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Putting the Pieces Together: Morgan’s Story One of the scariest parts of any health journey is the beginning: All you have are questions, and all you want are answers. Jennefer Aquavia and Paul Willis know that feeling. This past summer, their 10-year-old daughter, Morgan, starting having seizures – but not like any

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

Is Your Child Struggling With Germ Phobia During COVID-19? 11 Ways to Help By Melissa Santos, PhD: We’re all concerned about getting sick right now. But if your child has an intense fear of germs, and trouble functioning at school or at home because of it, they may be dealing with some degree of germ phobia (aka “germaphobia”). During this coronavirus pandemic when we’re all

Grow Kind: Cameron’s Story When Cameron Soto had a life-threatening injury three years ago, a highly specialized team saved his life. Surgical innovation transformed his future. And compassionate care got him through it all. But if you met Cameron today, you couldn’t know any of that. You’d just see a

Urgent Care Is Here! After-Hours Care From the Pediatric Experts You Trust Here’s a familiar scene: Your pediatrician’s office just closed for the day when you discover your child has a mysterious rash, twisted ankle, fever or another health surprise. This doesn’t quite call for a trip to the hospital, but your child needs care. What do you do? Now, you

Missing Travel? Need Ideas for Spring Break? Here’s How to Plan a Virtual Vacation With Kids By Robert D. Keder, MD: Your family is already stir-crazy this winter, and by spring break you’ll all be ready for a change of scenery. But typical travel is off the table due to COVID-19. How can you get your child excited for something different… without leaving home? Try a virtual vacation

Honoring BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month By Melissa Santos, PhD: July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. This month brings awareness to the unique mental health needs these groups face. Connecticut

Heart of a Champion: Jordyn’s Story Bethany Ty expected a problem when she was pregnant with her second daughter, Jordyn. Her older daughter had been born with a heart issue and is a patient of pediatric cardiologist Olga Toro-Salazar, MD . Care at Connecticut Children’s Heart Center begins before birth – so her

How to Support Your LGBTQIA Loved Ones Who May be Struggling By Tasha Hawksley: Connecticut Children’s DEI Team Social acceptance of the LGBTQIA community has progressed in recent years, but those old stereotypes and misconceptions can still greatly affect the mental health of members of this community. So how can we as their loved ones make them feel

Where to Find the Best Multicultural and Social Justice Books, Movies, Apps and More for Kids and Young Adults You can help your child embrace diversity, equity and inclusion at any age. One way is to choose books and other entertainment featuring characters with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Wondering where to find age-appropriate suggestions? Try these resources.

Become a Breast Milk Feeding Advocate in 5 Steps By Mary M. Lussier, BSN, IBCLC: Many of us have heard or seen the phrase, #normalizebreastfeeding, but what does it mean, exactly, to “normalize” something that’s seemingly so… normal? It starts with being an advocate for the breastfeeding community—regardless of your personal journey. Connecticut Children's

10 Steps to a Better Morning! Get Your Child Into a Back to School Routine Now After months of sleeping in, staying up late, and enjoying a lot less structure, it’s a big adjustment for kids and teens to head back to school. You can set them up for an easier transition with these tips for a great morning – right down to packing a backpack the night before.

In the Best Hands: Miles’ Story In the third trimester of pregnancy, Hattie and Donnie Donner went to one last ultrasound to check on Hattie’s thyroid levels. Her levels were fine, but something else wasn’t. The ultrasound picked up on two bubbles in the baby’s small intestines. Their baby boy had a rare, life

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

6 Tips to Help Kids Deal With Peer Pressure By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: TikTok dares. Drug and alcohol abuse. Bullying. Peer pressure can lead to a lot of difficult and dangerous situations for kids and teens. It’s hard for your child to know how to handle that, especially in the moment. But you can help them understand what to watch out for, and