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Is There a Best Way for Young Athletes to Warm Up for Sports? A good warm-up prior to exercise is one of the best ways for young athletes to prevent sports injury and perform at their best, when done properly. Plus, if a child learns how to properly stretch and warm up for sports at a young age, there is a greater chance that they’ll carry

5 Creative Ways for Kids to Stay Hydrated By Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD: Did you know kids’ bodies are 60-70% water? That may seem like a lot, but kids actually get dehydrated quickly because they lose more water through the skin when they sweat, compared to adults. So what are the best ways for us to make sure kids are taking in enough water as we

The Best Way to Prevent Youth Suicide? Talk About It By Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS: This article was originally published in September 2020 and last updated in December 2023. Youth suicide has been on the rise for the past decade, so prevention is more important than ever. Dr. Steven Rogers, medical director of Emergency Behavioral Health services at Connecticut

7 Strategies to Help Autistic and Special Needs Kids Prepare for a Doctor's Visit By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: Kids with autism and other special needs can have a tough time getting used to new routines, people and places. Doctor’s visits can be especially challenging, because these visits are rarely frequent enough for kids to remember what to expect. But a little preparation goes a long

10 Ways to Get Your Teen (and Family) to Try a Digital Detox Last year, with schools closed due to COVID-19 and quarantine in full swing, many teens became even more glued to their screens. In many ways, that was OK: Teens are wired to be social, and social media helped them stay connected to friends. Technology was essential for remote

7 Ways to Introduce Your Child to Wearing a Mask By Kathryn Robbins: As part of Connecticut Children’s Safe and Sound program, every team member, visitor and patient over age 2 wears a face mask. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, masks should be a habit for your family too, especially as you venture out to public places for summer fun . But it

4 Nutrition Tips for Athletes to Feel and Perform Their Best By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: An athlete’s body needs plenty of fuel, whether they’re just starting out or part of an elite team. All those sprints, drills and fitness challenges take a lot of energy! Luckily, some simple habits go a long way. Connecticut Children’s dietician, Haley Duscha, RD, CDN, outlines

A Visit to the Pediatric Neurosurgeon: What to Expect By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: If your child has been referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon, you may be feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect. That is totally normal. The idea of seeing a “ brain and spine doctor” can feel scary. But this visit doesn’t always mean your child will need surgery. It

7 Ways to Reduce Screen Time By Robert D. Keder, MD: Have you wondered if your child is spending too much time in front of screens? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the following: No screen time at all for kids under 2 except for video chatting One hour of screen time a day for kids 2

Pivoting to Address Pandemic Needs of Children and Families By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health is always committed to strengthening families and communities to promote children’s optimal health, development and well-being. However, we find our mission to be of critical importance now more than

CDC, aka the Centers for Disease Control and Promotion [sic]? By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD On March 15, I was honored to participate in Public Health Grand Rounds, which is a monthly activity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The session focused on the important issue of “ Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood

8 Tips to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen, By Age By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: This article was originally published in May 2020 and updated in December 2023 for relevance. Cooking together is a great way to get your child interested in healthy eating, and teach them important skills. Where to start? Haley Duscha, a pediatric dietitian in the Division of

Get Moving! By Nancy Trout, MD: By: Nancy Trout, MD, MPH The research is clear. Physical activity improves long-term health and well-being. In addition, habits that start early are more likely to become long-term lifestyle choices. That is why the Kohl’s Start Childhood Off Right (SCOR) program encourages

First Pediatric ENT Visit? Here’s What to Expect By Rachelle Wareham, MD: A pediatric ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) cares for children with problems related to the ears, nose, throat, upper airway passages, head, and neck. These specialists focus on ENT care 100% dedicated to kids—from babies to teens. Pediatricians refer kids to an ENT for many

Breast Milk for NICU Babies: A Guide for New Parents By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: Breastfeeding your baby in the NICU can be a wonderful way to bond with your child and provide them with the best possible nutrition. But it can also be challenging because so many medically complex babies have trouble feeding at the beginning of their life. Here is a guide from