Baby-Friendly USA’s Post

What is your superpower? ☄ You know, the one that other nurses come to you for. Mine is pediatrics! I work in an ER where we see all ages, from newborns to the elderly; the oldest patient I have taken care of was 106 years old! Most nurses are "scared" of sick babies, and believe me, they scare me too, but I love taking care of them. I am very good at keeping them calm, explaining procedures to parents, and starting their IVs. Just yesterday, we had a 5-month-old chubby little girl who needed an IV, so they called me. the IV baby whisperer. Since I have worked at a pediatric ER in the past, and everyone knows that I love peds, I am always the one getting the peds patients! Taking care of pediatric patients is no joke; you see kids just go, go, go until they drop, literally until they can no longer continue. Most of the time, these patients look fine one second, and the next, they are fighting for their lives. As a seasoned emergency room nurse, here are some key points when taking care of these precious patients: ➡ Recheck vital signs before discharging from the ER, no matter how normal they were upon arrival. 🛑 A change in vital signs can make the difference between discharge or admission. ➡ Check their breathing by lifting their shirts, listening to their lungs, and counting respirations for a full minute. ➡ Always check their weight and dosages prior to giving ANY medication. If you have a feeling that something is off with your patient, SPEAK UP. ➡ Listen to parents. What is your superpower? 🎉 Do you have an ER case that involves pediatric care? #ernurse #pedsnurse #legalnurseconsultant #expertwitness

For the past year I've been developing a new database system for AAP Global Health using ActivityInfo. Our team is now using the new system to enter data on virtual assessments of midwives' resuscitation skills in real time. These assessments are essential to supporting midwives as they become proficient in neonatal resuscitation, an essential, life-saving skill. We review the assessments as they come in to look for areas to focus on in upcoming virtual mentorship sessions. #datacollection #monitoringandevaluation

🚨 Understanding the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) 🚨 In pediatric care, quick and accurate assessment can make all the difference. That’s where the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)comes in — a rapid assessment tool designed to help healthcare professionals quickly determine the severity of a child’s illness or injury. The PAT consists of three key components: 1. Appearance: Is the child alert, interacting, or withdrawn? This tells us about the child’s neurological status and overall well-being. 2. Work of Breathing: Is the child breathing easily or showing signs of respiratory distress? Observing their breathing patterns can give us vital clues about their respiratory function. 3. Circulation to the Skin: How does the child’s skin look? Pallor, mottling, or cyanosis can signal circulatory problems or shock. The PAT allows us to assess critically ill children within seconds without the need for equipment. It’s all about recognizing patterns and responding swiftly to provide the right care at the right time. 🩺 Whether you're a pediatrician, nurse, or paramedic, mastering the Pediatric Assessment Triangle can save lives! #Pediatrics #Healthcare #EmergencyCare #MedicalEducation #PediatricNursing #ChildHealth #HealthcareManagement #nurses #registerednurses #midwives #CME This should resonate with both healthcare professionals and those interested in child health and emergency care.

🎉 Big news: Family Centered Treatment (FCT) was mentioned in the American Academy of Pediatrics Fact Sheet on "Alternatives to Institutional Care in Child Welfare." This highlights the success of family-based care models like FCT in improving outcomes for children and families. Check out the fact sheet to learn more 👇 https://lnkd.in/gZmGi_Hy

Another Milestone! I invite you to read through our newly published manuscript titled "Stress Coping Strategies and Predictors of Breastfeeding Practices among Working-class Nursing Mothers visiting University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria"

Caring for Children in Hospitals: What Really Matters Pediatric care in hospitals is all about supporting the health and development of children, from newborns to teenagers. It’s not just about treating illnesses but also creating an environment where kids can feel safe, comforted, and understood during difficult times. In pediatric wards, the needs of children are different from adults. For example, a hospital might have a neonatal unit for premature babies, where the focus is on supporting their growth and keeping them stable. Meanwhile, other departments may deal with conditions like asthma, diabetes, or even broken bones from playground accidents. One thing that really makes a difference is creating spaces that feel welcoming for children and their families. Hospitals that let parents stay close by and that work with a whole team of specialists—nurses, pediatricians, social workers, and child psychologists—create a much better experience for the kids. Another important factor is staying up-to-date with new treatments and keeping staff well-trained, so they can offer the best care possible. Medical professionals working in pediatrics are constantly learning to manage complex health conditions and adapting to new challenges, like emerging diseases. In the end, it’s all about ensuring that every child gets the best care and support, not just during their hospital stay but for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s through everyday treatments or specialized care, the goal is always the same: to help kids grow up healthy and strong. #Pediatrics #ChildHealth #PediatricCare #NeonatalCare #PediatricNursing #ChildrensHospital #Healthcare #Medicine #Pediatrician #NICU #FamilyCare

While I generally avoid anecdotes, I want to use this situation to pose a question to those who oppose mandatory minimum staffing requirements. What is your solution to avoid situations like this? If you have a facility that is dangerously understaffed to the point of harm, how do you propose responding. We can all agree that there are facilities where ownership purposely understaffs to save money. We can argue how many of these facilities exist, but that's not the point. The point is that even one is too many for the residents who live there. How do we prevent these types of situations? I continue to believe that mandatory evidence-based minimums are a necessary, but far from sufficient step forward. I will debate anyone on the evidence, because it's overwhelming. Any takers? #Geriatrics #PALTC

👶🏥 As a pediatric nurse, I've seen firsthand the challenges that children with cleft palate face. 📌 Cleft palate is a common birth defect where the roof of the mouth doesn't fully develop, leading to difficulties with feeding, speech, and ear infections. 📌 Cleft palate occurs when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth doesn't fully come together during development. This can lead to feeding difficulties, speech problems, and ear infections. 📌 Causes can include genetic factors, environmental influences, and certain medications during pregnancy. 📌 Treatment often involves surgery to close the gap in the palate, along with speech therapy and ongoing care. 📌 Early intervention and support are crucial for these little ones. Let's spread awareness and support families affected by cleft palate! 💙 #PediatricNurse #CleftPalate #ChildHealth #PediatricCare #Nursing #Healthcare #ChildrensHealth #SpeechTherapy #Awareness #CleftPalateAwareness #PediatricNursing #ChildHealth #EarlyIntervention #SupportFamilies #NurseLife 🩺👩⚕️

🤱 Transforming Care for NICU Families at MultiCare Yakima Memorial 🌟 When families anticipate the arrival of their newborn, a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is rarely part of the plan. Yet for many, the journey doesn’t end when they leave the hospital. The transition home can be overwhelming, with ongoing care needs and long waits for next steps. At MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, the NICU to Home program is reshaping this experience by providing immediate and seamless support for families. Through a collaboration with Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), the program ensures families are evaluated and accepted into the Children’s Village program before leaving the hospital. This eliminates delays in accessing critical services like therapy and support, which are provided right in the family’s home on a schedule that works for them. Before this program, families faced lengthy waits for outpatient evaluations and intake appointments after discharge — an especially challenging situation for those caring for babies with high needs. 💬 “We saw families going home with babies needing 24-hour care and no support for months at a time,” says Mackenzie Franke, occupational therapist and clinical supervisor at Children’s Village. “We wanted to reduce that wait time.” The Children’s Village program focuses on children with the highest needs, including those with genetic conditions, prematurity-related challenges, or feeding and oxygen tubes, ensuring they receive the care and resources they need from day one at home. 📖 Learn more about how the NICU to Home program is making a difference: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gF2weZDj This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and family-centered care. Together, we’re building a healthier future for our tiniest patients and their families. 💙 #PediatricCare #NICU #HealthcareInnovation #MultiCare

Every minute shared with our patients is a profound lesson in love, resilience, and the true essence of life. 💚 Learn more about CareOusel Pediatrics ⬇️ 🔗 Link in bio! #CareOuselPediatrics #ChildhoodJoy #ChildCare #ChildrensHospice