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Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Why the New National Advisory? By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new warning over social media and youth mental health. Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Psychologist Bradley S. Jerson, PhD, answers popular questions from parents about this advisory…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Center for Global Health Supports Children in Africa By Adam Silverman, MD: By: Adam Silverman, MD Children living in resource-limited countries have the same hopes and dreams as children in Connecticut, but they often lack the same opportunities due to where they were born. As the Director of Connecticut Children’s Center for Global Health, I enjoy

SparkDC: A Platform for Innovation By Annika Anderson: 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

Keeping Kids Safe from Ticks in Connecticut: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: This article was last updated in April 2025 for accuracy. Getting kids outdoors is one of the best things you can do for their health. But time outside comes with risks—including ticks, which are more active than ever and spreading across Connecticut in new ways. Ticks can carry

Meet James: Finding Inspiration in Little Miracles For James Gerace, PA-C, providing the best care and emotional support to the parents and family members of babies boils down to doing what’s right as a professional. As a physician assistant in the NICU, James enjoys the variety it provides. His favorite part is seeing the

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

Supporting Agencies Responding to COVID-19 By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: By: Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH We find ourselves in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Understandably, you and your organization are working furiously to pivot existing strategies and develop new ones to support the evolving needs of children and families in responding

Level Up Your Video Game Knowledge: An Interview with a Child Life Gaming & Technology Specialist By Annie Goldsnider: The world of video gaming offers so much! Did you know Connecticut Children’s Child Life team works with families during hospital stays to encourage therapeutic video game play? That’s because, with the support of Child’s Play Charity, we have a Gaming & Technology Specialist

Make Every Bite Count! By Nancy Trout, MD: By: Nancy Trout, MD, MPH Most Americans do not follow a healthy dietary pattern. This is the conclusion of the recently released 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The theme of this edition is “make every bite count.” This edition