In the quest to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in commercial sunscreens; bloggers, parents, and marketers have be rekindling the notion of “natural sunscreens.” 

Coconut oil seems the natural option du jour. “Health” bloggers are touting coconut oil as a great way to get a “healthy tan” without the burn, and a great way to “safely” get a boost of vitamin D. 

Now, before you run to the kitchen cupboard to grab this edible elixir, you should recognize a HUGE credibility error in these claims.

No tan is a healthy tan. Any “expert” claiming the contrary is simply wrong. 

Coconut oil has no significant SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and is NOT a reliable choice for protection from UV sun damage.

Those claiming coconut oil’s ability to protect against the sun’s rays are often reviving narratives from the oil’s deep folk medicine roots. The oil’s long history in folk medicine includes treatment from everything from seizures, pancreatitis, and diabetes; to infertility, osteoporosis, and cancer. It has also been used for centuries as protection from sunburn for people native to tropical climates, including India and equatorial islands. 

The oil’s anecdotal ability to protect against sunburn has been fueled by a recent study claiming that the oil is able to block 20% of the sun’s UV rays. 

Even if this is true, the sun protection provided by coconut oil is still well below the AAD-recommendation of protecting our skin with a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB), SPF 30 (blocking 97% of UV rays) product.

Interestingly, chicken oil (created by boiling a chicken carcass and skimming off the fat) had significantly better UV protection in the study. It seems the pale yellow color and chicken smell, however, has dampened its potential for commercial popularity. 

The good news there are some better options for broad-spectrum UV protection for parents looking for a natural sunscreen alternative. 

• Wear UPF-rated clothing and swim attire. I LOVE UPF-rating clothing on kids. The clothing covers large areas of skin; is very breathable, comfortable, and easy-care; and eliminates potential concerns of chemical exposure. Numerous companies have sun-blocking garments for the whole family. Some favorites are Coolibar,  REI , and LL Bean. Just don’t forget to apply mineral sunscreen to the few areas still exposed to the sun. 
• Use SPF-rated mineral sunscreens. Look for sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These are natural minerals that form a physical barrier between the sun’s UVA/UVB rays and your skin. The minerals “float” on the top of the skin, not being absorbed. Be sure to look for “water resistant” and SPF 30 on the label, as well. 
• Shield from the sun. Shade, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses are always in vogue.  This video demonstrates things to look for when choosing sunglasses for your children. 

Need more help?

• The Environmental Working Group, an American environmental health research organization, has published their favorite sunscreens for 2013. See if your favorite made the list.  
• Local dermatologists Dr. Molly Menser of Sunflower Dermatology and Dr. Amy Jo Nopper of Children’s Mercy Hospital recently discussed sun protection on Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, KCUR. I highly recommend this very informative and entertaining segment (5/22/13) for more credible sun protection information. 

We know that about 80% sun damage occurs before the age of 18. Make the choice to aggressively protect your child from the sun’s harmful rays. Then, get outside and have fun! 

She was old. Like

I noticed her heading to the front of the room, after I finished delivering a presentation on childhood vaccines. 

Her hair was fashioned into a perfect silver coif, tightly tucked behind both ears. She was wearing a pressed dress of thick, sky blue cotton. As she stepped closer, I could see her face had deep lines undoubtedly made from years of full living. A strong furrow full of grit, smile lines deep from happiness, and a well-healed scar above her right silver eyebrow.

When she arrived at the front, I somehow knew she had a story to share. She didn’t disappoint. 

“Do you still give babies shots against diphtheria?” she asked in a soft, unwavering voice.

“Yes, we do,” I said. “Babies get protection from diphtheria beginning at 2 months of life with a DTaP shot.”

“Good. Good. Keep doing that.” 

“Why do you ask?” 

“My cousin had diphtheria,” she said. Her memory began to unfold:

I was 4-years-old. I still remember visiting her. She was older than me, and really sick. We had gone to visit her at her family’s farm. She was in the main room, propped up on pillows in an old brown chair. 

I remember watching her breathe, her chest sinking deep with every inhale. Sinking in. Bouncing out. Sinking in. Bouncing out. 

As if unconsciously, the old woman’s frail hand was clutching her chest. She began to motion the heaving breaths her cousin must have been taking in that old brown chair. 

Her dramatic actions were noticed by other conference attendees. A circle began to form around the old woman. We all listened to her continuing story:

In those days, we did not have a TV and couldn’t afford many books, so she just sat there. She just stayed in that chair, breathing. The rest of us – we had work to do. We would pass her by, doing chores. We ate dinner in the next room. It was like she was invisible, not even there. 

After we left that day, I assumed that she had died. It wasn’t until many years later, I learned that she actually had survived. No doctors. No hospitals. Just one of the lucky ones, I guess. 

You see… I never knew that she had lived because after that visit to my cousin’s house, we all went back home and never left again. 

Once my parents had learned that one of their children could catch the disease my cousin had… We never left the farm. 

We never went to the general store, not to family events, not even to church. For years, the only place that my brothers and sisters and I were allowed to go was the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse and back; that was it. 

My parents were so afraid of losing one of us to that disease, that they decided to do everything they could to keep us away from it. 

So, that was my childhood. Schoolhouse and back. 

Do you know the interesting part? My parents… They were farm folk, tough and strong. For the rest of my life, I never knew them to be scared of anything else… Just that diphtheria. 

She paused. Her eyes were now gazing over my right shoulder. You could almost see the memories, as images, flickering in her eyes. We all stood silent, enraptured by her oral history. She continued:

I remember when I was in early elementary school, my parents dragged my siblings and myself to the clinic. There was a man in a big brown coat and black hat. He carried a big bag full of a brand new medicine that could keep us safe from diphtheria. A shot, they said. 

I’m sure my parents had no idea what it was, or how it worked. All they knew was that there was a new vaccine that could keep their babies safe.

My parents put us first in line, and rolled up our sleeves. 

I’m so thankful that my parents made that decision for us – that they took us to get that vaccine. I believe it is part of the reason that I am still here; alive after all these years. 

At that moment, her gaze switched right into my eyes. She blinked a few times, almost like she was snapping back into 2013.

These kids these days, letting their babies go around unprotected…

Don’t they know that these diseases can kill their babies? That their babies could die without these vaccines? 

Why isn’t anyone telling them? Someone should be telling them. 

 “Yes, Ma’am,” I stammered, still reeling. “We are trying to tell them. We are trying our best. In fact, I think you just helped.”

Thank you, Pam, for sharing a piece of your incredible life, and reminding us why we all need to keep telling them.

In many of our local supermarkets, there is a section of organic produce in addition to produce that is traditionally farmed. For those of us selecting and preparing food for our families, we often wonder what items, if any, we should purchase with the organic label. 

When I shop, I typically choose traditionally farmed foods for my family’s meals. There are certain items I choose to purchase organically grown, if available; but most I leave on the shelf. Ultimately, I value meals eaten at home, with a variety of colors on the plate, more than organic exclusivity. 

Some of my families, however, feel very strongly about the benefits of living organic. It seems that family values, lifestyle, or financial means often dictate organic choices, rather than nutritional goals. 

Here’s what we know:

It is hard to say that organic items are a more nutritious option. We know organic produce (as all produce) is only as nutritious as the ground it came from. Studies on organic nutritional quality is difficult to generalize, therefore, since product comes from so many different farms. In addition, we know that the “organic” label means different things on different products. These labels can be confusing, and in some instances, deliberately misleading. Together, it is sometimes difficult to actually know what you are getting. 

On the other hand, organic produce does offer decreased consumption of pesticide residue. We know chronic exposure to pesticides used in traditional farming is harmful to humans. The challenge, however, is that most of the studies showing harm from pesticide exposure are from observations of farm workers with direct exposure to these chemicals. The effect of pesticide exposure through consuming traditionally farmed produce is less clear.

All considered, according to a recent review in Pediatrics, experts concluded there is little nutritional advantage to organic food. The authors did conclude, however, organic food production does provide less exposure to pesticides, while likely having less environmental impact.

More practically speaking, if choosing organic foods is going to limit the rest of your grocery budget to more processed food items…. Then organic is likely not worth the money. But, if you are organic-curious, here are some suggestions:

1. Buy seasonally. Seasonal produce is often less expensive than out-of-season items. Often, organic and non-organic seasonal selections will have very similar price points.
2. Think about supporting local famers who supply healthy food. In Kansas City, we have great local markets in different parts of the city. Local and regional farmers can bring their produce to us, allowing our dollars to support their efforts. Get to know your local markets in Kansas and Missouri. 
3. If you want to include some organic items in your grocery budget, focus your buying habits to limiting your child’s exposure to pesticides. The Environmental Working Group has a list of the “dirty dozen.” These produce items are the ones testing highest in pesticide residue, and likely should be the first choices when make a buying change. Regardless of the produce you buy, common sense dictates a good wash before consumption.
4. What about milk? There is no evidence that organic milk has clinically relevant superiority to conventional milk. Hormones in milk are NOT biologically active once in the stomach. Organic or otherwise, milk should not be a significant part of your child’s diet (see my Milk Rules for more info.) Bottom line: Buy organic milk for the taste, not the nutrition. 

My greatest goal is for families to eat together as often as possible, regardless of organic items on the plate. Prioritize family meals, keep tech off the table, and enjoy! 

When a child happens to get a common wart, families have 2 questions: How to prevent, and how to remove.

First, how to prevent. 

We know that warts are contagious, and are caused by a virus. Just like a virus that can cause a sore throat or a sore tummy, wart virus can spread by touching skin or surface that is contaminated. We prevent warts, therefore, by reducing the chance of coming into contact with the virus. 

Despite the age-old advice of protecting yourself against warts by wearing flip-flops into communal showers (memories of the college dorm, anyone?), few studies have examined how warts actually spread. A new study in Pediatrics looked at wart transmission in school aged children to get some better answers. Researchers found that warts are more commonly spread within household members and school classmates, rather than public areas. Sorry, shower shoes.

Based on this information, the best way to keep warts away is likely good personal hygiene. And if you do have a wart, keep it covered with a Band-Aid, especially at home and at school. 

Second, how to remove. 

Historically warts have been treated with all sorts of all interesting things. From Tom Sawyer’s “stump water” to Huck Finn’s graveyard cat , generations have tried to get rid of these bothersome bumps. 

Today, the good news is the vast majority of warts is able to be taken care of at home. Here is what I typically recommend for common warts on the hands and feet:

1. A good soak in the tub. 
2. Once the area is soft from the soak, rub the wart gently with a pumice stone or emory board to additionally soften and remove the hard calloused skin from the top of the wart.
3. Apply an over-the-counter salicylic acid product (liquid, like Compound W®; or solid, like WartStick®, as examples) to the wart, following the package directions. 
4. Cover the area with well-adhering Band-Aid or small piece of duct tape. 
5. Remove in 24 hours and repeat. 
6. No kissing toads. 

With patience and persistence, this routine will take care of most warts in about 2-4 weeks.

If home remedies don’t work, you may need the help of a professional. Warts can be frozen, injected, blistered, lasered, microwaved, or surgically removed. Call your health care provider/dermatologist if you have questions, or need help. 

Good luck!

She spends hours with them. Literally

Lego Friends have captured the heart of my daughter, as well as thousands of other school-aged girls across the country. In fact, the Lego Friends series has been a financial boom to the Lego corporation in just a few months. 

The Friends series is essentially pastel colored building sets, ultimately creating items more traditionally thought of as “girly.” Doll houses. Convertible cars. Horse stables. Combined, the kits create a fantasy town named Heartlake, including numerous girl characters who live within the city limits. 

The town of Heartlake begins at the building table, and continues to the reading chair. Lego Friends books tell the story of every female character; the girl’s interests, hobbies, skills, and family. 

Did you know that Olivia’s mom is a doctor?

As a mom, I was genuinely excited that my daughter had taken interest in this series. For decades, Legos have been the building toy. And prior to Lego Friends, my daughter had ZERO interest. The traditional blue, red, and green blocks that built a car or boat were received with a sigh and a shrug. Ninjago? No thanks. 

To my genuine surprise, however, put some pink and purple blocks on a table and she is all in – completely enraptured in the town of Heartlake with all the characters and drama she imagines. 

She reads. She builds. She reads. She builds. She keeps her little brother out of her room so nothing gets “messed up.” She Loves her Heartlake world, with a capital L. 

Can you understand how I was crushed to find the very Legos my daughter loves have been under fire? One of the worst toys of the year? Petitions to stop sales?  An inexcusable attempt at sexist marketing that should put anyone who touches them to shame?

Oh, my. 

I have to admit all the press made me stop and think. By allowing my daughter to play with Lego girls who ride horses or sit by the pool, am I promoting stereotypic gender roles? I assure you, that was not my intent. I was just excited to finally find a building toy she enjoyed. 

By the making the blocks pink, does the ability to learn spacial reasoning, problem solving, and imagination disappear? Is a Lego building toy, not a Lego building toy? 

I would never want to provide activities that would limit my daughter’s view of her potential. My husband and I praise and encourage many facets of her life, shining light on her many strengths and gifts. As she tinkers and plays, I would hope that my life example of motherhood, personal achievement, and citizenship outshines any sparkly jewel in a pastel colored plastic house. 

But, maybe I’m just blinded by Heartlake city’s bright lights – just like Lego wants me to be. 

What do you think? How do you feel about gender-specific toys? Do you change your buying habits because of them?

A photo/update is being shared on social networks regarding a “new” way to bathe our kids; putting infants in laundry baskets and then placing them in adult bathtubs. 

When I saw this share, it was not the laundry basket itself that disturbed me. In fact, bathing toddlers this way is decades old - Just ask Heloise. 

It was the insanely inaccurate Facebook update that got my blood boiling. It read:

Original credit to photo unknown.

This is one of the best ideas I’ve ever seen. The baby has something to lean up against, the toys can’t get away, and it could save countless children from drowning because they have something, besides the slick tub walls, to pull themselves up on in case they fall under the water.

Look at this photo! Do you think this baby could pull up and out of the water should that unsecured laundry basket tip?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YIKES! 

Let’s break this update down and re-share the facts.

[This is one of the best ideas I’ve ever seen.]

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in infants and toddlers. Leading cause. Most of the drowning deaths in the youngest children occur in buckets and bathtubs. A bathtub is NO PLACE to mess around and try any new “ideas.” 

[The baby has something to lean up against.]

If babies need to “lean up against” anything, they are not developmentally ready to be in a big tub. Big tubs are for children who can sit well independently. Babies who lean need a supported, reclined seat position while in the tub. There is NO “no-hands” option for caregivers bathing babies in this developmental stage. 

[This could save countless children from drowning.]

Bathtub devices do NOT save countless children from drowning. Why? Because of the false reassurance they provide. A happily splashing baby can make any of us think that we can step away “just for a minute” to grab a warm towel or a new diaper. Many research studies have shown that using bathtub seats can lull us into complacency. We cannot take that risk. 

No device – NO DEVICE – should provide any reassurance of safety when an infant is in water. Period. 

I understand that some families need to repurpose for small spaces. I understand some families don’t want the added expense of a baby tub that will be used for such a small period of time. But when it comes to babies and water, there is little room for experimentation. 

I’d let this ‘best idea” go right down the drain.  

I visited with 5 charming teenagers last week. Four of them had something in common:

These teenagers are texting in the middle of the night, nearly every night. 

Texting in the middle of the night is not a new phenomenon. Over 2 years ago, reports on teenagers texting at night began to surface. One study concluded the average teenager sends 34 texts after lights out. Simply based on the conversations I have had over the last week, I would consider 34 texts a night to be a gross underestimate. 

What I found more interesting was each teen’s response when I asked why they were texting at such odd hours. All 4 teens shared nearly the same reply, 

“If I don’t keep up with what people are talking about, I’m afraid they will start talking about me. I don’t want to be left out. I’m not asleep, anyway.”

I agree that kids need to connect with their peers. The underlying problem for these night-texting teens, however, is a feeling of obligation to respond to every tag, update, mention, and text. This need to connect becomes all-consuming, overriding what most would consider a personal boundary of time and space. 

If left unchecked, the need for teens to be constantly available is coming at a cost of their emotional and physical health. Texting throughout the night leads to sleep deprivation and its associated health concerns. Here are just a few: 

• Physical – Chronic poor sleep effects the ability of the immune system, leading to the increased risk of infections. (There is a reason we see more kids with mono around finals week….) Poor sleep is also associated with weight gain.
• Mental – Depression and anxiety are known to be the result of chronic poor sleep. In fact, one study reported over 75% of teens feeling sad or depressed also were not getting enough sleep at night. Fatigued people are also noted to be quick to anger, causing disruption and embarrassing social choices. 
• Academic – If a child sacrifices sleep in order to complete academic assignments, the negative effects of decreased sleep will remain on the following day. Dr. Craig Canapari has an excellent post on this association. Chronic sleep deprivation can also be confused with the symptoms of ADHD, leading to inappropriate diagnosis and unnecessary medication. 
• Safety – Fatigue impairs alertness. When the most common cause of death in teens is motor vehicle fatalities, alertness at the wheel needs to be prioritized. 

In my opinion, restorative night sleep for our teenagers is of critical importance and needs to be prioritized. 

Here are some action steps to help evaluate and encourage a healthy sleep balance for your home. 

1. Observe your teen’s sleep habits. On average, teenagers should get 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night in order to prepare for the next day. If your child seems to be getting adequate sleep, but has symptoms of sleep deprivation, it is your job to investigate.

2. Take the texting device at night. Create and enforce rules in your home that optimize your teen’s sleep. Allow them to separate completely from the influences and stresses of the day. 

I suggest taking away the texting devices away from pre-teens and teens 1-2 hours prior to bedtime. Remove the temptation and interruption that a “silent” phone in the room allows. Make every child’s room an “electronic-free zone” after lights out. 

 Of note: An interesting consequence for some teens whose phone is taken from them every evening is a healthy feeling of release. They look forward to the time when they must sign off from the conversations. This good feeling from creating a healthy boundary stays with them long after they are under their parents’ roof. 

3. It is critical for us, as parents, to demonstrate the priority of sleep. The self-awareness needed to recognize the importance of healthy sleep and personal space does not come naturally for most teens. It is our job, as caring parents, to be an example of healthy boundaries and the priority of sleep. Limit late-night electronic use and keep electronics out of all sleeping areas. Because, as with most everything else, our actions much match our words.

When daylight comes again, rest assured, everyone can have their phone back. 

Good luck.