Mama Doc NJ

01/20/2026

Most people have probably heard the recommendation of offering the BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) or bland diet when helping your kiddo recover from a stomach virus (vomiting and diarrhea).

The truth is you can offer whatever foods they seem to crave and tolerate once they are tolerating fluids. I usually recommend starting with smaller portions and then slowly advance to normal amounts as they improve. The BRAT diet is not wrong, just not required.

12/19/2025

Children (or really anyone of any age) should not be required to hug or kiss someone when saying hello or goodbye. They have the right to say "no" even if it is a close family member or close friend.

If your child does not want to hug or kiss, we need to respect that. No guilt or shame. They should not be told they need to do it to make the other person feel good.

There are many ways to greet someone that do not include touch. And honestly, for some kids, even a verbal hello or goodbye might be too much for them. Work with where the child is at. Model polite and respectful behavior and empower them to be in charge of their bodies in this way.

12/17/2025

Cases of flu in my community are on the rise. The flu is a very contagious virus, so what can you do to protect yourself and your family this flu season.

1. Handwashing -work with your kids on proper technique to make sure they are washing well. Wash frequently during the day.

2. Keep your hands off of your face and teach kids how to cover a cough/sneeze using the crease of their elbow instead of their hands. And again, wash your hands if you do sneeze/cough into them

3. Support a healthy immune system with good sleep practices and healthy balanced diets. This will help prevent infections and also help your body recover from illness if you do get sick. Extra zinc and vitamin C are not going to be enough if your body is not well rested and well fed

4. Stock up on supplies just in case.
-Keep ibuprofen and/or Tylenol on hand in whatever forms are safe for your family (chewable, liquids, tablets, etc).
-Make sure you know what dose is appropriate to give your child and if you're not sure double check with your doctor now so you're not scrambling at 2am trying to figure it out.
-stock up on fluids/electrolyte replacements for times when kids aren't eating well and have poor appetite during illness.
-saline spray for cough/congestion in all ages
-honey for cough if you're over 1yr of age

5. If you or your kids are showing signs of the flu (or any illness), just stay home.

6. It's not too late to get your flu shot. Flu season is long and there are several strains that circulate through the season. The flu shot can help add protection for your family.

What are your go to comfort measures when you're sick with the flu? For me it's tea with honey and chicken soup.

11/26/2025

Please save the poison control number. 800-222-1222 or visit poison.org for online support. They are such an amazing resource if you are not sure what to do if your child accidentally ate/drank something they should not have or if you accidentally administered the wrong medication or wrong dose of medication. The team can help provide helpful insight on what to monitor for or if you need to go straight to the ER.

Accidents happen even when we are doing our best to closely supervise. As parents we are human and make mistakes -grab the wrong bottle, didn't close the lid all of the way, misunderstood the instructions. Yes, please let your doctor know if you're concerned but don't be afraid to ask the experts at poison control if they can help.

Have you had to call them?

11/02/2025

Daylights savings is here again. This time we fall back. It will likely take a few days or even a week for yourself and your kids (and even your pets) to adjust to the new sleep/wake routine.

How to survive the transition:
1) Encourage lots of activity including outside time in the early part of the day
2) Try to stay as close to your usual routine as possible. If your kids are really not ready for this, adjust by 10-15min each day until back on track. Keep the other parts of the routine consistent
3) Limit screens especially in the 1-2hr before bedtime
4) prepare for some additional meltdowns, tantrums or challenging behavior during this transition. It isn't always as bad as we anticipate but it helps to mentally prepare

Good luck parents! Believe me I'm in this with you...my youngest will likely wake at 5:30 wondering why I'm telling her it's not time to wake up yet 🤣🥱😴

Do you have any other tips that help you through the daylight savings transition? Comment below

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

I'm Dr Piron, I am a board certified pediatrician and founder of MamaDoc NJ in Shrewsbury, NJ. I created this practice so that I could have more direct connection and communication with patients and their parents which allows for high quality, consistent, collaborative care. Whether you have a newborn, a busy school aged child or a teen navigating high school, I'm here to support your family through every stage.

Perks of membership in the practice include:
-direct texting/communication with me, the pediatrician. No more waiting on hold with the front desk!
-same day/next day sick visits. Self scheduling available
-flexible appointment types. Sometimes we just need a phone call or a video chat to handle the concern. Sometimes we need an in person visit. We can do what makes sense for the family and is best for your child
-house calls are an option including an exclusive home visit package for newborns
-no crowded waiting rooms, i usually meet you at the door and we get started with the visit right away
-visits are not rushed. I schedule the time we need based on the concern so that you have time to ask all of your questions

Currently accepting new patients. Don't wait, join now. Additional information and ability to schedule an informational meeting with me can be found on my website

www.mamadocnj.com

10/23/2025

It is currently recommended to introduce the more common food allergens at 4-6 months of life instead of waiting until children are older. This practice reduces a child's risk of developing food allergies.

The most common food allergens for children include peanut, egg, dairy, tree nuts, wheat, soy, shellfish and fish. I often tell my patients parents to try to introduce these foods early and often -meaning once introduced try to keep it as a regular part of their diet.

*note about dairy: infants under age 1 should not drink regular milk but you can use other dairy products like yogurt and cheese to introduce dairy.

The amount of children with new food allergies has decreased since these recommendations have been put in place.

Be sure to talk with your pediatrician if you have more questions about when to start solids and how to safely incorporate these foods into your child's diet.

10/17/2025

Flu and RSV season are here again. MamaDoc NJ is open to scheduling vaccine only appointments for the community . Calm environment. No crowded waiting room. Quick and easy.

Flu and/or COVID vaccines for ages 6 months and older
-adults, kids, the entire family

Beyfortus (RSV) immunization for infants under 8 months.

Please contact the office for more information and to schedule. You can also visit www.mamadocnj.com to learn more

Membership is not required for these vaccine visits, but we would be happy to have you join our family! Currently accepting new patients from birth through high school.