Bed-Wetting

July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Although we all know that everyone learns to stop bed-wetting, it can be stressful teaching your child how to stay dry through the night. If your child still bed-wets, then either your child is a deep, deep sleeper or he still feels the need to urinate at night. So what to do??

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Photo by Asif Ahmed

Since bedwetting can damage a child’s self-image and confidence, it is crucial that you avoid being judgmental and remain supportive. You should reassure your child that bedwetting is a relatively common problem (5 to 7 million children in the United States are affected by it,) and that you know they will succeed in learning how to stay dry.

Here are some tips to consider.
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP: Do not give your child anything to drink in the 2 hours before bedtime. Also, have your child go to the bathroom before getting into bed.

REASSURANCE AND PATIENCE: Reassure and encourage your child often. Do not make an issue out of the bedwetting each time it happens.

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

Mercury in Silver Fillings

June 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Ms. Annabelle Moore with Dr. Geary

The most controversial issue in dentistry is once again in the media after the FDA recently announced that silver-colored metal dental fillings (amalgam fillings) contain mercury that may cause health problems in pregnant women, children and fetuses.

Recent studies have argued that although the fillings release mercury, the amounts released are not considered dangerous. A panel of the World Health Organization, on the other hand, says that no such level exists, and many dentists, physicians and politicians maintain that the amounts of mercury being released can be detrimental.

Watch a disturbing video in which you can actually see the mercury vapor coming off an old filling.

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

What does it mean to have a Drug allergy?

June 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

A Drug allergy is not the same as a “side effect”:
Anything you put into your body has the potential to cause side effects- these are symptoms that are induced by the drug/chemical/herb that are usually predictable, documented and usually listed on the outside of the bottle. In the summer, for example, children taking antibiotics have an increased sensitivity to the sun, and risk of sunburn. This is a known side effect, not an allergy.

Drug allergies are different: they are unpredictable, less common and the result of an immune response that your body has to the drug. The first time your child takes a medicine they may appear to tolerate it well but their immune system may be internally developing a sensitivity to the chemical. Then the next time he or she takes the same medication, their immune system is geared up to recognize that medication, and the reaction is known as an allergic reaction- one that is immune mediated and can cause significant distress.

What to look for:

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

New Dad’s Need Your Encouragement

June 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

When you bring your new baby home, you are exhausted and emotional, and all eyes are on you and the new baby. You are anxious, tired and want to do a good job. But if you want Dad to be involved, you need to let him know he is doing a good job too!
The post-partum period, which is a time of enormous life-change and potential stress, is often a huge wake-up call for both parents. They suddenly are responsible for a new life and overnight; their own lives have changed forever. More and more awareness about post-partum depression in the mother has led to effective diagnosis and treatment. But few people consider post-partum depression in fathers- even though they often experience financial strain, anxiety and feelings of isolation and inadequacy.

What can Mom do:
Studies show that Mothers play a critical role in determining how much fathers get involved in taking care of their infants. Fathers clearly get more involved when they are encouraged by their baby’s mom. Moms should praise the dad and ask them to help. Tell them that they make the baby happy and feel safe. Remind them how much they are supporting mom. Dad’s will respond and participate in caring for both you and the baby. Try to avoid getting impatient, rolling your eyes, or being critical of their care. That way, dads won’t retreat.
And, no surprise, patterns get set up early. For example, if Dad is not waking up with the baby at night, many moms stop asking- but the resentment builds in the mom, and the disconnection builds in the dad. Keep asking for help- and rewarding dad with praise and encouragement.

What can Dad do:
A father has a critical role in establishing an early bond with the baby by not only playing with for the baby, but also sharing in the responsibilities of daily care with the mom. Many dads feel very nervous and insecure holding a newborn, or caring for them. They need practice and encouragement. But practice makes perfect. The more they hold the baby, talk and sing to the baby, and make eye contact with the baby even while nursing, the sooner your baby will learn the sound of Dad’s voice, recognize his unique face and find comfort in his presence.

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

Allergy Medications

May 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Allergy medications can help control seasonal allergy symptoms but sometimes the side effects are worse than the symptoms. Think before you give your child a syrup that may only put her to sleep:
Nasal spray steroids. corticosteroid nasal sprays are very effective for seasonal allergies but can take at least a week to work.

Antihistamines. Antihistamines really help to relieve itching, as well as congestion and runny nose. But their effectiveness is directly correlated with their sedation effect.
Decongestants. These are short-acting medications that should only be used for a few days.they don’t solve the problem but can make your child more comfortable for the short-term.
Allergy Shots: This treatment may be right for your child but only under the supervision of a licensed immunologist.
Nasal irrigation. ( Neti Pots, saline flushes) This involves flushing out mucus and irritants from your nose with a squeeze bottle or a neti pot, a small container with a spout designed for nose rinsing.
Herbal remedies and supplements. There are several claims about the effectiveness of the shrub butterbur, as well as cat’s claw, choline, goldenseal, stinging nettle, belladonna and bromelain.
I am a big believer in nutritional healing and probiotics. During allergy season reduce your child’s wheat and dairy intake, avoid high- sugar content snacks that increase yeast growth, and be sure they stay well-hydrated. Yogurts with probiotics, or a probiotic supplement like FloraStor ( www.florastor.com) are a great way to prevent allergic stomaches.

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

Allergy Season- how to survive the blossoms!!

May 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The onset of Spring means beautiful days of flowering trees and plants, and for so many allergic kids, a month plus of headaches, congestion and itchy eyes. The offending agents initially are wind-borne pollen from trees, later grasses and still later pollen and mold. Unfortunately, as those who have allergies know, there is no “cure”, but there are many things you can do to reduce the discomfort and prevent the chances of sinusitis, headache and wheezing.

Help keep your child

pollen- free:

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

Dehydration

May 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Dehydration happens more easily in children than adults – they need more water and other fluids to maintain cellular and, specifically, kidney function. Even if they are not sick, as the weather begins to warm and kids are running around again, its important to remember to keep them well hydrated.
Besides inadequate hydration during exercise, and excessive sweating from exercise, other causes of dehydration include:
Read more

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

Autism and Nutrition

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The prevalence of Autism has been increasing for the last ten years, and almost every day there is mention of it in newspapers, TV shows or parent blogs. Specialists around the country are desperately trying to understand why it is increasing, and how to manage it. As a pediatrician who cares for many children with some degree of autism spectrum disorder, I spend a lot of time trying to find a treatment to improve the life of that patient and their family.

Nutritional healing is at the center of the work I do, and there have been several strategies proposed to alter children’s’ diets in order to improve or even cure the disorder. The diets can be organized based on whether they are “restriction diets” that will eliminate potential immune stimuli and allergens; these include yeast-free, gluten free, dairy free and casein free diets, or “supplement” diets that will boost the child’s cognitive and processing potential such as vitamins A, B6, B12 and C, magnesium, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and various minerals.

Despite consistent medical reports that there is no scientific evidence to support dietary treatments, parental anecdotal evidence remains strong. Clearly, the safest and most popular autism diet is the gluten free, and possibly yeast lowering diet.

A gluten free diet excludes the protein gluten, which is found in many grains including:
Read more

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

Breast-feeding 101

April 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As a new mom, you have heard about the wonderful benefits of breast-feeding, and probably feel overwhelmed by the amount of advice, tips, and pressure to get it right. Oddly, everyone seems to feel they have a right to ask you your plans, ask how the breast-feeding is going, and how long you will keep it up. But breast-feeding can be stressful and you need to have faith that you will get it right- with practice!

Now more than ever, there is pressure to breast feed because of new research reports on the dangers of BPAs leaching from formula cans, the dangers of plastics from nipples and bottles, and the occasional story about contaminated formula. So here are some suggestions for making it a little easier, and more successful.

1. position, position, position:
When you first start to breast feed, you may need some help learning how you, and your baby, best “fit” together. You may need some help trying different positions until you and the baby form a good team- and she learns how to latch on. The position that works best for you and your newborn may not be the same as the one that worked for your mom, or best friend, or sister. It depends on many factors including your nipple size, the baby’s palate and tongue, and what position feels comfortable. Try different positions until you, and baby, can relax. Ask for help from your pediatrician or the hospital maternity nurses. And be patient.
2. Supply and demand:

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

Can the Can

April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

According to a new report from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, dangerous levels of the toxic chemical bisphenol A are present in many infant formulas as a result of leaching from the formula cans. The side effects of BPA are linked to changes in testosterone levels and aggressive behavior. “BPA has also been shown to increase cancer-cell growth and affect hormone systems that guide much of the permanent development of infants’ breasts and prostates,” according to the EWG.

According to the International Formula Council, EWG’s report is inaccurate and the IFC stated that the levels of BPA detected were far below those approved by government safety authorities. But the EWG is claiming that those safety limits were defined a decade ago, and research since has called those levels into question.

According to the EWG, all manufacturers of infant formula use BPA as the coating for their cans: “It’s an industry standard, even with naturals, because [the cans] are recyclable,” EWG suggests that parents of infants who are no longer breast fed use powdered formulas that can be diluted with water and therefore contain five to six times less BPA.

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

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