Doctors N Health Land

What should I know about kids and smoking?

Each day, at least 3,000 kids become regular smokers.
Most smokers begin smoking as young as ages 12 to 14.
Both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are harmful to your child’s health.

What are the effects of smoking?

Smoking damages the lungs, causing shortness of breath and decreased physical fitness.
Smoking often leads to other drug use.
Smokers usually have a higher resting heart rate than non-smokers. This means that while resting, smokers’ hearts have to work harder than non-smokers’ hearts.
Smoking leads to increased coughing and greater chance of getting a respiratory illness.
Smoking can lead to nicotine addiction, making it hard to quit.
Smoking often causes cancer or heart disease, both of which can lead to death.
For those with asthma, smoking can make asthmatic symptoms worse.
Smoking causes wrinkles and bad breath and stains the teeth. It also makes clothes smell like smoke.
Smokers get more cavities than non-smokers and are more likely to get sick.

What are some reasons kids start smoking?

Kids might start smoking because they think it makes them look more grown up.
Kids might smoke to rebel against their parents or teachers.
Kids might smoke to relieve stress.
Kids might smoke because of peer pressure. If their friends smoke, they might start smoking, too.
Kids might smoke because they think it helps them lose weight. They may think that trying to quit will make them gain weight.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is the uneasy feeling you can get when riding in something moving (car, plane, boat, etc.).

What causes it?

Your child senses her body move by using her Inner ears, Eyes, Skin and Muscles. Her brain gets the information and tries to understand what she is doing at that time. When some of the information does not make sense, then she might get motion sickness. For example, your child feels a bumpy car ride with her skin, muscles, and inner ear. But, she sees the car seat that is not moving. Her brain does not understand why her muscles feel the motion, but her eyes do not see motion. So, she gets motion sickness.

How is it treated?

Stop the car. Have her lie on her back with her eyes closed. She will feel better in a short period of time. Place a cold cloth on her face. There are over-the-counter drugs that help motion sickness. One is called Dramamine. Check with your doctor before using these drugs. Do not give drugs to infants and young children without talking to your doctor.

What is bonding?

Bonding is the attachment that develops between a baby and her parents.
Bonding is a feeling of love. It makes you want to give your baby affection and protect her.
Bonding helps your child feel secure and helps her begin building positive self-esteem.
Bonding helps parents understand a baby’s cries and signals and meet the baby’s needs.
Bonds can form between a baby and her mother, father, siblings, adoptive parents, and other relatives and caregivers.

When does bonding take place?

Babies usually bond with their parents in the minutes, hours, or days following birth.
Bonding can take place at any time. There is no time limit.

What if we don’t bond right away?

Most babies are ready to bond immediately after birth. This is not always possible, however.
If a baby is sick and needs immediate care, she may need to be taken away from parents to receive medical attention in a different room. Often, parents are exhausted after delivery and need time to rest before they are ready to bond. A complicated birth can delay bonding. If your baby has health problems or a birth defect (especially facial), bonding may be delayed. This is normal. It often takes parents some time to adjust to unexpected conditions. Some parents feel an immediate sense of love and affection right away, while other parents may not. This intense feeling will probably develop over time as you take care of your baby and have less anxiety about your new responsibilities. It’s easier to bond with your newborn if you have the support of family and friends. It’s okay to ask others for help so that you can take a break from time to time. You’ll be able to take better care of your child if you take good care of yourself, too.