Kids and gum disease: Top six things parents should know
Every kid needs a healthy smile — and strong teeth are just part of the equation. While a cavity affects only the tooth, gum disease can inflame the gums and damage the bones and surrounding tissues of the mouth. Although you might associate gum disease with older people, it can be a problem for children ... Read More about Kids and gum disease: Top six things parents should know
Why families need routines (even in the summer)
They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Maybe no one has realized this more over the last few years than children and young people who lost all semblance of normalcy with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if the benefits of their day-to-day routines were more subliminal in the “before ... Read More about Why families need routines (even in the summer)
Addressing food insecurity: How Boston Children’s makes food accessible for patients
Food insecurity is more common than you might think, affecting an estimated 21.1% of Massachusetts households with children in 2023. To add to the stress, families of children with dietary restrictions who face food insecurity are frequently left with limited options to find proper nutrition. One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to addressing ... Read More about Addressing food insecurity: How Boston Children’s makes food accessible for patients
Summertime Sadness: Helping children manage summer depression
Summer’s here, which means school is out and the sun is in. It’s everyone’s favorite season. Unless it’s not. Summer can bring with it feelings of depression or anxiety, which can be especially frustrating for young people who may think they’re supposed to unequivocally love this time of year. We spoke with Dr. Deepika Shaligram, ... Read More about Summertime Sadness: Helping children manage summer depression
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for kids under 5. Here’s what parents should know.
Children under age 5 can now be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved the use of vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna in children ages 6 months and older. We spoke with Dr. Kristin Moffitt, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Boston Children’s, to get answers to your questions. ... Read More about COVID-19 vaccines are now available for kids under 5. Here’s what parents should know.
Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies
Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for expectant mothers and can protect them against infection, severe illness, and death from COVID-19. We also know that mothers vaccinated during pregnancy pass coronavirus antibodies to their babies. The latest research — drawing on 30 children’s hospitals in 22 states — now confirms that vaccinating ... Read More about Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies
Melatonin for kids: Is it effective? Is it safe?
You’ve heard melatonin — an over-the-counter hormone supplement — can help with insomnia. Perhaps your pediatrician has recommended it. But is it really beneficial, and can your child take it safely? A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raises some concerns. It found an alarming six-fold increase in the past ... Read More about Melatonin for kids: Is it effective? Is it safe?
When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents
No matter how hard they work, every athlete has bad days. Whether it’s a stumble, fumble, or outright loss, disappointment is a reality of sports. “No one likes the feeling of failing,” says Kelsey Griffith, mental skills specialist at The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention. “But experiencing those emotions is part of the athletic ... Read More about When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents
Shining a light on the SPF gap: Why sun protection is so important for children of color
With summer just around the corner, it’s important to understand the risks that come along with those long, hot days in the sun. It’s also important to recognize some pretty dangerous misconceptions about sun protection — namely that Black children and other children of color don’t need to worry about skin protection and skin cancers. ... Read More about Shining a light on the SPF gap: Why sun protection is so important for children of color
The infant formula shortage: Your questions, answered
By now, you’ve likely heard about the current shortage of commercial infant formula: As of today, more than 40 percent of formulas are out of stock across the U.S. The situation has left families scrambling for solutions — and struggling to make sense of a barrage of misinformation online. To get answers, we spoke with ... Read More about The infant formula shortage: Your questions, answered