Pediatricians, as a general rule, are a lot more “laid back” and a lot less “type A” than other types of physicians – surgeons and neurologists come to mind. We pretty much need to be, or go crazy.
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The most recent research into children’s growth and development these days has given rise to changes in the way we think of nutrition.
Frankly, for those of us with… ahem, a bit of experience, our better tools to measure outcomes have produced findings that are a bit startling; especially as it relates to breastfeeding.
Pediatricians, at least all that I know, have always considered “Breast Is Best” but infant formulas were acceptable alternatives. Then, formulas got even better and better as our understanding of nutrition improved. Then, advances in mass data sharing and long term follow-up studies came into being.
Now, we understand better (in the long term) what some of the benefits are. Bottom line, the topic deserves a series of its own, and begins with reporting the results of an extensive study into the benefits of breastfeeding.
4 Posts in "Breastfeeding" Series
- Breastfeeding Series: Intro/Index – 20 Feb 2014
A collection of posts about breastfeeding: latest research, advantages, methods and practical tips.
- OBGYN Guidelines about breastfeeding – 26 Feb 2014
Making an informed choice about whether or not to breastfeed… is it still a choice?
- Research findings – 16 Mar 2015
Breastfeeding vs. Bottlefeeding - latest research, advantages and disadvantages. Suggestions and tips.
- Recommendations and standards – 24 Mar 2015
Continuing from the previous article we’ll conclude today with a fairly comprehensive listing of new recommendations. Apparently, more benefits than previously realized; and, frankly, a bit startling.
Look, it’s getting so even I’m getting tired talking about immunization schedule, but every time I think about throwing up my hands I remember very clearly (as if it was yesterday) being sent down to the lower hospital ward to retrieve a piece of equipment and needing to push an Iron Lung out of the way in order to get to it.
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[This site is one of those “blogspot” sites which is still there (including my referenced page) but is no longer actively added too – which thing makes me sorry for you… Alas, her last post was in 2019… You really should have seen it in its day!]
How does a non-confrontational parent discipline her boys? Click on the link above or below to give it a read; and see one mother’s experience trying to raise a “tribe” of four boys—especially as they turn into teenagers.
[http://tovskytwins.blogspot.com/2009/12/disciplinarian.html]
Of all the aspects of parenting, discipline holds the most fear in the hearts of parents. Some of that may be due to a misunderstanding of the difference between discipline and punishment, some due to an unclear understanding of the role of “parent, and some due to a lack of role model.
Or, it could be any one of a million different issues (perhaps I do exaggerate just a bit.)
This short series only considers the one aspect and began when I found a post by another author entitled “discipline in a non-confrontational parent”; a schizophrenic concept if ever I heard one. I just had to read it.
4 Posts in "Discipline" Series
- Discipline Series: Intro/Index – 1 Jan 2014
Of all the parts of parenting, discipline is the single most unpleasant and difficult. This series contains posts which are strictly about discipline, it's why and how.
- Discipline in a Non-Confrontational Parent (link) – 3 Jan 2014
I found a web post about being a "non-confrontational" parent and discipline. The two concepts are so... so... oddly disparate it almost seems schizophrenic. I found the post interesting enough to recommend the read. She's stopped posting now; but, the post is still there.
- Parenting: Discipline – 7 Dec 2017
Discipline isn't easy as a parent. Teaching about it isn't easy as a doctor. And, writing about it, isn't easy as a columnist either. Every circumstance is different and every child is different; but we've learned a lot of lessons over the years about how to make it easy(er) on everyone concerned. Here are several.
- Discipline and Natural Consequences – 3 Feb 2018
A colleague of mine, Dr. Greg Barrett, has written quite a bit about discipline and I have too. We have similar philosophies but what would it look like if we should share a case together and discuss our approaches. Would we agree? Would there be things you could learn from our discussion? Let's see!
If you’d like to read about other parenting issues, I suggest you immerse yourself in the guest-post series by Dr. Greg Barrett which I’ve posted on this site rather than loose his well-spent efforts to a web-site-flipper camping on his abandoned site. AND, believe it or not, there’s some good parenting articles over on the “meditation” series.
It didn’t used to be as difficult as it is now, but having enough knowledge for a parent to navigate through the medical system isn’t easy. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible and still keep your wits about you.
A parent must not only understand the office system of the doctor they have chosen; but, what about all those symptoms that they’ll ask you about if you call?
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The term “Innocent Heart Murmur” sounds anything BUT innocent to most parents; but, it’s not an uncommon “diagnosis” for a pediatrician who is actually doing a thorough exam of a youngster.
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We all know that the greatest motivation most CEOs have, besides manipulating us into thanking them for taking our money, is to stealthily make their product less durable, impossible to repair and contain less resources. Such is the fairly new issue of televisions… which are now falling on our kids!
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Immunization schedule that can be printed out. From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
[https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html]
There have been many and to spare studies which show that adults, teens and even pre-teens who drink sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in their diet are statistically more obese. Now, finally, we’ve got relevant data for 9 month to 5 year olds too.
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Obesity, it’s the “genes” you want to believe; but, really I’ve never known a “gene” to force-feed anyone, and the calories have got to come from somewhere.
And there’s that pesky research that showed a high link between obesity and the number of fast-food establishments around your house and on the way to work.
And how about twins living apart who are not both obese? And… and… and….
Is it really all genes, leaving us no hope; or is it environment and advertising? Let’s find out:
12 Posts in "Obesity" Series
- Obesity Series: Intro/Index – 9 Oct 2013
Obesity and how to avoid it, explaining "genes," tips for kids, fun videos and a great new skill to learn.
- Obesity in Toddlers and Sugar-Sweetened Drinks – 10 Oct 2013
There have been many and to spare studies which show that adults, teens and even pre-teens who drink sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in their diet are statistically more obese. Now, finally, we've got relevant data for 9 month to 5 year olds too.
- Gastric Band Last Resort for Teen Obesity – 17 Aug 2015
How physicians around the world are trying to help their patients deal with obesity, a malady which has seemed to attack the U.S. populace as if by some nefarious design. Gastric Banding last resort for teen obesity.
- Type 2 Diabetes - Some Odd Possible Correlations – 6 Nov 2015
Three quasi-scientific articles about Type 2 Diabetes and correlation with odd issues.
- Video: How to make our day harder to expend more energy – 1 Dec 2015
Here is Dr. Mike Evans again with another one of his takes on life as we know it. I think he's got our house bugged with all the insight he has into how we do things. He talks about work and the obesity epidemic.
- Fast Food – 16 Jan 2016
Believe it or not, the more fast food outlets there are on your way to work the fatter you will be—genes or not!
- 10 Ways To Ditch Obesity – 24 Jan 2016
Have you taught your kids that all of us 2/3rds of US adults who are overweight or obese came from people JUST LIKE THEM! How can kids ditch obesity, I'll tell you.
- Teens - Treadmill Dance – 1 Feb 2016
Ok, in this series we've talked about the Obesity epidemic from various viewpoints. First, there was a great new research article describing a "smoking gun" of obesity: fast food. Then there was a great list for teens who'd like to kick obesity. Now a great way of loosing weight, if only some of us still had the ability.
- Where does the fat go? – 9 Feb 2016
In his TEDx talk, Ruben Meerman answers the question: When you lose weight… where does it go? Does fat evaporate, come out in urine or other body waste or get burned up? You'll know after watching this short and highly entertaining (there be vapors and smoke and test tubes) talk.
- BIG SODA, advertising conflict of interest – 2 Nov 2016
I have to tell you I'm still pretty ticked-off finding out about this huge conflict of interest: Big Soda acting like Big Tobacco and the health-care industry falling for it!
- Obesity now more common in world than being underweight – 18 Apr 2018
Obesity is now more common in the world than being underweight! How crazy is that?
- Five Diseases Reduced by Excersize – 7 Apr 2019
Five of the world's top diseases are reduced by simple physical activity!
Children face a number of medical issues when they leave the relative ease of summer in favor of the more crowded environment of school each year. Here is part two of a list of common illnesses and issues facing us at “back to school” time.
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