As pediatricians, we have observed an unsettling trend in recent months: an increase in pneumonia cases among children. This rise is concerning, and it’s essential for parents and guardians to be well-informed about this condition, its symptoms, and preventive measures. [Read more…] about Does My Child Have Pneumonia?
Blog
Give Them This Instead Of A Screen
As parents, we seem to be lectured about the dangers of screens and social media ad nauseam. The data is clear that kids who use screens excessively are more likely to be overweight or obese. Kids have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, which negatively impacts their physical health. Children who use screens are more aggressive and more likely to be anxious or depressed. They don’t develop robust emotional coping skills and they have higher levels of frustration. They also perform poorly in academics.
The problem is that, while all the experts are feeding parents the latest news about the negative effects of screens, very few are giving them tools to radically limit screens. Bay Street Pediatrics is here to provide strategies – supplying ideas of what you can offer your children that isn’t a screen.
Let’s Talk HPV and Our Defender, the Gardasil Vaccine
HPV (or human papillomavirus) is a virus that nearly everyone will get at some point in their lives. According to the CDC, 42 million americans have the disease causing strains of HPV and 13 million teens are newly infected each year. [Read more…] about Let’s Talk HPV and Our Defender, the Gardasil Vaccine
Keeping Your Family Safe This Summer
Summer is nearly here! As parents, we try any way we can to get kids to go outside, move, breathe fresh air and use their imagination. If you love the water, you may get a backyard pool. You might build a swing set or playground for play and exercise. At night, a backyard fire pit is always a magnet especially if a s’more and storytelling are involved.
At Bay Street Pediatrics, we know the best way to enjoy summer is to enjoy it safely. Start with the basics of encouraging kids to drink water frequently, wear proper clothing and apply sunscreen amply every few hours. No matter what the games are, cooling breaks are important. Depending upon your backyard, we have additional safety protocols to keep your kids healthy and well.
Crying, Tugging, Pulling; Could It Be An Ear Infection?
Crying, Tugging, Pulling; Could It Be An Ear Infection?
When your child pulls or tugs at their ear, crying and in pain, it’s most likely an ear infection. Five out of 6 kids will experience an ear infection before their first birthday and, in fact, ear infections are one of the most common reasons kids visit Bay Street Pediatrics. [Read more…] about Crying, Tugging, Pulling; Could It Be An Ear Infection?
Do you have a fire safety plan?
For most of us, home fire safety means installing smoke and fire alarms and using care with gas and electric appliances. We install a fireplace screen if we have a fireplace. However, to be as safe as possible, experts in fire prevention, insurance, and disaster assistance all recommend we add the most important factor of all: planning and practicing for an evacuation when the alarm goes off. [Read more…] about Do you have a fire safety plan?
The Dangers of Cyberbullying
Years ago, before anyone had ever heard of an iPhone or Instagram, no matter how mean a bully could be on the bus, at school or on the playground, when a child got home, they were safe. The bully could not pass through the door to torment them when they were home relaxing, doing homework or watching TV.
Don’t Wait When Your Student is Struggling
The Connecticut State Department of Education updated their Individualized Education Program (IEP) last year to make the process easier to navigate for students, parents, and educators. Helpful as those changes are, it can still be challenging to ensure a child can thrive in school. Bay Street Pediatrics knows that current education research proves that early, individualized intervention can greatly improve educational outcomes. Where does a parent begin to find the best paths to a successful educational experience for students with disabilities?
[Read more…] about Don’t Wait When Your Student is Struggling