Get Your Kids Ready for Summer with Dr. Abby Stein!

Summer will be here before we know it—is your family ready for all the sun and fun?!

Here to help make sure you’re keeping your kids as safe as possible while they’re out having a blast this summer is TriHealth Pediatrician, Dr. Abby Stein!

Please introduce yourself!

My name is Abby Stein and I am a pediatrician at Group Health Associates Western Hills on the west side of town. I absolutely love my job and my patients here on the west side and can’t imagine doing anything else! In my free time I like to spend time with my family. I am an espresso fanatic and love any excuse to try a new coffee shop. 

How much sunscreen is really enough for my kids?

Keeping up with sunscreen application can be tricky! The more you are able to use hats and other UPF protective clothing the easier it will make everyday life at the pool and other outdoor activities. For those areas that are still exposed to the sun, aim to liberally apply a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. For context, most adults need a full ounce of sunscreen (the size of a shot glass) to cover their skin adequately. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or sometimes more after swimming or toweling off. Don’t forget the ears and back of the neck! If you have an infant under age 6 months, its best to avoid any direct sunlight exposure at all. However, when this isn’t possible, its absolutely OK to apply sunscreen to small areas of the body that you can’t cover with protective clothing, hats or umbrellas. 

What are the most important aspects of pool and swimming safety?

If you’re going to read about any question on this page, please let it be this one! Preventing drowning of all types should be a top priority of every parent this summer! Unfortunately, along with firearm related injuries, this remains a top cause of death in children each year, and the #1 cause of death in children ages 1-4. With the numbers as high as they are, prevention on multiple levels must be considered. Here are some good rules of thumb:

• Do not leave your child unattended or under the care of another child period. Even for a moment! Drowning is silent and fast. This counts if near a pool, sauna, bathtub, pond or other body of water. Even a few inches of water can be enough to cause drowning.
  • I love the idea of having a “touch point” or obvious signal with your child that they are about to get in the pool. For example, any time your child plans to get back in the pool, they MUST find you and give you a high five. This way, you and your child are always on the same page, even if there is a lifeguard on duty. 
  • Empty buckets of water and bathtubs immediately after finishing using them. Toilet seat latches are helpful for homes with toddlers!
• For infants and toddlers in the pool, practice “touch supervision.” This means you or another adult is within an arms length of that child at all times.
• If you are lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, its imperative to have a reliable fence around it. Make sure this fence is at least 4 feet high, has 4 sides to it, separates the pool from the house, and has a self-latching and self-closing gate. 
• If you have the means, consider swim lessons for your child and CPR classes for yourself (and your teens)! Swim lessons have been shown to reduce risk of drowning for all ages, including young toddlers.
  • Trihealth offers both CPR classes ($25.00) and swim lessons down to age 6 months
    https://www.trihealth.com/services/trihealth-fitness-and-health-pavilion/pools-and-recreation/swim-lessons
    https://classes.trihealth.com/EchoNet/ClassEnrollment/SectionListing.aspx?link=9

What amount of screentime is too much for my kids?

Screentime recommendations have gotten trickier with the broad range of types of screentime that our kids can explore. For example, there is a big difference between video chatting with friends or grandparents and mindlessly watching youtube or scrolling through tiktok. Watching TV on the big screen as a family is better than the isolation of a phone or an ipad for a child. Rather than focusing on number of hours spent with the screen, focus on quality and “togetherness.” For example, setting the boundary of only having screen time in common areas (living room, kitchen etc) and avoiding alone time with screens in the bedroom can be a great way to start. If you are looking for more specific guidance, here would be my thoughts (and guidance from the American Academy of pediatrics):

• Avoid any screen time other than video chatting under age 2.
• Avoid hand-held devices and screen time other than “together” screen time until age 5.
• No cell phones until age 12! Hold strong on this one and you won’t regret it!
• No social media until age 16. There is unfortunately a strong association between social media use in teens and depression and anxiety.
• No handheld devices behind closed doors (bedrooms etc) throughout all of childhood and adolescence. 

What is the best way to make sure my kids stay hydrated in the heat? 

Water is the best and healthiest way to keep your kids hydrated this summer with complete avoidance of both juice and pop and use of sports drinks only when playing sports. Keeping their refillable water bottles ready and accessible at all times provides a good memory aid for them to drink when thirsty. Just remember that infants under age 6 months do not need water (breast milk or formula is enough) and infants between 6-12 months only need 4-8 oz of water per day. 

Do you have any tips to help manage allergies, bug bites, or other irritants?

Unfortunately, the summer sun and flowers bring allergens and critters with it! Some kids seem to be much more prone to both of these than others. Over-the-counter antihistamines are both safe and effective for kids to use for seasonal allergies. Talk with your pediatrician about which might be the best fit. Cetirizine is considered safe all the way down to 6 months of age.

For bug sprays, There are a few nuances to consider: 

• Picardin based products are safe for all children and babies, regardless of age. 
• DEET based products are safe for infants and children 2 months and older.
  • If you have a child who is super sensitive to bug bites, DEET-based products are your best bet. 
  • Always apply to children yourself (ie do not let them apply it themselves).
  • Only apply to exposed skin (ie skin not covered by clothing).
  • Do not apply over wounds or scrapes.
  • Avoid applying to mouth, eyes and palms of hands.
  • Only apply once a day.
• When you go back inside, wash the product of your infant or child's skin
  • Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus based products should NOT use until children are at least 3 years of age.

Is it a good idea to get well checks scheduled in time for summer camps and ahead of next year’s school sports?

Yes! At TriHealth Pediatrics, we normally experience a rush of calls for back-to-school physicals in July and August! It’s a time we lovingly refer to as “physical season.”

Calling in the spring to schedule these will help guarantee your child will have a spot so that sports don’t get delayed and your child doesn’t need to miss school for their appointment.

What is one thing you love about summer that you’re looking forward to?

We always love our trips to Norris Lake to relax and do some water sports. This year will look a little different with a new baby on the way but we’re hoping she (safely) enjoys the sunshine too!

Seamless Health Care for All Stages of Childhood

Finding the right doctor is an important first step in your child’s care. Our physicians are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care from birth until adulthood. TriHealth provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for children and their families with Cincinnati’s largest network of primary care pediatric providers.

Article provided by Dr. Abigail Stein.