Search Results

Why does my baby's skin look yellow?

Jaundice is one of those medical terms that you may have heard on occasion, but can’t quite pinpoint what it means exactly. However, if you’re the parent (or soon-to-be parent) of a newborn, it will be helpful for you to become familiar with this common issue affecting babies soon after birth.

Send Your Kids to Summer Camp. It’s Good for Them!

Summer camp is, for many of us, what our magical memories of childhood are made of. Those occasions where we said goodbye to our parents in anticipation of spending the week without them and were simultaneously bursting with excitement and overwhelmed with anxiety – those were our very own coming-of-age moments. Our experiences at summer camp taught us a lot about ourselves and about others, and they changed us in small but mighty ways. And now, it’s our turn to entrust our children into the hands of others for a week or two (maybe more) and give our kids the chance to make their own magical memories.

How to transition your child with a chronic illness into adulthood

The process of transitioning from a pediatric to an adult healthcare provider is often daunting, especially for children with chronic needs. As a result, parents taking care of children with lifelong illnesses often care for that child into adulthood. Children with asthma, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis, to name of few, require strict medication adherence and consistent follow-up. It is natural for parents to assume full responsibility in managing their child's illness. However, caretakers are encouraged to learn how to empower children to eventually take charge of their own medical care.

How do we talk to our kids in the aftermath of tragedy?

It’s hard to know what to say to each other, ourselves, but especially, our children. Once again, we all woke up to news that there was a horrific mass shooting- and for those of us in Central Florida, it was reminder of what previously took place right in our own backyard.

Why a gluten-free diet may not be healthy for your kids

When I was a college student I knew a girl who suffered from celiac disease, and each time our group of friends went to eat at a restaurant, she brought a lunchbox from home filled with gluten-free food because she was unable to eat much of the food served in a restaurant. Before that I had never heard of gluten, and I thought it was a terrible curse for my friend to be unable to eat at a restaurant like the rest of us. Although I lost touch with her after college, I am sure my friend’s dining experiences have gotten a lot easier over time.

Your nutrition labels are changing - here’s what you need to know!

One major concern is by increasing the serving size on products, it possibly could cause overeating, which in the long run could lead to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The key is making healthy choices and monitoring portion size, especially with children. Understand that the serving size of a food or beverage is just a guide; we do not have to eat or drink that exact amount. 

Sending a child with epilepsy to school: what every parent should know

Distraction can be a useful tool in helping your child cope with a difficult situation

As a Child Life Specialist, I often joke about the proverbial “toolkit” that I seem to have invisibly available when I work with children. In it are a variety of ideas, books, toys, and other items that I have used in the past that can benefit children as they go through painful procedures or times in the hospital that are particularly stressful. One of my best “tools” in this kit of mine is distraction.

My baby is spitting up: is this normal?

As a pediatric resident I get to see many newborn babies, and I often continue to care for them in our outpatient clinic as they grow. In my experience, spitting up is among the top concerns for mothers within the first few months of their babies’ lives. And why shouldn’t it be? More than half of all infants spit up daily. Well, before I give you some tips to help you manage this at home, I’d love to review some information that we as pediatricians keep in mind when we hear the words “spit up.”

Do You Know What to do if Your Child is Choking?

It is the nightmare scenario that can send any parent into a cold sweat: what if my child is choking and I don’t know how to help him?