ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Boys and Body Imagehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/22/boys-and-body-image/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/22/boys-and-body-image/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/22/boys-and-body-image/#commentsFiled under: , ,

boys and body image

Boys are surrounded by images of six-pack abs, ripped bodies, and perfect hair styles on stars like Matthew McConaughey or David Beckham. Credit: Getty Images

Boys are held to some pretty high standards. There's the NFL showing impossibly large men with astounding speed. Magazine covers preach "Get a Better Body." Physique is the over-hyped indicator of manliness, leaving little room for all those other more important qualities, like empathy, intelligence -- and even common sense.

Why body image matters for boys

We want our sons to be healthy -- and happy. And that means feeling good about their bodies. Although most people associate eating disorders and body image issues with girls, the obsession with having a "better" body is far from a girls-only issue. Stars such as Dennis Quaid and Elton John have admitted to having had eating disorders, and several scandals have surfaced about steroid use in professional sports. Boys are surrounded by images of six-pack abs, ripped bodies, and perfect hair styles on stars like Matthew McConaughey or David Beckham. Media profoundly influence boys' expectations of what a real body type is.

But male body image isn't something that's talked about that often. Why? As anyone with adolescent sons knows, talking about their bodies is really difficult. All too often they try to "solve" body problems on their own. They aren't as expressive as girls, but that doesn't mean their body images aren't affected by these media influences.

Increasingly, boys become obsessed with controlling their eating, taking supplements, or working out excessively in order to get the "cut" bodies of Abercrombie & Fitch models. And given that boys often organize around "alpha" leaders, body size and type become huge social factors. Even with the negative examples of professional athletes and steroids scandals, boys are still tempted to "bulk up" for team sports or to impress girls.

Some facts

  • Nearly 1/3 of teen boys try to control their weight in unhealthy ways, like skipping meals, taking laxatives, or smoking (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005).
  • 25% of anorexic and bulimic adults and 40% of binge eaters are men (Harvard, 2007).
  • 60% of preteens and teens feel that they weigh too much and that their lives would be improved if they could attain their goal weight (Pangea Media, 2009).
Tips for parents of elementary school kids

  • Emphasize health over looks. Talk about what their bodies can do, rather than what they look like.
  • Keep kids active. Don't let them "veg" in front of a screen too long at any given time.
Tips for parents of middle school kids

  • Check your own behavior. Are you overly critical of your own body? Do you exercise and eat well? You are setting an example of adult behavior.
  • Do a reality check. Help your children form realistic expectations. Point out that the sports celebrities they admire have teams of people helping them work them out, feeding them special meals, and in some cases, surgically altering them. The same holds true for "hot" movie stars. One glance at the real men in their lives will drive home this point.
  • If your son is on a sports team, check in with him about training. Find out what kind of messages he's getting from his coach and from other team members.
Tips for parents of high school kids

  • Check in. Ask your son if friends use risky methods to control weight. Since boys will talk more easily about other people than themselves, you can get more information by asking about what their friends do. Ask: Are any of your friends using steroids or supplements? Working out too much? Talking about "purging" after a pig out? If so, ask your son how he feels about it and whether he's ever been tempted to engage in any of these behaviors.
  • Check for signs. Sudden weight loss, dramatically increased workouts, large muscle growth, and radically altered eating patterns are just a few signs of eating disorders or potential steroid or supplement use. If you think your son is at risk, make a doctor's appointment immediately. This is critical not only for your son's health, but also for his mental well-being, since eating disorders create a lot of feelings of shame. Sometimes your child might be more forthcoming with a health professional than with you, for fear of either letting you down or being criticized.

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Get more information for parents on media and technology by checking out Common Sense Media.

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]]>the editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 22 Feb 2011 15:20:00 ESTChilean Miners and Their Families Need Time to Grieve, Regrouphttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/chilean-miners-and-their-families-need-time-to-grieve-regroup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/chilean-miners-and-their-families-need-time-to-grieve-regroup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/chilean-miners-and-their-families-need-time-to-grieve-regroup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

chilean miners picture

Miner Franklin Lobo, right, embraces his daughter Carolina after he was rescued on Oct. 13.Credit: Gabriel Ortega/Chilean government/AP

The families of 33 Chilean miners dramatically rescued yesterday from an underground bunker as the world watched are, of course, filled with jubilation at the return of their husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and uncles.

But, says our expert, they will also need time to grieve.

Susan Stiffelman, ParentDish's Advice Mama, author and family therapist, compares the men to soldiers returning from war. Ever since the 125-year-old San Jose Mine collapsed on Aug. 5, they and their loved ones have been caught somewhere between extreme hope and extreme fear, as the miners waited for 69 days to be rescued from an underground refuge with limited food and water.

On Oct. 13, each of the 33 men was carried out of the mine in an escape capsule as the world -- and their loved ones -- watched, transfixed, for nearly 23 hours.

"People have been holding their breath," Stiffelman tells ParentDish. "The initial joy and elation will eventually have to give way to the outpouring of grief and anger that has been pent up and held in for all this time."

The whole range of emotions these 33 men and their families have experienced since the mine collapsed can be likened to a "really long holding of the breath," she adds.

"Even right up until the point of being fairly confident that the rescue would be successful, there has been this intense mix of tremendous hope and absolute uncertainty, and at some point there will have to be an outpouring (of emotion) or a letting loose," Stiffelman says.

It will be especially important for the children of the miners to express their emotions, because, as Stiffelman says, it's a given that they have suffered some emotional trauma. Children of soldiers can have a similar reaction to a parent returning home from an overseas tour of duty, or kids of those coping with a life-threatening illness.

While the outcome is positive, the experience of dealing with it still leaves them with residual grief, fear and anger that needs to come out, one way or another, Stiffelman says. She adds that there is the additional adjustment of dealing with more than one parent again after an extended amount of time.

"When a father or mother comes back, and the other parent has been the primary caregiver, there is an element of having to reassert authority, getting that balance between two parents again," she says.

But, perhaps most pressing, is the fact that these men are now suddenly in the world spotlight. Honors, all-expenses-paid luxury vacations and even jobs offers have been pouring in following the rescue. While the fame and fortune may be enticing, it's imperative that these families have the chance to reunite in peace and quiet right now.

"These people are going to be bombarded with gifts, courted and seduced by access to money, fame and fortune," Stiffelman points out. "It will be interesting to see how that plays out. It's one thing to be part of the mainstream world and (to have something like this happen), but it's another thing to be a miner in a small Chilean village and, suddenly, Oprah wants you to be on her show."

Being plunged into fame could be tremendously stressful for these families.

"It can have an adverse effect on the person himself, but also on siblings, spouses and children, who feel they have to compete for that person's time," Stiffelman says. "Children, in particular, don't want to be competing for their fathers' time, especially with someone like Larry King."

However, there is certainly cause for celebration, she adds, and reminds us that most people who survive a crisis carry few negative after-effects, and often experience a rebirth of sorts.

"Most people don't succumb to violent post-traumatic stress," Stiffelman says. "Most survivors do quite well. They have a period of time when they have to adjust and emote, but most people find a new lease on life."

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]]>chilean minerschilean miners familieschilean miners foundchilean miners rescuechilean miners trappedChileanMinersChileanMinersFamiliesChileanMinersFoundChileanMinersRescueChileanMinersTrappedPTSDtraumaAmy HatchFri, 15 Oct 2010 09:44:00 ESTPregnant? Get Your Flu Shot!http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/12/pregnant-get-your-flu-shot/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/12/pregnant-get-your-flu-shot/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/12/pregnant-get-your-flu-shot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Syringe flu shot picture

Don't avoid the needle, moms-to-be. Credit: ZaldyImg, Flickr

If you're expecting, be sure you're first in line to get a flu shot this year.

The flu vaccine has been recommended for pregnant women for years, so why the added urgency this flu season?

Last year's H1N1 outbreak brought to light how hard the flu can hit pregnant women, and new research indicates that immunity is passed down to your baby.

In fact, 10 leading health organizations, including the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have co-signed a letter urging health care providers to recommend the flu shot to pregnant women and those trying to conceive.

Although the flu is generally considered a harmless bug that everyone gets, complications can arise, and when they do, they can be especially devastating to pregnant women and their babies. Also, pregnancy can compromise the immune system -- pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized for flu complications than their non-pregnant counterparts -- so when the flu hits, they can get really sick.

Read the rest of the story at Parenting.com.

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]]>flu shotflu shot and pregnancyFluShotFluShotAndPregnancythe editors at Parenting.comTue, 12 Oct 2010 12:33:00 ESTSleep by the Numbershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/27/sleep-by-the-numbers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/27/sleep-by-the-numbers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/27/sleep-by-the-numbers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


To sleep, perchance to dream ...

Eh, when you're a parent, it's more about just getting some snooze time (and praying that your little one won't give you a 5 a.m. wake-up call!)

Did you know that 1 in 50 teens wets the bed? And that you will die of sleep deprivation before starvation? Check out these and more dreamy facts from Psychology Degree about getting your Zzzzs.


Source: Psychology Degree

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]]>the editors at onlineschools.orgMon, 27 Sep 2010 15:53:00 ESTVaccination Rates Remain High for Young Childrenhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/17/vaccination-rates-remain-high-for-young-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/17/vaccination-rates-remain-high-for-young-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/17/vaccination-rates-remain-high-for-young-children/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

vaccination rates baby

Credit: Getty Images


The vast majority of young children in the United States continue to receive routine vaccines, a new report says.

Immunization rates for children between the ages of 19 and 35 months remained at or higher than 90 percent for the most routine diseases, according to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Less than 1 percent of young children were completely unvaccinated, the report says.

"Nearly all parents are choosing to have their children protected against dangerous childhood diseases through vaccination," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, says in a statement.

Still, there are likely communities where high numbers of unvaccinated children can be found, the statement says. In 2008, there were outbreaks of measles, primarily in children who hadn't received the vaccine.

Continue reading Vaccination Rates Remain High for Young Children

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]]>flu vaccineFluVaccinevaccinationsvaccinesMonique El-FaizyFri, 17 Sep 2010 18:00:00 ESTMore Girls Entering Puberty Early, Study Findshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/more-girls-entering-puberty-early-study-finds/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/more-girls-entering-puberty-early-study-finds/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/more-girls-entering-puberty-early-study-finds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Girls are maturing earlier than ever. Credit: Getty Images


Girl, you'll be a woman soon. Sooner than you thought.

A new study finds that U.S. girls are entering puberty at younger ages than in the past. Early maturity is a public health concern because studies have shown that these girls are more likely to eventually develop breast and uterine cancer, CNN reports.

The study finds that nearly 25 percent of black girls and 15 percent of Hispanic girls had entered puberty by age 7. White girls mature more slowly, but the study finds that more than 10 percent of white 7-year-old girls had started puberty by age 7, up from 5 percent in a similar study conducted in the early 1990s, according to CNN.

Dr. Frank Biro, the study's lead author and director of adolescent medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, says it's unclear why girls are entering puberty earlier, but researchers are looking at several potential factors, including genes and environment, Medical News Today reports.

"Breast cancer is such a common problem, so if we can find some of the things that make it more likely, we could improve screening of those early developers," says Dr. Susan Nickel, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, who was not part of the study.

Continue reading More Girls Entering Puberty Early, Study Finds

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]]>breast cancerBreastCancerpubertyColleen EganTue, 10 Aug 2010 11:19:00 ESTNo Need to Delay Getting Pregnant Soon After Miscarriage, Study Sayshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/no-need-to-delay-getting-pregnant-soon-after-miscarriage-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/no-need-to-delay-getting-pregnant-soon-after-miscarriage-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/10/no-need-to-delay-getting-pregnant-soon-after-miscarriage-study/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Study shows there's no need to wait Credit: Getty Images


Having a miscarriage can be emotionally devastating -- perhaps even more so for women who don't already have children -- and many doctors recommend taking a break before trying to conceive again.

However, a new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests getting pregnant again quickly -- within six months of an initial miscarriage -- may improve a woman's odds of having a healthy pregnancy.

About 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage before 24 weeks, and women who have one miscarriage are at an increased risk not only of miscarrying again, but also of having complications in a subsequent pregnancy.

But doctors and medical organizations differ on how long a woman should wait before conceiving again. The World Health Organization recommends waiting at least six months, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists simply recommends allowing enough time for physical and emotional healing.

Continue reading No Need to Delay Getting Pregnant Soon After Miscarriage, Study Says

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]]>miscarriagepregnancyMonique El-FaizyTue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 ESTBest Children's Hospitals: Rehabhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/06/best-childrens-hospitals-rehab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/06/best-childrens-hospitals-rehab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/06/best-childrens-hospitals-rehab/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital

The Cleveland Clinic offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Credit: Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital

When your child is ill, only the best care is good enough. So we're highlighting the hospitals that are leading the way in research, innovation, treatment and, most importantly, patient care. This is the sixth in the series on best children's hospitals in the United States.

Where do you go if your child has an ongoing condition such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury? In addition to getting the best treatment immediately, patient care after discharge is a big part of the decision making.
According to the American Hospital Association, there are only about 40 freestanding children's rehabilitation, specialty and convalescent hospitals, including 16 short-term care facilities and 24 long-term care facilities.
In addition to these specialty centers, some hospitals offer children ongoing therapy for muscle tone development, motor development, strength, endurance, range of motion, sensory motor skills, communication, language and feeding. But three leaders for children's rehabilitation services are:
Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, Cleveland, Ohio
It's ranked as one of the leading hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, which has published its annual ranking of America's best hospitals for 15 years. Cleveland Clinic Children's Shaker Medical Campus offers an inpatient program and outpatient rehabilitation and therapy services for children who have chronic conditions, and for those recovering from a trauma, surgery or an acute hospital stay. The center is also home to the renowned Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism and offers an innovative motor-control therapy program and treatment for feeding disorders. Support after discharge is a key focus of Cleveland's children's care. Overall, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital earned national rankings in eight of 10 pediatric specialties.

Continue reading Best Children's Hospitals: Rehab

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]]>childrens institute of pittsburghChildrensInstituteOfPittsburghcleveland clinicClevelandClinicshriners hospital for childrenShrinersHospitalForChildrenMary Beth SammonsFri, 06 Aug 2010 17:11:00 ESTBest Children's Hospitals: Respiratory Conditionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/05/best-childrens-hospitals-respiratory-conditions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/05/best-childrens-hospitals-respiratory-conditions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/05/best-childrens-hospitals-respiratory-conditions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Seattle Children's Hospital for Respiratory Conditions

Seattle Children's Hospital nurse Kelly Worrell demonstrating asthma test for a patient. Credit: Seattle Children's Hospital

When your child is ill, only the best care is good enough. So we're highlighting the hospitals that are leading the way in research, innovation, treatment and, most importantly, patient care. This is the fifth in the series on best children's hospitals in the United States.

Colds and flu are the most common respiratory issues in children, but more serious conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary complications of premature birth, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung diseases can require intensive and ongoing care and hospitalization.

Breathing problems can be some of the most common and serious reasons for hospitalization. Luckily, many of the nations' top hospitals specialize in respiratory care.
Here are several of the leading children's respiratory hospitals in the country:

Children's Hospital Denver, Denver, Colo.
Children's Hospital Denver has distinguished itself as a leader in pediatric respiratory care. Ranked No. 5 in pediatric respiratory care by U.S. News, and affiliated with the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Children's offers a dedicated inpatient 10,000-square-foot pulmonary floor that supports increased patient volume and clinical program growth. The 9th floor unit was designed to care for children who have chronic pulmonary conditions, cystic fibrosis and a wide range of conditions that require the pulmonary team's expertise. The hospital was voted the "2009 Family Favorite for Hospital or Health Clinic" in a survey by Colorado Parent magazine.
St. Louis Children's Hospital-Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Ranked by U.S. News as the No. 8 best respiratory hospital for children, St. Louis is a pioneer in infant lung care, and boasts the largest pediatric lung transplant program in the world, having performed more than 330 lung and heart-lung transplants since 1990. The hospital operates the largest cystic fibrosis center in Missouri and in the Midwest, operating in conjunction with Washington University's Cystic Fibrosis Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, with one major goal: to cure cystic fibrosis. St. Louis Children's is also a national leader in treating childhood asthma, with a pulmonary function laboratory to evaluate lung functioning. And educating parents and caregivers about home care and progress monitoring is a primary concern for the allergy and pulmonary medicine staff. The hospital was also named among the five best children's hospitals in the 2009 Parents/NACHRI survey.

Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
The hospital is a dedicated respiratory children's hospital and has one simple purpose: "helping children breathe." Ranked No. 9 in respiratory disorders by U.S. News, Seattle's respiratory therapy team is on the cutting edge of international efforts to fight infectious diseases in children's hospitals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day in this country nearly 250 people die due to infectious diseases they acquired while in a hospital. In an effort to help prevent the spread of infection, Seattle Children's has had consistent improvement in hand hygiene compliance rates, with rates of 90 percent today, up 20 percent from 2004. The hospital serves as the pediatric referral center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, and as the primary pediatric teaching site for the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Related: Best Children's Hospitals: Top 3, Best Children's Hospitals: Cancer, Best Children's Hospitals: Digestive and Liver Disorders, Best Children's Hospitals: Diabetes

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]]>childrens-hospitalsMary Beth SammonsThu, 05 Aug 2010 09:16:00 ESTBest Children's Hospitals: Diabeteshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/04/best-childrens-hospitals-diabetes/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/04/best-childrens-hospitals-diabetes/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/04/best-childrens-hospitals-diabetes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

John's Hopkins Children's Center

Johns Hopkins is a leader in juvenile diabetes research. Credit: John's Hopkins Children's Center

When your child is ill, only the best care is good enough. So we're highlighting the hospitals that are leading the way in research, innovation, treatment and, most importantly, patient care. This is the fourth in the series on best children's hospitals in the United States.

Some 151,000 people under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Faced with the rise of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and the emerging epidemic of childhood obesity, America's top children's hospitals are ramping up their research and treatment options for diabetes and endocrine disorders.


Here are three leaders:
Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, Md.
Johns Hopkins is blazing a trail on the forefront of diabetes and obesity research. The hospital was named No. 3 in the U.S. News & World Report study of leading children's diabetes hospitals. Working as part of the team of researchers for the Baltimore Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC), the Johns Hopkins team recently zeroed in on what could be a promising new drug therapy for the disease. The $7.4 million training center is funded by the National Institutes of Health, and unites Johns Hopkins researchers with a team of 140 researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health to conduct community-level research on diabetes and obesity in children and adults.

Continue reading Best Children's Hospitals: Diabetes

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]]>childrens-hospitalsjohns hopkinsJohnsHopkinsJuvenile DiabetesJuvenileDiabetesNew York Presbyterian HospitalNewYorkPresbyterianHospitalucsfMary Beth SammonsWed, 04 Aug 2010 17:47:00 ESTBest Children's Hospitals: Cancerhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/03/best-childrens-hospitals-cancer/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/03/best-childrens-hospitals-cancer/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/03/best-childrens-hospitals-cancer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

St Jude Children's Research Hospital

At St. Jude's, no child is denied care because their family can't pay for treatment. Credit: Seth Dixon, St Jude Children's Research Hospital

When your child is ill, only the best care is good enough. So we're highlighting the hospitals that are leading the way in research, innovation, treatment and, most importantly, patient care. This is the third in the series on best children's hospitals in the United States.

Leah Heilman-Pollack was 11 when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). For nearly five years, the Portland, Ore., youngster virtually moved into the Doernbecher Children's Hospital's pediatric cancer ward, as she valiantly battled the disease. Two and a half years into treatment, she was diagnosed with myelodysplasia, the precursor to an even more serious form of leukemia. Leah would need a bone marrow stem cell transplant.
"During her cancer years, the treatment Leah received was amazing," says her mother, Laurie Heilman. "With both cancers, there are nationally established protocols that dictate the best-known and most thoroughly tested treatment regimens, so it's not as if she wouldn't have received the same medicines elsewhere."

Continue reading Best Children's Hospitals: Cancer

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]]>childrens cancer hospitalchildrens hospital of philadelphiachildrens-hospitalsChildrensCancerHospitalChildrensHospitalOfPhiladelphiast judes childrens research hospitalStJudesChildrensResearchHospitalMary Beth SammonsTue, 03 Aug 2010 18:30:00 ESTBest Children's Hospitals: Digestive and Liver Disordershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/best-childrens-hospitals-digestive-and-liver-disorders/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/best-childrens-hospitals-digestive-and-liver-disorders/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/best-childrens-hospitals-digestive-and-liver-disorders/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Nurses keep things light. Credit: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

When your child is sick, only the very best care is good enough. So, we're highlighting the nation's top children's hospitals and their achievements in research, innovation and, most importantly, patient care. This is the second in the series on best children's hospitals in the United States.

Six-year-old Shane Cohen has endured countless probes, injections and tests since his birth, recently undergoing his 17th endoscopy.

Born with a condition called Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the Bucks County, Penn., youngster has undergone the treatments in an attempt to make it less painful to swallow and to stave off the vomiting that is at the core of his condition. He and his mom Jessica are no strangers to the postoperative team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the hospital's outpatient center in Chalfont, Penn.

"The staff is courteous to the parents and fabulous with the children," says Shane's mom. "Shane has been there so many times now that each of the nurses comes in to the room to say hello to him when we get there. We have never had to translate the words spoken by one doctor to another because they have already been in touch. Now we just need to find a cure."

The Cohens' experience speaks volumes about the lifestyles of the millions of families whose children battle chronic digestive and nutritional disorders, ranging from ulcerative colitis to liver disease, that put kids on transplant lists. "These are not situations where medical experts simply treat the child; these are conditions where the child and parents need to be educated and empowered to transform that treatment into a lifestyle," says William F. Balistreri, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and president of The Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation (CDHNF).

Continue reading Best Children's Hospitals: Digestive and Liver Disorders

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]]>childrens hospitalChildrens Hospitalschildrens-hospitalsChildrensHospitalChildrensHospitalsDigestive disordersDigestiveDisordersMary Beth SammonsMon, 02 Aug 2010 18:00:00 ESTHow to Handle Separation Anxiety as the School Year Beginshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/handling-separation-anxiety-as-the-school-year-begins/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/handling-separation-anxiety-as-the-school-year-begins/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/handling-separation-anxiety-as-the-school-year-begins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Some children welcome the adventure of a new school year, eagerly heading off to explore the classroom and make friends, and barely noticing as you say goodbye. But for other children, every school day begins with tummy aches, frantic tears, and desperate drama.

If you have a child who struggles with separation anxiety, here are some tips for helping them successfully manage a new school year:

Develop a bond with your child's new teacher
During the school day, your child's teacher becomes her source of security and comfort. Visit the classroom before school begins and help your child forge a special connection with her new teacher. Look for common interests, and help the teacher begin to take a personal interest in your child, to strengthen a natural attachment between them.

Continue reading How to Handle Separation Anxiety as the School Year Begins

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]]>Susan Stiffelman, MFTMon, 26 Jul 2010 11:00:00 ESTNew Guidelines Aim to Reduce Repeated C-Sectionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/22/new-guidelines-aim-to-reduce-repeated-c-sections/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/22/new-guidelines-aim-to-reduce-repeated-c-sections/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/22/new-guidelines-aim-to-reduce-repeated-c-sections/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Study finds new ways to avoid C-section Credit: Getty Images


WASHINGTON (AP) - Most women who've had a C-section, and many who've had two, should be allowed to try labor with their next baby, say new guidelines - a step toward reversing the "once a cesarean, always a cesarean" policies taking root in many hospitals.

Wednesday's announcement by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists eases restrictions on who might avoid a repeat C-section, rewriting an old policy that critics have said is partly to blame for many pregnant women being denied the chance.

Fifteen years ago, nearly 3 in 10 women who'd had a prior C-section gave birth vaginally the next time. Today, fewer than 1 in 10 do.

Continue reading New Guidelines Aim to Reduce Repeated C-Sections

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]]>C sectioncaesareanCSectionVBACAssociated PressThu, 22 Jul 2010 10:00:00 ESTWhooping Cough Vaccine Safe, Researchers Insisthttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/whooping-cough-vaccine-safe-researchers-insist/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/whooping-cough-vaccine-safe-researchers-insist/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/whooping-cough-vaccine-safe-researchers-insist/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flyers in several languages urging whooping cough vaccinations are seen at a recent news conference by the CDC, to publicize a recent, sharp increase in the number of whooping cough cases reported in California. Credit: Reed Saxon, AP


Some parents are a bit concerned about the vaccine against whooping cough. Watching a child have a seizure will do that to you.

But that happened with an older version of the vaccine, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell the Reuters news service.

And whooping cough -- known to be deadly (especially in past generations) -- poses a much larger threat to children than any vaccine, they add.

The current vaccine, they insist, is safe.

"Our findings provide reassuring evidence that the vaccine is not associated with acute seizure events and is safe for routine immunization in early childhood," researchers write in the journal Pediatrics.

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]]>expire-images:2011-6-30vaccineswhooping coughwhooping cough vaccineWhoopingCoughWhoopingCoughVaccineTom HendersonTue, 20 Jul 2010 16:30:00 ESTIn-Vitro Babies Show (Slightly) Higher Risk for Cancerhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/in-vitro-babies-show-slightly-higher-risk-for-cancer/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/in-vitro-babies-show-slightly-higher-risk-for-cancer/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/in-vitro-babies-show-slightly-higher-risk-for-cancer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Research shows invitro babies may be at higher risk of birth defects. Credit: Stefan Wermuth, AFP/Getty Images


Many people feared "test tube babies" in the '70s and '80s.

The whole in-vitro thing seemed so unnatural. Critics feared it would lead to mutant children at a higher risk of birth defects, cancer and a whole slew of genetic complications.

Turns out their fears were justified. Just a little.

Swedish researchers, in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics, report a slightly higher risk of birth defects and some kinds of disease (including cancer) among children born through in-vitro fertilization.

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]]>birth defectsBirthDefectscancerIn-vitroFertilizationtest tube babiesTestTubeBabiesTom HendersonTue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:00 ESTColgate Giveawayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/colgate-giveaway/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/colgate-giveaway/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/colgate-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Brush. Floss. Repeat daily. Credit : Colgate

We're all for any product that will ease our daily routines, and if that means enticing them with cartoon character-themed toothbrushes and toothpaste, then so be it.

Get the whole family's dental health in check with a prize pack from Colgate! You'll get Colgate's new ProClinical toothpaste and a 360 ActiFlex Sonic toothbrush, and Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob toothbrushes and toothpastes for kids!

Enter our giveaway by leaving a comment telling us what the tooth fairy brings (or will bring) your kids.

CONTEST RULES

o. To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what the tooth fairy brings (or will bring) your kids!
o. The comment must be left before 5 pm ET on Friday, July 23, 2010.
o. You may enter only once.
o. Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
o. Ten winners will receive Colgate ProClinical toothpaste ($3.99), a Colgate 360 ActiFlex Sonic toothbrush ($5.99), My First Colgate[TM] Infant & Toddler toothpaste ($3.49), My First Colgate[TM] toothbrush ($2.49), Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob toothpastes ($2.79) and Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob Battery-Powered toothbrushes ($5.99).
o. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
o. Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid address!

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]]>colgateColleen EganTue, 20 Jul 2010 12:31:00 ESTMajority of Ear Infections Don't Require Antibiotics, Study Showshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/majority-of-ear-infections-dont-require-antibiotics-study-show/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/majority-of-ear-infections-dont-require-antibiotics-study-show/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/20/majority-of-ear-infections-dont-require-antibiotics-study-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Should your doctor reconsider the antibiotics? Credit: Getty Images

Your child is fussy, keeps pulling on his ear and is running a fever -- all signs of an ear infection. Many parents would call the doctor right away for an appointment to get antibiotics. A new study, though, shows that might not be the best course of action.

Researchers in Serbia looked at more than 300 children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. The kids were divided into two groups: Those with less severe ear infections were placed in a wait-and-see group and those with severe infections were immediately treated. Those in the first set, which represented 76 percent of all the children studied, were given pain killers where necessary, while those in the second were given antibiotics. They were all seen again 72 hours later.

In the wait-and-see group, the ear infections cleared up on their own in 81 percent of the children; 19 percent of the kids needed to start antibiotics. The infections cleared in 63 percent of the children who had been given antibiotics from the get-go, while 37 percent of those children had relapses. A total of 4 percent of all the children surveyed required surgery to resolve the problem.

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]]>antibioticsear infectionEarInfectionstudyMonique El-FaizyTue, 20 Jul 2010 10:00:00 ESTBaby Sign Language Can Help Your Child Communicatehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/22/baby-sign-language-can-help-your-child-communicate/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/22/baby-sign-language-can-help-your-child-communicate/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/22/baby-sign-language-can-help-your-child-communicate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A baby looks on during a sign language lesson. Credit: Janek Skarzynski, AFP / Getty Images

Most mothers will tell you they can read their baby's cries: A distressed wail sounds different than an angry sob or an annoyed whimper. But there are few who would deny that things would be so much easier if their little one could just say what he or she needs.
The proponents of baby signing say communication is just what their system allows. In baby signing, infants are introduced to nonverbal gestures that substitute for words. Each time adults say a particular word, they make the accompanying gesture. Experts say children as young as 7 months can learn to sign.

Parents sometimes worry that being able to communicate through signing will deter their children from speaking, but experts say that isn't the case.

"When a baby learns to crawl it doesn't mean it's less motivated to walk," says Linda Acredolo, cofounder of the Baby Signs program and psychology professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis. "The same is true for signing."

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]]>baby sign languageevergreeninfantsspeech developmentMonique El-FaizyTue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 ESTNewer Dads More Committed to Parenting Than Those of Past Generations, Study Sayshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/17/newer-dads-more-committed-to-parenting-than-those-of-past-genera/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/17/newer-dads-more-committed-to-parenting-than-those-of-past-genera/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/17/newer-dads-more-committed-to-parenting-than-those-of-past-genera/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Today's dads are taking a more active role in raising their kids. Credit: Corbis


Today's new dads equate being a good father with "being there, being present, spending time and being accessible," and not with being a traditional "breadwinner," according to a new study released by the Boston College Center for Work and Family.

With Father's Day around the corner, these timely findings demonstrate a shift in men's attitudes about parenting and workplace commitment.

"Overall, our research found fathers who were deeply committed to care-giving and sharing the work as evenly as possible with their spouses," the authors write. "Men seem poised to embrace a new definition of fatherhood and to step up to the challenges and the rewards of parenting in a much fuller sense than was the case in the past."

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]]>dadsfathersparentingresearchstay at home dadStayAtHomeDadstudyHoney BerkThu, 17 Jun 2010 13:10:00 EST