Begin back-to-school preparations now
Along with getting back into the routine
before school starts, Backus pediatricians
recommend getting physicals done early and
having medications ready to go.
If your kids have taken a break from medication for hyperactivity or ADHD, start it up again at least a week before school and make sure prescriptions are filled, said Ravi Prakash, MD, a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff. He said he usually recommends keeping up medication during the summer, but some parents opt to take a break.
“Try to set up physicals and any needed vaccinations early to avoid the rush,” Dr. Prakash advised. Make sure you have all your forms for daycare, school and sports for the kids.
Andrea McCullough-Hlobik, DO, a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff, said it is important to make sure all medications are up-to-date and ready to go to the nurse for the start of school. Children with asthma may need a new inhaler, as these expire, either to have on hand or in the nurses’ office, depending on the age of the child.
She also said parents whose children need EpiPens, for bee stings or peanut allergies, need to make sure they provide one and that it is not expired.
Both Dr. Prakash and Dr. McCullough-Hlobik recommend children get at least eight hours of sleep a night. At least a week before school starts, begin getting up at the time you would need to for school and having a healthy breakfast.
Dr. McCullough-Hlobik said if kids have been staying up hours past their usual bedtime, it takes a few days to reset their internal clock. Have them go to bed an hour earlier every two nights for teens, or 30 minutes earlier for younger children who may not have stayed up as late, until they get to the needed bedtime to provide at least eight hours of sleep.