Dr. Amy Falk, MD

Dr. Amy Falk, MD Board-certified pediatrician | Mom of 3 | Sharing general health tips & parenting wisdom—not medical advice

04/30/2026

If your child says they’re too big for a booster seat… they might be wrong.

One of the most common questions parents ask is: “When can my kid stop using a booster seat?”

And the answer is later than most people think.

Booster seats are designed to make sure the seat belt fits properly, because adult seat belts are made for adult bodies.

Most kids need a booster until they’re about 4 feet 9 inches tall, which typically happens somewhere between ages 8 and 12.

Without a booster, the lap belt often rides up onto the abdomen instead of the hips, which can cause serious internal injuries in a crash.

The shoulder belt should cross the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face.

A quick way to check if your child is ready is the 5-step seat belt test:

Their back sits all the way against the vehicle seat

Knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat

Lap belt stays low on the hips

Shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder

They can stay seated like that the whole ride

If any of those fail, they still need a booster.

Also important: booster seat laws vary by state, so make sure to check your state’s specific requirements and recommendations.

And remember, the safest place for kids under 13 is the back seat, even if they’ve graduated from a booster.

Because being “big enough” isn’t about age—
it’s about how the seat belt actually fits.

04/26/2026

If your kid’s allergies seem worse inside the house than outside, dust might be the reason.

Spring allergy season is starting in many parts of the country, and pollen gets most of the blame.

But inside the home, dust mites are often the bigger problem.

Dust mites live in bedding, carpets, stuffed animals, and upholstered furniture, and they thrive in warm, humid environments.

The goal isn’t eliminating them completely—that’s impossible—but reducing exposure can make a big difference for kids with allergies or asthma.

Here are a few things that actually help:

First: Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
Hot water kills dust mites.

Second: Use dust-mite–proof covers on pillows and mattresses. These zippered covers can dramatically reduce exposure while kids sleep.

Third: Limit stuffed animals in bed, or wash them regularly.

Fourth: Vacuum with a HEPA filter if possible. Regular vacuums can actually blow allergens back into the air.

And if allergies are severe, consider removing carpet in the bedroom, since carpet can trap allergens.

Another simple trick during high pollen season:
Have kids change clothes and wash their hands and face after playing outside, so they’re not bringing pollen into bed.

If your child has persistent sneezing, itchy eyes, or nighttime coughing, talk with your pediatrician—sometimes medications or allergy testing may help.

Because controlling allergies often starts with something simple:

What’s in the air inside your home.

Quick question—have you ever hesitated to call Poison Control because you were worried they’d make you go to the ER?Here...
04/22/2026

Quick question—have you ever hesitated to call Poison Control because you were worried they’d make you go to the ER?

Here’s the truth: Poison Control’s main goal is to keep kids out of the emergency room whenever it’s safe to do so.

When you call, you’re connected to a real human—usually a pharmacist or nurse—who specializes in toxicology.

They’ll ask:

Your child’s age and weight

What was swallowed, touched, or inhaled

How much, and when

How your child is acting right now

And then they’ll tell you exactly what to do.
That might mean:

Watching at home

Giving fluids or food

Avoiding certain symptoms

Or, yes, going to the ER—but only when needed

This time of year, calls spike for things like:

Medications left out during travel or guests

Gummies and vitamins that look like candy

Cleaning products used more often during illness season

Calling Poison Control is free, confidential, and judgment-free. They’re not there to shame you—they’re there to help.

Save this number now: 1-800-222-1222.
It’s one of the most underused—and most helpful—resources for parents.

What is appendicitis? And when do we start to think about it? Here are a few good tips!!
04/15/2026

What is appendicitis? And when do we start to think about it? Here are a few good tips!!

04/11/2026

If your child is sick, should you give water, sports drinks, juice… or something else?

Hydration advice online can get confusing fast. Let’s break down what actually works for kids.

First myth: Sports drinks are the best way to hydrate kids.

Not usually.

Sports drinks are designed for teen and adult athletes doing prolonged intense exercise. For most kids, they contain way more sugar than they need.

For everyday hydration, plain water is best.

Now when kids have vomiting or diarrhea, that’s different.

In that case, the best option is an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte or similar products. These have the right balance of salt and sugar to help the body absorb fluids better.

Second myth: If your child isn’t drinking a lot at once, they’re not hydrating enough.

Actually, small frequent sips work better, especially with stomach bugs.

Think teaspoons every few minutes rather than big drinks.

Third myth: Clear urine means perfect hydration.

Urine should be light yellow, not completely clear all the time. Completely clear urine can sometimes mean kids are over-hydrating.

Signs your child may be getting dehydrated include:

• Dry mouth
• Fewer wet diapers or bathroom trips
• No tears when crying
• Low energy or dizziness

And remember—hydration also comes from foods like fruit, soups, yogurt, and popsicles.

So the short version:

Water for everyday.
Electrolyte solutions for stomach illness.
And skip the sports drinks unless your kid is doing serious athletic training.

04/08/2026

Your kid just fell outside and now there’s blood everywhere. Do you need the ER… or just a bandage?”
Cuts and lacerations are one of the most common injuries in kids, especially this time of year when kids are outside more—bike riding, playing sports, climbing playgrounds.

The good news is many cuts can be treated at home.

If the cut is small, shallow, and the bleeding stops after about 10 minutes of firm pressure, you can usually manage it yourself.

Start by washing your hands, then rinse the wound with clean running water for a few minutes to remove dirt. Avoid hydrogen peroxide—it can actually slow healing.

After that, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage.

But there are times you should get medical help.

Come see us or go to urgent care if:

• The cut is deep or you can see fat or tissue
• The edges of the wound won’t close together
• Bleeding doesn’t stop after 10–15 minutes of pressure
• The injury came from dirty metal, glass, or an animal bite
• The cut is on the face, lips, or over a joint
• Or your child might need a tetanus update

And here’s a tip many parents don’t know: stitches usually need to be placed within about 6–8 hours for the best healing.

If you’re unsure, that’s where having direct access to your pediatrician can really help—you can often send a photo and get guidance quickly.

Because sometimes all you need is a bandage…
and sometimes you need stitches.

If your child has a runny nose, cough, and fever, should they get antibiotics? The answer might surprise you.Antibiotics...
03/18/2026

If your child has a runny nose, cough, and fever, should they get antibiotics? The answer might surprise you.

Antibiotics are powerful and lifesaving when used for bacterial infections.
But they do nothing for viruses.

Right now, most childhood illnesses going around; colds, flu, RSV, COVID—are viral.

Antibiotics can help with things like strep throat, certain ear infections (not all!!), bacterial pneumonia and some sinus infections (again, not all!).

But they don’t help with most cough and colds, bronchiolitis, flu and viral sore throats.

Using antibiotics when they’re not needed can cause diarrhea and rashes, allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance, which makes future infections harder to treat.

I know it’s frustrating to hear “this will just take time,” especially when your child feels miserable. But sometimes the best medicine is fluids, rest, fever control and close follow up.

A good pediatrician’s job isn’t to prescribe something—it’s to prescribe the right thing. And sometimes, that’s reassurance and a plan.

Parents tell me their child is lethargic all the time, but here’s the thing: true lethargy is rare, and it looks very di...
03/13/2026

Parents tell me their child is lethargic all the time, but here’s the thing: true lethargy is rare, and it looks very different than most people think.”

In medicine, lethargic doesn’t mean tired, grumpy, or sleeping in. It means a child is hard to wake, hard to engage, and not responding normally to the world around them.

A kid who’s watching TV on the couch, skipping soccer practice, or cranky with a fever? That’s usually fatigue, not lethargy.

True lethargy looks like:

Not waking fully when you try to rouse them

Poor eye contact or minimal response

Weak crying or difficulty staying awake

Little interest in drinking, eating, or interacting

This matters a lot during cold, flu, RSV, and COVID season—because lethargy can be a sign of serious illness or dehydration.

Here’s a helpful question to ask yourself:
“If my child’s favorite thing showed up right now—would they care?”

If the answer is clearly no, that’s when you should call your pediatrician or seek urgent care.

Trust your gut, but also know that not every tired child is lethargic. Knowing the difference can help you worry less and act fast when it truly matters.

02/03/2026

Norovirus is back—here’s what parents need to know.

If your child suddenly started vomiting with little to no warning, you’re not imagining things: a stomach bug is going around right now, and it’s usually norovirus (though there are other viruses that can cause similar symptoms).

Norovirus is extremely contagious. It spreads through close contact, contaminated surfaces, and even tiny droplets when someone vomits. That’s why it moves so fast through families, schools, and daycare settings.

Symptoms usually come on quickly: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, sometimes fever—and kids often feel pretty miserable for 24 to 72 hours.

Here’s an important thing many parents don’t realize: hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against norovirus. Soap and water are much more effective, especially after bathroom use and before eating.

The biggest risk with norovirus is dehydration, especially in babies and young children. Small, frequent sips of fluids are better than large amounts at once. Oral rehydration solutions are ideal, but even ice chips or teaspoons every few minutes can help.

Avoid anti-diarrheal medications in young kids unless advised by a pediatrician.

Call your pediatrician or seek care if your child:
-Isn’t peeing much
-Can’t keep fluids down
-Has signs of severe dehydration
-Or seems unusually lethargic

The good news? Most kids recover fully with supportive care.
It’s exhausting, but it does pass.

And when in doubt, check in with your pediatrician for guidance and reassurance.

01/30/2026

A quick note for parents feeling uneasy about vaccines right now.

If recent headlines or social media posts have left you feeling uncertain or conflicted, you’re not alone. A lot of families are trying to sort through mixed messages, and that’s hard.

What I want parents to hear is this:
you don’t have to figure this out on your own, and you don’t have to rely on the internet to make decisions about your child’s health.

The childhood vaccine schedule supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics continues to be based on pediatric expertise, long-term safety data, and ongoing review, but more importantly, it’s meant to be discussed, not blindly followed or rejected.

If you have questions or concerns, the most important next step isn’t debating online. It’s a conversation with a pediatrician or clinician you trust: someone who knows your child and can talk things through without pressure or judgment.

My goal has always been the same: to help families make thoughtful, informed decisions for their kids, grounded in evidence, context, and trust.

01/24/2026

“Is it a cold, flu, RSV… or COVID?”

If your child is sick right now, you’ve probably asked yourself that exact question—and you’re not alone.

Here’s the honest truth: early on, these illnesses can look very similar, especially in kids. Runny nose, cough, fever, fatigue—those symptoms overlap a lot.

So how do we think about the differences?

Colds usually start mild. Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, maybe a low-grade fever, and kids are often still playing and drinking.

Flu tends to hit harder and faster. Higher fevers, body aches, headaches, and kids often look miserable and wiped out.

RSV is especially common in babies and toddlers. It often starts like a cold but can progress to coughing, fast or labored breathing, or wheezing—those breathing symptoms are the big red flag.

COVID can look like any of these. Some kids have fever and cough, some have sore throat or congestion, and some barely have symptoms at all—which is why testing can sometimes help.

Here’s what matters more than naming the virus:

Is your child breathing comfortably?

Are they drinking enough to stay hydrated?

Are they alert and responsive when fever is controlled?

Seek medical care right away for trouble breathing, dehydration, persistent high fevers, or a child who just doesn’t seem right.

Most viral illnesses are treated with supportive care, and kids recover just fine—but knowing the warning signs can make all the difference.

When in doubt, reach out to your pediatrician. That’s what we’re here for.

01/21/2026

I’m excited to share that I’ve officially been accepted into, and have begun, a Pediatric Integrative Medicine certification program through the Academy of Pediatric Integrative Medicine. 🎉

Over the next 6 months, I’ll be deepening my training in how to thoughtfully integrate conventional pediatrics with evidence-based complementary approaches, including things like:

-appropriate, research-backed use of supplements

-nutrition as medicine

--mind-body tools for stress, sleep, anxiety, and behavior

lifestyle strategies that support the whole child, not just a diagnosis

I hear it every week from families: “We want something different, but we still want it to be safe and grounded in science.”
That’s exactly why I’m doing this.

This program is about expanding my toolkit so I can meet kids and parents where they are: blending the best of modern medicine with thoughtful, evidence-informed approaches that support long-term health.

I’m grateful to keep learning, growing, and bringing more options to the families I serve. 💛

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Marshfield, WI
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