Is It Time For A Tonsillectomy?
Why does my child snore so loud? When does a child need tonsils removed? Will removing my child's tonsils and adenoids improve their sleep? Obstructive sleep apnea in children and other symptoms of enlarged adenoids.
Sleep Interruption in toddlers and little ones can be warning signs that it’s time for a tonsillectomy or removal of adenoids. Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Dry mouth, Chapped Lips, Sleep walking, Always thirsty, Large Tonsils and Stuffiness are all symptoms that your little one is not getting great sleep but they could get better sleep- and so can you.
Are any of these familiar? Wonder why your child isn’t sleeping well? Book at trip to an ENT doctor or a dentist specializing in sleep apnea. (We went to an Ear, Nose, Throat office and they were fabulous.) Your child may need a tonsillectomy or adenoid procedure for better breathing and sleeping at night. Our son was always snoring and even after waking in the morning sounding stuffy with no drainage… We were puzzled. The snoring was definitely affecting his sleeping and he never looked well rested in the morning. At age 7, after having his adenoids removed and his tonsils shaved he’s officially a morning person! I hope these tips help you get through this procedure that can feel scary for your child.
Warning Signs your child may need their tonsils or adenoids removed: Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Dry mouth, Chapped Lips or chin, Sleep walking, Daily grogginess, Always thirsty, Large Tonsils
Visit ENT: The doctor will use a funny camera up their nose which can be silly and fun to see on the screen. Try a Flonase routine for 6 weeks and gage any improvement or no change to sleeping habits. Have a delicate conversation with your little one about what’s going to happen if the flonase helps or if it doesn’t. My son was very scared of the word surgery. So we went with procedure and we let him know if he used the prescribed Flonase that his night time breathing could improve. If we did not use the medicine that we would definitely have to have a procedure and we are trying to prevent the need for surgery. Explaining all this definitely helped get him on board with taking the Flonase each night when brushing his teeth.
Day before surgery I hit up the store to grab Motrin and kids Tylenol. Also stocked up on Sprite, soup and popcicles- no dairy for the first 2 days and then all the chocolate ice cream!! Then I enjoyed all the snuggles with my little guy. We had a great afternoon doing an activity of his choice and served his favorite meal for an early dinner.
Pre Surgery: No breakfast in the AM so activity time it is! Let your child pack a bag with an ipad downloaded with child’s favorite show for immediate quiet time after procedure. Also, have child pack their favorite pair of jammies to wear to hospital and their favorite lovey. When you arrive at hospital child should be in the comfy jammies they chose holding bag with lovey and ipad. Keep it simple mom. They less the better. You’ll be able to be together and walk them to their pre-operation room. A pediatric dental specialist visited to examine for any loose teeth and to make sure your kiddo is healthy. Laughing gas will put your child to rest for what will be a 25-40 procedure time. You will then be asked to head back to the waiting room. My husband and I brought a game to keep away the nerves and to pass the short amount of time.
Pre-operation with a favorite stuffed animal and ipad with favorite show downloaded.
Post Surgery: Observe your child’s breathing for 24 hours, alternate medications according to doctor’s instructions to keep pain down and have your child rest even if they want to run, jump take them for a walk but keep the activity for for the first several days. Athletic or strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 10 days following surgery. And of course it POPSICLE TIME!! These were his favorite popsicles. Mango all the way!
Diet Following Tonsillectomy for a child: Clear liquids and soups for first 24 hours then introduce soft foods on Low Residue Diet including but not limited to mashed potatoes, small noodles, popsicles, soft bread without crust. My son wanted a hamburger straight away so I asked him to wait a day or two.
The following foods are NOT recommeded after tonsil procedure:
-Grains, toast, crispy waffles, crunchy cereals, crackers, pretzels, popcorn
-Raw Vegetables
-Citrus Fruit, apples, melon.
-Meats that are tough or dry. Nuts
-Citrus juices, soda with bubbles
-Crunchy cookies
Generally, stay away from greasy, fried foods, chips, grilled cheese sandwiches or anything with crusty edges.
Normal Symtoms: Low fever, bad breath and light blood in mucus as normal.
I hope this information has helped prepare and better understand what to expect from a tonsillectomy for your child. Of course it is nerve racking thinking about any child needing surgery- especially yours but I will tell you my child’s sleep quality therefore the entire household has benefitted from visiting the ENT. When children sleep better they wake up rested and happy and ready to learn.
Restful activities during recovery: Walks to the ice cream shop of course! Walk through the zoo & read the placards to your kiddo for a unique interaction for you both. Puzzles, chess/checkers, coloring/drawing. Making a basket with a puzzle, a craft kit, coloring book, a library book, stickers and some new markers/a fidget is just one simple idea to cheer up your little after the procedure.
Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Chicago
Kids menus in Chicago that go above and beyond chicken nuggets!
Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Chicago!
Do you love to dine out but taking the kids can be challenging? We are lucky to have a kiddo that loves dining out too so put on your eye cream, grab your purse & lets go out tonight because these Chicago restaurants have everything you need to keep your little one entertained. I’m not just taking crayons and coloring sheets here. These restaurants have healthy options when you want to go beyond chicken fingers and buttered noodles. These dining spots have the best service and will cater to you and your littles dining needs. Hurry! Click the websites to make a reservation today!
Crosby’s Kitchen- Kids eat FREE from 4-6pm at Crosby's Kitchen on Southport. Crosby’s is a lively neighborhood restaurant with great lighting and excellent rotisserie chicken. You will spot many families and will not need to worry about being too noisy. Perfect for a dinner out with another family.
Addresss: 3455 N Southport Ave Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.crosbyschicago.com/
Joe’s Seafood, - Find a healthy kids meal including options like crab cakes, grilled chicken with vegetables. People always ask how my child likes vegetables and you feed kids the right foods when they’re hungry. When you’re entertaining and need a nice restaurant that is doable with kids this is the one. Perfect for clients, family celebrations and birthdays.
Address: 60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
SummerHouse Santa Monica- SummerHouse Lincoln Park offers a build your own pizza station from 4-6pm for little one and has an additional kids menu including spaghetti and meatballs with fruit, sliders with fries and fruit and much more And of course do not forget to stop by the dessert shop on your way to grab a cookie for all the littles to take home!
Address: 1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
https://www.summerhouserestaurants.com/lincoln-park/
Ed Debevic’s- On the pricier side, but the entertainment is priceless!! The waitstaff dancing between tables and one stage!! There’s also a resident cowboy hat wearing DJ spinning all the oldies but goodies. Perfect for a celebration they’ll never forget!!
Address: 159 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Sushi San Lincoln Park- Kids Bento boxes and Japanese history to boot! Perfect for kids of any age, the bento box is a Japanese doll you take apart to reveal their kids meal. Edamame, sushi and fruit in their main meal and mochi ice cream comes after to celebrate a healthy meal well done!
Address: 1950 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
https://www.sushisanrestaurant.com/lincoln-park/
Dining Out with Kids: Tips for a Stress-Free Experience
Eating out with children can be a delightful experience, but it also requires a bit of planning to ensure it goes smoothly. Whether you're heading to a casual diner or a more upscale restaurant, here are some tips to make dining out with kids enjoyable for the whole family.
1. Choose the Right Restaurant
Selecting a kid-friendly restaurant can make all the difference. Look for places with a relaxed atmosphere, a varied kids' menu, and amenities such as high chairs or booster seats. Restaurants that offer crayons and coloring sheets can also keep little ones entertained while you wait for your meal. You can always bring a smaller sized activity book that is new to them with their favorite marker/pen. I prefer a blank notebook and a pen for my little guy to get creative in from drawing to writing or even a game of tic tac toe.
2. Plan Ahead
Check the restaurant's menu online before you go to ensure there are options your children will enjoy. Also, consider making a reservation if you're going during prime dinner times or on the weekend to avoid long waits. If your child or other family members has any dietary restrictions or allergies, notify restaurant in the “special notes” section when you book your online reservation.
3. Prepare Your Kids
Before you leave, talk to your children about what to expect. Explain the dining etiquette and how they should behave at the table. We like to practice dining etiquette at home to reinforce these as basic habits anywhere they may dine. Let them know that dining out is a special treat and they should be on their best behavior. This can set the tone for a smoother dining experience. Reward that good etiquette with a dessert of choice for themselves or to share with the table. One dessert, 4 spoons please!
4. Pack Smart
Bring along a small bag of essentials to keep your kids comfortable and entertained. This might include a discreet snack (just in case), a favorite tiny toy, notebook for them draw, fold, color in. Stay away from a tablet with headphones for shows, games or videos. As I stated dining out is a special treat and the reward if you the display of good manners not for quietly watching an ipad. Devices are distracting to other tables as well as your own. This type of parenting can be more challenging at first and require patience but very rewarding once the expectations for dining out are set. Don’t forget to pack any necessary items like baby wipes and small changing pad it. It has surprised me all the places I’ve had to change a diaper and that simple changing pad can be a lifesaver.
5. Order Strategically
When the waiter comes to take your order, order for your kiddo right away while you are placing cocktail orders for mom and dad. Ask about the portion sizes. Sometimes, a kid’s meal is enough for older children, and sharing larger portions can be a great option for families with toddlers. Exposing toddlers to mom and dad’s meal instead of order off a kids meal can be a great way to encourage a happy and curious eater at an early age.
6. Be Patient and Flexible
Dining out with kids often requires a bit of flexibility. Be prepared for the meal to take longer than usual and try to remain patient. If your child gets restless, gently redirect their attention with a story or a quiet game.
7. Encourage Good Table Manners
Encourage your children to use their indoor voices and practice good table manners. Setting a positive example by demonstrating polite behavior can help reinforce these habits. Praise your kids for their good behavior to encourage them to keep it up.
8. Handle Mishaps Gracefully
Accidents and spills can happen. Set your kid up for success. Remind them to keep their drink placed away from the edge of a table. Contrary to what most do, glass plates and glasses are heavier and not as easy to knock over so try them out. If your child is used to using glass at home they’ll really succeed in a restaurant. If your child spills a drink or drops food, handle it calmly and apologize to the staff. Most restaurant staff are used to dealing with children and will appreciate your patience and understanding.
9. Be Considerate of Others
Remember that not all diners are there to enjoy a family meal. Keep noise levels down and be mindful of your surroundings. If your child needs to take a break or has a moment of restlessness, a quick walk outside or a visit to the restroom or kitchen can help.
10. Enjoy the Experience
Finally, remember that dining out is about creating family memories. Embrace the experience, enjoy the meal, and savor the time spent together. With a little preparation and a positive attitude, dining out with kids can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Bon appetit! -M