Connecticut Children's Blog

71,900 children in Connecticut have asthma and there has been a shortage of albuterol sulfate inhalation solution since October. Albuterol is a fast-acting medication used to treat asthma and other breathing issues. What do parents need to know about the continued albuterol shortage? Connecticut Children’s Melanie Sue Collins, MD, answers questions. Want more articles like […]

By: Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT Do you dread tummy time? If your baby starts fussing the moment they’re belly-down, you might be tempted to cut it short, or skip it altogether. Stay strong! Tummy time is a really important exercise for your baby. Connecticut Children’s pediatric physical therapist Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT, explains why, and […]

There are lots of myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding, so we sat down with Silvana Michael, a lactation nurse at Connecticut Children’s, to get answers to the most common questions.  How long should moms breastfeed? When we hear this question from moms, we ask them: What is your goal? Our job is really to help […]

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 […]

By Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD, and Siddika Mulchan, PsyD By the time your child enters their teenage years, they should be getting ready to take charge of their own health. The more confident they feel speaking up at doctor’s visits, the better. It gives their doctor more information to support them through adolescence – and sets […]

As a parent, you’re often told to “model calm.” But in life, and especially over the past couple years of the pandemic, it can be exhausting for parents to constantly keep it together – and it’s not necessarily healthy for their kids, either. How do you manage stress, fear, sadness, and other negative emotions when […]

If you’re getting out of town for the holidays this year, there’s a good chance it’s in the family car. Road trips have become even more popular for families during COVID-19, since driving is less risky than mingling with crowds in airports or on public transportation. The trick is keeping your child occupied for all […]

TikTok dares. Drug and alcohol abuse. Bullying. Peer pressure can lead to a lot of difficult and dangerous situations for kids and teens. It’s hard for your child to know how to handle that, especially in the moment. But you can help them understand what to watch out for, and even practice how to respond. […]

Everyone, at every age, deserves healthy, positive relationships. For teens who are just starting out, it’s not always easy to know what that means. Dr. Preeti Sandhu, pediatric psychologist, shares ways to help your teen navigate the dating world and be their own advocate for healthy, fulfilling relationships. 1. Talk openly about healthy relationships. Dating […]

Families in Connecticut are mourning the death of a 13-year-old who overdosed on the painkiller fentanyl while at his Hartford school. It’s a tragic reminder of the dangers of drugs around kids. If you’re a parent or caregiver, it can be hard to know how to talk to your child about what happened, and how […]