National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7)
Last month, the United Nations came together to develop a resolution to globally promote, support and encourage breastfeeding as the best option for optimal child development. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) and (UNICEF) recently published
statements
advocating that hospitals encourage and support breastfeeding for the first two years of a child’s life after birth because of the health benefits it provides.
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Research
shows that breastfeeding not only leads to a healthier baby, it leads to a healthier mom as well, can help prevent SIDS and it promotes better bonding between mother and child.
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Not all moms are able to breastfeed, and that’s okay. But if you have the option to breastfeed your baby, do it because nursing will help you, your baby, and your relationship. While it may seem daunting in the beginning, keep on going because breastfeeding is definitely worth it.
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New position statement on Teen Depression
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In addition, at the thoughtful request of ACPeds member Dr. Doreen Ciancaglini, we have also developed a corresponding, easy to read
patient information handout
for parents which is available on the
Handouts
page of the ACPeds website.
For more information and resources on adolescent depression:
●
ACPeds blog post:
Stressed and Depressed
Thank you Dr. Ciancaglini for your mindful recommendation and thank you Dr. Michelle Cretella, Dr. Patty June and Dr. Jane Anderson for developing the handout!
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Best for Children Campaign 2018
Thank you to those who have already donated to the annual
Best for Children
campaign.
We have received more than $25,000 in donations this year and we have a goal of $30,000 for 2018
--- so, we are almost there!
If you'd like to contribute, please
click here
to donate by credit card. Alternatively, you may call the office at 352-376-1877 with your credit card details, or mail a check to ACPeds, P.O. Box 357190, Gainesville, FL, 32635.
Every dollar helps us to continue our work for children and families. We are grateful for any and all support.
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Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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ACPeds 1st community benefit event was a SUCCESS
On Saturday, July 21st from 12pm to 2pm, the American College of Pediatricians co-hosted a community benefit event for children and families called “It Takes a Village” at the Orlando Public Library.
Special thanks to ACPeds student member Naa-Lamle Lamptey (top right image) for your presence and assistance in making the event a success!
There were many low income families and children who had the opportunity to receive information about family and child health.
Parents LOVED the Parent Talks and the Handouts and pretty much everyone took an ACPeds flyer
and wanted to learn more about our research on child health.
I
f you’re interested in hosting a similar event in your area on behalf of the American College of Pediatricians, let us know
.
These types of grass roots efforts to reach parents and families on the local level generate community buzz and will help us better connect and share our message, missions and values with
parents, educators and other child health professionals.
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National Immunization Awareness Month
ACPeds is committed to the health and well-being of children, including prevention of disease by vaccines. But to
make an informed decision regarding the use of vaccines for their children, parents need to know details regarding the vaccine's risk and benefits
, as well as its origin and production.
So in honor of National Immunization Awareness Month, we’ve compiled a list of resources and information on vaccines that are available on our website.
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The sinister side of technology and an ACPeds member’s advice on what we can do about it
More and more parents are saying their kids’ extreme overuse of phones, video games, and social media is the most difficult parenting issue they face — and, in many cases, it's tearing the family apart. But what these parents don't know is that
lurking behind their kids’ screens and phones are a multitude of psychologists, neuroscientists, and social science experts who use their knowledge of psychological vulnerabilities to devise products that capture kids’ attention for the sake of industry profit
. For more information, read Richard Freed's article
The Tech Industry’s Psychological War on Kids
.
Tired of getting one word answers from your kids when you ask them about their day? Tired of not having much of anything to say when you're out with your spouse because phones intrude on your opportunity to reconnect? If so, try something
ACPeds member Dr. Thomas Lickona
refers to as "Back-and-forth Questioning."
Ask your child or spouse something like "What did you get done this week that you feel good about?" or "What have you been thinking about this week that we haven’t had a chance to talk about?" and after they respond, tell them it's their turn to ask you a question
. Research shows that being able to make conversation is a skill that can make any relationship better. For 20 more conversation starters that can positively affect your family life today, read Dr. Lickona's article
Kids Glued to Screens? Teach Them the Art of Conversation
.
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**ACPeds 3rd annual joint conference with AAPLOG - April 5-7**
The
conference
, co-hosted by the
American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs
and sponsored by Alliance Defending Freedom and the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, will take place next year from
Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at Marian University Medical School in Indianapolis, IN
.
This conference brings together prolife researchers, physicians, medical students, medical residents and policy makers for an educational seminar. Covering the most important topics of the year in life issues--
from maternal mortality to sex ed, from adolescent decision-making to reversing RU-486--
this conference will equip you to tackle the difficult questions facing your practice, patients and loved ones.
As usual, the ACPeds annual board meeting with take place the same weekend of the conference on Thursday, April 4th (and part of the 5th) just prior to the start of the conference.
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New job opportunity geared toward Catholic pediatricians
MyCatholicDoctor
is a new
telehealth/virtual care organization opening September 1st, 2018
that will bring a team of faithful medical professionals to patients through video-based health consultation on almost any smart phone, computer or tablet.
They are currently recruiting pediatricians
and other pediatric health care professionals that desire to integrate the Catholic faith into their practice.
Click here
or visit the
ACPeds Job Board
for contact information.
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In the fall, ACPeds will hold elections for the 2-year term beginning in 2019 so the ACPeds nominations committee is seeking candidates
.
Serving as a board member does not require special qualifications. All Member Fellows, Specialty Fellows, Retired Fellows, and Emeritus Fellows are eligible.
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Board members are
- expected to attend two annual board meetings,
- called upon to comment or vote on ACPeds activities, and
- are encouraged to serve on one or more ACPeds committees.
Board members may also participate in the monthly teleconferenced executive committee meetings. The total time commitment involved in addition to the two weekends is about 5 or 6 hours per month.
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Board members generally pay their own expenses to attend the meetings; however, financial assistance is available.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the ACPeds Board or you have questions about serving, please contact the office by August 15th
. Send an email to
[email protected]
or call the office at 352-376-1877 and Ronni Ann can have a board member get back to you.
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Thank you to members Dr. Jane Hamner for her help in editing the Parent Talk,
and Dr. Nick Yates and Dr. Leah Willson for their help in editing the Newsletter.
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Institute of Healthy Families
Key to Your Child's Heart Healing Weekend
mothers with children who experience SSA
September 28-30, 2018
The weekend is designed for mothers of a same-sex attracted or gay-identified child. The goal is for each mother to grow personally and as a Parent/Coach, to learn how to better love and understand your struggling child, and to uncover how your own unresolved issues may be blocking your family’s path to healing.
Key to Your Child's Heart Healing Weekend
fathers with children who experience SSA
November 16-18, 2018
This weekend will give you the opportunity to connect with other fathers that are in the same position as you, and learn together how you can rise up and face the challenges that affect our families and children! You will gain great insight into your child’s needs by learning, growing, and taking part in group activities with each other during this interactive weekend.
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Special Interest News, Articles and Studies
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ATTENTION: Have you seen our Parent Talk newsletter?
Formerly known as the "Weekly Chatter", the Parent Talk newsletter is a bi-weekly ACPeds periodical designed as an easy way for members to keep their patients up to date with the latest news in child and adolescent health.
Of course we know that not everyone has access to a local ACPeds pediatrician, so we've made the Parent Talk available on our website at
https://www.acpeds.org/parent-talk
for parents and other health professionals as a resource.
This year’s popular Parent Talk issues:
Are you a parent who wants to be kept informed about issues impacting child health?
Click here
or visit the ACPeds website and click "
Join the Mailing List
" to subscribe to the Parent Talk newsletter.
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Members, please update your office contact information
If you’re an ACPeds member and your office contact information has recently changed, please send an email to our communications administrator, Brittney Cooper at
[email protected]
, so she can update our records.
Everyday we receive inquiries from parents who want to switch to an ACPeds pediatrician and we can only help them connect with you if we have your correct contact info
.
If you have a website or social media page for your practice, please send that info as well so we can better connect you with patients and families in your area. Thank you.
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Follow us on Social Media
Every week the College publishes a new blog on its website and a
link to the blog
is posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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