ABC Pediatrics, Ltd.

Flu shots have arrived! Call the office now to schedule flu shots for the entire family!

Happy Labor Day from all of us at ABC Pediatrics! The office will be closed today in honor of the holiday but will reopen tomorrow morning at 7:30AM.

We had a wonderful retirement celebration for Lisa this past weekend. She retired this past winter after 24 years at ABC Pediatrics. She was a blessing to our practice and has been missed! She is thoroughly enjoying her retirement with her husband and family!!

Great advice for parents of college age children!

Young adults in college are more independent than ever, but they still benefit from support from parents. And if you’re the parent of a teenager who’s getting ready to start college, you can also help them prepare for the new emotional and social challenges that the transition may bring:

– Establish regular times for phone calls and/or visits with your child.
– Be aware of how your own college or first work experiences affect your expectations for your child.
– Work toward creating a dynamic in which your child feels supported and heard, but try not to pry for information. Eighteen-year-olds, in particular, want to feel independent.
– Remind your child that the first year away from home is a very difficult transition. While some teens are at ease from day one, there is no set time for “normal adjustment.” Leave the door open for conversations about the challenges and new responsibilities that come with attending college.
– Discuss your expectations with regard to financial responsibility and school or work obligations.
– Encourage your child to develop healthy friendships and to have a support system outside of the family. It’s a good idea to talk about what constitutes a “healthy” friendship, because teens, lacking in real-world experience, may be less selective when making friends in new social settings.
– Prepare your child for new relationships, including sexual relationships. Talk about how to manage potential conflict with roommates as well as friends and boyfriends/girlfriends.
– Discuss the consequences of risk-taking behaviors, drugs, and alcohol. While you’re at it, start a conversation about eating disorders, which are especially prevalent among college-aged women.
–Talk to your child if you observe changes in emotions, behaviors, or social activities. These may be signs of a serious mental health problem.
– Remind your teen, weekly—or even more often, if necessary—that help is available if he feels stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or sad.

For more of our resources for supporting college students and helping kids emotionally prepare for college:
https://childmind.org/topics/college/

Help me wish Happy August Birthdays to ABC Pediatrics team members Dr. Gus, Bridget, Larissa and Osman. Everyone knows our amazing Dr. Gus! Bridget is one of our fabulous receptionists. Larissa is one of our outstanding nurse practitioners. Osman is one of our awesome medical assistants. Happy Birthday! You all are amazing and we are truly grateful for you!

We see so many teens/tweens AND parents on their phones in our office, even during their office visits. Spending endless hours on these devices can leave us feeling scattered and certainly negatively impact our social interactions. Here are some good tips for how to limit your phone time and set a good example for your children!

10 Ways To Get Off Your Phone And Into Your Life If you feel scattered and distracted or find it challenging to stay present, it might be time to find ways to get off your phone.

Here is great information on breastfeeding for new moms. Reach out to your pediatrician/provider if you have concerns and if needed, we can have you work with a lactation specialist!

Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems Natural as the breastfeeding process is, problems can occasionally arise. When they do surface, they may grow worse very quickly and interfere with your milk production or your baby’s ability to get the nutrition they need. Here are 11 signs of breastfeeding problems and when ask for guidance so y...

Wishing all of our patients a safe and healthy school year! Here are some good tips on starting the school year off right! Of course, younger kids need more than 8 hours of sleep. Additionally, non-dairy sources of calcium and vitamin D can be substituted for dairy. But these are good reminders on how to keep your family healthy!

Love that the fastest man in the world has struggled with and overcome many health issues! Congrats to Noah Lyles and all the amazing Olympic athletes!!

Many kids get nervous about starting a new school year. Here are some great tips for parents on how to talk to your kids if they are anxious.

Going back to school can bring up big worries for kids, but talking about concerns — and feeling supported — can help. Here are some tips to make your back-to-school conversations more productive and less stressful for everyone.

Be realistic about challenges
Glossing over your child’s challenges can leave them feeling unheard and be a missed opportunity to talk about what’s really worrying them: What if I fail again? What if I can’t do it? What if I have to talk in front of the class?

Acknowledge your child’s struggles and be direct — and strategic. Think about what’s traditionally been difficult for your child. Past troubles can provide a roadmap for future support. Give your child the chance to talk through any concerns and work together to brainstorm solutions:
• “I remember how hard math was last year. But we know a lot more about what you need to do well now. When you’re ready, let’s make a plan!”
• “Let’s talk to Mr. Dean and let him know you don’t like being called up to the blackboard.”

Take worries seriously
Remember, issues that might seem silly to you can be very serious to your child. Worrying they won’t have any classes with friends, seeing a former crush in the hall, finding out they have another class with a teacher who “Hates me!” — all of these can be sources of real stress.

Instead of brushing worries away, take care to validate kids’ feelings and give them opportunities to talk about what’s troubling them. Asking open-ended, non-judgmental questions can help kids open up, and make it easier to share worries.

• “I can’t believe you’re starting 5th grade this year. How do you feel?”
• “Are you excited to be back in school?

Talk about the good stuff
Helping your child remember some of the good parts of school — activities or classes they like, favorite teachers, friends they’ve missed over the summer — can help fight negative thoughts and temper stress. Try encouraging kids to compare notes on topics like these:

• What did they miss about school during summer vacation? Seeing friends? Getting the good cookies at lunch? Play rehearsals?
• What are they looking forward to? Starting a new subject? Joining a team? Decorating their locker?

Whatever it is, make sure to make it part of your back-to-school conversations.

Don’t push
The urge to check in, even when your child isn’t responding, might be more about your own anxieties than your child’s needs. Try to manage your own expectations, and if your child isn’t ready to talk or doesn’t seem engaged with the conversation, that’s okay. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for conversations as the year goes on. For now, just knowing you’re there, and that you love and support them, can be enough.

For more of our back-to-school resources:
https://childmind.org/topics/school/ -back-to-school

Help me wish Happy July Birthdays to ABC Pediatrics team members Helen, Tina, Steve and Pat. Helen and Steve work at the front desk, Tina is our business manager, and Pat is one of our medical assistants! Happy Birthday! You all are amazing and we are truly grateful for you!

We get lots of questions about what is normal p**ping in kids and when to worry. Watch this podcast for great information.
healthychildren.org/podcast

In this episode of the Healthy Children podcast, host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Dr. Nathan Chomilo about no parent's favorite topic: p**p. They answer all the questions you might have about frequency, consistency, color and when you should worry about constipation. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

Great tips for helping your teenagers manage their emotions.
From the CDC: Teens may have trouble managing their strong emotions because their brains and bodies are still growing. Try not to take your teen’s behaviors personally. When you’re calm, you can better help your teen to manage their emotions. Get more tips: https://bit.ly/3W35rjD

This is good reminder for parents, teens and children! Put the electronics away and get outside and play and explore with your family!
From The In Sync Village

Here are some great tips on flying with a baby!

Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs Babies and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don't always mix well. But some advanced planning and preparation can help make for a better experience for your baby, for you, and for everyone else on the plane. ​Get answers here to some questions you may have before traveling with yo...

ABC Pediatrics wishes all of our patients and families a safe and happy 4th of July!! Our office is closed today but will reopen tomorrow morning at 7:30AM.

Teaching your kids healthy eating habits is important, but it can be challenging. In this episode of the Healthy Children Podcast, host talks with Dr. Natalie Muth, a pediatrician and registered dietitian, about how to teach your kids healthy eating habits and set them up for a lifelong positive relationship with food. Link: healthy healthychildren.org/podcast

Did you know sparklers get hot enough to melt metal? Touching them can cause third degree burns, and the sparks can catch clothes on fire and cause eye injuries! Keep your kiddos safe this fourth of July and have them wave flags, not sparklers. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Find other safety tips here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/stay-safe-this-4th-of-july.aspx?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0vv0xYoFXr23cXTt_z9CFPKIXBi2LNGRlU43wYtK-8p3gRvAX5bTuyWzs_aem_eiU6d9k0P-VyiMG3krfukA

So important!

Want to raise happy, successful kids? ‘Wait as long as possible’ to give them a phone, says Yale expert Waiting as long as possible to give your child a smartphone will make them happier and more successful, says Yale University psychology professor Laurie Santos.

Did you know guns are now the leading cause of death for U.S. kids and teens under the age of 18? In homes with guns, the risk of unintentional death by guns is higher. If you keep guns in your home, make sure they are locked and unloaded. Store and lock the ammunition separately, and make sure your kids and teens don’t have access to the keys or combinations to lock boxes or safes.

Good reminder that kids model the behavior of their parents or other trusted adults in their life. It is really important for adults to remain calm and demonstrate emotional control, especially in front of children.

Another great podcast.
Link: healthychildren.org/podcast

In this episode of Healthy Children podcast, host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with fellow pediatrician and mom Dr. Rachel Moon about safe sleep, sleep training and how to get help if you need it. You can tune in wherever you get your podcasts. But don’t nod off during this episode...be sure to listen for the secret phrase that will be revealed! It could be your ticket to win $100! After listening, submit the secret phrase by July 1, 2024, for your chance to win: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/secret_phrase

These are great weekly podcasts.
Link: healthychildren.org/podcast

Are you concerned about the effect of social media on your child? If so, you're not alone! In this episode of the Healthy Children podcast, host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Dr. Megan Moreno, co-medical director of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, who shares some great tips on how to think about social media as a tool rather than something to be avoided. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing dads from ABC Pediatrics!

Good reminders on sunscreen use!

Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen Sunscreen can help protect the skin from sunburn and some skin cancers but only if used correctly. Keep in mind that sunscreen should be used for sun protection, not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.

Help me wish Happy June Birthdays to Anna and Cristina, two of our amazing nurses! Happy Birthday! We are truly grateful for you!

Great tips for healthy sleep habits.

When your new baby wakes up every hour or two at night, so do you. When you’re exhausted, it can be hard to stick with safe sleep practices that reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Here are some strategies to promote safe, healthy sleep for your baby and yourself: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/safe-sleep-tips-for-sleep-deprived-parents.aspx