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5 Tips to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy – Dental Health Month

February 22, 2022 by Guest Contributor

Being a mom to an infant or toddler is hard work. We know. With everything else going on, sometimes moms miss a very important aspect of their children’s well-being: their dental health. Statistically, 28% of children ages 2 to 5 will have dental caries in their primary teeth. That statistic is alarming to us pediatric dentists! We’re here to provide some helpful tips for your child to avoid early childhood dental caries and to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles, the first thing is to make sure you hire the right dentist, like Family Dentist, Mark S. Frey, DDS. He is honestly the best dentist who can work with kids and make them feel comfortable, that´s where I take my kids and that´s where you should take yours. But if I can´t go to him, what I do is to make sure the dentist I use knows about parramatta dental surgery, it will show you how much they care about what they do, the last time I went to the dentist I found one that gave use to Dental Marketing Ninjas: Local Search Optimization – Dominating Local Search and I was pretty surprised by their skills.

Bottle Feeding & Nursing – Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed time bottle/sippy cup once their first teeth erupt. Limit your child’s intake of sugary beverages to 1 cup a day and mealtimes are best.
Home Care – Once your child’s first tooth erupts, proper oral hygiene practices should be implemented. Clean your infant’s teeth and gums routinely with a soft, age appropriate toothbrush and pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make it fun! Play your child’s favorite song while you brush.
1^st Dental Checkup – Schedule your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth appears or no later than his or her first birthday.
Balanced Diet – Infants and young children should be provided a balanced diet. Offer healthier alternatives to sugary snacks and beverages like apple slices with string cheese, carrots and hummus, whole grain pretzels or pita chips, and low fat yogurt. Offer almond milk or water to quench your little one’s thirst.
Use a Cup by Age 1 – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents to have children drink from a cup by their first birthday.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first dental checkup, you can visit www.ascensionsmiles.com. Our Board Certified Pediatric Dentist is here to help!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM moms’ experiences with food, fitness, health and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Holly Clegg’s Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

January 2, 2022 by Guest Contributor

Holly Clegg was one of Baton Rouge Family Fun’s greatest supporters. She shared many recipes and resources with Baton Rouge Family Fun. We hope they will continue to be enjoyed by families in Baton Rouge and beyond for years to come. Below is one of her posts from 2018, it’s a community favorite and it’s so darn good!! We hope you enjoy it.

Even if you’re limited on time, I promise my crescent roll Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake recipe will be worth the 15 minutes it takes to make it. No time-consuming yeast dough but all the richness of the best king cake you have ever put in your mouth!

I know I made an impression with this easy king cake recipe when my five-year-old grandson gave me a stack of cut out king cake newspaper ads and told me he knew I would want them. You probably have seen, Clegg, on my Facebook Live videos cooking with me. I realized cooking with him has become a teaching moment too.

Who doesn’t like king cakes? We are so fortunate in Baton Rouge to have some of the best king cakes but I have been told my crescent roll king cake recipe is “just as good (if not better) than at the bakeries!” With reduced-fat crescent rolls, reduced-fat cream cheese, cinnamon and sugar, and a little icing, this is a lighter trim and terrific king cake recipe that can be made wherever you live. However, all the rage is my new savory and sensational Crawfish King Cake with a scrumptious creamy crawfish filling topped with Mardi Gras colored Parmesan cheese. Sweet or savory, this king cake recipe will be your go-to recipe this carnival season! Having company—check out my easy Mardi Gras Menu filled with recipes and tips.

How To Make My Kid-Friendly Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe: Fun Cooking!

Cooking With Kids:

Teaches you to follow directions
Measurements teach you math
Learn your colors + red and blue make purple
Instant gratification with finished recipe
Cooking gives kid’s confidence

Easy King Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling from Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook

My most popular king cake recipe known as a crescent roll king cake! You can leave out the cream cheese filling if you have picky eaters or sometimes I put half with cream cheese filling and half plain. Here are photos of the steps of how to make a king cake.

Makes 16 servings

2 (8-ounce) cans of reduced-fat crescent rolls
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Mardi Gras Icing (see recipe below)

Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 10-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Separate crescent rolls at perforations, into 16 slices. Place slices around the prepared pan with points in the center. About halfway down from points, press seams together.
3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in the center where seams have been pressed together.
4. In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling and then fold the bottom of the triangle over points forming a circular roll like a king cake.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and drizzle with colored Mardi Gras Icing.

Mardi Gras Icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-2 tablespoons skim milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow, green, red, and blue food coloring.

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, except food color. Divide mixture into three bowls
2. In the first bowl, add a few drops of yellow food coloring and in the second bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring. In third bowl, add equal amounts of drops of red and blue food coloring (to create purple). Drizzle over baked cake.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 184 Calories from fat 36% Fat 7 g Saturated Fat 3 g Cholesterol 9 mg Sodium 275 mg Carbohydrate 26 g Dietary Fiber 0 g Sugars 16 g Protein 3 g Diabetic Exchanges 11/2 carbohydrate 11/2 fat

Visit The Healthy Cooking Blog by #TeamHolly here.

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Be sure to check out Baton Rouge Family Fun’s 2022 King Cake Guide here!

Check out our full Mardi Gras Guide for more Mardi Gras Family Fun, King Cake Guides, and more!

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

October 16, 2021 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

All kids (and some parents) want to load up on all the Halloween candy they can get. Why even have the “Trick” in “Trick or Treat”?! Right?

As a pediatric dentist, I obviously don’t want your kids to eat too many sweets. Although I love seeing their smiling faces, I don’t want to find new cavities or an unglued crown that came out when they were eating a Laffy Taffy! Moderation is key here. I would say don’t deprive your kids of candy. After all, that’s what Halloween is all about! But my advice is to go through all the candy together with your kids and choose 2-3 pieces they can have that day. Then stash the rest away out of sight.

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

The best types of candy for your child’s teeth are dark chocolates or sugar-free hard candies. Dark chocolates have antioxidants and are crunchy and dissolve quickly in the mouth. This means your child’s teeth will be exposed to sugar for less time.

Types of candy to avoid are hard candies that remain in the mouth for longer periods of time (i.e. lollipops) because these expose your child’s teeth to sugar over longer periods of time and have an increased chance of causing tooth decay. Similar to hard candy, caramels and gummies will stay in the mouth longer and also tend to stick to our teeth’s biting surface, creating a perfect environment for cavities to form. Sour candies have increased acidity and can cause tooth enamel to break down more quickly.

Another great idea is to give kids fun, but healthy (SHH!) Halloween treats. I love Pinterest for ideas and found a great site with Halloween snacks for kids. Check it out here: http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/2013/09/heathy-halloween-food-ideas.html

Halloween doesn’t have to be a dentist’s nightmare. As long as candy is eaten in moderation and you supplement that candy with some fun, healthier alternatives, your kids can enjoy Halloween and still have a healthy smile!

For more information on children’s oral health or if you have any questions, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call us at (225) 402-4118.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

October 13, 2021 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

You know the feeling. The sign posted on the door of daycare announcing the current illness that is floating around. Oh the dreaded sign! “We want to inform you that cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease have been diagnosed here at the center.” GREAT! There are likely two questions that are running through your head: 1) So what are we going to do when our child comes down with this latest illness? and 2) What exactly is Hand, Foot and Mouth disease? Well, that first question is one that I have struggled with many times in my own household, and unfortunately, I can’t help you answer, but that second question…I CAN help with that one!

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease is a very common viral illness in children, particularly those under 5 years of age. Older children, teens and even adults can get Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, but it is much less common as most people have had HFM by that time and therefore have natural immunity to these viruses. This illness is typically seen in the late summer to fall, but especially here in Louisiana with our mild climate, I will see cases of HFM year round. The virus is spread through contact with droplets of someone who is infected, so it is spread by sneezing and coughing as well as the saliva that children “share” with each other on toys. It is not uncommon to see mini “epidemics” of HFM that spread through daycare centers or other child care facilities. The incubation period for HFM is 3-6 days, so I generally tell parents to be on the lookout for signs of HFM for about 1 week after “the sign” is posted at daycare.

What are the symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

As with any other virus, each child may present differently, but most children will start out with fever. In the next few days, children will often develop the classic rash that really can be anywhere on the body but, as the name suggests, most commonly is seen on the hands, feet, and around and in the mouth. The rash looks like small blisters or ant bites, and you will find these spots on the palms and soles of the feet (there are not a lot of illnesses that will cause a rash on the palms and soles but HFM is one of them).

Especially in infants and toddlers, I will almost always see the rash in the diaper area and on the backs of the thighs as well. If you look inside the mouth, you may see ulcers on the inside of the lips or tongue as well as in the back of the throat. These blister lesions will typically continue to pop up over the first 3-5 days of the illness. After that time the rash will slowly begin to fade, and parents may even notice peeling of the skin where the blisters were located in the coming week. Finally, some children will have changes to their fingernails or toenails about 4-6 weeks after hand, foot, and mouth disease, and it may appear like the nail is “splitting” horizontally and coming off. No worries…there is a new nail under there!

Since HMF is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not make the illness or the rash go away. The mainstay of care for HFM is making sure children are drinking lots of liquids and using acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever. Sometimes the throat can be so painful for children that they will not want to drink liquids, and then the concern is that they could be become dehydrated. When it comes to liquids to offer, I often say that when kiddos are sick, they can have free reign of the liquids…so that means juice, milk, popsicles, Slurpees or even ice cream. Just something that has liquid form to it! If your child is refusing to take liquids, make sure and call your pediatrician as there are some occasions where a special mouthwash can be used to help with the pain. As far as the rash goes, most children are not bothered by the rash. It doesn’t hurt or itch typically and may only cause mild discomfort when walking for those children that have their little feet covered in blisters.

Now for the last remaining question that every parent asks, “When can my child go back to daycare/school?” and the answer might surprise you. Once your child is fever free for 24 hours and tolerating liquids well, they can return to school. Unlike chicken pox, the hand, foot, and mouth disease rash itself is not contagious! The only time I would recommend keeping kids out of daycare in regards to the rash is if they have many open sores that they are itching as these could easily become superinfected with bacteria (this is not very common with HFM whereas with chicken pox, superinfections of the skin are much more common). The virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease can be shed through respiratory droplets for 1 week after the illness and can be shed in the stool for several weeks following symptoms, so by no means are children kept out of daycare or school for this period of time. This is again one of those times where you hope your daycare is doing a good job of wiping down toys, washing hands, and practicing very good diaper changing hygiene!

For those of you who have been “lucky” enough to experience Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease already, you may say, “Wait a minute! My daycare told me that she couldn’t return until the blisters were crusted/gone.” Well, as I said above, fever free for 24 hours is the main criteria for return to daycare or school, but child care facilities are able to set their own return policies when it comes to infectious diseases like hand, foot, and mouth disease, so in many cases, their policy will be the “law of the land.”

So if the next dreaded sign on the door at daycare reads “Hand, foot and mouth disease,” take a deep breath as you are now armed and ready to deal with this unpleasant but all too common illness of childhood. And as with any illness, if you have specific questions or concerns about your child, please make sure and give your pediatrician a call…it’s what we are here for!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRFF’s experiences with food, fitness, health, and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children – Dr. Mindy Calandro

May 31, 2021 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

Until recently, the headlines about Covid-19 have largely been about the disease in adults, especially the elderly and those people with underlying health conditions. As a pediatrician, I’m used to seeing virus like influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) wreak absolute havoc in children. So, it has been an unexpected, albeit very welcome, “surprise” that Covid-19 seems to be having very little effect on children. However, over the past few weeks, it seems that doctors around the globe are noting cases of children who are being diagnosed with severe inflammation throughout their body – something the Center for Disease Control is now calling Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children or MIS-C for short. The headlines about this new development in kids are frightening, so let’s talk about what MIS-C really is and how worried parents need to be (keep reading for the good news here).

Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Doctors really like to follow trends or clusters of illnesses, so when doctors in New York City started to see an increase in cases of children with overwhelming inflammation presenting to the hospital, it certainly was noteworthy. Symptoms of children presenting with MIS-C have been varied but include high unrelenting fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, and neck pain. These children are showing massive amounts of inflammation in their blood vessels causing problems in organs such as the heart, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and brain.

Covid-19

Some of the children who have been diagnosed with MIS-C have been found to have positive antibody tests to Covid-19 without a prior diagnosis of a Covid-19 infection. This would signal that MIS-C would have occurred weeks after a Covid-19 infection (again most likely an asymptomatic infection). It is important to note, however, that there have also been children diagnosed with MIS-C who have had all negative testing to Covid-19. The bottom line right now is that we are not sure what is causing MIS-C.

Kawasaki Disease

MIS-C “Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children” is closely resembling two other rare illnesses that we see in children…one called Kawasaki disease and one called Toxic Shock Syndrome. The cause of Kawasaki disease is not truly known, but doctors have long suspected that it is likely a post-viral illness where the body’s immune system starts to almost attack itself, leading to inflammation of blood vessels in different areas of the body including the heart. Children with Kawasaki disease present with high fever for more than 5 days, rash, redness to the eyes, changes to their lips or tongue as well as swelling of the extremities and swollen lymph nodes.

Kawasaki disease can be treated, and the majority of children recover from this illness without long term effects (although in some cases, long-term damage to the coronary arteries can occur). Toxic shock syndrome, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria (either Staph or Strep) and can be life-threatening very quickly as it causes extremely low blood pressure, also known as shock.

When the initial cases of MIS-C were seen, children seemed to be presenting with some of the physical signs of Kawasaki disease but with the low blood pressure seen in Toxic Shock Syndrome. As more information is collected, it also seems that children with MIS-C are older with the most common ages being 5 and up. Kawasaki disease, on the other hand, is more commonly seen under the age of 5 (although both of these illnesses can be seen in anyone under the age of 18).

As with a lot of things in medicine right now, we are trying to learn as quickly as we can about the disease process of MIS-C, and work is ongoing to determine whether there is a direct link to Covid-19, whether some children more likely to get MIS-C than others, and whether there is any way to prevent MIS-C from happening.

The Good News for Parents

So, you might be wondering: what about the good news I mentioned above? Well, while the headlines are scary about MIS-C, the most important thing I want parents to take away from this is that MIS-C is still EXTREMELY RARE. While data collection is continuing on a daily basis, as of this writing, 23 states are reporting cases of MIS-C, there are around 250 cases across the US (with close to 100 of those cases being in New York alone), but at the moment, there have been less than 5 deaths nationwide. Just to be clear, while any child dying is absolutely tragic, do keep in mind for reference that influenza has already killed 176 children so far this year.

When it comes to Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, doctors and parents alike need to be aware of this new illness and be on the lookout for concerning symptoms. But once again, there is no need to panic as this illness, while scary given its symptoms and complications, remains exceedingly rare. Doctors and scientists are feverishly working to try and learn as much as possible about MIS-C, and its causes, relationship to Covid-19 and, of course, treatment and a cure.

In the meantime, I encourage parents that may be worried about MIS-C to speak with their pediatrician, and if you are worried about your child being ill with any kind of symptoms, please do not be afraid to bring them to the doctor. Pediatricians are available and equipped to see children both healthy and sick during these uncertain times of Covid-19.

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share experiences with food, fitness, health, and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect

February 10, 2021 by Guest Contributor

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, and opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, and parenting. If you have a question for one of our experts, please leave it in the comments below to be featured in an upcoming article. February is Children’s Dental Health Month and we have an informative article from Ascension Children’s Dental.

As a parent, you may be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you take your child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by your child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Many parents make the mistake of bringing their children to the dentist when they have their first toothache. This can lead to a more traumatic experience for your child’s first visit, resulting in unnecessary fear of the dentist.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be as easy and pleasant as possible. At our office, I believe in keeping this first appointment short. During the visit, I will evaluate your child’s teeth and gums and discuss any relevant oral hygiene instructions with you. If your child is older for their first visit, then I may recommend a cleaning and fluoride treatment. This first appointment really helps our team develop a trusting relationship with your child to promote stress-free dental appointments in the future.
As a parent, it’s important for you to know that your child’s behavior towards the dentist is usually a reflection of your own attitude and level of anxiety.
I put together some tips to prepare your child for his/her dental visit, no matter their age, to help the visit go smoothly:

Make an appointment for a time of day that works best for your child. We do not recommend scheduling their appointment during nap time or when they are just waking up from a nap.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their children during the initial exam. This allows us the opportunity to communicate directly with you about your child’s dental health.
During the initial exam, I often will have you hold your child in your lap with their head positioned in my lap. Before the appointment, you can practice holding your child in this knee-to-knee position so he or she knows what to expect when the time comes.
Never convey anxiety to your child. Children are very receptive to words, moods, tones and body language. If a child can sense that you are fearful, they are likely to anticipate discomfort and become fearful too. Tell your child about the visit but don’t go into detail. Over-preparing your child can create anxiety.
Watch what you say around your child. Never let your child hear of any past bad dental visits – either experienced by yourself or siblings. Be aware not to use words like “needle”, “drill”, “shot”, “pinch”, “yank”, or “pull.” Never tell your child that something may or may not “hurt.” Explain to your child that the pediatric dentist will count his/her teeth and will help them with the important job of keeping their teeth clean and beautiful. Keep it simple!
Do not be alarmed if your child cries during the first visit. Crying is perfectly normal. Remain positive and supportive and work with me during this time.

The more positive and supportive you can remain before and after your child’s first dental visit, the better says Dr. Swauger, a pediatric dentist. He said that it is the parents job to build Healthy Habits For Your Kids. Each time your child visits the dental office, it will be easier and easier, especially if they remember the previous experience as a positive and enjoyable one. Your child will also be more likely to develop good oral hygiene habits and want to take good care of their teeth. Developing a good relationship at an early age with the dentist will most often help your children carry these routines well into their adult lives.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first appointment, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call (225) 402-4118.

COVID-19 and Children – What a pediatrician wants you to know

April 6, 2020 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

The past 3 weeks have been anything but normal as COVID-19 has changed our daily landscape. Kids are out of school, parents and teachers alike are having to learn how to do distance learning, there is no date night with your spouse, and your social media feeds are filled with scary headlines about an enemy that is striking down those we love and yet we still know very little about the why and how of this foe. No one has all the answers right now, but I want to let you know a few important things about COVID-19 and possibly help you to decipher some of the flashy news stories.

What is Coronavirus?

Human Coronaviruses as a whole are by no means new. In fact, most people have likely had a coronavirus at some point in their life as these viruses typically cause mild respiratory illnesses like the common cold. So then what is the difference with COVID-19? It appears that this particular coronavirus likely started in bats. In the past, those coronaviruses that started in animals and then spread to humans have caused more significant illnesses. The two prior coronaviruses to start in this particular manner were SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) which surfaced in 2012. The COVID-19 virus is “novel” meaning that until December 2019, this strain had not been identified in humans.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Reported symptoms include fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, headache, and diarrhea. The WHO has estimated that 1 in 6 people with COVID-19 will have a more severe illness that will include shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Now, those milder symptoms could also describe this year’s influenza illness or even just the common cold. Take away message here…not every cough, fever or body ache is COVID-19. However, if you have fever, cough and any difficulty breathing, you need to call your medical provider immediately for guidance on where to be evaluated.

Who really needs to be tested for COVID-19?

The testing capability for COVID-19 is increasing across our area, but that does not mean that tests are readily available for everyone who wants to be tested “just because.” Those that are over 60 years of age, have diabetes, underlying severe lung disease, severe kidney disease or are immunocompromised or are a health care worker are primarily the groups that testing is indicated. Now, in pediatrics, those under 10 weeks of age, those with congenital heart or lung disease or those that are immunocompromised are the main groups of children who would meet testing criteria at this time. As tests become more available (and easier to get results as well), then these testing criteria might expand further. In the end, most COVID-19 tests can take up to 7-9 days to come back, so if there is any suspicion for COVID-19, presume that you have it and isolate accordingly.

I see that numbers of cases in Baton Rouge and Louisiana are jumping by hundreds or more each day. What does this really mean?

Let’s put these numbers into perspective. Test results are coming in usually 1 week after the test is done. So that means that the increase you see in numbers today were more than likely from the tests done a week ago. This goes to further show that Coronavirus is in our community and has been for some time. It does not mean that social distancing and other measures to slow the spread are a failure, but it likely shows that people might not have been practicing as strict isolation measures a week ago.

COVID-19 and Children

Is COVID-19 causing illness in children?

As a pediatrician and a mom, this is one of the most important things that I am keeping an eye on. To this point and in looking at data from China as well as across the US, the number of cases of COVID-19 in children has been dramatically low. YEA! Do a happy dance!! Now, this is not to say that there have not been some children hospitalized with COVID-19 and even several deaths, but the rate of children becoming seriously ill has been drastically lower than what we are seeing in the adult population. The reason for this trend in children is puzzling and yet another aspect of COVID-19 that we are trying to figure out. Perhaps a child’s immune system is handling this virus differently than an adult. Perhaps because children see other strains of coronavirus all the time (i.e. the common cold), they have some protection for this novel strain. Either way, for now, it seems that kiddos are doing ok through this pandemic.

What is research telling us about COVID-19?

Doctors love to have studies to back up what we are thinking or what we recommend. We love big, sweeping studies that include hundreds of thousands of people and studies that have variables that we can control and test. We just don’t have those kinds of studies in regard to COVID-19, at least not right now. Currently, doctors from across the US and the world are working together through panel discussions, message boards, and small data collections groups, telling of their patient experiences with this virus, telling what has worked or not worked for treatment, and sharing as much information as possible so that we can try and learn as fast as possible about how to handle COVID-19. Those big sweeping studies will be coming, but they will take time.

Should I wear a mask in public?

As we are learning more about COVID-19, the recommendations for wearing a mask in public have changed. Initially, masks were only recommended for those who had coronavirus. We now know that many people who have COVID-19 can be asymptomatic with no obvious symptoms, and we also know that people are likely to be able to spread the virus before they start showing symptoms. With this new information, the CDC made a recommendation on April 3, 2020, that everyone should wear a NON-SURGICAL, cloth mask when going out to necessary public places (remember you should not be going around town for non-essential trips anyway). This can be a mask sewn with fabric, a bandana to cover the nose and mouth, or there is even a video on the CDC website with the Surgeon General showing how to easily make a mask at home. Please note that surgical masks and especially N95 masks are NOT recommended for the public as there is already a frightening shortage of these supplies which are vital for our healthcare workers on the front lines of this pandemic.

How about wearing gloves in public places?

Think about this scenario…you put on latex gloves to go grocery shopping. With your gloves on, you touch the shopping cart and your groceries. You then reach in your purse to pull out your phone which has your shopping list. You then get out your wallet to pay for the groceries. When you load all the bags into your car, you then take off your gloves. If you are like most people, you will probably then touch your phone before starting your drive home (remember you touched that same phone with your gloves on). Then you touch the steering wheel to drive home. Once home you take the bags out of the car and unpack your groceries. Again, remember you had on those gloves when you were touching these items before. Hopefully, you can see that you are just causing the same contamination with gloves while probably giving yourself a false sense of security. The bottom line here…gloves are not needed. Please just make sure to wash your hands (all the time, 20 seconds each time) and wipe down surfaces such as your phone especially if you have been out in public.

Is daycare a good idea?

Bottom line here is that if you can keep your children out of daycare, then do so. However, I know that there are families where the caregivers are essential personnel and have to go to work. There are also families that cannot afford to have caregivers not working. This is a decision that will be personal to each and every family. Ideally, for those daycares that are open, children that attend as well as all staff should have their temperature checked at least twice per day, and PLEASE do not send kids to daycare if they are sick (none of this give a fever reducer in the morning for a fever and sending them on their way)!

How about those playdates?

I have had plenty of families asking me if playdates with friends are ok during social distancing. If we view this time just as we would a surprise snow day or summer break, then we have missed the mark for social distancing. If we have any hope of slowing the spread of the COVID-19 (notice I said slowing the spread and not stopping the spread), then we all must work together to limit our contact with others. While calling several friends to see about a playdate for a group of children is certainly a tempting break from trying to navigate the waters of e-learning, I really advise against it.

I think the most important thing to take away from reading this is that there is a lot that we are still learning about COVID-19, but scientists and doctors are working tirelessly and feverishly to learn and understand this Beast just as fast as we can. Please make sure and do your part by staying home, following shelter in place mandates, and above all else, WASH THOSE HANDS!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

How To Boost Your Immune System Against Coronavirus, Flu & Cold

March 11, 2020 by Guest Contributor

By practicing healthy living on a daily basis, we provide the best support possible to the immune system and help to prevent illness altogether. There are many active steps you can take to boost your immune system against coronavirus, flu & colds! Ol’ Benji Franklin was right!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
-Benjamin Franklin

With that said, coming down with a cold or flu is often inevitable and now we are dealing with a whole new monster with the Coronavirus disease -COVID-19. However, if you’re practicing healthy living strategies, the chances for a less severe illness, of shorter duration and milder symptoms is much greater. And remember, getting sick now and then is okay; comparable to a musical instrument that needs tuning, so too does the immune system. It keeps us healthy and strong in the long run! Here are some quick tips for daily healthy living…

Boost Your Immune System Against Coronavirus, Flu & Cold

Make sure to rest! 8 hrs of sleep/night, don’t overdo it; proper rest is the foundation for health and the time when your body heals, repairs and restores.
Clean eating! plenty of organic, fresh fruits + veggies, hormone-free meats, minimally processed with the fewest ingredients possible… real food.
Minimize sugar! medical studies show sugar decreases white blood cell function– white blood cells are the soldiers that make up the army that is our body’s immune system. Keep ‘em healthy + strong!
Hydration! Aim for ½ of your body weight in ounces of room temperature water daily. (example: if you weight 150 lbs, aim for 75 oz water/daily)
Manage + minimize stress! Studies show stress also decreases immune function.
Go outside for fresh air + sunshine! Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. You can also get it through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood. Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitating normal immune system function.
Movement + exercise! Even on days when you’re not feeling so well, if you can move or stretch gently, it will help to encourage lymph, blood, oxygen and nutrient flow throughout your body, which in turn helps to kick start healing.
As a preventative, avoid shaking hands and touching your face and wash your hands frequently.

Bone Broth… it’s oh so good for you!

One great way to beef up your nutrient status is with a batch of homemade bone broth. This soup packs a punch, containing a remarkable amount of vitamins + minerals including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium.

The bones used for this broth also include collagen, a protein that is released during slow cooking to form gelatin. Gelatin can help build healthy skin, hair, and nails.

The gelatin in bone broth also protects and heals the lining of the digestive tract. The liquid is particularly rich in two amino acids, glycine and proline. Interestingly enough, these nutrients are not found in as high amounts in meat—hence the beauty of bones. Amino acids are important for digestion and a healthy gastrointestinal tract, as well as many other processes within the human body.

Reduce inflammation

Damaged joints and autoimmune diseases often result in inflammation, which can also be brought on by stress and poor diets, among other factors. Bone broth contains glucosamine and chondroitin, two compounds widely sold to reduce inflammation and to decrease joint pain. Not only may bone broth calm your joint pain, but it can also help to calm your mind by producing relaxing hormones like serotonin and GABA. Cool, huh?

Lastly, this nutrient-dense soup is a great go-to during the months when colds and flu are running rampant. The immune system loves it!

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Boost Your Immune System: Tonic Tea Recipe

[yumprint-recipe id=’45’]For more tips on healthy living, visit Rachel and Carly online at their website, www.kaleblossom.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

West Nile Virus in Baton Rouge: What Parents Need To Know

July 18, 2018 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

If there is a mosquito within a 1 mile radius, it will find me. I am that person in our family that mosquitos seem to love which my husband finds as a convenient thing for him. Unfortunately, two of my three children “inherited” this trait from me. Not only do mosquito bites cause lots of itching and huge red welts if you are like me and my kiddos, but the bite of a mosquito can be the culprit of unwanted illness such as West Nile Virus. You may have seen recent news headlines here in the Capital City making us aware yet again this year that mosquitos in our area have tested positive for West Nile Virus. In this two part series, we will discuss what exactly is this virus, what does it mean for your time outside as the summer winds down, and how can you protect your family?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. The life cycle of the WNV involves mosquitoes feeding on infected birds. The virus then remains in the salivary glands of the mosquito, and when that mosquito “feeds” on humans, WNV can be passed onto the human host.

WNV has been documented across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India since the mid-1900s, but it did not make its appearance here in the United States until 1999. This virus was “imported” to the US by way of New York- most likely by a person who may not have even known they had the virus. Since 1999, WNV has been detected in every state except Hawaii and Alaska. We often see outbreaks of WNV during the mid to late summer months of June to September when the Culex mosquito is most common. In 2016, there were 40 cases of human infection with WNV here in Louisiana. By comparison, there were 335 cases of WNV in humans in 2012 here in Louisiana. So far this year, there have been mosquitos that have tested positive for WNV here in Baton Rouge, but from available resources, it does not appear that there have been any confirmed human cases thus far.

Ok so now to what everyone really wants to know…how common is WNV and what should parents be on the lookout for in regards to symptoms? Great news here- about 80% of people who become infected with WNV will have absolutely no symptoms. For 20% of people infected, they will most commonly have West Nile fever which is a mild, self-limited illness with symptoms that include fever, body aches, headache, vomiting and/or diarrhea and fatigue. Approximately 1% of those that are infected with WNV will come down with the serious form of the illness which can include swelling of the brain, known as encephalitis, or inflammation and swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis. Symptoms of neurologic involvement with WNV include high fevers, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, and seizures. For this 1% of infected people, WNV can be deadly.

There is no specific treatment for WNV. Since it is a viral infection, antibiotics are not helpful. For those with the more serious form of WNV, hospitalization might be required in order to provide fluids as well as pain control. There is lots of ongoing research into possible treatment options for those with encephalitis or meningitis from WNV, but at this time, all of these treatments are considered experimental. Also, at this time, there is no vaccine to prevent WNV.

Now, we all know that the chance of getting a mosquito bite in the next few months is almost as much of a guarantee as the afternoon rain showers here in the South, so how do you know when to be worried? No need to panic at the first sign of fever during the summer months as there are lots of other circulating summer viruses other than WNV (In fact, I have been seeing a particularly bad “fever” virus making the rounds in the past few weeks here in Baton Rouge). Now, if your child ever has a fever along with a drastic change in behavior, weakness or other neurologic changes, immediate medical evaluation is needed (and this is really true anytime of the year and not just during WNV season).

Stay tuned for the second part of this blog series where we will discuss the best ways to protect yourself and your kiddos from the bite of those pesky mosquitos.

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Simple Steps To Pamper Mom This Mother’s Day – Holly Clegg

May 10, 2018 by Guest Contributor

What do you get your mom for Mother’s Day when she deserves the world but you can’t quite afford that? Moms do everything for us since the day we are born and they only get one day a year to be really recognized for that. And on that one-day, they are still the ones who usually end up planning whatever event you do that day! I usually make our favorite make-ahead easy brunch casserole from KITCHEN 101 and serve with Cheese Grits but this year I have a different plan!

This Mother’s Day, I have decided to pamper my mom like the Queen she is, follow these simple steps so that you can too. After you get home from your Mother’s Day brunch, party, or cookout it’s time for your mom to relax. Waiting for her in the refrigerator will be delicious Chocolate Truffles dipped in White Chocolate from Too Hot In the Kitchen along with an Avocado Carrot Cream Mask. Both are homemade by you with all of the love in the world. And, there’s even a Chocolate Mask too-the ultimate pampering chocoholic favorite!

The Chocolate Truffles are extremely easy to make and contain only 3 ingredients. The best part is that you don’t have to tell your mom that. Let her think that you slaved over the stove all day to make her these authentic French truffles because you love her that much.

Although the truffles are very impressive, the most impressive part of the gift will be the facemask. This Avocado Carrot Cream mask is a really “good-for-you” facemask to pamper your mom with. The avocados are rich in vitamin E, which creates the best moisturizer, while the carrots (high in beta-carotene and antioxidants) help to reduce dry, flaky skin. Why go out and buy a facemask when you can make one and know exactly what is in it? This facemask can provide some good quality time between you and your mom, as well as an amazing refreshing feeling when she takes it off.

Both of these recipes can be stored and enjoyed by your mom all week long. The final step to your perfect Mother’s Day present is to buy “Too Hot in the Kitchen.” This cookbook contains more fun, simple spa recipes as well as many more fun and sassy recipes like these to keep your mom’s Mother’s Day going all year long.

Two of my favorite DIY skincare masks!

Simple Steps To Pamper Mom This Mother’s Day

Avocado Carrot Cream Mask from Too Hot in the Kitchen

A really good-for-you mask with avocados rich in Vitamin E (naturally rich moisturizer), carrots (high in beta-carotene and antioxidants-reduces dry, flaky skin) so these ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots. Leaves you glowing! Makes a lot!

1 avocado, mashed
1 carrot, cooked and mashed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten (unclog pores)
3 tablespoons honey (tightens skin)

In bowl, mix all ingredients until smooth. Spread gently over face and neck 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with toner.

Chocolate Mask from Too Hot in the Kitchen

Everyone wanted to eat this mask it smelled so good but then it made you look and feel good too! Especially good for dry skin.

1 tablespoon cocoa powder
4 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon oatmeal 1 teaspoon plain yogurt

Mix all ingredients in a blender and smooth onto face. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.

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