Q:My daughter is 2 and she sucks her thumb constantly. So what should I do to help her stop?

A:Childhood habits like thumb sucking are not usually something to worry about. In fact, many young children suck their thumbs, probably as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Thumb sucking can be soothing and comforting to a child. Most childhood habits go away on their own — especially if a parent ignores them.

If kids continue to suck their thumbs later on, it may cause shifts in their teeth. If your daughter doesn't seem to be outgrowing her thumb sucking, try some positive reinforcement. Reward her with an extra bedtime story or another favorite treat when she doesn't suck her thumb. Be generous with the praise, too. And remember, most habits at this age are just passing phases.

 

Q:What to do if my child was bitten or scratched by an animal?

A:Animal bites and scratches, even minor ones, can become infected and spread bacteria to other parts of the body.
• If the wound is not bleeding severely, clean the wound with soap and water, and hold it under running water for several minutes. Do not apply an antiseptic or anything else to the wound.
• Dry the wound and cover it with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
• A child who is bitten by an animal may need antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or a rabies vaccination. A bite or scratch on a child's hand or face is particularly prone to infection and should be evaluated by your doctor.

You should seek immediate medical care if:
• the wound won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• the wound is more than half an inch long, appears to be deep, or is associated with severe injuries
• the attacking animal was stray or wild or behaving strangely
• the bite or scratch becomes red, hot, swollen, or increasingly painful

 

Q:What exactly is hand, foot and mouth disease?

A:Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a type of coxsackievirus infection that causes sores on the tongue and inside the cheeks, and small blisters on the hands and feet. Some kids suddenly develop fever of 38.5–40° Celsius, headache, and muscle aches. Others also develop a mild sore throat, abdominal discomfort, or nausea. It's common in kids but transmission can be avoided with thorough hand washing.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is different from foot and mouth disease that livestock carry. Although they have similar names, the two diseases are caused by different viruses and aren't related.

 

Q:Why do people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

A:Breakfast is indeed a very important meal. A good breakfast fuels you up and gets you ready for the day.

In general, kids who eat breakfast have more energy, do better in school, and eat healthier throughout the day. Without breakfast, kids can get irritable, restless, and tired. So make time for breakfast — for you and your child!

Good sources of these nutrients include:
• carbohydrates: whole-grain cereals, brown rice, whole-grain breads and muffins, fruits, vegetables
• protein: low-fat or nonfat dairy products, lean meats, eggs, nuts (including nut butters), seeds, and cooked dried beans
• fiber: whole-grain breads, waffles, and cereals; brown rice, bran, and other grains; fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts
Here are some ideas for healthy breakfasts to try:
• whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and a cup of yogurt
• whole-grain waffles topped with peanut butter, fruit, or ricotta cheese
• whole-wheat pita stuffed with sliced hard-cooked eggs
• hot cereal topped with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or cloves
• peanut butter on a bagel with fresh fruit (banana or apple wedges) and low-fat milk
• breakfast smoothie (milk, fruit, and teaspoon of bran, whirled in a blender)
• vegetable omelet with a bran muffin and orange juice
• hummus on whole-wheat toast and milk
• lean turkey on a toasted English muffin and vegetable juice
• heated leftover rice with chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon, plus fruit juice