http://www.lebonheur.org Most Recent Practical Parenting Blogs en-US 2024-09-07T09:23:04 It’s devastating to lose anyone to suicide, but a child’s death is nearly unthinkable. Unfortunately, childhood suicide is on the rise. In 2022, one of the leading causes of death for teens and young adults was suicide. /blogs/practical-parenting/why-is-childhood-suicide-on-the-rise 2024-08-29T11:00:00 All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents are a common cause of Le Bonheur Emergency Room visits. Since 2020, Le Bonheur has cared for more than 400 kids who have been hurt in an ATV accident. /blogs/practical-parenting/adventure-safely-atv-safety-tips-for-kids 2024-07-30T10:00:00 Peanuts, eggs, wheat and milk. Most parents are aware of common food allergens, but could your child have an intolerance instead? /blogs/practical-parenting/allergy-or-intolerance-how-to-know-the-difference 2024-07-08T07:15:00 Many summer celebrations wouldn’t be complete without fireworks. But when children are around it’s important to take extra precaution, as firework temperatures can reach extreme heights. /blogs/practical-parenting/fireworks-safety 2024-06-28T12:45:00 With many community pools opening for the summer, it's important to remember to stay safe while in or around water. Children can drown in a matter of seconds. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old according to Safe Kids USA. /blogs/practical-parenting/water-safety 2024-06-27T10:00:00 Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are concerns this time of year. /blogs/practical-parenting/how-to-stay-safe-in-the-summer-heat 2024-06-26T02:00:00 For some children, a heart transplant is a life-changing, life-saving intervention. This delicate months-long process involves a patient, their entire family and a team of expert physicians and health care providers. /blogs/practical-parenting/pediatric-heart-transplants-preparation-and-process 2024-06-04T10:15:00 The most effective way to keep kids safe from gun injuries is to have no guns in the home where children live or play. If you do have a gun in your home, follow these important tips to prevent accidental injuries. /blogs/practical-parenting/if-you-own-a-gun-prevent-accidental-injuries-by-following-these-safety-practices 2024-05-23T11:00:00 Proper dental care is important for people of all ages, even among the youngest of patients. In fact, dental care actually starts in utero. /blogs/practical-parenting/importance-of-pediatric-dental-care-from-infant-to-teen 2024-05-07T01:45:00 Reflux in babies is a common occurrence, but many parents find it to be a challenging issue to navigate. How much reflux is “too much”? When should parents become concerned? /blogs/practical-parenting/addressing-reflux-in-babies 2024-04-23T09:45:00 May is National Stop The Bleed Month. May 23 is National Stop the Bleed Day, an awareness campaign intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. /blogs/practical-parenting/are-you-prepared-in-a-bleeding-emergency 2024-04-23T08:00:00 Does your child really need to wear special protective eye glasses to view the solar eclipse? Yes, and here's why. /blogs/practical-parenting/how-to-protect-your-eyes-and-safely-view-the-solar-eclipse 2024-04-03T11:00:00 We are often left wondering, was there a point at which someone could have intervened? A relative? A friend? A neighbor? Reporting suspected abuse is mandated by law. /blogs/practical-parenting/preventing-child-abuse-and-neglect 2024-03-27T01:15:00 Fever in children can be a scary thing for parents, often causing them to wonder if a trip to the emergency room is necessary. Le Bonheur Pediatrician Blake Bergeron MD, of Pediatric Consultants, shares the advice he often gives parents when their child feels feverish. /blogs/practical-parenting/understanding-kids-fevers-from-common-illness-to-febrile-seizures 2024-03-04T11:45:00 More than 35 cases of measles have been confirmed in the United States this year after 58 cases were recorded in 2023. /blogs/practical-parenting/measles-understanding-the-symptoms-risks-and-prevention-strategies 2024-02-27T01:15:00 In 2022, Le Bonheur's Trauma Team treated 329 patients who had been in a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and 46% of the patients weren’t restrained or were improperly restrained. Here are tips from Safe Kids Worldwide on ensuring children are safe when traveling in a motor vehicle. /blogs/practical-parenting/child-passenger-safety-tips 2024-02-22T10:15:00 Anyone who experiences trauma has a challenging road ahead. But, children can be especially susceptible to long-term effects from a traumatic experience that go beyond physical injury. The SHIFT program at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital was designed to help children and their families work through the aftermath of trauma. /blogs/practical-parenting/shift-program-helping-children-heal-from-traumatic-events 2024-02-16T02:30:00 In neuroscience, technology plays a key role—so much so that it has its own term: neurotechnology. James Wheless, MD, epileptologist, Le Bonheur Neuroscience Institute co-director, and chief of Pediatric Neurology, and Nir Shimony, MD, board-certified neurosurgeon with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, share what types of technology are used today and why they are so impactful in how they care for ... /blogs/practical-parenting/tech-and-neuroscience-how-technology-is-changing-care-for-epilepsy-and-brain-tumors 2024-01-19T03:00:00 Due to freezing weather, multiple water line breaks and production issues have resulted in a significant loss of pressure in the drinking water system for customers of Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) in our area. /blogs/practical-parenting/parents-follow-these-tips-to-keep-your-family-safe-while-under-a-boil-water-advisory 2024-01-19T10:00:00 Birthmarks are very common, with the majority being harmless, benign marks on a child. Some birthmarks, called vascular birthmarks, may need attention from a dermatologist or other pediatric specialist. /blogs/practical-parenting/understanding-vascular-birthmarks 2024-01-17T03:30:00 Safe Kids Mid-South, led by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, offers cold weather safety tips while “At Home, At Play and On the Way.” /blogs/practical-parenting/winter-weather-safety-tips 2024-01-12T01:30:00 Take simple precautions such as adjusting your water heater and using the back burners on your kitchen stove whenever possible. /blogs/practical-parenting/4-simple-ways-to-prevent-burns-and-scalds 2023-12-27T10:30:00 Dr. Emily Gannon, a general pediatrician at Pediatric Consultants PC, breaks down what to look for and when to seek care for your child in the coming months. /blogs/practical-parenting/is-it-the-flu-rsv-or-covid-19 2023-12-27T10:15:00 Texting while driving is becoming a life-threatening norm in our society. This is especially true for teenagers. Every day six teens are killed in a car crash in the United States. Distracted driving is the cause of death for seven percent of those deaths. This is more than any other age group on the road. At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, we treated 49 teen drivers in 2022. Recent research f... /blogs/practical-parenting/save-a-life-don-t-text-and-drive 2023-11-30T02:30:00 We hear a lot about cold and flu season, but another affliction is common, especially for babies younger than two years old: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This virus attacks the lining of the airways and the /blogs/practical-parenting/rsv-season-how-to-guard-against-respiratory-syncytial-virus 2023-10-30T03:00:00 Food, family, gifts and decorations are all highlights of the holiday season, and this year there is plenty to celebrate as we all gather together. The thing that can ruin all the fun is a home fire.  /blogs/practical-parenting/don-t-let-your-holiday-season-go-up-in-smoke-follow-these-fire-safety-tips 2023-10-26T12:45:00 For children ages 5-19, unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of death nationwide. Teenagers are at the greatest risk with a death rate twice that of younger children. At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, we treated 50 kids who were struck by an automobile in 2022. This year we have treated 21 kids so far. Whether your child is walking to school, the park or a friend’s ho... /blogs/practical-parenting/keeping-kids-safe-on-the-streets-essential-child-pedestrian-safety-tips 2023-10-02T01:45:00 Embark on the incredible adventure of parenthood with these five baby safety tips. /blogs/practical-parenting/5-parenting-tips-every-new-parent-needs-to-know 2023-09-22T02:00:00 Anyone who has experienced a sleepless night (or many) knows how debilitating it can be. Difficulty concentrating the following day, low motivation or just being downright cranky are common side effects. Yet, much deeper effects can occur that set one up for residual problems especially in kids. /blogs/practical-parenting/the-importance-of-good-sleep-for-kids 2023-08-23T10:00:00 With the new school year beginning, the pediatric experts from Le Bonheur Children’s and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center hosted a webinar to provide practical advice and answer questions for educators and school personnel. We've summarized their comments on a variety of school health topics. /blogs/practical-parenting/back-to-school-tips-from-le-bonheur-experts 2023-08-09T11:30:00 No two kids learn exactly the same. Sometimes, if a child is struggling in school, they may need something called an individualized education plan, or IEP. This designation falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is a federal law that applies to all schools receiving federal funding. /blogs/practical-parenting/why-your-child-may-need-an-individualized-education-plan-iep 2023-08-01T01:15:00 If ear infections recur often, parents might need to consider a temporary solution: ear tubes. /blogs/practical-parenting/does-your-child-need-ear-tubes 2023-04-10T01:15:00 Medicines can slow down how quickly food moves through the bowel, so that more nutrients are absorbed. /blogs/practical-parenting/managing-short-bowel-in-children 2023-04-10T12:45:00 Every day, more than 300 children in the United States are treated in an emergency department as a result of being poisoned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. /blogs/practical-parenting/poison-prevention 2023-03-01T01:20:00 Here are tips for keeping your kids safe during holiday travel. /blogs/practical-parenting/holiday-travel-safety-checklist 2022-12-07T11:15:00 Halloween celebrates all things scary and spooky, but it's never a good time to feel scared for children's safety. There are several easy steps parents and kids can take to reduce their risk of injury. /blogs/practical-parenting/be-safe-and-seen-this-halloween 2022-10-31T12:00:00 The updated boosters from Pfizer (for ages 5 and up) and Moderna (for ages 6 and up) are called “bivalent” boosters because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5. /blogs/practical-parenting/what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-updated-covid-19-bivalent-boosters-for-kids 2022-10-26T01:45:00 Norovirus is very contagious, and with cases confirmed in our area, it’s important for parents to know the signs and symptoms, as well as how to prevent infection. /blogs/practical-parenting/what-parents-need-to-know-about-norovirus-the-stomach-bug 2022-10-10T03:30:00 In the aftermath of tragic events, families often wonder how to best support their children and help them cope with painful news. /blogs/practical-parenting/how-to-talk-with-children-and-help-them-cope-with-tragedies-in-our-community-and-on-the-news 2022-09-09T12:00:00 In 2017, 6,200 children and adolescents died by suicide, ranking suicide as the second leading cause of death among youth. However, the number of kids who have suicidal thoughts or survive suicide attempts outnumber the amount of kids who die by suicide. In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have classified suicide and suicidal behavior as a public health crisis. /blogs/practical-parenting/myths-and-facts-about-suicide 2022-09-07T11:45:00 School is back in session and with another spike in Covid-19 cases and other viruses, it is important for parents to remain informed. Pediatric experts from Le Bonheur Children’s and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center provide practical advice and answer questions about the coronavirus, vaccines and monkeypox. /blogs/practical-parenting/practical-advice-for-a-healthy-return-to-school-from-the-le-bonheur-uthsc-school-task-force 2022-08-12T01:45:00 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a very common illness during the winter months, especially for babies under the age of two. RSV attacks the lining of the airways and lungs. This winter, prepare yourself with these five important facts about RSV. /blogs/practical-parenting/5-facts-about-rsv-every-parent-needs-to-know 2022-07-28T04:00:00 Unfortunately, there are a number of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues that may arise during the summer season. /blogs/practical-parenting/swimmer-s-ear-allergy-related-ear-pain-and-other-common-summertime-ear-nose-and-throat-ent-issues 2022-07-25T12:30:00 Falls are the most common type of playground injury, accounting for more than 75 percent of all playground-related injuries. Lack of or improper supervision is associated with approximately 45 percent of playground-related injuries. /blogs/practical-parenting/playground-safety 2022-07-21T10:00:00 On Saturday, June 18, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unanimously voted to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, following unanimous approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of new Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for young children. We know parents want what’s best for their chil... /blogs/practical-parenting/what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-covid-19-vaccines-for-young-children 2022-06-22T12:45:00 It may be years before your child is ready to drive, but it’s important to start teaching the rules of the road much sooner. Jennifer Taylor, program manager of Injury Prevention and Safe Kids Mid-South, says bicycle riders are subject to most of the same traffic rules as motor vehicles. /blogs/practical-parenting/protect-your-kid-s-head 2022-05-25T10:15:00 Dietitians at Le Bonheur Children’s hospital urge families to not use the homemade formula circulating on the internet. Our expert clinical dietitians break down what families can do to make sure their babies are safely fed, in urgent situations. /blogs/practical-parenting/formula-shortage-what-parents-can-do-to-feed-their-babies 2022-05-18T03:00:00 Most people don’t just love going to the doctor, but it can be especially stressful for children. Whether it’s a quick visit to get a scheduled vaccination or an overnight stay in the hospital, it’s important to reduce the anxiety children might be experiencing. /blogs/practical-parenting/needle-phobia-easing-kids-anxiety-about-getting-shots 2022-05-12T01:45:00 Snot can be many different colors and there are many myths about what the color of your snot means. Let’s talk about the facts. /blogs/practical-parenting/different-snot-colors-and-what-they-mean 2022-04-04T04:15:00 Hand, foot and mouth disease – you might have heard about this virus before. But what is it and how should it be treated? Le Bonheur Pediatrician Dr. Lori Shenep answers some common questions. /blogs/practical-parenting/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease 2022-04-04T12:15:00