Winter is a tricky time for car seats. As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps…
Read moreHeredity is clearly an important risk factor for conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. However, researchers are steadily gathering strong evidence about how diet influence development of diseases. Experts agree that healthy eating habits from an early age can lower the risk of developing several deadly diseases later on. A diet designed to…
Read moreUse plenty of positive and encouraging words with your child. Try to avoid using sarcasm or mockery and get rid of put-downs from the words you use as a parent. Children often don’t understand your purpose, and if they do, these messages can create negative-ways of talking and connecting with each other. Make an extra effort to…
Read moreEach year, approximately 3 million people—more under the age of 5—swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some important tips to prevent and to treat exposures to poison. How to Poison Proof Your Home: Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The…
Read moreNo doubt you’ve heard recent research on the gut. Countless articles explain the microbiome in our (and our children’s!) guts, affecting digestion, allergies, metabolism and more. And you’ve also likely heard that antibiotics can mess with that whole system. Add to that research all we know about the repeated use and misuse of antibiotics that…
Read moreWith the start of a new year, it’s important to consider ways to discourage bullying. Too many sad stories have come to light regarding bullying –either physical or emotional – that have led to dramatic consequences, sometimes even to the point of suicide in extreme cases. And the term “cyberbullying” has become all too familiar….
Read moreIn a world where children are “growing up digital,” it’s important to help them learn healthy concepts of digital use and citizenship. Parents play an important role in teaching these skills. Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help parents manage the digital landscape they’re exploring with their children….
Read moreNearly half of all American families regularly skip breakfast. Is your family one of them? When it comes to getting your children to school, a healthy breakfast is just as important as gym shoes and sharp pencils. How Breakfast Betters Your Child Breakfast has been associated with everything from: Better memory Better test scores Better…
Read moreIt can be very hard to quit smoking. Knowing that it will help improve the health of your children may help give you more motivation to quit and stay a nonsmoker. There are many options out there to assist you in your quit efforts. Reasons to quit Take your pick! Quitting smoking is one of…
Read moreWith several more months of winter on its way, we came up with five ways for kids to stay fit (or get fit!) in Chicago this winter, despite the cold weather. If you have your own suggestions for keeping kids healthy, send them our way to info@kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com! 1. Get out your sled. Chicago might be…
Read moreAdolescence isn’t an easy time for parents, either. As children move through the various tumultuous transitions that accompany adolescence — physical, emotional, hormonal, sexual, social, intellectual — the pressures and problems they encounter can all too easily seem overwhelming. For many teenagers, these and other pressures can lead to one or more of a variety…
Read moreChildren can have a lot of fun playing with their toys. However, it’s important to keep in mind that safety should always come first. Each year thousands of children are injured by toys. Read on to learn what to look for when buying toys and how a few simple ideas for safe use can often…
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