Search Results

Grow Hopeful: Joseph’s Story “Nothing can prepare you for the moment when you realize you will not be able to hold your newborn,” says Marisol Casado. But there it was: Just 20 weeks into pregnancy, a routine ultrasound showed an abnormality in her baby’s heart.

Kids in the Kitchen: Essential Cooking Skills for the Whole Family By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: Cooking can be an important part of eating healthy and finding variety in your meals, so it’s a good idea to get your child involved in the kitchen at an early age. But cooking skills aren’t just about how you mix ingredients. They also include how set up your kitchen – and any

Reasons Your Child Should See a Pediatric Dietitian By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: A pediatric dietitian – also known as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) – can be a great resource for your child and family. These experts take time to learn about food’s impact on your child, and can be a guiding hand in any nutrition concerns. Here’s why you may want to

Grow Active: Finn’s Story If it races, rolls or jumps, 8-year-old Finnbar Prenty has probably mastered it – from skis to scooters to skateboarding. But not long ago, this kind of activity was out of the question. Finn began his health journey at another hospital in the state, where he was diagnosed with

5 Tips for Healthy (and Realistic) Meal Planning – Including Travel and Dining Out By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: Do you plan your child’s meals and snacks in advance, or wait till it’s almost time to eat? A little bit of planning can help your whole family choose healthy options, save money, have more home-cooked meals… and not spend all day in the kitchen. Here are a few tips to kick-start

3 Mealtime Habits to Start With Your Family Today By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: March is National Nutrition Month, and Connecticut Children’s pediatric dietitians are bringing your family the advice you need to eat well! Scroll to the bottom for more healthy eating resources. Here, we share three mealtime habits that are key to good nutrition.

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

When Should Your Child See a Pediatric Sports Medicine or Physical Therapy Specialist? By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: For young athletes to get the full physical, social and emotional benefits of their sport, they need support – at minimum, from their coach, teammates and family. But sometimes, kids could also benefit from a pediatric sports medicine expert, from doctors to physical therapists

The 10 Most Common Sports Injuries in Kids and Young Athletes If your child is an athlete, they’re probably excited to resume the sports activities they love this fall. But returning to play after time off comes with the risk of injury. It’s important to catch injuries early, before they turn serious. What should you and your young athlete

The 6 Rules of Sports Injury Prevention for Kids, Teens and Young Athletes By Imran Hafeez, MD: The longer an athlete is inactive, the longer it takes for them to come back to full activity after a break. Connecticut Children's pediatric and adolescent sports medicine experts have been hearing one question a lot: How can athletes prevent injury? Here are 6 tips from our

Beyond Hydronephrosis: Gjovana’s Story In 2019, a very pregnant Kristina Gisonde studied two dots on her latest ultrasound. The dots represented her baby’s kidneys, and they were different sizes – not a good sign. Her doctor recommended that, soon after birth, they see a specialist at Connecticut Children's. Kristina

Grow Competitive: Jordan’s Story For eight years, every time Jordan DeMatteo stepped onto the soccer field or basketball court, she didn’t just brace herself for competition. She braced for pain. At any moment, her right kneecap could shift out of alignment, an issue she’d dealt with since age 8. It was

Beyond Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Melina's Story When Melina, at age 10, felt a shooting pain in her leg and suddenly couldn’t put weight on it, her family assumed it would mean physical therapy at worst. They never imagined it would mean emergency surgery so she could play sports, dance, or possibly just walk normally again

What’s the Risk? Which Activities Are Safe When Kids Aren’t Vaccinated Yet By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: In previous editions of What’s the Risk?, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts have covered everything from playgrounds to farmers markets throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But things just got more complicated for families whose adults and adolescents are vaccinated but

Personal Best: Alexandra’s Story Alexandra was the first baby born in Danbury Hospital, an event celebrated in the local newspaper. As she grew, there was more cause for celebration: She became a formidable athlete. Swimming was her love, but when she got to Danbury High School, they didn’t have a swim program