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Mothers and Babies with Special Needs
Hospitalized as part of a high-risk pregnancy? We’re here for you. With our supportive and comprehensive care, we can help ease your stress and help you feel safe and cared for.
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What’s Growing in My Child’s Gut?
There are many ways that each of us is different from everyone else on the planet. Take all of those bacteria and microorganisms living in your gut, for example. From the moment you’re born, your body begins forming its own unique cocktail of bacteria responsible for dealing with food the instant it enters your body. This microbiome is sometimes called “the last undiscovered human organ,” with scientists still learning about the ways it affects health. One of the things we’re learning, through recent research, is that the makeup of a child’s microbiome may even affect their behavior.
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Making assumptions about medication allergies can be harmful to your child
Do you have allergies to any medications?
That question gets asked A LOT- when you see a new physician, when you start a new medication, pick up your medications from the pharmacy, or get your annual flu shot. -
You can help make miracles happen, too
A few months ago, I had the privilege of attending a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ ceremony honoring children who have suffered illness or injury. During this exuberant celebration, children of all shapes, sizes, and abilities danced down the aisle with their favorite Disney characters to celebrate. Their smiles simply radiated joy. As I grinned and clapped along with them, though, I couldn’t help but think about the life and death struggles that many of these children have faced. With their bald heads from chemotherapy, their scars a reminder of past surgeries, or their IV medications disguised in a Mickey Mouse backpack, the battle was evident. And yet, they kept smiling.
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How was your day?
Every day since he’s been old enough to answer, I’ve been asking my son that question when I pick him up at the end of the day. Usually, I get a relatively enthusiastic “good” and not much else. Sometimes, he’ll offer a little more: a few details about kindergarten drama in the cafeteria, maybe a tidbit about how he and his buddies dug a hole on the playground big enough for them to fit inside (that explains the grubby, little fingernails!).
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Are you cleaning your child's ears properly?
“I only use it on the outside…”
When I ask parents on their initial visit with me if they use cotton swabs, this is frequently the response I get. They insist that they only use cotton swabs on the outside of the ear and that they NEVER go into the ear canal. I have even heard this from a parent, and then ended up pulling several cotton swab heads out of their child’s ear. -
Choosing a pediatrician for your family
After you process the initial joy of learning that you are pregnant, you will soon realize that you have many decisions to make for you and your baby. These choices may include picking baby names, finding an OB-GYN physician to take care of you during your pregnancy, deciding which hospital to deliver your baby, and choosing a pediatrician for your family. While many decisions can seem overwhelming, picking a pediatrician does not have to be if you know what you are looking for in a doctor.
Talk to other parents about recommendations for a pediatrician.
If you are beginning your search for a pediatrician, talk to your friends and family members that are parents. See if any particular names pop up repeatedly, either positively or negatively. Remember to keep an open mind, though. One person’s not-so-great experience with a pediatrician in the midst of many other positive recommendations may be a result from that particular family and pediatrician not being a good fit. The reverse is also true; one family’s amazing pediatrician may not be exactly what you are looking for. But at the very least, talking to other people is a starting point for your search.Plan to meet the pediatrician…before your baby is born.
After you have made your list of potential pediatricians, the next step is to meet them in person. Many pediatric practices will host open houses for new parents, or will schedule prenatal consultations. By meeting with a pediatrician, you will be able to see if his/her beliefs, values, and attitudes regarding pediatric health care are in line with your own. You can decide if you like him/her or not…plain and simple! You and your baby will have at least 10 well-baby visits to the pediatrician in the first two years of life (not even counting sick visits!), so it helps if you like your pediatrician. Ask the pediatrician if he/she is pediatric board-certified (taken and passed the pediatric board exam) or board-eligible (preparing to take the pediatric board exam). -
“Are you on Facebook?”
“Why, yes, I am…”
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Continuing our Conversation on Vaccines
As I mentioned , I attended an information session at my pediatrician’s office where we discussed vaccines. Dr. Federico Laham shared with us his insight on the topic. I wanted to share with you what I learned and address some of the questions you’ve asked.
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Teaching Healthy Romantic Relationships
My 6-year-old son recently informed my husband and I that he has a girlfriend. I’ve met her when dropping him off at school in the morning, and (I have to admit) she is truly adorable. Little Taylor wears pink, sparkly sneakers, dresses and tiny little glasses. She appears to be sweet and friendly. They seem to be nothing more than friends that are of different genders. However, my husband and I still took this as an opportunity to discuss healthy relationships with him. My husband said to my son, “You know, six is pretty young to have a girlfriend.” My son’s response was, “Yeah, I know… but I don’t care. I like her.” Whoa! I was surprised at his level of assuredness and, to be honest, a little scared. Who was this little girl, anyway? On that note, who was this little boy? Whether we realized it or not, he was growing up, and this was a conversation that needed to happen!
