Kids Health: February 2010
February 1st, 2010 by Kathy Sena
The ‘Sex Talk’ Comes Too Late for Many Kids
Are we parents closing the barn door after the horse is already headed down the road? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents educate their children about sexuality beginning early in life. But according to a new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics, many of these discussions are occurring after adolescents have already passed key sexual milestones.
In a series of surveys with 141 parents and their teenaged children, researchers found more than 40 percent of children had sexual intercourse before any discussion with their parents about sexually transmitted disease symptoms, condom use, choosing birth control, or what to do if a partner refuses to use a condom.
This says it might be time for a chat. But it helps to look at teaching your kids about sexuality as a long-term process, not as “the talk” (a one-time event), experts say. Start young, answering your kids’ questions as they come up. Be straightforward, and make sure your answers are age-appropriate. Children often ask innocent questions when they’re young, questions that only require a simple reply, not a long-winded discussion. Rest assured, keeping the lines of communication open between you and your child will help pave the way for other conversations later on, like when it’s time to talk about things like (gulp) condoms.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over Nighttime Bed Wetting
Giving children control over bedwetting helps them overcome not only the nighttime nuisance but also the stigma of it, say doctors at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston.
“Because studies have yet to identify the cause of nighttime bed wetting, no one treatment is guaranteed to work for everyone. Nevertheless, the course of action with which the child is most comfortable tends to produce the best outcome,” says Edmond T. Gonzales, Jr., M.D., professor of urology at BCM. “With parents’ support, giving children an active role in treatment builds confidence.”
Some treatment options include prescription medications. One commonly used medicine makes the body react as if dehydrated so the kidneys retain liquids overnight. Another treatment involves an alarm system, clipped onto the pajama pants, that sounds when it becomes wet. More commonly, doctors suggest parents limit the amount of liquids children drink in the evening and schedule a bathroom break before bed. But for chronic bedwetting, that might not be enough.
Gonzales says family doctors can help rule out any major health problems that could be contributing to bedwetting before discussing the many options. If your child is still wetting the bed after age 6, have your pediatrician recommend a specialist.
Concerned About Allergies? Introduce Solid Foods Early
Late introduction of solid foods may increase the risk of allergic sensitization to food and inhalant allergens, according to a new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics.
Researchers examined the diets and allergic sensitivities of 994 children. Results indicate that late introduction of solid foods was associated with increased allergic sensitization to food and inhalant allergens.
Eggs, wheat, and oats were most commonly related to food sensitization, while potatoes and fish were strongly associated with inhalant sensitization. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the introduction of solid foods between the ages of 4 and 6 months. The study authors conclude that neither extended, exclusive breast-feeding, nor delaying the introduction of solid foods, may prevent allergic diseases in children