Keeping Your Family Up-to-Date on Vaccines

It is important to keep your child up-to-date on their vaccines.

Making sure that children of all ages receive all their vaccinations on time is one of the most importantthings you can do as a parent to ensure your children’s long-term health—as well as the health offriends, classmates, and others in your community.

During the early years of life, your children need vaccines to protect them from 14 diseases that can beserious, even life-threatening. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their own children increase the riskof disease not only for their children, but also for other children and adults throughout the entirecommunity.

Flu vaccines are recommended for kids in preschool and elementary school to help keep them healthy.In fact, all children 6 months and older should get flu vaccines. Getting all of your childrenvaccinated—as well as other family members and caregivers—can help protect infants younger than 6months old. Ask your family’s doctor or nurse about getting flu shots or the nasal spray to protectagainst flu.

http://www.cdc.gov/features/catchupimmunizations/

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Baby Bottle Decay Baby bottle tooth decay is a form of decay than can

destroy the teeth of an infant or young child.

The teeth most likely to be damaged are the upper

front teeth. These teeth are critical to you child’s

smile. Other teeth may also be affected by this

condition.

What causes baby bottle decay?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is caused by frequent and

long exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing

sugars. Milk, formula, fruit juices, and other

sweetened liquids help to create this problem. The

sugar in these liquids is used as an energy source by

the bacteria in plaque.

How do you prevent baby bottle decay?

Sometimes parents do not realize that a baby’s teeth

are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in

the mouth. By the time decay is noticed, it may be

too late to save the child’s teeth. You can prevent this

from happening to your child’s teeth by learning how

to protect them:

• After each feeding, wipe the child’s teeth and

gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad, to

remove plaque. Begin brushing your child’s teeth

as soon as the first tooth erupts. Remember to

continue cleaning and massaging the child’s

gums in all other areas that remain toothless.

Flossing should begin when all primary teeth

have erupted, usually by age 2.

• Never allow your child fall asleep with a

bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices or

sweetened liquid.

• If your child needs a comforter between regular

feedings, at night, or during naps, fill a nursing

bottle with cool water or give the child a clean

pacifier recommended by your dentist or

pediatrician. Never give your child a pacifier

dipped in any sweetened liquid.

• Avoid filling your child’s nursing bottle with any

liquids such as sugar water, sweetened gelatin,

and soft drinks.

• Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed for

decay-resistant teeth. If you are not sure that your

local water supply contains the right amount

of fluoride, ask your dentist about fluoride

supplements.

• Start dental visits between six and twelve months

of age. Make appointments regularly. If you

suspect that your child has a dental problem, take

the child to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Feeling sick? Exploring your artistic side may help you feel better. An article in the American Journal of Public Health has reviewed several studies that reveal the arts as an important part of healing. Arts may lower anxiety, help control pain and give patients a healthy distraction to take their mind off feeling bad. Try some of these methods to brighten up your sick day:

• Hang up art in your home that makes you feel good• Paint, draw or sculpt• Try creative movement like dance or tai chi• Play an instrument or listen to music• Jot down a story or explore journaling• Act in or write a play

Enjoy yourself and don’t get discouraged. The more art you make, the better you will get!

Get Creative, Feel Better!

Attention parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 10 to 26. Please take a moment to help us make wellness visits better for your teen or young adult. Please complete the Wyoming Department of Health’s Adolescent and Young Adult Health Survey. Your response and unique perspective will help make healthcare better for AYAs.

To take the survey visit:

https://tinyurl.com/AYAParent.

Have more than one AYA? Please take one survey per each AYA.

Happy Birthday CHIPAugust 5, 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program is a Federal-State partnership that has provided health

coverage to children who may not otherwise be able to afford coverage.

Currently, during the course of a year, 9 million children enroll in CHIP nationwide.

Kid Care CHIP started in 1999 in Wyoming . CHIP covers thousands of Wyoming kids and teens every year. To learn more about Kid Care CHIP visit health.wyo.gov/chip.

Parents, Share With Us

Sick Day Activity ResourcesCheck out these websites for great activities to keep your sick child engaged:

Red Tricycleredtri.com/low-energy-activities-for-sick-days

Parentingwww.parenting.com/gallery/indoor-activities-kids

Pinterestwww.pinterest.com/coldeeze/sick-day-crafts-diy

Kids and StressAs parents, you may feel stressed about money, family responsibilities and work. Kids also face stress. They stress about big things like violence in the media or turmoil in the home. They also stress about everyday things like friends, school and peer pressure.

Signs that your child is stressedAccording to the American Psychological Association (APA.org) it can be difficult to identify when your child is stressed. Below is a list of signs to help you recognize stress in your child.Changes in behavior• Acting moody• Withdrawing from typically enjoyable activities• Expressing worry• Complaining about school• Crying• Acting fearful• Eating too much or too little• Changes in sleep patternsFeeling Sick• Stomachaches and headaches can be caused by

stress.Your child is acting different at school and with friends• Stay in contact with other parents, teachers and

school staff so, if the time comes, they will be able to tell you when they think something may be worrying your child.

Using words that may mean stress• Kids may use words like worried, annoyed or

confused rather than stressed or anxious.

How parents can help• Notice out loud: “It seems like you’re upset about

something that happened at school.”• Listen when your child is feeling fine and also

when stressed. The more you listen to your child, the more you’ll be able to recognize that something may be wrong.

• Put a label on your child’s feelings. “It seems like you are (frustrated, stressed, worried, anxious).”

• Be aware of how you react to stress. Do you eat, drink or smoke when you are stressed? Try adopting some healthier stress relieving activities like talking to a friend, going for a walk or deep breathing to set a positive example for your child.

• Create a healthy environment. Limit stress in the household by cleaning up clutter at home and in the car.

• Be patient. Your child may not be ready to talk. Be available and let your child know that you are always available.

• Seek support. If your child is having difficulty managing stress, seek professional help with a licensed mental health professional.

2 Minute Stress RelieversSmile: Even if it’s fake, smiling can be soothing.

Drink something warm: Warming your hands with a hot cup of tea or coffee can tell your brain it is time to calm down.

Donate loose change: Those who give money to others instead of buying themselves a treat feel happier.

Move: Just 2 minutes of exercise can make you happier.

Eat chocolate: Eating 1.4 oz of chocolate a day is a proven stress reliever.

The Wyoming Department of Health is the primary State agency for providing health and human services. It administers programs, that help maintain the health and safety of all citizens of Wyoming.

MissionWe envision a Wyoming in which all citizens are able to achieve their maximum health potential: a Wyoming in which early intervention, wellness, health promotion and health maintenance programs are the primary approach for solving health problems: a Wyoming in which at-risk citizens receive culturally appropriate and sensitive services: a Wyoming in which we and future generations are healthy, vital and productive so as to seize the opportunity to live our individual dreams and enjoy the benefits of our bountiful resources and natural beauty.

www.health.wyo.gov

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State of WyomingWyoming Department of HealthDivision of Healthcare Financing6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 210Cheyenne, WY 82002-0480