Page 59 - GreenBook

For older children;

Electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte, Infalyte, Kaolectrolyte, oral rehydration
powder mixed with water, diluted Gatorade, flat (stir or shake out carbonation),
room temperature sodas (preferably caffeine-free).

Pedialyte Popsicles or popsicles that are not made with fruit juice, koolaid, Jello
or Jello water (made with cold water) can also be given.-Avoid red and green
coloring as they may cause the vomitus and stools to be red and green
respectively and can be confused with blood or bile.

Call us immediately if your child has:
• Signs of significant dehydration - urinating less than twice in 24 hours,
absent tears while crying, dry mouth (not lips), excessive drowsiness or
fussiness, sunken eyes, cool and discolored hands and feet or wrinkled

skin.

• A distended, swollen appearing abdomen or severe, persistent
abdominal pain associated with foul smelling or green (bilious)
vomiting.

Call during office hours if your child is:

^ • vomiting all fluids for more than 18-24 hours.

• vomiting approximately twice a day for 3-4 days in a row.

« VL HEALTH PROMOTION

A. Dental Care

Proper dental care begins with the appearance of the first tooth. In young
babies, food and debris can be removed from the teeth after every meal with a
soft washcloth or a gauze pad. When the child is older and more teeth appear,
a soft children's toothbrush can be used. Prolonged bottle feeding is the leading
cause of early tooth decay, "baby bottle syndrome", so please remember to have
your child off the bottle by one year of age.

Fluoride has been widely used to prevent tooth decay. Some towns in
Massachusetts including Fitchburg, Gardner, Devens and Westminster add
^ fluoride directly to the water supplies. If the water your child is drinking does not
contain fluoride, natural or added, ask us about a fluoride supplement. We
recommend that the supplement be given from age 6 months to 16 years.

m We recommend scheduling your child's first dental check-up between eighteen
months and three years of age.

B. Tantrums

No matter how calm and gentle a parent you are, your child will probably throw
some temper tantrums. A temper tantrum is an immature way of expressing
anger. We need to teach children that anger is normal, but it must be channeled
appropriately. By 3 years of age, you can begin to teach him to verbalize his

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