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Mask Up! Tips to Make Kids More Comfortable With Masks, Broken Down by Age By Kathryn Robbins: Masks are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus . But even if your child knows they’re supposed to wear a mask out in public, it can take some practice – and positive reinforcement – to get them in the habit. Child Life specialist Kathryn Robbins, MS, CCLS

Tips for Better Sleep for Mental Health in a Challenging World By Alyssa Nycz, MD: We all know sleep is a necessary part of life, especially at a younger age. Kids need sleep for healthy growth, development, behavior and overall success in society. But, did you know? Children 6 to 12 years old need between nine and twelve hours of sleep a day— naps and

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Authorized for Ages 12 and Up. Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated November 4, 2021. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 to 15. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, answers common questions about

10 Apps to Help Young Kids Deal With Their Emotions By Melissa Santos, PhD: When your young child has big feelings in their little body, they may not know what to do about it. To help, you can work with them on a coping toolbox, mindfulness exercises or quick resets . Or, if you’re into wellness apps, you can turn to your phone: There are a growing

How to Prepare Younger Kids for the COVID-19 Vaccine This post was last updated November 4, 2021. Parents and caregivers, this is an exciting time: A COVID-19 vaccine is now available for ages 5 to 11. Since kids in this age group might be a little more nervous about needles or doctor’s visits, Connecticut Children’s Child Life

Why Sleep Might Be the Most Important Part of Your Athlete's Training By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: When we think about what helps athletes thrive, our minds often go straight to hours of practice, skilled coaching, and proper nutrition. But sleep, a powerful tool, is often overlooked. Sleep is one of the most effective ways to help your child stay healthy, recover quickly, and

8 Tips for Choosing a Therapist for Your Child By Preeti Sandhu, PsyD: As parents, we want the best for our children, and that includes getting them help when they need it. Finding the right therapist can be a crucial step in supporting your child's mental health and well-being, but it can also feel overwhelming. The good news is it’s never too

Little Warrior: Jazz’s Story Milagros knew in her heart that her daughter was sick. But for a long time, no one else seemed to believe her. Jazz, age 3, had been plagued with mysterious symptoms for months. She’d been spitting up for no reason, and waking with bad headaches. Milagros brought her to doctors

If Your Baby May Arrive Early: What to Know About Premature Birth By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: Most families expect their baby to arrive around their due date. But sometimes, babies are born a lot earlier than planned for any number of reasons. If your doctor has told you that your baby may come early and need a NICU stay, you may feel scared or unsure of what happens next

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

We Must Address Basic Needs During and After COVID-19 By Erin Pastor, MD: By: Erin Pastor, MD I am a pediatric resident physician on the brink of graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered everything I learned during my medical training. In particular, my outlook on how best to support patients has forever changed and I have increased

SparkDC: A Platform for Innovation By Annika Anderson, MPH: On September 19th, 2023 I had the honor of attending the Honorable Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 6th Annual Maternal and Infant Health Summit as a SparkDC Speaker. This year’s summit focused on timely topics including working women and best practices for employers of expectant mothers

What Do NICU Levels Mean? Newborn Hospital Care, Explained. By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: This article was originally published in September 2022 and last updated in January 2024. All newborn babies need special attention in the first few days of life to make sure they are healthy, but some need more care and monitoring, especially if they’re born early or with

Social Innovation Spotlight: Lactation Innovations Social innovators, also known as changemakers, seek to address social needs by developing new and improved practices compared to existing solutions. Changemakers have made significant contributions in areas such as working conditions, education, community development, health, and

Why Your Child Might Need a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist: 10 Expert Reasons By Emily Vistica Sampino, MD: When your child is referred to a specialist, naturally you have questions. This is especially true if the specialist has a title you may not hear every day, like a “pediatric hematologist/oncologist.” But a referral doesn’t necessarily mean something serious. In many cases, it’s