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  • Blessed with tiny treasures: Carson and Kendall’s story

    Written by Heather Shields

  • Help! My child can’t swallow pills (but needs to)

    It seems like a no-brainer; just pop the pill in your mouth and swallow. It’s easy to forget, though, that swallowing a pill is something that has to be learned. It may feel normal and natural to us grown-ups, but it’s not normal or natural for kids. For children that need to take medications, either for an unexpected illness or a long-term problem, this seemingly small issue can produce a lot of anxiety, making it a really big issue. If you’ve ever sat on your kitchen floor with a screaming kid saying, “I cant, I can’t. I can’t do it!” you know what I mean.

  • Want to help your children develop speech and language? Talk to them. A lot.

    Did you know that one of the greatest influences on your child’s intelligence and academic success is the way (and how much) you speak to them?

  • It’s flu season! Here’s what you need to know.

    This post was written by Dr. Tom Ruffin, pedatric resident at Arnold Palmer Hospital

  • What every parent needs to know about concussions

    We often think of concussions in terms of sports, most commonly football and other collision sports. Concussions also commonly occur in contact sports where helmets aren’t worn like soccer, basketball, wrestling or lacrosse. However, every parent needs to know about this injury, even if your kids aren’t involved in sports. Concussions can occur from a fall from a bicycle or skateboard, running into a goalpost, or getting hit in the head by a ball or other moving object.

    What is a concussion?

    A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a blow to the body that makes the head move back and forth rapidly. The sudden force causes the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull, causing damage to the brain cells and chemical changes within the brain. These chemical changes may make the brain more sensitive to stress or other injury until it recovers. While doctors may describe this as a “mild” brain injury since it is not life-threatening, the effects of a concussion can be serious.

    What are the signs and symptoms of concussion?

    Signs and symptoms of a concussion usually appear soon after the injury occurs, but some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. If your child has sustained a bump or blow to the head and experiences any of the following, it might be a sign of a concussion: Headache Nausea or vomiting Appears dazed or stunned Feels “pressure” in head Loses consciousness Answers questions slowly Confusion Dizziness or balance problems Sensitivity to light or noise Difficulty concentrating Memory problems Double or blurry vision Feeling “foggy” or sluggish Changes in mood or behavior Trouble falling asleep Sleeping more or less than usualYou should continue to monitor your child for these signs and symptoms for a few days after the injury occurs.

    What should I do if I think my child might have a concussion?

    If you think your child may have a concussion, contact your child’s health care provider. If your child is playing sports, remove him or her from the game and don’t resume playing until evaluated by a healthcare professional who is experienced at diagnosing concussions. If your child returns to play too quickly, before the brain is fully healed, they are at risk for a repeat concussion which can be much more serious.

    How is a concussion treated?

    The best treatment for a concussion is complete rest from all physical and mental activity. Television, loud music, and use of computers should be very limited or stopped. Even a child’s school participation may need to be altered according to the child’s symptoms.

  • Helping Families Thrive Through Challenges: The Healthy Families Orange Program

    “I probably wouldn’t have my kids with me,” Diane Johnson says with tears welling up in her eyes.

  • How technology helped Katie overcome her fear of needles

    Written by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Arnold Palmer Hospital

  • Teaching your children to let go of others' expectations

    This morning I experienced a small miracle. I emerged from my bedroom at seven o’clock after waking up (all on my own!) without children crying or yelling from their bedrooms to wake me. It felt like a little slice of heaven.

  • What you should know when starting your baby on solid foods

    One of my favorite milestones in a baby’s first year is introducing them to their first foods. I love the anticipation of trying new things and watching to see how they’ll react. Their excitement as they experience new flavors and textures for the first time (not to mention the hysterical facial expressions!) is entertainment at its best. And watching my oldest laugh uncontrollably at the baby’s messiness as he eats is better than watching TV.

  • Too fresh for our own good (health)?

    There’s nothing better than a cool glass of fresh milk after a long day. But how fresh is too fresh?