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Worried About Having the Back-to-School Talk With Your Child? 8 Steps to Prepare By Robert D. Keder, MD: Getting your child ready for this school year includes big decisions – like whether they’ll be learning at home or in the classroom – and new rules due to COVID-19. Before you sit down to talk all it over with your child, pause to check in with yourself. (When you’re ready, here

What to Expect When Your Child Has the Flu — Symptoms, Timeline & Warnings By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: This blog was originally published in 2022. It has been updated in February of 2025 and in October of 2025. When a child has the flu, parents often wonder what to expect and when to worry. Connecticut Children’s Dr. Ian C. Michelow shares six common developments and red flags to

Grow Healthy: Jenna-Lee At the age of 5, Jenna-Lee loves learning from her teachers at school and is excited to head back to the classroom this fall. She also loves dancing, playing piano and belting out her favorite songs. She can often be found helping to care for her younger brother, Indio, age 3

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

Fetal Care Beyond Imagination: Introducing Dr. Timothy Crombleholme By Timothy Crombleholme, MD: We’re excited to announce the opening of the Fetal Care Center at Connecticut Children’s, led by Timothy Crombleholme, MD, a world-renowned expert in fetal surgery. Dr. Crombleholme and his experienced team diagnose and treat the full spectrum of complex fetal conditions, some of

High-Risk Pregnancy: What to Do and How to Cope By Jennifer Humphrey, MSN, RN: If your pregnancy is high risk, it’s natural to have a mix of emotions ranging from joy and anticipation—to fear and even sorrow. Even though every woman’s high risk pregnancy is different, you’re not alone. As a trained, certified fetal care coordinator for women with high-risk

5 Heart-Healthy Choices for the Whole Family By Shailendra Upadhyay, MD, CEPS, FHRS: At Connecticut Children’s we focus on heart health and nutrition every day! Dr. Shailendra Upadhyay, pediatric cardiologist and Jennifer Zarrilli, pediatric nutritionist, share five fun and educational ideas to engage the whole family in making excellent, heart-healthy choices.

Keeping Kids Safe from Ticks in Connecticut: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: This article was last updated in April 2025 for accuracy. Getting kids outdoors is one of the best things you can do for their health. But time outside comes with risks—including ticks, which are more active than ever and spreading across Connecticut in new ways. Ticks can carry

Smart Summer Reading Tips for Busy Parents By Andrew Carlson, MD: Just as daily exercise keeps our bodies healthy and strong, regular reading keeps our brains active and growing, especially during the summer months when school is out. Children who don’t read regularly over the summer can lose up to two months of reading development, a

Right at Home: Jackson’s Story Jackson Shorette, who is about to turn 3, practically lives within walking distance of his pediatric gastroenterologist. But to get care, he doesn’t even need to leave the house. Sarita Singhal, MD, practices at Connecticut Children’s location in South Hadley, Western Mass

Building for Health: Peace of Mind for Emily and Family The Quintero family of Manchester, Connecticut is breathing much easier these days after the Building for Health program fixed hazards in their home and provided support for their daughter’s worsening asthma symptoms.

Does My Child Need a Back to School Exam? By Abraham J. Khorasani, MD: This article was originally published in August of 2022 and has been updated August 11, 2025 to reflect current times. From the early pre-K years to senior year, school is about so much more than pens, books and friendships. Your child should also have a clean bill of health

Spirit of Sport: Haley’s Story Seventeen-year-old Haley Lespier, a three-sport varsity athlete at Maloney High School in Meriden, recently received an incredible honor. Out of all the athletes in New England, New York and New Jersey, she was the selected as the sole regional winner of the 2020 National High