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  • It's OK To Let Your Fussy Baby Cry It Out at Night

    You fed the baby, changed her diaper, rocked her for a bit and put her down for bed.

  • Holding out hope for their child born with Congenital Heart Disease: Mia's Story

    If you were to spend a day with the Gravitz family, you would be welcomed with open arms and be overwhelmed by the love this family has for each other. Nothing is more important to Alecia and Marc than spending time with their kids - baking cookies on rainy days, and cozying up in their pajamas to watch movies on weekends. But just over two years ago, life, as they knew it, turned upside down.

    Heartbroken

    When Alecia was eight months pregnant with their second child, Mia, she went to her doctor for a routine checkup. During the exam, her doctor realized Mia was not moving as much as she should be and Alecia was sent to a nearby hospital. Alecia and Marc knew something was wrong after it was recommended they see a perinatologist (a high-risk doctor). “I started freaking out,” she admitted. “I was so scared; I didn’t know what was happening.”

  • Life without a safety net: what happens when kids age out of foster care?

    Like many parents, I could hardly believe it when my son turned 18. “How could he be this old already?” I thought and then “Why is he so different than I was when I turned 18?” My son Brandon, who is now 20, is still living at home, and we are gently pushing him to learn about living on his own. He is part of the generation of kids who are experiencing an extended adolescence. He’s been a little less mature than his peers and this decision makes sense for us and for him. We have some clear steps outlined and he’s following them.  And I’m sometimes tying myself to a chair so I don’t “help” too much.

  • Talking with your teen about obesity: it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it

    In my years as a mental health counselor for Teen Xpress, I have worked with many teenagers that are battling weight problems. Obesity often leads to low self esteem, anger problems and depression. Often, we see obese teens that also have obese parents and other family members. Obesity can be caused by medical issues, but when it comes to teens, it is frequently due to unhealthy behaviors and coping skills. I have known many teens that report coping with feelings of sadness and loneliness by overeating. The overeating leads to weight gain, which leads to further feelings of isolation and depression. Teens quickly find themselves in a vicious cycle of unhealthy habits and emotional discord.

  • Laundry detergent pods may be convenient, but can pose serious poisoning risk to children

    The convenience of being able to throw a laundry pod into the washer without having to measure out liquid or powder detergent is a time saver, for sure. However, for families with small children, the benefits do not outweigh the potential risks. Because toddlers love to explore their surroundings, and oftentimes find themselves into things they shouldn’t be, laundry pods pose a serious poisoning risk to these curious adventurists. The bright colors of the laundry pods can be easily mistaken for juice or candy, and the soft, pliable texture make it fun for kids to squeeze or play with. What they don’t realize is that this “fun toy” could be detrimental to their health, and it could land them in the emergency room in a matter of seconds.

  • Avoiding Peanuts Might Put Your Child at Risk for Allergies Later

    One of Israel’s most popular kid foods is a peanut-based snack called Bamba. It’s so popular that “Bamba” is said to be one of the first words Israeli toddlers learn.

  • Pain management options to provide children comfort after surgery

    A pediatric anesthesia team is tasked with the job of bringing children into and out of anesthesia for surgery and other procedures. When your child is in the operating room, it’s the pediatric anesthesiologist and the rest of the pediatric anesthesia team who ensure that your child is given the right combination of medications in order for them to drift off to sleep for the procedure and have a smooth recovery once the procedure is complete.

  • Costochondritis: Chest Pain That Feels Like a Heart Attack

    Although it is exceedingly rare for teens to have heart attacks, it is not uncommon for them to have chest pain. That can be really scary for you and your child. But when the cause of the sharp pain is costochondritis, you can rest easy knowing that your child does not have a dangerous condition.

  • Emily's Heart Surgery - The Heart Center at Arnold Palmer Hospital

    Meet 4 year old Emily Joy. She was born with a heart defect called tricuspid atresia, meaning her heart only has one chamber. In this video hear from the co-directors of the Heart Center, Dr. William DeCampli and Dr. David Nykanen, and see Emily's heart surgery.

  • Free Down Syndrome Clinic at the Howard Phillips Center

    The 18th Annual Down Syndrome Clinic, presented by the Developmental Center for Infants & Children/Early Steps, provides free resources for infants, children and adults with Down Syndrome. Participating families can see dozens of developmental specialists including dentists, cardiologists, eye doctors, therapists and more. The clinic provides a unique opportunity to access resources and network in one convenient location absolutely free.