Month: April 2016

PERIOD TALK

PERIOD TALK

Posted by | Apr 22, 2016 |

Do you have a daughter and dread having “the talk” about periods? Are you uncertain when to broach the subject? Are you secretly hoping she’ll learn all she needs to know at “maturation day” in school? (If you aren’t from Utah, “maturation day” is a few hours one day in fifth grade where kids are taught about development, puberty, and periods). If you’re like my husband, he’s so uncomfortable with the notion that he refers to periods as “ladies days.” Take heart, this is what you need to know. The terms Menarche: The very first period Menustration: The cycle of blood...

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HOW TO HELP YOUR LOST CHILD: THE WONNACOTT SHOE TRICK

HOW TO HELP YOUR LOST CHILD: THE WONNACOTT SHOE TRICK

Posted by | Apr 20, 2016 |

Call me paranoid, but one of my greatest fears as a mother is losing my child. If you’ve ever been a store, turned your back (for a second), and turned around and suddenly your child is gone (just for a second until you find her), you know of the instant panic that ensues. In a response to this fear, I created the Wonnacott shoe trick. This trick relies on the basic premise that people are good and will help a small child. The trick is designed for a child who is old enough to understand instructions (about 2 years-old),...

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ZIKA VIRUS: HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE?

ZIKA VIRUS: HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE?

Posted by | Apr 19, 2016 |

Everyone has heard something about the Zika virus. You may be surprised to know that while it has gotten a lot of press (because of its spread and link to birth defects), it’s not new. Zika was in fact, discovered in 1947 and is named for the Zika Forest in Uganda. The first cases of human infection were reported in 1952. So how worried should you be about this nearly 70 year-old virus? Well, that all depends on where you live, whether you are planning on traveling, or if you are pregnant (or trying to become pregnant). Here are...

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SAFETY TIP: CREATE AN ICE CONTACT

SAFETY TIP: CREATE AN ICE CONTACT

Posted by | Apr 18, 2016 |

Most very young children can navigate a cell phone. Why not teach your young children how to look up your “ICE” contact if there is a problem? ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency.” Medical personnel are increasingly aware of ICE contacts and will look in a person’s cell phone in hopes of finding emergency contacts that may be able to provide critical medical information when a patient arrives unconscious or unable to answer questions. Here are the 3 simple steps: Create a new contact in your cell phone. Label the name “ICE” followed by who will be contacted...

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TIPS FOR STOPPING A BLOODY NOSE

TIPS FOR STOPPING A BLOODY NOSE

Posted by | Apr 16, 2016 |

Most people have experienced a bloody nose. This time of year they are particularly common with allergy season. The nose gets irritated and easily bleeds from the picking and rubbing that ensues. Bloody noses are particularly common in Utah where the air is so dry. There is a surprising amount of misinformation out there on how to handle bloody noses. Here are the quick facts: How to stop a bloody nose: Firmly pinch the end of the nose, so the nose is completely closed. The idea is to apply pressure to the area that is bleeding so the body can...

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Dr. Monica Wonnacott


I'm a pediatrician and a mom. PediatricAnswers.com is my blog where parents can get the straight scoop on their child's health, largely based on my experience in the office and at home. I don't diagnose on the site, so please don't ask. These are just my opinions. Use this site as a resource. And trust your parent gut.

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