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  • Recognizing the Signs of Drowning

    Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related deaths in children between 1 and 14 years old in the United States, and it is the third-leading cause of unintentional death worldwide.

  • Learning to say goodbye.

    I sat nursing my newborn son in what’s affectionately called “the yellow room.” It’s been that color for many years, since my mother-in-law was a girl. It was her bedroom back then- where she made her memories as a little girl, a teenager, a young woman. While sunlight danced around the cheerful walls, I nursed my son and noticed how he clenched my index finger with his tiny fingers. With his delicate hands wrapped tightly around mine, I was overwhelmed with love for this new little life.

  • Gearing up for hurricane season

    Every afternoon, as the dark clouds roll in, I can’t help but wonder, “when will this rain ever go away?” But, if you live in Florida, like I do, you have probably accepted the fact the rain is here to stay. And on the days when the thunder and lightning seem unusually intense, I often anticipate a potential hurricane on the horizon. Yes, I said it – hurricane. Hurricane season officially began June 1st and is expected to last until November 30th. And weather experts are already projecting this year’s hurricane season to be a bumpy ride – estimating as many as six storms that could result in major hurricanes.

  • Preparing your child for surgery

    Hearing that your child needs surgery is difficult for many families to digest, and can often result in increased stress and anxiety leading up to surgery day. For many parents and children, the fear of the unknown leaves them with many questions relating to the preparation for surgery, the surgery procedure, and recovery after surgery. Sometimes for children, the unknown is their best coping tool in preparation for surgery as they think, “If I don’t know the details of the surgery, then I don’t have to think about it and therefore it won’t happen.” For many children and parents alike, denial and avoidance is a common stress relief tactic. However, the child is probably thinking about surgery day as he/she overhears conversations between adults about the surgery, and is likely picking up on their parent’s stress. The child has also been going to doctors’ appointments that are necessary before surgery, making it that much more real to the child. Knowing what to expect on surgery day can actually help ease those feelings of stress and anxiety, and help to eliminate misconceptions that the child may be envisioning.

    How do we help ease a child’s fears of surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital?

    At Arnold Palmer Hospital, we offer a free, educational program called Project P.L.A.Y., which is designed to help your child understand what to expect before surgery and during their hospital stay. The program is led by a child life specialist who will walk your child, siblings, and you through what to expect leading up to surgery, as well as what to expect after surgery.

    What does the program entail?

    For younger children, our child life specialists use a teaching doll to explain what’s going to happen before and after surgery – all on an age-appropriate level. This can include things such as: IVs, catheter, and any other tubes or medical items they may see on their bodies before or after the procedure. They also show the child what an anesthesia mask looks like and explains that “sleepy medicine” helps them so they won’t feel anything during surgery.

  • Winning the pacifier war

    My daughter has had an intense, rapturous love affair with the pacifier for the past 2 and-a-half years. I’m certain that if the world were ending and she had the choice to keep for herself either Mommy or her bee-bees (her word for pacifier), she would choose the bee-bees any day of the week. I try not to take it personally.

  • Talking with your teen about obesity: it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it

    In my years as a mental health counselor for Teen Xpress, I have worked with many teenagers that are battling weight problems. Obesity often leads to low self esteem, anger problems and depression. Often, we see obese teens that also have obese parents and other family members. Obesity can be caused by medical issues, but when it comes to teens, it is frequently due to unhealthy behaviors and coping skills. I have known many teens that report coping with feelings of sadness and loneliness by overeating. The overeating leads to weight gain, which leads to further feelings of isolation and depression. Teens quickly find themselves in a vicious cycle of unhealthy habits and emotional discord.

  • Baby gates send almost 2,000 children to the ER each year

    Many parents find that as their newborn gets older and becomes more mobile, the basic childproofing tactics throughout the home don’t provide enough protection anymore. What’s the solution? Cue the baby gates! Baby gates are commonly used to steer infants away from stairwells, doorways, or to keep them contained in a baby-safe area of the home. However, researchers are finding that these devices meant to keep infants from danger are actually causing an increase in injuries. But how can something meant to keep my child out of harm’s way actually increase their risk of injury?

    The Study

    The new study, conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, found that baby gates often lead to injury if used incorrectly. Based on data recorded from 1990 to 2010, an estimated 37,673 children under the age of seven were treated in an emergency department in the U.S. for baby gate-related injuries. To put this number into perspective – that is equivalent to about five children injured every day!

  • One mom’s advice to other NICU families

    Written by Heather Shields

  • Know the hazards of a button battery

    Written by Timothy Hadley, DO

  • Thumb sucking: learning to let go

    My little friend Harper sucks her thumb. She is the cutest and sweetest 5-year-old: funny, shy and loves on my little girl like a big sister. I never thought much of it. Some kids suck their thumb; some don’t. But, I’ve come to realize that this seemingly innocent habit can become quite a challenge for many families.