No matter how many children you have, those first few days at home with your new baby are full of questions. The following tips for new parents can help answer some of these questions about your newborn until you get the chance to meet with your pediatrician.
Healthy sleep is critical during adolescence, but a nationwide survey finds many parents have sleep-deprived teens at home...Read more
Homework requires a child to make an effort, of course. But parents can help set the stage for success by establishing a routine and rewarding good behavior...Read more
Having fears and worries is a normal part of childhood development. A general guideline is that normal anxiety is short lived and does not interfere with your child’s daily function or ability to perform tasks he or she desires...Read more
Finding a good babysitter can be tough. How do you go about choosing one? What should you tell the babysitter before you leave? When is it safe to leave your child home alone...Read more
While many children are excited for the start of the new school year, big events like this can often bring on anxiety for some children. Find six ways to help make the back-to-school transition easier...Read more
Children often develop habits or behaviors that their parents find annoying. Understanding why your child has developed this habit or behavior is the first step in changing it...Read more
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is involuntary urination during sleep. While very common, it is embarrassing for children. Learn more about bedwetting its causes...Read more
Breast milk is uniquely made to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. When your baby is first born, he or she is in the process of developing an immune system to help fight diseases..Read more
Biking is a great way for children to meet the goal of 60 minutes of physical activity a day. However, biking does not come without risk. Learn how to keep your child safe on a bike...Read more
Beverages intended to bring a buzz can have unintended consequences, as a teen’s recent caffeine-related death shows...Read more
The majority of kids’ choking injuries are caused by food. However, food is not the only choking hazard you should worry about. Learn some tips to help prevent your child from choking...Read more
In many families, both parents work outside the home and kids need regular care from someone other than their parents. Learn about the different kinds of childcare and what might be best for your family...Read more
Colds are common in children and can be spread by a sneeze, a cough or even sharing a toy. Learn more about symptoms, treatment and when to call your pediatrician...Read more
Constipation happens when children have infrequent bowel movements or bowel movements that are hard, dry, or difficult and/or painful to pass...Read more
Your pediatrician can help counsel your teen about sexual behavior, contraception methods and ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs)...Read more
The most effective insect repellants contain DEET. Learn some guidelines to follow when using DEET on your child...Read more
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood and can lead to toothaches that interfere with eating, sleeping, school attendance and performance. The good news is they can be prevented...Read more
The start of college comes with expectation and excitement, but it also can trigger depression. A Michigan Medicine psychiatrist offers advice to ease the transition...Read more
Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children perform within a certain age range. Your pediatrician uses these to help check how your child is developing...Read more
Dyslexia is a complex language problem. It involves not being able to break down a word into the sounds that make it up, as well as not being able to think or write about the sounds in a word...Read more
Ear pain, or otalgia, can be a common reason children visit a pediatrician. There are several causes of ear pain, including teething, sore throat, ear infection, or blocked Eustachian tubes...Read more
A highly contagious viral infection, hand, foot and mouth disease can surface on the body parts that make up its name...Read more
One of the best things you can do for your baby is start him or her off with healthy, nutrient-rich foods. At every age and stage, you can’t go wrong when you help your child learn to appreciate a healthy diet...Read more
Fever is often the body’s response to a bacterial or viral infection. Learn more about what constitutes a fever, how you should treat it, and when you should call your pediatrician or take your child to emergency...Read more
Just as seat belts and helmets protect kids from injuries, a careful approach to food safety can help safeguard your family from food poisoning and food borne illness...Read more
Children under the age of 12 months should be given breast milk or formula to drink. Learn more about choosing the right formula for your baby, preparing it and, when the time comes, weaning your baby off of it...Read more
All babies cry, especially between 2 weeks and 4 months of age. Some babies cry more than others, even when nothing is wrong. Learn why and how to help...Read more
Firearms are a significant cause of injury and death in the United States. Studies have shown that 1 in 3 homes with guns also have children in the home...Read more
If you have been thinking about discussing race with your child, now may be the right time...Read more
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for adolescents. The social and academic stresses of these years, combined with the availability of alcohol and drugs and the effect of social media, leave many parents concerned...Read more
Since iron is important for energy, muscle function, and brain development, a child who is not getting enough iron can have learning or behavioral problems...Read more
Like so many parenting questions, there is no right answer to the question of when a child should get a cellphone. A phone is a powerful tool, so thinking through why you might choose to get a phone for your child and whether your child is ready for a phone...Read more
Today’s kids are growing up immersed in digital media. Parents often feel like they can’t keep up, can’t keep track of what their kids are doing, and struggle with creating rules about digital media use...Read more
Parents may be unsure whether to “redshirt” or hold back their 5-year-old from starting kindergarten. Research shows little benefit...Read more
Lead is a soft, heavy, toxic metal that is found in many products we use every day. Lead poisoning occurs when there is enough lead in the body to cause serious health and development problems...Read more
Many teenagers experiment with marijuana. Learn more about how parents can play an important role in teaching children about the risks associated with marijuana and other drugs...Read more
Many parents are alarmed to find their young child engaged in genital stimulation. However, in young children, genital stimulation is not associated with sexual activity and is actually quite common...Read more
The mental health of pediatric patients, especially adolescents, has been challenged in recent years. The following topic will help you and your child navigate available mental health resources.Read more
Welcoming a new baby to the family is an exciting time and one of great change, especially if there is an older sibling in the home. Learn more about how to prepare older children for their new baby sibling...Read more
Nightmares and night terrors are sleep disorders that fall under the medical term parasomnias, which occur at transitions between REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, non-REM sleep, and wakefulness...Read more
PFAS is an acronym that refers to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are man-made chemicals that are widely used for their properties, such as being resistant to heat, water, and oil. Chances are, you’ve been exposed to some form of PFAS in your life...Read more
If you have a picky eater, you are not alone. 30-50 percent of parents say their toddler is a picky eater. Learn some tips on how to get your child to try a new food...Read more
Most children are ready to begin the toilet training process between 24 to 27 months but some children will be ready earlier or later than that...Read more
The process of choosing a starting point for your child’s formal education can be confusing, with so many choices available...Read more
Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys but it also presents big challenges. Learn about five helpful strategies for purposeful parenting...Read more
Reading and writing skills are important factors in your child’s success in school and work. Reading can also be a fun and imaginative activity for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them...Read more
Simple behaviors can make a big difference behind the wheel. Use this checklist to teach your teen motorist good habits...Read more
Each year, thousands of babies in the United States die while sleeping, often due to sudden infant death syndrome, suffocation or strangulation. Learn how you can reduce these risks...Read more
The holidays are a particularly busy time of year for many families. As you put up decorations and gather friends and family together to celebrate, keep these safety tips in mind...Read more
Tips to help parents ensure that this media use is positive and helps the family and community...Read more
Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition, and fighting between brothers and sisters. It typically continues throughout childhood and can be frustrating and stressful for parents...Read more
Bedtime troubles for toddlers are very common. Toddlers are growing and developing quickly so their sleep changes a lot. Understanding your toddler’s sleep patterns is the first step in helping provide them with better sleep. Here are some of the most common questions that parents have...Read more
Sore throat pain can range from slightly scratchy to so severe that even swallowing saliva hurts...Read more
An Individual Education Plan, or IEP, is used by public schools to provide specialized, tailored education services for children with disabilities...Read more
Speech and language development is an essential part of any child’s development and impacts social interactions, behavior and academic skills. How can you tell if your child is on track...Read more
The months of May, June, July, and August are the most dangerous months for kids, with injuries and deaths peaking in July. You can help prevent your kids from getting injured...Read more
Abdominal pain, or stomachache, affects almost all children at some point during childhood. There are many possible causes of abdominal pain...Read more
Stuttering is a speech disorder where the normal flow of speech is broken up by repeating or lengthening sounds, syllables, or words...Read more
Most kids look forward to summer vacation as a time free of schedules and filled with days spent outdoors with friends. When thinking about summer camp, consider what your child can gain from a day camp, specialty camp or overnight camp...Read more
Sunshine and time spent outdoors are part of a full, active childhood. Too much sunshine (and sunburns), however, can cause be dangerous for you and your child. Keep these tips in mind to protect your child from the sun...Read more
Conflict is a normal occurrence between children and learning to resolve conflict is an important life skill for children to develop. Learn some important tips in helping your child deal with conflict...Read more
Although the minimum legal drinking age is 21, alcohol use and abuse continue to be major health problems amongst adolescents and young adults...Read more
The next time your teen acts out, try giving them a job to do. A clear task helps establish fair punishment and accountability...Read more
It is well known that smoking is harmful to your health, but there are still many teens who smoke, chew tobacco, or vape...Read more
A temper tantrum is an emotional outburst from a young child who is distressed or frustrated. They are a normal part of growing up and tend to happen most between the ages of 1 and 3...Read more
Yes, it’s important to call out children’s bad behavior. But it’s crucial to acknowledge their positive actions, too...Read more
Healthy young children can have diarrhea that is not related to infection and/or underlying disease, called toddler’s diarrhea, or non-specific diarrhea of childhood...Read more
Toys and children’s products play an important role in childhood and child development. Toy-related injuries, however, are a significant contributor to hospital emergency room visits...Read more
Routine childhood immunizations are a cornerstone of keeping your child healthy and are critical for public health as well...Read more
Vegetarian and vegan diets are increasing in popularity. It’s important to discuss with your pediatrician and dietitian which type of diet your child follows to ensure they are getting the nutrients they need to grow properly and stay healthy.
Vomiting and diarrhea are common in children. Together, they are sometimes called gastroenteritis by your doctor and “stomach flu” by others. It is not the real “flu,” which is caused by the influenza virus . Most of the time, vomiting and diarrhea is caused by a virus, which may also bring a...Read more
Winter weather offers families the chance to enjoy all kinds of fun cold weather activities. Make sure your kids are prepared to safely enjoy all that winter has to offer...Read more