Mt. Spokane Pediatrics

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. 😄

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

03/27/2026

Here are only a couple of the fun things going on for families this weekend! If you have any other great ideas-feel free to comment them below!f

03/25/2026

Spring shows up and suddenly the fields fill with kids ready to run, jump, and compete. The excitement is great—but many spring sports injuries happen when bodies jump back into activity faster than muscles and joints are ready for.

The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. A preseason health check can help identify concerns before the season begins. Once practices start, it’s important for kids to increase activity gradually so their muscles and joints can adjust.

Warming up, stretching, and wearing proper sport-specific shoes and equipment can go a long way in preventing injuries. Encourage young athletes to pay attention to their bodies and speak up if they feel pain. Small issues can grow into bigger injuries if ignored.

Some of the most common spring sports injuries include ankle sprains, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and muscle strains in the hamstrings or groin. If an injury does happen, remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If pain continues, it’s best to have it evaluated by a medical professional.

A little preparation helps keep kids healthy, active, and enjoying the season.

Sources:
https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/six-tips-to-prevent-kids-spring-sports-injuries

https://www.mclaren.org/main/news/common-spring-sports-injuries-and-how-to-avoid-the-5627

https://www.boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/spring-sports-injury-awareness

03/23/2026

ou cannot hold your baby too much—no matter what the old myths say. Picking them up, snuggling, and responding to their cries is like hitting “love volleys” in a game of emotional tennis. Every hug and cuddle builds a secure bond that helps them grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

Your attention says, “I’ve got you,” and that sense of safety helps babies become confident, self-reliant, and better at handling stress as they grow. Skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, or simply snuggling can calm heart rates while stopping the tears.

Research shows babies who are held more actually cry less—so go ahead, give those arms a workout. Every cuddle counts.

References:

https://childrenswi.org/at-every-turn/stories/2022/11/top-parenting-myths

https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/picking-up-a-crying-baby-will-spoil-them

https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/can-you-spoil-a-baby/

03/20/2026

🌸 Happy First Day of Spring! 🌸

Spring is here, and with it comes sunshine, flowers, and fresh adventures! We want to know—what does spring mean to your family?

Do you have favorite springtime traditions, outdoor activities, or seasonal snacks you love? Share a photo, story, or even a little doodle in the comments—we can’t wait to see how you celebrate the season! ☀️💐

03/17/2026

03/13/2026

There are some great things coming up this weekend for the whole family!

03/11/2026

Spring is coming— and so is pollen.

Nasal allergies are common in children. Dust and mold top the trigger list, followed by tree, grass, and w**d pollen. Longer, stronger seasons can mean more sneezing, congestion, clear runny noses, itchy or watery eyes — and for kids with asthma, more flare-ups.

Allergies or a cold? Allergies may cause cough or sore throat, but they do not cause fever, body aches, or thick colored mucus. If symptoms show up suddenly, come and go, and include persistent itching and clear drainage, allergens are the likely culprit.

A few practical moves make a real difference:
-Track pollen levels (PollenWise, and other apps may help).
-Limit outdoor time when counts are high.
-Shower and change clothes after being outside.
-Keep windows closed during peak season.
-Use high-efficiency air filters and clean indoor surfaces regularly.
-Take allergy or asthma medications as directed by your medical provider.

Sources:
Washington State Department of Health – Climate & Health: Pollen
Seattle Children’s – Healthy Tides: Seasonal Allergies or a Cold?
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) – Seasonal Allergies

03/09/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Meet Mariah! ✨

Mariah joined us this winter and has quickly become a steady, cheerful, and calming presence in our clinic. She helps our providers by getting patients ready for their appointments and supports the many behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our days running smoothly and our families well cared for.

When asked what keeps her energized, she doesn’t hesitate: caring for kids and seeing their smiles is her backup battery. And honestly, that tracks.

At home, Mariah loves spending time with her kids doing puzzles, walking her dogs—Gizmo (a spunky Chihuahua) and Nova (a sweet Pittie)—and creating culinary masterpieces with her boyfriend. She recharges by laughing at her kiddos’ jokes, snuggling with Nova, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Fast Facts:
🦕 Favorite Dinosaur: Ankylosaurus
🐶 Dogs or Cats: Dogs
🧶 Learning for Fun: She’d love to learn to crochet and is fascinated by all the incredible things you can create

We’re grateful to have Mariah on our team—our patients and families are, too.

03/06/2026

Gardens aren’t just cute little patches of dirt. They’re living laboratories.

When kids dig, plant, and wait (impatiently) for something green to appear, they’re learning science, math, and patience. They’re practicing trial and error. They’re discovering that food doesn’t magically appear in plastic packaging.

And here’s the kicker: when children grow food, they’re far more likely to taste it. Ownership changes everything.

Gardening nurtures curiosity, wonder, and joy. It strengthens ecological literacy and helps kids understand where food comes from and how communities are connected. It also gets them moving outdoors—fresh air, sunshine, vitamin D, and steady physical activity that can become a lifelong habit. The rich sensory input of soil, textures, scents, and movement supports calmer, more focused bodies and minds—especially important for young children whose brains are built through movement and experience.

No yard? No problem. Start with herbs in small pots on a windowsill. Plant a “dinner salad” garden with greens, carrots, cucumbers, or grape tomatoes. Choose fast growers like green beans to keep motivation high. Start small. Let them observe. Let them experiment. Let them get dirty.

Sometimes the most powerful classroom is a patch of soil.

Sources:
KidsGardening.org – Why Garden with Kids?
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (EatRight.org) – Kids in the Garden: Nutritious and Fun
University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources – Real Dirt Blog: Children & Gardening

03/04/2026

When we “spring forward,” (March 08th, 2026) we lose an hour of sleep — and kids feel it.

Teens may be extra sleepy during the day. Younger children often show the opposite: more energy, more dysregulation, especially at bedtime. When adults are tired, we slow down. When kids are tired, they often speed up.

Sleep disruptions from daylight saving time can last up to a week for some children.

To ease the transition:
Start moving bedtime earlier in 15-minute increments a week or two before the change. Shift naps 15–30 minutes earlier. Encourage older kids to wind down sooner and avoid heavy meals close to bedtime.

Use blackout curtains, calming routines, and plenty of daytime sunlight to help reset their internal clock. Give 5–10-minu te warnings before transitions to reduce meltdowns.

Most importantly — stay patient. Fussiness usually means they’re adjusting, not misbehaving.

Sources:
Erikson Institute – “How Parents Can Prepare Young Children for Daylight Savings Time”
https://www.erikson.edu/blog/how-parents-can-prepare-young-children-for-daylight-savings-time/

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) – “Daylight Saving Time: Don’t Lose Sleep Over It”
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/daylight-saving-time-dont-lose-sleep-over-it.aspx