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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 […]

Ten Tips for Staying Active and Positive in Isolation from COVID-19

Depending on the age of your children, the isolation caused by COVID-19 can cause feelings that are both positive and negative. It can be hard to watch kids who usually are very active sit still in front of screens for many hours of the day. With access to gyms closed and access to parks limited, […]

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 […]

Five Reasons All Children Should Have a Dentist by Age One

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children receive their first dental exam when the first tooth appears or by age 1. Does that seem early to you? Those budding teeth are just temporary. Does a dental exam at such a young age really matter? Small children are downright squirmy and have short attention […]

Four Ways to Prevent Birth Defects

When dreaming about having a baby, we yearn for a healthy, full-term infant. While some birth defects cannot be prevented, others can. Some things can be done to prepare the body for a healthy pregnancy. The challenge, however, is making sure women know precisely how and when they should get their body ready for having […]

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. But what is being reported state-wide doesn’t correlate with what many pediatric providers are seeing in their offices. “I am seeing patients every day who are morbidly obese,” said nutritional medicine expert, Laurie Powers, PA-C. “Often, when I look back […]

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 […]

Whooping Cough Vaccine: Why it is Not Just for Kids

Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials. Mom and Dad bring home their beautiful new baby and Grandma comes to visit. She kisses and hugs her new grandbaby in loving endearment. In addition to the love she shares with her new grandbaby, she also shares a highly contagious respiratory infection. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is […]

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 […]

What to Expect from the 2019/2020 Flu Vaccine

It is that time of the year again. Time to make the annual trek to the doctor’s office to help reduce the risk of getting the flu this season. Here are the top eleven answers to questions or concerns most parents have about the flu and the 2019/2020 flu vaccine. Have there been cases of […]

3 Top Questions Parents Have About Calcium for Kids

Calcium builds strong bones. We get it. For kids, however, getting enough calcium is critical because their bones are developing and getting enough early in life helps protect them from bone loss as they age. In addition, calcium (and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium) can help prevent Rickets, which is a disease […]

The Skinny on Childhood Obesity

One in six children in the United States has been diagnosed with obesity. In North Carolina, childhood obesity rates are continuing to climb. According to the State of Obesity, current data shows over 13% of 10 to 17-year-olds and 15% of high school kids being obese and 15% of 2 to 4-year-olds are obese as […]

Preventing and Treating Youth Sports Injuries

When it comes to sports, today’s youth are much more involved than 30 years ago. Almost 70% of kids participate in individual and group sports. This is wonderful news on the heels of an obesity crisis as exercise helps kids better manage their weight. The challenge, however, is that kids are specializing in sports at […]

Common Breastfeeding Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Breastfeeding is a special time for bonding and nurturing that moms should embrace if possible. It is also a time for learning as each child nurses differently and can pose different challenges. Here are some of the most common breastfeeding challenges moms face and how to overcome them. Poor latching – Latching refers to the […]