Health Guides by Age
Expert Health Tips for Every Stage—Newborns, Toddlers, Kids, and Teens
Infants
What to Know About Vitamin D and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your infant throughout the first year or two of life is widely known as the optimal way to feed your baby. The benefits are numerous. But this isn't a post about breastfeeding.
I'm not a lactation expert, but I believe that while breastfeeding provides a
Best Eczema Creams for Babies and Kids
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects babies and children. It causes dry, itchy skin that typically looks like red patches.
Eczema is associated with lots of discomfort and scratching.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a likely underlying cause of
Treating Flu in Kids: A Pharmacist Explains
In the United States, December- February represents the peak influenza season. This year is no exception.
Data collected from the CDC's respiratory illness surveillance programs indicate that flu activity is elevated throughout most of the country and is expected to remain high for several weeks.
P.S. It&
What to Know About the New RSV Immunizations
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity in the United States (and multiple other respiratory viruses) is elevated! 'Tis the season. Babies and toddlers are at risk of contracting RSV, flu, parainfluenza, COVID-19, and many other viral respiratory illnesses that circulate during the winter months.
In 2023, my 15-month-old tested positive
On the News and in the Air: The Ultimate Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Guide
As you may have heard, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was here for the holidays and will be here for the start of the New Year. An unwanted house guest, RSV is a common respiratory infection that primarily affects the airways—nose, throat, and lungs.
While it often presents as a
Norovirus Prevention and Treatment
December was full of news stories about norovirus outbreaks. Unfortunately, that trend has continued into spring. You'll hear a story about someone being sick with a stomach bug everywhere you go! The 2024-2025 GI illness season is officially one for the books.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a
The Flu Shot for Kids
Getting a flu shot is an annual tradition in my home. The kids grumble and fret, but they know they have to go. They also know that they'll get a donut afterward as compensation for their trials and tribulations. I don't necessarily encourage bribery in kids,
Sick Day Essentials
Boogers and coughing and puking, Oh My!
Sick season is officially here. However, if you have young kids, it probably never really left.
During the fall and winter, young children are prone to catching colds and other yucky viruses. Unfortunately, daycares and schools are breeding grounds for germs, and even
Toddlers
Vitamin C for Kids: Can It Prevent Colds?
Cold and flu season is long—so long. And where kids are concerned, for the common cold, there really isn't a "season." You can get a cold year-round, and kids always seem to catch them! It's March, and we're exiting winter illness
How to Treat and Prevent Chapped Lips in Children
Chapped lips happen to the best of us, but kids are especially prone to them due to their inability to remember chapstick, their propensity to lick irritated lips, and the constant stream of boogers and wetness running down their noses all winter.
Chapped lips are dry, cracked, and painful. They
Best Eczema Creams for Babies and Kids
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects babies and children. It causes dry, itchy skin that typically looks like red patches.
Eczema is associated with lots of discomfort and scratching.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a likely underlying cause of
Why Sea Salt is the Most Exciting Product in Kid’s Health This Century
Researchers in Edinburgh recently presented their findings from the ELVIS-Kids study at the 2024 European Respiratory Society Congress. Despite the name, this experiment had nothing to do with the pompadoured King of Swing and everything to do with children’s boogers.
Hypertonic Saline Nasal Solution's Effect on Colds
Treating Flu in Kids: A Pharmacist Explains
In the United States, December- February represents the peak influenza season. This year is no exception.
Data collected from the CDC's respiratory illness surveillance programs indicate that flu activity is elevated throughout most of the country and is expected to remain high for several weeks.
P.S. It&
Treating Head Lice in Kids
Question: You get an email from the school nurse saying there is an outbreak of head lice in your child's classroom. Should you:
A) Shave your child's head and slather them in mayonnaise
B) Burn all of your possessions and live off the land
C) Move
On the News and in the Air: The Ultimate Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Guide
As you may have heard, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was here for the holidays and will be here for the start of the New Year. An unwanted house guest, RSV is a common respiratory infection that primarily affects the airways—nose, throat, and lungs.
While it often presents as a
Norovirus Prevention and Treatment
December was full of news stories about norovirus outbreaks. Unfortunately, that trend has continued into spring. You'll hear a story about someone being sick with a stomach bug everywhere you go! The 2024-2025 GI illness season is officially one for the books.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a
Children
Vitamin C for Kids: Can It Prevent Colds?
Cold and flu season is long—so long. And where kids are concerned, for the common cold, there really isn't a "season." You can get a cold year-round, and kids always seem to catch them! It's March, and we're exiting winter illness
How to Treat and Prevent Chapped Lips in Children
Chapped lips happen to the best of us, but kids are especially prone to them due to their inability to remember chapstick, their propensity to lick irritated lips, and the constant stream of boogers and wetness running down their noses all winter.
Chapped lips are dry, cracked, and painful. They
Fluoride and Children's Dental Health: Benefits, Safety, and Cavity Prevention
February is National Children's Dental Health Month. I'll be honest. Brushing my kid's teeth might be my least favorite daily parental activity. Why are toddlers so squirmy?
It's important to floss and brush your child's teeth properly each day. Proper
Best Eczema Creams for Babies and Kids
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects babies and children. It causes dry, itchy skin that typically looks like red patches.
Eczema is associated with lots of discomfort and scratching.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a likely underlying cause of
Why Sea Salt is the Most Exciting Product in Kid’s Health This Century
Researchers in Edinburgh recently presented their findings from the ELVIS-Kids study at the 2024 European Respiratory Society Congress. Despite the name, this experiment had nothing to do with the pompadoured King of Swing and everything to do with children’s boogers.
Hypertonic Saline Nasal Solution's Effect on Colds
Treating Flu in Kids: A Pharmacist Explains
In the United States, December- February represents the peak influenza season. This year is no exception.
Data collected from the CDC's respiratory illness surveillance programs indicate that flu activity is elevated throughout most of the country and is expected to remain high for several weeks.
P.S. It&
Treating Head Lice in Kids
Question: You get an email from the school nurse saying there is an outbreak of head lice in your child's classroom. Should you:
A) Shave your child's head and slather them in mayonnaise
B) Burn all of your possessions and live off the land
C) Move
Stuck on the Winter Cough Carousel?
A Pharmacist's Guide to Treating Winter Coughs in Kids
Does your home sound like a tuberculosis ward in the early 1900s? Yup, mine too.
RSV, COVID-19, flu, and all the winter yuckies are circulating full force. After a respiratory infection, a cough can linger for weeks. And when
Teens
Vitamin C for Kids: Can It Prevent Colds?
Cold and flu season is long—so long. And where kids are concerned, for the common cold, there really isn't a "season." You can get a cold year-round, and kids always seem to catch them! It's March, and we're exiting winter illness
Why Sea Salt is the Most Exciting Product in Kid’s Health This Century
Researchers in Edinburgh recently presented their findings from the ELVIS-Kids study at the 2024 European Respiratory Society Congress. Despite the name, this experiment had nothing to do with the pompadoured King of Swing and everything to do with children’s boogers.
Hypertonic Saline Nasal Solution's Effect on Colds
Treating Flu in Kids: A Pharmacist Explains
In the United States, December- February represents the peak influenza season. This year is no exception.
Data collected from the CDC's respiratory illness surveillance programs indicate that flu activity is elevated throughout most of the country and is expected to remain high for several weeks.
P.S. It&
Treating Head Lice in Kids
Question: You get an email from the school nurse saying there is an outbreak of head lice in your child's classroom. Should you:
A) Shave your child's head and slather them in mayonnaise
B) Burn all of your possessions and live off the land
C) Move
The Flu Shot for Kids
Getting a flu shot is an annual tradition in my home. The kids grumble and fret, but they know they have to go. They also know that they'll get a donut afterward as compensation for their trials and tribulations. I don't necessarily encourage bribery in kids,
What is Walking Pneumonia?
Cases of walking pneumonia have been on the rise, with parents and caregivers everywhere scratching their heads. Walking pneumonia? That's still a thing in the modern age of antibiotics?
According to the CDC, doctors and hospitals have observed an unusual increase in cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae)
Ibuprofen Use in Kids: A Guide for Parents
Ibuprofen is a helpful medication for adults and for kids, too! It's effective and generally considered safe. In addition to acetaminophen, I consider ibuprofen a staple in your sickness warrior stockpile.
It's a common over-the-counter medication that can help manage pain and reduce fever in children.
What Drugs Are Safe and Effective for Seasonal Allergy Treatment in Children?
Cold winter months make me long for spring. When spring rolls around and everyone in my house can’t stop sneezing, I swiftly long for summer. Or some good noise-canceling headphones.
Where I live, we don't have four seasons but eleven. There’s winter, then fool’s spring,