Technology vs. Sleep

Technology has enhanced communication and entertainment, but is it also a cause for a decline in sleep? New studies in Sleep Medicine Journal suggest that having technology in the bedroom serves as a distraction when people are trying to fall asleep, especially young children and preteens.

                The average preteen should get 10-11 consecutive hours of sleep each night to promote their growing bodies. Kids with access to computers, televisions, cell phones, and video games in their rooms, prior to going to sleep tend to get about nine hours of sleep, one to two hours less than those without the devices. Sleep Medicine reported that kids who frequently viewed TV before bed were four times more likely to report waking up several times during the night, than non-viewers, and frequent social networkers were three times more likely to wake up a lot. Kids who regularly played video games or listened to music at bedtime had significantly more difficulty falling asleep.

Children need boundaries for technology use. Medical experts suggest to remove these devices from the bedroom, and to withdraw from all interaction with technology at least an hour before going to sleep. When devices, such as cell phones, beep in the middle of the night, people are more inclined to get up and reply. While technology is helpful, the addiction to instantaneous information and the impulse to reply immediately is stronger than ever before.

Sleep needs to be held up to the same standards as eating healthy, too much indulgence in food is bad for the body, just as too much technology before bed is bad for sleep. Begin by limiting the amount of time kids spend with technology, especially during the later hours of the day. Try leaving all cell phones in the kitchen, turning the computer off after dinner or after homework, and keeping televisions in the common areas. Letting technology rest will allow for a better night’s sleep and more productive start to the next day. 

Combat the Cold

The United States has had its fair share of cold weather since 2014 touched down. While the country is currently experiencing temporary relief, the winter has just begun and it’s time to brace for the next round of artic air that is bound to happen. When the temperatures fall into the single digits and below, everyone is urged to take precautions.

     The best advice during extreme cold, especially for small children and the elderly, is to stay indoors. Exposure to the elements has many risks, but if you must go out, dress in layers. Before leaving the house, be sure to cover your head, hands, and ears. If going outdoors for more than five to ten minutes, be sure your mouth is covered. Failure to cover your mouth leaves lungs vulnerable to cold air, which could be dangerous and painful. Eating a hearty meal can help stay warm.  Keep in mind drinking caffeinated beverages can cause the body to loose heat more rapidly.

     Failure to prep for the cold could lead to the following:

HYPOTHERMIA – Occurs when the body temperature drops low enough that it begins to affect the brain, making it difficult to think or move. People often don’t realize it’s happening because the symptoms of shivering and exhaustion can be mistaken for something else. The symptoms are most noticeable in children and the elderly.

FROSTBITE – Occurs when the skin is exposed to the frigid temperatures.  Symptoms of frostbite include numbness and skin that’s red, white, painful, firm or waxy.

HEART PROBLEMS - Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart, causing the body to work harder to stay warm.  As a result, any exertion can be dangerous for people with heart disease. When the body starts to shiver, that is an indication that the heart has already begun working harder to keep the body warm.

 

     The winter can be a time of building snowmen, drinking hot cocoa, and ice skating at the rink, but when the temperature takes a drastic dive, take all necessary safety precautions. Do not attempt to brave the cold for long periods of time, especially with children. Remember, spring is just around the corner, but until then, bundle up and stay warm!

Can Portable Devices Cause Hearing Loss?

Did your charge put an iPod or MP3 Player on their wish list this year? While the musical devices serve as great entertainment pieces, could they be damaging to ear health, especially that of a child? According to Health Daily News, one in six teens has some degree of preventable hearing loss, but few parents warn their kids to turn down their iPods or avoid other sources of excessive noise.

Portable devices have been around for decades but, with the advancement of technology, and prolific use, the risk of hearing loss has risen. Some of the main concerns include earbud use and extended head phone use. CD and Cassette Players, some of the first portable music devices, came equipped with headphones, allowing users to avoid outside distractions and listen to music without distracting others around them, but new devices come with ear buds, a more isolated form of listening. Earbuds go directly into the ear, close enough to damage the canal if music is played too loud. Another concern is the advancement in portable storage. Old devices allowed for users to listen for maybe an hour at a time. MP3 Players and iPods can hold thousands of songs and are light to carry, extending the time people listen to their devices.

            The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association mandates that sounds over 85 decibels can cause hearing loss and damage. Newer MP3 Players and iPods can reach up to 106 decibels. The younger the listener, the more damage there is to be done. Hearing loss does not happen instantaneously, it happens over time. A long term repercussion could include the inability to distinguish the letters s, h, and f, which could make hearing difficult.

            If kids ask for one of these devices, there are a few things parents and caregivers can do to lower the risks. Substituting earbuds for headphones will allow them to listen to music but leave a safer barrier between the music and ear canal. Also, set musical limits. All musical devices enable users to set volume controls. Browse the settings menu and set the volume lower than 85 decibels. Finally, limit the time spent on these devices. The younger the user, the less time they should spend. As younger consumers get older and want to listen to music more often, set time intervals. Remember, hearing loss doesn’t happen instantaneously, it happens over time.

Do Children Play Anymore?

Childhood is all about learning, growing, experiencing, and playing. The days should be made for kickball games, races, and making snowmen with neighborhood pals. With advancements in technology, days spent outside have begun to fade away and replaced by the days of game systems, iPads, and solo play. While parents and caregivers have probably noticed the change from imaginary to virtual friends, medical experts have now started to research the effects.

            New medical research shows that, in a one-mile footrace, a kid today would finish a minute and a half behind a typical child from 1975. This could correlate to the high obesity rate of current times as compared to that of four decades ago, but what else is to blame? Children need to be exposed to a more physical lifestyle. While everyone deserves to enjoy the positives of technology, limits need to be set.

            It’s now time for caregivers and parents to go beyond curtailing T.V. watching. One way to transition from technology play to outdoor play is to partake in physical activity, join in! Here are a few ideas to bring playtime back in a healthy way:

• Ready, get set, go! Challenge your charge to a race. The first one to the corner gets to choose dinner from a healthy menu of choices. 
•  Goal! Set up the soccer net in the backyard and invite the neighborhood kids over for a game. Create a tournament for ongoing play. 
•  Push the pedal! Go for a bike ride before the sun goes down.
• Tag, you’re it! Head out to the yard for a game of tag. The more the merrier.
• Shake it! Zumba is a dance craze that also serves as an intense cardio workout.

These are just a few suggestions that allow for kids to get up, get out, and have fun. They also allow for parents and caregivers to get involved. Let’s start playing again!

Could A Diaper Be Dangerous?

Everyone hates a leaky diaper, but to what extremes will companies go to keep babies dry? Popular diaper brands such as Huggies Snug & Dry and Pampers Dry Max have come under scrutiny after multiple children developed severe diaper rashes that some parents and caregivers compared to chemical burns. The upgraded diapers are made of extra layers and material that claim to be more absorbent and reduce leakage accidents.

            According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 4,700 reported rash/chemical burn incidents in a four month span when the diaper was first introduced. While the CPSC has yet to find a distinct link between the Dry Max and diaper rash, they do suggest that certain diapers may react differently depending on the child. Children with sensitive skin may become irritated by a specific product. So is Dry Max a chemical in the diaper?        

            “Dry Max is not an ingredient. Dry Max was a name created to describe a diaper introduced in 2010. It wasn’t a change to the type of ingredients in the diaper.” That is the response Pampers provides to their customers on their website when questioned about the new product. When asked about the rumors linking Dry Max to rashes and chemical burns, Pampers denies the allegations. While Dry Max is not considered a chemical, according to Pampers, the company has yet to reveal what makes the diapers different from their other brands. What makes this diaper the driest?

            ABC2 News in Baltimore decided to launch an investigation after stumbling upon the multitude of parental and caregiver complaints. Under the Freedom of Information Act, a law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents, ABC2 requested to see the investigation conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. After waiting 11 months, the news station received 2,183 pages of emails, analysis, and medial opinions. When going through the information, they realized that almost 500 pages were missing from the investigation that could have held crucial information. The Consumer Product Safety Commission claims that the pages were missing or blacked out because of legal reasons. After a thorough investigation, Proctor & Gamble, the company who makes Pampers Dry Max, has maintained that their diapers are safe and have yet to recall the product even after 4,700 reported cases of severe diaper rash/chemical burns.

            Ironically, a medical doctor who decided to change career paths and become a stay at home mom of two kids published an online blog in 2012 called the Big Bad Diaper Test. On the blog, she put all of the big name diaper brands to the test. She tested absorbance, strength, flexibility, and durability. After conducting the experiment on both of her children, Dr. Mom, as she calls herself, found that Pampers Baby Dry, Luvs, and America’s Choice performed the lowest. She complained of rough and uncomfortable fits, snapping tabs, and leakage. After going through multiple brands, Dr. Mom found that Up & Up, a Target Brand, and Walgreens Premium passed the tests with flying colors. They were a great fit, thin and absorbent, perfect for naps, and no leakage.

            There is no definite way to know which diaper is best for a baby until various brands are tried. If a severe diaper rash or irritation occurs, the best thing to do is to switch diaper brands immediately. Upon switching, if the rash quickly clears up, the type of diaper may have been the issue. If irritation continues, it is always best to seek medical help.

The End to Bullying Starts At Home

TPNN recently held our regular Nanny Get Together and was honored to have Daniela Redpath, Vice President of Teach Anti-Bulling, Inc. speak to us about recognizing the signs of bullying and how to get involved to stop the vicious cycle. Redpath, along with President and Founder, Dr. Claudio Cerullo, formed the non-profit organization in late 2011. After watching her son, who suffers from Asperger’s, be a victim of bullying in his younger years, Redpath decided to change her career paths and help families in need. Their goal was help children and families who have been, or are currently, affected by bullying.

            Teach Anti-Bullying, Inc. goes into the community and local schools to raise awareness about bullying. They stress that if the lines of communication are not open at home, they will not be applied in the classroom. It is the parents’ and caregivers’ job to get involved. Redpath emphasized that children need two things, empowerment and conviction. During the younger years, children need to know that parents cannot solve all of their problems. They need to be able to express their emotions when they feel they are a victim of bullying, in a non-violent manner, and then have a conversation with an adult about how they handled the situation. For the kids doing the bullying, they have to be taught at a young age that their behavior is unacceptable.

            As children get older, parents and caregivers need to become more involved, clarify the lines of respect and disrespect, and notice for changes in behavior. Children usually do not tell an authority figure when they are being bullied because of fear of retribution. It is up to the adults in their lives to notice changes. This includes teachers because 33% of children in grades third through fifth admitted that bullying happens in the classroom with the teacher present. Some signs of bullying may include ripped clothes, odd attire, missing items, lack of interest in school, circle of friends changing, method of transportation changing, grades drastically suffering, nightmares, or sleep trouble.

            Signs of bullying are usually mirrored in home behaviors. Respectful children are less likely to be school bullies. Disrespectful, rude, violent, or out of control kids are usually the same at home and at school. When kids arrive home, parents and caregivers need to ask questions. Ask what happened at school, who did they eat lunch with, how was the school bus ride, and who did you sit next to? Willingness to share this type of information opens the lines of communications. Adults also should be aware that girls tend to use cyber bullying, the newest form of bullying, more frequently with 51% of girls cyber bullying as opposed to 37% of boys.

            Parents and caregivers are responsible for noticing the signs of a bullied child or a child doing the bullying. The age of suicide because of bullying or tormenting has gotten younger. Children with low self-esteem become adults with low self-esteem and child bullies become adult bullies. All children have to be taught empathy, compassion, and respect. Just as Redpath stressed, children have to be taught empowerment from a young age. A little courage can go a long way and Redpath said it best with the advice she gave her son to make him feel special and confident when he was a victim of bullying, “You’re not disabled, you’re differently abled.”

Visit: www.teachantibullying.com

Do You Know The Signs Of ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common childhood brain disorder. While the hyperactivity aspect may fade as children get older, there is always a chance that other aspects of the disorder continue into adolescence and adulthood. The National Institution of Mental Health reported that in youth with ADHD, the brain matures in a normal pattern, but is delayed by about three years. The delay is most evident in the thinking, attention, and planning sections of the brain.

            Some of the symptoms of ADHD may include varying degrees of difficulty focusing on one thing, struggling to follow directions, becoming easily confused, having trouble sitting still, trouble with quiet tasks or activities, fidgeting and squirming, blurting out inappropriate comments, or having difficulty waiting.

            Researchers have yet to find a cause for ADHD. While there is speculation that the cause could be one of five areas (genetics, environmental factors, brain injuries, sugar, or food additives), there is no scientific proof. If a caregiver suspects a child is demonstrating elements of ADHD, she should discuss her observations with the parents and recommend a meeting with the pediatrician. The behavior may look like ADHD and therefore can sometimes be mistaken as other problems. Some children may be inattentive but because they are not overly hyperactive, symptoms could be overlooked. Also, children who exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for having disciplinary problems.

            ADHD symptoms usually appear between the ages of three and six. Because symptoms vary from person to person, the disorder may sometimes take longer to diagnose. Teachers and caregivers are usually the first to notice signs, as they are with children a large portion of the day. After expressing concerns with the parents, proper help can be sought. Pediatricians can then decide whether or not the child should see a professional who specializes in testing and treating these disorders.

            There is no current cure for ADHD. Some of the common treatments used to control the disorder include medication, various types of psychotherapy, or education and training. Early intervention is best. If diagnosed early, treatments can allow for better adjusted educational, social, and emotional growth.

Information from: The National Institution of Mental Health