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Are You Doing Tummy Time Correctly With Your Baby? By Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT: Do you dread tummy time? If your baby starts fussing the moment they’re belly-down, you might be tempted to cut it short, or skip it altogether. Stay strong! Tummy time is a really important exercise for your baby. Connecticut Children’s pediatric physical therapist Kim Hrapchak

Meet Rachelle Wareham, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist By Rachelle Wareham, MD: Rachelle Wareham, MD, recently joined Connecticut Children’s as Clinical Director of Otolaryngology, Fairfield County. She is 100% dedicated to serving families in the Westport Specialty Care Center and thrilled to share more about herself and her expertise in this interview.

Beyond Congenital Heart Defects: Carter’s Story By Dennis Mello, MD: Greg was at home, doing a frantic final prep of the house, when his phone buzzed. His wife, Anneliz, was calling from the hospital, where she’d just given birth to their first child. Her voice sounded shaky. The doctors know what’s causing Carter’s heart murmur, she said. He has

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Infusion: A Parent’s Guide When your child’s doctor tells you they need an infusion, it can feel overwhelming. This guide from pediatric infusion expert Katie Ruane, RN, Nurse Manager, will walk you through the process so you know what to expect and how to support your child.

4 Things to Know About Heart Murmurs in Children By Seth Lapuk, MD: Up to three out of four kids will have a heart murmur at some point in childhood, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. To explain more, Connecticut Children’s pediatric cardiologist (and American Heart Association leader!) Seth Lapuk, MD, joins the blog. 1. Most heart

Measles is Highly Contagious: What Parents Should Know By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: We’ve all heard of measles, but many of us might not fully understand it. In recent years, cases have surged in areas where vaccination rates have declined. And as of December 2025, Connecticut has its first case of measles in more than four years, according to the Department of

A Year in Review: A Reflection from Childhood Prosperity Lab on 2024 By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: As we settle into the new year, it's the perfect moment to look back on the milestones we reached last year and shift our focus to the exciting plans we’re putting in motion for the months ahead. As I reflect on 2024, it's clear Connecticut Children’s Childhood Prosperity Lab

Beyond Trigger Thumb: Wide Awake Surgery Gets 2 Thumbs Up By Sonia Chaudhry, MD, FAAOS: You don’t usually think of surgery when you hear the phrase, “wide awake.” Until you’ve met 10-year-old Finley, AKA the next Taylor Swift, author, president, Wimbledon champion, sister, daughter and pet owner who “does it all.” Finley’s journey with Connecticut Children’s started

Fecal Incontinence: Potty Talk for Caregivers By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: This blog post is made possible by collaboration with Connecticut Children’s Foundation . The mind and body are intertwined; take it from a GI psychologist! Connecticut Children’s is fortunate to have its own program for pediatric psychogastroenterology, which includes two

Connecticut Children's President & CEO James E. Shmerling Announces Retirement After Decade of Leadership Hartford, Conn. – After a decade of transformative leadership, James E. Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Connecticut Children’s, has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2025. His tenure has been marked by extraordinary growth, innovation, and an unwavering

Healthy Food, Healthy Kids: The SCOR Initiative Against Food Insecurity By Nancy Trout, MD: "You are what you eat" is a saying that reflects the deep connection between food, nutrition, and health. Unfortunately, the rise of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, is driven by diets that are high in unhealthy

Medical Mystery: Could It Be POTS? By Irfan Warsy, MD: This article was published in March 2025 and was last updated on June 23, 2025 with a video. Does your child complain about dizziness all the time? What about fatigue, or strange symptoms that don't seem to fit any one diagnosis? If this is the case, you might wonder: could they

Partnering for Family Support: Connecticut Newborn Screening Network and Alexion Charitable Foundation By Debra Ellis, NBS, RN: The Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), a program within the Office for Community Child Health , provides crucial support to families of infants who receive out-of-range newborn screening (NBS) results. Our goal is to ensure that every family—regardless of their

Is Your Baby on Track for Motor Milestones? If They’re Under 6 Months Old, Here’s How to Help By Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT: Babies are changing by the day, and every new “motor milestone” is a thrill – like the first time they hold a toy, roll, sit up alone, and crawl. These milestones depend on lots of factors, including some that aren’t under anyone’s control. But there are a few ways to help your

Portion Sizes for Kids: How Much Food Is Healthy for My Child’s Age? By Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD: Some days, figuring out what to feed your child is hard enough. Figuring out how much can seem downright impossible. The recommended portions for a child depend on their age and even gender – and unfortunately, the serving size listed on grocery store labels doesn’t have much to