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3 Bedtime Challenges Your Kids Might Be Having Now – and How to Solve Them By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD: Many factors in life can disrupt routines, create stress – and make sleep more difficult. How can you keep your child’s sleep on track? Connecticut Children’s behavioral sleep psychologist Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD, joins the Growing Healthy blog with tips.

Babies’ Head Shapes: 5 Things to Know By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Babies come in different shapes and sizes, but what’s the deal with babies’ head shapes? Many parents know newborn heads are soft and pliable, therefore it’s crucial to support the baby’s head until it fully forms. But why do some babies have rounded heads, while others have more

Creating Routines to Help Your Child Cope With COVID-19 Uncertainty By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: Life with kids is rarely predictable, but COVID-19 school closures, quarantines, and shifting work schedules have taken things to an extreme. Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD , has tips for creating consistency in all that chaos.

4 Lesser-Known Facts About National Hispanic Heritage Month From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the history, culture and contributions of Americans with ancestry from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. Why does the celebration fall within two months? What’s

Need Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids This Winter? Try Two Takes on Dip By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: This article was originally published in 2020. Updated in January 2025. No matter what you’ve got planned to entertain your kids all winter long, you’ll want to keep them fueled up with nutritious snacks. Bonus points for recipes that make it easy to get kids involved in the

How Social Media Impacts Mental Health and Changes Brain Activity, and What to Do By Melissa Santos, PhD: This article was originally written in January 2023 and has been updated as of February 4, 2025. Studies have shown that there is a possible link between social media and brain changes in young adolescents. MRI brain scans showed that teens who frequently check social media had

Recognize the Signs of Heat-Related Illness By John Brancato, MD: This article was originally published in 2022 and has been updated in June 2025. Heat-related illness like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can oftentimes send kids to the emergency room in the summer months. What should you look for and what should you do if your child is showing

Does My Child Need a COVID-19 Booster Shot? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated May 17, 2022. You ask, we answer. In each edition of “ Ask a Pediatrician ,” Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts respond to a question from our community. The CDC and FDA authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine primary series and booster for anyone

Getting Back to School Sleep Schedules Back on Track By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD: Academic performance, behavior and mood are all dependent on good sleep. Kids need more sleep than we do (9-10 hours per night for children ages 5-12, and 8-9 hours per night for teens). Here are some helpful techniques to help get your child’s back-to-school sleep schedule back

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