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Why Sleep Might Be the Most Important Part of Your Athlete's Training By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: When we think about what helps athletes thrive, our minds often go straight to hours of practice, skilled coaching, and proper nutrition. But sleep, a powerful tool, is often overlooked. Sleep is one of the most effective ways to help your child stay healthy, recover quickly, and

8 Tips for Your Soccer Player to Avoid Injury By Adel Lolic, MS: Goal! Soccer is a popular sport for school-aged kids and teens! Soccer can also be tough on the body. As with any sport, soccer can lead to overuse injuries—or injuries that come from doing too much of the same activity over time. (Think: shin splints with running or elbow

Keep Kids Safe in Cars All Summer Long By Amy Watkins, MPH: It might feel like a mild day outside, just 75 degrees, but the inside of a parked car can heat up quickly. In as little as 30 minutes, the temperature can reach 109°F, creating a dangerous oven-like environment for a child. No child can withstand this kind of heat. Most hot car

Why Your Child Might Need a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist: 10 Expert Reasons By Emily Vistica Sampino, MD: When your child is referred to a specialist, naturally you have questions. This is especially true if the specialist has a title you may not hear every day, like a “pediatric hematologist/oncologist.” But a referral doesn’t necessarily mean something serious. In many cases, it’s

Easy Ways to Use Up the Random Ingredients in Your Kitchen Pantry By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: The challenge: Preparing nutritious meals that your kids will actually eat… even if your pantry is looking a little empty. Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN, a pediatric dietitian in Connecticut Children’s Division of Obesity & Weight Management , shares tips to use up those last random

Back-to-School Safety: Helping Your Child Navigate the Roads By Anna Stern, MPH: As kids head back to school, it’s a great time to talk with your child about how to stay safe on the roads. Whether they walk, bike, take the bus, or ride in a car, it's essential that they have the skills to get to and from school safely. That might mean discussing where to wait

Start Strong This School Year with Food That Fuels By Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP: About the SCOR Program The Start Childhood Off Right (SCOR) program of Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health focuses on identifying and addressing food insecurity in the families we serve, while also promoting healthy eating and informed food choices. Here’s

Teaching Empathy in Action: The Meaning Behind Pajama Day As you settle into the new school year—organizing supplies, marking sports schedules, and syncing calendars—there’s one date worth circling now: the second Friday of December. That’s when students, teachers, and communities across Connecticut, and the region, come together for PJ

12 Pediatric Sports Injury Questions Every Parent Asks—Answered by a Pediatric Orthopedic Expert By Anthony Pastore, MS, PA-C: From fractures to lingering joint pain, activity- or sports-related injuries in kids are common. This past July, Anthony “Tony” Pastore, PA-C, pediatric orthopedic physician assistant, was featured in a live segment hosted by Westport Moms at Connecticut Children’s Pediatric

Mastermind Advisor Spotlight: Luis Rivera 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

Fresh Check Day Joins Connecticut Children’s to Expand Youth Mental Health Movement By Isabella Baldino: As youth mental health continues to demand urgent national attention, Connecticut Children’s Youth Suicide Prevention Center (the Center) is taking a major step forward by assuming management of Fresh Check Day —a nationally recognized, evidence-informed mental health promotion

Beyond Celiac Disease: William’s Story By Jeffrey Hyams, MD: William had just gotten home from school when his dad, Matt, sat him down. “Your doctor thinks you might have something called celiac disease,” Matt told him. William, then 14, was skeptical. Didn’t celiac disease have something to do with eating gluten? He ate everything and, as

A Visit to the Pediatric Neurosurgeon: What to Expect By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: If your child has been referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon, you may be feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect. That is totally normal. The idea of seeing a “ brain and spine doctor” can feel scary. But this visit doesn’t always mean your child will need surgery. It

How to Support Your Child Through Challenging Behaviors (From Birth to Pre-Teen) By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: This guide from Connecticut Children’s Amy Signore, pediatric psychologist, and Sasha Conley, PsyD student, breaks down easy, effective ways to help your child grow, listen, and feel loved—whether they’re a baby or a pre-teen.

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