Kids Health – For Every Parent

Understanding Diabetes in Children

You’ve undoubtedly heard that our body uses the food we eat as energy. That’s why it is so important to eat the right foods – so we have sustained energy and the nutrients needed to fuel our activities. But what about in a body that has diabetes and more specifically, diabetes in children? Diabetes is […]

Why Vitamin D Will Be Your Best Friend This Winter

Ahh, the sunshine. It is packed full of a vitamin critical for building strong bones. But when the cold weather arrives, our ability to pull vitamin D from the sun drastically decreases. So we give our kids lots of milk and cheese to bridge the gap. However, that isn’t enough for everyone. Research suggests that […]

ADD and ADHD and Finding An Accurate Diagnosis

Psychiatric diagnoses are made in a unique way, as psychiatric providers are unable to obtain objective tests like lab work or MRIs in order to make a diagnosis. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes a diagnostic manual used by practitioners to make psychiatric diagnoses. This manual is called the DSM. A few years ago, the […]

Talking to Teens About Suicide

Suicide – something no one wants to think about, but every parent should talk about it. Many believe that if you mention suicide, you plant the idea, but this is not the case. Some things should never be swept under the rug. Open communication can be challenging for some teens and parents. However, identifying age-appropriate […]

As Pediatric Autism Rates Increase, the Pandemic Creates Challenges in Timely Screening

Well-child examinations are essential for several reasons, but one reason, in particular, is gaining special attention: developmental and behavioral surveillance. For the first time in twelve years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its clinical recommendation on autism spectrum disorder. Research has shown that early identification of developmental delays allows the quicker implementation […]

Seven Ways New Moms Can Help Avoid Postpartum Depression Amid COVID

When a baby is born, friends and family gather to celebrate the new arrival. However, that was before COVID-19. Today, many new moms are struggling with loneliness, exhaustion, and fear. Without a social support system to lend a hand, many feel emotionally and physically overwhelmed. Outside of the apparent need to safeguard against COVID, new […]

Parental Burnout: Four Tips for Parents

Summer is usually a time for camps, trips to the pool, sleepovers, and listening to the joyful sounds of kids giggling outside while playing. But this year is different. This year, most camps are closed. Pools aren’t open, and sleepovers aren’t permitted. Making matters even more challenging for working families: daycares aren’t open. Back in […]

The Damaging Effect of Racism and Discrimination on Children in America

The recent events surrounding racial discrimination have caused a cacophony of sounds from people on both sides of the argument. While the adults fight for injustices near and far, children are left with a myriad of feelings. Understanding racism and its effect on children is critical for parents, teachers, and everyone. The fact of the […]

Debunking Scoliosis: 5 Myths You Should Stop Believing

Scoliosis is a common spine condition that is most often diagnosed during adolescence. Scoliosis occurs when the vertebrae form a curve as opposed to being straight. While small curves do not usually cause a problem, they can worsen. There are approximately 3 million new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. While there are […]

COVID and Multisystem Inflammatory Disorder: What Parents Need to Know

New research and media coverage surrounding the mysterious illness affecting children and adolescents have many parents rapt with concern. It is called Multisystem Inflammatory Disorder in Children, or MIS-C, and while around 220 confirmed or suspected cases had been reported, the latest research indicates it may be connected with COVID-19. North Carolina is actively monitoring […]

Pediatric Immunization Rates Plummet and How This Can Impact Your Child

Many parents are avoiding the pediatrician’s office due to concerns about COVID-19. This means well-child appointments are being postponed, and necessary pediatric immunizations aren’t being administered on time. Public health experts warn that collateral damage from the current crisis epidemic could show up as outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough. National […]

Pediatrician Approved Tips for Helping Families Thrive During Social Distancing

Too much of a good thing can be a little overwhelming. The current health pandemic has given us many things to be concerned about but has also provided many things for which to be thankful. Despite this, many families are struggling in search of some semblance of normalcy and peace amid the chaos. Fear and […]

Eight Things Parents Need to Know About Coronavirus COVID-19

This past week, the first two positive cases of Coronavirus-COVID-19 were reported in North Carolina. With that change, many parents are concerned about the safety of their families. Here’s what your trusted pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics wants you to know about Coronavirus COVID-19. What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)? While Coronaviruses are common causes […]

Not Another Shot! Effective At-Home Allergy Treatment

Allergies can be downright miserable for the person suffering from them. They feel like having a cold, causing symptoms such as sneezing, a running nose, and fatigue. Allergies affect a child’s ability to focus in school, resulting in missed school days, as well as limiting their ability to enjoy time with family and friends. Knowing […]

Pediatric Obesity Rates in North Carolina are Not Adding Up

According to the State of Childhood Obesity, pediatric obesity rates have declined in North Carolina. However, what is being reported state-wide doesn’t correlate with what many pediatric providers are seeing in their offices. At Rainbow Pediatrics, we see patients every day who are morbidly obese. Often, when we look back on their medical history, the […]

Is My Child Ready for Contact Lenses?

There are the kids who love glasses and how they look in them, and there are kids who would prefer not to have to wear them. No matter the person, at some point or another, contact lenses may become a topic of conversation. Here are some readiness tips and age-appropriate considerations to help you decide […]

Four Answers to the Most Common Questions About Managing Reflux in Babies

Babies spit-up. That is just a part of their job. But when the spit-up causes other health issues, it can become a bigger concern for parents. Gastrointestinal reflux (GER) can happen to anyone, at any age. It happens when the contents within the stomach back up into the esophagus. In an infant, this causes them […]

Identifying and Addressing Eating Disorders in Kids

My daughter and her friend were talking in the car last week about a girl in their circle who they believe has bulimia. They spoke about how they have talked with her about their concerns to no avail and were curious about what they should do next. They didn’t want to compromise their friend’s trust […]

Four Ways to Overcome Bullying

Kindness counts. But sometimes it seems that no matter how much we instill the importance of being kind into our children, they are forced to face adversity. How we and they handle adversity is much different than years ago. Bullies have been around for thousands of years. Recently, however, we have begun to see the […]