1. Sun protection. The UV exposure from the sun can cause skin cancer, I am not telling you anything you don’t know. So, please apply appropriate level sun block. Be careful with spray sun block around a child’s face.

2. Make sure they use helmets, knee pads and elbow pads when using bikes, skateboards or hoverboards. Using this equipment will save you a visit to your local emergency room.

3. Consider how you will monitor your child as they use trampolines and monkey bars. There is no need to wrap your child in bubble wrap, but it’s good to be careful and take precautions.

4. HYDRATION!! WATER! Not too much all at the same time, then, they — you know… return it.  Remember, those high sugar drinks like juices and sodas are high in sugar and further dehydrate the body. Did I mention water is better than high sugar beverages?

5. Swimming pools. Please make sure that any child that is in the water is appropriately supervised. Drowning and near drowning incidents can happen in a split second. Always make sure that small children who are not strong swimmers, are never more than an arms length away. No wrestling or horse play should be encouraged while in the water. If there is a pool nearby, please make sure it is closed off on all 4 sides. Please also remember that a child can literally drown in a water level of a few inches. Common sense safety is useful here. Most importantly, as I said before, do not let children in water unsupervised and if there is a body of water, it should be closed off on all 4 sides.

Some things to think about…. When and for how long does the pain come?  Does it come and go, is it sharp, where is it? What is your child’s diet and water intake like? Does your child hold their poop in school, or when they are playing? Is your child waking at night to pee or having accidents?  

A tummy ache could be a lot of things: constipation, new onset diabetes, strep throat…. But don’t try and diagnose your child using the internet! Keep a log of their symptoms, when it happens and what their diet and activities are like when they are having their pain. Is it related to stress? Is it worse on weekends or weekdays? Belly pain is a vague complaint that can be caused by many different culprits… poop, bacteria, stress… keep a log and talk to your doctor. Try and increase water intake, encourage your child to attempt to pass stool, and talk to them to see if anything is causing them stress. Those are some first steps to see what might be causing your child’s tummy ache. If you are concerned that they need immediate attention, then by all means, please take them to a doctor sooner than later!

To help with congestion and nasal discharge, spraying saline into their nose and using a bulb suction to help clear the mucous is the best way to go. It’s like a Netty-Pot for kids. Please make sure you clean the syringe and saline spray after use!

As for what I don’t use, there are a few don’ts that I have. Humidifiers, I personally don’t care for them, but if you like them, go ahead. Please do NOT give your child a cough suppressant if they are younger than 5 years of age, and even if they are older, remember, its best for them to clear their mucous, as that is the reason they cough. If your child is younger than 1 year of age, avoid anything with honey.

What should a child drink when they are doing their everyday activity?

Every day activity is easy! We are mostly made up of water, children even more so. If your child has headaches, stomachaches, constipation, dry skin, even difficulty focusing—all of these issues could be related to your child needing to drink more water. One good way to assess their water intake is their urine color. The darker it is, the more water they need to drink.

What about if your child doesn’t like to drink water? Some people say their child doesn’t like the taste… I always get a kick out of that. First, it’s good to explain that everything does NOT need to be sweet. Maybe make a pitcher of water and add berries, oranges, or some fruit. That can add some flavor. Some other flavored substitutes can be added as well, if you like. Please do NOT substitute water with juice or sports drinks or soda. Even if something is 100% organic or all natural, it’s still not good for you. Think of juice like candy. It’s more of a treat. Servings of juice can have as much sugar as soda, if not more. Think of it this way: just because something is all natural, doesn’t make it good. If I gave you 100% all-natural pure heroin, is that good for you?

What should they drink when they are playing sports?

What do professional athletes drink — juice, soda? Is your child a professional athlete?   Water is good enough here, as well. G2 Gatorade has less sugar than G, and Powerade is comparable, but has more sugar. Sports drinks need 4-8% sugar, Gatorade lives around 6%, whereas Powerade lives around 8%. Gatorade is more electrolyte balanced as well, but these differences between Gatorade and Powerade are small. I prefer Gatorade over Powerade because it doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), but too much sucrose is bad as well. So, in conclusion, for even moderate exercise, water is best. And if you have a teenager or older child who is trying to watch their calories, running a mile then drinking a Gatorade… you just gained weight. You were better off not running and not drinking anything. Did I say water is best, I don’t remember. One other option — Coconut water is a good option as well, as it has the appropriate electrolyte balance and the right amount of sugar.

What should they drink in the summer?

In the summer, just more water.  Some sports drinks to help them drink water, but really it’s the same as any other time of year.

What should they drink when they are ill?

What about when they are sick…. That’s a great question! What about Pedialyte? Well, it’s good for you, but it tastes like… well, not good. If your child drinks it, great. If you can freeze it and make ice pops that they will consume, great. If not, half sports drink and half water, or half juice and water is fine. If they are vomiting, that’s ok, that happens sometimes. If you can give them 5ml (one teaspoon) every 10 to 15 min great, but if they still vomit, cut the volume in half. Keep decreasing what you are giving them until you find the magic amount they can tolerate. Keep giving that until it’s tolerated, then increase as tolerated. Re-introduce food when and how it is tolerated. If they have diarrhea, same thing—most importantly keep them hydrated.

How do you know if they are dehydrated?

Another good question! Do you see tears when they cry? Did they pee within the last 8-10 hours? Is their heart racing? Are they easily arousable? If you are concerned about any of

these factors, take them to see a doctor, preferably a pediatrician.

A brief table providing the appropriate amount of fluids needed for consumption

The main premise to what I hope you take away from this website is when people talk about doing “research”, they search the web for any and all information. I don’t want to point a finger or disparage anyone. People should feel free to follow anyone they choose. However, they should remember one word: accountability. Will these “researchers” stand by their studies and their rhetoric when your child is ill? Can they care for your child in a hospital? Do they have a hospital or any inpatient care facility? Or will they put their hands up, say “I am not a doctor, you need to go to the hospital”? As a pediatric hospitalist, I care for sick children in inpatient and critical care settings. I am a board-certified pediatrician who has been faculty and worked at children’s hospitals. I will provide you with evidence based information, and I look forward to reading your constructive feedback on how I can provide you relevant information that helps you better care for your family and relieve some of the anxiety that all parents feel today.