This Month's Newsletter
It's a new year! We hope everyone is off to a great start and your winter breaks were a lot of fun. Let's hope we see a little snow this month! Reminder, the new year is a good time to book your well visits and to let us know if there are any changes to your insurance. Please call to schedule an appointment.
In this month's newsletter, we discuss the importance of learning about money and finances early. We also cover the topic of childhood obesity, and all of the news surrounding the AAP's new guidelines. Finally, we offer tips for destressing through meditation. We continue to include information on our office hours and procedures, services we offer, and complimentary new mom and baby classes.
The Pediatric Center is here for all of your urgent medical needs, even when the office is closed. There is always someone available from our practice. All you have to do is call: 908-508-0400.
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at pedcenter.com@gmail.com with ideas only, please no medical requests.
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review.
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
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It's never too early to teach your children about money and finance. And this month, Financial Wellness Month, is a great time to start.
Children can learn about money in every day activities. Going to the store and paying for their own items, counting the money in their piggy bank, rolling coins, and learning ways to earn money such as lemonade stands, bake sales, babysitting or shoveling driveways.
One of the biggest ways children learn is by observing. When you go to work, children can see a relationship exists between work and money. Have a conversation with your child about work and how your earnings influence your purchases, where you live, and how you get to work.
Another great way to teach your children about money is by including them when paying bills or discussing large purchases. Family financial meetings can be a way of teaching children about the financial choices you make and why you make them. Depending on the age of the children, try to put it in terms they understand. The main idea is to teach them the importance of budgets and making choices with your money.
You might open a savings account online to provide an opportunity to teach about saving money, especially if they see you are saving as well. At an appropriate time, an outing to your local bank to show them where their account is located and what a bank does can also prompt conversations about money.
Teaching kids about money early on will help them to become more financially independent as they get older. Financial education has been linked to lower debt levels, higher savings, and higher credit scores as children mature into adulthood. Later on in life, that financial education is also positively connected to net worth and investing.
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The topic of childhood obesity has received a lot of attention recently, with the American Academy of Pediatrics new obesity guidelines released this month, including the availability of medications and surgery. It is urging the necessity of behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. Obesity is a complex disease and needs to be examined on a case-by-case scenario. The excerpt below from HealthyChildren.org discusses the ramifications of excess weight in children, especially when they start to get classified as obese - and the impact it can have on their health.
Understanding obesity as a chronic disease
Obesity is considered a chronic disease because it can affect every part of the body. It can even interfere with the way we feel hunger and fullness and process energy.
Obesity is a disease that can be treated, much like asthma and other chronic conditions.
Childhood obesity often lasts into adulthood if it is not treated. It can result in other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and orthopedic (bone and joint) problems, to name a few.
What causes childhood obesity?
The causes of obesity are not limited to just individual or family factors, such as genetics, nutrition and physical activity. They also involve multiple, complex situations in the wider environment that can lead to obesity. Examples include:
- Unjust food systems and economic factors, which can make it hard for some families to access or afford healthy food choices.
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Unsafe physical environments, which can limit opportunities for physical activity, exercise and active play.
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Sources of toxic stress such as exposure to racism. Toxic stress can affect the hormones that regulate weight, among other health effects.
How is a child diagnosed with overweight or obesity?
Although not taking all of the factors into consideration, a widely used measurement is body-mass index, or BMI. The BMI is a calculation that compares your child's height and weight to see if they are in a healthy range for their age and gender. If a BMI is considered outside of the normal, health range, it is referred to as overweight or obesity.
Excess weight can affect internal organs, causing inflammation and problems with the immune system and body chemistry, for example. Obesity also impacts mental health.
Beyond BMI: how is your child's health on the inside?
We know that excess weight or high BMI is just a part of the puzzle. In some cases, children and adolescents with excess weight or higher BMIs are healthy on the inside. But the effects of excess weight or high BMI can progress, so your doctor will want to monitor these tests over time.
Why it's important to treat obesity early
Treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases may be needed for many years. It requires an ongoing partnership with your child's doctor and attention to the disease through intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment. These can bolster your family's ability to stay healthy on the inside and address excess weight. In some cases, medication and metabolic and bariatric surgery may be recommended as the treatment.
Focus on health—not on body appearance
It is important to acknowledge the harmful effects of weight bias and stigma. There is no place for blame or guilt about body shape or size. What is important is that our bodies function in a healthy way. Blaming someone for obesity is like blaming someone for having asthma. It is not helpful, frequently harmful and gets in the way of effective treatment.
Similar to other chronic diseases, the focus of treatment for obesity should be on the overall health and quality-of-life factors important to your child and family. For example, treatment goals may include missing less school, participating in events such as walkathons and improved self-esteem.
If you suspect your child may need some support, please make an appointment to discuss it with one of our practitioners.
Source: HealthyChildren.org
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It’s a New Year and it might be time to consider incorporating meditation into your schedule.
If you’ve even contemplated meditation – consider this your wake-up call. According to research, stress hits us in at least 3 distinct, often debilitating ways: On the muscular or structural level – we tense our bodies in the form of tension headaches, stiff neck or shoulders, tight jaw, grinding our teeth or constricting our blood vessels which restricts oxygen to the brain or heart; On the level of cognitive functioning – reducing circulation to the brain and skewing electrical activity; and stimulating the adrenal gland to secrete too much cortisol (the “stress hormone”) which feeds anxiety and becomes a viscous cycle. These levels of stress can destroys healthy muscle & bones, slows healing and normal cell regeneration, impair digestion, metabolism and mental functioning and weakens the immune system). The list goes on…
Unaddressed stress can be debilitating – and slowly, over time, break your body down until it becomes much harder to reverse the damage and it takes a serious toll on your mind and body. This is as important for our kids. They are in a constant state of stimulation - with school, social media, and home life. They often do not know how to "shut it off." It's important for them to have some downtime to refocus and recalibrate. A way to cope with a perpetual, stressful life.
Meditation has an incredible impact on your approach and reaction to life’s daily challenges and helps you enjoy the moment rather than just trying to “get through it”. You do not have to sit cross-legged and chant “ohmmm”. It can be as short as 1-2 minutes in the morning and the same in the evening. Once you start, you will find you miss it when you don’t incorporate it into your day.
Cheer’s to more zen for you and your family in the new year.
Source: HeelsToLaces.com
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Our Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9am to 6pm
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9am-11am
By appointment only. No walk-ins please.
908-508-0400
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Covid-19 Office Procedures |
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Our strict CDC guidelines continue. Our office is sanitized and treated before each appointment. We continue the following protocols:
- Phone screening prior to a visit
- No patients in the waiting rooms
- Scheduled appointments only
- Patient clearance prior to entering the office
- Car visits, when needed
- Virtual telemedicine, if requested
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Please continue to limit your visit to one parent only for all patients over 2 years of age, wear a face mask while in the office and maintain social distancing. Please do not make an appointment or come to the office if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. |
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In-House Covid-19 Testing & Guidelines
The Pediatric Center continues to offer Covid-19 testing for all patients and their families.
Do you need a test to travel, return to school or any other reason?
The Pediatric Center offers testing with an instant
20- minute Rapid test and PCR test results within 48 hours.
Please visit our Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about the types of tests, what to do if you are exposed to Covid-19 and isolation and quarantine guidelines.
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On-Site Lactation Support Center
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you to support breastfeeding your child. We offer complimentary lactation consultations and are now offering virtual visits.
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
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Patient Portal
The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access to your family's medical records.
You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
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Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist?
The Pediatric Center works with a wide network of doctors we can refer to a pediatric specialist if you need one.
As part of our practice, we specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues. You are not alone.
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians: 908-508-0400.
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Online Bill Pay
Online Bill Payment
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department,
Office: 908-508-0400 / Billing Department: 786-249-1234
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ImPACT Concussion Testing
The Pediatric Center offers on-site ImPact concussion testing. ImPACT, an FDA cleared tool for baseline and post-injury testing, measures visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient (ages 12-59) can safely return to activity.
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Vaccine Education Center
Reminder - we offer all students going to college the Meningococcal B vaccine. This vaccine is covered by insurance. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. We also offer the Gardasil vaccine.
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Find More Topics On Our Blog |
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The Pediatric Center's blog is an invaluable resource for pediatric and parenting topics. The blog is right on our website. It includes topics such as "12 Super Foods for Lactation Aid", "Best Winter Skincare Tips" and so much more.
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We Love Your Feedback!
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners. You can write and post a review right on our website or on our Facebook page. Thank you for your kind words!
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Free Prenatal Class
Join our free, prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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For Parents
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
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Lactation Support
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you for breastfeeding guidance.
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Follow Us On Facebook!
Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
Simply like us
by clicking on the button to the right!
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
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The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
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