How much sleep do infants & young children need?

by Mary Riggs, pediatric sleep consultant *Update 2/27/2020; please note that since the posting of this blog entry, the National Sleep Foundation’s recommendations have changed.  Please visit this site for up to date info. These are general guidelines for the average amount of sleep needed during a 24 hour period.  Each child is different, though, […]

Independent sitting – when is it normal, appropriate and safe?

By Wendi McKenna, DPT, PCS, C/NDT A celebrated developmental milestone is when a 6-month-old baby (give or take a few weeks) can sit up independently. But, what does that mean? The reference books say independent sitting is when a baby is placed in sitting on the floor and can remain there without help from caregivers, […]

Dental Trauma in Children

by Eric Dixon DDS Summer time is here! It is time for skateboards and scooters, baseball and bicycles, pool parties and pinatas…and unfortunately an increase in tooth trauma. Our office has seen fractured teeth in the past year in all of the above activities. While we can’t completely protect our children from every potential accident, […]

Kid Friendly Snacks

by Brooke Joanna Benlifer, RD Kids need 2 – 3 snacks a day.  A snack is between 100 – 150 calories.   Expand your concept of “snack food” with these treats: Fresh Fruit – whole or sliced Apples Pears Peeled oranges Bananas Kiwis Peaches Plums Strawberries Blueberries Raspberries Blackberries Raw Vegetables Broccoli Baby carrots Jicama spears […]

Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers

by Matt Davis DDS The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist occur no later than his or her first birthday.  The most important reason for this is to begin a thorough prevention program.  As pediatric dentists, our goal is to […]

Is My Child’s Language Development Normal?

by Beth Brown, M.S., CCC Children vary greatly in the amount and type of language they develop during the first three years of life.  Many children have 50-100 words by 2 years of age and are combining two words together, but other children are slower at acquiring verbal language.  They point and gesture and wait […]

Picky Eaters – Advice for Parents

by Brooke Joanna Benlifer, RD Comforting Fact:  Most children are somewhat neophobic: distrustful of new food. Include kids in meal preparation.  This gives them familiarity with foods they may be suspicious of, teaches them a life skill, and gives them ownership over their meal options.  Although boiling water and razor sharp knives may be too […]

Insurance Coverage for Breastfeeding Services

By Vicki Wolfrum, RN, CNM, IBCLC The Affordable Health Care Act contains important provisions for breastfeeding mothers.  This act was passed by Congress in March of 2010, signed into law by President Obama and upheld by the Supreme Court during the summer of 2012.  A major feature of the law is that health plans are required to […]