Covenant Pediatrics

03/02/2026

Catch Up with Covenant!

The March Newsletter Is Here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/March-Newsletter.html?soid=1139664283373&aid=wqCoc-sM35M

03/01/2026

Behavior Is Often the End of the Story, Not the Beginning

By the time behavior becomes the primary concern, the body has usually been under stress for quite some time. Before a child can explain discomfort, inflammation, fatigue, or internal chaos, their body communicates in other ways. The earliest and most reliable signals almost always show up in:

• feeding patterns
• sleep quality
• bowel habits

From a clinical standpoint, these systems sit at the intersection of the gut, brain, immune system, metabolism, and nervous system. When one or more of these areas is off, behavior is often the downstream effect. That’s why I don’t start with, “What behaviors are you seeing?” I start with the body.

Read more: https://thewhymatters.net/three-simple-questions

02/25/2026

“Normal Labs” Don’t Always Mean “Nothing’s Wrong”

One of the most common things parents are told: “Everything looks normal.” But normal does not always mean optimal. And it definitely doesn’t always mean nothing is going on.

Especially in complex kids, we often see:
• suboptimal nutrient levels
• mitochondrial dysfunction
• inflammation patterns
• neurotransmitter imbalances

These don’t always flag on basic labs—but they still affect how a child feels and functions.

This is why we look at patterns, not just ranges.

02/24/2026

New Blog Post!

When parents bring their child to Covenant Wellness, they often expect me to start by asking about behavior.

• Meltdowns
• Anxiety
• Aggression
• Regression
• Hyperactivity
• Rigidity

Those concerns absolutely matter—but they are rarely where I begin. Instead, almost every evaluation starts with three deceptively simple questions:

How does your child eat?
How do they sleep?
How do they p**p?

That surprises many parents. But in complex kids, these three areas often reveal more about why behavior is happening than any behavior checklist ever could.

READ MORE:

By the time behavior becomes the primary concern, the body has usually been under stress for quite some time. Before a child can explain discomfort, inflammation, fatigue, or internal chaos, their body communicates in other ways. That’s the foundation of Covenant’s Functional Nutrition Blueprint...

02/23/2026

REMINDER—Covenant Pediatrics will permanently close on March 5, 2026. Please refer to prior patient emails for important information regarding records, referrals, and prescription requests.

Please note that this closure applies only to the medical pediatrics practice, not to Covenant Wellness. Functional nutrition, chiropractic, and all other services will continue as always!

02/20/2026

Why We Always Ask About P**p

Yes, we really do care about your child’s bowel movements. And no—we’re not being weird.

P**p tells us:
• how well your child is digesting
• whether nutrients are being absorbed
• how effectively toxins are being cleared
• and whether inflammation is present

Constipation, diarrhea, and irregular stools are not just “GI issues.”
They can directly impact:
• mood
• sleep
• behavior
• immune function
• and overall regulation

When a child isn’t p**ping well, their body is under stress. So yes—we ask. And yes—it matters!

**p

02/19/2026

Did you know that vitamin C helps the body absorb iron?

Iron is essential for:
• energy
• growth
• brain development
• oxygen delivery

But without enough vitamin C, iron absorption can be significantly reduced.

That’s why pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C–rich foods matters.

For example:
• chicken + strawberries
• beef + bell peppers
• spinach + citrus
• eggs + broccoli

Small combinations can make a big difference.

02/19/2026

What Metabolomix Tells Us That Basic Labs Don’t

Most standard labs tell us if something is broken. Functional labs help us understand why.

The Metabolomix+ looks at:
• nutrient status
• mitochondrial function
• oxidative stress
• neurotransmitter markers
• detox pathways

This helps us see patterns that routine labs don’t capture. It’s not about more testing. It’s about better information. Because when you understand the pattern, you can build an effective plan. And that’s the goal.

02/18/2026

Food Reactions Don’t Always Look Like Hives or Vomiting

In many kids, they show up as:
• behavior changes
• sleep disruption
• anxiety or irritability
• stool changes
• sensory overload
• poor focus

And because these reactions are delayed or subtle, they’re often missed. This is why we don’t rely only on elimination diets or guesswork. We use targeted testing to help identify patterns. Because when food is part of the problem, it deserves to be part of the solution.

02/18/2026

Did you miss Dr. Sonia's livestream with Aelisa Dieckmann? If so, click the link below to watch the entire discussion. Dr. Sonia and Aelisa talk about PANS, mold, and mycotoxins. As a mother of three (Gavin, 11, Madelyn, 10, Gabrielle, 7), Aelisa had the strength to trust her intuition and investigate why her family felt like their systems were on fire. Her story is an encouragement to those experiencing similar symptoms. You will learn how to advocate for your loved ones and navigate the modern healthcare system, which often fails to recognize and address important warning signs.

Link to entire livestream: https://youtu.be/XcX_gpah_5k?si=IqBexa4Npbvzrzk2

02/16/2026

Happy birthday, Dr. Hannah 🙂🎂!

02/16/2026

Livestream Today!

Join Dr. Sonia and Aelisa Dieckmann as they discuss PANS, mold, and mycotoxins. As a mother of three (Gavin, 11, Madelyn, 10, Gabrielle, 7), Aelisa had the strength to trust her intuition and investigate why her family felt like their systems were on fire. Her story is an encouragement to those experiencing similar symptoms. You will learn how to advocate for your loved ones and navigate the modern healthcare system, which often fails to recognize and address important warning signs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ByB2JANou/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/ENj59lwNITk?si=BPKk631E6BQcy7yK