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 …
Read More »

As of May 1, 2020, it is law in Illinois for all people over 2 years old to cover their noses and mouths when unable to maintain social distance.  This law is to prevent the unknowing spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID 19, via respiratory droplet particles while breathing or talking. This means, a face covering should be worn when entering ANY place of business, including grocery stores, banks, hardware stores and pharmacies; picking up curbside orders of food, craft …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

Here is a fun way to demonstrate how germs can spread via droplet particles.  Go outside on a cool day, one in which you will see your breath.  Each of you should take a deep breath in and out.  Look at the water vapor in the air.  Tell them, “sometimes germs live in our breath and look how far they can travel”.  Now you you both should cough and or sneeze and look at the difference in distance the water …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

Let’s face it. Social distancing is disruptive. It requires families to multi-task in ways that they have not had to before. The best-case scenario is that mom and dad can work from home with limited interruptions from their children who are sitting in front of the computer with on line learning. But let’s face it, this is likely going to be the exception and not the norm as many children will require more hands on attention and learning throughout the …
Read More »

In the simplest of terms, self-quarantine is the practice of complete isolation of one’s self and one’s family from contact from others. This is to prevent or the eliminate the spread of a pathogen to others. This means that a person in quarantine should have absolutely no contact with others, including leaving the house to go to work, school, shopping, gym ETC. This also means that there should be no visitors to the house. When this person needs to be …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »