13-01
Ask the Doctor
Draft 2
10.3.12
1. What can I give my son to re-hydrate him after he throws up—that’s
not super high in sugar?
I understand your worry that your son’s vomiting is going to lead to dehydration—
and your concern that your conventional choices are drinks like Gatorade, which are
high in sugar. The good news is you do have other options. In my book, Treatment
Alternatives for Children, I offer this alternative: coconut water. Now readily
available in stores, coconut water is rich in electrolytes like sodium, which is crucial
for re-hydration. If your child is over a year old and suffering from a mild viral
infection, start re-hydration slowly by having him drink ½ an ounce to 1 ounce of
coconut water every 15 minutes, as tolerated. If he hasn’t vomited after an hour or
two, you can increase it to 2 ounces every 1 to 2 hours. For babies under a year old, I
recommend a natural alternative to Pedialyte: Nature’s One Pediavance ($TK,
naturesonedirect.com), an organic rehydration solution made with organic
ingredients. Stick to the same dosage recommended above. But note that for little
ones, even just 2 ounces every 4 hours (instead of every 1 or 2), may be sufficient—
just be sure to check with your pediatrician.
2. My 12-year-old always seems to be withdrawn and sad during the
winter. How can I help her?
Your child is likely suffering from the “winter blues,” also known as Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD). Typically, the condition is diagnosed after 20 years old,
but it seems that some adolescents and even younger children suffer from SAD. In
fact, up to 20 percent of people could have even mild symptoms of SAD, according to
the American Academy of Family Physicians. The biggest signs to watch for: Your
child becomes more irritable and withdrawn as the days get shorter; she may also
sleep and eat more than usual (and crave carbohydrates in particular). Medical
professionals don’t know exactly what causes SAD, but there are some promising
treatments for your daughter. Try increasing the amount of time she spends
outdoors during daylight hours. And focus on regular physical activity and healthy
eating—including plenty of proteins, fruits, and veggies. Also helpful: Vitamin D3
and fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Experts speculate that these biological
therapies all act in various ways to balance brain chemistry and improve mood. You
can read more at healthychildren.org, a site that is affiliated with the AAP, and search
“seasonal affective disorder.”
3. My 1-year-old won't go anywhere without her pacifier. Is that ok?
Don’t stress too much if your baby has a binkie habit: Many one-year-olds still find
pacifiers comforting. And often, toddlers between 12 and 18 months use sucking as
a way of self-soothing during peak times of separation anxiety, like when being left
with a new babysitter. But, it’s still a good idea to start transitioning her from using
a pacifier all the time. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American
Academy of Family Physicians recommend parents wean children from using them
after the child is six months old to help prevent ear infections, even though the link
is not strong. The idea is that the sucking could cause bacteria to get trapped in the
middle ear, resulting in infections. I encourage stopping pacifier use completely by
two years, as it appears that use after that age may result in problematic cosmetic
tooth and jaw alignment changes. One things to remember at any age: avoid letting
your child run around with the pacifier in her mouth because she may be more at
risk of injury if she falls with something in her mouth. And if the transition away
from the pacifier gets tough you can always try to replace the paci with another
soothing “love” object, like a blanket or small stuffed animal.