In this special "minisode" of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman answers four of the most common summer questions she hears from parents:
– Is it normal if my kid doesn’t drink much water?
– Why does my child get constipated when we travel?
– What if my child refuses sunscreen?
– How do I prevent motion sickness in the car?
The goal is to help parents learn practical tips of normal parent concerns to help you feel more prepared during the summer months.
Dr Jessica Hochman is a board certified pediatrician, mom to three children, and she is very passionate about the health and well being of children. Most of her educational videos are targeted towards general pediatric topics and presented in an easy to understand manner.
For more content from Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica
Website: www.askdrjessicamd.com
-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20
-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA
Do you have a future topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Email Dr Jessica Hochman askdrjessicamd@gmail.com.
The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hi everybody, and welcome backto Your Child is Normal.
I'm Dr.
Jessica Hochman, and for thenext couple of weeks I'm gonna
try something a little differentInstead of one long topic where
I interview a guest, I'll beanswering a few quick parent
questions that are especiallyrelevant during the summer.
Each question will tie back tothe idea that your child is
normal.
My hope is that this gives yousome practical answers to common
(00:21):
things that parents wonderabout, now let's get into it.
For the first question, let'stalk about hydration.
I hear all the time fromparents, is it normal for my
child to not drink that muchwater during the day?
They say, How many ouncesexactly should they be getting?
And while I completelyunderstand why parents wanna a
number, what's actually mostimportant is that fluids are
being offered consistentlythroughout the day.
(00:41):
We do not need to force our kidsto drink.
I recommend to parents all thetime, let your child drink to
their thirst.
in fact, kids are exceptionallygood when it comes to listening
to their own bodies.
Particularly when it comes tothe feeling of thirst.
in fact, if you find yourselftrying to force a specific
amount of fluids to your child,that actually can make the whole
thing more stressful and anxietyprovoking for both of you.
(01:03):
So here's how I like to thinkabout it.
When babies are breastfeeding,for example, we never measure
exactly how many ounces they'redrinking.
Sometimes they drink more,sometimes they drink less, but
we don't worry about it becausewe have other clues that they're
getting enough fluids, forexample, they're making wet
diapers, they're gaining weight,and they seem content.
The same idea applies here toolder kids.
We look for clues that they'rehydrated.
(01:24):
For example, they're peeingevery few hours.
Their urine should be a paleyellow color.
Their lips aren't dry.
They're acting like themselves,and they're not losing weight.
And don't forget, hydration alsocomes from food like watermelon,
oranges, cucumbers, soups,yogurt, smoothies, even
popsicles count.
And all of this may explain whysome days they drink more, and
some days they drink less.
(01:45):
So again, what's most importantis that we're allowing a child
to drink to their thirstcontent.
If they're thirsty, let's givethem fluids to help them drink.
And if they're not drinking whenit's offered, we're gonna trust
that they're hydrated.
Question number two, why does mychild get constipated every time
we travel?
Now, travel constipation is avery real phenomenon.
It's so common that it actuallyhas a nickname vacation,
(02:07):
constipation.
And let me tell you, I havelived it myself with my
children.
The worst constipation that mykids have ever experienced has
been while we're on vacation.
I'll never forget it, mydaughter was about six months
old.
We were away on a hot daywalking through a farmer's
market, and she was cryingnonstop.
And we realized she hadn'tpooped in days And thankfully my
daughter does not remember this,but I actually had to dis impact
(02:29):
her myself with my pinky to helprelieve her pain.
And no, don't try this at homewithout talking to your
pediatrician first.
But I swear my husband has neverbeen more grateful to be married
to a pediatrician than on thatday.
So why does vacationconstipation happen?
Our digestive systems thrive onroutine when you travel, kids
are eating differently.
Eating fewer fruits andvegetables, eating more
(02:50):
processed foods, and let's bereal.
It's really hard when you're onvacation to eat as healthy as
you typically do at home.
Your child may be moving less.
And also sometimes kids hold itin because a bathroom feels
unfamiliar.
So to prevent vacation,constipation, Try to encourage
your child to drink to theirthirst offer.
High fiber foods, especiallypitted fruits like peaches,
(03:11):
plums, and apricots.
Those pitted fruits containsorbitol, which is a natural
sugar alcohol that draws waterinto the intestines and helps
soften stool.
You can try adding in chiaseeds, flax, or yogurt with live
cultures that will help supportdigestion.
Make sure and keep your kidsactive and give them some
relaxed time to sit on thetoilet with no pressure.
Just time.
(03:32):
After eating, it really sets thedigestive tract into motion and
you'll have the best chance forsuccess.
Now what if they don't go for aday or two?
Should you be worried?
Well, if they're not in pain orbloated, it's likely okay.
And honestly, many kids willjust wait until they're back
home.
Things tend to get back intomotion literally once they're
back in their regular routine,eating familiar foods and using
(03:52):
their own bathroom.
And again, if you have anyquestions or concerns, make sure
and reach out to yourpediatrician.
Common concern.
Number three, my child refusesto wear sunscreen.
What should I do?
This is one that I hear fromparents all the time.
We all know that sunscreen isincredibly important, especially
during these hot summer months.
It can be really hard if youhave a picky child.
And to be honest, I get wherethe child is coming from.
(04:14):
Sunscreen is sticky, it smellsfunny, and often the timing
feels rushed.
Let's face it.
If a kid wants to go swimming inthe pool, the last thing they
wanna do is spend five or 10minutes getting lathered with
sunscreen.
But in an ideal world, yourchild would use a mineral-based
SPF 30 every morning withoutcomplaint, but in real life it's
not always that smooth orrealistic.
The best sunscreen is the onethat your child will actually
(04:36):
wear.
Avoiding burns is more importantthan waiting for the perfect
clean product.
If you have a choice, I wouldget a mineral-based SPF 30 with
no oxybenzone.
And a broad spectrum sunscreen,those are great, but if your
only option is a spray in yourpurse, I would use it.
Sunburns are not onlyuncomfortable, they can be
dangerous.
I personally learned this thehard way with my own son.
(04:58):
A few years ago, we were at thebeach.
He was wearing a rash guard allday, and at one point he took it
off and we forgot to apply thesunscreen to his chest.
And he burned badly.
It was so uncomfortable that itruined his vacation.
He didn't wanna move, hecouldn't sleep, and he was just
miserable.
So let me offer some tips sothat this doesn't happen to you.
First.
Let kids try to apply thesunscreen themselves.
(05:20):
Of course, parents, it's reallya must to check their work when
they're done.
You can use SPF clothing toreduce how much skin needs
sunscreen.
Another helpful tip is to applyit before leaving your house,
and I'd also recommendexperimenting with options of
sunscreens I'm hearing that alot of kids are loving the
whipped cream sunscreen.
Yes.
It looks exactly like a can ofwhipped cream.
Which I think adds an element offun, which is always gonna peak
(05:41):
a kid's attention.
So the bottom line is whateverformat works for your family,
just remember to apply it,especially during peak sun
hours.
And for the final and fourthquestion, how do I help my child
avoid motion sickness in thecar?
This is another great questionand one that I know all too
well.
First of all, I really wannaimpress that motion sickness is
(06:02):
way easier to prevent than it isto treat once it starts.
So the goal here is reallyprevention.
Here are some tips that work.
First and most important, reallyimportant to have your child
look out at the horizon.
If they can focus on somethingoutside the window that is
steady, that will really helpprevent motion sickness.
You can also open the windows orkeep the AC on for fresh air.
(06:23):
Avoid screens and reading.
You can try wrist pressure bandsat an acupressure point.
I personally haven't found toomuch success with this, but
other people have and it can'thurt to try.
Keep the snacks that you offerlight.
Avoid greasy foods, and somepeople have found that Ginger
helps with motion sickness.
You can also consider usingmedications like Dramamine.
But first, talk to yourpediatrician about their age and
(06:44):
proper dosing.
And again, I wanna say thatprevention is really the key.
Once the nausea hits, it's hardto stop.
I personally remember a terriblecar trip when my daughter was
about three years old, and shethrew up twice in her car seat.
It was so bad that even after Iwashed her car seat multiple
times, we just couldn't get thesmell out and I honestly just
had to get rid of the car seatand start fresh.
(07:05):
After that, our family avoidedlong car drives for quite a
while unless it was absolutelynecessary.
And when we did go on car rides,we planned plenty of stops and
built in breaks to rest.
So if your child is prone tomotion sickness.
I do have a video about this onmy ask Dr.
Jessica YouTube channel if youwant more tips on motion
sickness.
All right, so that's a wrap fortoday's q and a.
(07:25):
I hope that some of these tipshelp you feel more relaxed, more
prepared, and most of all, lessalone.
If you have any questions thatyou'd like me to answer next
week, please send it my way.
And please don't forget, yourchild is normal.
You're doing great, and I'lltalk to you soon.
Hi everybody, and welcome backto Your Child is Normal.
I'm Dr.
Jessica Hochman, and for thenext couple of weeks I'm gonna
try something a little differentInstead of one long topic where
I interview a guest, I'll beanswering a few quick parent
questions that are especiallyrelevant during the summer.
Each question will tie back tothe idea that your child is
normal.
My hope is that this gives yousome practical answers to common
(00:21):
things that parents wonderabout, now let's get into it.
For the first question, let'stalk about hydration.
I hear all the time fromparents, is it normal for my
child to not drink that muchwater during the day?
They say, How many ouncesexactly should they be getting?
And while I completelyunderstand why parents wanna a
number, what's actually mostimportant is that fluids are
being offered consistentlythroughout the day.
(00:41):
We do not need to force our kidsto drink.
I recommend to parents all thetime, let your child drink to
their thirst.
in fact, kids are exceptionallygood when it comes to listening
to their own bodies.
Particularly when it comes tothe feeling of thirst.
in fact, if you find yourselftrying to force a specific
amount of fluids to your child,that actually can make the whole
thing more stressful and anxietyprovoking for both of you.
(01:03):
So here's how I like to thinkabout it.
When babies are breastfeeding,for example, we never measure
exactly how many ounces they'redrinking.
Sometimes they drink more,sometimes they drink less, but
we don't worry about it becausewe have other clues that they're
getting enough fluids, forexample, they're making wet
diapers, they're gaining weight,and they seem content.
The same idea applies here toolder kids.
We look for clues that they'rehydrated.
(01:24):
For example, they're peeingevery few hours.
Their urine should be a paleyellow color.
Their lips aren't dry.
They're acting like themselves,and they're not losing weight.
And don't forget, hydration alsocomes from food like watermelon,
oranges, cucumbers, soups,yogurt, smoothies, even
popsicles count.
And all of this may explain whysome days they drink more, and
some days they drink less.
(01:45):
So again, what's most importantis that we're allowing a child
to drink to their thirstcontent.
If they're thirsty, let's givethem fluids to help them drink.
And if they're not drinking whenit's offered, we're gonna trust
that they're hydrated.
Question number two, why does mychild get constipated every time
we travel?
Now, travel constipation is avery real phenomenon.
It's so common that it actuallyhas a nickname vacation,
(02:07):
constipation.
And let me tell you, I havelived it myself with my
children.
The worst constipation that mykids have ever experienced has
been while we're on vacation.
I'll never forget it, mydaughter was about six months
old.
We were away on a hot daywalking through a farmer's
market, and she was cryingnonstop.
And we realized she hadn'tpooped in days And thankfully my
daughter does not remember this,but I actually had to dis impact
(02:29):
her myself with my pinky to helprelieve her pain.
And no, don't try this at homewithout talking to your
pediatrician first.
But I swear my husband has neverbeen more grateful to be married
to a pediatrician than on thatday.
So why does vacationconstipation happen?
Our digestive systems thrive onroutine when you travel, kids
are eating differently.
Eating fewer fruits andvegetables, eating more
(02:50):
processed foods, and let's bereal.
It's really hard when you're onvacation to eat as healthy as
you typically do at home.
Your child may be moving less.
And also sometimes kids hold itin because a bathroom feels
unfamiliar.
So to prevent vacation,constipation, Try to encourage
your child to drink to theirthirst offer.
High fiber foods, especiallypitted fruits like peaches,
(03:11):
plums, and apricots.
Those pitted fruits containsorbitol, which is a natural
sugar alcohol that draws waterinto the intestines and helps
soften stool.
You can try adding in chiaseeds, flax, or yogurt with live
cultures that will help supportdigestion.
Make sure and keep your kidsactive and give them some
relaxed time to sit on thetoilet with no pressure.
Just time.
(03:32):
After eating, it really sets thedigestive tract into motion and
you'll have the best chance forsuccess.
Now what if they don't go for aday or two?
Should you be worried?
Well, if they're not in pain orbloated, it's likely okay.
And honestly, many kids willjust wait until they're back
home.
Things tend to get back intomotion literally once they're
back in their regular routine,eating familiar foods and using
(03:52):
their own bathroom.
And again, if you have anyquestions or concerns, make sure
and reach out to yourpediatrician.
Common concern.
Number three, my child refusesto wear sunscreen.
What should I do?
This is one that I hear fromparents all the time.
We all know that sunscreen isincredibly important, especially
during these hot summer months.
It can be really hard if youhave a picky child.
And to be honest, I get wherethe child is coming from.
(04:14):
Sunscreen is sticky, it smellsfunny, and often the timing
feels rushed.
Let's face it.
If a kid wants to go swimming inthe pool, the last thing they
wanna do is spend five or 10minutes getting lathered with
sunscreen.
But in an ideal world, yourchild would use a mineral-based
SPF 30 every morning withoutcomplaint, but in real life it's
not always that smooth orrealistic.
The best sunscreen is the onethat your child will actually
(04:36):
wear.
Avoiding burns is more importantthan waiting for the perfect
clean product.
If you have a choice, I wouldget a mineral-based SPF 30 with
no oxybenzone.
And a broad spectrum sunscreen,those are great, but if your
only option is a spray in yourpurse, I would use it.
Sunburns are not onlyuncomfortable, they can be
dangerous.
I personally learned this thehard way with my own son.
(04:58):
A few years ago, we were at thebeach.
He was wearing a rash guard allday, and at one point he took it
off and we forgot to apply thesunscreen to his chest.
And he burned badly.
It was so uncomfortable that itruined his vacation.
He didn't wanna move, hecouldn't sleep, and he was just
miserable.
So let me offer some tips sothat this doesn't happen to you.
First.
Let kids try to apply thesunscreen themselves.
(05:20):
Of course, parents, it's reallya must to check their work when
they're done.
You can use SPF clothing toreduce how much skin needs
sunscreen.
Another helpful tip is to applyit before leaving your house,
and I'd also recommendexperimenting with options of
sunscreens I'm hearing that alot of kids are loving the
whipped cream sunscreen.
Yes.
It looks exactly like a can ofwhipped cream.
Which I think adds an element offun, which is always gonna peak
(05:41):
a kid's attention.
So the bottom line is whateverformat works for your family,
just remember to apply it,especially during peak sun
hours.
And for the final and fourthquestion, how do I help my child
avoid motion sickness in thecar?
This is another great questionand one that I know all too
well.
First of all, I really wannaimpress that motion sickness is
(06:02):
way easier to prevent than it isto treat once it starts.
So the goal here is reallyprevention.
Here are some tips that work.
First and most important, reallyimportant to have your child
look out at the horizon.
If they can focus on somethingoutside the window that is
steady, that will really helpprevent motion sickness.
You can also open the windows orkeep the AC on for fresh air.
(06:23):
Avoid screens and reading.
You can try wrist pressure bandsat an acupressure point.
I personally haven't found toomuch success with this, but
other people have and it can'thurt to try.
Keep the snacks that you offerlight.
Avoid greasy foods, and somepeople have found that Ginger
helps with motion sickness.
You can also consider usingmedications like Dramamine.
But first, talk to yourpediatrician about their age and
(06:44):
proper dosing.
And again, I wanna say thatprevention is really the key.
Once the nausea hits, it's hardto stop.
I personally remember a terriblecar trip when my daughter was
about three years old, and shethrew up twice in her car seat.
It was so bad that even after Iwashed her car seat multiple
times, we just couldn't get thesmell out and I honestly just
had to get rid of the car seatand start fresh.
(07:05):
After that, our family avoidedlong car drives for quite a
while unless it was absolutelynecessary.
And when we did go on car rides,we planned plenty of stops and
built in breaks to rest.
So if your child is prone tomotion sickness.
I do have a video about this onmy ask Dr.
Jessica YouTube channel if youwant more tips on motion
sickness.
All right, so that's a wrap fortoday's q and a.
(07:25):
I hope that some of these tipshelp you feel more relaxed, more
prepared, and most of all, lessalone.
If you have any questions thatyou'd like me to answer next
week, please send it my way.
And please don't forget, yourchild is normal.
You're doing great, and I'lltalk to you soon.
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