Vaping among teens is nothing short of an epidemic. According to the CDC, nearly 20 percent of high school students and 5 percent of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2020. With appealing flavors like candy and bubble gum marketed to children, combined with peer pressure, it can be challenging to say no. Awareness and communication are vital tools in … [Read more...]

Spring has sprung, and we’re all dreaming of summer fun. Community and private pools will be opening soon, and we’re planning family trips to lakes and beaches. But if children can’t swim, our favorite summer activities can become sources of stress and danger. Swim lessons are one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. According to the CDC, drowning is the … [Read more...]

We’re living in stressful times, and our kids are feeling it. Last fall, a coalition of leading pediatric medical groups declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. We know that many of the stresses our children are experiencing were in place before the pandemic. However, social isolation and a sense of loss have added to existing mental health … [Read more...]

Click here to read the latest LPA updates regarding COVID-19 As Coronavirus makes headlines and makes its way to the Mid-Atlantic, local families are understandably anxious. For most parents, the big concern is whether their kids are at risk for infection. Coronavirus is proving tricky to get a handle on because the illness manifests so differently in different … [Read more...]

The death of a Leesburg teen from the flu this February has rocked our community and created extra anxiety for parents this winter. For most children, the flu is a serious but very manageable diagnosis best treated with fluids and rest. But when complications hit close to home, it’s reasonable to experience fear and concern. According to the American Academy of … [Read more...]

Are your kiddos bouncing off the walls this winter? Or retreating to their rooms with devices? When it’s cold outside, it’s tempting to want to hunker down and camp out on the couch, but it’s so important for kids (and all of us) to stay active all winter long. From unstructured play to finding new sports, here are some tips for keeping kids moving when the thermometer … [Read more...]

Did you know that ear infections are the number one reason parents take their children to the doctor? They’re often the first illness a baby or toddler gets. They can be painful, and it’s so hard for parents to see their little ones suffer. But ear infections don’t always require antibiotics. While we have a natural tendency to want to leave the pediatrician’s office with … [Read more...]