JBER Pediatrics Clinic

03/26/2024

Attn JBER Parents, see below for great resource offered by the Devo clinic!

There will be a few classes held over the next few months if you can’t make it this time. Spots are limited so get in touch with your pcm soon!

03/14/2024

Hi JBER families!

Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages stand alone sports physicals? Instead, we recommend accomplishing this at your annual well child check! Already had your well child visit for the year? You are in luck, we can sign sports physical paperwork for you after dropped off to clinic. A sports physical is approved for 12-18 months. Need to get your well check in? Schedule now and beat the summer rush! Please call the clinic if you have any questions or need any further information!

02/24/2024

If you plan on heading somewhere sunny for spring break, it's time to stock up on sun protection! 😎 Are the chemicals in sunscreen dangerous? What should you be looking for in a product? Is higher SPF better?

Claims that traditional "chemical" sunscreen ingredients are toxic or hazardous to human health have not been proven. However, the FDA does acknowledge the fact that more safety data is needed for several sunscreen ingredients (such as oxybenzone and avobenzone) before they can be labeled as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) due to questions about skin absorption and the effects on the human body.

For that reason, the MINERAL-based sunscreens are your best bet for now. 🧴 Rather than getting absorbed into the skin (like a traditional “chemical” sunscreen), mineral products contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide molecules that stay on the skin’s surface and physically deflect the sun’s harmful rays. They tend to leave a white/silver residue behind – that is NORMAL. Mineral sunscreens are also much gentler on sensitive skin and less toxic to our ocean’s coral reefs. They have been declared GRASE by the FDA. 🌊

Select a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 to 50. Make sure the product doesn't solely consist of titanium dioxide, as this ingredient alone does NOT filter out all UVA rays like zinc oxide does. A combination of the two (or zinc oxide alone) is preferable.

There's no need to go beyond an SPF of 50. While they do a good job blocking UVB rays to prevent sunburn, products with the highest SPF values actually offer less protection against UVA rays. This may contribute to greater long-term skin damage, immune system suppression, and formation of free radicals. A bit misleading, right? The FDA has actually proposed caps of 50 or 60 when it comes to SPF!

According to the AAD, sunscreen is not the preferred method of protection for babies younger than 6 months. 👶 Instead, dress them in lightweight long sleeves and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect them from head to toe. Seek out shade whenever possible. Push plenty of fluids and make sure they do not get overheated!

While sunscreen spray is convenient to apply, LOTIONS are more likely to be applied properly. Slather your little ones down with a thick layer every 2 hours (or more frequently if they are sweating or playing in the water). 💦 If you do use a spray, hold the nozzle about an inch from the skin and then use your hand to evenly distribute the liquid (do not mist from several inches away like you would a perfume).

As far as which specific sunscreens I recommend: While I haven’t personally tried all of these myself, they are frequently rated very high for safety, effectiveness, and/or consumer satisfaction among infants and children 6 months and up 🥇:

1. Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen SPF 50
2. Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
3. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
4. Blue Lizard Australian Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+
5. Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
6. CeraVe Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 45
7. Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
8. Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby Mineral Lotion SPF 50
9. Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
10. Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

There are LOTS of other great options out there, so please don’t think that this list is exhaustive. Here's a link to my Amazon favorites: https://amzn.to/3wtdGwm ( )

Bottom line is that mineral-based with zinc oxide, water-resistant, SPF 30-50 sunscreen lotions are my top recommendation. Make sure to check your expiration dates!

Primary Sources:
-www.aad.org
-https://www.ewg.org/sun.../report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/

02/24/2024

​Baby teeth are important. If baby teeth are lost too early, the teeth that are left may move and not leave any room for the adult teeth to come in.​

01/29/2024

Due to weather, the Pediatrics clinic will be closed today. Our staff will be attempting to contact you to reschedule appointments. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

01/29/2024

All appointments at the Pediatrics clinic before 10am tomorrow morning will be cancelled due to delayed reporting. Our staff will be attempting to contact you to reschedule. You may also call the appointment line after 10am at (907) 580-2778 to reschedule. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

12/21/2023

JBER Pediatric Clinic is now able to give routine vaccinations during your appointment! After your clinic visit with your provider, you will be placed on our vaccine wait list and be directed to wait in the pediatric waiting room. You will then be called back by our immunization technician for your vaccines. If this service is not available on your appointment day, you will be notified during your visit and be directed to the A/I clinic. Due to technician availability, we are not able to offer walk in vaccinations at this time, it will only be offered for scheduled appointments. Please contact the clinic for any questions or concerns!

11/09/2023

Due to inclement weather, the pediatrics clinic will be closed today. All appointments will be canceled, expect a call from the clinic to attempt to reschedule. Be safe out there!

11/03/2023

The FDA is advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead.

11/02/2023

Attention JBER Pediatric Familles:

The JBER Pediatrics Clinic has an extremely limited supply of Beyfortus (nirsevimab), the new FDA approved RSV prophylaxis. We will be reserving the remaining supply for those with significant risk factors, such as premature infants, those with congenital heart disease, etc. Unfortunately, the immunization clinic at the MTF does not carry Beyfortus at this time. All healthy newborns who are 8 months of age or less (as of 1 October) and going through their first RSV season can look into obtaining Beyfortus through a clinic in the community. The medication is currently on back-order nationwide.

There is a vaccine clinic located in Tikahtnu Commons (next to Pita Pit) offering Beyfortus on a first come, first serve basis. They accept Tricare and take walk-ins as well. They are open 7 days a week, and you can make appointments online. Their phone number is 907-764-3142.

Please contact the JBER Pediatrics Clinic with any questions or concerns via the appointment line, 907-580-2778.

09/12/2023

Information on Growing Pains!

Growing up is cool until it starts to hurt! 😫 GROWING PAINS are deep, achy, symmetric pains of the arms and legs that are most noticeable at night.

Growing pains are often located in the calves, front of the thighs, or behind the knees. 🦵 They typically start between 3-12 years of age and can continue on and off for years. They are more common in girls. The pain may wake your child from sleep, but it typically lasts less than 2 hours and resolves by morning.

Interestingly, the pains aren't actually caused by rapid growth. Rather, they are thought to be due to muscle overuse from activities such as running, climbing, and jumping. Children typically do not feel sore while they are active but rather once their muscles relax at bedtime.

You can't always prevent the pains, but involving your child in REGULAR sports and activities may strengthen key muscle groups to help lessen the bouts of pain -- kind of like how a marathon runner needs to gradually train before a big race. 🏃‍♀️

Growing pains should NOT involve bony lumps, redness, swelling, fevers, daytime limping, dark urine, muscle weakness, or persistent joint issues. Call your doctor’s office if any of these red flags are present.

Treatment involves heating pads, gentle massage, leg-stretching exercises, and Tylenol or Motrin as needed at night. 💪 A warm bath before bedtime may help soothe muscle aches as well.

07/27/2023