Nemours Blog

STAYING HEALTHY

Dive Into Water Safety

As summer winds down, there’s still plenty of warm days left to enjoy a cool splash in the water. Whether you have a pool in your backyard, belong to a local swim club, or go to the shore on weekends for a swim in the ocean, water safety is vital to keeping your family safe and happy. Water Safety at Home Having a pool isn’t just fun and games – it’s also a big responsibility. Some safety precautions in your backyard, in the pool, and other places around the house can help prevent water accidents. Install safety features. Put a fence around all four side of a family pool. The fence should be at least four feet tall and have self-closing and self-latching gates. Install and maintain drain covers in a pool or spa to prevent entrapment. Consider installing an alarm to the doors or windows that lead from your house […]

KIDS & TECH

Pokémon GO: Pros and Cons of Catching Them All

A new world is upon us — the world of Pokémon GO. Many parents have already seen their kids transform into top-notch trainers of these virtual creatures (pocket monsters, or Pokémon for short) who search the neighborhood, leaving no stone unturned, in their quest to “catch ‘em all.” This new game has swept the nation and is credited for putting kids on their feet, out the door … and into harm’s way? In addition to taking over screens, it has taken over conversation as well. Pokémon GO has received mixed reviews. Some parents rave about the benefits, while others voice concern about safety. If you’re not sure what to think, check out the pros and cons below to help you decide if this game is right for your family. Poké-what? Pokémon GO is a game played on smart phones. The game uses the phone’s GPS to show the player’s surroundings as […]

An ATV with a helmet shows the importance of ATV safety

STAYING HEALTHY

ATV Safety: 7 Injury Prevention Tips

Summer is full of opportunity and adventure for kids who like the outdoors. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are exciting and many kids can’t wait to get off-road and try them out. Although these vehicles may seem like a fun summer activity, they can lead to some serious – even fatal – injuries, especially if you don’t follow ATV safety rules and regulations. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 not ride ATVs at all. They say this age group lacks the necessary physical strength, coordination, and judgment to drive an ATV safely in all situations and conditions. Still, despite the risks, many kids are legally able to ride ATVs. Each state has different guidelines and laws about age requirements, many of which allow children under 16 to ride ATVs. But before you let your kiddos hop onto an ATV, know the risks and follow these […]

Boy eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.

STAYING HEALTHY

Desperately Seeking Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

One of my favorite things about summer has always been the great variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. In addition to being delicious, they’re packed with nutrients including fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. The high water content also makes them a perfect snack to help kids stay hydrated during the hot summer months. Mix It Up With Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables You can incorporate fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet in a variety of ways to help beat the heat this summer: Try freezing grapes, melons, orange slices, or your favorite fruit so it’s still cold when your child wants a snack at the pool or beach. Add seasonal fruits and vegetables to water. Include cucumbers, strawberries, lemons, or limes to give it a refreshing summer-time taste. It’s also a healthy alternative to juice without providing extra sugar. Just slice up the produce of your […]

STAYING HEALTHY

Outdoor Play Helps Keep Kids’ Vision in Focus

By now we all know the benefits of kids playing outside: The physical activity, exposure to vitamin D, as well as the development of thinking, motor, and social skills, and even stress reduction. But did you ever think it could improve your kids’ vision? What is myopia? The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines myopia, commonly referred to as “nearsightedness,” as “an eye focusing disorder in which close objects look clear, but distant objects appear blurred.” It is the No. 1 reason kids need glasses. Myopia usually occurs in school-age children right around the onset of puberty, and generally slows or stops progressing in the mid to late teens. About 30 percent of the U.S. population has myopia. While it’s believed to be an inherited condition, the progression of myopia can actually be affected by the way people use their eyes. Those who spend a lot of time reading, working at a […]

Toddler touching eating puppy doesn't know how to prevent dog bites

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Dog Bites: Take a Paws for Prevention

For so many, dogs are our best friends and trusted companions. Despite how warm and loving they can be, all breeds of dogs are capable of biting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, and more than half of those bites happen at home with a familiar dog. Of those who endure dog bites, more than half are children under the age of 14 and nearly a million require medical attention. Most dogs won’t bite without a reason. A family dog may bite when a new baby is brought home or a child plays too roughly, teases, or startles the dog. A dog you don’t know may bite when approached without taking the proper precautions. Knowing how to prevent dog bites will help keep your family safer this summer — and beyond. […]

Baby sleeping shows importance of sleep in children

POSITIVE PARENTING

Children Need Sleep: The Effects of Too Few ZZZs

After a 10-month study reviewing published papers and sleep expert advice, the American Association of Sleep Medicine recently released recommendations for the amount of sleep needed by children and teens to achieve optimal physical health, mental health and cognitive functioning. This marks the first time the organization has set official guidelines for pediatric sleep. How Much Is Enough? If you’re wondering how much sleep your child should get — it depends on their age and individual sleep needs. Each age group has a range of optimal time and your child may fall anywhere on the spectrum. These are the new recommendations: Infants 4–12 months should sleep 12–16 hours per 24 hours. Children 1–3 years should sleep 11–14 hours per 24 hours. Children 3–5 years should sleep 10–13 hours per 24 hours. Children 6–12 years should sleep 9–12 hours per 24 hours. Teenagers 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 […]

STAYING HEALTHY

Trees of Tranquility: Artwork With a Purpose

A hospital stay can be a challenging experience for patients and their families. For children used to the comforts of their home and bedroom, the environment in a hospital can feel strange or foreign. Often, the arts can help make time in the hospital less stressful. So the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children’s Creative Arts Therapy team developed an Arts in Medicine program as a way to help patients and families feel more at ease while they visit and/or stay at the hospital. This spring, the Arts in Medicine program welcomed visiting artist Catherine Czerwinski to work with patients and families in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Catherine’s project focused on the installation of a mural in the PICU solarium. The mural project was inspired by the experiences of patients, families and staff from the PICU. Together, they were involved in the creation of the mural. The process […]

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Bald Is Beautiful: Losing Locks for Childhood Cancer

A brave contingent of donors had their heads shaved to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer at a recent Nemours-sponsored St. Baldrick’s Foundation event, held at Iron Hill Brewery on the Wilmington Riverfront. St. Baldrick’s supports the Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children by supplying all new patients and their families with a “day pack” filled with bilingual resource materials to help guide them through the overwhelming experience of a childhood cancer diagnosis. Among the “shavees” was Candice Morris, a home health nurse from Magnolia, Del., who was inspired by one of her young patients’ bravery in the face of cancer. About 30 minutes after Candice submitted to the razor, her mother and son went for it, too! Many thanks to the volunteer stylists from Currie of Wilmington, Iron Hill for providing a private room, and event organizers/Nemours oncology nurses Nicole Roselli and […]

POSITIVE PARENTING

Summer Camp: Tips and Tricks

Whether you send your kids to sleep-away or day summer camp, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into getting them ready. As another school year comes to a close and camp season approaches, we thought we’d go over some camp readiness tips. Before Summer Camp Finding the Right Fit Pick a summer camp with your kids, not for them. Camp is a time for your children to have fun and stay active in the summer, while learning new things or pursuing an interest. Maybe your child wouldn’t like the same camp as an older sibling but, instead, would like the kind of camp you went to growing up – or maybe an entirely different one. Follow your kids’ lead. Encourage them to be excited, but don’t discount their worries and fears. There’s no need to freak your kids out by discussing emergency pick-up plans and homesickness, but if these […]

POSITIVE PARENTING

Preparing Kids for Hurricanes (Without Freaking Them Out)

Hurricanes can be pretty scary events – for grown-ups and kids alike. From a developmental standpoint, we know that children learn how to respond to situations based on the behaviors and attitudes of those around them. So here are some tips to help them – and you – be ready this hurricane season. Talk about hurricanes. Kids might be confused about what a hurricane is, so use simple age-appropriate descriptions of what they might expect if one is coming your way. For a younger child, you might say, “A hurricane is a tropical storm with very strong winds and lots of rain, lightning and thunder.” It’s also important to stress to kids that grown-ups will do their best to keep them safe. Try to remain calm yourself. Kids are sponges and can easily sense the emotions of those around them. When a parent seems overly upset or worried, this may […]

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Nemours Patients Sparkle at “Fire and Ice” Prom

The guests arrived at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children’s 2016 “Fire and Ice” prom in glittering gowns and sharp suits, groomed to perfection and shivering a little on a breezy April evening. They exited classic cars that had chauffeured them to the hospital, letting their illness take a back seat on this festive evening. They danced, posed for photos, laughed and reveled with nearly 100 fellow Nemours patients who are facing or recovering from serious health concerns. The Nemours prom, a labor of love for dedicated staff and volunteers, is now in its fourth year. Teens with cancer, sickle cell disease, heart and kidney disease, and other conditions are treated to a themed extravaganza that rivals any high school prom. An outpouring of community support ensures the guests enjoy a wonderful event at no cost to their families. Dresses, tuxedos, makeup and hair styling, food, decorations, gifts, music and photography are […]