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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Health Nursing
For more information call (or email us) at, 248-858-1406 in the Pontiac Area or Toll-Free at 1-800-848-5533.
How can I make my two year old mind?
My child had food allergies and will start school soon. What kind of information should I give to the school?
My doctor told me to take my child to an ear, nose and throat doctor because of all his ear infections. Our insurance doesn't cover that.
We have a new baby. Do I need a Public Health Nurse? I have a pediatrician and an obstetrician.
My child was exposed to chicken pox. I wish I knew more about it so I'd know when he might catch it.
I'm pregnant and I'm really scared about labor. All I hear are horror stories from my friends.
My two year old just won't eat anymore. I have no idea how to get him to eat right.
My baby was born two months early. She seems okay, but I just don't know.
How can I make my two year old mind?
Let's look at what parents must deal with in this age group. Toddlers are just learning they can walk, talk, eat and go to the bathroom independently. They are naturally curious about everything. Curiosity is necessary for a child to learn to the best of their ability. Toddlers don't yet understand the meaning of danger. Add to this picture parents who just got used to being totally responsible for a helpless infant. Those parents suddenly find themselves faced with a walking, talking, climbing, curious toddler who has just realized she/he has a mind of their own. That is pretty scary stuff for parents.
The following letter was developed to assist parents with discipline that really works. DEAR MOM and DAD: "Here's what you can do to help me learn about things while not letting me destroy your things or hurting myself. Set up our house so I can be as free as possible to touch things and crawl or walk around without getting in trouble. Put gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Keep medicines, cleaning supplies or other things that might make me sick out of my reach and in locked cupboards. Put plug covers on all unused outlets. I like to see if I can fit objects in small openings. Close doors to rooms you don't want me to wander into. We little folks can drown in toilets or buckets of liquids we are curious about. Take valuable or breakable things off tables and shelves that I can reach. I can't yet understand 'valuable'. I need you to help me stay safe while I learn about the world. The fewer times you have to say 'No' during the day the happier you and I will be. Save 'No' for things that are really important, like protecting me from falls or burns. I'm learning to trust and I trust you the most to protect me. Keep our home as safe and child proofed as you can. Give me lots of smiles, hugs and positive words especially when I am behaving appropriately. I want and need your approval. It won't take me long to figure out what behavior gets it. (Don't give hugs and smiles only as rewards. I need lots just because I'm your kid). Be consistent. I can't figure out what I should do if you approve of something I do one time and disapprove another. When I am doing something you don't want me to, distract me. Substitute a safe activity. A regular schedule for meals, bedtimes, naps and other every day activities makes me feel safe and I behave better."
Remember, discipline comes from the word disciple which means "to teach." The purpose of discipline is to teach children to avoid danger and to develop the behaviors needed to get along with others. Parents are first and most powerful teachers a child ever has. Toddlers watch everything a parent does (good and bad). They try to imitate everything you do because they want to be just like you.
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My child had food allergies and will start school soon. What kind of information should I give to the school?
It is most important to let the school know as much as possible about the individual health needs of your child. This is particularly true when a child has had an allergic reaction to food or something in the environment. When a child goes to school, the parents and school become partners in supervising the child's safety. Parents are, of course, always the senior partners. You know your child better than anyone. In Oakland County, each public and private school has access to a Public Health Nurse specially trained to work with the health needs of children in school and other group settings. The Public Health Nurse assigned to your child's school will work with you, you health care provider, and the school staff to develop a plan of care to meet the unique health needs of your child while he/she is in the school setting. As soon as you know where your child is going to school, ask the school to speak to the Public Health Nurse assigned to that school. Or call the Oakland County Health Division Office nearest to you and ask to speak to the Public Health Nurse assigned to the school your child attends. There is no charge to you or the school for this service. You will be much more comfortable as you go about your daily activities knowing that the school staff supervising your child educational activities also know how to respond to your child's individual health needs. The fewer reactions your child has to experience the more he/she can focus on school activities.
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My doctor told me to take my child to an ear, nose and throat doctor because of all his ear infections. Our insurance doesn't cover that.
Call the health department and ask for the public health nurse. She will help you locate a specialist and may be able to give you resources to help pay for that first visit.
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We have a new baby. Do I need a Public Health Nurse? I have a pediatrician and an obstetrician.
While you certainly need a medical provider for medical management of a mother's and baby's care, many people including some doctors and nurses find it very useful to also have a Public Health Nurse. Most new parents start getting all sorts of advice from many sources even before the baby arrives. You get information on such topics as feedings, when to introduce solids, sleep patterns, fussy babies, home safety or growth and development patterns. Often the advice is confusing and conflicting. Many new or soon to be parents find it very helpful to sit down with a Public Health Nurse in the comfort and convenience of their own home. The Public Health Nurse can help families develop a plan to fit medical orders successfully into their personal routine. The Public Health Nurse can also help a family sort through the mountain of health information they receive to find what works best for them. Everyone's situation is different. What for one family won't work for another. Because the Public Health Nurse visits you in your home where you will be caring for your baby and other family members, she has a good idea of what health practices will and won't work for you. She can assist you with an on site safety assessment if you wish. This is useful because we often overlook the familiar. The Oakland County Health Division offers home visits to expectant parents and families with infants or young children free of charge to all residents of Oakland County. Public Health Nurses help healthy families stay healthy. Healthy people with healthy children are more able to direct their energy and resources to enjoying their life and family. Ask your doctor, clinic nurse, hospital nurse or call the nearest Oakland County Health Division Office for a Public Health Nurse referral.
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My child was exposed to chicken pox. I wish I knew more about it so I'd know when he might catch it.
Your child may have received an immunization that would protect him or her from chicken pox; check your child's immunization record. You can find more information about chicken pox from this fact sheet  Chicken Pox (PDF file size 69k).
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I'm pregnant and I'm really scared about labor. All I hear are horror stories from my friends.
Public Health Nurses are available to visit you at no charge. They can provide you with information about a healthy pregnancy as well as give you information about labor and delivery. When you know more about something you are less likely to be afraid.
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My two year old just won't eat anymore. I have no idea how to get him to eat right.
Ask for a Public Health Nurse to come to your home. She has lots of good information about what two year olds should be eating and ways to make mealtime easier.
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My baby was born two months early. She seems okay, but I just don't know.
Oakland County has Public Health Nurses who are available to visit your home at no charge to you. They can teach you about what to expect about your baby's growth and development. They can also help you with questions about feeding, safety and immunizations.
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