I’ve had the pleasure of celebrating and meeting many newborn babies this year. Some are my patients. Some are babies of dear friends. Baby showers. Baby registries. Birth plans and Lamaze classes. Questions about what to buy, which diapers to use, what books to read… you name it. Then the hormones. And the fatigue. Nesting takes … Continue reading »
When you think about the word “addiction”, people often associate it with the likes of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. However, in this growing culture of television, computers, and media, we as parents also need to look out for more insidious habits. Internet and video game addiction is becoming a reality amongst pre-teens and adolescents. A survey done … Continue reading »
I used to know that summer has arrived by my sudden urge to go to the beach and drink smoothies. Now that I have kids, summer’s arrival is instead marked by their incessant plea to go outside and play with water. Summer is still technically a long ways away. We are spoiled here in San Diego … Continue reading »
Vaccinations are a cornerstone in prevention and public health. Ongoing research continues to maximize the role of vaccines in protecting individuals and populations at large from previously common illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its 2012 update on vaccinations. Review of the evidence from recent vaccine studies has led to two important adjustments to the vaccine schedule … Continue reading »
As parents, we all work hard to feed our children well. We all go through stages of worrying whether our children eat too much or too little. We all wonder at times if they are getting enough nutrition. On the flip side, sometimes life feels too overwhelming to pay much attention to what makes it onto … Continue reading »
How does your child “play”? All play is not equal. With the power of marketing, play has become increasingly associated with toys, electronic gadgets, television, and video games. Just think about the amount of ads for children’s toys over the holidays. Just think about the things your child might have asked for and the latest … Continue reading »
Once in a while, I get a surge of parents bringing their tween or teen to me for the sole purpose of getting a urine drug screen. Why? Well, I want to know if they’re doing drugs. Did something recently happen to make you worry? No, I just want to check. My usual response is … Continue reading »
Almost 1 in 10 children have asthma in the U.S. The numbers seem to be increasing. With the right medications and an understanding of how to the use the medications, the symptoms of asthma can be controlled. However, a large percentage of children with asthma go through daily life with uncontrolled asthma. Unfortunately, the symptoms … Continue reading »
What is chicken pox? Chicken pox is caused by the varicella vaccine and it is extremely contagious. Initial symptoms may be similar to a cold: runny nose or congestion, cough, mild fever. Then the classic chicken pox rash develops one or two days later: little red spots that then develop a small blister, which then … Continue reading »
That perfectly adorable smile. You know the one. The smile that sums up everything you love about your child. The smile that opens the floodgate of memories and makes your heart ache for days long gone. It’s a smile that you could pick out in a crowd, simply because it’s the smile that belongs to … Continue reading »
Ed Betz for The New York Times I’ve been inundated with sports physicals over the past month as another school year begins. For most parents, its just another hassle. Yet another form to fill out. However, as a pediatrician, I value these opportunities to gauge how families approach sports and their child’s health, as well … Continue reading »
What can I do to make the smell go away? I’m always sweating. This was asked of me by a soft spoken girl who just entered the third grade. She’d been noticing the sweat and odor since first grade. She’d been too embarrassed to speak up and ask. But once her breasts began to develop … Continue reading »
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal. The medical term for it is acute otitis externa (AOE). It is associated with “swimmers” since residual water in the ear canal creates a moist environment that can lead to bacterial growth. However, any excess moisture due to sweat, other water activities, or even high … Continue reading »
