Over The Moon Pediatrics

Water is the best drink for children! 💧 It’s calorie-free, keeps them hydrated, and supports healthy joints, bones, and teeth. Plus, it helps with blood circulation and weight management.

💦 How much water your child needs to drink depends on their age. Use this handy chart that shares the recommended amounts for young children in each age group.

Babies under 6 months only need to drink breast milk or formula to get all the water they need. 🤱 After 6 months, you can start introducing water.

👉 For older children between ages 5 and 8, aim for 5 cups of water per day. For kids above 8, boost it to 7-8 cups per day.

And for our young athletes, remember to keep water handy before, during, and after their games and practices to keep them hydrated! 🏀

Helping your child process their anger in healthy ways can teach them valuable skills for managing difficult emotions!

Here are some phrases 💬 to use to show understanding, guide your child through their feelings, and help them maintain perspective.

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Did you know that some foods and drinks should be limited or avoided during your baby's first year? 🤔

For babies under 6 months, breast milk or formula is all they need. Once they hit the 6-month mark, they can start exploring solids. However, certain foods and drinks like milk and juice can be unhealthy or even harmful for babies under 12 months of age. 👶

👇 Check out this blog for essential tips on keeping your baby’s diet safe and nutritious!

Foods and Drinks to Limit for Baby - Pathways.org Learn important feeding guidelines for baby's first year. Learn why to limit certain foods and drinks for babies and when to introduce them.

As a friendly reminder to all of our families, make sure to keep up with your child's well check visits. 🩺

Regular well visits are important for tracking your child’s growth and development and to ensure that your child has all the necessary forms they need for school and sports. 🎒 ⚽

☎️ Call our office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

As a reminder for , watch your baby's hunger cues rather than the clock to know when to feed. It's typical for babies to breastfeed at least 8 times per day during the first year. 🤱

Babies typically display hunger cues before crying when they are hungry. It's best to start feeding when babies start showing signs of hunger so that they are calm and ready to feed! 🤱

August is and this week is ! 🤱

Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for babies 👶, including strengthening their immune system, providing all of the nutrients they need, and promoting healthy growth and development. It also has benefits for mothers such as reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

👉 If you are a nursing parent, here's a helpful checklist on the 7 signs of correct feeding and signs of incorrect nursing to know about.

If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, call our office. ☎️

A Breastfeeding Checklist: Are You Nursing Correctly? These common signs let mothers know whether or not they are nursing their baby correctly.

Protecting your little one is a top priority as a parent. Before you take your baby out on a stroll, we recommend following these stroller safety tips that every parent needs to know! 👶

"Look for a stroller for your child’s age, height and weight.

This information can be found on the stroller or in the item description if you’re shopping online. This will help you find a stroller that will meet your child’s needs for their age. For example, in a stroller for newborns, they should be able to lie almost flat because they don’t have the core, head or trunk strength to hold themselves up."

Stroller Safety Tips Every Parent Needs Know | Pathways.org Because strollers are a big part of baby’s mobility, it’s important they are safe for children. Look for these safety features to make sure!

Tummy Time is important for your baby's motor and sensory development and you can make the most of it by reading to your little one. 👶

Check out some of the best ways you can incorporate reading during tummy time! 📚

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Teaching children the difference between kindness and people-pleasing is an important life concept that will help them build healthy relationships with others while also honoring their true selves. 🤗

Kindness comes from a place of empathy while people-pleasing often comes from seeking validation from others.

👉 Here are some phrases to use when talking to your children about kindness vs. people-pleasing!

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Not sure when your child needs antibiotics? 🤒 💊

Antibiotics might only be needed when children are sick from a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not help with viral illnesses. 🦠

👉 Check out CDC's graph on the symptoms you might see from common respiratory infections and if they're associated with a virus or bacteria.

If you have any concerns about your child's illness or if they need antibiotics, please call our office. ☎️

Is your child dreading the new school year? 🏫

Back-to-school can invoke feelings of anxiety for many kids. Some children don't look forward to seeing the end of their summer vacation and some might also have fears about new changes and adjusting to the school routine. 🎒 ✏️

However, these 7 tips can help get your kids excited for the new year and ensure a successful first day! 😀

👉 Check out Pathways' blog for advice: https://buff.ly/3LxYBxU

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Changing the direction of which way your baby sleeps every day strengthens their muscles and can prevent them from developing a flat head (plagiocephaly). 😴

Use the easy Sleep Switch, Left, Right, Repeat method ↔️ and always make sure your baby is sleeping on their back no matter which direction they're in! 👶

For crib safety, it's also important that there's no soft bedding, including blankets and stuffed animals. ❌ 🧸

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When it comes to ensuring your baby sleeps safely, follow the simple ABC 🔤 rule:

A: Baby should always sleep alone.
B: Baby should sleep on their back.
C: Baby should always sleep in a crib or bassinet.

Click here to learn more about these important sleep tips to keep your baby safe while they're sleeping or napping. 👶 💤

3 Easy tips to Ensure Safe Sleep for Infants and Babies | Pathways.org Follow these 3 tips for safe sleep for infants and babies: Baby should always sleep Alone, on their Back, and in their Crib (ABC).

Is your toddler a picky eater? 🧐 This is a common struggle that many parents have!

During the age period of 1 and 3, children can develop food preferences and make a fuss about foods they do not want. 😩 🥬 If getting your child to try new foods has been a battle, know that you're not alone and that there are techniques that can help.

For example, the "food bridge" technique can reduce picky eating by using a food your child already likes to build a bridge to a wider variety of foods. 🥔 ➡️ 🥦

👇 Check out this blog to learn more and other pro tips to try!

6 Things to Know About Picky Eating - Pathways.org Picky eating is common among toddlers. Learn how to use food bridges to introduce new foods to children which factors in deciding what their diet should look like.

Did you know that swimming is considered to be the best first sport for children? 🏊‍♀️

Learning how to swim improves brain health, builds strong bodies, strengthens coordination and flexibility, and provides water survival skills that can prevent drowning. 🤽‍♀️

The 5 important swimming skills that children should learn are:

1️⃣ Step or jump into water that goes above their head.
2️⃣ Come back to the surface and float or tread water.
3️⃣ Turn around in a full circle and find a way out of the water.
4️⃣ Swim at least 25 yards to the exit point.
5️⃣ Climb out without help, even if there is no ladder.

👉 Click this link for resources and tips to help your family learn how to swim, including children with learning disabilities.

What is the best first sport for kids? Swimming should be the first sport a child learns. Beyond the fun and fitness it provides, swimming is an essential life skill that can help protect your child from drowning. Drowning is the #1 cause of death among children aged 1 to 4.

When it comes to ensuring your baby sleeps safely, follow the simple ABC 🔤 rule:

A: Baby should always sleep alone.
B: Baby should sleep on their back.
C: Baby should always sleep in a crib or bassinet.

Click here to learn more about these important sleep tips to keep your baby safe while they're sleeping or napping. 👶 💤

New parents who give birth and breastfeed their babies tend to get the most attention. So as a new father or parent, you might feel that your involvement doesn't matter. 👨‍🍼

However, that is far from true! Your role is a significant one and there's a lot that you can do to care for your baby. 👶

Click here to read the many ways the involvement of new fathers and parents makes a difference.

"While fathers and partners may not be able to breastfeed, their involvement makes a huge difference in the success of nursing. Be available to bring the baby to the mother and help her with positioning.

Pro tip: Nursing a baby makes mothers very thirsty, so bringing them a glass of water can make you their hero. When the feeding is complete, change the baby's diaper and ensure they return safely to their crib or bassinet."

New Dads & Partners: How Your Involvement Matters Just as new mothers occasionally need to readjust their priorities, new fathers now have a golden opportunity to show more of their nurturing side by caring for Mom, the baby, and possibly other siblings.

Planning a barbecue this summer? 🍡

Or a picnic in the park? 🥪

You'll want to make sure to save these food safety tips 📝 for your next outdoor meal!

Food poisoning is more common in the summer as germs multiply quickly in warmer weather. Children under 5 are especially at higher risk of getting seriously sick from contaminated food. 🤢

👉 Click here for guidelines to follow to make outdoor meals safer for your family and information on symptoms of food poisoning to look out for.

Food Safety Tips for Your Next Outdoor Family Meal Food poisoning tends to be more common in the summer. It’s when more people cook and enjoy meals outdoors, away from refrigerators, sinks and thermometers. Here is how to keep your next outdoor meal enjoyable and safe for everyone in your family.

Keep summer healthy and fun for your kids by teaching these essential skills! 😎

"Learning new ways to be healthy can help children:

☀️ Handle stress well—through physical activity and taking steps to change upsetting thoughts.

☀️ Relate to others—by encouraging positive social interactions and emotional awareness.

☀️ Make healthy choices—about how they eat and play."

Click here to read more! 👇

Give Kids a Healthy Summer Learn ways you can support your child’s physical and mental health this summer.

For the safety of our patients and our staff, we are closing clinic today (July 8, 2024) due to inclement weather from Hurricane Beryl. Our staff will reach out to reschedule all appointments. Please stay safe!

Happy July 4th! 🎆

Bug bites can be a pain to deal with, especially during summer months when kids are playing outside. 🦟

Using an insect repellent can protect your children and it's recommended to select one that is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These repellents contain ingredients such as DEET for effective use. 🧴

👉 Click the link for info on applying an insect repellent on your child, what to do if your child has a reaction, and other tips for insect bite prevention.

How to Choose an Insect Repellent for Your Child Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about types of repellents, DEET, using repellents safely, and other ways to protect your child from insect bites.

Our office will be closed tomorrow and Friday this week for the July 4th holiday.

📢 Important tips for parents this summer and beyond!

Many toddlers and young children are drawn to water and it can only take a few seconds for them to slip away from watchful eyes and be at risk for drowning.

After birth defects, drowning is the number 1️⃣ cause of death for children ages 1-4.

Therefore, it's crucial to take the necessary precautions to protect your children from water dangers.

If your child is at a home where there's a pool, make sure the pool is fenced. Pool alarms and window guards provide additional safety as well. 🚨

Any time your child is near water, there should be a supervisor close by who is watching them. 🌊

👇 Click the link for more important tips on drowning prevention!

Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention―When It’s Not Swimming Time ​Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children between ages 1 and 4. The AAP recommends several ways parents can help keep children safe around home swimming pools and hot tubs―all year long―in your own backyard, your neighbor's, or on vacation.

Being a new parent can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting - especially if your baby is keeping you awake throughout the night. 👶 🌙

We recommend following these tips to ensure that your baby sleeps safely so that you can get your rest as well. 💤

The blog also shares tools and strategies for staying awake during feedings and what to do when you're feeling overwhelmed! 📝

Safe Sleep Tips for Sleep-Deprived Parents The American Academy of Pediatrics shares practical tips for sleep-deprived new parents on coping with the challenges of safe sleep for their newborns. Learn about routines, baby sleep cycles and self-soothing techniques.​

Summer is here! 😎

As the days are longer and kids spend more time playing outdoors, it's important to keep sun safety in mind. Check out this blog for tips on protecting your child's skin from the sun's harmful UV rays and how to treat sunburns if they do occur. ☀️

"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.

Use a sunscreen that says "broad-spectrum" on the label; that means it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays."

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.

Happy Juneteenth!

Eid Mubarak!