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Welcome to the April issue of Health Matters Online!
APRIL 2014
Spring is in the air and so is the measles virus in some parts of our province. Learn about measles and what you can do to protect your family in our first article.
MEASLES OUTBREAK IN PARTS OF B.C
April is also Oral Health Month - check out article two for tips to prevent tooth decay in babies and toddlers.
CHECKING IN ON YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
Our last two articles take a look at all the amazing changes that happen so fast as children grow and develop. Find out what you can do to encourage development and what to do if you have questions or concerns about your child.
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PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY UNDERSTANDING AGES & STAGES
SOURCES AND WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFO
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MEASLES OUTBREAK IN PARTS OF B.C . You may have heard that some areas of British Columbia are experiencing a measles outbreak. More information can be found here. Anytime there is a measles outbreak close to home there is a risk that measles will show up in our communities. Now is a good time to make sure your family's immunizations are up to date. Measles Protection The best protection against measles is two doses of the measles-containing vaccine (MMR). The first dose is usually given at 12 months and the second is given from ages four to six. If your child or anyone in your family does not have two doses of MMR (or if you are not sure), contact your local public health unit to discuss immunization. Children under the age of 12 months are not vaccinated for measles, so the best way to protect them is to make sure others around them are vaccinated. People born in 1970 or earlier are considered immune to measles and do not require the vaccine. More information on the MMR vaccine can be found here. About Measles Measles is a serious illness that is caused by a virus. It is very contagious and spreads easily through the air. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red and inflamed eyes. These are followed by a rash, which starts first on the face and neck, spreads to the chest, arms and legs, and lasts for at least three days. If your child develops a fever and a rash and you think it may be measles, please call your doctor or hospital
ahead of time. They will tell you what to do to avoid potentially exposing others who may not be protected. Need More Information? If you have questions or concerns about immunization, make sure you get information from reliable sources call your public health unit, speak with your physician, or visit ImmunizeBC.
PREVENTING TOOTH D EC AY Even though baby teeth may be temporary, they have an important role to play in your baby's future. Baby teeth help children eat well and speak clearly; they also allow adult teeth to grow in properly. Tooth decay can occur as early as one year of age. A tooth is at risk for decay as soon as it appears. Babies are not born with decaycausing bacteria in their mouth. So what causes tooth decay and how can it be prevented? Avoid putting items in your mouth and then your baby's mouth. Tooth decay causing bacteria can be passed from parents/caregivers to baby. Licking a soother, sharing a toothbrush, or using your child's spoon when testing her food are some ways that your germs can be passed on to your child. Be careful with juice, milk, and sweetened drinks. Limit milk and juice to regularly scheduled meal and snack times. Frequent sipping on juice, milk, and sweetened drinks throughout the day increases your baby's risk for tooth decay. Never put baby to bed with a bottle that contains these beverages. Use water to quench thirst between meals. Practice daily oral care. Wipe gums daily with a clean, wet cloth and once teeth appear, brush twice daily with a smear of fluoride toothpaste. When all baby teeth are present (about three years of age), increase the amount of toothpaste to the size of a grain of rice. Parents need to brush their child's teeth daily until they are old enough to do it themselves. A child is usually ready to brush their own teeth when they are able to write their own name. Visit the dentist. The Canadian Dental Association recommends baby's first dental visit occurs six months after the first tooth appears - usually by one year of age. For more information visit our website.
UND ERSTAND ING AGES & STAGES Babies change quickly! Before you know it, the joy of the first smile becomes that of the first step. Rapid growth and development happens in all areas including how they think, communicate, play, and handle feelings. While most babies develop in predictable ways, it is important to remember that each child is unique. You are a key partner in your child's development. By being a caring and nurturing parent, you can be sure your baby understands that his world is a safe place. Help your baby to learn about their world. Get down on the floor with your baby, sing a song, or rediscover nursery rhymes and games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake. Join parent and child groups (such as Mother Goose) in your community. Learning about how and when babies develop certain skills (also known as ages and stages) can help you know what to expect and how to encourage development. Baby's Best Chance and Toddler's First Steps are excellent resources for information on growth and development. Both of these books are available online or you can get a copy at your local health unit. You can also find information on a variety of topics about infant and child
development and parenting on HealthLink BC. If you have any concerns about your baby's development or interaction with you, contact your public health nurse or health-care provider - just search for "child development."
CHECK ING IN ON YOUR CHILD 'S D EVELOPMENT Although children develop at different rates, there are predictable patterns along the way. Sometimes a child needs more help or practice in certain areas. Identifying and working on those areas early can help prevent problems in the future. In Interior Health, public health nurses offer the Ages & Stages Developmental Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at the six-month child health clinic visit and any time a parent has concerns. The ASQ-3 is a quick way to check on a child's development. It shows what a child can do rather than what he or she cannot do. The questionnaire is completed by the parent who knows the child best. The questionnaire helps identify whether a child is developing typically or if he or she should be referred for further assessment and support. For more information on the ASQ-3, contact your local public health nurse.
Sources an d where to get more in fo Interior Health - Search for Health Centres under "location type" Baby's Best Chance BC Centre for Disease Control HealthLink BC ImmunizeBC Toddler's First Steps
This e-newsletter is an Interior Health project to provide quick and easy health tips for new parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 2 years. Your comments and topic suggestions are welcome! Simply email us at:
[email protected]. For more info or to attend a free child health clinic, contact your local Public Health Centre. You can find contact info online at: www.interiorhealth.ca or look it up under Interior Health in the blue pages of your local phone book. Sincerely, Interior Health Authority
