“Breastfeeding is a natural thing, but it doesn’t come natural to everyone,” Dickerson explained. “I can even speak from personal experience. I didn’t breastfeed my first child, because I had no experience in doing so. But when I became a nurse practitioner with SouthCoast Health and started working with our lactation consultants, I was able to successfully breastfeed my second child. The same can happen for any mom who has the right guidance.”
To help guide mothers who are considering breastfeeding, Dickerson answers questions commonly asked in her practice. See the Q&A here.
If you have any other questions about breastfeeding or if you’d like to meet with one of SouthCoast Health’s talented and qualified lactation specialties, call SouthCoast Health’s Richmond Hill pediatric office today at 912-527-5352.
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SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Below is a guest post for SouthernMamas.com by Kathryn Drury Wagner with the nonprofit BeSMART
When preparing for playdates and sleepovers for the kids, you’ve prepped for these with conversations like, “should he bring a sleeping bag?” or “please have her bring a swimsuit.” There’s another important topic to consider—talking about secure firearm storage. That’s because firearms are now the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. But these tragedies are preventable, and it’s more important than ever for families to talk about secure firearm storage.
I get it. It can feel super uncomfortable to talk about this. But hey, your kids’ safety is your business. Just like you’d ask about other safety stuff—like whether a family has a cat (pack that Claritin!) or if an adult will be home during a teen’s party—you can and should ask about how guns are stored. (The gold standard for secure storage is to keep all guns unloaded, locked up, and separate from ammunition.)
So how do we talk about this without feeling weird? Alot of moms find that texting makes this conversation so much less awkward. Here are some examples of what you could say:
“Before I drop my son off, I just wanted to check to see if you have pets? And also ask if you have firearms in your house and confirm how they are stored. I want to make sure he knows your safety rules.”
Or,
“I know my daughter hasn’t been to your home before and I do like to ask a few safety questions. She is skittish around dogs, do you have any? Also, do you own any firearms, and if so, how are they stored? She doesn’t have any allergies. Thanks so much.”
If you own a firearm, you could say:
“Hi! We just got a new puppy—I wanted to flag in case there were any allergies. Also, I wanted to let you know that we hunt in the fall, but our guns are stored securely, unloaded, locked, with the ammunition stored separately. Can’t wait to see you!”
If your child is a teen:
“Hey, excited the kids are getting together. I know that they’ve hung out a lot, but my daughter has never been over to your house so I want to confirm a couple of things: Will an adult be at the house the whole time? I heard a story on the news that made me realize I should always ask this—do you have any firearms, and if so, how are they stored? Also, do you need me to pick her up or can you give her a ride home?”
For teenage babysitters:
Ask your teen if they would like to take the lead on asking, or if they would like you to ask on their behalf. Sample texts could be:
[From a teen] “I’m confirming 7 p.m. on Saturday. Let me know if the kids want me to bring some games? Also, my parents wanted me to ask if there are any unsecured guns in the home? Thanks!”
[Or from you] “We’re excited to have Harper babysit your twins on Saturday. I heard a story on the news that made me realize I should always ask this—do you have any firearms, and if so, how are they stored? Also, do you need me to pick her up or can you give her a ride home?”
Safer kids, safer communities
After you text a few of these conversations, it becomes much more natural. And it’s so worth it, because we can never make assumptions when a child’s safety is at stake.
Want more resources? Check out the nonprofit BeSMART.
Spine health experts @ SouthCoast Health in Savannah remind parents that your child could be doing more harm than good by improperly wearing their backpack.
Above are some “dos” and “don’ts” to help ensure your little one’s spine isn’t experiencing any damage this school year.
According to Coastal Care Partners Pediatrician Dr. Kelsey Alexander: “It’s smart for all parents to know in emergency situations. That’s why we consider this such an incredibly important service to offer to our community.”
The Pediatric CPR classes are 30-minute classes offered once a week at 11:45AM on Thursdays at Coastal Care Partners’ office, located at 4B Skidaway Village Walk.
These classes offer one-on-one instruction with Shelley Fields, who serves as Medical Assistant for Coastal Care Partners’ pediatric clinic and has 24 years of experience as a paramedic.
“These 30-minute classes are a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and babysitters to learn practical tips and ask questions in a comforting environment,” said Dr. Alexander.
These classes – which are open to the public – are not certification courses.
Pre-registration is required, and interested participants are able to sign up by calling the Coastal Care Partners office @ 912.598.6312 or register online here.
Cost: $55 for members of Coastal Care Partners’ Pediatric and/or Adult Primary Care practices, and $65 for nonmembers.
Traffic continues to be a growing problem in metropolitan areas worldwide, but in the United States, Georgia leads the way in terms of traffic issues. According to a report by the National Transportation Research Group, 57% of Georgia’s highways are congested during peak hours. The average driver in Georgia loses about 50 hours a year to being stuck in traffic.
Things are particularly bad in Atlanta, whose traffic problems are somewhat legendary. Atlanta’s traffic issues rank as the eighth worst in the world, and the fourth worst in the United States. (The #1 most congested country in the world? Thailand.) The amount of time lost in traffic in the Atlanta area is even worse than Georgia’s — over 70 hours each year.
Why Is Traffic So Bad?
So what makes traffic in the Atlanta area particularly bad?
It’s a combination of population (Atlanta is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the US, and 75% of those people drive to work each day), as well as the convergence of three major highways: I-20, I-75, and I-85. This conjunction is notoriously difficult to navigate, and bottlenecks are common.
The Effects of Traffic Congestion
Traffic congestion can have a huge negative impact on our lives. There’s not just the issue of lost time, but also lost money — traffic problems cost billions of dollars in terms of productive hours lost every year, averaging out to about $800 per driver in the Atlanta area alone — not to mention things like fuel and maintenance costs. On top of that, there’s the matter of insurance premiums. More traffic means a higher likelihood of accidents, which means more claims, leading to higher rates — which could leave Georgia drivers scrambling to find cheaper car insurance.
There’s also the cost to physical and mental health. Traffic congestion and the resulting delays can cause stress, either due to potentially being late to work or taking forever to get home
Another possible side effect of stress is road rage. The anger and frustration caused by being stuck in traffic or seeing other drivers break rules or flaunt the social contract can lead to poor decisions like tailgating, shouting matches, and reckless driving — which brings us right back to those car insurance premiums, as well as (quite possibly) the cost of medical bills and car repairs. And if you should get in an accident (road rage-induced or not), heavy congestion could make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to get to you.
Finally, there’s the issue of pollution from fuel emissions, which can not only affect physical health, but the health of the planet.
High-Tech Solutions
But what can be done about the traffic in places like Atlanta — or anywhere else? There are some technological developments on the horizon that could make a huge difference in how we handle traffic:
Autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars are not far from becoming commonplace. Although there is a way to go in terms of AI and adoption, smart vehicles could reduce congestion and accidents by taking human error out of the driving experience. They can also accelerate and decelerate more smoothly and dynamically, leading to a better flow of traffic overall.
Adaptive traffic lights.Smarter software for traffic lights could respond more dynamically to the flow of traffic, leading to less idle time and more relevant timing of traffic.
Drones. Many of the cars on the road are city vehicles, out checking water meters or power lines. Some of these vehicles could be replaced with automated drones, which would allow the city to monitor certain vital functions without putting another vehicle on the road. Drones are also increasingly being used for package delivery, further reducing the need for delivery trucks.
Specific Solutions for Georgia
Although the above solutions could be implemented nearly anywhere, there are some proposed solutions specific to Georgia and the Atlanta area that could secure the state as a high-tech leader of traffic solutions.
For example, there have been proposals of a “master app” which centralizes data on public transportation, ride-sharing, and traffic statistics to create a kind of all-in-one solution for citywide transportation. Atlanta already has an app called Applied Information which lets drivers know when a light is about to turn green, and the city has recently approved major funding for installing smart traffic lights to help improve traffic flow.
There are other apps which can also help alleviate traffic issues for individual drivers, such as the Waze app, which analyzes traffic patterns and suggests alternative routes or areas to avoid during certain times of day. The app even has community features so drivers can share tips and insights with one another.
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This free weekly e-letter in your email every Wednesday keeps you savvy about all the kid-friendly happenings as well as summer camps 2023, free events, pediatricians and more.
Annual wellness exams are critical in maintaining the health and happiness of your child, and knocking these out at the beginning of the summer versus at the end avoids many potential problems.
“Our offices become so hectic at the end of the summer when school is about to begin again. Because of this we always encourage parents to bring their kids in at the beginning of the summer to avoid the back-to-school rush,” SouthCoast Health pediatrician Dr. David Mozer said. “This also ensures the child and parent have more quality time with their pediatrician and gives parents peace of mind through summer months usually filled with lots of travel.”
Latch Breastfeeding Support is a trusted name in the Savannah community. Latch has a history of working closely with families, physicians, and a variety of other health and wellness practitioners in seeking optimal outcomes for their clients.
Effingham Pediatrics is now open and seeing patients at the new location: 520 West 3rd St. in Springfield.
Join Effingham Pediatrics to celebrate the Grand Opening, meet their practitioners, and tour the new Effingham Pediatrics Center, located at the intersection of Hwy 21 & West 3rd St. in Springfield.
Are you having trouble motivating your kids (and yourself) to get outside and spend less time in front of a screen? It’s so easy to fall into the usual routine, but why not choose one or two of these ideas to change things up this spring?
Getting a daily dose of fresh air, sunshine, and movement is great for our mental, physical, and emotional health. According to Healthychildren.org, spending time outside can help children and teens promote curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking; lower stress, depression, and anger; improve impulse control and motor development; and lower rates of obesity. All this while helping our bodies produce vitamin D to stay healthy and strong!
Gardening:
Gardening can help give your children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, all while sparking some interest in eating different herbs, vegetables, or fruit. And you don’t need a green thumb to help get them started! Start with one or two small pots so that it is not a chore for either of you and also to make it easier to measure and track the plants’ growth. Then, try different lighting and watering as needed.
*For smaller pots, herbs (basil, parsley, rosemary, mint, cilantro) work best. Have your kids use the basil and parsley for pesto or pasta, and use rosemary on chicken or potatoes. They can also put mint and cucumber in their water and cilantro in guacamole or tacos!
*For larger pots or garden beds, try lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, celery, green beans, okra, zucchini, and summer squash!
Other Ways to Play:
As the weather continues to warm up, there are plenty of ways to get your kids (and your entire family!) outdoors!
Stop by the park, playground, or basketball or tennis court on the way home from school. Going immediately after school prevents everyone from getting comfortable inside at home before working up the energy to get outside again. You can also bike or walk with your kids while they scooter, just don’t forget helmets!
There are also plenty of opportunities to play in the water, even if you don’t have access to a pool! Try water balloons, a sprinkler, or slip ‘n slides for water fun! You can even find reusable water balloons online to avoid picking up all the small plastic pieces afterward.
It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t have to be active the entire time you’re outdoors. Painting, writing, or reading outside can be extremely relaxing! Grab a beach chair, picnic blanket, or even a hammock to enjoy the fresh air, sunlight, and scenery.
SCCPSS Academic Affairs department presented the following update on Pre-K enrollment at the April 12 2023 Informal School Board meeting:
1,483 Pre-K applications were submitted for 2023-24 school year – an increase of 343 applications over last year – and 1,140 students were accepted.
30 PreK sites including Oatland Island, Woodville, and Windsor Forest High School • 1,483 Pre-K applications submitted for 2023-24 school year • Increase of 343 applications from last year • 1,140 students accepted for SY 2024 with 268 waitlisted
About Georgia Pre-K
The Georgia Pre-K Program provides a 6.5-hour instructional day, 5 days a week, 180 days a year at no cost to families. You must apply to be considered for a spot in a Pre-K program.
Each Pre-K provider sets its own application processes, registration deadlines, and selection criteria. Some may include lotteries, wait lists, and other processes to accept students.
To participate, children must be four years of age on or before September 1 of the school year that they want to attend Georgia’s Pre-K.
Come to Savannah JEA for the last Kids’ Night Out of the season: “Retro Game Night” 6-10PM Sat. April 29 2023.
There will be a Double Dare themed obstacle course, messy trivia, pizza making for a snack and much more. Savannah JEA has saved the best for last…register today!
Join Calvary Day School in Savannah on Sun. March 5 2023, 6-7PM in the Wilder Chapel to explore the topic of Authority.
The Identity in Christ series has brought so much knowledge and personal growth to Calvary! Drew Humphreys, Lead Pastor at Compassion East, will be leading the March 5 discussion exploring the biblical understanding of authority and how it affects our daily lives.
This series is designed to help you understand your Identity in Christ, and how it relates to the topic of authority. The goal of this series is to bring deeper insight and understanding into the role of authority in our lives, and how it can impact our relationships, personal growth, and our walk with God.
Latch Breastfeeding Support offers a monthly prenatal breastfeeding class as an informative introduction to breastfeeding that builds on the instinctive behaviors that your baby possesses from birth.
Let me preface this by saying that I am not a nutritionist. However, I do want to teach my kids to have a healthy relationship with food. As parents, the goal is to help kids balance their food choices even when we are not with them. To do this, allow your kids a safe space to learn and make healthy food decisions at home.
While there is no perfect way to talk to kids about food, it’s best to keep things fun and positive. I’d like to share a few evidence-based ideas that I am currently working on with my children!
Neutralize Food
Food is food. Instead of categorizing foods as “good” or “bad,” change the conversation to talking about foods that make them strong or give them the energy to do their favorite things. Conversations about the color, shape, smell, taste, and texture of foods can also help make kids more comfortable with different kinds of food.
Taking food out of wrappers recognizable to children can also help neutralize foods. Giving snacks to your kids out of the packaging and in smaller portions with other foods allows them to enjoy the food while saving room for other food.
Allowing all types of food rather than restricting certain food groups is also helpful. Consider serving “bad” foods with the meal instead of afterward. At the start, your child may only eat the “bad” food, but with time the excitement around that food will fade, leading them to explore other food on their plate.
Food should never be “earned.” Pushing children to eat more “good” foods to earn “bad” foods can do three things:
It makes the “bad” foods seem more enticing.
It can make children dread the “good” food.
It makes kids eat when they aren’t necessarily hungry instead of listening to their bodies when they are full.
Talk About What Different Foods Can Do for Their Body
All foods give us energy, just some more than others. Discuss macronutrients in a simplistic way with your children. For example, protein helps build strong muscles and helps fix our body when it’s hurt. Carbohydrates include starches, grains, and sugars; starches and grains are our body’s main energy sources. Sugars, on the other hand, can give us energy quickly, but it does not last as long. Fats absorb vitamins, build cells, and provide long-term energy; plant-based and fish fats help keep our hearts healthy.
Eating the colors of the rainbow is also a great way to introduce the functions of different foods for the body and encourage eating a variety of foods. Explain that we need to eat a lot of different foods to do the things we love. For example, red foods support a healthy heart and improved memory. Orange and yellow foods help us not get sick and support our eyes and heart. Green foods are great for the eyes, bones, and teeth. Blue and purple foods can improve memory and help us not get sick.
Encourage Kids to Listen to Their Bodies
Teaching children to listen to their bodies is essential. Ensure they eat only when they are hungry and stop eating when they are full. It’s also important to remember that eating habits are not the same for everyone. While some eat more, others eat less, and that is okay!
Rather than encouraging “Clean Plate Clubs,” it helps to give the same reaction no matter how much food your kids eat. One way to plan meals is to give a 30-minute window for eating. Then, when the meal is over, any leftovers can be put in the fridge for the next day—no need to make a new meal or give liquid calories if they didn’t eat.
Consider allowing kids to serve portions for themselves. Giving them autonomy to make their own decisions and decide what they eat can be empowering. While you should encourage them to try new foods, you should not force them.
Kids can often seem fixated on certain foods. Make sure to acknowledge that desire and make that food seem available instead of restricted. To do this, try saying things like, “I know you love (favorite treat). Let’s leave the rest, so there is more for tomorrow,” or “Let’s add that to the grocery list to enjoy soon.”
As you eat with your children and guide their relationship with different foods, you’ll help give them the knowledge and confidence they need to make healthy decisions for themselves. Making these conversations normal, fun, positive, and informative is a great way to start!
