This Month's Newsletter
We wish all the moms a belated Happy Mother's Day and hope you had some time to relax and be pampered.
In this month's newsletter, we share talk about the importance of hydration in children, especially as the temperatures increase. We include an article on birth control for young adults and knowing all of the options. In addition, we provide information on our in-house Teen Center and all of the resources available to parents and teens. NJ Family voting is still open for Favorite Kids' Docs! Finally, 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 is very common for children to become dehydrated. First, it's difficult to get them to drink water. Second, with their high energy levels and activities, they loose a lot of water from their body. Being well hydrated improves mood, memory, and attention in children and can combat fatitgue.
One of the best ways to hydrate is by drinking water. All living things need water to survive. Plain water is the best drink choice for kids. It's good for the body - keeps joints, bones and teeth healthy, helps the blood circulate, and can help kids maintain a healthy weight into adulthood.
How much water do children need?
It varies by age. Following is a breakdown of averages:
6 months: intro to water, only about 4-8oz. per day until a year old
1-3 years: approx. 4 cups of beverages per day, including milk or water
4-8 years: approx. 5 cups of beverages per day, including milk or water
8+ years: 7-8 cups daily
These amounts vary by individual and should be adjusted based on activity level and environmental conditions like heat and humidity.
If you struggle getting your child to drink water - there are several tricks to make it seem more appealing:
- Infuse water with lemons, berries, cucumbers, or mind
- Eat fruits and veggies with high water content like cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, celery, watermelon, cantalope, strawberries, and grapefruit
- Freeze fruit inside ice cubes and add the cubes to your water
- Find water bottles/cups that are fun to use
- Make your own popsicles with pureed fruit
Drinks to limit
Sugary drinks - limit sugar sweetened beverages as much as possible - including sports drinks, juice cocktails, soda, lemonade and sweetened water. They discourage a habit of drinking plain water and can add a significant amount of sugar. It can leave them craving more sugar and lead to weight gain, dental cavities, diabetes and more.
Juice - even 100% juice should be strictly limited as they are high in sugar and calories and low in the healthy fiber found in whole fruit.
Flavored milk - Flavored milk is typically loaded with sugar and processed ingredients - read the label for details.
Artificially sweetened drinks - including drinks sweetened with Stevia - health risks associated with artificial sweeteners are still not fully understood and can cause long term issues. In addition, the very high level of sweetness can trigger the desire for more sugary drinks/foods
Signs of Dehydration
For babies - fewer wet diapers, overly sleepy, sunken soft spot on the head, no tears when crying
Young children - dry lips or sticky mouth, less or dark urination, sleepy and irritable, flushed skin
Teens - dry lips or mouth, lightheadedness, cramps, thirst, dark or less urine, headache, rapid pulse, flushed skin, feeling excessively hot or cold. For teens, it is critical to stay hydrated during sports, exercise or heat.
Exercising
Water intake requirements increase with exercise. Children 9-12 years old need to drink about 3-8oz of water every 20 minutes to stay hydrated. Teens need to drink 34-50oz per hour. It's important to keep hydrated before, during and after exercise.
If vigorous exercise extends beyond 1 hour in a day, or your child sweats excessively, electrolyte supplement may be needed. For a natural electrolyte beverage, add lemon and a few dashes of sea salt to your water.
Staying properly hydrated keeps the body and mind running efficiently and feeling strong. Serve water with meals and snacks, and take those extra few minutes to pack the water bottles before your family heads out the door. Helping your children choose water first, and modeling this choice yourself, builds healthy habits that will pay dividends for a lifetime!
Source: Healthychildren.org
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Stay Educated on Birth Control |
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Parents are an important trusted source for their children when it comes to health information and to prepare for developing healthy relationships and navigating challenges. Part of these discussions include sexual and reproductive health, and parents should be prepared with options and information.
Over the past decade, the percent of high school-aged adolescents having sex has declined, however, 57% are sexually active by 12th grade. The most effective methods of birth control are obtained from a healthcare provider. There are several types of birth control.
There are many safe and effective birth control methods for adolescents who are sexually active or considering having sex. It can be difficult to accept your child is or wants to be sexually active, however it is very important to ensure they are protected and know their options.
Birth Control Options
Long-acting reversible contraceptives or “LARC” methods
Including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the hormonal implant. These methods are inserted by a healthcare provider and provide birth control for up to 3 to 10 years (depending on the method) without any required follow-up.
Short-acting hormonal methods
Including pills, mini pills, the patch, the shot, and the vaginal ring. These methods are prescribed by a provider, and users must take action daily (pills), weekly (patch), monthly (ring), or every 3 months (shot) for them to work.
Barrier methods
Including condoms, diaphragms, the sponge, and the cervical cap. These methods must be used each time someone has sex. A healthcare provider must initially fit a diaphragm and give a prescription for a cervical cap, but otherwise these methods do not require a visit to the clinic.
How should adolescents choose a birth control method?
Information from parents and healthcare providers can help adolescents decide which birth control method is right for them. It is important to consider:
- How well does it work? Some birth control methods are more effective at preventing pregnancy than others. IUDs and implants are the most effective reversible methods currently available.
- Is it easy to use? Some methods are easier to use than others. For example, if it is hard to remember to take a pill every day, birth control pills may not be the best option.
- What are the possible side effects? A healthcare provider can explain potential side effects of methods and ensure that a method is safe given an adolescent’s overall health.
- Does it prevent STDs? Most contraceptive methods do not prevent STDs, so it is recommended that adolescents also always use condoms in addition to their primary birth control method for both STD and pregnancy prevention.
- How much does it cost? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, fully cover most birth control methods. For those without health insurance, some clinics provide free or low cost birth control.
What about birth control and STDs?
It's important to ensure your adolescent knows that even if they are using another type of birth control, they should use a condom every time they have intercourse to reduce the risk of HIV and other STDs.
The Pediatric Center has a dedicated teen support center that can guide families in the right direction. Please be sure to schedule an appointment to review options with your teen.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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The teenage patient is unique and requires special attention, in addition to their annual well visits. The Pediatric Center offers a dedicated Teen Center to assist with sports physicals, acne and eczema management, asthma issues, ADHD/ADD (assessment, diagnosis and treatment), substance abuse and so much more. Our teenage patients are interested in talking about dating, social media, texting, peer pressure, drinking and driving, depression and many other topics unique to their age group.
The information our teenage patients share with us is often sensitive, and can seem even embarrassing at the time. We are prepared to talk about topics like “Teenage Confidentiality” and the teenagers’ right to privacy as well as emancipation and personal responsibility.
We encourage teens to be honest with us. It helps ensure that health concerns and questions are shared. Occasionally, we may discuss sensitive issues such as sexuality and drugs and, for the most part, we agree to keep these conversations private. We expect teens to ask questions that will ultimately keep them healthy and safe. Some of the topics we address include: Drug abuse, drinking and driving, body image, bullying, depression, sexual identity, HPV vaccine and personal struggles.
Our practitioners are well trained in these topics and can be an excellent support system. Being a teenager is challenging, especially with social media, social pressures and competitive environments. We can help. Please make an appointment with the office - even if it's just to get the conversation started.
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The voting continues. NJ Family has opened up nominations for Favorite Kids' Docs for 2022.
Every vote counts! Cast your today by clicking the button below. We are so grateful for the support of our patients.
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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 Virtual Prenatal Class
Join our free, virtual 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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