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Infopeds for parents, Barstow, CA (2025)

11/01/2025

Phrase of the week:
“ You don't heal by repeating what hurt you. Break the cycle”

10/26/2025

Phrase of the week:
“Respect is NOT obedience, it's safety”

10/19/2025

🩺A Note from Your Pediatrician: Preparing for Respiratory Season

As we head into respiratory season, I want to take a moment to help you prepare and protect your little ones. Fall and winter bring an increase in viruses like RSV, flu, and COVID-19, which can be especially tough on infants and young children.

Here’s what you can do to stay ahead:

🛡️ Prevention Matters

• Vaccines: If your child is eligible for the flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time. For infants, ask your provider about nirsevimab, a protective antibody against RSV.

• Maternal RSV Vaccine: If you’re expecting, talk to your OB about the RSV vaccine during pregnancy—it helps protect your baby from birth.

• Hand Hygiene & Sick Day Boundaries: Wash hands often, and keep sick siblings or visitors at a safe distance when possible.

📋 What We’re Watching For

• Cough, congestion, and fever are common—but rapid breathing, wheezing, or difficulty feeding in infants may signal something more serious.

• If your baby was born prematurely or has underlying health conditions, they may be at higher risk. Let us know so we can plan ahead.

🧾 Discharge Notes Matter

If your baby is born during respiratory season, it’s important that nursery discharge paperwork includes whether mom received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. This helps your outpatient pediatrician decide whether your baby needs additional protection like nirsevimab.

We’re working closely with OB and nursery teams to improve this documentation—because your child’s safety depends on clear communication across care settings.

💬 We’re Here for You

If you have questions about vaccines, symptoms, or how to prepare your home for respiratory season, please reach out. We’re here to support your family with evidence-based care and compassionate guidance.

10/18/2025

Phrase of the week:

“Your children don't own you anything”- read it again and let it sink in.

10/17/2025

🫶🏻❤️Flu season is here❤️🫶🏻

Let’s clear up a few myths and share why the flu vaccine matters so much for our kids.

🛡️ Why the Flu Vaccine Is Essential
Every year, thousands of children are hospitalized with flu complications. The flu vaccine is the best protection we have—not just to prevent illness, but to reduce how severe it gets if your child does catch the flu. Studies show vaccinated kids are 74% less likely to end up in the ICU and 75% less likely to experience life-threatening flu complications [CDC].

❌ Myth: “The flu shot gave my child the flu.”
Let’s bust this one clearly: The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. It’s made from inactivated (dead) or weakened virus particles that cannot replicate. If your child gets sick after the shot, it’s almost always a coincidence—another virus was already brewing, or exposure happened before the vaccine had time to work (it takes about 2 weeks to build immunity).

😌 What to Expect After the Shot Some kids may feel:

• Mild soreness at the injection site
• Low-grade fever or fatigue
• Headache or muscle aches

These are signs the immune system is learning to fight flu, not signs of actual flu infection. They’re short-lived and far milder than the real thing.

🌈 Why It Still Helps Even If They Get Sick Even if your child catches the flu after vaccination, their symptoms are likely to be much less severe. That means:

• Fewer missed school days
• Lower risk of complications like pneumonia or dehydration
• Less chance of spreading flu to vulnerable family members (babies, grandparents, or anyone with chronic illness)

💬 Bottom Line The flu vaccine is a powerful tool to protect your child—and your whole community. It’s safe, effective, and helps us turn a potentially serious illness into something manageable. If you have questions or concerns, always as your pediatrician.

Let’s keep our kids safe with vaccines. 💉👶💪

10/12/2025

🟢 Why We Give Vitamin K at Birth—and Why the Myths Don’t Hold Up

Every newborn is born with very low levels of vitamin K. Without enough vitamin K, babies are at risk for a rare but life-threatening condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). It can cause sudden brain bleeds, even in babies who seem perfectly healthy.

💉 That’s why we give a single vitamin K shot shortly after birth. It’s a vitamin. And it works: since we started giving it routinely, VKDB has become almost unheard of in countries like ours.

🧠 But what about the social media posts saying it’s dangerous—or just a way for doctors or pharma to profit?

Let’s talk about that.

In the early 1990s, a small study raised concerns about a possible link between vitamin K and leukemia. It made headlines—but it didn’t hold up. Multiple large studies since then have found no link between vitamin K and cancer. The original study had serious design flaws, and its findings were never replicated.

👩‍⚕️ And no—this isn’t about money.
Doctors don’t get bonuses for recommending vitamin K. Pharmaceutical companies don’t make big profits from a single dose of a generic vitamin. This is about protecting babies from a preventable tragedy. VKDB doesn’t need trauma or accidents to strike—it can happen spontaneously, without warning, even in babies who’ve never left the house.

👶 “But my baby is healthy. We stay home. We’re careful.”
We hear this a lot—and it comes from love. But VKDB isn’t about exposure or injury. It’s about biology. And it’s unpredictable.

One tiny injection. A lifetime of defense against a preventable tragedy.

💬 If you’ve seen scary posts or have questions, bring them to your pediatrician. We’re here to listen, not judge—and to help you make informed, confident choices for your baby.

10/07/2025

💉 Most Common Questions Parents Ask Me About Vaccines

As a pediatrician and family health advocate, I hear your concerns. We both want to protect your child. So let’s talk

💬 “I heard vaccines have aluminum and formaldehyde. Isn’t that toxic?”

✅It’s true that trace amounts of aluminum and formaldehyde are used in some vaccines—but they’re not toxic at these levels.

• Aluminum helps boost immune response and is found in breast milk, formula, and even drinking water.

• Formaldehyde is used to inactivate viruses and is naturally produced by our own bodies in much higher amounts than what’s in a vaccine.

These ingredients have been studied for decades and are safe in the tiny doses used. Pediatric safety is always the priority.

💬 “I just want to boost my child’s immune system naturally. We do vitamins and clean eating.”

✅Vitamins and nutrition are great for overall health—but they don’t teach the immune system how to fight specific diseases.

Vaccines are the only way to safely build targeted immunity without risking serious illness.

Think of it like giving your child a map before they face danger—vaccines prepare their immune system to respond quickly and effectively.

💬 “Too many shots at once can’t be good. I’m spacing them out.”

✅I understand the instinct to go slow—but spacing out vaccines can leave your child vulnerable during the most critical window.

The CDC schedule is based on years of research to protect kids when they’re most at risk.

Multiple vaccines in one visit are safe, and the immune system can handle it. kids face far more antigens from everyday play than from vaccines.

💬 “I don’t trust pharmaceutical companies. They just want profit.”

✅Skepticism is valid, but vaccine safety is monitored by independent scientists, pediatricians, and public health experts—not just manufacturers.

Vaccines are one of the few medical interventions that prevent illness and reduce long-term healthcare costs
I trust the decades of data, not just the companies. And I always advocate for what protects kids best.

💬 “We’re doing a natural schedule. We don’t believe in injecting chemicals.”

✅I respect your desire for natural health, but diseases like measles, polio, and meningitis aren’t natural experiences we want kids to endure.

Vaccines use purified components to safely train the immune system.

They’re the most natural way to build immunity without the suffering. That’s why I recommend them with confidence.

💬 “My child had a reaction once. I’m scared to try again.”

✅That fear is real, and I’m here to help you navigate it.
Most vaccine reactions are mild and temporary. Serious reactions are extremely rare, and we have protocols to keep kids safe.

I believe in informed parenting. I believe in science. And I believe in your right to ask questions. But I also believe that misinformation puts kids at risk. Protect your children—with evidence.

SHARE to stop misinformation

10/06/2025

🚨 🛡️ Vaccines Save Lives—Let’s Talk About What Parents Really Ask Me 🧠

As a pediatrician and family advocate, I hear it all the time:

💬 “How can I boost my child’s immune system?”
💬 “Can I just give them multivitamins instead of vaccines?”
💬 “Aren’t all those shots too much at once?” I dont want to overload their immune system

Let’s clear the air—with facts, not fear.

✅ Vaccines do NOT cause autism.

This myth was based on a fraudulent study, now fully retracted. Decades of research—including studies tracking over a million children—show no link.

✅ Preservatives and mercury? Not what you think.

Thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative) was removed from nearly all childhood vaccines over 20 years ago. Even when used, it was in a form (ethylmercury) that clears quickly and has never been shown to cause harm. Most vaccines today contain no thimerosal at all.

✅ “Too many shots” doesn’t overwhelm the immune system.

Children face thousands of germs daily. Vaccines contain far fewer antigens than everyday exposures. The immune system is built to handle multiple vaccines—even in one visit.

✅ Multiple injections in one visit are safe and studied.

Combination schedules are tested extensively. Giving several vaccines at once doesn’t increase risk of serious side effects and ensures timely protection when kids are most vulnerable.

✅ Multivitamins aren’t a substitute for vaccines.

Vitamins support general health—but they don’t train the immune system to recognize and fight deadly diseases. Only vaccines do that. You can give your child all the vitamin C in the world, but it won’t protect them from measles, polio, or meningitis.

✅ Natural immunity isn’t safer.

Getting the disease can mean hospitalization, long-term complications, or death. Vaccines train the immune system without the danger.

✅Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored.

Every vaccine goes through years of trials and ongoing safety checks. Side effects are rare and usually mild—like a sore arm or low-grade fever.

Why vaccinate?

• Protect your child from serious illness
• Shield vulnerable kids in your community
• Prevent outbreaks that strain hospitals and schools
• Build lifelong immunity safely

Questions are valid. But misinformation puts kids at risk. Let’s protect our children with science, compassion, and truth.

nt

10/06/2025

🎃Who Can Trick-or-Treat Alone? Halloween safety by age.

Every child is different—and so is every neighborhood. This guide offers general age-based tips, but you know your child best. Parental comfort, local safety, and your child’s maturity all matter. 💛

👶 Under 5
Needs full supervision. Stick with a trusted adult or older sibling. Keep routes short and familiar.

🧒 Ages 5–7
Best with adult supervision, but they can start
practicing independence. Let them lead the way, make choices, and rehearse safety rules. A buddy system with a nearby adult works well.

👦 Ages 8–10
Many kids this age can trick-or-treat in a group without direct adult supervision—if they know the neighborhood, follow safety rules, and have a check-in plan. Glow sticks, reflective gear, and a pre-walked route are key.

👧 Ages 11+
Ready for more independence, especially in familiar areas. Make sure they have a phone (or walkie-talkie), know how to handle “what if” situations, and stick with a group. Set a curfew and check-in time.

🛡️ Safety Tips for All Ages:

• 🏡 Stick to well-lit homes with porch lights on
• 🚦 Cross streets at corners and crosswalks
• 🍬 Don’t eat candy until it’s checked at home
• ✨ Add reflective tape or glow accessories to costumes
• 🧵 Label costumes or treat bags with your contact info
• 🗺️ Practice the route ahead of time
• 🥤 Hydrate and snack before heading out

Halloween is a great time to build independence and connection. Let’s keep it safe, sweet, and full of memories.

🧡 From your friendly pediatrician

10/06/2025

🎃 Halloween Safety for Kids Under 4: What Candies to Avoid 🧠

Are you excited for Halloween? I know I am! But if you’re heading out trick-or-treating with a little one under age 4, it’s important to know which candies can pose a choking risk.

🧒 Children under 4 are still developing chewing and swallowing coordination. According to pediatric safety guidelines, certain textures and shapes are more likely to cause choking. Here’s what to avoid:

🚫 Candies to skip for toddlers and preschoolers:

• Small, round candies like Skittles, Whoppers, and M&Ms
• Hard candies (Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, fruit drops, candy corn)
• Gummies of any shape or size
• Chewy candies like Tootsie Rolls or Starburst
• Chocolates with caramel or nougat (Twix, Snickers)
• Whole nuts or seeds (peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds)

⚠️ Candy wrappers are a hidden hazard
Little hands love crinkly things—so unwrap candies for your child and discard wrappers immediately. They’re a common cause of choking in toddlers.

✅ Best treats for kids under 4
Stick to soft, melt-in-the-mouth chocolates like plain Hershey’s bars or mini KitKats. These are safer and still festive!

🎭 Halloween fun isn’t just about candy! Dress up, decorate, and enjoy the spooky magic together.

Wishing you a safe and joyful Halloween 🎃

09/24/2025

🥦 Picky Eating Is Normal—Here’s What Matters Most

Picky eating in toddlers and preschoolers is developmentally typical. Their taste buds are still maturing, and their appetite naturally fluctuates. What matters most isn’t how much they eat at each meal—but the patterns over time.

✅ What helps:

Offer a variety of foods without pressure.

Keep mealtimes calm and predictable.

Let kids explore food through play, touch, and smell.

Model balanced eating without making it a battle.

🚫 What to avoid:

Bribing or forcing bites.

Labeling kids as “bad eaters.”

Using dessert as a reward.

🍽️ What Picky Eaters Actually Eat

Most picky eaters rotate through a handful of familiar foods. That’s okay. The goal is exposure, not perfection.

Common go-to meals:

Chicken nuggets or fish sticks

Scrambled eggs or hard-boiled eggs

Peanut butter on toast or crackers

Toast with jelly or butter

Yogurt (especially flavored or drinkable)

Cheese sticks or slices

Fruit: bananas, apples, grapes, berries

Carbs: pasta, rice, plain bread, dry cereal

🥕 Vegetables are often rejected—but keep offering them in small, low-pressure ways (e.g., shredded carrots in quesadillas, spinach in smoothies, cucumber slices with ranch).

📏 Normal Portion Sizes (15 months to 4 years)

Portions for young kids are much smaller than adult servings. A good rule of thumb: 1 tablespoon per year of age per food group.

✅ Portion Size Checklist for Ages 15 Months to 4 Years

Use this guide to estimate how much food to offer per meal. Remember: appetite varies day to day, and it’s okay if kids eat more or less.

• Protein (meat, eggs, beans): 1–2 oz or 1–2 tablespoons
• Grains (bread, pasta, rice): ¼–½ slice or 2–4 tablespoons
• Vegetables: 1–2 tablespoons
• Fruit: 2–4 tablespoons or ½ small fruit
• Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese): ½ cup milk or 2–4 oz yogurt

🧠 Tip: A toddler-sized portion is roughly 1 tablespoon per year of age. Let kids decide how much to eat from what’s offered.

🧠 Remember: Kids may eat more or less depending on growth spurts, activity, and mood. Trust their appetite and avoid forcing “just one more bite.”

🥛 Why Too Much Milk Can Be a Problem

Milk is nutritious—but too much can crowd out other foods and lead to:

Iron deficiency (milk interferes with iron absorption)

Constipation

Low appetite for solids

🔢 For most kids over age 1, aim for 16–24 oz/day. That’s about 2–3 cups. If your child drinks more, consider offering water between meals and saving milk for mealtimes.

🧃 Why high-calorie nutrition drinks Isn’t a Go-To

High-calorie nutrition drinks marketed for children” can be helpful in medically indicated cases—like failure to thrive or severe food aversions—but it’s not a magic fix for picky eating.

It’s high in sugar and can replace real food.

It may reinforce food avoidance if used as a meal substitute.

It’s expensive, and not necessary for most kids.

I hope this information is helpful as you support your child’s growth and navigate the ups and downs of picky eating. You’re not alone—and small, consistent steps make a big difference.

Daniella Bello, MD FAAP
Pediatrician & Family Health Advocate

Infopeds for parents

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