Eva’s dad and I decided to vaccinate her against COVID-19 because we believe that the vaccine offers the best way to protect Eva from moderate to severe illness as well as any long term effects from a COVID-19 infection.  We believe that the research is sound demonstrating that the vaccine is safe.  Prior to her appointmen we had an age appropriate discussion with Eva.  She knows that the vaccine not only protects her but in being vaccinated, she will be …
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A face mask or covering fits correctly if it covers the wearer’s nose and mouth, lays flat against the wearer’s cheeks and stays in place while talking.  Remember the purpose of the mask it to catch water droplets that can be spread while breathing or talking.  So wearing a mask below the nose or under the chin defeats the purpose of wearing the mask in the first place! Frequently, movement of the mask or covering occurs because it is the …
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Fevers, a.k.a. elevation of you child’s body temperature, can be very frightening. Your child may feel unwell, act irritably or appear sleepier. Typically, fevers are associated with an illness, although they can be associated with other inflammatory processes (some autoimmune conditions) and can simply indicate overheating (think athlete on a hot day or an over bundled infant in a car seat). While we all wish to be as good as our mothers and grandmothers and just place a hand on …
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As the temperature outside drops, many families wonder how to safely dress their infants and children. especially when riding in the car. First of all, when dressing your child or infant consider how long your trip will be and then what you will be doing at your destination (i.e. will you be outside or inside). For short trips, unless your preheat your car your car would likely be cooler and your child may need more covering. For longer trips, the car …
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Nutrition is very important for your growing child. Good nutrition is three-fold: enough fuel (ie calories), well balanced (ie a healthy mixture of fats, protein and carbohydrates) and diverse (containing necessary vitamins and nutrition). A diet lacking in any of these three components can affect your child’s health increasing risk of infection, affect growth, affect behavior and could cause fatigue, headaches and abdominal pain. We have learned that children even though they consume a lot of fuel may actually be …
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As the weather starts warming up, biting and stinging insects will make their return. Biting insects like Mosquitoes and Ticks may carry diseases like West Nile, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and in warmer tropical climates can carry other diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Zika etc. Mosquitoes and ticks live in darker most areas, like wooded areas, marshes and grassy fields. Prevention is the best way to prevent these illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control recommends elimination of standing …
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In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association changed the recommendation of when to start fluoride containing toothpaste. Now, it is recommended to start using a fluoride toothpaste at the time of first tooth eruption. A smear the size of a grain of rice should be used until your child turns 3 and then after your child should use a pea sized dollop. This has been shown to help prevent dental caries (cavities). For more information …
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At the annual American Academics of Pediatrics (AAP) meeting this October, the AAP along with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced a change to the vaccination schedule for the HPV vaccine. Previously all children over 9 years of age were recommended to receive 3 doses of the vaccines over six months. After careful study, it was discovered that children who complete the vaccine series prior to his or her fifteenth birthday only need two doses of the vaccine 6 …
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We feel your pain! Waking up at three o’clock in the morning to a screaming infant is never fun. And while tooth eruption can be painful to your infant, many of the over the counter teething relief products can be very harmful to your infant. A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended against the use of benzocaine containing oral gels (found in Oragel, Anbesol, Orabase and Hurricaine). It was found that in children under two the …
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Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would have said no. And now the answer is maybe… Recently the AAP, updated its guidelines for media exposure in infants (children < two years). The AAP has found that media can be a useful tool. Facetime with parents and or grandparents may be beneficial in fostering bonds when the parent or grandparent is not local. Interactive e-books and apps can help foster language, such as teaching letters and colors and numbers as …
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