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Monday 8am - 4pm Tuesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 4pm

DoctorSchutt, 2670 New Holt Road, Paducah, KY (2025)

11/12/2025

Recalls for by heart formula. Please stop using immediately!

09/30/2025

When you bring your kids to see me, I want you to feel safe, heard, and supported. My job is to listen, answer your questions, and give the best evidence-based care I can.

Preventive care is how we keep kids healthy before problems start. Together, we can build a strong foundation for your child’s health and help them thrive now and in the future. 💙

Check out my Health Talk—https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/healthtalks/paducah-keeping-your-child-healthy

09/29/2025

Not All Formulas Are Created Equal…🍼

There are five main categories of baby formula, though within each group there are lots of different brands and variations. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the options:

1. Standard Infant Formulas
These are the most common formulas and work well for most babies who are growing normally without tummy issues. Examples include Similac Advance, Enfamil NeuroPro, Kendamil Infant, and Similac 360 Total Care. They provide complete nutrition for everyday growth and development.

2. Sensitive or “Gentle” Formulas
These are often marketed for gassy or fussy babies who may have trouble with lactose. They’re usually partially broken down and have less lactose (sometimes replaced with corn syrup solids or corn maltodextrin). Examples include Enfamil Gentlease, Ge**er Soothe, Similac Sensitive, and Similac Total Comfort.

3. Hypoallergenic Formulas
Think of these as “partially digested.” The proteins are broken down into much smaller pieces, making them easier for sensitive tummies to handle. They’re often used for babies with milk protein intolerance, allergies, colic, or more severe lactose issues. Examples include Ge**er Extensive HA, Alimentum, and Nutramigen. These are considered specialty formulas, can be very pricey, and may or may not be covered by WIC—so always talk with your pediatrician before starting one.

4. Amino Acid–Based Formulas
These are the most broken-down formulas—already in their simplest form. Because of that, they’re the easiest to digest. They’re usually used in more extreme cases like severe milk protein allergy, FPIES (Food Protein–Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome), or other absorption problems. Even though they’re very specialized, they still give babies all the nutrition they need.

5. Reflux Formulas
A common option here is Enfamil AR, which has added rice starch to thicken it. This helps formula stay in the stomach instead of coming back up, which is especially helpful for “mechanical reflux” (spit-ups from positioning or immature digestion in the early months). Sometimes, pediatricians may recommend adding rice cereal to standard formula for the same effect—but always under their guidance. Keep in mind that thickeners can sometimes cause constipation.

Alternative Protein Formulas

There are also soy- and goat milk–based formulas, which can be good options for babies who can’t tolerate cow’s milk protein. Just make sure they’re iron-fortified so your baby gets what they need for healthy growth.

—A Note on Switching Formulas—
If you’re trying a new formula, give it at least a week before switching again. Babies’ bellies need time to adjust, and it can take several days for irritation to settle down before you notice improvement.

**I share this information only to help parents feel more confident and informed when choosing what’s best for their baby. I’m not sponsored by any of the formula brands mentioned above—my goal is simply to give you clear, unbiased guidance so you can make the decision that feels right for your family.**

09/22/2025

Please consider dining or pickup with us TONIGHT at Texas Roadhouse-Paducah, KY!

Book for Hope will get 10% of proceeds that night, but you must show them this barcode for it to count towards our fundraising goal! Help our local families and eat some great food!

08/15/2025

Do you know why your child needs a sports physical to participate in competitive sports?

A sports physical is different from a regular check-up. Just because your child has had a yearly physical doesn’t mean they’ve had a full sports participation exam.

What’s the difference?
A sports physical includes a more thorough cardiac and musculoskeletal exam, as well as a detailed family history. We’re looking for conditions that aren’t always visible from the outside — especially those affecting the heart.

In the history, I want to know if there’s been any central chest pain with vigorous activity or significant shortness of breath, beyond what would be expected from being deconditioned or experiencing a harmless “stitch” in the side.

Sudden cardiac death is one of the leading causes of death in teenagers, and my screening exam is aimed at identifying the underlying causes.

Some of the main heart concerns we’re screening for are:
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickened heart muscle)
• Myocarditis (heart inflammation)
• Long QT syndrome or other arrhythmias (electrical wiring issues)
• Valvular heart disease (trouble with the “doors” of the heart)
• Aortopathy (aortic root dilation) from connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome

If something concerning pops up during the exam or in the family history, your child may need further testing — like an EKG or echocardiogram — or a visit to a cardiologist before getting the all-clear to play.

Because as much as I love cheering kids on from the sidelines, I’d rather make sure their heart is truly ready for the game.

07/22/2025

Can my baby eat… 🍉🍓🫐 Summer Fruits?”

Ahh, summer—the season of sunshine, sprinklers, and sweet, juicy fruit! If you’re wondering whether your little one can join in on the fruity fun, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down by fruit so you can feel confident about what’s safe for your baby to munch, smash, or slurp.

⸻

First things first: Is your baby ready to dive into solids?

Most babies start showing signs of readiness between 4–6 months old. These signs include good head and neck control and being able to sit up with support in a high chair (no slouching allowed in this food party!).

Whenever you introduce a new food, try one at a time and keep an eye out for anything unusual—like rashes or tummy troubles. A little redness around the mouth from acidic fruits? Totally normal. A big reaction? That’s your cue to chat with your pediatrician. And always keep your baby upright and within arm’s reach during mealtime to help prevent choking.

Now, let’s get to the juicy stuff…

⸻

🍉 Watermelon (4+ months – SAFE in small, seedless pieces or puréed)

Sweet, hydrating, and oh-so-refreshing—watermelon is 92% water, making it the MVP of summer hydration. It’s also loaded with vitamin C (hello, immune boost!) and vitamin A for healthy skin and strong little teeth.
🚫 Skip the store-bought juices though—they’re loaded with sugar and not ideal for tiny tummies.

⸻

🍓 Strawberries (4+ months – SAFE in tiny pieces or puréed)

These bright berries bring more than just flavor—they’re full of vitamin C, minerals, and carbs to support immunity and digestion.
⚠️ Don’t panic if those tiny seeds show up in a diaper later—just a little reminder of berry fun!

⸻

🫐 Blueberries (6+ months – SAFE when smashed, puréed, or cut into small pieces)

Blueberries are mini nutrition bombs! Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, they’re a brain-boosting, body-loving snack. Just make sure they’re mashed or cut to avoid choking hazards.

⸻

Remember: Every baby is unique, so check in with your pediatrician to decide when it’s the right time to start solids.

06/20/2025

If you guessed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever on the Guess that Summer Rash, then you got it right! So, let’s talk about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF):

It’s a serious illness caused by a bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii, and it’s spread through tick bites—mainly from the American dog tick (see picture below). RMSF is actually the most common tick-borne illness in the U.S., especially in the Southeast and South Central states.

At first, the symptoms can be really vague and might look just like a virus: fever, headache, and rash. That rash shows up in about 90% of cases, but it usually doesn’t appear right away. When it does, it often starts as flat spots on the wrists and ankles, then spreads inward. Later on, it can turn into a more serious rash that shows up on the palms and soles, which is a big clue something more is going on.

The tricky part is that these symptoms can look like other illnesses—things like sepsis, Kawasaki disease, or meningococcemia—so it’s important to get your child checked out quickly if they have these signs, especially after a known tick bite or being outside in tick-prone areas. Doctors usually start treatment right away if they suspect RMSF, even before any test results come back, because the illness can get worse fast. The good news? Antibiotics work really well when started early.

⸻

So how do we prevent tick bites and RMSF?
Here are some simple steps to protect your child:
• Use tick repellent. Products with DEET, picaridin, or clothing treated with permethrin work best. These are all considered safe for kids 2 months and older when used the right way.
• Dress smart. Long pants tucked into socks and shirts tucked into pants can help keep ticks off the skin.
• Be careful with spray repellents. Don’t spray directly on your child’s face. Instead, spray your hands and gently apply it to their face—just avoid eyes and mouth.
• Skip the “natural” stuff. Things like citronella and botanical oils haven’t been proven to work as well on ticks.
• Check for ticks often. Especially after outdoor play, hiking, or time in grassy or wooded areas. If you find a tick, remove it right away.

As always, if you have any questions, send me a message or talk to your child’s pediatrician about your their needs!

•••Dr. Rachel Schutt is a pediatrician at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky, who loves caring for kids, encouraging parents, and sharing helpful tips along the way.•••

06/15/2025

☀️ It’s back… Guess That Summer Rash! 😅

Here’s another real-life summer skin mystery—think you can figure it out?

Photos A, B & C are all the same rash!

Take your best guess in the comments, and check back soon to see if you got it right!

HINT: this picture is late stage disease and some parts of the rash do not blanch

05/29/2025

Did you know our bodies are intelligently designed to make an essential vitamin just from being outside?

Any guesses?

If you said vitamin D, you’re right!

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s super important for kids—it helps them grow strong and supports healthy bone development.

Here’s the cool part: when your child’s skin is exposed to the sun’s UVB rays, it kicks off a natural process. The sun turns cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D3. Then, the liver and kidneys step in to convert it into the active form of vitamin D that the body can use. Whatever your child doesn’t need right away gets stored in fat cells for later.

But how much vitamin D your child makes depends on a few things—like where you live, how much skin is exposed, and how much melanin (skin pigment) they have. For example, in a place like Kentucky, about 10 minutes of midday sun with the face, arms, and hands exposed (around 25% skin exposure) is usually enough for kids to meet their daily needs.

Now, here’s the tricky part: sunscreen, while important for protecting the skin, blocks those UVB rays needed to make vitamin D. So it’s all about finding a healthy balance between sun protection and getting that sunshine vitamin.

Besides sunlight, kids can also get vitamin D from foods like:
• Fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, or tuna)
• Fortified milk, cheese, and cereals
• Egg yolks
• Mushrooms

Since vitamin D is stored in fat, it is possible to get too much—especially from supplements. The recommended daily amount for kids is typically 400–600 IU per day, depending on age.

As always, if you have any questions, send me a message or talk to your child’s pediatrician about your their needs!

•••Dr. Rachel Schutt is a pediatrician at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky, who loves caring for kids, encouraging parents, and sharing helpful tips along the way.•••

05/03/2025

As a parent, you’re juggling a million things every day—so let’s make one thing simple: protein. It’s a big part of helping your little one grow strong and healthy, but figuring out how much they need doesn’t have to be a math quiz.

Babies: Tiny Tummies, Big Needs

Babies need a bit more protein for their size because they’re growing so fast! The general rule is:

1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day

Let’s say your baby weighs around 10 pounds (that’s about 4.5 kg). That means they need roughly 6.75 grams of protein a day. Sounds like a lot, but don’t worry—it adds up quickly!

Most standard infant formulas provide about 2 grams of protein per 100 calories, or roughly per 5 ounces. Breast milk is pretty similar, although its protein content gently decreases over the first few months to match your baby’s changing needs.

One cool thing about breast milk? The protein is already in a super digestible form, so babies can get what they need without overloading their system.

But Wait—Can Babies Get Too Much Protein?

Great question. Research has shown that too much protein—especially in formula-fed babies—can lead to faster weight gain early on. That may sound like a good thing, but it’s actually been linked to higher BMI and a greater risk of obesity later in childhood.

This doesn’t mean you need to be hyper-strict—it just means it’s important not to overfeed and to pay attention to hunger cues. Trust your baby to tell you when they’ve had enough. (Yes, even if it means leaving half an ounce behind sometimes!)

Toddlers & Big Kids: Still Growing Strong

Once your child hits toddlerhood, the protein needs shift a bit:

1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day

So if your child weighs about 40 pounds (18 kg), they’ll need around 18 grams of protein a day.

The best part? You don’t have to rely on meat alone. There are tons of kid-approved, protein-packed foods out there:

Peanut butter & jelly sandwich? 2 tablespoons of peanut butter gives you around 8 grams!

Mac and cheese? A cup can deliver around 10 grams, depending on the brand.

Yogurt, cheese, beans, eggs, milk—these all make great options, especially for picky eaters.

You’ve Got This, Parents!

Don’t let numbers overwhelm you—your child doesn’t need to hit the exact protein mark every single day. Over the week, it all balances out. Just aim for a variety of wholesome foods, keep offering new things (even if they say “no” the first time), and know that you’re doing a great job.

Even the pickiest eaters can meet their protein needs—and if you’re ever unsure, your pediatrician is just a call away.

•••Dr. Rachel Schutt is a pediatrician in Paducah, Kentucky, who loves caring for kids, encouraging parents, and sharing helpful tips along the way.•••

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Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm