We're hearing many concerns from parents about contagious diseases, and measles is at the top of the list. Parents and caregivers are on edge, and their worry is understandable, given ongoing, highly publicized outbreaks in Texas and a few cases in the DC region. Are our children safe from measles? What can we do to stay healthy during uncertain times? The good news is … [Read more...]

In kindergarten, Caroline had painful, itchy patches between her fingers. It really hurt, and using hand sanitizer at school seemed to make it worse. After talking with her pediatrician, her mom asked teachers to encourage hand-washing instead of sanitizer. The family also switched to a more gentle, perfume-free hand soap at home. Avoiding these triggers, combined with a … [Read more...]

For many Gen X and millennial parents, sleepovers with friends are among our best childhood memories. There was something magical about the freedom and fun of spending the night away from home. In the era of freewheeling parenting, sleepovers were often loosely organized and informal. Of course, things have changed, and in the 2020s, there's renewed debate on parenting … [Read more...]

This fall and winter, communities around the country have been affected by spikes in walking pneumonia. Locally, we’ve seen many families bringing kids in with nagging coughs that won’t go away, one of the warning signs of walking pneumonia. The CDC issued an alert about this worrisome infection this fall after observing rising rates across age groups, especially young … [Read more...]

The holidays can be stressful for many of us. For families affected by divorce, navigating the holidays can be even more challenging. If this issue affects your family, you’re not alone, with around 800,000 divorces in the US each year. We all want the best for our kids and long for the sense of holiday magic to remain. Dividing time between households and navigating … [Read more...]

As new weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic soar in popularity and help millions of Americans lead healthier lives, we’re getting lots of questions about prescribing weight loss drugs for children. In a nutshell, some older kids with obesity can benefit from the new semaglutide medications. However, as pediatricians, we work to protect children’s overall physical and … [Read more...]

As kids around the country return to school, parents have many questions about COVID. Now that the virus has been around for more than four years and has lost its pandemic status, do we treat it like a common cold or something else? This summer, the CDC officially declared the COVID-19 virus endemic, meaning it is here to stay and can usually be addressed in predictable … [Read more...]

Getting a new sibling is exciting but also confusing and scary for a young child. The sibling relationship is one of life’s great joys but full of ups and downs. When your young child is used to having your full attention, shaking things up with a newborn can be stressful. The older child may experience jealousy and anxiety, while parents stress about how the sibling will … [Read more...]

We think of winter as the peak childhood illness season, but some viruses thrive in heat and humidity. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is at its worst in the summer and early fall. It’s a common childhood illness that usually goes away on its own. However, it’s also one of the most stressful childhood illnesses for parents and caregivers, mainly because it’s unpleasant and … [Read more...]