32 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • AUGUST 15, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
5 easy ways to be a more active dad
For children, having an engaged dad
makes a huge diff erence - fathers play
a critical role, and research tells us just
how important that role is. In fact, studies
show that children who feel close to their
fathers are two times more likely to go to
college or fi nd a job aft er high school.
Despite all the evidence that shows the
benefi ts of an involved father, whether
children live with their fathers or not, 63%
of fathers say they spend too little time
with their kids.
How can you spend more meaningful
time with your children? Here are
some simple ideas from the National
Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
and the Ad Council that can help you
make a moment with your children:
1. Read to your children.
A bedtime story is a meaningful bonding
activity that is not only fun and comforting
for children, but dramatically
increases their ability and interest in reading
over the years. Even children who
can read chapter books on their own still
enjoy being read to. For older children,
take turns reading chapters or pages aloud
to each other, and enjoy making up funny
voices for the characters.
2. Stay connected.
Whether you have long work days, travel
frequently, or if you live apart, fi nd ways
to stay connected when you’re unable to
see your child in person. Text oft en, video
chat or call. Find creative ways to connect,
like playing an online game together.
Lastly, don’t forget the power of something
you can hold in your hand - send an
occasional handwritten letter or postcard
your child can treasure, even if you just
live across town.
3. Use errands as an
opportunity to bond.
Fathers are less likely to take children
to necessary appointments, such as dental
and medical checkups. Making the eff ort
to be the comforting presence during a
possibly stressful appointment can really
strengthen the bond with your child. You
can also enjoy making conversation while
you’re going to and from appointments.
Other types of necessary errands to share
include going for a haircut together or
going to soccer practice. All these crucial
activities are ways to strengthen that connection
with your child.
4. Be a positive role model.
Share something that you love to do or
care about with your children. Introduce
them to a hobby you enjoy, take them
to a park or other location you have an
attachment to and share your memories
with them. Volunteer together for a cause
that’s important to you. Show your children
what you are passionate about in
life, and they will learn a lot about you.
Th ey’ll also feel more comfortable sharing
what they love and care about with
you.
5. Dance like a dad.
Let yourself play and be silly together
sometimes. Turn on your child’s favorite
upbeat music and #DanceLikeADad with
your kids. Teach your kids your favorite
dance moves and let them show off their
own.
“Fathers are important to their children’s
lives and well-being. Research
shows children who feel close to
their fathers do better in school and
show higher self-esteem and empathy.
Whether you live with your children
or not, it’s the time you spend together
and the memories you create that
have made the biggest diff erence,” adds
Kenneth Braswell, Project Director for
the National Responsible Fatherhood
Clearinghouse and Chief Executive
Offi cer for Fathers Incorporated.
For more information and ideas about
how to be a more active dad, visit fatherhood.
gov.
Courtesy BPT
Elmhurst Hospital throws ‘baby shower’ for soon-to-be mothers
BY MAX PARROTT
mparrott@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Dr. Jennifer Pintiliano, the associate
director of pediatrics NYC Health +
Hospitals Elmhurst, introduced herself on
Aug. 1 as an international board-certifi ed
lactation consultant — a fancy title that
means she has spent 1,000 hours studying
the best ways for mothers to breastfeed.
Pintiliano’s certifi cation refl ects a greater
push at the hospital to ramp up their
maternity services. So far it seems to be
working.
Th e World Health Organization recently
bestowed the hospital with “baby-friendly
status,” a designation that recognizes
excellence in breastfeeding education and
mother-infant bonding. As a part of this
push, the hospital also held a “baby shower”
for Elmhurst moms in celebration of
World Breastfeeding Week on Th ursday.
Th e event packed the hospital’s auditorium
with soon-to-be mothers — so many
in fact that the dads and male companions
were asked to stand in the aisles to make
room. Th e event presented information
sessions on breastfeeding, newborn care
and low-cost health insurance. It also gave
out goodies in a raffl e for a new car seat
and a gift bag for all the moms.
In return for these services, the
Elmhurst staff hope that the new mothers
will choose Elmhurst to deliver their
babies. “We’ve been seeing some decrease
here at Elmhurst in the number of deliveries,
so we’re hoping that our designation
will bring people back to Elmhurst. If this
is the future, I’m going to be very excited,”
Dr. Pintiliano said, pointing to the crowd
of moms.
Pintiliano said that designation of
“baby-friendly” goes beyond just encouraging
breastfeeding. It’s about helping
mothers make informed decisions decisions
about infant feeding and establishing
a healthy mother-infant bond with a
policy that encourages mothers to make
skin-to-skin contact with their babies
from the moment of birth.
Th e hospital also provides prenatal education,
15 private rooms where infants
can room in and access to maternal support
groups aft er moms are discharged
from the hospital.
In attendance was state Senator Jessica
Ramos, who said that she wanted to come
to the event because the hospital, which
sits just outside the boundary of her district,
is the most commonly utilized by
her constituents. Beyond that, she wanted
to connect to the mothers by sharing her
experience as a mother of two boys.
“I’m here to tell you that breastfeeding
for me was not only very satisfying
because I was able to establish a strong
bond with my boys, but it was the healthiest
way that I could be feeding my children,”
Ramos said.
While breastfeeding is recommended
by the American Association of Pediatrics,
that doesn’t mean it’s always an easy
choice. In her presentation, Pintiliano
pointed out that there are certain circumstances
under which the hospital would
provide baby formula to a mother. She
said that the hospital respects mothers’
freedom to make their own choice on
the issue.
Pintiliano said she sees the work that
Elmhurst Hospital is doing on breastfeeding
as important. Th e hospital is ultimately
emphasizing the mother-infant bond,
while making choices about newborn care
as informed and easy as possible.
Max Parrott/QNS
Mothers gather in Elmhurst Hospital’s auditorium for a presentation on the benefi ts of breastfeeding.
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