If a group of parents gather with their kids, you’re bound to hear comments about development. Whether you’re at the park, play group, or story time you may glance around at the other children and wonder if your baby is on track.One mom says, “My son is sitting up already,” then you hear “Can you believe my girl is walking and not even a year old?”You may be impressed and complimentary, or you may roll your eyes. These comments about development can get tiresome if you feel your child is behind. The truth is, every child develops at his own pace, and McLane Children’s Scott & White Pediatrician Dr. Michael Okogbo explains just how a child grows and develops over time.

Growth

Growth refers to physical measures, while development refers to gaining functional skills during childhood.

Dr. Okogbo and other health professionals track the growth of your infant at well child visits. They look for early signs of health and progression.

“During the first several months of life, weight gain serves as an important indicator of the child’s general well being,” says Dr. Okogbo

Some important measures of infant growth include:

• The newborn average weight at birth is 7.7lb (3.5kg), length 20inch (50cm), and head circumference 14inch (35cm).
• Newborns gain 30gm an day in the first three months of life, and about 10-20gm per day for the rest of the first year.
• Infants double their birth weight by six months of age and triple their birth weight by 12 months of life.

These are good indicators to see if your child is growing properly in the first year of life. As your child gets older, you will continue to attend yearly well-child visits, and your doctor will be able to assess the continued growth of your child.

During this period of childhood growth, it is important that you keep an eye on your child. If you are concerned, Dr. Okogbo suggests taking your child to see a pediatrician to ease any of your worries.

“The pediatrician would make an assessment as to whether there is cause for concern,” he says. The doctor can see your child’s growth over time, answer any questions you have, and even perform developmental screenings, if needed.

Development

As your child grows, he will begin to develop functional skills. You may cheer when your child first lifts his head, and the excitement continues as he sits up, learns to crawl, and takes his first step.

These major milestones are part of growing up, and will happen naturally as your child gets comfortable and aware of his body and the world around him.

Dr. Okogbo outlines five areas of development, and explains that some children may have an isolated delay in one particular area. For example, your child may be ahead in gross motor skills but lacking in social development.

As a parent, it is important to be aware and attentive, but to avoid putting too much pressure on your small child. Dr. Okogbo says your child may need a little encouragement, but in time he will catch up with his peers and you might never notice a problem later.

The Five Areas of Development

As your child grows, you will notice development in five main categories. For a list of developmental milestones by age, click here.

Five areas of development include:

1. Gross motor—Major body movements
2. Fine motor/adaptive—Involving the small muscles of the body
3. Personal/social—Interacting  with others
4. Language—Communicating and verbalizing
5. Cognitive—Brain skills allowing us to think, remember and learn

Gross Motor Skills

Motor development starts with the head and moves down the body. Dr. Okogbo says this is in line with the maturation of the brain. “There has to be neck control before sitting can be achieved,” he explains. Gross motor skills can be easily observed on a play structure or other area where children can have room to move around.

Guidelines for Development

Parents have a large role in assisting with the development of their child. If you feel your child is behind in some of these areas, contact your doctor.

“The children we are most concerned about are those with delays across developmental spectrum,” says Dr. Okogbo. “This is termed global developmental delay. These are the children more at risk not to catch up with their peers and these require early and aggressive intervention.”

Remember, these steps are just guidelines and each child progresses differently. For more information about developmental milestones, click here for a general list of some of the things your child may be doing at different ages.

Texas country music stars Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Cory Morrow and Drew Womack came together to raise money to buy a digital blood irradiator for McLane Children’s Scott & White.

A digital blood irradiator is a new piece of medical equipment to help some of the most fragile patients who need blood transfusions. The irradiator bathes a quantity of blood with gamma radiation to kill off any virus or bacteria that may be present. Also, it reduces or eliminates what is called graft versus host disease (GVHD), where a patient’s blood “fights” with donated blood following a transfusion. Blood irradiators have been used for many years at Scott & White, but this new digital version is just about to receive final approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Central Texas philanthropic women’s group called The Visionaries has wanted to raise money to buy one for McLane Children’s Hospital. They put on a “Boots and Bandanas” show last Saturday night at Schoepf’s Barbeque in Belton.

The event was a success, raising almost $240,000. McLane Company was a big corporate sponsor. Country music producer Clayton Corn helped The Visionaries put on the show, which packed in more than 600 people.

The hospital expects to get the digital bold irradiator in a couple of months.

Written by Michelle Schwier, RRT, AE-C, Asthma Outreach Coordinator

Unmanaged asthma can interfere with a child’s daily routine – from playing sports to going to school to sleeping. In fact, asthma is one of the main reasons that students miss school due to illness – more than 14 million lost school days every year, according to the American Lung Association.

McLane Children’s Scott & White is here to help parents learn more about managing their child’s asthma. We’re offering FREE education and information classes on pediatric asthma for parents and caregivers of children with asthma. Our first class is Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at McLane Children’s Hospital.

Topics will include:

• What is asthma?
• How is it diagnosed?
• Signs and symptoms
• Triggers and trigger avoidance
• Medications
• Smoking cessation

When the child and caregiver are educated about asthma and learn how they can better control it, they are more empowered. The child and caregiver can learn how they can play an active role in the management of the patient’s asthma, and are essential players on the team along with their health care providers.

To RSVP to attend the class, call 254-724-5517 or email mschwier@sw.org.

New Asthma Outreach Program

McLane Children’s also offers a new program called Asthma Outreach, which is geared toward reducing clinic, emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to asthma, and to reduce the number of missed school days and work days due to asthma symptoms.

When a child is admitted to the McLane Children’s Hospital, an Asthma Home Management plan is developed with the Asthma Outreach Team. Our team meets with the patient and their caregiver, be it a mother, father, grandma, etc., to educate them about their child’s asthma.

Our outreach team then follows up with the patient once he or she goes home. We work with school nurses on asthma action plans once the child is back in school and help provide asthma education to the school nurses.

Not only will your child benefit from our education classes and outreach program, but the entire family can as well. This is because when the patient’s asthma is under control the entire family has a better quality of life. There is less disruption in the daily life of the family because there are fewer trips to the doctor and the hospital. Our goal is for the patient to have the best quality of life possible and to be able to feel “normal.” They should not have to worry about exercising or waking up each night coughing.

Find out more about our asthma education classes and outreach program.

As the school year comes to a close and families look forward to their summer vacations, you are probably excited to be out of school.

But when summer vacation ends and parents get back into routine, many doctor offices are slammed with families trying to schedule school checkups or sports physicals.

The thought of another school year starting this fall may be the farthest thing from your mind, but here are a few reasons to plan ahead and get your child’s physical early.

Will my Well Child Visit serve also as a Sports Physical?

If you’re the parent who is calling the doctor’s office the day before practice starts, we have news for you. There’s a better way.

Find a pediatric clinic closest to you!

Your child is recommended to be seen every year for a well child visit. At this visit, your primary care doctor will do a full assessment of your child’s needs, including growth, development, immunizations, as well as discuss personal topics such as nutrition, substance abuse, bullying, sexual activity or thoughts of suicide.

The best news for parents is this well child visit can be used to approve your child’s participation in sports. This means your doctor will sign the paperwork for sports participation without another visit, if your child has been seen within a general six-month time frame.

So you can make your well child appointment starting this spring, and you’ll be covered for the sports physical when it comes around in the fall.

Dr. Robert Burke and Dr. Daniel Ransom are pediatricians at McLane Children’s Scott & White and perform well child checks for many children and urge patients to come in early.

“Our focus in primary care is to provide preventative care as well as helping direct a child to the right sport,” says Dr. Burke, who sees patients at the Temple Towne Center Clinic. “It can save that child some significant injuries and being seen can help keep them up-to-date with other health issues.”

Benefits of a Well Child Visit to be used as a Sports Physical:

• One appointment for all health needs
• Time with your primary provider who knows you and your family
• A chance to catch up on important immunizations
• Ability to discuss options of what sport would fit your child’s growth, interest and prevent risks
• Instead of excluding from activities, find a fit that the child would enjoy
• For those with chronic conditions or medication needs, all refills and renewals can be discussed
• An overall look at your child and opportunity to discuss behavior, nutrition and personal issues
• Discussion of potential risks involved with a particular sport

Why Do I Need to Worry about my Sports Physical Now?

Many of you have been there—we need a doctor’s signature as soon as possible so our child can go to practice. We make phone calls, desperate to get our child seen by someone.

A few problems if you procrastinate your doctor visit:

• You risk not being able to be seen in time
• If you do get in, you may not get to see your regular doctor
• You may have to make another appointment to update immunizations
• You put unnecessary stress on yourself or your child
• You may fail to get complete care, by opting for a quick sports physical somewhere else
• Most well child exams are covered by insurance but if you procrastinate, you may pay a fee somewhere else for care

“I think it’s ideal for parents and patients to think about their sports requirements throughout the year, says Dr. Burke. “It’s only a once-a-year annual checkup, and that’s usually the best way to have accurate health information that will enable them to receive the care they need.”

If you’d like to get in for your child’s annual checkup, don’t put it off. Pediatricians at the McLane Children’s Clinic in College Station like Dr. Daniel Ransom will be busy this fall as they move to a new hospital and adapt a new computer system.  Slots are bound to fill up quickly.

What About the Sports Physical Day at My Child’s School?

Some schools provide a day set aside to perform sports physicals for those who need them. Although this may seem like a tempting solution, our providers recommend a well child visit with a doctor to ensure all the health needs of your child are met.

One issue with group physicals is some use a station method where one provider checks the heart, one checks the child’s back, and so on. This means there is not a provider looking at the overall health of the child.

“The group physicals at the school do not give a full picture of the health of the patient. We also catch immunizations and other health concerns that may need attention,” says Dr. Ransom.

How Can I Keep My Child Safe During Sports?

“The idea behind the sports physical is to ensure that there are no other health conditions that put the child at greater risk than the sport itself,” says Dr. Burke

If you schedule a visit with your pediatrician, you can discuss your safety concerns with your doctor.

“We answer many questions from parents regarding sport specific health risks, such as concussions, dehydration, and common injuries,” says Dr. Ransom.

For more safety tips, read our article: Five Tips to Protect Your Child from Sports Injuries.

To schedule your well child visit or sports physical, find a pediatric clinic closest to you.

Our teenagers face a critical point in their lives where they establish lasting eating habits. They often look for fast solutions, if they eat breakfast on the way to school or grab a snack after practice. These convenient options may seem like a good idea, until these snacks are uncovered.

As we take a look at an artificial sweetener called High Fructose Corn Syrup or HFCS, you’ll see the man-made compound is in more than soda. HFCS is creeping into a number of processed foods, and is a major health threat to our teenagers.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Dawn Sears is the Scott & White Medical Director of Wellness and works with teenagers through McLane Children’s Scott & White. She is passionate about the onslaught of obesity that is plaguing our culture today.

“The obesity epidemic occurred starting in the ‘80s when HFCS was introduced,” she says. “This has changed the entire way we view health. As a result, this current generation will be the unhealthiest generation ever and will probably be the first time in which life expectancy will actually decline from one generation to the next.”

The ‘80s not only brought funky fashion that is coming back into style, but this serious issue of HFCS. We may not be able to keep the tie-dye out of their wardrobe, but we can keep teenagers safe from the overwhelming amount of fructose.

Where is High Fructose Corn Syrup Found?

The number one way HFCS is delivered to humans is in soda and sugar sweetened drinks and juices.

This is over 45% of all HFCS consumed. You will also find it in virtually every other processed food you eat, even the healthy ones, Dr. Sears says.

HFCS is in granola bars, peanut butter, soup, saltines, fruit snacks, ketchup, pancake syrup and frozen meals. If you look on the package, you may also see another name such as corn sugar, fructose sugar, corn starch, corn syrup, modified food starch and others. Don’t be fooled, all of these are a form of HFCS. They are usually in foods to add sweetness, keep food preserved, or maintain consistency at a cheaper cost.

Why is High Fructose Corn Syrup Bad for My Teenager?

When your teenager grabs a soda with his friends, or on a late-night slushy run, he is consuming unneeded calories.

In fact, Dr. Sears says if you drink one 32oz. soda a day it results in an extra 500 calories. It takes a seven-mile walk to burn those calories, or it will result in one extra pound of fat gain per week.

That’s a lot of calories your body is consuming with a quick sip of a drink. Other processed foods can contain high amounts of sugars which don’t send off full signals to our brain or may block the receptor that helps our body get rid of sugars through energy and movement.

“Sweeteners tell your brain that you have taken in food and that you don’t need more,” says Dr. Sears. “Both HFCS and artificial sweeteners do not do this, so this results in people eating more food and not being satisfied and eating even more food and continuing to want something more.”

Because artificial sweeteners do not tell your body when you are full, you risk overeating. This is a major problem that is plaguing our younger generation. Dr. Sears compares the socially acceptable soda drinking, to the socially acceptable smoking that occurred in the 1950s. Both are hazardous practices that greatly impact our health and need to be watched closely.

“Taking in higher levels of fructose leads to higher blood sugar levels in the blood stream which stay higher longer and ultimately cause high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many other health problems,” says Dr. Sears.

How Can I Fight High Fructose Corn Syrup?

In order to fight back against HFCS, obesity, and other health risks, here are a few suggestions.

1. Drink water—Water is less expensive and better for your body. Dr. Sears recommends only drinking sugar drinks about once a month.
2. Don’t buy it—As parents you are the gatekeepers to the home, and whatever you buy will be available to your children. Instead of stocking up on sugary snacks, drinks or processed foods, consider prepping healthy snacks with your children to have on hand throughout the week. You can cut up fruit, put oatmeal in bags, or provide other quick options that are better for your whole family.
3. Provide a variety of fruits and veggies early on—If you start early, your children will know fruits and vegetables are an important part of their diet. Explore new types, because you may be stunned to discover that your teenager loves brussel sprouts.
4. Realize the real cost savings—Dr. Sears says it just takes more planning, because apples cost the same as a bag of chips and a bag of frozen peas is less than a dollar and you can get a couple family meals from it. Even more than the immediate savings, you will save on medical expenses and health costs in the years to come.
5. Eat the good fructose found in fruit or other natural sugars—Dr. Sears says when we consume fruits or other good sugar it comes along with Vitamin C, fiber and other helpful substances. If we’ve had too much HFCS, our taste buds may find these natural sugars dull, but with a few weeks of palate cleansing you can find pleasure in fruits and vegetables again.

“The decisions and habits of the teen years determine the habits and health of people for the rest of their lives,” says Dr. Sears. As parents are educated about healthy eating, you will protect your children from the dangers of high fructose corn syrup.

We love our volunteers! Join us as we thank all our dedicated, hard-working volunteers the week of April 21-27, which is National Healthcare Volunteers Week.

The volunteers at McLane Children’s Scott & White are a vital part of our team. They provide a valuable service to the community and make a positive impact on our patients and their families’ lives. Volunteers help us greet and direct visitors and patients to their appointments, deliver gifts to patients, staff the information desk and refreshment kiosks, assist family members in the ICU and day surgery waiting areas and staff the Gift Shop.

Our 2013 Volunteers

Billie Alford, Regan Allen, Nancy Armstrong, Tori Belcher, Leanna Bond,
David Boyle, Joyce Clark, Taylor Cockrell, Gabrielle Cole, Janice Combs,
Tommye Conn, Ruth Daniel, Katie Davis, Kevin Davis, McKenzie Davis,
Betty DeNeve, Sharon Douglas, Bonnie Fowler, Larry Givens, Rachael Green,
Kay Hagedorn, Norbert Hansen, Steven Hansen, Teresa Heemsbergen, Zsanett Hunter,
Shirley Jaworski, Jean Ann Jones, Junior League of Bell County, Brittany Kacal, Anson Kelley,
Alissa Klatt, Sharon Knowles, Janet Lanham, Jordan Lara, Michaele Lindemann,
Jan Lundbeck, Judy Martinez, Angela McGeHee, Paula Meyer, Beverly Mock,
Melissa Mullins, Julia Olson, Teresa Paris, Kat Pasichnyk, Becky Paysse,
Susie Pederson, Sharon Raabe, Joan Ray, JoAnn Riley, Sharon Riley,
Helen Rowland, Lauren Russell, Carol Scanio, Ann Secrest, Linda Smetanka,
Joe Ann Smith, Candice Wade, Emily Warlick, Sylvia White, Hollie Whitley,
Allison Williams, Cimry Williams, Trent Williams and Carrice Wunsch

You can help, too!

Call 254-935-4265 or email rphinney@sw.org to find out how to become a volunteer at McLane Children’s.

Fill out a volunteer application (pdf) and volunteer conditions agreement (pdf) and bring them to the hospital to get started! Visit our website for more details.

If there is an adolescent in your home, the next few years can be some of the best fun you have ever had, or some of the most trying.

Much of that depends on how you would answer two questions:

1. Are you communicating effectively? Yelling and one-syllable answers don’t count!
2. Are expectations established? Are there clear, fair, firm rules in your family? Having good house rules can decrease areas of conflict and argument.

Dr. Alma Golden, McLane Children’s Scott & White pediatrician has worked with countless teens, government organizations, and families trying to help parents speak up and communicate with their teenagers.

Parents can be the Ticket to Success

Whether you want to talk about your teen’s day at school or who he’s dating, getting a teenager to talk can be difficult. However hard, it is important to speak up, because Dr. Golden says parents are the key.

Surveys and studies consistently show that preteens and teens want to learn the most important lessons in life from their parents. Not friends, teachers or a girlfriend, but parents.

This means, they want to know how to make decisions, how to be respected and show respect, how to plan for life, how to have strong friendships, how to refuse drugs and sex, and how to plan for a great career and a good marriage.

Dr. Golden says, “Do not fail them.  Do not run away from these important conversations. In fact, learn how to start these important talks.”

Be W-I-S-E when Talking to your Teen

Entering into your teenager’s world can be intimidating at first. To help you feel comfortable talking to your teen, Dr. Golden has an easy acronym to help you.

“W” is for “Welcome” time with your teen. If you appear irritated, rushed, tired or self-conscious, your teen will sense he is not welcomed, and that talking is a chore, not a pleasure.

“I” is for “Interest” in what your teen sees, does and thinks. Let your teen be the expert on her world. Encourage stories of what she experiences, and how that affects her and her friends.

“S” is for “Support” for your teen’s daily success and future dreams. Tell him about how important values like compassion, honesty, and hard work, help prepare for those successes.

“E” is for “Equip” your youth with the knowledge, attitudes, skills and opportunities to face problems.

Then Get Ready to Talk!

Dr. Golden says sometimes it is easier to talk about “things” rather than “to” people. Try some conversation starters like these when you are riding in the car, or sitting around the kitchen table:

• The newspaper said there were some people with drugs near your school last week. What would your friends do if someone tried to sell drugs to them?
• Ms. Martin told me that there are five girls at your school that are pregnant. What do your friends think about teenagers having a baby?
• I haven’t seen Jason around here lately. Sometimes relationships with old friends change during the teen years. How are things going with your friends?

“Parents are the best role model on how to solve problems and establish relationships,” says Dr. Golden.

Don’t forget to Listen

If your teenager has opened up, don’t forget how to listen.

Consider these ideas to maintain healthy communication:

• Stop whatever you’re doing to be interested and attentive.
• Let your teen talk, and don’t interrupt or talk down to them.
• Give them clues that you’re listening, nod your head or respond and look for their body language for non-verbal clues.
• Ask open-ended questions and avoid questions that can be answered by yes or no.
• Help your child clarify his feelings by naming it, restating his thoughts or asking questions.
• Follow-up and ask about topics you’ve talked about before.

Avoiding Confrontation with Clear House Rules

“One way to reduce arguments with a teen is to have clear, fair and firm rules that are shared early and maintained,” says Dr. Golden.

She suggests discussing respect, honesty, privileges, age for dating, rules for media use, guidelines for teen’s outings, restricting all drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Even further, she says those teens who live in clear boundaries are more likely to have a successful future.

SAMPLE HOUSE RULES:

• Show respect. Get respect.
• Be honest. Gain trust.
• Make a mess. Clean it up.
• Responsible workers reap rewards.
• No drugs. No alcohol. No tobacco. Period.
• Permission BEFORE you go.
• Parents must know where you are, who you are with, and how to contact you at all times.

Parents should look forward, not back

Many parents struggled with problems during their own teen years and worry that they are setting higher standards for their teen than they met during adolescence.

Dr. Golden shares a quote for parents who had a rough life as a teen: “If I tell you not to do what I am doing, I am a hypocrite. If I tell you not to do what I have done, I am a teacher.”

As you move forward and talk to your teen, you will establish bonds of trust, communication, friendship and mutual understanding.

As you care about the little things, you will lay a foundation to talk about the big topics facing teenagers. For more information about talking to teens about sex, visit our past blog article: What Parents Should Know about Adolescent Sex Exposure.

McLane Children’s Scott & White will be accepting donations for those impacted by the West tragedy. We have set up a drop-off location in the second small red brick building directly in front of McLane Children’s Hospital. The building is located on the SW H.K. Dodgen Loop frontage road on the right side after you pass the main entrance to McLane Children’s Hospital. The side door will be open Friday, April 19, until 6 p.m.  Please contact Regina Phinney by e-mail (rphinney@sw.org) or office number 254-935-4265 if you are able to volunteer a few hours to help at the collection site this weekend. Stay tuned for additional weekend drop-off hours.

Suggested items to donate:

• Bottled water or any small bottled drinks/juice boxes
• Personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, shaving cream, feminine products, soap, etc.)
• Toiletries (trash bags, toilette paper, paper towels, laundry soap etc.)
• School supplies
• HEB or Wal-Mart gift cards
• Blankets
• Small pillows
• Sleeping bags or cots
• Clothes (infant through adult)
• Towels
• Food (non-perishable)
• Baby formula and food
• Diapers
• Snacks
• Board or card games
• Crossword puzzles or books
• Dog food
• Cat food

Thank you very much on behalf of McLane Children’s Hospital. The citizens and community of West deeply value your contributions.

Another morning as you get your kids out of bed and off to school, you go into your son’s room and realize he’s wet the bed. The smell of urine and feelings of disappointment are both looming in the room.

You’ve been changing bed sheets night after night, and doing endless loads of laundry. You wonder when it will stop. When will you be able to throw out all of the overnight diapers and all of the embarrassment you’ve been hiding?

To battle bed wetting, you may need expert help. It is a common condition, medically known as enuresis. Bet wetting is diagnosed at an age when a child will usually have achieved bladder control, usually around age five.

Susan Rapp, PNP works at the new McLane Children’s Scott & White West Temple Clinic that just opened in January. Ms. Rapp helps kids overcome the problems with bed wetting, as it can bring significant stress within the family and may interfere with the child’s social development.

“Embarrassment and anxiety for patient and family are the most important reasons to treat bed wetting,” says Ms. Rapp. “Bed wetting itself causes no direct impairment of the child, but many children feel very alone with this problem, both within the family, and certainly with peers.”

Bed Wetting Basics

In order to treat bed wetting, first classify your child’s enuresis into one of two categories:

1. Primary enuresis—Usually classified if your child is age five or older and urinates during his sleep at least twice a month. This is seen in about 20% of otherwise healthy five-year-olds.
2. Secondary enuresis—This is noted when a child has attained dry nights for more than six months but then begins having issues with bed wetting. Some factors may include a stressful life event, such as divorce, death of a loved one, the birth of a sibling or general social chaos in the child’s life.

What Happens During the Night?

The cause of bed wetting can be for a number of reasons, and can be discussed in detail with your healthcare provider. You must realize that your child is not simply being lazy and not getting up to urinate. There may be a variety of causes or biological and psychological issues that may be getting in the way.

Ms. Rapp gives a few explanations of bed wetting:

• Chronic constipation can irritate the bladder.
• Sleep apnea may make the child less likely to wake up when they feel the urge to urinate.
• Urinary tract infections or diabetes.
• Also consider genetics, as an enuretic parent is seen in 40% of enuretic children, and if both had enuresis this increases to 77%.
• It is seen slightly more often in boys than girls.

How Can I Help My Child Feel Better About Themselves?

With the stress that comes from bed wetting, it can be hard to stay positive. Realize that your child needs your support and encouragement. Instead of moaning or scolding your child as you change the sheets, try to talk calmly. Wetting the bed should never be a trigger or source for punishment, as this can make the child feel even worse about the situation.

Keep in mind a few ways to help your child stay positive:

• Remind children that bed wetting is no one’s fault.
• Let your child know they aren’t alone and other kids have the same problem.
• Regulate teasing from other siblings or family members.
• Praise your child for any small success including helping with the clean-up, waking up at night, having smaller wet spots or any other sign of improvement.
• Ask yourself if your child understands what you’re asking of them.
• Remember to explain what you’re asking of them to do and that they are willing.
• Step back and see if they are too young or your expectations too high.

If you feel that you need help from a healthcare provider, be sure to tell your child that it is a safe environment where you all can talk about his bed wetting openly.

“As a healthcare provider, it is important to lessen the anxiety and embarrassment involved in discussing enuresis in the office,” says Ms. Rapp. “We let our patients know that, although the subject matter may be hard to talk about, we are there to listen and offer solutions to correct the problem.”

Making it Easier to Deal with Bed Wetting

Some general first line approaches to bed wetting are to:

• Limit fluid intake by the child after 6 pm.
• Have your child urinate just prior to bedtime.
• Keep a nightlight on in the bathroom.
• Try to not use pull-ups or diapers.
• Invest in mattress covers to avoid urine soaking through the sheets.
• Purchase an air freshener or odor eliminator to get rid of the smell of urine.
• If an accident occurs, have the child change pajamas and place towels over the wet area. In the morning, the child can change bed linens and shower.
• Bed wetting alarms are also available on the market. These alarm when the child urinates, waking them up and motivating them to go the bathroom.
• There are also medications that your doctor can prescribe that tend to work successfully as long as they are taken each night.

It can be scary to think of overnight camp outs or sleepover parties and realize your child may not be ready. Even if you feel that you’ve tried everything and your child is still wetting the bed, don’t be discouraged. This is a stage of childhood that you can go through together and people are there to help. Be patient and encouraging as you set goals and work through the stress of bed wetting together.

If your child needs help with bed wetting, make an appointment today with a McLane Children’s pediatrician by calling 254-724-KIDS (5437).

When the doctor announced to Temple resident Tansyl White and her husband Dominic that the little squirming bundle of joy in her womb was a girl, the Whites were overjoyed. Not only were they ecstatic to have a little girl on the way, but they were excited to be able to use the name they’d picked out even before they were married.

“When Dominic told me his grandmother’s name was Ella, I fell in love with [the name],” Mrs. White said. “I already knew that my first daughter would carry on the family middle name of Denise—my mom, great-grandmother, grandmother, aunts and cousins all had the middle name Denise. So, it just worked out that the two names worked perfectly together.”

Luckily, the couple was pregnant with a baby girl, and could give her the name deeply rooted in family history. But before the Whites knew the gender of their new little one, they did what most expecting families do—they scoured the Earth (or at least the Internet) for the perfect name.

And sometimes inspiration for the perfect name can come from your grandmother’s maiden name or a character from your favorite film series.

According to the Social Security Administration of Texas, the most popular boys name in 2011 was Jacob, which just happens to be one of the characters from the Twilight series. And the name Bella, which is also a name featured in the film, ranked number 56 in the state.

But films don’t have to be your muse. Maybe you’ll choose from a list of the most popular names of the year. Here are the top five baby names of 2013, according to babycenter.com.

Rank                      Male                     Female

1                                Liam                        Emma

2                               Noah                        Sophia

3                               Mason                     Olivia

4                               Ethan                       Isabella

5                               Jack                          Ava

Wherever you draw inspiration, just make sure it’s something you’ll want to yell over and over again when they won’t pick up their toys or they’re playing their music too loud.

How did you choose your child’s name? Did you choose a family name or name your little one after your favorite celebrity?