Search Results

From Crib to Bed: When, How, Why and What If? By Haviva Veler, MD, FAASM: It’s 3 am and you caught your toddler trying to climb out of the crib! Or, maybe you’re just wondering when, how or why you should make the switch to a bed. We turned to Dr. Haviva Veler, Division Head of Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine team, for

How, and When, to Talk to Your Child About Drugs By Melissa Santos, PhD: 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

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Heart Ultrasound (Echocardiogram) By Brooke Davey, MD: If your child has been scheduled for their first heart ultrasound—called an echocardiogram—you probably have questions. That’s completely normal! An echocardiogram is a safe, gentle test that shows pictures of your child’s heart using sound waves. There are no needles, and it

What to Expect When Your Child Has the Flu — Symptoms, Timeline & Warnings By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: This blog was originally published in 2022. It has been updated in February of 2025 and in October of 2025. When a child has the flu, parents often wonder what to expect and when to worry. Connecticut Children’s Dr. Ian C. Michelow shares six common developments and red flags to

What is Parechovirus and How Can I Keep My Family Safe? By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: On Tuesday, July 19, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning to medical professionals about parechovirus, a common virus that goes around in summer and fall and infects most children by the time they start kindergarten. Understandably, parents are concerned

"My Friend Has Cancer:" Helping Adolescents and Young Adults Cope By Mary Laliberte: Normally, adolescents and young adults first experience cancer from older relatives who have been diagnosed. But what happens when a peer gets diagnosed with cancer? Mary Laliberte, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Connecticut Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Gifting an E-Bike This Season? What Every Parent Needs to Know By Anna Stern, MPH: E-bikes are everywhere this holiday season. From social media videos to neighborhood rides, electric bikes have quickly become one of the most requested gifts for kids and teens. They’re fun, fast, and promise freedom and independence, while also getting kids outside and moving

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

Whooping Cough is On the Rise. Here’s What Parents Should Know. By Andrew Carlson, MD: Have you ever heard a cough that sounds like someone trying to bark and gasp for air at the same time? That's the signature sound of a serious respiratory virus, whooping cough, also called pertussis. It's a sneaky disease that can make kids really sick and end up with 1 out of 3

What to Do If Your Child Swallows or Ingests a Button Battery By Christopher Grindle, MD: Last updated in December 2023. Do you have button batteries in your home? The answer is almost certainly yes. These tiny batteries are used in all kinds of electronic devices, from key fobs to your child’s favorite toys. Unfortunately, they’re also the sort of small, shiny object

16 Comfort Items to Bring to Your Child’s Doctor Appointment There are a few tried-and-true ways to prepare your child for a doctor’s visit: Talk about it ahead of time. Pretend through play. Practice calming exercises like making a coping toolbox. Best of all? Bring a few comfort items! (Your child will love this step.) Put your child in

Mouth Breathing in Kids: When to Worry and What You Can Do By Amy Hughes, MD: If you've seen your child sleeping with their mouth open night after night, or even breathing through their mouth during the day, you might be wondering: Is this normal? Should I be worried? Occasional mouth breathing is common in children, especially during a cold or allergy

“My Stomach Hurts!” Anxiety, or Something Else? By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: This article was originally published in July 2022 and updated in February 2024. Oh, tummy troubles! Abdominal pain is among the most common reasons kids visit their pediatrician or obtain a referral to a gastroenterologist. What’s a parent to do when they hear, “My tummy hurts—I

What’s the Buzz? How to Control Mosquitoes and Keep Bites at Bay By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: With summer comes more mosquitoes than we ever want to count, whether we’re at home or traveling abroad. Not only are they bothersome, but they can also carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika, Malaria, dengue and many more. They are found all over the world, but they are most

An Integrative Outlook on STEAM Education By Annika Anderson, MPH: By: Annika Anderson, MPH As summer winds down, you are likely preparing the children in your lives for the 2022-2023 academic school year. Experts at Connecticut Children’s are thinking about what back to school looks like, too. Professionals recommend fixing healthy snacks