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Make a DIY Calming Bottle for Your Child’s Coping Skills Toolbox By Melissa Santos, PhD: Want a fun craft project that will soothe your child during moments of stress? Make a calming bottle to add to their coping toolbox! Calm down bottles are great for kids who are in timeout, fidgety or struggling with sensory overload, or just feeling anxious. Pediatric

Beyond Atrial Septal Defect: After Heart Surgery, Soccer Player Is Stronger Than Ever It was Xavier Crane’s first soccer game after open heart surgery — but most of the people in the stands had no clue. Neither did the opposing team. He was playing better than ever. Xavier’s mom, Beth, was another story. She’d enlisted Xavier’s sister to come with her for moral

What Do NICU Levels Mean? Newborn Hospital Care, Explained. By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: This article was originally published in September 2022 and last updated in January 2024. All newborn babies need special attention in the first few days of life to make sure they are healthy, but some need more care and monitoring, especially if they’re born early or with

Growing Resilient: What Your Child Needs to Get Through Tough Times By Robert D. Keder, MD: We hear it all the time: Kids are resilient. But what does that mean, and why does it matter so much right now? Developmental pediatrician Robert D. Keder, MD, joins the blog to explain.

8 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month with Kids February is Black History Month. The month honors the cultures and contributions of Black Americans in the United States. It provides a great opportunity to teach children about the history of the month and try out new activities to build appreciation and allyship for others

7 Challenging DEI Conversation Topics and How to Have Them By Melissa Santos, PhD: In recent years, many diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI for simplicity) topics around social justice, racism and more have bubbled to the surface. To be fair, many of us adults are still educating ourselves on what we should know, and why it matters. But what information do

What is Kindness in Healthcare? 8 Questions with Chief Kindness Officer, Bob Duncan Look up the word “kindness” in the dictionary and you’ll likely see, “the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.” But kindness is so much more than its textbook definition. Here at Connecticut Children’s, we go beyond imagination to cultivate a culture of kindness

Ankle Sprains: A Common Challenge for Basketball Players Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in basketball athletes of all ages. And all too often, many players have to sit most of the season out depending on how severe the injury. This is a situation no athlete and their parents, understandably, want to face. >Related

Beyond Morquio Syndrome: The Art of Thriving With a Rare Disease Every Friday, 24-year-old Monique Hilson spends the better part of the day at Connecticut Children’s infusion center. There, she receives a medication to ease the effects of the rare disease she was born with. To pass the time, she makes and shares art. “Her artwork is incredible

4 Kid-Friendly Spring Recipes and Tips from a Pediatric Nutritionist By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: It doesn't have to be an uphill battle to get children to try new things or step out of their comfort zone when it comes to food. Making food a positive experience can go a long way and making new recipes that are exciting and fun can be a great place to start- even for the

6 Easy, Healthy Recipes You Can Make With Your Kids By Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD: If you’re looking for a fun activity with kids that doubles as a healthy habit, your kitchen is a great place to start. Making healthy recipes together is a way to get your child excited about nutrition, teach them important skills and share quality time – all while preparing a

Ask an ENT: Nosebleeds in Kids By Katherine Kavanagh, MD: Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, are quite common in kids. Contrary to what Dr. Google might tell you (please refrain from Googling symptoms!), there are many factors that cause nosebleeds in kids. So, what should you know if your child has nosebleeds every so often, or even

Youth Suicide is 100% Preventable: 4 Things Parents Need to Know By Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS: Not too long ago, an 11-year-old girl in Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department was asked questions by her doctor, including one that seemed unrelated to why she was there: In the past few weeks, had she thought about killing herself? To her mother’s shock, the child said

More Than the Blues? Kids and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) By Vanessa R. Laurent, PhD: As the days grow shorter and the hours of sunlight decrease, your child may feel sad or sluggish from the gray skies. For some kids and teens, this feeling may be a more serious problem known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologists

Does My Child Have Nasal Allergies? All About Allergic Rhinitis By Amy Hughes, MD: Nasal allergies are one of the most common conditions in kids today. Inflammation of the nasal passage occurs when a child inhales something they are allergic to, like animal dander or pollen. Nasal allergies also called “allergic rhinitis” or “hay fever,” but neither hay nor