Columbia Pediatrics

Happy unofficial end of summer! 😎🍉⛱️

We hope you enjoy your Labor Day! Our office is closed today, but our on-call doctor is available to answer urgent messages.

Wishing everyone a well-deserved break this Labor Day weekend! Thank you to everyone that contributes to make our country work as it does. 🇺🇸

Our office is open Saturday morning for sick visits. The on-call doctor is available by phone for urgent matters. Our office will be closed on Monday to celebrate Labor Day.

Happy August birthdays to Dr. Chou, Nurse Practitioner Terri, Dr. Lau (and Nurse Kristine)! What better way to celebrate then with ice cream cake! 🎂

We hope parents and students are crushing the back to school routine and first day of school! You got this! 💕

Starting school can be hard, but especially so when it’s your first time! Here are some tips for starting preschool from
Is your little one starting preschool? 🥹🎒

When a toddler or preschooler goes off to school or daycare for the first time, it can be really tough for the kids AND the parents!

Thanks to for these helpful tips about handling the separation.

Some kids will get upset at drop-off on the first day, while for others the separation anxiety shows up the second day or later in the week.

Starting around 8-9 years old, kids can start packing their own lunches. Packing lunches teaches problem solving, develops planning skills, and fosters independence. (Not to mention taking something off your plate!)

Give your child a guide of what to include in a healthy balanced meal like this one from , practice, and watch them flourish!

Giving our teens some slack this week, especially with school starting and summer ending. So many changes and potentially stressful situations. 💖

School is starting! (Or has started for some school districts.). Changes like starting school can trigger anxiety and stress in parents and children alike. Here are some tips on how to start the school year off right!

School is back in session for Long Beach next week! Get your kids back into the sleep routine with these tips from 😴💤

How do you prepare for the transition to starting school? Let us know tips below!

Stay hydrated this weekend!
eat.in.color 🍉 Every time they take a bite of one of these foods, it’s like taking a sip of water. 🥒 🍓 🥝 🥬 🥦 🍈 🫑 ⁠
⁠
It’s not going to solve dehydration (you might choose to seek medical care if that’s the case), but it can help with day-to-day hydration needs.⁠

Want a second or third earring? Get it in our office today!

Call to schedule an appointment. Outside patients accepted!

Calling all 4th graders! Get a free California State Park Pass!

Who? Fourth graders from California and their family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends (everyone in your car)!

What?
You can enjoy all sorts of adventures at 54 state parks during your whole fourth grade year—and the following summer, too. This pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is a fourth grader or fourth grade equivalent, from September 1 to August 31 of that year.

How?
Have your parent or guardian go to ReserveCalifornia.com or call (800) 444-7275.

Keep the pesky mosquitos away to prevent itchy bites and mosquito borne illnesses.

Warmer weather means more chances for kids to play outside and enjoy the fresh air, but it also means more chances for bug bites that can make your kids miserable and even cause serious illness. To prevent bug bites, the AAP recommends using an insect repellent registered by the EPA. Most of these products use ingredients like DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Click the link in our bio for more tips on bug bite prevention.

Add some shimmer to your summer! ✨We have new shimmer earring choices ✨Our patient just got the new Siam shimmer and we love it! 💖 Call to schedule your appointment today!

Prevent burns by applying and reapplying sunscreen, covering up, and seeking shade.

It’s important to protect your kid’s skin from the sun’s harsh rays. But it can be hard to put sunscreen on squirmy kids. Here are some tips for how best to protect your kids from sunburn:

✔️ Cover up
✔️ Seek shade during peak UV hours
✔️ Reapply!

Water Watcher Rules
Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, so when it’s your turn to be the designated Water Watcher, always follow these rules – it can save a life!

Learn the 5 Layers of Protection to prevent drowning: 💧Barriers & Alarms
💧Supervision
💧Water Competency
💧Life Jackets
💧Emergency Preparation

Download your Water Watcher Card by visiting the link below:
https://ndpa.org/water-competency/.

Getting eaten up by the bugs? Try these tips from

Kids love playing outside. If you’re worried about them getting bitten by bugs and other creepy crawlies, here are a few things you can do to help protect them.

Dr. Quan has been with Columbia Pediatrics for 20 years today! Dr. Quan provides excellent patient care, with Pikachu and a smile. Thank you for all that you do. We are lucky to have you part of the family! ❤️

Happy Slurpee Day!!

It’s always hard to start the week after a holiday weekend. Hope it was off to a good start!

Some days feel so hopeless and hard that it’s easy to lose sight of the future. But no matter what, there’s people that want to help. Tomorrow is a chance to feel better.



**If you’re having thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 to get help 24/7

☀️Happy Friday! Stay hydrated and cool this weekend!
It’s going to be hot! 🥵

Stay safe in the ocean and pool this holiday weekend!

🌊Drowning can happen to anyone. It’s quick and silent. It isn’t confined to pools or oceans; it can occur in bathtubs, buckets, or small backyard water sources.

Stay vigilant and implement these precautions to avoid accidents:
➡️ Fence off pools
➡️Never swim alone
➡️Use life jackets
➡️Assign a water watcher to supervise kids
➡️Learn how to perform CPR and AED

The One Where Bennie Says Bye
Our staff and patients will miss you, Bennie! 💕
Best of luck on your new adventures!

Sometimes kids need to eat something 10-20 times before accepting a new food. We can’t force them to eat anything (who knows that from person experience 🤦). All we can do is keep offering them different foods. Keep on trying!

Here’s your weekly reminder that it can take 15-20+(+++) exposures of a given food before your baby or toddler will want to try it. This is considered typical and expected. Tag a friend who might relate 😝😱
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Why? Even though eating seems as simple as open mouth, insert food, chew and swallow…there’s actually a lot more to it than that. They have to tolerate food on their plate, then in their hands. Each step to eating can create a roadblock for your kid. Maybe the food is hard for them to chew. Maybe it reminds them of something they didn’t like. Maybe they’re banning all foods green for the moment because .
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Instead of getting frustrated, keep serving it without pressure as part of their meal if it’s on the menu. Don’t force them to take “one polite bite” - this might work in the short-term but can actually backfire. Instead, model eating it yourself and keep serving it in very small portions so it’s less overwhelming!
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When we assume our kids just don’t like it after offering it once, our kids miss out on the opportunity to learn to love that food…eventually. Remember, they might not eat it now, but they might eat it one day. The only way to get there is to keep trying.
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Also, remember to mix up how you serve it.
➡️ Cook it with different seasonings.
➡️ Use different cooking methods: roast, sauté, steam, stir-fry. For toddlers, try serving raw in small pieces.
➡️ Serve it with a favorite dip.
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Don’t be surprised if they try it one day and then decide they don’t like it the next. Also normal (albeit annoying).
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Need step-by-step help that works from Judy {feeding therapist/OT} and Megan {dietitian/intuitive eating counselor}? Head to feedinglittles.com {link in bio} to check out our online courses!

July means it’s almost time for Rancho Los Cerritos’ summer camps to begin! RLC will be offering four sessions of summer day camps, starting July 8. Each session has a different Rancho-related theme, and our final session is geared towards middle schoolers. All camp sessions run 10am to 3pm. To learn more and to register, visit RanchoLosCerritos.org/Camp or head to the link in our bio. We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fun and educational summer!

Have fun in the sun while keeping safe!
🧴Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply often.
🧢Protect your skin by covering up (rash guard, hats, sunglasses) 👒😎
⛱️ Keep babies

Check out these free parenting classes with

Discover Stronger Starts by First 5 California powered by Cell-Ed – your ultimate learning companion for parenting success! 🚀 Dive into a world of FREE virtual courses, coaching, and micro-lessons, tailored specifically for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5. Gain invaluable insights on nurturing your little ones through any challenge life throws your way. 💪

Sunday Funday ideas from ☀️

Join the Great American 4th of July Kids Bike Parade on Thursday, July 4 in Long Beach!

Don’t forget your sunscreen, helmets, and water!

Long Beach beach bike path at 10 AM.
Start and finish on the Granada boat launch ramp. JustinRudd.com/bikeparadejustin

Grab a picnic and check out these fun movies in the park in Long Beach!