Be Well Pediatrics

Be Well Pediatrics empower parents to cultivate foundations of health in each child by integrating intentional care for children to grow in wellness with grace.
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In case you haven't heard, Be Well Pediatrics offers expanded testing and treatment for allergies. This includes allergy...
02/13/2026

In case you haven't heard, Be Well Pediatrics offers expanded testing and treatment for allergies. This includes allergy skin testing and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). We follow the La Crosse Method™ Protocol. A safe, practical, and personalized approach trusted for over 50 years.

✔ Treats the cause, not just the symptoms

✔ Customized to your child’s unique allergic “fingerprint”

✔ Simple daily drops used at home

✔ Designed for sustainable, lasting relief

Families deserve options that fit real life and we’re proud to offer one that has helped many patients find long-term relief.

Have questions? We’re here for you. 💚

Is school lunch bad for your child's health? We get this question a lot. Parents wondering if school meals, including br...
02/11/2026

Is school lunch bad for your child's health?

We get this question a lot. Parents wondering if school meals, including breakfast are missing the mark for their kids nutrition and wellness.

Let's first dive into what a child's breakfast should include:
1. A protein source. Our dietitian Kelli can help you identify a protein range and easy options for your child.
2. A quality fat source. Research finds those who start their day with a breakfast rich in protein and fat have better controlled blood sugar. If your kids struggle to stay focused all day, this is a must!
3. Adequate calories. Many kids skimp on their breakfast. Even if it's a nutritious one, if they only eat a few bites, they'll still burn through it and be at risk of low blood sugars or grabbing for unhealthy snacks later in the day. See our next post on ideas for making breakfasts your kids will love to eat! And be sure to carve out enough time in the mornings to sit down for this important meal.

So, while we don't know exactly what your child is grabbing at school, what we do know, is if it's majority carbs (even things like fruit and whole grains), they're asking for a blood sugar high and then a low. And if your child struggles with focus and energy throughout the day, then we want to hone in on that breakfast!

02/10/2026

Gentle Nutrition Rules for Families 🤍

How we talk about food matters.
The words we use around meals shape our children’s relationship with food, their bodies, and even their sense of safety for years to come.

Rather than using fear, pressure, or frustration around food, try language that brings peace, purpose, and connection into the home:
✨ “Food helps our bodies grow, heal, and have energy.”
✨ “Meal times are special moments to slow down, nourish our bodies, and connect as a family.”
✨ “Different foods help us feel different ways, and we can learn to listen to our bodies.”

At BeWell Pediatrics, we believe food is one of the many ways God cares for our bodies and meals are an opportunity to practice gratitude, presence, and trust. We know it can feel chaotic at times and simply want to encourage you to keep doing your best and trust your efforts will pay off in the long run.

Small shifts in language can create a lifelong foundation of health and confidence 💛

When kids feel seen, safe, and connected, their bodies function better too. Health is not just physical. It is relationa...
02/06/2026

When kids feel seen, safe, and connected, their bodies function better too. Health is not just physical. It is relational 🤍

✨ 4 Years of Serving You! ✨At Be Well Pediatrics, we're beyond grateful to have served the amazing kids and families of ...
02/03/2026

✨ 4 Years of Serving You! ✨

At Be Well Pediatrics, we're beyond grateful to have served the amazing kids and families of our community for FOUR incredible years! 🤍

It's been a journey of growth, learning, and dedication to providing top-notch care for your little ones.

Over the years, we've been blessed to hire incredible new team members and expand our services to better support your family's needs 🤝. From new therapies to enhanced wellness programs, we're committed to staying at the forefront of pediatric care, empowering families with knowledge, and helping kids thrive.

None of this would be possible without the trust you've placed in us. We're humbled by your support and grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Dr. Callie and our incredible team are passionate about creating a place where kids can heal, grow, and flourish. 🙌🏽

Here's to many more years of serving our community!

🎉 Thank you for being part of our journey.

We believe that before turning to surgeries like tonsil or adenoid removal or ear tube placement for your child, it's im...
02/03/2026

We believe that before turning to surgeries like tonsil or adenoid removal or ear tube placement for your child, it's important to first investigate the underlying causes of their health concerns.

By identifying the root cause, we may uncover non-invasive options and preventive strategies that can alleviate your child’s symptoms—potentially avoiding surgery altogether.

Every child is unique, and there’s no universal solution. That’s why understanding what’s really driving your child’s condition can offer valuable insights that influence whether surgery is truly necessary.

Together, let’s raise awareness and take proactive steps so that no child has to navigate this journey alone.

We’re dedicated to uncovering root causes, delivering real answers, and providing personalized, compassionate care that empowers parents every step of the way.

📞Call today to schedule (515) 967-8887

02/02/2026

Hormones made by our organs and neuropeptides made by our brain influence how we feel each day. During adolescence, these systems are still learning to communicate with each other.

So if a teen’s mood, energy, focus, or appetite changes throughout her cycle, it’s not “being dramatic.” It’s biology. And it may seem more extreme in the earlier years of cycling.
The good news?

Hormones and neuropeptides are highly responsive to simple nutrition and lifestyle support, especially during the teen years when patterns are still being formed.
Here are nutrition tools we use regularly at BeWell to support adolescent cycles and mood ⬇️

1️⃣ Omega-3s: Support brain chemistry, reduce menstrual inflammation, and may help with cramps and mood swings.
Think: salmon, sardines, chia seeds, walnuts (or a quality supplement if intake is low).
2️⃣ Balanced meals (protein + healthy fats + carbs)
Pairing protein and fats with carbohydrates helps stabilize blood sugar, which directly influences mood, anxiety, energy crashes, and cycle regularity. And remember, coffee/energy drinks should never replace a balanced meal.
3️⃣ Ground flaxseed
Provides gentle phytoestrogens and fiber to support estrogen metabolism and gut health, both critical for regular, less symptomatic cycles.
4️⃣ Organ meats (or strategic alternatives found in supplements)
Rich in iron, vitamin A, zinc, copper and B vitamins, nutrients commonly low in menstruating teens and essential for hormone production and energy. (We love brands like GoodLife Nutrition or Force of Nature)
5️⃣ Key micronutrients: Vitamin B6 & Magnesium
B6 supports neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation. Magnesium supports muscle relaxation, sleep, stress response, and cramp reduction.

✨ The bigger picture:
Supporting periods in adolescence isn’t about “fixing hormones.”It’s about giving the body the raw materials it needs to learn balance, setting the foundation for lifelong metabolic, mental, and reproductive health.

Book an appointment with our team today to learn more about period supportive nutrition.

How lucky are we? 🤍
01/28/2026

How lucky are we? 🤍

Gentle, supportive ways to help your child breathe easier, feel calmer, and rest while their body does the healing 🤍🌫️ C...
01/23/2026

Gentle, supportive ways to help your child breathe easier, feel calmer, and rest while their body does the healing 🤍

🌫️ Check the humidity
Aim for indoor humidity around 40 percent. Helps with congestion, coughing, and dry sinuses.

🚿 Steam routine
Sit in a steamy bathroom for 5–10 minutes. Add a drop of lavender to the shower floor or bathtub for calming support.

🍵 Warm liquids
Offer warm broth, lemon water, or age-appropriate herbal tea. Warmth relaxes the chest and supports circulation.

🤲 Lymphatic drainage for kids
Use very light, slow strokes:
• Under the collarbones
• Down the sides of the neck
• Behind the ears
• Along the ribs
This supports natural drainage and helps move congestion.

🌀 Acupressure points
Try light pressure for 10–20 seconds:
• Inner Gate: Inside the forearm, about three finger widths above the wrist. Supports nausea and digestion.
• Kidney 1: Center of the sole of the foot. Calming and grounding.
• Sinus Point (LI20): On either side of the nostrils, where the cheek meets the nose. Helps open sinuses.
• Yintang (Calm Point): Between the eyebrows. Helps with sinus pressure and calming.
• Under the cheekbones: Light upward pressure along the cheekbones can support sinus drainage.

🦶 Foot soak
Warm water plus a pinch of Epsom salt or dried lavender. Helps with relaxation, circulation, and easing body tension.

🛌 Cozy or lightly weighted blanket
A little deep pressure helps kids feel safe, grounded, and more willing to rest.

🌬️ Fresh air reset
Even two minutes near an open door or stepping outside can regulate breathing and lower stress.

📞 When to call us
If breathing changes, hydration drops, fever lasts longer than expected, or something feels off, we want to hear from you.

Some toddlers and babies need a little extra help hitting their calorie needs for growth and energy. You can boost calor...
01/16/2026

Some toddlers and babies need a little extra help hitting their calorie needs for growth and energy. You can boost calories naturally with healthy fats, proteins, and nutrient-dense foods.

🥜 Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew; age-appropriate)
🥑 Avocado
🧀 Full-fat dairy (yogurt, cheese, kefir)
🥚 Eggs (scrambled, boiled, or in muffins)
🫒 Oils (olive or coconut oil on veggies or grains)
🍓 Nutritious smoothies (fruit, avocado, yogurt, nut butter)
🥣 Hummus (mashed chickpeas with olive oil)
🫘 Mashed beans or lentils
🍪 Homemade granola bites or energy balls (oats, nut butter, fruit puree)
🍚 Cooked grains with butter or ghee (rice, oats, quinoa)

These small additions help support healthy growth, energy, and overall development.

🌱 Understanding the New Dietary Guidelines: A Gentle, Balanced Approach 🌱Nutrition can feel confusing, especially when r...
01/14/2026

🌱 Understanding the New Dietary Guidelines: A Gentle, Balanced Approach 🌱

Nutrition can feel confusing, especially when recommendations change. We don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.” Instead, we look at the whole child, growth, labs when appropriate, lifestyle, and family habits to guide care.

Rather than worrying about individual nutrients, we encourage families to focus on the foundations:

🥑 Eating enough quality protein, fats and fiber.

🤸🏽‍♀️ Staying active and moving our bodies

✋🏼 Avoiding overeating or ultra-processed foods

What about dairy?
Full-fat dairy can help keep blood sugar steady for many children and adults, but every body is different. Some kids do better with organic or A2 dairy, and for others, less is more. We often recommend using dairy as a supporting food, not the main part of every meal.

Protein matters, for growing kids and parents too.
Protein supports growth, immune health, and stable energy. Animal proteins are more easily absorbed, while plant proteins are still helpful but may require a bit more planning.

Fruits and vegetables are still encouraged.
Fresh, frozen, or canned all count. Pair them with protein and healthy fats to help kids feel satisfied and nourished.

A note on sugar:
Too much sugar can disrupt gut health and increase inflammation. We believe moderation and cultivating a healthy relationship to food helps us use food as medicine, long term.

Be Well Pediatrics believes food is a gift from God meant to nourish and support our families, not something to fear. Our goal is to walk alongside you with wisdom, compassion, and practical guidance as you care for your children’s health.

Address

700 1st Avenue S, Suite B
Altoona, IA
50009

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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