I, like many Indians, grew up eating and drinking with steel plates and cups at our family dining table. Five years later, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned parents about plastic’s harmful effect on children’s hormones, growth and development.

As a pediatrician, I had access to the knowledge, and as an Indian immigrant, I had the solution for my three young kids. But I realized that many American parents did not, so I launched Ahimsa, a line of safe sustainable stainless steel dishes for kids. 

However, on my journey to create products, I quickly understood the laxity of regulation for many food-related products. Today, there are more than 10,000 additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many were carried over from the 1950s and many have no research showing they are safe for people to eat or drink. So I set out to work with scientists, physicians, legislators and environmentalists to set a new standard for children’s products.

More than 80% of children’s feeding products on the market are made from plastic, and almost all schools are using plastic to serve food in the cafeterias. 

Why plastic is dangerous for kids and the planet

We know plastic is harming our planet. Less than 10% of all plastic ever produced is actually recycled. We see the images of plastic harming marine life in our oceans and overflowing in landfills. But now we also know from large medical organizations like The World Health Organization, AAP and The Endocrine Society that chemicals in plastic disrupt our hormone system—a system that is crucial for health maintenance and in particular, for normal growth and development in children. 

When I realized how big of an issue plastic foodware was, I decided that Ahimsa must tackle it at an institutional level. Children dine at home and next most frequently, they dine at school. For some children, all of their meals take place at school cafeterias. There are about 34 million children in the national school lunch program. 

Many schools are still using disposable plastic to serve food. Multiply that by 180 days of school and you get a lot of waste that ends up in landfills and a lot of chemical exposure to children’s bodies and brains. 

And unfortunately, though the schools that are using reusable plastic cafeteria trays may contribute slightly less to a landfill, they are still unknowingly exposing children to hormone-disrupting plastic chemicals. AAP and pediatric environmental health experts warn parents to avoid using plastic and rather use glass or stainless steel to serve and store food. 

They also explain that if you must use plastic, follow these guidelines: 

• Don’t use plastic with recycling codes 3, 6, or 7 
• Don’t expose plastic to heat like the dishwasher or microwave 
• If you notice your plastic foodware is etched or scratched, it’s definitely time to stop using it

Each of these factors increases the chance that the plastic chemicals from the products are transferred into the food the children are eating. 

Read more: Stainless steel dishware: Why it might be time to switch from plastic

It’s time schools stopped using plastic foodware

Almost all schools in the U.S. are currently not following the most recent scientific evidence that protects our children’s health in the lunchroom. 

It’s not their fault. The FDA’s current regulation of food contact materials is based on science from the 1950s—not from the explosion of scientific evidence about plastic and human health in the past decade. You can imagine why the school lunch tray has not significantly changed since that time. 

But it’s time for a change. After all, people and the planet are connected and the lasting impact between the two will be felt not by us, but by our children. Ahimsa is not just a business to me—it’s a chance to change the system, change our thinking and take actionable steps to make a positive impact on the world.

How you can advocate for plastic reduction

As we know, people and the planet are innately connected. We can all agree that plastic is a global threat to human health, our planet and our children’s futures. What we do today matters for our children and our planet. A few minutes of your time can make a big difference for the future. 

Make small changes to reduce your family’s plastic use. We invite you to join our #ItMatters movement, aimed at educating and empowering families to create a cleaner, greener, healthier future by making small, simple changes today, because #ItMatters. This is your first call to action!

Reach out to your child’s school about making the switch to stainless steel. We’ve created an email template for parents to send to schools to advocate for change toward a safer, more sustainable option in school lunchrooms. 

Champion the Break Free From Plastic Bill. In March of last year, a bill was introduced to the Senate titled Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021. This bill sets forth requirements and incentives to reduce the production of a variety of products and materials, including plastics and increase efforts to collect, recycle or compost products and materials. 

Beginning on January 1, 2023, the bill phases out a variety of single-use products, such as plastic utensils. The bill also sets forth provisions to encourage the reduction of single-use products by establishing programs to refund consumers for returning beverage containers and by establishing a tax on carryout bags. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must publish guidelines for a national standardized labeling system for recycling and composting receptacles. Producers must include labels on their products that are easy to read and indicate whether the products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Here are ways to get more involved with this cause. 

Contact your members of Congress to support changes to the FDA oversight on plastic use in food contact materials. Here’s how to find your legislators, and we’ve included talking points below.

• By email: You can find your House Representatives by going to House.gov and click “Representatives”, or type your zip code into the “Find Your Representative” box. You can find your Senators by going to Senate.gov and click “Senators” then click  “Contact”. Their official websites will have their email contact form and contact information. Template language is below.

• By phone: You can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your legislators’ offices. 

• Template language: 

My name is {insert name}. I am a parent/child advocate in {insert city, state}.

I’m calling/writing to urge {insert lawmaker’s name} to pass policies to address the child health impacts of environmental toxins like plastic in food products without delay. This is a public health issue that disproportionately harms children as their bodies and minds are still developing. In addition, children from underserved communities and communities of color are more susceptible to the health risks posed by these environmental toxins. 

Lawmakers can promote children’s health first hand by supporting strong environmental policies, including the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 and the climate change framework in the Build Back Better Act. Lawmakers can also work with the FDA to improve and update the oversight of food contact materials so that it is based on recent evidence that classes of chemicals in plastic negatively affect children’s health. 

I urge {insert lawmaker’s name} to support the transformational environmental investments included in this bill, as we must protect children from the health harms and protect our planet for generations of children ahead.

Thank you for your time.

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Past studies have shown that a mother’s stress levels make it harder to bond with and interact with her baby—they can also have a negative effect on her child’s brain development, affecting the outcomes of her children’s learning. But a recent study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics indicates that how a mother handles her stress (most notably, by having a growth mindset) can actually protect her baby from those consequences.  

How mindset matters

Lead researchers Mei Elansary​, MD, and Dana Charles McCoy, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital, interviewed 33 mothers with 12-month-old babies about their mindsets and stress levels. Then they used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure their babies’ brain activity. They found that high stress in mothers can lower the frequency, quality of patterns and strength of high frequency gamma and beta waves in the brains of their babies, which are associated with greater cognitive ability in later childhood—but only if the mother had a fixed mindset, believing that things cannot be changed. 

Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset

Mothers with a fixed mindset believe that no matter what they do or how hard they work, their children’s abilities are going to stay the same. 

But stressed mothers with a growth mindset, who believe abilities can be developed through work and effort, had babies who did not display changes on their EEG. Because there were no changes, the researchers concluded that babies raised by mothers with growth mindsets were more protected against high levels of stress and its negative effect on brain development.

A growth mindset benefits mothers too

Not only can a mama’s mindset mitigate the effects of stress on her baby’s brain function, but it can serve to buffer her own stress as well. 

In a meta study published in Clinical Psychology Review that incorporated results from over 17,000 research participants in 72 studies that spanned 31 years, researchers examined the link between growth mindset and mental health. They observed that a growth-oriented mindset was associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychological stress or just feelin’ blue, implying that a growth mindset could buffer against the fallout from negative events and difficult situations in life.

That said, the lead researchers note that merely having a growth mindset isn’t going to simply erase the barriers that many new parents come up against, such as a lack of paid leave, costly childcare and reduced access to early childhood education, health and nutrition in some places.

“We need to advocate for interventions that support growth mindsets, but at the same time, we need to acknowledge that there are huge systemic stressors and barriers placed on new parents, especially in the first year of children’s lives,” says Dr. McCoy. “Growth mindsets are not going to solve those.”

How to adopt a growth mindset

Still, much can be gleaned and no harm done by adopting a growth mindset. 

The Boston study was the first to bring to light that as early as infancy, mindsets can affect outcomes. Since the developing nervous system of a baby is susceptible to stress, it’s never too early to encourage mothers to have a growth mindset that can help mitigate the negative effects and ensure that their children’s neurodevelopment is protected and optimized. 

That may look like working with a therapist or counselor to help shift negative thinking by analyzing your internal dialogue, starting a gratitude practice, celebrating small victories and leaning into new challenges, as an example. Instilling a growth mindset in kids starts with building up their confidence and helping them embrace challenges.

Helping mothers—and parents in general—understand that their and their children’s abilities are not fixed and can be developed is a simple and affordable investment in their baby’s development, instilling the beginnings of a hopeful and empowering outlook.

Sources

Burnette JL, Knouse LE, Vavra DT, O’Boyle E, Brooks MA. Growth mindsets and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review. 2020;77. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101816.

Dweck CS, Leggett EL. A social-cognitive approach to motivation and personality. Psychological Review. 1988;95(2):256–273. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.95.2.256

Elansary M, Pierce L, Wei W, Mccoy D, Zuckerman B, Charles N. Maternal Stress and Early Neurodevelopment: Exploring the Protective Role of Maternal Growth Mindset. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2021. doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000998. 

Talge NM, Neal C, Glover V. Antenatal maternal stress and long-term effects on child neurodevelopment: how and why?. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2007;48(3-4):245-261. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01714.x

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To understand what toothbrushing can teach both you and your child about persistence, specifically, researchers examined the way that parents spoke to their 3-year-old children. The big find: A little praise means your kiddo is likely to brush longer. And that can help them learn persistence, they said.  

Why persistence is important

“Persistence in early childhood has consequences for many life outcomes, from what children learn to whether they maintain friendships or reach their goals,” said Julia Leonard, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at Yale University, one of the researchers, in a statement. “It’s a really important skill for children to develop.”

Leonard conducted the research with Allyson Mackey, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. It was published in Child Development.

Mackey typically has parents and children come to her lab to be observed for research, but she wanted a behind-the-scenes look at the interactions that occur at home. That’s why she recorded 81 families in their homes for 16 days in a row.

Praise encourages persistence

Leonard and Mackey said they picked toothbrushing because it’s not exactly a habit for a toddler.

“We picked a task that doesn’t depend on cognitive abilities because we wanted to look only at variability in persistence, and not variability in skill or interest,” Mackey tells Motherly. “If we instead looked at learning to read or play a musical instrument, other factors might matter.”

“But we do think that positive social feedback is likely to promote persistence across many domains,” she adds.

In reviewing the footage, the researchers noted that parental behavior mattered in terms of how long the children brushed (but not necessarily how well).

When parents used encouraging statements such as “good job” instead of pointing out how to do the task (or to remind the child to keep going), the children brushed their teeth for longer.

Other factors that came into play in terms of how long the kids brushed were the parent’s stress level, the child’s mood and how much sleep the child got the night before. But those played less of a role than how the parents spoke to the children in terms of how long the kids brushed.

Mackey noted that some kids will persist longer if they’ve had a good night of sleep, or if they’re in a good mood. “For other kids, these factors don’t matter,” she points out.

They only looked at parent talk, child sleep, child mood and parent stress. Other behaviors, like modeling good brushing, or sticking to a bedtime routine, might matter too, she says.

Most parents didn’t know what factors were important for their children. “But for any behavior that parents want to encourage, or even discourage, they could keep track for a couple of weeks. What made a good day? What caused challenges?” she says.

Of course, children’s persistence changed from one day to the next. But the team is hoping to use the video-based approach to glean insights into persistence training for other age groups and tasks.

Mackey said the approach will enable them to determine more personalized interventions, as all kids may not respond to praise the same way.

If you can figure that out for your kid, that’s the first and most critical step toward figuring out how to change behavior, Mackey notes.

Easing toothbrushing tension

So if brushing is a battle, can a few nice comments make it easier? Not quite, Mackey says.

“Praise is not a panacea,” she explains. “Your kid may not brush longer if you start praising more tonight.”

“But it is helpful to reflect on why praise might work for so many kids,” she continues. “Do your children know when they’ve done good work? Do they know what you value and why?”

If your child still gives you a hard time or doesn’t brush for as long as you’d like, Mackey says to take notes.

“Keep track of good days and bad days,” she suggests. “Does your child brush longer if they brush earlier or later in the bedtime routine? Do they brush longer if they’re distracted by a song or story? Do they want to learn about why we brush our teeth? Does it help to brush your teeth at the same time?”

“Parenting is such a challenge because there’s no one right way to do it, but we can still try new things and see what works,” Mackey adds.

Sources

Leonard JA, Lydon-Staley DM, Sharp SDS, Liu HZ, Park AT, Bassett DS, Duckworth AL, Mackey AP. Daily fluctuations in young children’s persistence. Child Development. 2021;00, 1– 15. doi:10.1111/cdev.13717

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And what they do, how they got there, why we need them and how we can help them thrive is changing so much of what we believed up until now—even how we parent. 

As a mom, entrepreneur, author of A Kids Book About Your Microbiome and someone who gets to work alongside some of the leading scientists in the field, I see the microbiome as a radical shift of perspective.

With some foundational education, it can empower us as parents with an entirely new compass to guide our decisions and help us make daily choices, especially as our kids grow.

Your child’s real-life superpower: Their microbiome

Seeded at birth, the first microbes your child is exposed to are generally the birthing parent’s—through birth, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding practices. From the day seeding begins and through the first few years of life, factors like mode of birth (vaginal or C-section), exposure to antibiotics, breastfeeding, early nutrition and the environment (urban spaces versus continuous exposure to nature), all influence the development of your child’s microbiome. 

Between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, the microbiome begins to stabilize into what’s called a “steady state microbiome.” From there, factors like diet, exercise, medicine and sleep all continue to influence the composition of the microbiome for the rest of your child’s life. 

Covid demonstrated how quickly our orientation to the world can change due to a single microbe. 

Our lives have been some daily permutation of masks, testing, hand washing, sanitizing, distancing, Zooming—all while trying to navigate this new world as humans ourselves. And while a small number of microbes can be pathogenic and harmful (like SARS-CoV-2), the majority of microbes, especially bacteria, are actually beneficial and critical to our health. 

As now-parents who were once children of the antibiotics generation, it’s extraordinary to think that—thanks to science—our kids will grow up with a new perspective to navigate their world and new ways to be empowered in their health. 

The more we discover, the more the microbiome reveals itself as a real-life superpower. And what child doesn’t want to be a superhero?

How to nurture your child’s ‘invisible friends’

One of the most impactful ways you can nurture the trillions of microbes that work hard to keep your child healthy is through diet and nutrition. 

Microbiome research has demonstrated some clear and actionable dietary guidelines: 

• High abundance of diverse sources of plant fibers and polyphenols (like vegetables, walnuts, pomegranates and berries)
• High intake of fiber and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beans and sweet potatoes)
• High intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fat (like salmon, sardines, avocados and olive oil)
• Low in sugar, preservative agents, processed foods, food additives
• Low in saturated fat

An overload of sugar and processed food can hurt the balance of the gut microbiome, which makes it hard to digest food and for a child’s immune system to function. Though the science is still growing, minimizing processed foods where possible and offering your child a diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables can support a healthy and diverse microbiome. 

Beyond diet, everything from stress levels, to exercise, sleep and even your dog can impact the health of your kiddo’s microbiome. 

How to help your child’s microbiome thrive 

• Go outside and play: When your child is outside, they are exposed to many different microbes. Some scientific theories posit that greater contact with environmental microbes can supplement our own protective microbiota, participating in immune functioning and helping to build adaptive immunity. A recent study among daycare children found that increasing the biodiversity of their outdoor environment to be more representative of nature, positively impacted the children’s gut and skin microbiomes, which in turn, affected their immune system. Some scientists believe that increased exposure to nature may even help prevent allergies and asthma attacks. A handful of dirt can contain billions of microbes—so encourage your kids to get a little dirty! 

• Brush their teeth: Getting your child to brush their teeth isn’t always easy, but its importance goes further than you think. The mouth is the second most diverse part of the body (after the gut), with over 700 types of bacteria living in different areas, like the tongue, cheek, throat and even saliva. These bacteria work to prevent smelly breath, cavities and to make sure nothing harmful finds a place to live. Regular brushing helps keep the mouth microbiome in balance—and a healthy mouth microbiome can even protect other parts of the body like the heart and lungs! 

• Get quality sleep: Your microbes are happiest when you have a regular sleep schedule. In fact, microbes even follow their own circadian rhythms.  Rest helps them stay in balance, and they can even help your child sleep more soundly. 

• Enjoy time with pets (if they’re not allergic)!: Pets have their own unique microbes, just like us! Pets carry lots of microbes that are different from ours and can help teach your child’s body what’s OK and what might make them sick.
  
• Incorporate a probiotic: While fermented foods and beverages are great additions to diet for other reasons, most do not qualify as a probiotic. Probiotics are scientifically defined as beneficial microbes that have been shown through scientific research to provide specific health benefits. Specific strains have been studied in children for a variety of benefits for gastrointestinal health, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, dermatological conditions and more. It’s important to research specific strains and learn more about the products you purchase, as not all probiotics are created equal. 

While the term ‘probiotic’ has caused a lot of confusion, we at Seed Health are working hard to bring greater clarity, education and transparency as we continue our research and development of next-generation probiotics. 

It’s incredible to recognize how far the field of microbiome science has come in such a short amount of time relative to its impact. For centuries, we feared and over-sanitized because of what we didn’t know. And though COVID has certainly made us all aware of the invisible world of microbes, we can now temper our fear with an appreciation and understanding of how beneficial microbes also support and sustain our health. 

While the microbiome is trending across health, beauty, food and even home and pet care, I wrote A Kids Book About Your Microbiome because I wanted not just kids, but also grownups to understand the basics so that we can all be more informed as we guide our child’s health. When we understand something foundationally, not only can we answer all the “whys” from our kids, but we ourselves feel empowered to ask better questions and make better choices. 

And while your kiddos may not always recognize the superpowers required to be a parent, you can remind them that you too are a Superorganism!

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Sources:

Dahl WJ, Mendoza DR, Lambert JM. Diet, Nutrients and the Microbiome. 2021. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. pp. 237-263, doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.006. 

Deo PN, Deshmukh R. Oral Microbiome: Metagenomics in Oral Health. 2019. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology 1, no. 1: pp. 122-128, doi:10.21694/2578-1448.17004.

Hesselmar B, et al. Pet-Keeping in Early Life Reduces the Risk of Allergy in a Dose-Dependent Fashion. 2018. PLOS ONE 13, no. 12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208472.

Kilian M, et al. The Oral Microbiome – an Update for Oral Healthcare Professionals. 2016. British Dental Journal 221, no. 10: pp. 657-666, https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.865. 

Microbiology by numbers. Nat Rev Microbiol 9, 628 (2011). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2644

Roslund, M., Puhakka, R., Grönroos, M., Nurminen, N., Oikarinen, S., & Gazali, A. et al. (2020). Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children. Science Advances, 6(42), eaba2578. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aba2578

Satokari R. High Intake of Sugar and the Balance between Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Gut Bacteria. 2020. Nutrients 12, no. 5. p. 1348, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051348. 

Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R. Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body. 2016. PLoS biology. 14(8), e1002533. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533

Smith RP, et al. Gut Microbiome Diversity Is Associated with Sleep Physiology in Humans. 2019. PLOS ONE 14, no. 10. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0222394.
Zarrinpar A, et al. Diet and Feeding Pattern Affect the Diurnal Dynamics of the Gut Microbiome. 2014. Cell Metabolism 20, no. 6. pp. 1006-1017, doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2014.11.008.

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But one significant downside of all those delayed doctors’ appointments? A sharp decrease in routine childhood vaccinations.

Kids across the country missed out on their routine immunizations between 2020 and 2021 thanks to the pandemic—not getting the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) shot, the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and many others.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a 12.9 million dose gap in recommended childhood vaccines in 2020 to 2021 as compared to 2019. That’s 12.9 million fewer doses administered to children around the country in an effort to prevent childhood diseases.

“This leaves many children, especially younger ones, at risk of serious illness from vaccine-preventable diseases, like measles and whooping cough,” says Melinda Wharton, MD, Associate Director for Vaccine Policy at the CDC. “As children return to in-person school and activities, it is critical they get caught up on routine vaccinations.”

Catching up now is especially important, as there’s a potential link that routine vaccinations received in childhood may provide some protection for kids against Covid.

Missed vaccinations leave kids vulnerable

Covid-19 caused so many disruptions last year—and this year too. “Understandably, many parents may have missed or delayed well-child checkups during the pandemic,” says Dr. Wharton. But missed or late shots can mean children are vulnerable for longer than necessary to highly contagious diseases, which can be even more serious for younger children and babies. “In recent years, there were outbreaks of measles, especially in communities with low vaccination rates,” Dr. Wharton notes. And now that kids have resumed in-person schooling and daycare across the country, it’s even more likely that disease can spread.

“With the lifting of mask mandates, we have seen a rise in common childhood infections,” says E.R. Chulie Ulloa, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. “I anticipate this number to increase in the fall/winter.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends that kids get a flu shot this year, in an effort to prevent a potential “twindemic” of Covid and flu taking hold later this winter.

If the recent spike in cases of RSV this summer is any indication, co-occurring surges of infection can have scary consequences, including a shortage of hospital beds and ICU capacity. And given the fact that the highly contagious Delta variant is still on the rise—especially among kids—taking any possible extra precaution is recommended.

Vaccines can boost kids’ immune systems

Another potential benefit from vaccinations for childhood diseases is that they may confer some protection against other infections, like Covid-19.

A review study in 2020 posited that the routine pediatric immunizations that children receive may boost their innate immune response and be one factor protecting them from severe forms of Covid, known as cross-immunity.

“Cross-immunity refers to the phenomenon whereby a vaccine triggers a protective immune response against other pathogens or infections not targeted by the vaccine,” says Dr. Chulie Ulloa. “The concept of vaccines inducing cross-immunity to other infections has been investigated for quite some time.”

Some suggest that the routine immunizations children receive from a young age may be one of the reasons why children seem to only get mild forms of Covid in the majority of cases. Experts also impart that the MMR, varicella and Hepatitis B vaccines may provide some immunity against the novel coronavirus in kids. One small study even found that the MMR vaccine provided some protection against Covid in adults. While we don’t have enough direct data to fully support this link yet, the relationship is interesting—and one that will hopefully be studied more in the near future.

Dr. Chulie Ulloa adds: “It is plausible that routine pediatric vaccines may provide some SARS-CoV-2 [the virus responsible for Covid-19] cross-protection that may reduce disease severity. However, this does not replace the need for individuals to be vaccinated against COVID-19.” Vaccines for kids age 5 and up are now available, and the AAP recommends Covid-19 vaccination for kids 5 years of age and older who do not have contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here’s how to get back on track

While the timing of recommended childhood vaccinations is important in order to promote the strongest immunity, it’s never too late to get back on schedule if you’ve missed or delayed a shot previously.

Additionally, doctors’ offices have adapted to the new pandemic protocols through practices such as masking requirements, increased cleaning between patients and asking patients to wait in their cars instead of waiting rooms. Some offices are even doing drive-up vaccinations.

Here are the CDC’s tips for getting back on track with childhood vaccinations:

1. Contact your doctor to find out how they are safely seeing patients during the pandemic. Ask about what precautions their office has in place and any requirements you should know before visiting.
2. Talk to your doctor to find out if your child is on track with well-child checkups and routine childhood vaccinations. Set up a plan to get any missed shots scheduled. The CDC’s catch-up schedule is a good starting point to help guide parents and pediatricians to get kids back on track.
3. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about free options if you’re not covered by insurance. Programs such as CDC’s Vaccines for Children program help ensure eligible children receive free vaccines.
4. Prepare for your vaccination visit. Take steps to make shots less stressful for both you and your child. Bringing your child’s favorite lovey can help calm nerves, or breastfeeding your baby while they receive a shot can help reduce pain.

Should you space out routine vaccinations with the flu shot or Covid-19 vaccine?

No, this isn’t something to worry about, says Dr. Chulie Ulloa. “Given the importance of routine vaccination and the need for rapid uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, the AAP and the CDC both support co-administration of routine childhood and COVID-19 vaccinations,” Dr. Chulie Ulloa notes. Same goes for flu shots—experts say you can get them in quick succession or even simultaneously with other routine shots if necessary.

Childhood vaccines can provide lifelong immunity to dangerous diseases, and these vaccines can be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines,” says Dr. Wharton. Your best next step? Be sure to talk to your doctor to work out a plan that best supports your child.

Featured Experts:

Melinda Wharton, MD, Associate Director for Vaccine Policy at the CDC

E.R. Chulie Ulloa, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

Sources:

Beric-Stojsic B, Kalabalik-Hoganson J, Rizzolo D, Roy S. Childhood immunization and COVID-19: an early narrative review. Frontiers in Public Health. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.587007

Lyu J, Miao T, Dong J, Cao R, Li Y, Chen Q. Reflection on lower rates of COVID-19 in children: Does childhood immunizations offer unexpected protection?. Med Hypotheses. 2020;143:109842. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109842

Salman S, Salem ML. Routine childhood immunization may protect against COVID-19. Med Hypotheses. 2020;140:109689. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109689

Yengil E, Onlen Y, Ozer C, Hambolat M, Ozdogan M. Effectiveness of Booster Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination in Lower COVID-19 Infection Rates: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Turkish Adults. Int J Gen Med. 2021;14:1757-1762. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S309022

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Many parents dread the day when their kiddo has to receive an injection, because it means one thing when that needle goes in: Pain.

But what if we told you there were two small tools that could majorly reduce–even eliminate—the pain that comes with injections and vaccinations?

The Bionix Shotblocker and Buzzy Pain Relief Device were both designed to apply light, nerve-stimulating pressure at the injection site, which confuses the body’s nerve signaling to the brain in the short-term, meaning your little one won’t even feel the needle poke.

They’re a dream for anything from routine childhood vaccinations to insulin injections—or even for parents undergoing hormone injections as part of fertility treatment.

Designed for kids over 12 months old, the Shotblocker and Buzzy tend to be more commonly seen in children’s hospitals, where patients are more likely to receive frequent injections or IV lines. But they carry benefits when administering routine vaccinations, too.

What is the Shotblocker?

The Shotblocker is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a horseshoe, with tiny plastic nubs covering the reverse side that touches the skin. Pressing the tool lightly at the injection site and gently pinching will push the plastic nubs into the body, creating a nerve response that then blocks the brain from feeling the actual injection once the needle goes in.

One small randomized controlled trial in 2009 found that pediatric patients, especially those age 5 and older, who used the Shotblocker had less pain than those who did not use the device.

“Before my pediatrician introduced this into our lives, my daughter would scream bloody murder when getting shots – nothing worked to calm her down, not sugar water, not lollipops, not my iPhone while getting the shot, NOTHING. Then my pediatrician whipped this thing out and, like magic, she didn’t shed one tear, NOT ONE. If your kid is afraid of shots, get this – it works wonders!” said reviewer Chocolate Convert on Amazon.

Bonus? The Shotblocker is around $10, making it much cheaper than the Buzzy.

What is the Buzzy Pain Relief Device?

Buzzy is a handheld device/ice-pack combo that sends out a small buzzing vibration on the skin. The cooling feeling (thanks to the icy cold “wings”) and vibrations confuse the nerves so that the brain won’t recognize the sharp pinch from the needle insertion. A parent, staff member (or the patient themself if old enough) will place the Buzzy device on the skin slightly above the injection site, and the needle will enter the skin a few inches below. After the injection, the Buzzy is removed and regular nerve signaling is restored.

Buzzy seems to be regularly used by St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for kids undergoing shots and other procedures involving needles. A randomized controlled trial in 2019 found that Buzzy was more effective in reducing injection pain than the Shotblocker, but it is more expensive than that tool, at $50.

One reviewer shares that she had a better experience with Buzzy than Shotblocker, too: “I am a pediatric provider, and have used [the] “Shotblocker” as well as the “Buzzy” pain blocker both on myself and on my patients. I underwent IVF and I was required to give myself [intramuscular] injections of a medication in oil for 10 weeks straight, so I got to try out a lot of different “pain blocking” techniques. This shotblocker did decrease the pain a little bit, but not as much as Buzzy does… My patients also seem to like Buzzy the best as well (it utilizes cold along with vibration to decrease pain). Buzzy is also much cuter (comes decorated as a ladybug or a bee, among other designs). The upside to Shotblocker is that is is cheaper than Buzzy, so you can easily give it a try without spending a lot of money,” said reviewer Nikki M. on Amazon.

Why these devices are not more common in doctors’ offices around the country, we’re not sure, but you can purchase your own Shotblocker or Buzzy and bring it with you to your little one’s next well-check.

$9.75

Bionix Health at Home Shotblocker Pain Relief Solution

Shop

$49.95

Buzzy Personal Vibrating Ice Pack – Non Invasive Pro Cold Pad Device for Single Patient Home Use (LadyBuzz)

Shop

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You’ve got this.

Sources:

Drago LA, Singh SB, Douglass-Bright A, Yiadom MY, Baumann BM. Efficacy of ShotBlocker in reducing pediatric pain associated with intramuscular injections. Am J Emerg Med. 2009;27(5):536-543. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2008.04.011

Yilmaz G, Alemdar DK. Using Buzzy, Shotblocker, and bubble blowing in a pediatric emergency department to reduce the pain and fear caused by intramuscular injection: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2019 Sep 1;45(5):502-11. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2019.04.003

More From Motherly:

• Childhood vaccinations are dropping during the pandemic ›
• Dr. Fauci Interview: COVID vaccinations for kids under 12 – Motherly ›

More Links We Like:

• Shotblocker Use in Emergency Care: A Randomized Clinical Tri … ›
• Buzzy® device for pain relief – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ›

Research shows that day care, preschool, and early elementary age children have five to seven upper respiratory infections (colds, running noses, coughs) that are caused by common viruses each year. These infections occur most often when children cluster inside for prolonged periods of time – namely between September and May, a period of 8 months (and one that we are currently in the beginning of).

Thus, infections occur in normal, healthy children with normal immune systems an average of every month or every other month of the year.

It’s not the fault of the parents. It’s not the fault of the day care center or the school. It’s not to be blamed on their diet or their sleeping patterns or whether they walked through a puddle of water in their bare feet in late October in Maine. It is normal!

Having said that, it’s daunting for working parents or for any family to constantly have children with coughs, runny noses, fevers, congestion, inability to sleep well and/or be miserable with the aforementioned symptoms. It’s also a threat to the adults in the house who become sick with these same germs and are forced to go to work with upper respiratory symptoms or take a sick day if they’re too sick to go in. It’s similarly difficult when one has multiple children in the household who are all dragging home their own infections from day care or school and spreading them through the family.

However, these infections are a normal part of growing one’s immunity and we, as adults, have far fewer infections than we did as children because of our robust and well-established immune function.

Most of these primarily viral infections are mild, non-life threatening diseases that cause symptoms that make you miserable. Alternate childcare arrangements are required if your child has a fever, respiratory distress, or is too sick to engage in the normal day care and school activities. The best thing you can do is plan for this to happen – because it will.

Some of these mild, viral infections may precede an ear infection, pneumonia, or even a bloodstream infection. However, these secondary bacterial infections following a viral illness are uncommon. The usual story is that the child has a cold that should be on the wane, but instead of the usual decline in symptoms over a period of a week to 10 days, you notice a fairly abrupt increase in the height of the fever, difficulty breathing, onset of vomiting, increasing discomfort or pain, or other new symptoms.

This should prompt a visit to your pediatrician to obtain an accurate diagnosis as to what’s going on. It’s possible that an antibiotic is required to now treat what may well be a secondary bacterial infection.

Vaccines have remarkably decreased the numbers of these secondary bacterial infections, but they can still occur with germs that are not represented in the vaccines that we have and recommend.

The good news is that each one of these childhood viral illnesses is another “vaccination” for your child – further protecting him or her against these germs that cannot be avoided. As your children get older, their immune systems become more developed and they will slowly have fewer viral illnesses. We all lived through this and they will, too.

[A version of this post was originally published October 26, 2016.]

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There are many ways to offer positive reinforcement to help your toddler’s development. Here are seven to try:

1. “Let’s turn off the iPad and read a book together. Will you turn the pages?”

Reading to your toddler builds language and literacy skills long before they can read on their own. Early vocabulary and listening skills help predict later success in reading and other school subjects. And your toddler can’t have enough good books.

Books that are best bets at this age have engaging, imaginative illustrations and help develop basic language and number concepts. If your toddler shows an interest in a special topic, like animals or cars and trucks, look for books that feature them. Caring and sharing messages and cultural diversity are all a plus; scary plots aren’t.

2. “Let’s have some milk instead of juice.”

When transitioning off formula or breast milk, it’s important to ensure that your toddler is still getting all of the nutrients they need to grow strong. Since toddlers can sometimes be selective in which foods they eat, it can be a challenge to get all of their nutrition via food. Often parents incorporate milk into their little one’s diet because it is fortified with vitamin D.

3. “Let’s go outside and practice riding your big kid bike!”

Toddlers love to move. Anything they can ride on, push, pull, or otherwise move with helps them practice motor skills and coordination—and burns off some of their boundless energy. Consider wagons, pedal-free bikes, doll strollers, play grocery carts, pull toys, plastic bowling sets, hammering toys, and large and small balls.

4. “Let’s try a tiny taste of that broccoli, one more time.”

Toddlers often change their food preferences on what can seem like a daily basis. This can be frustrating for parents, who can feel like they have succeeded in getting their little one to eat a certain vegetable or other food, to then find that their toddler turns their nose up at it the next time it is offered.

Research shows that persistence is key. It takes about 15 exposures to a food before a child can learn to accept the taste and like it. Never force your child to eat a food, or scold them for not trying it, but do your best to make eating fun and remind them that the foods they put in their body will help them grow big and strong.

Try cutting the food into different sizes, offering a “sauce” to dip it into (like a bit of ketchup), or turn mealtime into a game and count the pieces that disappear into your toddler’s belly.

5. “Let’s figure out this puzzle together.

“Toddlers practice skills over and over through play. Toys that give them a chance to figure things out on their own help build creative and logical thinking skills. Such activities also help kids work on fine motor skills, spatial relations skills (how things fit and work together), and hand-eye coordination.

Open-ended toys for creative play are also great since that can be used in many different ways. These kinds of toys include puzzles with large pieces, shape sorters, nesting blocks or cups, art materials (play clay, paint, thick crayons), and wood blocks.

6. “Let’s go outside and work in our garden.

“Research has shown that children who spend time outdoors are more physically active, more creative in their play, less physically aggressive, and show better concentration. Exposure to nature also plants the seeds early for becoming more eco-sensitive later in life.

Try a big net for catching bugs or minnows, toys for outdoor play (such as balls), a sandbox and sand toys (shovels, dump trucks), and gardening tools (like a child-size rake and watering can).

7. “Let’s ask Grandma for tickets to the zoo for your birthday”

When it comes to birthdays and holidays, everyone loves to shower your little one with gifts. But remember that not every gift has to come in a package.

Research has shown that life experiences make people happier, and your toddler will be no exception. Encourage friends and family to celebrate by bringing your toddler somewhere special and new.

Suggest a day at the zoo, a farm, or a garden; a backyard tea party; a visit to a different playground; or a performance for young children (of music, dance, or puppets, for example). Be sure to take photos, too, so you and your toddler can revisit the experience for years to come.

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Dr. Lyndsey Garbi, Chief Pediatrician at Blueberry Pediatrics in New York City, tells Motherly, “Don’t potty train kids before they show signs of readiness, when discussions around pooping are very light and casual.” According to the Mayo Clinic , if you begin toilet training too early, “your child may rebel and hold in stool. If toilet training becomes a battle of wills, a voluntary decision to ignore the urge to poop can quickly become an involuntary habit that’s tough to change.”

There may be other factors at play when it comes to constipation in children, too. If your toddler is constipated, check out these easy steps you can take to ensure the issue doesn’t last long. And if the problem doesn’t resolve itself within a few days , call your child’s healthcare provider. You got this, mama.

When your toddler is having trouble going to the bathroom, here are 5 things you can do to relieve constipation.

If you find that none of these remedies seem to be helping and your toddler has not had any constipation relief , contact your child’s healthcare provider for an appointment.

Seasonal allergies and common colds don’t stop during pandemics, as we’ve been made well aware. 

And when those symptoms start showing up, it’s enough to make even the most even-keeled parents among us sleep with a digital thermometer under the pillow… if you’re sleeping at all.

It’s completely understandable if every cough, sneeze, sniffle or sore throat in your kiddo has you speed-dialing your pediatrician. And you should definitely pick up that phone or schedule a virtual visit if you have concerns like a recent Covid exposure, or if something just doesn’t feel right about the symptoms your child is showing.

But it’s also helpful to know that certain symptoms are common to a wide range of viral illnesses that are not Covid, and that the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has a few distinguishing symptoms that are not shared by flu, allergies or the common cold.

Here are how symptoms of Covid, and specifically, the Delta variant, differ from the symptoms of flu, cold, RSV and seasonal allergies—but remember, you should always call your healthcare provider to confirm, because Covid symptoms can vary widely—and in some cases, may not be present at all.

The most common symptoms of Covid in kids

Covid was initially seen as a much milder disease in young children, but the rise of the Delta variant has resulted in an increase in both the number and severity of Covid cases, Johns Hopkins reports. 

Symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Fever
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Coughing
• Loss of taste and smell
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing

According to a report by Yale Medicine, cough and loss of smell are less commonly seen now that the Delta variant is the predominant Covid strain. Shortness of breath now tends to be more commonly seen in adults. Headache, sore throat, runny nose and fever are the most common symptoms that present in kids with Covid.

Unfortunately for parents everywhere, these are also highly common symptoms of colds and flu.

It’s also important to be on the lookout for a rare yet serious condition known as multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which may be related to Covid exposure.

The most common symptoms of MIS-C in kids

Call your doctor right away if your child experiences a fever over 100.4 degrees F for more than 24 hours and has at least one of the following symptoms:

• New or unusual weakness or fatigue
• A red skin rash
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Red, cracked lips
• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Swollen hands or feet

The most common symptoms of influenza (flu) in kids

Symptoms of the flu tend to come on suddenly rather than gradually, and usually include fever (100.4 degrees or higher). Flu symptoms may cause your child to feel worse than they might feel with a common cold.

Symptoms may include:

• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• General malaise
• Fever
• Sometimes nausea and vomiting
• Low appetite

Your child’s pediatrician or your local walk-in clinic can test your child for flu using a nasal swab. The primary treatment is rest and extra liquids, but some may need antiviral medications to relieve symptoms. 

The most common symptoms of the common cold in kids 

Common cold symptoms may be similar to those of the flu, but are generally milder.

Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Possible low-grade fever

There’s no specific treatment for colds—they’re viruses that just need to run their course. Your child will likely still have good energy and a good appetite.

The most common symptoms of RSV in kids

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a separate condition that can cause cold-like symptoms in older children, but may cause a more severe lung disease in infants called bronchiolitis.

Symptoms may include:

• Clear, runny nose
• Decreased appetite
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Sneezing

Shortness of breath, wheezing and fast heart rate are all symptoms of a more severe second stage of RSV. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical treatment if your child has difficulty breathing.

The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies in kids

It’s not always easy to tell if your child has a cold or an allergy, but if there’s no fever and symptoms last one week or longer, it’s probably related to an allergy.

Symptoms may include:

• Sneezing
• Throat irritation or soreness 
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Watery or red eyes
• Possible fluid buildup in the ears

If you’re worried about your child’s symptoms, remember, your safest move is to call your healthcare provider for a diagnosis or test.

Best bets for prevention

If there’s one small silver lining about this long list of ailments with overlapping symptoms, it’s that the preventative measures we can take to protect our families are straightforward, powerful multi-taskers:

Practice cold-and-flu-season hygiene. Habitual hand-washing, along with frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas, will go a long way toward protecting your family from infectious diseases including the novel coronavirus, RSV, influenza and the common cold.

Stay home if you’re sick. Stopping the spread starts with reducing exposure to those around you and in your community. If you have any symptoms, stay home until you can take a Covid or flu test.

Make sure your family is vaccinated. Vaccinating all those who are eligible is the top recommendation from public health experts for preventing the spread of Covid. Vaccines are currently authorized for use in kids age 12 and up. Flu vaccines are available for kids aged 6 months and up. 

Wear that mask. Wearing masks is the best way to help protect those who are unvaccinated, such as kids under 12. Even if you are vaccinated, wearing a mask in public areas can mean you’re less likely to transmit the virus to another person in your household. Consider upgrading your cloth mask to a KF94 or a KN95, which can filter out more viral particles. Masks may also help protect your family’s respiratory health when it comes to common colds and the flu, and also if you live in an area where the air quality has been affected.

A version of this article was originally published on September 18, 2020. It has been updated.

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