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Fighting the Childhood Obesity Epidemic By Nancy Trout, MD: The tide of childhood obesity continues to swell despite interventions at the national, state and local levels. Given the current level of childhood obesity, simulated models of growth trajectories across the life course predict that 57 percent of today’s children will be obese

When Your Child Is Anxious, Try a Coping Toolbox! By Kelly Ann Maynes, PsyD:

Turn Challenges into Growth for All Ages By Dana Brunell Eisenberg, APRN, PPCNP-BC: This blog was originally published in April 2020 and updated for relevancy in December 2023. Date changed to reflect new information.

Using Human-centered Design to Innovate Healthy Spaces for Families in Hartford By Annika Anderson:

Help Kids Manage Stress in 4 Steps By Kelly Ann Maynes, PsyD: This article was originally published in April 2020. Updated in December 2023 to reflect current events. Kids are resilient and can bounce back stronger than ever from many of life's challenges. Even when they’re sad, stressed or frustrated, kids can learn to trust that they’ll

North Hartford Ascend Pipeline Welcomes Community Members And Residents To Its Governance Structure

Are You Disinfecting Your Baby’s Gear Correctly? By Patricia Garcia, MD, MPH: This article was originally published in March 2020. Updated in November 2023. As parents who dread peak illness season, we're all trying to do a better job disinfecting items and surfaces that get a lot of contact. That goes for baby gear, too. Of course, cleaning baby gear is

12 Calming Exercises to Teach Your Child This article was originally written in April 2020. Updated in December 2023. Just like adults, it’s easy for kids to get lost in troubling thoughts, and overwhelmed by the physical sensations that accompany stress. But kids can learn to calm themselves by focusing on what’s

Norovirus is Spiking: What Parents Need to Know By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: People call norovirus the “stomach flu,” but it’s not related to influenza at all. Most children will brave the storm and recover quickly—though it’s not fun—but some may need emergency care. Get answers from the ones parents trust for answers to common questions about norovirus

Rhinovirus: More than the Common Cold? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: Runny noses, sneezing, sore throats and coughs—all par for the course during cold and flu season and a childhood rite of passage. One of the most common causes of these symptoms is a virus called rhinovirus. Turn to the ones parents trust to know what to expect if your child is

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

$3.5 Million Gift Establishes the Chênevert Family Advanced Cellular and Gene Therapy Unit in Connecticut Children’s Tower Expansion The Chênevert Family gift will keep children close to home for lifesaving bone marrow transplants, stem cell transplants and gene therapy.

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

Does Removing Kids’ Tonsils Help Prevent Strep Throat? By Katherine Kavanagh, MD: Tonsils, the two fleshy masses in back of the throat, are considered “gate-keepers” for screening bacteria and viruses entering the nose and mouth. While they can play a role in the local immune system, on occasion they can become a reservoir for bacteria and cause problems of

My Tween Wants a Smart Phone. Now What? By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: Your preteen wants their own phone. You’re torn—and worried for their safety. As they explore the digital world, they’re well on their way to independence. 91% of kids will have a smartphone by the time they turn 14, according to Common Sense Media. If you’re on the fence about