New Car seat recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics

In an April 2011 policy from the AAP, new recommendations were given that will change the way many parents buckle up their children. The changes are as follows:

Keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat.  In the past, the recommendation had been until 12 months and 20 pounds.

Most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are 4’9’’ tall and are between 8-12 years old.  A belt-positioning booster seat provides better protection than a seat belt alone.
Children should ride in the rear of a vehicle until they are 13 years old.

For more details, please visit either of the websites below.

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm

www.healthychildren.org/carseatguide

Summer Skin Care

Everyone needs to be protected from the sun's rays.  Your child is especially at risk, and he or she doesn't have to have sunburn to be harmed by the sun.  The sun is harmful both when it is shining brightly, as well as when it is cloudy or hazy.  The sun's Ultraviolet rays are able to penetrate through cloud cover.  The types of rays that cause the most damage are...read more

Turn off the TV!

Go ahead and do it--- encourage family games, outdoor play and exercise.

TV viewing is to be discouraged in those less than 2 years old. There is no evidence that educational videos for toddlers aid in learning.

The AAP recommends limiting all media time, including computers, video games, music devices and television, to 2 hours per day or less.

September Acute Care Clinic

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