Summer skin tips

March 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As the sun finally starts to shine again, we all worry about our childrens’ skin. The real issue, as i see it is this: coating your child in potentially toxic chemicals versus the risk of sun damage. The standard advise is that you should not use sunscreen on babies less than six months old, but I firmly believe, despite my usual stance against non-natural skin products, that the potential negative chemical effects of sunscreen are OUTWEIGHED by the risk of sun damage, at ANY age. In fact, The AAP now states that it is probably safe to use sunscreen on younger children ( even under six months) especially if you just use it on small areas of your baby’s exposed skin.

Still, the best protection is to avoid the sun as much as possible. And the younger the child, the more vulnerable they are!

Some tips to keep your kids safe from the sun:

MOST important of all: Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before your child will be exposed to the sun. Sunscreen only works after it has had time to be absorbed, unless you are using the zinc oxide type. So if you know your child is going out in the sun, lather him up early!
If your child will be swimming or running around a lot, use a water resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
Cover them up!!! Clothing, hats and sunglasses are still much more safe than all the chemicals.
Even if it is cloudy outside, clouds don’t absorb all of the UV radiation so get your child in the habit of applying sunscreen every day.
Finally: as soon as your child is inside for the night, give them a bath- get that sunscreen off them- and moisturize their skin after the bath to prevent the dryness and sensitivity reactions that often accompany sunscreen use.
Tell your child why you are concerned and forcing them to apply sunscreen- that the sun is very very powerful and their skin is a very very important organ system they have for their whole lives! the sooner they learn to take care of it, the better!

for recommendations about the safest brands go to www.ewg.org

Thanks, Natalie

Posted by Dr. Natalie Geary MD | Filed Under Dr Geary 

“Who is working for whom?”

March 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Having a nanny or babysitter is a very difficult relationship to “manage”. But let’s face it- it is the most important and meaningful job in any household… since nannies are the  people who spend as much if not more time with your children than we do on certain days.

I have had the same nanny for my two girls since my 5 year old was 8 days old. Than this fall, rather dramatically, I had to fire her. AS a working mom, I basically got tired of re-arranging my schedule for her  ”Dr. appointments”.  But underneath it all, my husband and I felt that she really was just burned out from being a nanny ; she was loosing her enthusiasm. I really loved this woman, she cared for both of my girls since they came home from the hospital. But you know when the writing is on the wall:  it was time for her to go.

I had a very difficult time finding a new nanny. No surprise. Its the subject of many books, many coffee clatches and many late night huddles with the hubby. While looking, I kept thinking to myself,really who is Enough to look after my children other than me? I finally chose a woman from an agency.  It has been 5 months and I have already had a few confrontations with her and my 5 year old has had a bit of a hard time getting use to her as well. Again, no surprise- but what is always a surprise to ME is how i react-passive aggressive or fear??? For example, my current nanny seems to think it is more important to walk around the apartment with my 2 year old eating a snack to look for quarters for the laundry than to strap her into her booster seat so she does not choke. So- Why is it at work, if there is a problem with one of my projects I address it immediately and speak up about it? Whereas, with my own nanny I mull through in my mind , ruminating so painfully- exactly how I am going to address a problem?

I truly believe that we should not put our children in the middle of our nanny “mafia” grapplings, but as I have witnessed children have their own-and often more emphatic- opinions too.Walking my 5 year old to school today,she said to me if “O”(current nanny) is mean to me one more time, “She She”(past nanny) has got to come back! We should treat our children’s care givers with a copious amount of respect. In my mind they are the zenith of the household while they are caring for our most prized possessions. I just wish the relationship was not so complicated at times and I had an easier time with the entire dynamic. 
Nourish yourself well this week.
Deana  

Here is my dish of my must do’s and must haves this week:

Log onto: ebeanstalk.com for mom-tested,expert approved, lead-free learning toys!(tell ebeanstalk that you heard about them from modernmums)

Treat your self at the Susan Ciminelli Day Spa with Susan’s Hydrating Formula( I love this glow!) Essential Oils of chamomile,sandelwood,lemmon,lavendar and geranium. This oil softens, hydrates and reduces the appearance of fine lines.Visit her tranquial spa on top of Bergdorf Goodman in New York City or go to: www.susanciminelli.com

For all you “soon to be moms” you must pick up a copy of the book ” The Complete Organic Pregnancy” by Deidre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu. This must have book covers all you need to know from the nail polish you wear ,to the bed you sleep in, to the water you drink. It also has some fabulous truly organic recipes for any type of mum!

Posted by Deana | Filed Under Deana's Dish