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Advancing Equity: Black Maternal Health Week and the Drive for Change By Sarah Gedeon, LMSW: Black Maternal Health Week is observed annually from April 11th to 17th, highlighting significant disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black women in the United States. Established by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), this initiative aims to address systemic

6 Questions with Chinyere Okoronkwo, Pediatrician 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

How to Calm a Crying Infant... And Yourself This article was originally published in April 2020. Updated in December 2023. Parenting is stressful and a crying infant can be particularly distressing. Our pediatric experts share ways to safely cope with a crying baby.

A Sports Comeback Beyond Imagination: Jadon & Brennan’s Story The Archer brothers’ bad luck with meniscus tears began in spring of 2019. That’s when, at a high school basketball tournament in Texas, Jadon Archer suffered the dreaded bucket handle tear — obvious right away, because he couldn’t straighten his leg. He had to limp through the

Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 3 - A Community-Driven Approach By Paul Dworkin, MD: As a pediatrician and Executive Vice President for the Office for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children’s, I’ve spent much of my career focusing on improving child health services. In my various roles—including Project Director for North Hartford Ascend and Founding

How to Support a Child's Media Diet By Annika Anderson, MPH: By: Annika Anderson, MPH In a world that is more digitally active than ever before, childcare professionals, physicians and caregivers are toggling widespread beliefs about children’s media use and whether it hinders or promotes development. Adults who facilitate children’s media

Free, Confidential Support for Families Experiencing Domestic Violence By Ashley Starr Frechette: Ashley Starr Frechette, the director of health professional outreach at Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Susan DiVietro, PhD, a research scientist with Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center, share an important message about both child abuse and

When Diseases Are Rare, What Keeps Them That Way? By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: These terrible illnesses were once common in childhood and caused much suffering. Today, most families are very fortunate that they don’t encounter them at all. That’s not because the diseases disappeared on their own, or because children are “more resilient.” It’s because

Pregnant With Twins? 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor By Jennifer Humphrey, MSN, RN: Expecting twins? Congratulations! You may already know that frequent visits to your obstetrician (OB) or maternal-fetal medicine specialist (MFM) are on the horizon. Twin pregnancies can increase your risk of complications and the need for more specialized medical attention. What

Meet the Local Artist Behind North Hartford Ascend’s New Brand Introducing Our New Look The North Hartford Ascend initiative is dedicated to guiding children from infancy to adulthood, ensuring that those residing within the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – receive the

The Critical Importance of Newborn Screening: What Every Parent Should Know By Debra Ellis, NBS, RN: Newborn screening is an important part of your newborn’s healthcare. It has the potential to detect serious but treatable medical conditions before symptoms appear and could be the key to saving lives and preventing lifelong health issues. One aspect of newborn screening is the

How to Help Teens Stay Motivated During the Summer Months By Preeti Sandhu, PsyD: Summertime is often seen as a time for teenagers to relax and have fun, but boredom and lack of motivation can also set in. As a result, teens may find themselves feeling restless and uninspired. Connecticut Children’s mental health expert Preeti Sandhu, PsyD, shares 6 ways to

Backpack Wearing: Do’s and Don’ts By Philip W. Mack, MD: Backpacks are customizable, come in all shapes, sizes and colors and are the ultimate in self-expression. But—when not worn properly, they can cause short- or long-term problems in kids’ muscles, joints and—well—back. So what’s the right way to wear and carry a backpack? What