Watch out for Swimmer's Ear

I don't think anyone in my family has ever had swimmer's ear. However, my youngest son seems to be prone to ear infections. So I do wonder if he will be prone to swimmer's ear. Is there a connection? I will make sure I dry out his ears as much as possible this summer. Although.. I am not sure how I can take three kids who don't swim well to the pool. I'll have to think about that one! I am so excited for warmer weather! 87 and sunny on Sunday-only rainy on Saturday. Yay!

FROM NBC: Swimmer's ear leads to over two million doctor visits a year ... racking up nearly half a billion dollars in health care costs. That's according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control released today. Data show one in 123 Americans went to the doctor for swimmer's ear in 2007 -- with most cases in children from five to 14 years old. Swimmer's ear develops when water stays in the ear canal too long ... allowing germs to grow and infect the skin. You can reduce your risk for swimmer's ear by drying your ears after swimming or showering --- and if you are a frequent swimmer, experts recommend talking to your doctor about using alcohol ear drops.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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When to sign up for Swimming lessons

None of my kids can swim yet. I wish they could! I have my oldest starting swim lessons this week. He normally takes them all summer, but this year it wasn't possible with me on bed rest. I feel parent guilt. He is so close to swimming by himself, but just not there yet. Maybe these lessons will help. The problem has been trying to get him to the pool. It's hard to watch two kids who can't swim at the same time. I know some of my friends' kids who have pools or their parents have pools taught their kids to swim as young as 3 years old!

Last year on the blog we talked about the American Academy of Pediatrics stance that kids should not learn to swim until 4 years old. Many people responded in disbelief and thought that was way too old. So these new recommendations for toddler swimming lessons are probably more in-line with a parent's perspective. When did your kids learn to swim?

There is new evidence that infant and toddler swim lessons give children an added layer of protection around the water. The study by the National Institutes of Health is prompting a major policy shift by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

At just two and half years old, little Preston Crowder had a close call at his home swimming pool. "He was just getting too close to the side and ended up tumbling in head first and was probably out two or three feet."

Before his mother could react, she watched her son turn around and swim towards the pool's edge and pull him self out. It's a skill he's learned during his two years of swim lessons.

"We were completely panicked watching it, but he was fine." For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics actually warned against children under the age of four taking swim lessons.

Pediatrician Dr. Early Denison "The thinking there is that kids don't have the gross motor skills until they're four years old, and if they're participating in swim lessons that might make parents less vigilant and there by indirectly increase the risk of drowning."

But a recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that swim lessons can provide some layer of protection. So now the Academy is changing its stance, but pediatricians warn their must still be a more comprehensive water safety course.

Dr. Early Denison, Pediatrician"You still need to think about pool fences. You still need to think about CPR training for parents and caregivers and you need to think about parent vigilance."

EXPERTS SAY IF ALL THOSE SAFEGUARDS FAIL.. You absolutely want your child to learn to fall in the water, turn around and get back to the side.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Pool Safety

We know how to keep from spreading germs at the pool, but it wouldn't hurt to remind kids.

Here's your checklist for pool safety from a story we ran on WHOI:

As pools prepare to open this memorial day weekend, the Illinois Department of Public Health, wants to warn you that water may not be the only thing you're swimming in. Recreational water illnesses can be cause by germs like crypto, e. coli and shigella.

While most pools are treated with chlorine, some germs are resistant to the chemical. That's why the department has 6 steps they'd like us to follow to keep us from getting sick this swimming season

1. Don't swim when you have diarrhea. Germs in the water can spread and make other people sick.


2. Don't swallow pool water. Avoid getting pool water in your mouth altogether.


3. Practice good hygiene. Take showers before getting into the pool and wash your hands after using the bathroom.


4. Take your kids on frequent bathroom breaks or change diapers often.


5. Change diapers in the bathroom rather than poolside. Germs can get on surfaces and spread to the pool.


6. Wash your child thoroughly. Use soap and water before letting your child into the pool.

Other precautions, such as wearing plenty of sunscreen and not running on slick surfaces, should also be taken into consideration.

I don't think we will swim this Memorial Day. I can't handle the cold water. Although, my son has already asked if we can get the kiddy pool out. I guess that wouldn't be so bad. I am hoping to teach my four-year-old to swim this summer! It should be an action packed summer vacation. He also says he wants to learn to ride his bike without training wheels and take karate!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen