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  • Emerging from the darkness of her son's devastating illness: One Mother's story

    By Donna Jones

  • How to know if your child is getting enough water during these summer months

    For kids, summer days mean no school and more time to play outside with friends. And while it’s important for kids to stay active throughout the day for optimal health, it’s equally important to ensure they are drinking enough water for proper hydration, especially during these hot and humid months! It is easy for kids to become mildly dehydrated without even knowing it, which is a reason for concern given that adequate hydration helps a child function more optimally physically and mentally.

    Let’s look at some facts:

    50% of children in the U.S. do not drink enough water 25% of children do not drink plain water at all Boys are 76% more likely to be dehydratedDr. Safder, pediatric gastroenterologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital, recently appeared in a news segment to offer tips to parents on how to make sure their kids are drinking enough water.

    Here are the signs she says to look for:

    Excessive thirst Fatigue Dry mouth Headaches Child is not sweating enough Warm body temperature Urine is dark yellow and concentrated Child is not performing as well in school as he or she normally does*A child can develop kidney stones as a result of dehydration, which can be painful and uncomfortable for your child.

  • How to keep your family safe this Fourth of July

    Independence Day is almost here and it is time to celebrate! Whether you’re planning to enjoy our nation’s birthday at the beach, have a poolside barbeque with friends or a picnic with loved ones, it is sure to be the pinnacle of your summer festivities. And of course, no celebration is complete without fireworks! But remember, there are some important things to keep in mind to ensure everyone’s health and safety this holiday weekend.

  • How to protect your children from sexual abuse

    A few months ago the famous reality television family, the Duggars, made headlines when reports surfaced that the eldest child, who is now a husband and father in his late twenties, sexually abused several young girls (including several of his sisters) when he was a teenager. There are supporters of the family who say that the family did all of the right things, and there are critics who feel that more could have been done to address the abuse and support the victims. The show and the family have been loved by many for the strong family values they encourage. The idea that this family, a family that appears wholesome and “perfect” could be harboring a secret like this was shocking to many.

  • Watch your words: labeling your kids can have long-lasting effects

    This post was originally posted in May 2014.

  • 3 steps to change your kids’ picky eating habits

    When it comes to getting picky eaters to expand their horizons, parents’ opinions are as varied as the vegetables their kids won’t eat. Every parent seems to have a philosophy on the “picky eater problem” but let’s be honest, we have no idea if the principles we adhere to really work. Well, here’s some good news for every parent struggling with the age-old problem of how to handle finicky eaters.

  • How to help your child cope with a serious illness

    One of the most challenging times a parent may face is if their child is diagnosed with a chronic illness. Many emotions including anxiety, fear, anger, and even helplessness can overwhelm parents. Children often display complicated emotions of their own, which often mirror that of their parents. All of these emotions can challenge well-known and comforting family rhythms and routines.

  • Does your newborn need a Vitamin K injection immediately after birth?

    Those first moments after your baby is born can feel like a whirlwind.

  • Ever wonder why you shouldn’t feed honey to your infant? Here’s why.

    That’s a scary word, isn’t it? Even if you don’t know exactly what it means, you probably know that it isn’t good. It’s also the reason that we don’t feed honey to babies.

    What is botulism?

    Botulism is a rare but serious illness that is caused by a certain type of bacteria (primarily Clostridium botulinum) resulting in a progressive paralysis that can lead to respiratory failure and death.

  • When Your Baby Just Won’t Stop Crying: Could It Be Colic?

    No matter what you do, your baby just keeps crying and crying, and you don’t know what to do. As a pediatrician at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and a mother with my own personal experience, I can relate to this stressful and overwhelming situation. We expect babies to cry and show some fussiness, but around 5 percent to 25 percent of newborns cry a whole lot more than others, which can be very challenging for us parents to handle.