PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

Brittany Jimenez, RN   From the desk of Brittany Jimenez, RN As adults we can often forget how much fun play is to a child. We think, “they are just playing” but did you know that children are learning about themselves and the world through play? Play is essential in language development. From the baby games of “Peek-a-boo” and “So Big” to a backyard game of tag - play builds vocabulary, stimulates imagination and gives children an opportunity to learn and try new words. Children are free to make choices when engaged in play. They can play out scenarios that give them power to express emotions of happiness, sadness or anger. Play offers opportunities to try new ideas and express their feelings in a safe environment.   When children are playing they are learning about their bodies. Large and small motor development is constantly found in play - from building with blocks and Lego’s to dressing dolls and pretending to be super heroes! Play strengthens the body, develop...

Kimberly Gubbins, CPNP From the desk of Kim Gubbins, CPNP As long as we can all remember, babies have been tightly wrapped in swaddles. There are many positives to swaddling an infant. A swaddle keeps a baby warm and helps them sleep. Most believe that swaddling aids in longer sleep hours due to a baby’s innate startle reflex. This is a reflex they cannot control and if swaddled, they are kept from waking themselves more frequently. In the last few years we have seen some worrisome repercussions from the art of swaddling. Two of the main negatives of swaddling include hip dysp l asia and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Hip dysp l asia is a condition when your child's thighbone (the femur), pops our of the socket from their hip. Studies have linked tight swaddling to an increase in this condition. Secondly, we have seen infants who were swaddled for longer than two months of age have serious consequences. If your infant rolls over while swaddled and ends up on their sto...