess clothing, move to a cool place to rest, try to give fluids, place ice bags under arms and on groin. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and needs to be treated by a physician, call 911 if you think your child is suffering from heat stroke.

3. Leaving children in a hot car- even for a brief period of time (yea, hi mom & dad- gotta love parenting in the 70's!) can lead to heat exhaustion. TRUE
Leaving a child in a hot car can indeed lead to heat exhaustion and if for any period of time will lead to heat stroke which can be fatal. Never, ever, ever leave your child in a car.

know more. worry less.

National CPR & AED Awareness Week is June 1-7.

The American Heart Association set a goal to train 1 million people in CPR and help save more lives from cardiac arrest. Have you taken a class? If your child, mother, husband collapsed in front of you, would you know what to do? Could you save a life? Here's a link to CPR courses all over the United States- sign up today!

NYC parents- In honor of National CPR & AED week I'll be offering reduced rates on my group in home CPR training and will also give a free baby MEDBASICS travel pack to each participant. Just call 917-353-1932 or e-mail tara@babymedbasics.com to find out more.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non-truth

Fun In The Sun Can Be Exhausting! 

Today's topic- Heat Exhaustion and your kids...

Which 2 are true, which one is not? 

1. Give a cool alcohol bath to treat heat exhaustion.

2. Heat exhaustion untreated may lead to heat stroke.

3. Leaving children in a hot car- even for a brief period of time (yea, hi mom & dad- gotta love parenting in the 70's!) can lead to heat exhaustion.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.