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Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent cavities. The American Dental Association recommends that parents brush their kids’ teeth (once they come in) with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day.

Too Much of a Good Thing? Too much fluoride can lead to something called “fluorosis” (white stains on the teeth), so you don’t want to overdo it.

• For 0-3 Year-Olds: A “smear” of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice).
  
  
• For 3-6 Year-Olds: A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  

Seasonal Allergies Can Be a Nuisance During Pregnancy. Here are the Top 5 Things to Know About Them.

1. Pregnancy can make seasonal allergies worse (but not always). 1/3 of women said their allergies got worse during pregnancy, 1/3 said they got better, and 1/3 said they stayed the same. Some women get seasonal allergies for the first time during pregnancy (ugh!).

2. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies during pregnancy include: sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, red, itchy, watery eyes, a sore or itchy throat, itchy skin (including an itchy belly), and a cough. 

Double Take: There’s something called “rhinitis of pregnancy” that can mimic seasonal allergies. This condition typically occurs in the 2nd

With flu cases still high (but decreasing), pediatricians are urging families to get this year’s flu vaccine.

Which Kids are Eligible for the Flu Vaccine?

Flu vaccines (in shot form) can be given to children 6 months and older. If your baby is under 6 months old, it’s important for ALL of his/her caregivers to get the flu vaccine, so that you can indirectly protect him/her against the flu. Kids 2 years & older are also eligible for the intranasal (up the nose) form of the flu vaccine. The intranasal flu vaccine is a spray (not a shot), which makes it an easier sell. (Insider Info: The intranasal flu vaccine was taken of the market for the 2017-2017 flu season because experts didn’t think it was as effective as the shot. However, a new and improved version was introduced during the 2018-2019 flu season, and it’s still going strong.)¹

The measles outbreak in central Ohio is a hot topic in the news right now.

So far, over 80 children have come down with measles, a disease that was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000. Measles can be a life-threatening disease, especially in the very young and the very old. It typically presents with the 3 Cs: a cough, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and coryza (the fancy name for a runny nose). These symptoms are typically followed by “Koplik spots” in the mouth (tiny white spots surrounded by a red ring) and an impressive rash that breaks out all over the body a few days later (on Day 5 or 6 of the illness).

Why is This Happening Now?
Measles has been mostly held at bay over the years due to “herd immunity,” although outbreaks (like the Disneyland outbreak of 2015) have occurred where there are pockets of unvaccinated kids.

As COVID-19 fades into the background a bit, a well-known virus called RSV is stepping into the spotlight.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a longstanding virus in our community. In fact, RSV infections are the No. 1 cause of infant hospitalizations in the U.S. and most children contract the virus before age 2.¹

RSV is super contagious and is spread through respiratory droplets and by touching surfaces with the virus on it. RSV infects children’s nasal passages and lower lungs, causing them to develop cold-like symptoms (such as a cough, a runny nose, a fever, and poor feeding), and at times, trouble breathing. Some kids infected with RSV develop “RSV bronchiolitis” (inflammation of the small airways) or “RSV pneumonia” (a lung infection). Kids under 2 years of age are particularly vulnerable to RSV infections because of their small airways. Those who are immunocompromised or who have lung or heart problems are especially at risk.

Welcome to Day 1 of the PediaWise Holiday Gift Guide for 2022. 

This Gift Guide Includes 7 Days of PediaWise Picks for Pregnant Women, Babies (0-1 Years), and Toddlers (1-3 Years). The Gifts Were Chosen From My “Pediatrician Mom” Perspective With Style, Safety, and Child Development in Mind. Happy Shopping!

p.s. Click on the Hyperlinks Below to Go to the Products.