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6 Must-Know Water Safety Tips for Parents By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: We all want our children to have a fun, memorable and active summer. Water play is a major part of making summer memories and many kids are eager to splash around, swim or attend pool or beach parties. However, we need to be mindful that water can be dangerous and children
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Cardiac Arrest and Sports Injuries: What Parents Should Know By Donna M. Pacicca, MD: All parents of aspiring athletes think about their child’s safety—it’s only natural. But when events like what happened to Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin take over the headlines, we can’t help but ask questions. Why did this football player’s heart stop on the field at just 24 years
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Are You Disinfecting Your Baby’s Gear Correctly? By Patricia Garcia, MD, MPH: This article was originally published in March 2020. Updated in November 2023. As parents who dread peak illness season, we're all trying to do a better job disinfecting items and surfaces that get a lot of contact. That goes for baby gear, too. Of course, cleaning baby gear is
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Youth Suicide is 100% Preventable: 4 Things Parents Need to Know By Steven Rogers, MD: 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 Article
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
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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
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5 Questions with Jane Im, MD By Jane Im, MD: As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, which honors the culture and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the
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4 Questions with David Hersh, MD By David Hersh, MD: As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month , which honors the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other
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5 Healthy Habits to Prevent Childhood Obesity By Christine Finck, MD, FACS: This blog was originally published in September 2022 and last updated in March 2024. Date has been changed. One in five kids in the U.S. is obese and childhood obesity can put kids at risk for conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. These
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The 8 Golden Rules of Summer Safety for All Ages By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: “Trauma season” – that’s how emergency medicine providers and injury prevention experts often refer to the months of May through August. That’s because of the dramatic increase in the number of children injured during the warm spring and summer months. Favorite summer activities
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10 Ways to Keep Kids Safe From Playscape Injuries By Sonia Chaudhry, MD, FACS, FAAOS: Want to make sure your child’s time on the playground is as safe as it is fun? Follow these safety tips from orthopedic surgeon Sonia Chaudhry, MD, FAAOS and the Injury Prevention Center’s Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA. Playground injuries are common, but preventable. Each year
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How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery By Sarah Malvezzi: At Connecticut Children’s, we have a lot of practice caring for kids in a way that’s comfortable, empowering and even fun for them. If they have a surgery or procedure scheduled, you can count on us to keep them safe and sound every step of the way. You’ll probably want to
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Gardening With Kids: How to Plan, Grow & Enjoy a Garden By Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP: This article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated for accuracy. Your family may be dreaming up a spring or summertime bucket list. A garden project is a perfect addition! Stacy Chandna, Director of the Office of Research and Quality Assurance, joins the blog with
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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.
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The New RSV Shot: 6 Must-Knows for Parents By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has long been a worry for parents, especially during every cold and flu season. As healthcare experts say, RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages, and one of the major causes of respiratory illnesses in young kids. In