healthcare from cradle to college

NEW SWADDLING RECOMMENDATIONS! "Hip-Healthy Swaddling" is now recommended for young infants to lower the risk of hip disease or dislocation called developmental dysplasia. The new recs suggest swaddling with hips flexed or swaddling snuggly at the arms and very loosely over the legs. View the video demo on the link to be sure you are a "cutting edge swaddler"!

http://www.hipdysplasia.org/Developmental-Dysplasia-Of-The-Hip/Hip-Healthy-Swaddling/Default.aspx

Dog's are a wonderful part of life, especially here in Bozeman!  Unfortunately, some dogs are mean, and others may be unpredictable in certain situations, which frequently leads to children, especially young kids, being bitten.  

Visit:

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx

to read about dog bite prevention.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a new policy statement reiterating the advice that young children should remain in rear-facing carseats until they turn two. This recommendation was suggested about two years ago.  The new policy outlines strong research evidence that supports that children are safer in the event of an accident if they remain in a rear-facing carseat longer than previously recommended.  Read the entire policy statement at:

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;127/4/e1050

The national news is full of examples of teens and preteens who have suffered serious injuries and death from suicide as a result of relentless bullying.  It's time to get serious about trying to reduce bullying in our own community, to reduce the risk of these injuries for our own students.

There are several EXCELLENT websites that can be very helpful to teens, preteens, their parents, teachers, principals and other interested community members.  

Check out

http://www.teensagainstbullying.org

or

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/ 

Recently, the Gallatin City-County Health Department mailed out a flyer about the risks of our low vaccination rates in Montana.  Here's what it said:

WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION, MONTANA RANKS DEAD LAST IN THE U.S.  WHICH IS SAD, BECAUSE DESPITE ALL THE MISINFORMATION AND CONFUSION TO THE CONTRARY, IMMUNIZING CHILDREN REMAINS OUR SAFEST AND BEST PROTECTION AGAINST A WHOLE HOST OF DEADLY DISEASES.  AND WHO WANTS A RETURN TO THOSE NOT-SO-DISTANT YEARS WHEN THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT AMERICAN CHILDREN DIED FROM DISEASES THAT ARE NOW EASILY AVOIDED THROUGH IMMUNIZATION?  CALL THE GALLATIN CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 582-3100 OR YOUR DOCTOR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, AND FOLLOW A REGULAR SCHEDULE OF CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS.  PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN (AND ALL THE REST OF US) AGAINST HEPATITIS, DIPHTHERIA, WHOOPING COUGH, TETANUS, MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA, POLIO, CHICKEN POX, CERVICAL CANCER, H1N1 INFLUENZA AND PNEUMONIA.  CALL TODAY.  DELAY COULD BE DEADLY.  582-3100.