Teething: Which remedies are safe for babies?
The arrival of your infant’s first tooth is a milestone. But it can also signal the beginning of a trying phase for both of you: teething. Your baby was born with 20 teeth below their gumline. “The timing of teething varies from child to child. “Teeth may begin to erupt anywhere between 4 and 12 ... Read More about Teething: Which remedies are safe for babies?
Teens, anxiety, and depression: How worried should parents be?
Part of the work of being a teenager is making connections outside of the family and becoming attuned to world issues. But add social media, an ongoing pandemic, and academic and extracurricular pressures to the mix, and teens can become vulnerable to mental health issues. “Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health concerns ... Read More about Teens, anxiety, and depression: How worried should parents be?
Navigating friendships and vaccines
With kids finally back at school and other activities after more than a year, many families now find themselves facing yet another chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic: contending with those who don’t share their views on getting vaccinated. We spoke with Erica Lee, a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital, about navigating ... Read More about Navigating friendships and vaccines
Losing a parent or caregiver to COVID-19: Advice for families
Ed. note: This story was updated on October 7 with new data on COVID-19 deaths. A recent international study estimated that at least 104,884 U.S. children lost one or both parents to COVID-19. And that was as of April 20, 2021, before the highly contagious Delta variant became widespread. A more detailed study of U.S. deaths ... Read More about Losing a parent or caregiver to COVID-19: Advice for families
More than the blues: Navigating postpartum depression
Whether you’ve given birth to your first child or you’re adding a member to your growing family, childbirth is a profound experience. After that, caring for a newborn is a round-the-clock endeavor — even if you’re prepared. The transition from pregnancy to parenthood is called the postpartum period. For insight on what parents can expect ... Read More about More than the blues: Navigating postpartum depression
What to expect from cold and flu season this year
At least fewer people came down with colds and flu in 2020: That’s one of the few positive things we can say about the year of widespread social distancing. Rates of influenza and several other viral infections were historically low, and even the common cold seemed to take the year off from making kids and ... Read More about What to expect from cold and flu season this year
Is the Delta variant worse for kids? Answers to your questions
As kids across the country return to in-person school, the COVID-19 pandemic looks a bit different from last year. Children and teens ages 12 and older are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, and as a result, some states have relaxed certain public health restrictions, such as mask mandates. Enter the Delta variant. Believed to ... Read More about Is the Delta variant worse for kids? Answers to your questions
Helping your child cope with separation anxiety
When your baby can’t seem to fall asleep in their crib after weeks of trying, or daycare drop-off always sparks a toddler tantrum, your child may be experiencing separation anxiety. “Separation anxiety is very common,” says Angelica Espinosa-Louissaint, MD, a pediatrician and co-founder of Commonwealth Pediatrics in Boston Children’s Primary Care Alliance. “It often starts ... Read More about Helping your child cope with separation anxiety
Taming reentry anxiety: How to prepare kids for a back-to-school like no other
After more than a year and a half of remote, hybrid, and home-schooling, it’s time to gear up for a return to full-time, in-person school. But for many kids, this “return to normal” comes with a unique set of concerns. Here, Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, answers questions ... Read More about Taming reentry anxiety: How to prepare kids for a back-to-school like no other
Growth and Nutrition Program works with schools to support kids with feeding challenges
Returning to school doesn’t just mean stocking up on pencils, paper, and new clothes. For some children, going back to school also involves special nutritional needs. Kids with feeding difficulties — as well as those who rely on a feeding tube for nourishment — require care that doesn’t end when the school day begins. The ... Read More about Growth and Nutrition Program works with schools to support kids with feeding challenges