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How Do I Safely Clean My Child's Ears? By Rachelle Wareham, MD: This article was originally published in March 2025 and has been updated on June 23, 2025 with a video. Did you know there are right and “wrong” ways to clean your child’s ears? According to Rachelle Wareham, MD, pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT), it’s common to see kids with ear

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

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Kids: Symptoms, Causes, and When to See a Specialist By Sonia Chaudhry, MD, FAAOS: Sonia Chaudhry, MD, orthopedic surgeon, dives into what carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is, how it can affect kids, and when it’s time to see a pediatric orthopedic specialist.

Beyond Extreme Prematurity: Mikayla’s Story By Nicole Murray, MD: Delivered barely halfway through a typical pregnancy — at just 25 weeks and 6 days — she weighed less than a pound. Her lungs were severely underdeveloped. At the hospital where she was born, the doctors weren’t sure she’d survive the night. But Mikayla had other plans. Today

Discussing Racial Inequality and Social Justice With Children By Robert D. Keder, MD: Parents are constantly deciding how to talk to their children about racial inequality and social justice. To help families navigate these important conversations, developmental pediatrician Robert D. Keder, MD, shares tips.

Back-to-School Mental Health Tips for Parents, Teachers & School Staff By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: As the school year kicks off across Connecticut, families and educators alike are facing more than supply lists and bus schedules. Today’s students are managing emotions, navigating social pressures, and adjusting to academic demands — all while recovering from the disruptions of

Mastermind Advisor Spotlight: Scott Orsey Research shows 90% of children’s health is driven by the complex interplay between social, behavioral, environmental, and genetic/epigenetic factors. Connecticut Children’s Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) incubates and accelerates social innovations that address the social

8 Childhood Symptoms Not to Ignore By Emily Vistica Sampino, MD: Knowing any early warning signs can help you rule out certain conditions, and get the early diagnosis and treatment your child needs. While many symptoms can be part of common childhood illnesses, look for anything persistent and unusual. Emily Vistica-Sampino, MD, pediatric

Mouth Breathing in Kids: When to Worry and What You Can Do By Amy Hughes, MD: If you've seen your child sleeping with their mouth open night after night, or even breathing through their mouth during the day, you might be wondering: Is this normal? Should I be worried? Occasional mouth breathing is common in children, especially during a cold or allergy

E-Bike Injuries Are Rising Fast—Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: This article was published in July 2025 and was updated on August 11, 2025 to remove outdated timeframe references. Over the past few years, electric bikes (e-bikes) have exploded in popularity among kids and teens. But with that rise has come a sharp increase in serious injuries

Pediatric Celiac Disease: A Parent’s Guide to Food and Nutrition By Beth Chatfield, MS, RD: Learning your child has celiac disease can feel overwhelming at first. We think about how food choices, social situations and proper nutrition will come into play. But with the right tools, knowledge, and support, families can manage and enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle. Here’s a

Beyond Repeat Ear Infections: Avery’s Healthy Ear Journey By Christopher Grindle, MD: When 4-year-old Avery started preschool, her mom Stacey, and her dad Eric noticed something wasn’t right. Avery kept getting ear infections, one after another, always in her left ear. There are many reasons this can happen in kids, which is why these children should be evaluated

Don’t Try This Trend: Keeping Kids Safe with Electronics and Social Media By John Brancato, MD: Many students use laptops like Chromebooks for homework, class projects, and even talking with teachers. But lately, a dangerous TikTok trend has been going around. It encourages kids to blow up or damage their school-issued or personal laptops—and it’s causing real harm

Understanding Celiac Disease: Facts vs. Fiction By Sarita Singhal, MD: Many of us are familiar with the phrase “gluten-free” and choose to follow a gluten-free diet for health reasons or based on what we see on social media. But did you know that not everyone who chooses to go gluten-free has celiac disease? At Connecticut Children’s, our pediatric

Pediatric Neurosurgery Explained: What’s a Pediatric Neurosurgeon? By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Pediatric neurosurgeons at Connecticut Children’s are specially trained to care for children with conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. Their expertise goes beyond surgery—they evaluate and manage a wide range of issues, sometimes even starting care before