Having a new baby is usually a wonderful time during those first few days full of quite a bit of emotions – usually a mixture of elation shared with celebrations with friends and family, along with some tears mainly from fatigue and hormonal fluxes.

But during the past few weeks with all the ‘shelter-in-place’ recommendations, many new moms are reporting they feel a rise in anxiety level due to indefinite periods of social isolation, unavailability of family support and more importantly fear of their children acquiring COVID-19.

The entire time of welcoming a new baby has been transformed from a warm, celebration involving family and friends overflowing with hugs and kisses, to a time where only one support person is allowed, with extensive screening and smiles are covered with masks and hugs are replaced with a 6-foot-distanced wave.

Social isolation and lack of physical and emotional support has taken a toll on mothers physically as well and mentally, creating increased anxiety and stress. Not only are new moms tackling the hardest job in the world (being a new parent), but they are doing it during the arguable most stressful time in recent history…and on NO SLEEP!!

If you are a new mom and feel overwhelmed by some of these feelings, you have every right to feel that way! And you can cry a few tears! These are unprecedented times and your hormones are crazy and you have not slept and you are scared. Reach out and call your friend, your sister, your mother or your pastor and ask for help or simply let them know how you feel. Tell your partner you need help or a nap or a drive around the block. Call your obstetrician or pediatrician and let her know you are feeling anxious. Counselors and physicians are providing telemedicine now and are able to screen for post-partum depression and anxiety if these feelings are more than you can handle at home. Here's a good resource to find therapists who may offer teletherapy during these times. 

Prioritizing Self-Care

Every time we fly, we hear the flight attendant share the Oxygen Mask Rule: “Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.” We know that without our oxygen mask, we will quickly lose consciousness. If we don’t make putting on our mask our first priority, we will likely not be able to help anyone. That is why as pediatricians, we address the health and well-being of our moms in order to ensure that our babies are being taken care of as well.

As a new mom prepares the nest for her baby, remember the “NEST-S principles of Self-Care” : Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Time for Self, and Supports! When barriers to nutrition have been placed such as a simple trip to the store, remember to ask those grandparents who want to help to place an order for a grocery or meal delivery. A walk around the house, patio or up and down the driveway can boost the mood, and the Vitamin D! Sleep is a rare commodity, so when that baby sleeps, remember to grab a nap! Take this time of isolation to read a positive quote about what a great mom you are! And investigate some innovative supports for new moms.

New resources have been developed knowing that our moms face special challenges during these times. These include the Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net/ , supports groups and information at www.postpartumdepression.org , virtual support groups like www.thebloomfoundation.org/mom-support-group/ and the Mom Center at https://graemeseabrook.kartra.com/page/the-mom-center .

The main point to remember is that even during this period of isolation you are not alone. Reach out and let someone know you need a boost. Know that this will end soon, and you can celebrate your baby with those you love!

One of the first things I like to know when ascertaining the seriousness of a child’s condition is whether the child is playing, smiling eating or drinking. If a complaint is brought up regularly, interferes with play or a child really cries, parents should consult a physician.

High Fever

New parents might find the recommendations for when to seek treatment for a fever daunting, but it gets easier with time.

For infants 3 months and younger, any fever is serious and parents should see a physician’s help immediately.

For children older than 3 months, a high fever combined with symptoms such as lethargy, changes in fluid and/or difficulty breathing require prompt medical attention.

Children who are 3 months or older with fevers of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that don’t respond to fever-reducing medicine should see a doctor.

Fevers up to 101 can often by managed with fever-reducing medicine, fluids and rest. However, if your child also has a harsh cough – which may indicate croup – you need to consult a doctor.

Stomach Hurts

If your child has a stomachache, there are three red flags that may warn parents of a serious illness such as appendicitis:

1. Your child has a tummy ache and a fever.
2. Your child can point with one finger to where it hurts.
3. Your child has been vomiting.

Children don’t need to have all three symptoms for parents to seek help because any one of these symptoms can indicate that appendicitis might be a possible diagnosis. Parents should also not wait too long. If symptoms worsen in six to eight hours, consult a doctor.

My Head Hurts

Headaches and even migraines can occur in children as young as 3 years of age. Parents can give their child a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, or eliminate headache pain caused by hunger, fatigue or dehydration with food, rest or fluids.

Talk to your pediatrician about his or her treatment recommendations, particularly if you’ve never treated your child’s headache before.

If headaches occur at the same time each day, parents should consult their pediatrician. Headaches can occur with the flu or fever, but we become concerned if a headache is serious enough to make a child cry, interferes with play or is so bad the child is vomiting.

Related Topics:

• Let's Learn About Fevers
• Is It Strep Throat or the Flu?
• Let's Learn About the Flu
• Probiotics for Tummy Bugs: Do They Help Your Chlid?
• My Child Poops Every Day. How Can They Be Constipated?
• Is Over-The-Counter Medication Causing Your Child's Headaches?
• When It Comes To Your Kids, It's Never Just a Virus

L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Anxiety in children is a normal part of life, just like it is in adulthood. When a child is frightened, for example by a scary movie, they may have trouble getting to sleep. However, when anxiety cannot be comforted and is out of proportion with the given situation that can be a sign of an anxiety disorder in children.

Childhood anxiety occurs in about one-in-four children at sometime between the ages of 13 and 18. However, the lifetime prevalence of a severe anxiety disorder in children 13-18 is about 6 percent. Left untreated, anxiety in children can cause problems in school, at home and continue into adulthood.

Especially during this time of year, you may notice your child feeling anxious in preparation for standardized testing. 

As we approach STAAR tests in our area, we hear a lot about kids becoming anxious.

Sometimes it’s easy to spot: the outward nervousness, nail-biting, jitteriness, moodiness, irritability and outright refusal to participate in a specific activity, like school or when it's test time. Other times anxiety is not as easy to see, but can still be just as debilitating and lead to further behavioral, as well as physical, problems.

Some of the less distinct signs of anxiety can include frequent stomach aches, headaches, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating. It can be difficult to discern whether these symptoms are due to some kind of illness, something your child ate or an emotional stressor of some kind. There are things parents can do to better understand anxiety, including learning what is normal and what needs their attention.

“Normal” Anxiety:

Separation anxiety usually begins around 6 to 8 months of age, and we accept it as pretty much a normal stage of development. A child that had previously been happy while getting passed around to anyone and everyone, making funny noises and faces, may suddenly become a little weary of the aunt she doesn’t see regularly. This fear of a parent leaving may not subside until she is 2 to 3 years old. By then, a child will usually cry for a short period and, with some hesitance, calm down and connect with the new person. In order for children to overcome this stage of separation anxiety, they must feel safe in their home environment, trust people other than their parents, and trust that their parents will return. Parents will play a significant role in preparing their children to deal effectively with daily stresses.

Anxiety and Fear

It’s important to remember that fear is a normal human emotion. Fear is an unpleasant feeling of apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger, according to New Source Counseling. But not all fear is bad. A healthy level of fear can protect our children and us from danger.

Anxiety is slightly more broad and pervasive than fear, but can still be useful when within normal levels. Anxiety is feelings of worry, nervousness or agitation, or an uneasiness of mind and body. It’s often about something that is going to happen rather than current threats. Fear is an element of anxiety, and when these emotions get out of hand they can cause serious disturbances in our children’s lives.

Remember the following four “S’s” to assess the extent to which your children’s anxiety or fear is affecting them.

1. Surplus: Is your child’s anxiety exaggerated from what is “developmentally normal”? Is the fear or anxiety there even when the source of danger isn’t? Is it virtually impossible for them to stop the worry?
2. Storm: Does the fear match the level of danger? Are they easily upset and out-of-control and inconsolable? Do they react negatively when you try to help?
3. Spoiler: Is the anxiety or fear significantly interfering with everyday activities? Does it negatively impact sleep, eating, relationships, and/or activities your child used to enjoy?
4. Stuck: Does your child’s fear or anxiety last longer than is expected? Is the fear or worry present all day, or for weeks or months? Are they having feelings like worry, panic, or agitation that will not go away?

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” it may be time to seek some help in treating your child’s anxiety or fear.

Preventive:

I often tell parents they are their child’s most effective preventative therapist. Every child has fear and anxiety from time to time, but a parent can comfort and give kids the skills they need to effectively deal with their worries. At the youngest ages (newborn to 2) it's important to provide a safe, positive and responsive environment. As kids grow up, separation anxiety is normal; but it's still important to prepare kids for changes and for separations from their caregiver, get them used to new people, and reassure them that they are safe and loved. When specific fears arise (fear of spiders, the dark, clowns, etc.) parents can help their children with age-appropriate discussion, educating the child about the object of their fear, precautions they can take, and possible solutions. It is important for parents to validate children’s feelings but still comfort them.

If your child worries persistently or excessively about a specific issue, like a test, teach him or her how to problem solve and take appropriate action to eliminate worries that can be controlled. It is also effective for parents to teach basic relaxation breathing and progressive relaxation or alternating between tensing and relaxing the muscles, at a young age and practice it with your children. This is a great activity to practice at bedtime. Another popular and effective coping skill which can be practiced during times of calm is known as

 “5-4-3-2-1” Coping Technique :

Breathe in for 5 seconds, hold the breath for 5 seconds, and breathe out for 5 seconds. Continue this pattern until you find your thoughts slowing down or until necessary. While focusing on breathing, focus on the following external thoughts:

5: FIVE things you see.

4: FOUR things you can touch

3: THREE things you hear

2:  TWO things you can smell

1: ONE thing you can taste

Of course, sometimes even parents and children need a little help. If these techniques still don’t seem to alleviate the anxiety – get help early!

Be sure to ask your pediatrician if a counselor or a play therapist, or even a psychiatrist or/and medication may be needed, especially if the symptoms are interfering with experiencing a childhood full of life and laughter! Research has shown that the earlier that childhood anxiety is treated, the more successful it is treated!

Assure your kids that everything will be fine and they will do great on their tests. 

Good luck!

One of the first things I like to know when ascertaining the seriousness of a child’s condition is whether the child is playing, smiling eating or drinking. If a complaint is brought up regularly, interferes with a play or a child really cries, parents should consult a physician.

High Fever

New parents might find the recommendations for when to seek treatment for a fever daunting, but it gets easier with time.

Children who are 3 months or older with fevers of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that don’t respond to fever-reducing medicine should see a doctor.

Fevers up to 101 can often by managed with fever-reducing medicine, fluids and rest. However, if your child also has a harsh cough – which may indicate croup – you need to consult a doctor.

For infants 3 months and younger, any fever is serious and parents should see a physician’s help immediately. For children older than 3 months, a high fever combined with symptoms such as lethargy, changes in fluid and/or difficulty breathing require prompt medical attention.

Tummy Aches

If your child has a stomachache, there are three red flags that may warn parents of a serious illness such as appendicitis:

1. Your child has a tummy ache and a fever.
2. Your child can point with one finger to where it hurts.
3. Your child has been vomiting.

Children don’t need to have all three symptoms for parents to see help because any one of these symptoms can indicate that appendicitis might be a possible diagnosis. Parents should also not wait too long. If symptoms worsen in six to eight hours, consult a doctor.

My Head Hurts

Headaches and even migraines can occur in children as young as 3 years of age. Parents can give their child a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, or eliminate headache pain caused by hunger, fatigue or dehydration with food, rest or fluids.

Talk to your pediatrician about his or her treatment recommendations, particularly if you’ve never treated your child’s headache before.

If headaches occur at the same time each day, parents should consult their pediatrician. Headaches can occur with the flu or fever, but we become concerned if a headache is serious enough to make a child cry, interferes with play or is so bad the child is vomiting.