Your child is in the pediatrician’s office with a fever, and you find yourself asking why the doctor didn’t prescribe an antibiotic. Or, you wonder what’s the harm in trying an antibiotic? Antibiotics are just one of the many treatments available for kids’ illnesses, but their appropriate use is at the discretion of the provider….
Children, especially younger ones, process grief in different ways. Grief is not a feeling that we reserve solely for our loved ones; we also experience grief at the passing of people with whom we feel a strong connection, such as sports stars, actors, musicians and authors. Think about recent celebrity deaths, such as that of…
Cold viruses can survive on indoor surfaces for up to seven days, but are infectious only for about 24 hours. Generally, they last longer on hard, nonporous surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. The virus is less likely to live as long on soft, porous surfaces such as tissues. You’re more likely to catch…
Just 8% of New Year’s resolutions are met, and 80 percent are abandoned by the end of January. How can you make resolutions stick? Make resolutions together as a family: Discuss goals and strategies, and develop fun ways to meet them with support from one another. According to Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness coordinator Nikki…
Toys and games are tons of fun for kids and even us, as adults. And while most toys are safe, they still cause a staggering number of trips to the hospital. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 226,100 kids were treated in emergency departments for toy-related injuries in 2018. An estimated 73% happened to…
Holiday travel can be filled with a lot of fun memories for kids — road trips with the entire family, visits to their grandma’s and grandpa’s house and more. Before families hit the road this holiday season, Safe KidsLouisville, led by Norton Children’s Hospital,wants to remind parents and caregivers about some simple tips to keep…
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together to celebrate the bounty of the season, reconnect and express gratitude for life’s many blessings. It’s much more than turkey, football and parades. Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving traditions you can start doing with your family to keep them healthy and happy beyond the holiday…
Choking first aid such as the Heimlich maneuver for toddlers and back slaps for infants can prevent tragedy. Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness cautions parents to always watch for choking hazards, but especially this time of year, as children tend to eat more candy and visit homes for holiday parties. Children, especially toddlers, like to…
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects up to 11% of American children, and Kentucky has the highest rate in the country — more than 18% — according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. Despite the prevalence of ADHD, it is one of the most misunderstood chronic neurodevelopmental disorders. By debunking the myths and…
Limiting screen time can be hard for parents. It can be alarming how challenging it is to set and stick to limits on how much time children spend looking a screen. Parents may be concerned about how screen time will affect their children when they are old enough to begin texting, following social media and…
It’s a startling fact, but one that parents, family members and caregivers need to be aware of: Nearly 3,600 babies die each year in the U.S. due to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), defined as the death of an infant under 1 year old that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. Forms of sudden unexpected infant death…
Taunting and teasing between siblings may seem like a rite of passage many adults experienced as children. Parents may have chalked it up to normal sibling rivalry. While siblings may fight like cats and dogs, the hurtful words and arm punches can have lasting effects. Studies indicate that bullying by siblings can have a greater…