Union Pediatrics

07/07/2022

I see way too many of these at the pool….

A discussion behind the science of how children learn and what puddle jumpers are really teaching them.

03/31/2022

As previously announced on February 11th, our office closed as of March 13th. If you haven’t requested records to be transferred, please reach out through your patient portal so that care can be continued at your new physician’s office. It has been a privilege to care for and watch your children grow. Thank You and Best Wishes!

03/30/2022

Allergies and asthma tend to run in families but there are still steps to take to delay or prevent these conditions from occurring in children. You can check them out here!

"Since some airborne substances may trigger allergy or asthma symptoms, reducing contact with these substances early in life may delay or prevent allergy or asthma symptoms. Research for this is clearest with dust mites. If your child is at high risk of developing allergies, there are steps you can take to control dust mites.

Use zippered, "allergen-impermeable" covers on pillows and mattresses and wash bedding in hot water weekly. Indoor humidity should be kept below 50%. If possible, carpets and upholstered furniture should be removed from your infant's bedroom."

AAAAI, the experts in allergy and immunology, provide an overview on the prevention of allergies and asthma in children.

03/29/2022

While most kids who test positive for COVID-19 have mild or even no symptoms, some experience symptoms more than a month after they've been infected. Here's info on the symptoms of long-haul COVID and when to seek medical attention.

"No one is certain exactly how many people who've had COVID-19 end up being long haulers. One study showed that as many as 52% of teens and young adults between ages 16 and 30 may experience lingering symptoms 6 months after having COVID. The U.K. Office for National Statistics estimated that 12.9% of children 2 to 11 years of age, and 14.5% of children 12 to 16 years old, still experienced symptoms 5 weeks after infection.

What experts do know is that long-haul COVID can happen even in people who had mild or no symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms they had during the acute infection may not go away, even long after their infection is gone. Sometimes, long-haul COVID symptoms start after a person is feeling better. Or, if they were asymptomatic (didn't have COVID symptoms), they may experience them weeks later. Any of these symptoms can be new and different, or they may be the same as the ones your child had during the COVID infection."

Most children and teens who test positive for COVID-19 have mild, or even no, symptoms. But some are experiencing symptoms more than a month after they've been infected. There's no official name for this yet, but it's often referred to as "long-haul COVID" or "long COVID." Learn more here. 

03/24/2022

Sleep is important for children's physical and mental health, as well as their academic success. These are the recommended hours for each age group. For tips on how to help your child develop healthy sleep habits, click here: https://bit.ly/3qn1w2a

03/22/2022

Many kids enjoy eating sugary treats or dessert. And while it's ok for them to eat these in moderation, it's important that they're not consuming too much added sugar as it can lead to a variety of health problems including Type 2 diabetes. For , check out this guide on how you can reduce added sugar in your child's diet.

"Read nutrition facts labels carefully. How to Reduce Added Sugar in Your Child's Diet: AAP TipsMany foods now list added sugar separately. You also can find added sugar by reading the ingredients. Aim for less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day for children 2 years of age and older. Avoid serving foods and drinks with added sugar to children under 2 years of age."

​On average, sugar makes up 17% of what children consume each day. That's a lot of sugar―and half of that comes from drinks with added sugar! Here are ideas for how you can help your family reduce their added sugar intake. 

03/21/2022

It is recommended that babies sleep on their back for the first 12 months of their life, or longer if your baby was preterm. After that, if your baby is able to roll onto their stomach on their own, they're ready to sleep on their tummy. Check out this article for info on the benefits of sleeping on the tummy and the risks if done too soon.

"If your baby has started sleeping on their stomach, chances are there’s one big benefit of this new position: They like it! “It’s very typical for babies to roll onto their stomach during sleep,” Becker Freidman says. “For many, it’s more comfortable than back-sleeping.”

If your baby still seems uncomfortable on their back, don’t flip them over or resort to using an infant positioner or nest."

It’s OK for babies to sleep on their stomachs after a certain age. Here’s what you need to know about when your baby can sleep on their stomach.

03/17/2022

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone who celebrates and stay safe! ☘️

03/15/2022

March is and when it comes to making healthy food choices for your family, it's important to pay attention to the five food groups, the number of recommended servings, the essential nutrients, and the types of food to limit. Check out this guide for more info.

"Limit the amount of sugar in your child's diet to to moderate levels. Sugar has plenty of calories, but dietitians often call them “empty calories" because they have very little additional nutritional value. Even so, many children consume sugar in large amounts, usually at the expense of healthier foods. When children drink sodas, for example, they are usually leaving the milk in the refrigerator; when they eat a brownie, they may be overlooking the bowl of fruit, a good source of complex carbohydrates, on the kitchen table."

Here are some guiding principles to keep in mind when planning and preparing meals for the family, based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

03/14/2022

The war in Ukraine is upsetting and distressing for most of us. And it can be especially disturbing for children to see and hear about. Here's advice on how to talk with your child about what's going on and help them cope with upsetting news.

"Start by asking your child what they already know. Many kids likely heard about the war in Ukraine and its regional and global impact. This information may come from TV, the internet, social media, school, friends or from overhead comments among adults. However, much of their information may not be accurate.

As children explain what they know about the situation, listen for misunderstandings or frightening rumors. Acknowledge confusion. You might explain that even adults do not know all that is going on—news reports can change quickly or provide conflicting viewpoints."

​What children may hear about the war in Ukraine can be distressing in many ways.  Here are constructive and helpful ways you can help them understand more about the situation so they can better cope.​ Learn more here.

03/10/2022

Daylight savings is this weekend. Here are options for adjusting your baby's sleep schedule and helping them with the transition.

"Sleep is regulated by our circadian rhythm which is run by light and dark. With any time transition, exposing your Wee One to natural light in the early morning and afternoon can help with the time adjustment.

Play outside, go to the park, anything to get outside and expose your family to natural light during the day will help with melatonin (sleepy hormone) production at night."

Adjusting baby or toddler sleep schedule for Daylight Savings time to spring forward doesn't have to be stressful. Follow my step by step tips to adjust to for the time change

03/08/2022

It's and ! Here's a list of must-read children's books that feature influential women to share with your kids.

Inspire young readers during Women's History Month with these books about trail-blazing females.