When Boys Get Too Much Exercise (Really)
Submitted by Boys and Schools Blog
I have never struggled with an eating disorder. I do struggle with lack of self-control regarding junk food and delicious snacks, but that’s neither here nor there. I have, however, seen quite a few after-school specials, Lifetime movies, and MTV documentaries about people with eating disoders, and if I have learned one thing from the Very Special Episode about Emily’s secret (other than the fact that the star of the school football team is turned off by bulimia), it’s that one of the difficulties for people in the beginnign stages of anorexia is that they tend to get very positive feedback initially regarding their change of appearance–which only serves to aggravate the problem.
Fume all you want about media, the Beauty Myth, impossible standards, Barbie, models, and so on, but you have to acknowledge that in a very visual, media-saturated culture, we have established very specific body types as desirable. And our obsession with health and the body means that we treat those who exercise regularly, eat well, and look good as special, enviable, desirable, etc. All of which makes the eating disorders which affect boys even harder to spot.
Not to make light of anorexia, but when someone doesn’t eat, at least at some point it becomes obvious that there’s a problem. Boys, however, are more likely to develop athletica nervosa (it’s a newly recognized condition) in pursuit of their ideal body. Since athletica nervosa is essentially a compulsion to exercise excessively, it’s especially hard to spot, since what considered an appropriate amount of exercise necessarily changes from person to person. And adolescent boys do almost nothing but move around all day. And, as a society, we encourage exercise–fitness is more or less a secular virtue in modern America.
The key to identifying athletica nervosa (which can also include uses of steroids and supplements) lies in ferreting out at what point interest becomes compulsion. Generally speaking, several workouts a day (every day) is a sign for most people (with the exception of the professional athletes of course) of compulsive over-exercise. Taking a look at the motivations involved and the body image of the boy in question could also help identify if there’s a problem. You know, we’ve been going on for years about how media images and messages could hurt the body image and esteem of young girls–why did we think that boys would be immune?
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Green, Chemically Conscious Parenting gaining Momentum-
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
The good folks over at Kai Kids were interviewed for this story in the Toronto Star about the growing trend of green parenting.
And Non-Toxic Kids was mentioned as a good online resource!
The article touches on a topic I often describe here– the great economical, chemical and green divide. All parents want to do what is right for their kids, no matter what their economic status, and we all know the increased price of organic food, wood toys, non-toxic water bottles, organic crib mattresses (the list goes on) can make this difficult or impossible for many parents.
Since these articles about green parenting, chemical concerns, and more sustainable choices during parenthood are appearing more and more in the mainstream press, I am hopeful that awareness will keep growing, and finally, prices will level out a bit.
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Monday Madness: From Pediatric Drug Dosing To Teenage Parties…things are not always what they seem
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Appearances can be deceiving. How often have you met someone and they end up not being at all the person you thought they were? How often have you planned a trip or an outing only to have it be totally unlike the experience you anticipated?
I’d argue this is actually our modus operandi in medicine for so many facets of the care we provide, particularly drug dosing. In pediatrics, in fact, it often becomes our guiding principle, as Dr. McEvoy described today in the Boston Globe.
Dr. McEvoy’s article well illustrates the issues pediatricians grapple with when deciding on drug doses for kids. There is science and then there is conjecture based “on science - and that seems to be where we end up more and more. To add insult to injury, as we have learned with cold and cough products, many medications for kids are not only ineffective but unsafe. And, as we have learned for many conditions such as ear infections, many conditions get better without drugs, as Dr. McEvoy pointed out. In the end, I find I drag my feet more and more to advise a drug for a child and agree with Dr. McEvoy’s comment that
“(o)ften, doing nothing is the best dose of all.”
Moving from the gray zone to the obvious comes this headline. The headline really stopped me in my tracks this morning: “Beijing aims to cut down smoking for Olympics.” Think about this a minute. Health issues of smoking aside in their own community, these are the Olympics - the pinnacle of athletic games. The Olympic committee should include in their rules for potential cities that those cities must be smoke free. Beijing officials are working quite hard, according to Reuters, but not hard enough:
“New legislation to take effect on May 1 will forbid smoking at government offices and on public transport, the Beijing Morning Post said, but falls short of setting outright bans at restaurants, bars and clubs”, according to the Reuters report. That, to me, is not smoke free!
Finally, here’s a headline that will open your eyes in so many ways: “Cops bust high school root beer keeger”. Yes, that does say root beer! Some teens in DC became fed up with police assume that all gatherings of teens meant trouble and pulled a little prank. What started it was a YouTube video that showed teens drinking from red cups and getting suspended from sports for the behavior.
This was a great lesson from teens to adults that things are not always as they appear and it is important for adults to get the facts before leaping to conclusions and pointing fingers. After all, aren’t we all innocent before being presumed guilty? Wouldn’t we want that for our own kids? Let’s all pull the reins back and be thoughtful about teen behavior so the lessons are not lost by well meaning adults seeing trouble everywhere. Not all teens are drinking and not all teens are causing trouble. That is the moral of this story…some are just having fun and those are the ones we have to cut the slack to.
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We’re All Stage Parents But The Key Is The Degree
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
“Stage mother”…are you one? Here’s the Wikipedia definition to help you decide:
“In the performing arts, a stage mother is a term for the mother of a child actor. The mother will often drive her child to auditions, make sure he or she is on the set on time, etc. The term sometimes has a negative connotation, suggesting that the individual is prone to obnoxiously demand special treatment for her child, or suggesting that the individual has placed inappropriate pressure on her child to succeed. Some believe that a stage mom is vicariously living out her own dreams through her child.
Quite often the stage mother will also be the official manager of her child (e.g., Thora Birch) — representing her child in negotiations for the professional services of her child.
Fathers have also been known to look after their children in this way but the large percentage of mothers looking after their children overshadows that of the number of fathers.”
Childhood today is almost like a real world case of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Look at your child as Goldilocks. What you are aiming for is the “just right” soup and bed. Right? At least, that’s what we want for our girls.
What is “just right”? Let me give you some options.
Option A: up to the child.
Option B: up to the child with a bit of help from the parent.
Option C: parent driven with the child giving some input.
If you picked B, you are right on the mark. Today, kids should have the most say with us as guides or coaches. That would make you more of a “behind the scenes” parent in a way if you want to continue the stage analogy.
If you picked A, you need to be a bit more involved. Kids do need some guidance from their parents to help figure out their interests and divide up their time. But, I’d prefer A over C!!
If you picked C, well, I already tipped my hat on this a bit. C is honestly the “stage parent” approach. This is the situation that worries me and that gives the child the least say. Childhood is for the individual child. Parents need to keep an eye on the fact that what a child does with his or her time is drive by that child’s interests. Parents in this group miss that point and keep pushing because they perhaps see a talent or a skill. Perhaps they see the next American Idol! Parents in this group become like this.
So, what kind of parent do you want to be? To truly be a “just right” parent, just remember whose childhood you are helping to mold and reinvolve your child again. It may mean you have to back off but that’s ok. Your child will turn out just fine. How will you know? By the smile on your child’s face every time your child succeeds at something with your guidance but by your child’s own motivation.
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BPA (bisphenol A) in Canned Goods (the horror, even Annie’s)-
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
Today as I looked in my pantry, and saw the Annie’s Spaghettios and the soups, I wondered again how much BPA I am feeding my family. I picked up the phone, and called Annie’s, Inc., a company who I support endlessly by buying their macaroni and cheese, other pastas, and yes, canned foods. I try, I really do, but there are days with two kids, and not much of an affection for cooking (to say the least), where I just need to open a can. I think, at least it is organic.
So I called and a cheerful woman told me that their cans do have BPA, and that they do not exceed the FDA’s standards on BPA in cans. After some thought, this statement didn’t impress me too much. The FDA’s limits don’t take into account research about low doses of BPA that came out in the 1990s, which are discussed in this article on the Organic Consumers Association website, first printed in Terrain Magazine.
She did tell me, however, that they are working hard to find an alternative to BPA linings. Okay. So we wait. But something about the above referenced article really stuck with me. Here it is:
“In 1997, it was discovered that low levels of BPA produced harmful effects in male mice exposed in the womb, enlarging the prostate and lowering sperm count. What was most unexpected-and alarming-was that low-dose experiments produced worse effects in the mice than high-dose. Since then, nearly a hundred studies have shown BPA to be toxic in low doses on animals, producing such effects as insulin resistance, damaged DNA, miscarriage, decreased testosterone levels, early puberty, and the production of breast cancer and prostate cancer precursor cells.
Other tests suggest that some people, due to specific genetic makeup, may have a harder time ridding BPA from their bodies, which could make them more susceptible to BPA’s toxic effects. These effects are most dangerous to pregnant women, babies, and young children. For example, in one Japanese study, women who had frequent miscarriages were found to have higher levels of BPA in their bloodstream than women who could carry pregnancies to term. In general, the hormone-unbalancing effects of BPA are not diagnosable as BPA exposure; rather, they may show up as early onset of puberty, reduced fertility, type II diabetes, and an increased risk of cancer. The rise of cancer rates over the last few decades is correlated with the increased use of BPA in industry, although cause and effect is difficult to prove since BPA joins a long list of possible culprits.”
I added the bold, because I have never read an article about this (and I have read many) that said this so clearly. If there was ever a reason for us as a nation to prescribe to a precautionary principal when dealing with chemicals in our kids’ bodies, this is it.
So, Annie’s, and other organic food companies, please get to it. I want to support you, and feed my kids convenient, healthy food. I can’t cook from scratch all the time, I will go insane. My patience is thin and our kids’ bodies are at risk.
(As I noted in an earlier post, Eden foods canned beans do not contain BPA, but unfortunately their canned tomato products do.)
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Can ADHD Bias Cut Both Ways?
Submitted by Boys and Schools Blog
I always feel like I’m walking into a minefield when I talk about ADHD. On the one hand, I don’t want to diminish the problems faced by those who truly do struggle with the disorder. On the other hand, there is legitimate concern about over-diagnosis of ADHD among boys, the possibility that classic boy traits might be mistaken for ADHD, or that long-term medication for ADHD in boys might have unexpected and negative effects. So I want to be sensitive to those with ADHD, while still acknowledging the concerns of those who worry about over-diagnosis. Theoretically, this shouldn’t be a problem, as wrong diagnoses hurt both parties by trivializing the disorder for those who have it and wrongly treating those who don’t. Then again, theoretically, Britney Spears might join a convent and I might win the lottery. Splitting hairs like that is generally a good way to please no one. And yet, I’m going to persist. Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.
So, one of the things that is interesting when you do some research on ADHD studies is that everyone is very much aware of the gender gap in ADHD diagnosis. The interesting thing is the reaction is very often not to question whether boys are being overdiagnosed, but to claim that girls are being badly underdiagnosed. Personally, I see no reason why both can’t be equally true, but to me it’s very telling that the first response isn’t to look at how boys might be the subjects of medical bias but to assume that the bias cuts against girls. To pile on, consider this story about ADHD in adults, the upshot of which is that it seems that adult women suffering from ADHD tend to experience more problems with the disorder (or higher impairment) than men. The conclsion again focuses on the problems of diagnosing and treating ADHD in women–and I’m not saying that this is an inappropriate conclusion, given the subject of the study. But still, I can’t help but wonder . . . is it possible that while women may be underdiagnosed and undertreated, isn’t it also possible that men, being (possibly) overdiagnosed as boys, show less difficulty as a group because fewer of them truly have serious ADHD? Ok, I could be wrong. But I just thought it was something to think about.
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Deciding On The Pefect Family Size Should be A Unified Decision
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
MomLogic posted yesterday on family expansion and it got me thinking. When we got married, we always thought we wanted 4 kids. I came from a family of 3 and my husband a family of 5. So, 4 seemed like the perfect number. We were both on the same page about having our first child, and second. And, now that we were parents, we both agreed that 4 was just not going to happen! But, what about a third child?
Not an easy decision. Two kids felt great. That felt even. We could “tag team”, as my husband put it. Or, “divide and conquer”, as I liked to say. We never had trouble finding sitters or convincing grandparents to watch the kids. And, with the economy being what it was, we knew we could afford two children and provide well for them. That was important to us. A third baby would mean some sacrifices on all fronts and we had to be realistic about that.
Around the time we were considering our third baby options, our dentist had his third baby and told us “it’s like going from man to man to zone”. That did it for my husband! At that point, we had a very active infant and a toddler. Adding zone defense to our home was not anything he was interested in.
My biological clock, on the other hand, was starting to ring again - and loudly. I can understand why some couple’s get into heated discussions when partners are not on the same page about whether to add to their family. I did try and talk to my husband on a few occasions and talk him out of his stance. But, in the end, I hit the permanent snooze on my biological clock. I came to the conclusion that this was one decision that we had to be on the exact same page on - no exceptions.
I couldn’t help but wonder if pushing my husband would cause later issues. I kept thinking about all the divorces in our community with young kids in the mix. Was it that last baby that caused that ultimate fracture of the marriage? Given the timing of many divorces today, we really do all have to ask how many people should have stopped a baby or two earlier.
Raising kids is a challenge and stressful and adds economic burdens. Those are real. Babies are cute and adorable and in theory who wouldn’t want more! But, the reality is many families can’t deal with the stress and the divorce rate and shows like SuperNanny prove that.
In terms of parenting, it takes both parents to raise a child so I feel strongly that both parents should be on the same page to bring that child into the family. If one parent is uncertain, the other parent should respect that and just stop pushing. Not only can we not expect to get our way all the time in a marriage but we have to respect and understand our spouse’s perspectives on major issues and learn to live with those limits if they seem to be finite. To do anything less, fragments the very core of the family you are trying to build.
Just remember, this isn’t a game. This is your real life! Don’t let the fantasy of what you want your life to be cloud your mind from the reality of what you have today.
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The Seventh Generation Response to the 1,4 Dioxane Report-
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
I have many reasons to trust and love Seventh Generation products. They are a Vermont company. They are active in environmental health and sustainability issues. They are committed to reducing the many environmental problems of harsh chemicals in our waterways with their thoughtful line of products. Did I mention they are a Vermont company?
So I was very surprised to learn that they had undisclosed amounts of a carcinogenic contaminant (say that 5 times fast) called 1,4 Dioxane in their dish soap. Dish soap I use everyday.
Now, I do have faith in this company, and I knew they would have a thoughtful response to this on their website somewhere. It just seemed fitting that they would discuss this issue openly with their customers. And they did. You’ll see in this link a statement from the company about the situation. No, it doesn’t make it okay that this ingredient was in their product, and that it took a third party test to discover it. But on the Seventh Generation blog you will read the science behind using a process to make plant oils into something that can scrub oil off your dishes, why using this process is better than using petroleum based ingredients, and what the rest of the industry is doing.
You can bet they will be (and have been) working tirelessly on ways to make sure 1,4 Dioxane is not in their dish soap or other products.
There was also a lively discussion in the comments about what other undisclosed ingredients are in cleaning products. Check this out:
“Finally, this issue needs to be put in perspective. What conventional cleaning product divulges what surfactants they use for cleaning? Perhaps NPEs? Or which solvent they use for their synthetic fragrances? Perhaps phthalates? Or which solvents they use to cut grease? Perhaps butoxyethanol?
When you look at the back of a Seventh Generation label you see each ingredient we use, expressed in consumer-friendly terms. And if you go to our website, you see them listed using their chemical name and CAS number. This is disclosure beyond that of any other company in the household products industry.
This is not a perfect world. If it were, there would be no need for change, no need for evolution. Seventh Generation products, and our communications, change over time because we are not perfect. We are evolving. And we will provide products that are as safe for you, your family, and the environment, and that are as effective as we can make them.”
Stay tuned. And for the record, buying green products is still the most environmentally responsible thing to do. Sure, there are these problems, but the chemicals in conventional cleaning products (and personal care products) are significantly more damaging to our water, and our bodies.
Here is a recent L.A. Times article about 1,4 Dioxane in “natural” and “organic” products.
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Metal Water Bottles Recalled for Lead Paint-
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
You try and try to do the right thing as a parent. I’ve often commented that it feels like being a tiny fish swimming upstream, trying to navigate what to buy and use with your kids, while protecting them from rampant advertising, toxic chemicals and in many cases, themselves (as they dive headfirst of the couch).
Many parents are buying aluminum or stainless steel water bottles for their kids, because of all the media attention and studies about the chemical BPA (Bisphenol A)in certain plastics. So you go out and buy one from a seemingly harmless company with a quaint name out of Maine, called Downeast Concepts.
They look like the Sigg bottles, but they most definitely are not. These bottles have been recalled for violating the lead paint standards. Here is the recall from the CPSC. See the above picture, and be sure to visit the link above for more detailed information.
My daughters use Sigg bottles, and the company seems to have a strong environmental commitment and a pledge to not use BPA, but another good option, if you don’t want to use BPA free plastic, is the Kleen Kanteen line of bottles. They are made with stainless steel, with no paint and no linings.
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Keeping Tough Behavior In Perspective: Bullies In The Workplace, And Toddlers
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Watching GMA today, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The “Bullying In The Workplace” story that I blogged about recently was given a major amount of morning air time. And, I can see why. The piece they ran on www.abcnews.com two weeks ago has received over 100 comments and those comments are very telling about just how prevalent and intense this issue is. The time has come that we take a stand against all bullies.
On the other end of the age spectrum, we have toddlers. That cute group of very active children who adore and frustrate their parents at the same time. This group can charm one minute and infuriate the next! Toddlers are skilled climbers and scalers of furniture and parents often secretly wish for an “off switch”. And, toddlers are infamous for temper tantrums that can occur often and without warning.
This phase starts when a toddler hits 2 years of age and winds down around 4, hence the name “terrible 2’s and 3’s”, or “two terrible years” as some parents will describe.
If you are a parent of a toddler, you need to read this article by WebMD. Entitled, “Moms, Tots Argue 20 Times An Hour”, it certainly is an attention grabber. Interesting study because part of the study was done in a lab where conflict was set-up by researchers and part of the study was done in the family’s home. In the article, WebMD reports, “Those conflicts were more likely to get resolved without major drama if the kids had a good relationship with their mother and weren’t especially temperamental, active, or impulsive, according to surveys completed by the moms.” Just goes to reinforce not only the importance of the parent-child bond but the normalcy of the clashing of wills that occurs during this developmental stage.
Difficult behaviors occur in all populations but at least with toddlers we can say they are still developing and cut them some slack. Adult bullies are a very different story. They don’t get cut any slack for any reason and have to be stopped. And, the sooner the better.
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Disadvantaged From Birth
Submitted by Boys and Schools Blog
Like many people, I’m fascinated by the conflict between myth and reality. Yes, I’m the person who e-mails Snopes.com links back to people who forward messages about nefarious corporations, sappy inspirational stories involving children and dogs, and ridiculous claims regarding financial gain. If you truly believe that Bill Gates is going to send you thousands of dollars for forwarding an e-mail message, then I have some money in a Nigerian bank that I would much need your help to be transferring.
More interesting are deeper cultural myths, and one of the classics is the stronger/weaker male/female dynamic. It’s obvious where it comes from, when one considers things like average physical strength and size. But what is interesting is noting where the notion that boys are stronger than girls tends to fall apart, at least when it comes to issues of health. We’ve already mentioned things like the higher suicide rates among boys and higher prevalence of learning and behavioral disorders. Though, admittedly, one can theorize that some of those statistics are influenced by biases in diagnosis of boy behavior or lack of understanding of depression in men and boys. But even when it comes down the strictest health issues, boys start at a disadvantaqge–consider the recent study from the University of Pennsylvania and USC that finds that–even in developed nations–male infants have a higher mortality rate than female infants. Medical advances, like NICUs and c-sections have helped to close the gap, but boys remain at higher risk even from the first moments of life.
Just a little something to think on when people ask why boys and men deserve greater health and medical outreach.
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Do you know what your kids are doing online?
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Cybertime of tweens and teens has been the talk of the week. This is a real issue and deserves real attention. I’m always amazed how quickly kids adapt to knew technology, but worry that they will become so complacent they won’t recognize hidden dangers that accompany these cyberlives of theirs.
One type of danger that worries me is online predators. A friend circulated around an email last week that I posted over at A Dose of Dr. Gwenn. The email is thought to be a fictional story but so well illustrates the dangers of IM life that it keeps getting circulated around among parents. I hope you’ll share the vignette with your young internet users and use it as a starter for some important discussions. And, when you do, be sure to tell them that the police are busy trying to catch the bad guys, just not in the way described in the story.
Related to IM’ing is texting, a topic discussed today by Dr. Bryan blogged at Parenting Solved. Texting is really IM’ing but on a phone! I couldn’t agree more with everything Dr. B has to say, especially his point about parental involvement. Dr. B put it best in his post when he said:
“The onus is on us as parents to know what our kids our doing and, of course, to set an example of the priority technology should have in our lives.”
So, parents, check your kids computer logs and phone bills often! Know what they are doing online and over the air waves and with whom they are spending that time. And, if they come at you with the famous “your violating my privacy” line, just remind ‘em who is paying the bills.
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The Chemical Feminization of Boys?
Submitted by Boys and Schools Blog
Hello Again!
I’m so sorry for my absence last week–we had a bit of a family crisis concerning my daughter’s health. Fortunately, it appears that she’s on the mend, and after a lot of panic and stress, things seem to be returning to normal again.
Even though it’s the new black, I don’t usually check The Huffington Post with any kind of regularity. I guess I’m just jealous that I don’t get any self-indulgent celebrity musings on my blog. However, today, there’s an interesting post there about pthalates in infant toys. If you recall, I’ve posted about the issue in the past–the short version is that there is evidence that pthalates, a plastic softener found in many, many things (including children’s toys) may affect the sexual development (especially the testosterone levels) of infant boys.
There is a growing activist movement against the use of pthalates in children’s toys, bottles, etc. (leading to a resurgence in glass baby bottles and other things advertised as free of the substances in question), although there is also certainly some comtroversy as to the extent of the possible damage (if any). Honestly, given our country’s love for a good, old-fashioned health panic, I’m a little surprised that the possible dangers of pthalates has received so little attention in the US. It certainly was deemed important enough as an issue in Europe to be banned in infant’s toys as a possible endocrine disruptor. And with the possibility that it can cause deformities in the reproductive systems of young boys (one researcher even fearing that pthalates are contributing to, “the feminization of infant boys,” this is certainly worth at least a little bit of a health scare.
The only good news I can offer is that it isn’t completely off the radar of some politicians. Apparently, the Governator (no disrespect intended–it’s just that my spell-checker exploded when faced with, “Schwarzenegger,”) has signed a bill banning sales of toys with pthalates in California (starting in 2009). And California Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced a similar measure in the US Senate via an amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission bill. So, this would be a good time to look up your Senator and drop him or her a line, making it clear that this is an important issue for you that deserves a hearing and a vote.
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The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz–
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, a couple that we were good friends with were also expecting. After talking to folks they knew who had kids, my friend carefully crafted a “must get” list for baby. He promptly sent me a copy of this hand scrawled list, with his researched picks in many categories, and with a minimalist sensibility that we agreed on. This was a good start.
Fast forward a few years and now I’m the one being asked what to get when expecting, and I usually feel woefully inadequate when making my list. Sure, it has some good items that worked well for us. But it is lacking in details, and specificity.
That’s where is new book, called the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz comes in.
Keep in mind that I am a proponent of hand me downs, consignment stores and buying less. It doesn’t have to be an all out consumer fest as many folks would like you to believe.
But there are some things you can’t get around when buying for a baby. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, and want to know the skinny on all types of baby gear, then this is the book for you. It is seriously girthy, and has some outstanding features for sleep deprived and spacey pregnant people. Such as–
*a whole first chapter about product safety and recalls, including a list about what is safer to buy new, what products are unsafe
*there are drawings of each item for the visual learner (sorry, that is the teacher in me), useful for in store situations
*there are some helpful charts in this book; one favorite is a height, weight, age and characteristics one that helps parents understand their babies needs and specs when making purchasing decisions
*I really like this: in each chapter, for each product, there is summary sidebar that shares the age range a baby might use the product, for how long, a recommendation if it is a must have, nice to have, or don’t need item, and tips for when to buy a particular item.
The authors write these chapters with serious mama humor and wit. I may not agree with all there picks, opinions and preferences, but I was happy to see there are sidebar articles about chemicals in crib mattresses and baby bottles (although I myself am a wee bit more obsessed about these issues).
And there is a rockin’ good appendix. How many times have you been out shopping (especially when pregnant) and completely forgot all the features to look for in a product, or what you were going to look for in the first place? There is a list of in store reminders to help you, with lists for each product. Now that is seriously helpful. What else? Their picks for what to register for, some cash saving measures, and a full glossary.
Now here is the fun part. You, dear Non-Toxic Kids reader, can win this book. I was contacted to review this book, and was given 9 copies to give away to you all. This is my first giveaway, so your chances are really good. All you need to do to enter is sign up to receive email updates from Non-Toxic Kids (you’ll see the Feedblitz link on your left). Already receive email updates? No problem– just tell me that in a comment to this post and I will add you to the list before I draw. Please enter before April 7. If you enter via comment, please leave a link to your email address so I can contact you if you win!
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Exciting Medical Device Gets Rid of Headlice!
Submitted by Childn’Parent
Getting rid of head lice will soon be an easier battle for parents and medical persons alike! The LouseBuster, designed and tested by several people at the University of Utah, is a medical device which can kill lice in one simple dry air treatment. Currently, the LouseBuster is undergoing clinical studies with the hope to obtain FDA clearance by the end of 2008.
Randy Block, President and COO of Larada Sciences, which is a licensee for the LouseBuster device, shared his hopes for the LouseBuster’s future; “In the United States we could very possibly have this sold to schools, school districts, for school nurses to potentially treat kids right on the premises. Another method would be to sale it to medical professionals so that a person with head lice could get treated at their family doctor.”
Block goes on to speak about lice specialty services and how the LouseBuster could revolutionize the industry “One day a person with head lice will be able to go to one of these specialty clinics or have a mobile service either come to their school or come to their house and perform the LouseBuster treatment right on site.”
Eradicating head lice in one simple treatment at home or at school can save parents both time and money! For more information on the LouseBuster, see our article “Medical Breakthrough Wipes out Headlice, the LouseBuster” under Health Topics.
By: Debby Hoffer
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MCASitis? State Testing Stress And Your Kids.
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Yesterday I saw a young girl in my office who had very bad tummy aches. She told me her tummy ache came “out of no where”. Her mom was concerned because she had just finished a round of antibiotics for Strep Throat and stomach aches are often a “sure sign” of Strep in her. But, something was off. This child looked really well. Honestly. This was not a “sick” appearing child.
So, I checked her out head to toe and did a Strep test. Still, nothing. Her exam was normal - in fact, the tummy exam yielded giggles and I discovered she is quite the hopper and very adept and climbing on and off a tricky to climb exam table! And, office her Strep test was negative. Very reassuring all around.
Chatting with this young, pleasant child and her mom I learned she’s in third grade in a town near mine and facing the dreaded MCAS testing today - our State’s standardized testing that starts in third grade and goes all the way through tenth. Out of the blue she said “I’m scared of the MCAS - my teachers told me that the graders are tough and we have to watch how we answer the written answer.”
Now I had my answer. This young girl had what I have come to call “MCASitis”…a form of performance anxiety brought on every Spring here in Massachusetts. You likely have a similar form in your State.
Test taking anxiety is truly real, even for young kids. And, with anxiety can come physical symptoms such as stomach aches.
I worry about the impact of State testing on kids. I blogged about this a couple years ago when my youngest daughter was starting this journey, also entering third grade. Even today as a MCAS veteran, she is not thrilled to be facing testing today. She, too, has MCASitis but she has more gentle butterflies these days in her tummy than bats out of control as my patient had. Part of the reason is we’ve made sure she doesn’t view herself through this test. In fact, I don’t even show my kids their scores and suggested to my patient’s mom she do the same. Young kids don’t need that pressure and I feel very strongly about that.
Two years ago in my “MCAS Musings”, I tossed out some ideas to help you and your kids get through these testing weeks. Given how much more standardized testing our kids have now compared to back then, those tips are even more useful today so here they are again:
1. Let’s not tell them they have years of more standardized tests ahead! On the upside, think of all the practice they’ll have by the time they have to take a standardized test that actually “matters”.
2. Can you imagine biking the PanMass Challenge or running the Boston Marathon on only carrots, apples and water? Just won’t work. Granola bars, pretzels, sports drinks - sugary and salty “brain food” needs to be close at hand for our test-takers brains to stay fueled. Even a brownie will do in a pinch. “Nutrition” takes on a different definition when a young body is under stress…I’d say hours of testing a day for many days falls into that category.
3. Expect “butterflies” even in kids who are MCAS pros by now. Helpful to remember when your normally calm elementary school or middle school child has an unexpected meltdown or does something out of character. This may not be the week to explain to your child why wearing flip-flops in the snow is a bad idea!
4. End of the day exhaustion happens with all test takers - physically and mentally. Perhaps slow down the week; curtail some activities; and settle down for bed a tad earlier. And, enjoy the early quiet to the house that occurs as a result(one of the few parental benefits of the MCAS experience!).
5. Keep the best brain food on hand at the start and end to each day: lots of praise and hugs (for you, too, for showing unusual restraint during those unexpected, odd behavior moments).
6. Don’t underestimate the power of extra recess or lack of homework. Those are just rewards for a taxing intellectual experience. And, helps combat “spring fever” which strikes annually each spring. Keep in mind, young kids are not used to sitting for this long doing school work. The pent up energy will need an outlet.
We all know that it’s the non-numbered achievements in life that matter most - let’s start reinforcing that lesson while our kids are young. And, the best way to reinforce that with State testing is to not show our kids the test scores. So, what should you tell your child when the test score arrives? That’s simple. Regardless of the result you say this: “I don’t recall the number but you did great. We’re proud of your effort.” Leave it at that then focus on whatever other great stuff your child has going on at the that moment: music, sports, drama, art, karate….
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Compact Florescent Bulb Safety–
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
We all know that those curvy florescent light bulbs last way longer than traditional bulbs and are better for the environment (not to mention they can save you serious cash on your electric bill). But did you know that each bulb contains a small amount of mercury? And what do you when they do eventually burn out?
Here is a video on the subject from MSNBC.
To be sure, the benefits of using these bulbs considerably outweigh the drawbacks. Consider this: In California alone, the use of CFLs has spared more than 1.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into our envionment.
It helps to know how to dispose of the bulbs (take them to your local hazardous waste site or collection facility. If you don’t know where that is, click here).
And here are the steps for what to do if you break one of these in your house (which, if your like me, will happen, it is just a matter of time), again from MSNBC.
How to clean up a fluorescent bulb
Before cleanup: Vent the room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.Cleanup steps for hard surfaces
3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.Disposal of cleanup materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.Future cleaning of carpeting or rug
10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
Here is the full article from MSNBC as well.
Please spread the word about this. If CFLs enter the waste stream via landfills, we will have mercury contaminating our drinking water.
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Update on Vermont’s Lead in Consumer Products Bill (and others state updates)!
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
I just received an email from Vermont’s Assistant Attorney General, sharing that Vermont’s lead in consumer products bill passed out of committee and will move forward to be voted on by the full Senate in the coming week. Yours truly will be called on to testify again, this time in front of the whole senate with their microphones and dark mahogany desks. Gulp. If you are a Vermonter, please consider emailing or calling your senator to express support for this bill, which would set the lowest “acceptable” (I know, there is no acceptable level– you don’t have to convince me) rate of lead (parts per million) in the country.
Also, check out what your state has been up to. This link from Healthy Child, Healthy World has updates on ways to take action in specific states that are also considering legislation on toxins in consumer products. The states listed are Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Maine, New York and Washington. Click on the links to learn more about each state’s initiatives.
This is all great progress, but wouldn’t it be nice to see some national legislation around the safety of consumer products for children (I know it’s coming, but I think I could actually run from Vermont to DC faster than it will take to pass and sign the CPSC reform act into law). Patience has never been a strong point for me, especially when more and more kids are exposed unnecessarily to toxins everyday.
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When To Medicate When Just In Case Meds Are Involved
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Before I leave the “when to medicate” world, it’s important to touch on the concept of “just in case” medications. There are times medications are utilized that way. For example, medications are used preventively for asthma and allergies and even some antibiotics have a preventative role in some situations. What is important is to realize that those “just in case” guidelines do change over time because medicine as a field changes. I found this out myself about the dental recommendations for bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis. But, there’s a twist in this case.
I try to stay up to date on those recommendations as a doctor who has patients who need to take them, and as a patient who has a minor heart murmur. So when the dental receptionist called to confirm my routine cleaning and said “don’t forget to take your premed”, I didn’t know what to day but my mind was thinking:“Didn’t those recommendations change last year?” I could have sworn I was now on the list of “no longer needing to take prophylaxis before dental visits” list, and recall talking to my internist about this.
Once upon a time, most people with heart murmurs were advised to talk antibiotics before dental visits and some GYN procedures. Last April, the American Heart Association and American Dental Association teamed up and after reviewing a lot of scientific studies and data, dramatically changed the recommendations of who needed antibiotics for procedures, including dental cleanings. Now on the list are only very high risk heart patients and off the list are patients like me who have a heart “thing” but nothing really major. Interesting that my dental office wasn’t aware. Or, was my dentist aware and that just didn’t get translated to the front staff? Or, are they just pawning it off on me hoping I know from my internist the latest news? I was curious to see what would happen when I arrived at the dentist’s office the next day! But, before then, I turned to Dr. Google to double check the official recommendations and take a print out with me. Here’s what I found:
American Heart Association Summary
American Dental Association Summary
IVillage Summary
What’s the lesson learned? If you have been given a “just in case” medication for any reason, check with your doctor yearly to be sure you really need it. And, if you have been told you don’t need it any more, stick to your guns if another health provider suggests you do - such as a dental office. Your doctor is the person you should be consulting. A letter from your doctor stating you no longer need the premed should help clarify any confusion. You can also cite official websites such as the ones I listed above.
BTW, you may be curious what happened when I went to the dentist the next day. They totally hedged! The dentist himself didn’t seem to understand the issues well enough to be confident in whether people should or shouldn’t take the medication and rightfully deferred to my own doctor. But, what concerned me is he also tossed out an off-handed comment that “many patients are deciding to not listen to their doctor and just take the med in any case and we’re ok with that.” Well, I’m not so ok with that. Don’t take a medication you don’t need. It really isn’t good for your body and if your heart still needed the med, you’d be advised to take it!
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Notice Anything Different?
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
Greetings observant Non-Toxic Kids readers. I bet you already noticed our new web address. Yep, we’ve got ourselves our own little special domain at non-toxickids.net. You will be able to get to the site from the old blogspot address for the foreseeable future, but please update your bookmarks just in case so you don’t miss anything (because that would be, well, awful!). And be sure to notice you need the hyphen in the address, too (my English teachers would be proud).
In the coming weeks we will be completely overhauling the site to provide more information, links, and resources to our dear readers. So, stay tuned! And be sure to contact me via email with any suggestions or ideas for the newly designed site at non-toxic-kids(at)comcast(dot)net.
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Babies Shouldn’t Smoke!
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
We know that too much medication is a poison. We know that cleaning materials ingested are poisons. Why, then, is it so difficult for too many parents to understand that smoke is, indeed, a poison?
A Yahoo! story this week reminds us all of the dangers of smoke on children, babies in fact but adds an interesting twist. The article cites a study that suggests that babies not exposed to smoke are happier. If this is true, than being totally smoke free is better for a child’s physical and mental healths!
The study, out of the University of York, also may give insight into maternal characteristics that help babies with a calm demeanor. The researchers noted that moms who were able to quit smoking during pregnancy seemed to have more stable relationships and better coping skills compared to moms who had trouble halting smoking during pregnancy. While they were also quick to not draw too many more conclusions given the addictive quality of nicotine, it is an interesting observation. I think we’d all agree that moms that have it together are able to parent better - but whether smoking is a key to that will have to be determined in future studies.
What this study did not address was that nicotine has been shown to disrupt the sleep of babies. Clearly a sleep-deprived baby will be grumpy and will have sleep-deprived, not so happy parents. This will have to be factored into the big picture, too, while the smoke and happy baby relationship is being teased out.
That said, I return to my original question. Why is it so difficult for parents to understand that smoke is a poison? Don’t you now have enough proof? I know that the stuff is horribly addicting and quitting this habit is one of the most challenging on earth. If it were me, I’d be looking into the eyes of my kids for daily motivation. Perhaps you should do the same.
Here are some resources to help you quit this horrible habit:
Great American Smokeout
Smokefree.gov
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The Environmental Working Group Answers Your Questions about BPA (and tired parent’s summary from us!)–
Submitted by Non-Toxic Kids
Check out this new article from the Enviroblog about BPA in consumer products. There is a lot to keep track of, and many folks are confused about what contains it, what doesn’t and what to do about it. This is a great article that addresses these concerns from the Environmental Working Group, scientists that actually do this kind of research and keep track of scientific data to share with the public. The article reviews the concerns behind BPA, or bisphenol A, and the consumer goods it is in, and the science behind it all. To read it, click here.
Or, if you are making dinner, hearing your baby cry, and really don’t have time to read it here is my condensed summary of the article. Ready?
**BPA is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics and the linings of food and beverage containers. It leeches into the food and beverages it comes into contact with, and is linked to breast and prostate cancer, as well as problems with the neurological development of fetuses, and babies. It makes sense to AVOID BPA.
**Avoid polycarbonate bottles. They can be labeled #7. Also, avoid drinking from old, scratched bottles.
**Don’t refill bottle water bottles, labeled #1. They can leech chemicals as well and harbor bacteria. #2 is safer to use.
** Many aluminum bottles are lined with a potential BPA containing Epoxy. Sigg bottles have been tested and seem to not leech any significant amounts of BPA. Kleen Kanteen is made from stainless steel so there is no risk of BPA exposure there.
** BPA is in the lining of canned foods, except some of Eden’s products (such as beans). This exposure is likely to be very high. Try to buy glass containers for pasta sauce, etc., instead.
**According to EWG, “In 2006, the industry group American Chemistry Council reported that phthalates are no longer used in any US plastic wraps.” Still, since there is no regulation, it makes sense to not microwave plastic wrap.
** Use glass or BPA free bottles, and buy pacifiers made from silcone nipples.
** And, the EU isn’t perfect in the area of environmental health (EWG explains they ignored some important studies about BPA), it’s just that they are light years ahead of us.
Read the full post for more information about these topics and other questions about BPA (you’ll also find a lively discussion and more information in the comments)!
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When To Medicate and How To Avoid Dangerous Mistakes
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
Some weeks the news falls into themes. This week it seems to be the theme of medications and part and parcel with that is safety. This week is National Poison Control Week. Do you know what to do for an accidental ingestion? Do you know how to safely store medications and home chemicals?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has some very useful information to help you answer these common questions as well as many others:
Each year, approximately 2.4 million people - more than half under age 6 - swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. As poison prevention, and appropriate, immediate treatment to poison contact or ingestion, are critical to keeping your child safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some important tips.
To poison proof your home:
Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine. Holidays, visits to and from grandparents’ homes, and other special events may bring greater risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards are defeated or not in place.
* Store medicine, cleaners, paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children.
* Install a safety latch - that locks when you close the door - on child-accessible cabinets containing harmful products.
* Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused medication.
* Never refer to medicine as “candy” or another appealing name.
* Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.
* Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers.
* Keep coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.
* Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Treatment
If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures due to poison contact or ingestion, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If your child has come in contact with poison, and has mild or no symptoms, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222
Different types and methods of poisoning require different, immediate treatment:
* Swallowed poison - Remove the item from the child, and have the child spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac.
* Skin poison — Remove the child’s clothes and rinse the skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
* Eye poison — Flush the child’s eye by holding the eyelid open and pouring a steady stream of room temperature water into the inner corner.
* Poisonous fumes - Take the child outside or into fresh air immediately. If the child has stopped breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and do not stop until the child breathes on his or her own, or until someone can take over.
(© American Academy of Pediatrics, 2/08)
I moderate some website forums and I’m always amazed how many questions I get about ingestions and possible poisonings. If you are concerned about something your child may have swallowed, don’t post your concern on a website board, call your pediatrician ASAP, 911 or Poison Control at: 1-800-222-1222. And, as the information above states, if your child is having any scary symptoms, call 911. While for most substances time is on your side, sometimes it isn’t and that is when seconds start to matter most.
You can find more poisoning information on www.poisonprevention.org.
Image: 2007 Poison Control Week Poster Winner
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To Treat Or Not To Treat: Medications, Kids and Allergies
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
“Treat allergies? I’m a ‘naturalist’ and believe the body should heal itself”, T’s mom told me in a recent visit. He was in for ear pain and later in the visit I discovered he actually had an ear infection. Suddenly this “naturalist” mom wanted an antibiotic.
When to medicate is a difficult topic and one I spent an interesting hour talking to pod-casters, Vicky and Jen, last week about on “Vicky and Jen: What Really Matters”. Vicky, Jen and I focused on the sickness related seasonal topics, fever and ear infections, and spent a great deal of time discussing the confusing topics of antibiotic and over-the-counter cold and cough medicine use in kids.
Had we more time, I would have loved to have discussed seasonal allergies, another very common “when to medicate” issue for parents that causes a great deal of angst and confusion. And, is an area I find many parents don’t quite understand - which is understandable! Allergies can be confusing and the time alloted to a typical office visit works against us when a complicated issue arises that takes time to explain.
I talked about seasonal allergies recently at A Dose Of Dr. Gwenn and went through all the different ways to combat symptoms once they strike. What is hard to understand about allergies is that treatment has a dual purpose: some is targeted at immediate relief while other aspects are preventative. The immediate relief medications can be taken “as needed” but preventative medications need to be taken starting before the season hits until it ends for it to really provide any benefit. That can be a drag but a necessary evil to keep the symptoms from really skyrocketing.
If the symptoms were just annoying, it would be less of of big deal to be so proactive about taking them daily but they do cause serious issues over time. As discussed in Reuters today, allergy symptoms in kids left untreated often lead to sleep issues. Kids who don’t sleep well will not function well during the day, including at school.
Many parents, like T’s mom, worry that they are “harming the child’s immune system” by giving a daily medication. Actually, it is just the opposite. If the immune system doesn’t have to combat the symptoms so vigorously, it can refocus on prevention. We are actually wearing our kids’ immune systems down by not treating their allergies - the troops are in constant alert and have no time to rest and regroup! Proper treatment gives the immune system time to fight the proper fight and not the peripheral battles of the side effects.
By the way, both of my kids have allergies and without treatment they become truly miserable half way through each allergy season. We’ve had to tweak things here and there but it is so worth it to help them be comfortable.
So, parents, if your kids are chronically sneezing or have runny noses or coughs as the allergy season hits, call your pediatricians and talk about your kids allergies. This is one area of your kids lives where you do want to treat!
Image: Reuters on Yahoo! News
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When Mom is Pregnant
Submitted by Childn’Parent
If my baby was a boy, my three-year-old son thought “Mater” would be a good name. Luckily for the baby, it’s a girl. That same child is lucky he wasn’t a girl because his older sisters wanted to name him “Lolly”. I know people who were named by older siblings after “Curious George” and “Marsha” from “The Brady Bunch”.
My husband and I have chosen to tell our three children they are absolutely not naming the baby, and that’s final. But we have still tried to come up with a name they at least like. We’ve started calling her little Claire now so there will be no confusion when she’s born.
When you already have older children, it is really the family that is having the baby. It is important to make sure siblings are involved in the excitement and anticipation of the pregnancy. This helps them to feel a bond with the baby when it is born, and be less likely to feel replaced.
Sometimes I feel a little mauled by the older kids, but know it is important to let them feel the baby move. They love to give her (really my stomach) hugs and kisses.
Older children start to deal with changes from the time Mom becomes pregnant. Early in my pregnancy I was plagued with morning sickness. Sometimes I would run out of the room with no explanation (strange behavior for a mom). My son once followed me to the bathroom, then pretended to throw-up as well.
Other times I would spend long periods of time lying on the couch. I found it good to explain to them what was happening to me and that these things were a normal part of pregnancy. Knowing helped reduce their anxiety.
These things are just the beginning of changes to come. They range from sharing Mom’s attention to shifting beds and bedrooms. It’s important to start preparing children early and make the changes gradually so kids are not hit with everything at once.
For tips on helping get your big kids ready for a baby, visit our tips for siblings article in the pregnancy section of childnparent.com.
Happy pregnancy!
By: Megamom
Megan C. Wallgren
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