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With the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved for ages 5-11, there are going to be a lot more young and brave individuals stepping up to receive their shots. But what about those who have trouble with the thought of coming face to face with a needle? Even though it may seem scary, the more people that receive the vaccine, the closer we get to herd immunity. Here are some tips and tricks to ease the fear of needles. Distract yourself while you’re waiting. Bring along a game, book, music, or movie — something you’ll get completely caught up in so you’re not sitting in the waiting room thinking about the shot. Some doctors’ offices schedule “shot clinics” where they do nothing but give shots so the wait time is shorter. Concentrate on taking slow, deep breaths. Breathe all the way down into your belly. Deep breathing can help people relax — and concentrating on […]

This week brought big news for kids and families. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is finally authorized for kids ages 5 to 11 years. The vaccine has been studied in thousands of kids in this age group and has been found to be safe and effective. It is given as two shots, spaced three weeks apart. The main difference between the vaccine for kids younger than 12 and those older than 12 is the dose, which is lower for younger children than for teens and adults. Studies have shown that younger kids have very strong immune systems that react just as well to lower doses of certain vaccines. An added bonus of lower dosing is that it can result in fewer side effects following the vaccine (such as chills and fever). Parents Have Questions About Vaccine Dose The lower dosage for younger children has confused some parents. They might wonder whether […]

Being diagnosed with epilepsy (a nervous system condition that causes seizures) can be alarming and frightening for parents and caretakers. Part of this worry is likely due to some misconceptions about this disease. Let’s talk about 5 myths surrounding epilepsy that should be debunked.  1. We’re alone. You’re not alone. Epilepsy is not rare. In fact, it’s one of the most common diseases we see in neurology. More people live with epilepsy than people with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy – combined! A study published in 2011 found 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. That’s like one child in each classroom at a typical school! So it’s not as rare as you may think. Because of this, there are several support groups to help people who are newly diagnosed become familiar with epilepsy and help them navigate their life with this new disease.  2. I cannot be successful […]

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to surge, doctors are warning about another well-known respiratory illness, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), spreading among infants and young children. There has been an unusual summertime uptick in RSV cases. And it’s happening at the same time as the Delta variant of coronavirus is infecting young children and teens. Cases of RSV in kids and older adults usually occur in fall through early spring. But due to a reduced spread of RSV during the winter months of 2020-2021 — because of quarantine and masking guidelines — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that many cases are now surfacing earlier this year. Most children get an RSV infection by the age of two. As some areas lift mask mandates and other restrictions, there is a reappearance of the virus occurring. That means older infants and young children who would have gotten it last […]

Kids wear a lot of things to stay safe at school … shoes to protect their feet, sunscreen to protect their skin on late summer days and a jacket to protect against the fall chill. Once again, this school year, wearing a face mask may be included in that back to school list, depending on where your child goes to school. When Everyone at School is Wearing a Mask Since the Delta variant of COVID-19 is more transmissible than previous strains of the virus, some schools are requiring indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Changing rules over the past few years may confuse your child. Help them understand with these six tips! Explain why kids and adults are wearing a mask. Keep the explanation simple: “I wear a mask to keep you safe. You wear a mask to keep me safe.” Normalize by […]

Breast milk is nature’s perfect food for a newborn. It contains the right amount of nutrients, immune-boosting antibodies, and is easily digested. Babies who are breastfed tend to have fewer bouts of diarrhea or constipation, less reflux, more protection against ear infections, pneumonia, and asthma, and a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  The benefits of breast milk seem to be endless. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to start breastfeeding as early as one hour after birth and to continue exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. They also recommend continuing breastfeeding even after solid foods are introduced, until at least 1 year of age.  Can You Breastfeeding If Positive for COVID-19? But what if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19? Is it safe to start or continue breastfeeding? While there are still so many unknowns when it comes to coronavirus, it’s widely known that you can spread COVID-19 to your infant through tiny […]