Posts for: November, 2020
Types of Car Seats
Before your child can just start buckling up like a big kid, they need to use car seats. Children from birth until 3 years old will use a rear-facing car seat. From 3-7 years old children will upgrade to the forward-facing car seat. Then the booster seat is typically used anywhere from 5-12 years, depending on their height and manufacturer’s guidelines. Children should be at least five years old, weigh at least 40 pounds and be over the height and weight requirements for their forward-facing car seat to be ready to upgrade to a booster seat.
Choosing the Right Car Seat
When it comes to choosing a car seat, we know that it can be difficult to narrow it down. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides useful information to help you find the right car seat by comparing different ones on the market. You can also talk to your pediatrician, who can provide you with a wellspring of information and advice on choosing the right car seat for your little one.
Installing Your Child’s Car Seat
Before starting, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s installation guide so that you can better understand the car seat and how it should be installed. Along with following the installation guide that comes with the car seat, the NHTSA also provides some helpful safety tips for a successful installation.
Did you know that once you have your car seat in-place that you can have it inspected to make sure that it’s properly installed? This can provide families with the peace of mind that they need to know that their child is safe every time they buckle up.
From booster seats to booster shots, you must be doing everything possible to keep your child healthy and safe. This also means finding quality pediatricians that you trust to provide you with the tips, advice, and care to support your child’s health.
Understanding your child’s immunization schedule is key to helping your child get a healthy start in life. Pediatric Associates of Davidson County helps parents and caregivers all over Nashville, TN with their pediatric concerns, including immunizations. What should parents look for when having their child immunized?
From birth to two months old, your child should receive a Hep B shot.
When your child is 2 months old, your little one will receive a round of vaccines that the Center for Disease Prevention says can be remembered as “DhRIP”: Diphtheria, Meningitis, Pneumococcal, and Polio.
Between 4-6 months old, your child will get boosters of DhRIP. Begin to have the influenza vaccine with these immunizations.
At 6 months, introduce another round of HepB and Polio vaccinations.
When your baby is about one year of age, they require Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine), MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine, PCV, and Chickenpox (varicella).
Here is a full list of the vaccines your little one should take, and when:
- HepA - Hepatitis A vaccine; given as 2 shots at least 6 months apart
- HPV: Human papillomavirus vaccine, given in 2 shots over a 6- to 12-month period. It can be given as early as age 9. For teens and young adults (ages 15–26 in girls and boys both), it is given in 3 shots over 6 months. It's recommended for both girls and boys to prevent genital warts and some types of cancer.
- Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster. Also recommended during each pregnancy a woman has.
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine: And a booster dose is recommended at age 16.
- Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB): The MenB vaccine may be given to kids and teens in 2 or 3 doses, depending on the brand. Unlike the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which is recommended, the decision to get the MenB vaccine is made by the teens, their parents, and the doctor.
If you have any questions about your loved one’s vaccination schedule, feel free to give Pediatric Associates of Davidson County a call in Nashville, TN. Contact us at (615) 329-3595 to get more information or schedule an appointment.