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5 Healthy, Easy Lunchbox Snack Ideas By Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP: Healthy snacks are a great way to keep your kids energized and boost their essential nutrient intake – but sometimes, it’s hard to come up with ideas that are both interesting and easy. Luckily, Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP, has lots of tips.

Your Summer Reading List by Age By Robert D. Keder, MD: As parents, we can’t deny that reading is one of the safest summer activities that exists. Long before the electronic era, everyone read books, heavily, every day. So, encourage your kids to take a digital detox and travel to space this summer with space-themed reads. Here are

4 Nutrition Tips for Athletes to Feel and Perform Their Best By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: An athlete’s body needs plenty of fuel, whether they’re just starting out or part of an elite team. All those sprints, drills and fitness challenges take a lot of energy! Luckily, some simple habits go a long way. Connecticut Children’s dietician, Haley Duscha, RD, CDN, outlines

Carter’s Story: Empowering Families to Support Kids Ashley Burkman and her husband, Matt Chella, were thrilled to welcome their twin sons Calvin and Carter into the world in May 2019. The pregnancy had been a healthy one for Ashley with no signs of anything abnormal for the babies. However, shortly after the boys’ birth at 38

Ask a Pediatrician: When Is it Safe for Kids to Start Wearing Deodorant or Antiperspirant? By Todd Palker, MD: Puberty comes with all sorts of changes to your child’s body, and sooner or later, that probably includes some new odors. If you and your child are thinking about trying a deodorant or antiperspirant, there are a dizzying array of products to choose from. To add to the confusion

Beyond Esophageal Atresia: Marcus’ Story Minutes after Marcus was placed in his mother’s arms for the first time, the nurses gently lifted him away again. They’d heard something alarming in his cry. An X-ray confirmed it: esophageal atresia, a problem with the connection between his esophagus and stomach. He’d just been

What’s Juneteenth and Why Do We Celebrate It? The Juneteenth commemoration celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The term combines June with nineteenth, which is the day in 1865 that Union Army General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas proclaiming freedom for enslaved

How Can Young Baseball and Softball Players Avoid Common Injuries? By Dylan Roman, PT, DPT: Play ball! Baseball and softball season is about to start, and we’re excited to cheer on players. Whether your child is an elite athlete or a Little Leaguer, we want to keep them injury-free. Connecticut Children’s sports physical therapist Dylan Roman, PT, DPT, shares how to

Gunshot Triggers New Outlook on Life: Jadiel’s Story Jadiel Vasquez spent two and a half months as an inpatient at Connecticut Children’s and much longer as an outpatient recovering from a gunshot wound. He was just 15 years old when he was unintentionally shot inside his Hartford home in March 2021. Now, at age 17, Vasquez is

Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Why the New National Advisory? By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new warning over social media and youth mental health. Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Psychologist Bradley S. Jerson, PhD, answers popular questions from parents about this advisory…

5 Things to Know About the Omicron BA.2 Subvariant By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: Since the very first cases of COVID-19 arrived in Connecticut in March of 2020, the pandemic has felt like a game of stop and go. And just when life seems to have returned back to normal after this past winter’s Omicron surge, here we are hearing and reading about the Omicron BA

8 Sun and Skin Safety Tips for a Fun Summer By Keri Wallace, MD: In New England, summer sneaks up after a long winter. However, when the sun comes out, it’s out full force. Before you and the family head outside and “take back” summer, check out some summer sun safety tips to protect yourself and those you love against the sun’s harmful rays

“He Has His Life Back”: Ben’s Story Last summer, Ben Kline couldn’t make it from the kitchen to his bedroom without hugging the wall. He was having trouble balancing. He had a constant headache. He was so sensitive to light, he had to stop playing video games. He was so sensitive to sound, his younger sister

What to Expect at Your Fetal Echocardiogram By Alicia Wang, MD: For many babies, care begins during pregnancy. If your developing baby might be at risk of a heart condition, you’ll see a fetal cardiologist. These experts use special technology called a fetal echocardiogram to detect heart problems in utero – and begin important care and

4 Quick Tips to Help Kids Sleep Better and Wake Up Energized By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD: This article was originally published in August 2021 and last updated in December 2023. Good sleep is essential for a good school year: during the day, a well-rested child has an easier time focusing and behaving. At night, quality sleep allows their brain to organize and store