Nasal allergies are one of the most common conditions in kids today. Inflammation of the nasal passage occurs when a child inhales something they are allergic to, like animal dander or pollen.  Nasal allergies also called “allergic rhinitis” or “hay fever,” but neither hay nor fever have anything to do with this condition. As we […]

Determined to make patients with Sickle Cell Disease and their families feel more comfortable while at Connecticut Children’s, Kelly Ha, LMSW, a member of Connecticut Children’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board, turned a creative idea into reality in launching the “I See Me” Story Club in September of 2022 in honor of Sickle […]

We all know that tantrums are normal behavior for toddlers, but that doesn’t change how upsetting they may feel for everyone in the household. That’s why it’s helpful to have strategies ready to keep your cool – and, of course, calm your child. For help with toddler tantrums, Laura Caneira, APRN, joins the blog. First things […]

Like many medical stories, Amila Watt’s begins with a mystery. For the first few years of her life, she struggled with one illness after another — usually, infections in her lungs or ears. Ear tube surgeries stopped the ear infections, but the respiratory illnesses kept coming. Parents Alisha and Claude agonized as their daughter suffered […]

Getting back on the field (or rink, track, court or wherever) after months off comes with a risk of injury. Overuse injuries can occur in any sport – from “Little League Elbow” to back issues to ACL tears and ankle sprains. Connecticut Children’s pediatric orthopedic surgeons share advice for youth athletes to safely build back […]

By Kelly Muccino, Connecticut Children’s Child Life Specialist When a child learns their sibling has cancer, they may have many questions, or want to know how to help. Connecticut Children’s Child Life Specialist, Kelly Muccino, tackles challenges you might encounter, and ways to solve them, if you are ever in this position.  Want more articles […]

March is Women’s History Month. The month honors the achievements and contributions of women in the United States throughout our country’s history. It provides a great opportunity to teach children about the role women have played, and continue to play, in advancing art, science, math, law, education and other fields. Here are ideas. 1. Learn […]

Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, are quite common in kids. Contrary to what Dr. Google might tell you (please refrain from Googling symptoms!), there are many factors that cause nosebleeds in kids. So, what should you know if your child has nosebleeds every so often, or even frequently? When should you give your doctor a […]

By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN, Connecticut Children’s  It doesn’t have to be an uphill battle to get children to try new things or step out of their comfort zone when it comes to food.  Making food trying a positive experience can go a long way and making new recipes that are exciting and fun can […]

Every Friday, 24-year-old Monique Hilson spends the better part of the day at Connecticut Children’s infusion center. There, she receives a medication to ease the effects of the rare disease she was born with. To pass the time, she makes and shares art. “Her artwork is incredible,” says Julia Gardner, BSN, RN, who provides care […]

Look up the word “kindness” in the dictionary and you’ll likely see, “the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.” But kindness is so much more than its textbook definition. Here at Connecticut Children’s, we go beyond imagination to cultivate a culture of kindness, every day, in everything we do. What does that mean, and […]

February is Black History Month. The month honors the cultures and contributions of Black Americans in the United States. It provides a great opportunity to teach children about the history of the month and try out new activities to build appreciation and allyship for others. Here are ideas. 1. Get out the globe and explore […]

When 7-year-old Kendrick Saylor runs, he does what his parents call “the Superman lean.” He puts his head down, squares his shoulders, and takes off. Due to a complication at birth, his vision is impaired. Bending forward helps him avoid objects on the ground. But he’s also navigating with leg braces, and the muscle weakness […]

By Jeanie Naja, Digital and Social Media Expert, Connecticut Children’s Have you ever looked up from your phone and noticed everyone (your spouse, your kids, yourself, that stranger sitting across from you) is doing the exact same thing- on their phone scrolling through social media? And then you wonder what your kids are seeing and […]

Social media, message boards, instant messaging, texting, blogging and video—all of these are here to stay. While they can be beneficial, they also carry the risk of cyberbullying. Anyone who regularly uses digital platform opens the door for the possibility of cyberbullying. What should parents look out for if they suspect their child may be […]

With Annie Goldsnider, Child Life Gaming & Technology Specialist The world of video gaming offers so much! Did you know Connecticut Children’s Child Life team works with families during hospital stays to encourage therapeutic video game play? We sat down with Annie Goldsnider, Child Life Gaming & Technology Specialist at Connecticut Children’s, to explore how […]

Children turn to social media to stay connected with friends – through messaging and video chats, sharing photos and videos, and playing video games. For many, this is happening at a younger age than their parents originally planned. That can be okay, since it’s important for children of all ages to maintain social connections. But […]

As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Black History Month, which honors the culture and contributions of Black Americans in the United States. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other culture months, we highlight the accomplishments and heritage of team members through personal interviews to deepen […]

Since he was a little kid, John Kostal dreamed of flying. At 21 years old, he was on the verge of achieving it as part of the United States Air Force. Then he got the bad news. After years of working toward a coveted pilot’s slot, his medical exams had detected a lingering heart problem… […]