Healthy Knowledge

Winter Car Seat Safety

Here in Western New York, we don’t let a little cold weather stand in our way. Skiing, sledding, enjoying a nature walk – that’s what we do. Bundle the kids up, pack a thermos of hot chocolate, and you’re on your way. But before you head out, take a quick check of your child’s car seat. 

As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. Thick winter coats can keep your baby warm but they can compromise your child’s car seat safety.

In order for car seats and boosters to function properly, the straps need to remain tight against your child’s chest. Winter coats and snowsuits change the way a child fits into the car seat. In a car crash, the fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat.

Here’s a simple way to check whether your child’s coat is too big to wear underneath a harness:

Step 1: Put the coat on your child, sit him or her in the car seat and fasten the harness. Tighten the harness until you can no longer pinch any of the webbing with your thumb and forefinger.

Step 2: Without loosening the harness at all, unhook it and remove your child from the car seat. Take the coat off, put your child back in the car seat, and buckle the harness straps, which should be adjusted just as they were when the child was wearing the coat.

If you can pinch the webbing between your thumb and forefinger now, then the coat is too bulky to be worn under the harness.

How to Keep Your Child Warm and Safe in the Car Seat

These tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will help parents strike that perfect balance between keeping little ones warm as well as safely buckled in their car seats.

* Get an early start. If you’re planning to head out the door with your baby in tow on winter mornings, you need an early start. You have a lot to assemble, and your baby may not be the most cooperative. Plus, driving in wintry conditions will require you to slow down and be extra cautious.

* Store the carrier portion of infant seats inside the house so it isn’t cold when you put your child into it. Keeping the seat at room temperature will reduce the loss of the child’s body heat in the car. 

* Warm up your vehicle before you go. 

* Dress your baby or toddler in thin layers of clothing . Each layer holds warm air. The layer next to the skin should be close-fitting, such as tights, leggings, long underwear, or a long-sleeved bodysuit. Then add pants and a warmer top, like a sweater or thermal-knit shirt. Your child can wear a thin fleece jacket over the top. In very cold weather, long underwear is also a warm and safe layering option. As a general rule of thumb, infants should wear one more layer than adults. 

* Add a hat, mittens, and warm socks or booties to keep head, hands, and feet toasty. These help keep kids warm without interfering with car seat straps. 

* Buckle the seat, adjusting the straps each time you do. You should only be able to get one finger under the harness at your child’s collarbone. If you can pinch the strap, it is too loose.

* Use a coat or blanket over the straps,. You can add a blanket over the top of the harness straps or put your child’s winter coat on backwards (over the buckled harness straps) after he or she is buckled up. As the car heats up, you can remove a blanket so your child doesn’t overheat.

* Use a car seat cover ONLY if it does not have a layer under the baby. Nothing should ever go underneath your child’s body or between her body and the harness straps. Be sure to leave baby’s face uncovered to avoid trapped air and re-breathing. 

* Pack an emergency bag for your car. Keep extra blankets, dry clothing, hats and gloves, and non-perishable snacks in your car in case of an on-road emergency or your child gets wet on a winter outing.

Have a great time enjoying the great WNY outdoors this winter! Follow the tips above and your family will be happy … and safe!

Healthy Knowledge

6 Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids

The Village Pediatrics staff is thankful for our patients and their families!

So to celebrate you, we’ve rounded up a few fun craft ideas to try at home with your kids. Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Gourd Turkeys

Each of these turkeys is a one-of-a-kind! All you need are a selection of gourds, some bright colored fluffy feathers, a few scraps of felt and a pack of silly googly eyes. Oh – and an adult to operate the hot glue gun, of course!

Find the directions here >

2. Egg Carton Turkey Treat Box

Egg cartons aren’t just for Easter! Check out this two-for-one turkey craft. Candy dish? Check!
Place card? Check! Extra credit: finding out your daughter is grateful for … worms!

See how to make them here >

3. Leafy Placemats

How cool are these? Whether you choose single-use construction paper or a heftier
felt-and-Con-Tact-paper style, these placemats are sure to brighten up your holiday table.

Find your inspiration here >

4. Pinecone Bird Feeders

Why should humans be the only ones enjoying a big meal on Thanksgiving? That notion is for the birds! And, so is this super-simple bird feeder. Give your backyard buddies something to be thankful for, too! 

Get started here >

5. Thanksgiving Day Parade Scavenger Hunt

Yes, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will look a bit different this year, but the beloved event will still usher in the holiday season. To make it even more fun, create a scavenger hunt for your kids to enjoy while they watch the parade.

You’ll find a sample here > 

Check this year’s parade lineup to include your favorite characters > 

(Snoo-py! Snoo-py!)

6. Pumpkin Pie Gratitude Spinner

Who’s ready for a slice of pie? Gratitude pie, that is. As the pie spins around, each “slice” reveals something your child is thankful for.

Find the easy-as-pie instructions here >

Healthy Knowledge

7 Fun Things for Kids (and grown ups) While Quarantined

We know you’re loving this extra time with the little ones, but let’s be honest: after a while, you might be looking for something to fill the time.

We put together a few neat ideas that you might not have thought of yet. Take a look.

1. Create a daily schedule together

Use a whiteboard, cardboard or blank printer paper, or print out an online daily calendar template. Take turns being the one who decides what to do during each block of time.

2. Let an astronaut handle storytime

Listen to a real astronaut read you a book from space!

Watch and listen to Ada Twist, Scientist, Mousetronaut (written by astronaut Mark Kelly and read by his brother, Scott Kelly), Astronaut Annie and Max Goes to Mars.

3. Sock Puppets!

Make puppets from socks, paper bags or stuffed animals with their stuffing pulled out. Michelee Puppets, a nonprofit in Orlando, has tons of ideas and videos on their website here. 

4. Visit a museum, virtually

Check out these lists at Mental Floss and Travel & Leisure, or just check out the website of the museum you’ve always wanted to visit. Many have online exhibits.

5. Draw pictures outside with sidewalk chalk. 

Send the neighbors warm wishes, or play hop scotch.

6. Put on a family play.

Have you got any mini-Shakespeare lovers? OK, maybe you’ll not put on your own version of Hamlet, but you could mimic some of their favorite cartoons!

7. Do yoga

There are tons of yoga classes on streaming services and online video sites can lead you through a virtual class. 

Healthy Knowledge

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Tips for Erie County Residents

This information originally appeared on the Erie County Website

COVID-19 is a disease caused by new respiratory virus first identified in China and is now spreading worldwide.  This disease can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath. There are thousands of confirmed cases in a growing number of countries internationally and the virus is now spreading in the United States. There are ongoing investigations to learn more about this virus.

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas, should call ahead to their health care provider before seeking treatment in person.

This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Please regularly check the CDC’s Novel Coronavirus webpage and the NYSDOH COVID-19 website for updates.

This information originally appeared on the Erie County Website

Healthy Knowledge

NYS Child Passenger Safety Laws: What’s Changing

This information is taken from The New York State Website.

New York State law requires all children to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle, until they reach their 8^th birthday. Effective November 1, 2019, all children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Safety tips for specific seats and age groups:

• Rear- Facing:  Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, but at least until the age of 2. If a child outgrows the weight or height limit of the seat, then a convertible or all-in-one car seat should be used in the rear-facing position until the child outgrows the weight or height limit set by the car seat manufacturer.
• Forward-Facing: Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
• Booster Seats: Use a belt positioning booster seat when your child’s weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for the car seat. Keep your child in a booster seat until the lap and shoulder belts fit properly, typically between 8 and 12 years old.
• Seat Belts: Use a lap and shoulder belt when the seat belts fit your child properly. The lap belt should be low and snug across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder.
• All children under age 13 should ride in the backseat.

Find additional information on finding the right seat from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can find a Seat Check Event here. 

This information is taken from The New York State Website.

Healthy Knowledge

When to go to Urgent Care and when to call your Pediatrician

Parenting is complicated. You’ve got to make a lot of decisions, and when it comes to your sick little one, you want to make the right decision quickly. So, how do you decide when to take your child to an Urgent Care, Emergency Room, or Primary Care Physician? This is a simple question with a complex answer, but we wanted to lay it all out for you, so when the time comes, you’ll be prepared to make the right choice quickly.  Continue Reading…

Rheumatology

Joan G. Calkins, MD

Dr. Joan G. Calkins, MD educated at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine,and is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics, sub-Board of Pediatric Rheumatology and the American College of Rheumatology. She also is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and is often giving lectures and seminars on her experience and knowledge. Continue Reading…

Rheumatology

Lindsey Rogers, RPA-C

Lindsey Rogers, RPA-C, educated at Daemen College, and has a B.S. in Health Science and an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies. She has worked with Dr. Calkins for over 11 years. Her experience has expanded so that Lindsey sees both Pediatric and Rheumatology patients. Continue Reading…

Rheumatology

Pediatric Rheumatology at Village Pediatrics

Village Pediatrics & Rheumatology has the unique privilege to offer specialized care in pediatric rheumatology. Renowned Dr. Joan Calkins has over 30 years experience in this unique pediatric practice, and has helped thousands of children struggling with this difficult diagnosis.

Continue Reading…