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Posts for: December, 2021
It’s not typically common for infants to have issues with constipation; however, sometimes it happens. While many babies won’t deal with constipation they may have irregular bowel movements as their bodies naturally try to adjust to a set schedule. If you are concerned it’s always best to talk with your child’s pediatrician. Recognize the real signs of constipation in your infant.Know the Warning Signs
For your child to truly be dealing with constipation, here are some of the warning signs:
- Stools that are hard to pass
- Infrequent stools
- Excessive straining or straining more than normal
- Swollen belly with gas
- Painful stomach cramps
- Stools that resemble small hard pellets, as well as stools that are too soft
- Diarrhea-like stools
For an adult, they may simply take an over-the-counter laxative to help them go, but treating constipation in infants is different. You never want to give them an over-the-counter laxative or suppository unless otherwise told by your pediatrician. If your child is old enough to eat solid or strained foods, you may want to increase their fruits and vegetables to increase fiber intake.
If your infant is too young for strained food, give them just a couple of ounces of prune or apple juice each day to see if that helps soften the stools. If the stools are too loose, lessen the amount of juice you’re giving them.
When to See a Pediatrician
It’s important that you call your pediatrician if you are ever concerned about your infant’s health. No question is a silly one, especially when it comes to your child. You should call your pediatrician if you notice blood in your baby’s stool, if home remedies do not improve their constipation, or if your baby is fussy due to stomach cramping or pain.
If your little one is having trouble going to the bathroom, a pediatrician will be able to provide you with the answers you need, as well as tips for how to best address the issue. A pediatrician is going to be invaluable, especially for new parents, as they navigate parenthood. Talk to your pediatrician today.
How a sports physical from the pediatricians in Edison, South Plainfield, Perth Amboy, and Woodbridge, NJ, can protect your child’s health
When you have children, you want them to stay active and healthy. An important part of that is playing a sport. Being active in sports is a great way for your child to build muscle, strength, flexibility, and balance. It’s also a great way for your child to build friendships. So, how do you know your child is healthy enough to play a sport? Your child needs a sports physical to find out.
The pediatricians at 7 Days Pediatrics offer comprehensive medical services for children, including sports physicals. They have several convenient locations in Edison and South Plainfield, NJ, proudly serving residents of Edison, Perth Amboy, South Plainfield, and Woodbridge, NJ.
Playing a sport is demanding, affecting your child’s heart rate, breathing, and other factors. When your child has a sports physical, it can help indicate any potential problems your child might experience when playing the sport.
During the sports physical, your pediatrician will record:
- Your child’s medical history
- Your family’s medical history
- Allergies, illnesses, and hospitalizations
- Medications including dosage
This is an excellent time for you to mention any concerns you have about symptoms your child has experienced. Be sure to mention any breathing problems, chest pain, or other issues.
The next part of a sports physical is a thorough physical examination. During the physical examination, your pediatrician will check:
- Your child’s height and weight
- Your child’s heart rate and breathing
- Flexibility, balance, and muscle strength
Your pediatrician may also check your child’s vision and hearing, and also administer any vaccinations your child needs.
A sports physical can help protect your child’s health. To learn more about the importance of sports physicals, call the pediatricians at 7 Days Pediatrics, proudly serving residents of Edison, Perth Amboy, South Plainfield, and Woodbridge, NJ. You can reach them at any of their three locations in Edison and South Plainfield, NJ, by calling (732) 548-3210, so call now!
Food poisoning isn’t just a problem that impacts adults. It can also affect children, too. While, as a parent, you may be used to dealing with vomiting or diarrhea, food poisoning is a whole new animal. Since children under five don’t have a fully developed immune system they are often most susceptible to food poisoning. When germs or bacteria get into the foods and drinks we consume, these bacteria and germs cause toxins that result in food poisoning.What are the warning signs of food poisoning?
Food poisoning can be confused with other health issues and infections such as the “stomach bug”, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and to call your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned. How quickly symptoms appear will depend on the germ or bacteria that your child has ingested. Some children may develop symptoms as quickly as 1-2 hours after consuming the contaminated food or beverage, while it may take weeks for symptoms to develop in other children.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning in children include:
- Stomach cramping and pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Malaise
- Fever
- Headache
Some of the bacteria that are most responsible for food poisoning include,
- Salmonella
- Ecoli
- Campylobacter
- Listeria
- Staphylococcus aureus
How is food poisoning treated?
In many cases, food poisoning will simply run its course and your child will feel better after a few days. Make sure that they are resting and staying hydrated. If your child is dealing with a more severe form of food poisoning your pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics. If your child is also showing signs of dehydration, it’s important that you call your pediatrician right away.
If your child is displaying symptoms of food poisoning it’s important that you talk with your pediatrician to find out if your child should come in for a visit. While food poisoning will often just run its course and go away on its own, your child may require antibiotics if they are dealing with a severe bacterial bout of food poisoning.