Mt. Spokane Pediatrics

Mt. Spokane Pediatrics With two locations to serve you, Mt. Spokane Pediatrics offers pediatric primary care, behavioral visits, same day sick and minor injury visits!

All content on this page is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.

🌳 Arbor Day: Trees Are Kind of a Big DealTrees are basically the quiet superheroes of our planet. No capes, just leaves....
04/24/2026

🌳 Arbor Day: Trees Are Kind of a Big Deal

Trees are basically the quiet superheroes of our planet. No capes, just leaves.

They clean the air, filter water, grow food, shelter animals, and help keep our planet from overheating. (Busy overachievers, honestly.)

But here’s the plot twist: we’re losing forests faster than we can replace them—and that affects everything from the food we grow to the air our kids breathe.

The good news? Kids are naturally obsessed with dirt, sticks, and bugs… which makes this the perfect time to teach them that trees aren’t just fun to climb—they’re worth protecting.

🌱 Plant one. Hug one. Learn about one.
Tiny hands, big impact.

Source: Plant With Purpose
https://plantwithpurpose.org/stories/what-is-arbor-day/

🌎 Earth Day: Growing Good Humans (and a Greener Planet)Earth Day (April 22) is a simple reminder: the way we treat the p...
04/22/2026

🌎 Earth Day: Growing Good Humans (and a Greener Planet)

Earth Day (April 22) is a simple reminder: the way we treat the planet today is the world our kids grow up in tomorrow.

Back in 1970, Senator Ga***rd Nelson and organizer Denis Hayes helped launch the first Earth Day, bringing millions together—and sparking real change, from cleaner air to protected wildlife.

Now it’s our turn—and our kids are watching.

The good news? Teaching environmental care doesn’t have to be complicated:
It’s picking up trash on a walk. Turning off the faucet. Letting them dig in the dirt a little.

Why it matters:
Kids who connect with nature early are more likely to build lifelong healthy habits—for themselves and the world around them.

So this Earth Day:
Do something small. Do it together. Let it stick.

Because big change usually starts with small, slightly messy hands. 🌱

🍬 Myth Busting: Chewing Gum Stays in Your Stomach for 7 Years!Nope—your stomach isn’t a time capsule. Swallowed gum trav...
04/20/2026

🍬 Myth Busting: Chewing Gum Stays in Your Stomach for 7 Years!

Nope—your stomach isn’t a time capsule. Swallowed gum travels through your digestive system like any other food. Your stomach acids and enzymes break down the sugars and oils, and the gum base? It passes through your intestines and leaves your body—usually in just a few days.

⚠️ A few things to know:

Swallowing a lot of gum rarely blocks intestines in kids.
Sugar-free gum in large amounts can cause nausea, diarrhea, or headaches.

✅ The bottom line: Swallowing gum every now and then won’t ruin your belly—but it’s still smarter to spit it out.

Sources:

Osmosis: “Top 10 Medical Myths: What Your Patients Should Know,” Osmosis Blog, accessed April 2026, https://www.osmosis.org/blog/top-10-medical-myths-what-your-patients-should-know
Mayo Clinic: “Digestive System: Expert Answers,” Mayo Clinic, accessed April 2026, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/expert-answers/digestive-system/faq-20058446
Duke Health: “Myth or Fact: It Takes Seven Years to Digest Chewing Gum,” Duke Health Blog, accessed April 2026, https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/myth-or-fact-it-takes-seven-years-digest-chewing-gum

Spring is waking up, and so is Spokane 🌿Fresh air, muddy shoes, music in the trees… this weekend has it all.✨ Build a ti...
04/17/2026

Spring is waking up, and so is Spokane 🌿
Fresh air, muddy shoes, music in the trees… this weekend has it all.

✨ Build a tiny world at Shadle Park Library
🌎 Give back at High Bridge Park
🎶 Sing, play, and explore with the community (and maybe discover your kid’s inner rockstar)

No screens. No pressure. Just simple, good things—together.

Pick one… or make a weekend of it.

The strongest snacks check a few simple boxes:Protein to keep them full and support growing muscles (nuts, beans and len...
04/15/2026

The strongest snacks check a few simple boxes:

Protein to keep them full and support growing muscles (nuts, beans and lentils, edamame, etc...)
Healthy fats for lasting energy and brain support (avocado, seeds, nut butter)
Fiber for digestion and fullness (fruits, veggies, whole grains)
Carbohydrates for quick energy—with fiber to steady the ride

And yes—cookies and chips aren’t villains. They’re just not the main characters.

Because at the end of the day, snacks aren’t just filler—they’re fuel. Choose wisely, most of the time, and you’re doing just fine.

Sources:

Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Healthful Snack Choices for Youth Sports
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/sports-medicine/sports-medicine-articles/healthful-snack-choices-for-youth-sports
KidsHealth: Snacking
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/snacking.html
Children’s Hospital Colorado: Healthy Eating for Kids
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/just-ask-childrens/articles/healthy-eating-for-kids/

💪 Myth Busting Monday: Will Strength Training Stunt My Child’s Growth?Let’s put this one to rest—because it’s been hangi...
04/13/2026

💪 Myth Busting Monday: Will Strength Training Stunt My Child’s Growth?

Let’s put this one to rest—because it’s been hanging around way too long.

🚫 MYTH: Strength training will stunt a child’s growth or damage their bones.

✅ FACT: There is no scientific evidence that properly supervised strength training harms growth or the developing skeleton.

In fact, the opposite is true.

When done correctly, strength training can actually support healthy growth and development by increasing bone density, strengthening muscles, and protecting joints.

The fear around this myth mostly comes from outdated concerns about growth plates—but research shows that well-designed programs do not negatively impact growth or growth plates at all.

Strength training for kids isn’t about lifting heavy weights—it’s about control, technique, and building strength safely.

Think:
✔️ Bodyweight exercises
✔️ Resistance bands
✔️ Light weights with proper form

Not:
❌ Powerlifting
❌ Bodybuilding
❌ Heavy max lifts

If a child is old enough to participate in organized sports, they’re generally ready to begin age-appropriate strength training—with supervision.

And the benefits? They go far beyond muscles:
✨ Stronger bones
✨ Better injury prevention
✨ Improved confidence
✨ Healthier weight and overall fitness

Bottom line:
Strength training doesn’t stunt growth—it helps build a stronger, more resilient body for life.

📚 Sources:
American College of Sports Medicine
https://acsm.org/mythbusting-youth-resistance-training/
Stanford Children’s Health
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=strength-training-no-longer-off-limits-to-kids-1-1187
Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/strength-training/art-20047758

Looking for a simple, screen-free weekend activity? Try dorodango—a centuries-old Japanese art of turning dirt into some...
04/10/2026

Looking for a simple, screen-free weekend activity? Try dorodango—a centuries-old Japanese art of turning dirt into something unexpectedly beautiful.

Also known as “mud dumplings,” dorodango is made by shaping soil and water into a ball, then slowly polishing it until it becomes smooth and even shiny. What starts as a messy handful of dirt becomes a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Once a traditional pastime among children in Japan, this art form was revived by Professor Fumio Kayo of Kyoto University of Education—and it’s now inspiring families around the world to get outside and create.

No supplies to buy. No pressure to be perfect. Just dirt, patience, and a little curiosity.

This weekend, head outside, get your hands messy, and see what you can create together.

https://homesteadlady.com/beginner-clay-idea-dorodango-balls/
https://www.instructables.com/Dorodango-the-Art-of-Polishing-Dirt/
https://www.dorodango.com/

It’s Wednesday.The lunches are getting questionable, the to-do list is side-eyeing you, and someone definitely forgot it...
04/08/2026

It’s Wednesday.
The lunches are getting questionable, the to-do list is side-eyeing you, and someone definitely forgot it was spirit week.

If your week feels a little… wobbly—you’re not alone.

This is your gentle reminder:
✔️ Kids don’t need perfect days—they need present ones
✔️ “Good enough” parenting is more than enough
✔️ A quick hug, a silly joke, or five minutes together counts more than you think

If all you did today was keep everyone fed, safe, and mostly clothed… you’re winning.

We’re here for the messy middle of the month—runny noses, growth spurts, and all 💛

🚲 Myth Busting Monday: “My child doesn’t need a helmet if they’re careful.”Careful kids still fall. That’s part of the d...
04/06/2026

🚲 Myth Busting Monday: “My child doesn’t need a helmet if they’re careful.”

Careful kids still fall. That’s part of the deal.
What matters is what happens next.

Helmet use remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious head injuries. Research shows helmets can reduce the risk of serious brain injury by up to 50% in children and adolescents. And with around 26,000 ER visits each year from bike-related head injuries, this isn’t a rare “what if”—it’s a very real “when.”

A properly fitted helmet helps absorb impact and protect the brain, especially during forward falls (which happen more often than you’d think). But fit matters just as much as wearing one at all.

Helmets should sit level on the head, cover the forehead, and stay in place when your child shakes their head. Straps should form a “V” under the ears and be snug under the chin.

Also worth knowing:
Not all helmets are interchangeable. Bike helmets, skate helmets, and multi-sport helmets are designed for different types of impact. And no matter the type—one crash means it’s time to replace it, even if there’s no visible damage.

And those hand-me-down helmets?
They may look fine, but hidden damage or worn materials can quietly reduce protection.

Bottom line: helmets aren’t about skill level—they’re about protecting what matters most.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/media/pdfs/helmets/HeadsUp_HelmetFactSheet_Bike_508.pdf

Cedars-Sinai: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/stories-and-insights/healthy-living/helmet-safety-for-your-kids

Seattle Children’s: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthy-tides/bike-helmet-mistakes/

April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to celebrate the talents, perspectives, and diversity within the autism communit...
04/03/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to celebrate the talents, perspectives, and diversity within the autism community.

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a lifelong developmental condition that often appears in early childhood and can influence communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Because it’s a spectrum, every autistic person experiences the world a little differently.

There’s no single known cause of autism, but early identification can help children and families access resources and support that open doors to learning, connection, and opportunity.

Autism Acceptance Month grew out of decades of advocacy. What began as Autism Awareness Month in 1970 has evolved toward something deeper: acceptance, inclusion, and respect. In 2008, the United Nations also designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the importance of supporting autistic individuals so they can thrive.

Awareness starts the conversation. Acceptance builds a world where autistic people are valued exactly as they are.

Sources:
The Arc — https://thearc.org/blog/autism-acceptance-month-celebrate-differences/

Neurology Advisor — https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/news/autism-acceptance-month-history-and-impact/

Autism Society — https://autismsociety.org/

🚨 Big announcement from Mt. Spokane Pediatrics!After years of research (and a lot of negotiations with toddlers), we’re ...
04/01/2026

🚨 Big announcement from Mt. Spokane Pediatrics!

After years of research (and a lot of negotiations with toddlers), we’re excited to introduce Pediatrician-Approved Vegetable Candy™.

Flavors include:
🥦 Brocco-Pops
🥕 Carrot Chewies
🥬 Spinach Surprise Bars

Perfect for kids who insist they only eat “candy.”

Just kidding—Happy April Fool’s Day !
But we do recommend offering veggies in fun ways… sometimes even the silly ones work. 😄

Myth: Fruit juice is a healthy daily drink for kids.Truth: Juice may come from fruit, but it’s not the same as eating fr...
03/30/2026

Myth: Fruit juice is a healthy daily drink for kids.

Truth: Juice may come from fruit, but it’s not the same as eating fruit. When fruit is turned into juice, much of the fiber and nutrients are lost—leaving behind mostly concentrated sugar and calories.

Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no juice for children under 1 year old and only small amounts for older kids. Drinking too much juice can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and a strong preference for sweet drinks.

Whole fruit is the better choice. It contains fiber, nutrients, and helps kids feel full—something juice simply can’t do.

When kids are thirsty, water should be the drink of first choice. Simple, boring water quietly wins the health contest every time.

Sources:
HealthyChildren.org – AAP Fruit Juice Recommendations
Mayo Clinic News Network – Fruit Juice for Children
Providence Health – How Much Juice Should Your Child Drink

Address

759 E Holland Avenue
Spokane, WA
99218

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Sunday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+15092700065

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mt.-spokane-pediatrics-pllc, https://www.instagram

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