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Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
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estiva greetings from Great Qnrnond Sfriret Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health!
lick the presents to unwrap our top health tips for families this season (or click, hern for text only version] —
and keep the Yuletfde [jollies lolly!' Each gift contains a hidden gem provided by our team of virtual sanfa* to help parents
and children avoid any pitfall*, and ensure a safe and healthy holiday season,,.
(Dill n.ECHUT'JtE.tQH
Why do we seeim to hove rows over Christmas?
Being Rtedble aibc«u1 when and how things are do-'-: will -avo
disappoinlnient w|ien things do noi goto plan., Gc^ng •» . i
family walk aftef a big dinner will help any stress 10 diiaii- i
We all know that the wintei cirii ChirL-.l-riu:-. vn- i :i •/-i iul.-:c
vilh an increase in LOL; i Lokk. On: vi L.•. wl i:l !>'
'^•irrurt in: i:. rhe Rj*spiral&fy 'iyi'citial Virus |RSV|. 'Ihi i:. ihe
'iici r :>i,.>so ::f bronchiolife", a lung i n f e c t . ' in. '•"•'•nli- mo
|usr suffer sore throats and feeling Ibusy *'icic cie a group oF
chifldren who are at grealast risk. Th« I ona year
aids ni I'-iis age group, the vims may o:\ " : ]' ""';i.
wheeling, and difficult/ with breathing and i>: i
•earned in the air and spread by coughing i • i :j. Vv'|-i e M
\s impossWe ^o prevarit babnea catching ir (un|:-
n sn -cofan v^sol;, yo-u cam reduce ihe cl i • i r
cy sun pie methods, i^ you "iave a cold !her try on. 1
cuddling -and Wssirig other people's babies. JL. • > \•
covarlng ycji' irouih when coughing and since. ou will
Deduce "he saread of <be vims.
Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
To p C h r i s t m a s H e a l t h T i p s
from o ur E xper ts
Festive greetings from Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and the
Institute of Child Health! Click here to see the animated version, or read on to
keep the Yuletide jollies jolly! Each tip is provided by our team of virtual santas
to help parents and children avoid any pitfalls, and ensure a safe and healthy
holiday season...
Top tips
2. Is there any limit on the amount of time children should spend on play
stations?
3. Are there any dangers in children not getting enough sleep over
Christmas?
4. Depression
Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
Top C h r i s t m a s H e a l t h T i p s
f r o m our E x p e r t s
I op tips
Why do we seem to have 1. Why do we seem to have rows over Christmas?
rows over Christmas?
Is there any limit on the The run up to Christmas can be exhausting and stressful. A lot of thought, time
amount of time children and money goes into preparation and expectations for a joyful break can be high.
should spend on play
stations? Financial worries, difficulty switching off from work, tiredness and differences of
Are there any dangers in opinion can all set off rows.
children not getting enough
sleep over Christmas?
Planning, pacing and a flexible approach can help prevent tempers from rising. It
Depression
is unlikely that every member of the family will have the same idea about what
Are there any risks
involved for children makes a good Christmas. Make a family plan, including something for everyone
blowing up balloons? and decide who is doing what to help and when. It may be worth going through
iMiat Christmas foods the TV guide and sorting out clashes before they arise, and have a videotape
cause the most serious
allergies? ready for when Christmas dinner over runs!
Should parents be aware
of any dangers involving Being flexible about when and how things are done will avoid disappointment
children when putting up when things do not go to plan. Going out for a family walk after a big dinner will
Christmas decorations
around the house? help any stress to dissipate.
are the common
-espiratory child ailments Potty Carmichaet, Clinical Psychologist at Great Qrmono* Street Hospital (GOSH)
Dver Christmas and are
:here anv measures that
.'
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
; Institute of Child Health ilHS "trust
Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
Top C h r i s t m a s H e a l t h T i p s
from our E x p e rts
I op tips
Why do we seem to have 2. Research has voted PlayStations the number one toy for boys this
rows over Christmas? Christmas. Is there any limit on the amount of time children should
Is there any limit on the spend on PlayStations?
amount of time children
•i ild spend on play
stations? Without a doubt PlayStations are popular and children (and adults!) can spend
Are there any dangers in many hours seemingly glued to the screen. PlayStations and computer games
children not getting enough
sleep over Christmas? can be helpful for developing manual dexterity, and some games are mentally
Depression challenging.
Are there any risks
involved for children It may be that PlayStations are more popular with boys as there are more games
blowing up balloons? available appealing to their interests. The problem is not so much the
What Christmas foods PlayStations themselves, but the content of games and the length of time spent
cause the most serious
allergies? playing. Some games have been criticised for reinforcing gender stereotypes,
Should parents be aware and there have been some concerns raised about links between aggressive
of any dangers involving games and behaviour. It is important for parents to be aware of the content of
children when putting up
Christmas decorations games and how long spent playing them.
around the house?
are the common Some children have developed repetitive strain injuries. If your child is going to
respiratory child ailments spend time on a PlayStation it is well worth paying attention to seating and the
over Christmas and are
:here any measures that position of the consul. Balance is the key-- if your child is spending all day glued
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
Institute of Child Health MHS Iklll
Patients and Families Health Professionals Research Clinical Services GOSH International Press Office Campaigns
Top C h r i s t m a s H e a l t h T i p s
from our Experts
i op tips
.WViy do we seem to have 3) Are there any dangers in children not getting enough sleep over
rows over Christmas? Christmas?
Us there any limit on the
amount of time children Sleep assists in growth and restoration of the body. There is no universally right
^should spend on play
stations? or wrong sleep pattern. Whatever suits the individual and the family is the right
Are there any dangers in solution. Christmas is an exciting time for children and normal bedtime routines
^children not getting enough are often disrupted. In the long run it can be less stressful for parents and
sleep over Christmas?
children to be flexible and enjoy the moment, rather than worrying too much about
Depression
a little loss of sleep. However children differ in their need for sleep and parents
>Are there any risks
involved for children will know if their child is getting overtired. Lack of sleep can lead to short tempers
'blowing up balloons? and tears in children as well as adults. If your child becomes overtired and
(What Christmas foods irritable, take sometime out to quietly read a story or go for a walk in the park-
cause the most serious
(allergies? and perhaps plan for bedtime a little earlier that night. Even if bedtime is later
(Should parents be aware than usual, leave plenty of time to unwind and go through usual bedtime routines.
of any dangers involving If your child has a good bedtime routine and usually sleeps well, a little less
(Children when putting up
Christmas decorations sleep or a brief change in routine is unlikely to cause any long term problems.
ground the house?
What are the common Potty Carmichael, Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)
respiratory child ailments
^ver Christmas and are
there any measures that next