Nemours Expert, Author at Nemours Blog

An early intervention specialist works with a toddler during a developmental evaluation using hands-on play activities to assess developmental milestones and support needs.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Understanding Early Intervention for Young Children

What is early intervention? Early intervention is the term used to describe services available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Early Intervention (EI) is also a federally mandated statewide program that supports infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who have developmental delays or are at risk for developmental delays. Anyone can refer a child to Early Intervention, including pediatricians, parents, grandparents, and childcare providers. This allows families to access valuable services that can help their child reach important developmental milestones. What is a developmental delay? Developmental milestones are skills that children learn as they grow, such as walking and talking. A developmental delay is when a child does not reach these milestones within the expected age range. Why is early intervention important? Your child’s brain grows very quickly in the first few years of life. Finding developmental delays early can help your […]

Child wearing a backpack stands with an adult in a bedroom while settling into a new home.

MENTAL HEALTH

How to Help a Foster Child Adjust to a New Home

Confusion, fear, mistrust, and anger are just a few of the possible emotions a child may feel when entering a foster home for the first time. Regardless of how adults view the safety or functionality of a prior living arrangement, for that child, their sense of familiarity and routine has been disrupted, which can make transitioning to a new environment or foster family difficult. Children may feel a sense of loss at being separated from their biological family, along with the emotional burden of current or past trauma. They are not only encountering a new living space but also new schedules, new rules, new boundaries, and all the new people they are now surrounded by — most of whom are well meaning, though that in itself can be overwhelming. While not every child will experience this change the same way — and most may ultimately thrive in a home that […]

Mother holding a newborn baby and tenderly cuddles gently while the infant is sleepy on the shoulder.

NEW PARENTS

Newborn Care in the First Week: What’s Normal and When to Call the Doctor

You did it — your bundle of joy is here! Before you know it, the medical staff is telling you, “It’s time for you to be discharged,” and you’re on your way home. And it’s only your first few days being a parent. This guide will walk through what the first week with your newborn baby may look like and, just as importantly, a few things to keep an eye out for along the way. The first week of infant care is a time of big adjustment — for both you and your baby. Many of the changes you notice are completely normal as your newborn adapts to life outside the womb. But there are also moments when it’s important to pause and check in with your pediatrician. What to Expect in Your Baby’s First Week During the first week of life, babies spend most of their time sleeping, feeding, […]

Child sneezing while standing among flowering plants outdoors during fall allergy season.

ALLERGIES & ASTHMA

Helping Your Child Through Fall Allergy Season

Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a tough allergy season. Warmer temperatures and a later first frost are giving ragweed and other weeds a longer window to grow and release pollen, while damp autumn conditions and fallen leaves keep mold spores in the air. With weed pollen arriving right on schedule in August and counts predicted to spike through September and October, parents need to plan ahead to minimize seasonal allergy suffering. By taking action before the pollen hits, your child can enjoy autumn’s colors instead of its allergens. The best way to care for allergies in kids is to track what’s happening outside, get ready for pollen season inside, and see the doctor (if needed) to manage allergies early. Can you get allergies in the fall? Yes. Seasonal allergies — also called “hay fever” — can flare up any time of year, but fall has its own set […]

Adult sitting with a child on a couch, offering comfort and support at home

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Navigating Pediatric Lupus: Essential Resources, Support, and Tips

A diagnosis of childhood lupus can feel overwhelming at first, for both children and the people who love and care for them. Because lupus can affect many parts of the body, and its symptoms may change over time, families often find themselves learning to navigate not only medical care, but also school, emotions, daily routines, and long-term uncertainty. The good news is that families do not have to face this journey alone. Whether you’re managing lupus symptoms, seeking lupus treatment, or still early in your child’s diagnosis and simply trying to understand what it means going forward, you need guidance. Along with support from their medical team, there are many organizations and communities that can offer practical help, trustworthy information, and meaningful connection. Connect With Support Groups Living with lupus can sometimes feel lonely, but families should know they are not alone. There’s a strong lupus community with many opportunities […]

Tick hidden on a green leaf detail and little girl foots in sandals on a lawn outdoors.

SEASONAL SAFETY

Tick Bites and Lyme Disease: What to Know This Season

Warm-weather play brings more time outside — and more chances for tick bites. While most bites are harmless, some can transmit Lyme disease, the most common tickborne illness in the United States. With tick activity starting earlier and rising in 2026, it’s especially important for parents to stay alert. The good news: simple prevention habits, early detection, and prompt care can make a big difference in protecting your child’s health this season.

RAISING AWARENESS

From Diagnosis to D.C.: Two Young Patients Advocate for Children’s Health

A middle-schooler who survived leukemia and a college student managing thyroid cancer traveled to Washington, D.C., to talk to members of Congress about the importance of pediatric healthcare that accounts for the whole child, and why federal support is essential. When Leah Tomaszewski was 8 years old, climbing stairs and riding bikes started to become a struggle. She was getting bloody noses that would not stop, and at school she was falling asleep at her desk. Her parents, Jessica and Jeremy, recognized that something was not right and took her to her pediatrician at Nemours Children’s Health. After a few tests, her pediatrician recommended they head to the emergency room. That night, the Tomaszewski family drove to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “I definitely remember not feeling myself,” Leah said. “I remember thinking something’s wrong.” Her intuition was correct. Within days, she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was in third grade. Two years later and nearly a thousand miles away in Lakeland, Florida, 17-year-old Sunny Iskra was sitting at a coffee shop during her senior year of high school. Her mom, Liz, reached across the table and […]

Close up of a girl holding her stomach indicating indigestion.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

The Benefits of a Low FODMAP Diet: A Guide to Better Digestive Health

Does this story sound familiar? Your child just ate lunch and is going about their day when symptoms suddenly hit. They feel bloated and gassy, their stomach starts to cramp, and they may even experience diarrhea or constipation. You see how these symptoms disrupt their day, but nothing you’ve tried seems to help. For many children and teens with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other dietary sensitivities, certain carbohydrates can cause more trouble than they’re worth. The low FODMAP diet for beginners can help calm this digestive discomfort by identifying which foods may trigger symptoms. Learn how to help your child feel more comfortable and confident around food. What are FODMAPs? In 2005, researchers in the Department of Gastroenterology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia identified a group of short-chain carbohydrates found in food that are either poorly absorbed in the small intestine or impossible to digest. The team named […]

Little boy in glasses and suspenders looking up as if he is pondering something.

SCHOOL & LEARNING

How to Choose the Best Childcare for You and Your Family

Choosing childcare can feel a bit like starting a big adventure, one filled with new places, new faces, and lots of big decisions. The good news? Your pediatrics team is here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow roadmap to help you find the best childcare fit for your family. Exploring Different Types of Childcare Options When it comes to choosing a child or infant care provider, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right fit for your family depends on factors such as cost, location, classroom size, accommodations, and specialized services. Childcare options may be run by schools, universities, churches, independent providers, employers, hospitals, and the military. There are also specialized childcare centers for children with medical or developmental needs. Here’s an overview of the types of settings where childcare is provided: Family Childcare Homes Smaller home-based settings run by 1–2 caregivers. This is […]

Photo showing close-up, elevated view of arch of chopped multi-coloured fruits and vegetables. Rainbow of chopped red, orange and yellow bell peppers, green peas, red onion and a blueberry.

HEALTHY EATING

Eat the Rainbow: Your Guide to Colorful Nutrition

We know eating fruits and veggies can provide tons of health benefits and are an important part of a balanced diet. But why is it so important to “eat the rainbow?” Fruits and veggies are dense in phytochemicals and micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — that our bodies need to function properly and grow, but not all fruits and vegetables are equal. Depending on the color, different nutrients may be more abundant in some fruits and veggies than in others. Let’s explore how eating the rainbow can provide our bodies with different nutrients and what they can do for us! What is a fruit – and what is a vegetable? Fruits are the parts of plants that contain seeds, such as apples, berries, oranges, and melons. Surprisingly, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and avocados are also fruits. They all have seeds and develop from flowers. Healthy fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, […]

Cute child with a basket of organic vegetables

DIETARY GUIDANCE

Are Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Safe for Kids?

If you’ve been following the conversation around plant-based diets for children, you may have noticed something significant happened in 2025. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — one of the world’s largest and most respected organizations of nutrition professionals — updated their position on vegetarian and vegan diets, and the change has sparked considerable discussion in the plant-based community. What does this change actually mean for families raising plant-based kids? Has the science changed, or just the messaging? And most importantly, what should parents take away from this shift? Let’s break down what happened and explore what this means for your family’s plant-based journey. Why do people choose to follow plant-based diets? There are several reasons why someone may choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, including religious reasons, health reasons, preferences or tolerances, environmental reasons and sustainability, and animal rights. There are also health benefits associated with plant-based […]

Child patient pets a facility dog during her stay and recovery at Nemours hospital.

STORIES & COMMUNITY

How Animal, Art, and Music Therapy Support Healing for Children

At just 18 months old, Carli was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, beginning a journey filled with uncertainty. Despite normal MRIs and no birth trauma, her mobility challenges grew more severe over time. By age 9, walking had become exhausting. After years of searching for answers, Carli’s family found hope at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, where Dr. Wade Shrader confirmed that surgery could improve her mobility and quality of life. In January 2025, Carli underwent a major procedure followed by months of rehabilitation. Recovery was tough, but Carli wasn’t alone. Enter Luna, Monk, Pumpkin, and Ali — therapy and facility dogs who became Carli’s companions, comforters, and cheerleaders during her recovery. Whether lying beside her during painful moments or walking with her after surgery, these furry friends brought smiles, strength, and healing. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is just one example of the holistic care Carli received. Music and art therapy, games […]

POSTED BY: Nemours Expert

POSTED BY:
Nemours Expert