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Update: Week of May 25th

This Week’s Hot Topic

Firstly, I’d like to say a big hello. If you are getting this as an email, you’ve signed up at www.drzibners.com and I thank you. If someone has forwarded you this or you’re reading it on the website, it’s time to go sign up for your own updates and information. While the website obviously has spawned itself from my upcoming book (June 17!!), I am hoping that it will become its own little being, where I can share important information, answer questions, and let parents share stories of their own. And by all means, send feedback. Is it too long, not relevant, boring? I want to know so I can make this a place for entertainment and learning. Let’s start with a topic that may be confusing you: car seats.

I thought I’d make it easy on myself today and go straight to the news brief waiting for me in my inbox this morning. “AAP changes car seat recommendations” blares the headline. My first thought was, “What? I’ve already been telling people to jam their 30 lb 8 month-old into a rear-facing seat, what next?”  Well, fortunately, the information is pretty much the same. However, unlucky for those of you with a chunky monkey, there are some new things to think about. Let me explain.

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics—you’ll hear me mention them over and over) has NOT officially changed their guidelines regarding the usage of car seats in infants. The recommendation remains rear-facing until at least 1 year and 20 lbs. I won’t bore you with the other details. Here’s the link: http://www.aap.org/family/Carseatguide.htm

What is new is a recent study reporting that children under 2 are 5 times safer when riding in a rear-facing seat. This is because a child’s head is proportionally heavier in relationship to his body and little kids don’t have the neck strength to protect their cervical spine during a collision. Therefore, sitting backwards is safer. The current AAP policy already says that children should ride rear-facing for as long as possible. There’s no change in policy. The next anticipated AAP car seat policy statement is due in 2010.

So what should you be thinking about? Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your child’s car seat to see what the maximum weight for rear-facing is. (Usually 30-35 lbs). If your kid can fit in the seat, keep her riding backwards as long as you can. If you’ve already flipped him forward, flip him back around.

Q&A

For this week’s Q&A, Amy from MD wants advice on finding a CPR class. Go to the site to see what I say.

Tales of Truly Bizarre

And for this week’s “Toddler of the Week,” I’ve got nothing for you. Because I’m waiting for your stories. Tell me about your kid, a kid you know, or a “friend’s kid” (wink wink) who has done something hilarious, devious, or beyond your wildest imagination.

And until next time,

Dr. Lara Zibners, May 27, 2009

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