Willow Creek Pediatrics

AI is all around us, and every day kids are tapping into AI through interactive games, toys, and internet platforms. While AI can be a useful tool to help kids learn and grow, it's important to talk to your kids about AI. Read more at link in bio for tips about how to talk to your kids & help protect them from the risks of AI.

Wishing all the dads & father figures out there a very Happy Father's Day!

There's more to a summer job for teens than just a paycheck! Teens can learn valuable life experiences to help them transition into adulthood. Here are 6 ways teens benefit from summer jobs or internships:

1. Career exploration - teens can explore different career paths, gain opportunities to network, & find mentors.

2. Financial independence - teens can learn financial skills like budgeting & money management.

3. Time management - teens can learn how to manage their time, set deadlines, & be accountable.

4. Communication skills - teens can learn how to communicate effectively with their supervisors, customers, & colleagues.

5. Work ethic - teens can learn work ethic values in the workplace, like teamwork, respect, & responsibility.

6. Self-confidence - working in real-world situations helps boost self-esteem, and earning a paycheck gives a sense of achievement.

Link in bio for more tips.

Melody, the Dietitian, here! In today’s world, it can be quite challenging to raise good, competent eaters. Following the "Division of Responsibility" in feeding can help parents maintain control and structure over mealtimes while also giving children autonomy to decide what and how much to eat.

The Division of Responsibility promotes an appropriate feeding relationship between caregivers and kids that aids in weight management, growth, and even picky eating. Swipe to learn more!

Happy 🏳️‍🌈 The Utah Pride Festival & Parade are happening June 1-2. This year's theme is "CommUNITY - Building Unity Within The Community" and will unite all Pride organizations in the state at the festival.

No matter where, when, or how you celebrate, it is important we celebrate Pride together to help LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, affirmed, connected, and welcome.

For more information or ways to support LGBTQ+ youth or be an ally, visit utahpridecenter.org

With summer just around the corner, it's a perfect time to schedule your child's checkup! Remember, regular checkups are part of healthy kids.

Call today to schedule with your pediatrician this summer and beat the fall rush for sports physicals and immunizations.

The example of those who have sacrificed for our country is one that the next generation can learn from. As we look to the past for guidance, our future is sure to be bright. Happy Memorial Day!

With the holiday weekend coming up & outdoor activities & BBQ plans, don't forget to apply sunscreen on your kids! Remember, sunburns can even occur on cloudy days because up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can get through the clouds.

Here are some ways to protect your family from sunburns:

🕶️ Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight

🕶️ Limit sun exposure when UV rays are strongest

🕶️ Wear sun protective clothing (UPF) & sunglasses or a hat

🕶️ Use broad-spectrum sunscreen between SPF 30-50 containing zinc oxide

Sunscreen can help protect the skin from sunburns but only if used correctly. Link in bio for more info on sunscreens.

Let's Talk about Postpartum Depression! The birth of a new baby can be both one of the most joyful and stressful times of life. Some parents may get baby blues, which can involve feeling moody or irritable, having difficulty sleeping, having anxiety or sadness, or even crying spells. These symptoms come on soon after birth and typically resolve within two weeks.

Swipe through to learn more about when symptoms persist and lead to postpartum depression and how to get help.

Melody, the Dietitian here! You’ve probably heard the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” It's really true!

Kids need to refuel in the morning for the day ahead & breakfast helps kick-start the body's metabolism to convert food to energy. If your child isn't hungry first thing in the morning, pack a breakfast that they can eat a little later on the bus or between classes 🍏🥯🍌

Swipe for more reasons why eating breakfast is good for kids of all ages.

Ever wonder about when to introduce peanuts, eggs, wheat, or dairy to your baby? Or what an allergic reaction to food looks like?

Turns out, you can reduce the chances your child will develop some food allergies by introducing foods sooner rather than later.

Check out the link in our bio for a video from the APP with some great tips for helping prevent food allergies in babies.

Looking for a cute craft to do with your kids for any special mamas in their lives? Try these paper flowers! Link in bio.

Did you know one of the reasons Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated in May is because it honors Chinese workers' pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869? 🚂

In fact, the Central & Pacific Union Railroads were joined right here in our own backyard at Promontory Summit, UT. You can take a short road trip with your kids up to Golden Spike National Historical Park and visit this part of history in person!

Grab a few of these great books to read in the car or add to your permanent collection that also celebrates .

May is Maternal Mental Health Month. Did you know in Utah, 1 in 8 new mothers are affected by postpartum depression? Rates are higher among mothers who have a history of anxiety and/or depression, first-time mothers, and those who have a history of postpartum depression.

Read our latest blog for tips to help with postpartum depression & resources for how to get help.

Link in bio.

Milestones Matter! The free Milestone Tracker app makes tracking early developmental milestones easy & fun for parents. Download the app in English or Spanish and start tracking, supporting, and celebrating your child's development (from birth to age 5). You can use the app to share a summary with your pediatrician, get tips for development, and find out what to do if you have a concern. Link in bio.

Looking for some summer camp ideas for your kids? Utah's Hogle Zoo offers many educational camp experiences for all ages. Camps/classes fill up quickly, so check out their website & waitlist information! Link in bio.

Happy Earth Day! 💚🌎💚. This year's theme, Planet vs. Plastics, focuses on increasing awareness of plastic pollution & the health risks of plastics for humans and other living creatures with which we share our planet. Here are some ideas to help celebrate Earth Day and work together with your kids to decrease plastic use:

- Switch to reusable bags

- Encourage using reusable utensils & dishes

- Buy glass or paper products instead of plastic

- Use a reusable water bottle

- Practice sustainable fashion

- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products

To explore more ways your family can reduce plastic consumption, use the Plastic Calculator! Link in bio.

Planning on spring cleaning? Involve your kids! 🧼🧹 Here are some ways spring cleaning can improve your child's development:

🌷 Practice gross motor skills by sweeping, dusting, & picking up toys

🌷 Practice fine motor skills by folding clothes & sorting small items (no choking hazards)

🌷 Learn responsibility by letting them pick their tasks & setting a completion time

🌷 Practice giving back by donating outgrown clothes & unused toys

🌷 Feel appreciated by congratulating your child on a job well done & thank them for their help

⚠️ Remember, to never have your child handle any chemicals, excessive amounts of dust, or anything too heavy & out of reach!

Melody, the Dietitian here! With everyone’s busy schedules, it seems like family dinners are becoming a thing of the past. In fact, recent statistics show that only one-third of kids eat dinner with their families every night. However, there are so many benefits of family dinners!

Having regular family dinners creates bonds and helps family members reconnect and communicate. Specifically for kids, some other benefits include:

- Being less likely to become overweight or obese

- Being more likely to eat fruits and vegetables

- Performing better in school

- Having higher self-esteem

- Being less likely to smoke or use drugs

Swipe for more tips to help make family dinner a priority!

Call our office to join our virtual teen su***de risk and prevention group. This will be for parents to attend and will take place on Monday April 15th from 1-2pm virtually via Zoom. Call 801-942-1800 to register.

Here's an easy craft your kids can do with recycled toilet paper rolls at home! Link in bio for materials & instructions.

In honor of , let's talk about screening & diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

There is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose ASD. Instead, a child’s developmental history and behavior are key to making a diagnosis.

Pediatricians use regular developmental monitoring & developmental screening at well visits to help ensure your child is meeting developmental milestones. This includes:

💙 Ongoing conversations with parents about a child's skills & abilities in playing, learning, speaking, behaving, and moving

💙 Developmental/behavioral screening at 9, 18, and 30 months (even if there are no concerns)

💙 ASD-specific screening with the MCHAT questionnaire at 18 and 24 months

💙 If a concern is identified, a formal developmental evaluation by a specialist may be recommended. This evaluation can help show a child's strengths & challenges, determining if they meet the criteria for ASD or other developmental diagnoses, or if they qualify for therapies or services.

ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger, but many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. Some are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults for various reasons. They may initially come to the attention of healthcare providers because they also have conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, which occur more often in people with ASD than without.

Diagnosing ASD as early as possible is important to make sure children receive the services and support they need to reach their full potential. If you have questions about autism testing or referrals, call our office or visit buff.ly/2DKE9Vg 💙

There's no such thing as a perfect parent. On this April Fool's Day, give yourself a pat on the back, have some fun, & keep being a real one!

Let’s Talk About Angry Behaviors! While anger is a natural response & emotion that adults and children feel, it can be felt or expressed in ways that are scary, confusing, or sometimes unhealthy. Helping kids to understand healthy expressions of anger will give them self-confidence, teach them positive social interactions, and encourage them to self-regulate confusing emotions. Swipe to learn more about anger in kids & helpful tips for changing angry behaviors!

March is . Wearing a helmet can help protect athletes from serious brain or head injuries. But, there is no concussion-proof helmet!

Signs of concussion include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty thinking clearly, and sensitivity to noise & light.

If you think your athlete has a concussion, keep them out of play the day of the injury. Athletes should not return to play until cleared by an appropriate medical professional. Call our office if you have any concerns.

Do you know what to do in case of a poisoning? Skip the internet & pick up the phone to call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. You'll receive free, fast, and expert help.

Add Poison Control to your phone contacts today so you're prepared!

Anything can be poisonous if used the wrong way, in the wrong amount, or the wrong person. If you think someone has been poisoned, call 1-800-222-1222 right away. Serious poisonings don't always have early signs.

Potential poisons are everywhere:

- medicines (prescriptions, over-the-counter, herbal)
- street drugs
- household products for personal hygiene, cleaning, yard work, & car maintenance
- bites & stings
- plants & mushrooms
- fumes & gases

Taking the wrong amount of medicine, or someone else's medicine, accidentally mixing cleaners, or having too much alcohol can all lead to poisoning. Help take steps to make your home poison-safe with a Home Safety Checklist - link in bio.

In this month's blog, Dr. Alison Delgado at our Summit office shares her personal story about suffering a traumatic brain injury (or TBI) after being struck by a car while riding her bicycle in 2010.

"We never know each day what life will bring, but in honor of , let’s think about the things we need to be doing to keep ourselves & children as safe as possible." - Dr. Delgado

See link in bio for blog & brain injury prevention tips.

Melody, the Dietitian here! March is , and this year's theme, "Beyond the Table" inspires us to look beyond the table when thinking about our health and the environment.

Choices we make daily, including what we’re going to eat and drink, can make a big difference — both now and in the future.

A choice we often have to make as parents is whether to feed our kids at home or on the go. Here are a few tips to help you and your kids make healthier choices, even when you’re on the run! Link in bio for more.