Menu
Virtual Visit Request an Appointment ER Wait Times
Search
Back

Filter By

All Search Results

  • Choosing the right summer camp for your child

    When I was growing up, my mother was a stay-at-home mom, and we spent a lot of time at home during the summer. It was a time my sister and I could play in the woods, eat popsicles, read and help my mother sew Barbie clothes (Yes, she deserved a medal for that endeavor!). My family didn’t take a lot of formal vacations, but my siblings and I participated in a variety of activities that made summers feel special.

  • Young children are at a greater risk for dog bites

    Dog bites hurt. Want to know how I know? Because I got snapped at when I was a little girl, and I haven’t forgotten about it since then. I remember the incident like it was yesterday. My family was taking care of my grandparents’ dog while they were away – a springer spaniel named “Jenna.” Jenna had quickly become my friend, as we were lying on the floor watching movies one afternoon. I wanted to get as close to Jenna as I could, and found myself all up in her face. We had no boundaries, or so I thought. The next thing I know, Jenna, having none of it, snapped at my face, snagging the tip of my nose. I was traumatized, and wanted nothing to do with Jenna after that.

  • Three Tips for Tough Talks with Your Kids

    Illness, death or tragedies in the news: what should parents say?

  • Is an alternative vaccination schedule better for your child?

    This post was originally posted in November 2014

  • Why W-sitting might be a cause for concern

    Chances are if you’re reading this, you have probably heard the term “W-sitting” which is why you’d like to know more. If it’s new to you, and you have little ones in your family then you are probably going to come across it at some point. It usually comes up when someone is speaking to a child and might sound something like this, “Please fix your legs and stop W-Sitting.” Ouch. First of all what does that mean and how could it possibly matter how my child chooses to sit? I hope this post will give you a quick snapshot of this issue.

  • Should you be thinking about contraception for your teen?

    Why is contraception important?

    The simple answer- to prevent pregnancy. That is exactly why we need to have this discussion with teenagers. The statistics are astonishing about how many teens have been sexually active before they finish high school. Half of high school students report ever having had sexual intercourse and every year about 750,000 adolescents become pregnant. The majority of these pregnancies, a whopping 80%, are unplanned, which tells me that we need to do a better job giving our teenage population contraception.

    What are the recommended contraception options?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) both recommend Long-Acting Reversible Contraception "LARCs" for adolescents. The LARC options include the implant and intrauterine devices (IUD).  Both of these options are safe and superior to the old-school daily pill. With either the implant or the IUD, our teens don't have to remember to take it every day, making it nearly foolproof. The implant is placed in the upper arm and feels like a two-inch long piece of spaghetti under the skin. The IUDs are inserted into the cervix and can be checked by feeling for the string inside the vagina. Both options last for years without needing to be replaced, which is another reason it is perfect for teens.

    What about "the pill”?

    There are other options, including the pill and the shot. The pill must be taken every day so when thinking of our teenage population and how hard it is for them to remember even to brush their teeth on a daily basis, this option is clearly not the best choice. The shot, Depo-Provera, is a good alternative but not many people are keen on getting a shot every three months.

  • Steer Kids Away from Processed Food, Salt and Sugar for Kidney Health

    Kidney disease is rare in children and usually tied to congenital abnormalities of the kidneys or urinary tract, but older children and adolescents can develop acquired kidney disease, which can worsen with poor dietary choices.

  • Say Yes When Your Child Asks for a Pet. Here’s Why

    Whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit or reptile, pets can have real and positive effects on your child’s emotional and physical development. If your family has the resources to take care of a pet and no one in the house is allergic, you may want to consider getting your child an animal companion.

  • What is Vitamin K, and why is it important for my newborn baby?

    Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that our body needs to help make proteins that are needed for blood coagulation. In other words, it’s one of the ways our body works to stop bleeding. We can find vitamin K in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens. Bacteria in our intestine also produce vitamin K. If we do not have enough vitamin K, we may experience prolonged bleeding from small cuts or big bruises from relatively small injuries.

  • What’s the scoop on maternity shapewear? Is it safe for mom and baby?

    Maternity shapewear has been around for years. And for a good reason, too. Sometimes, when a woman is pregnant, it’s nice to have the little extra assistance to help cut down on the amount of jiggle going on – if you know what I mean. But over the past few years, the leading brand of control undergarments for women, Spanx, has faced major scrutiny for its line of maternity shapewear called “Mama Spanx.” The panty hose featured in this line are designed to deliver comfort by providing a non-binding waistband and under belly support to firm and lift all the right places while keeping the baby safe.

    The controversy

    The Spanx line for soon-to-be mammas was first introduced in 2004, and has garnered heated discussion since. There are two concerns that seem to trump all: body image and safety for mom and baby. Some question the motives of the maternity line – Does it send the message that women should be ashamed of their body, as it changes to accommodate a growing baby? Others are concerned about the fetus – does the shapewear constrict blood flow and oxygen to the baby?