Child’s Play
Think back to the happiest moments of your childhood. Chances are, you weren’t sitting at a desk or finishing up a chore. More likely, you were running around at the park, jumping in a creek, or building a new civilization in your backyard. For kids o…
Learn MoreMedicines: Helping Children Swallow
At one time or another, almost every child will refuse to take a pill or swig of medicinal syrup. Here are some tips to help the medicine go down:Be honest. Do not tell your child that the medicine is candy (he might suddenly crave a handful). Instead…
Learn MoreDiaper Rash (Toddler)
What is diaper rash? By the time your child reaches the toddler years, you’ve probably already seen your share of diaper rashes: red, inflamed skin hiding under the diaper or training pants. The rash — usually found in the genital area, the inner thi…
Learn MoreBedtime Struggles
Why is it important to get my child to bed early? Kids need a lot of sleep to function at their best. Toddlers and preschoolers may need 11 and a half to 13 and a half hours of sleep every day, and at this age, a later bedtime doesn’t usually mean a l…
Learn MoreFlu and Kids
What is the flu? The flu (influenza) is an all-too-familiar illness for most parents, especially during flu season (November to April). This highly contagious respiratory tract infection can send a child to bed for three to five days with a high fever…
Learn MoreChildren’s Medicine Safety
Anyone can make mistakes taking medication, but kids are especially vulnerable. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, half of all kids don’t take their medicines properly. Of course, no one should expect a 6-year-old to read and follow the …
Learn MoreComforting Your Child During Medical Procedures
What can I do to comfort my child during medical procedures or hospital stays? Even though the typical pediatrician’s office comes fully equipped with clowns on the wall and a dozen issues of Highlights magazine in the waiting room, your child will st…
Learn MoreAllergies and Hay Fever (Child)
What causes allergies?Every human body carries an arsenal of chemicals to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other intruders, but sometimes these weapons backfire. If your child has allergies, she responds to things in the environment that are not invad…
Learn MoreChildren and Pain
If you’ve ever watched a nurse take a blood sample from a newborn’s heel, you already know that even the youngest children can feel pain. Babies and toddlers may not always be able to put their feelings into words, but their pain is real. According to…
Learn MoreThe Alcohol Talk: What to Say if Your Teen Is Already Drinking
If you’re talking to your kid about the important issues in life, the subject of alcohol is bound to come up. In some ways, the “alcohol talk” is a lot like the “sex talk”: Ideally, you’ll have the discussion long before your child really needs it. Le…
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