All Blogs
How Does Shift Work Affect Circadian Rhythm? How Can Sleep Hygiene Help?
Our bodies have an intrinsic timekeeping system that regulates sleep, wakefulness and other systems such as temperature, appetite and hormone levels. This built-in system is called the circadian rhythm. For most people the circadian rhythm drives wakefulness during the daytime and promotes sleep at nighttime. This is because the biggest environmental contributor to sleep-wake cycles
Breastfeeding and Plugged Ducts
Plugged milk ducts can be an uncomfortable complication of breastfeeding. It is estimated that up to two-thirds of breastfeeding women experience a plugged milk duct at some point. A plugged milk duct is a small area of breast tissue that does not drain milk adequately and causes swelling. How Do I Know If I Have A Plugged Milk Duct? A plugged
Postpartum hairloss
I experienced significant hair loss after both of my pregnancies. My experience with postpartum hair loss made wonder, why do we lose hair postpartum and is there anything we can do about it? Postpartum Hair Loss Postpartum hair loss is an inevitable part of a woman’s postpartum journey. At some point anywhere from one to five months postpartum,
Sponsored: What is Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy, what is the Difference with Lactose intolerance, and How to Help Your Baby
Sponsored by Mead Johnson Some babies have allergies to proteins that are found in cow’s milk. This is known as Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). CMPA is the most common food allergy in infancy affecting 2-7.5% of infants. It can present during the first few months of life, often within days or weeks after introduction
Essential Oils and Babies
Essential oils are widely used for a variety of reasons. Some people use them for everyday wellness, while others just enjoy their smell. Whatever your reason is for using essential oils, it is important to know about their proper use and safety. This is especially important when considering using essential oils in the pediatric population. What Are
Winter Activities for Kids
Prior to this past year, we didn’t spend much time outside during the winter. I’ve never been a fan of cold weather, but I’ve slowly started to embrace and enjoy the Alberta winters! In order to enjoy outdoor winter activities, our family invested in getting warm winter gear. Being comfortable and warm makes outdoor play much
Newborn reflexes
The initial movements that newborn babies make are primitive reflexes and part of normal neurological development. Some of these movements may surprise new parents if they have never been around a newborn baby before. Reflexes are involuntary, which means they happen without trying. This is similar to when a doctor taps your knee with a hammer and your leg
Dressing Your Baby or Child for Winter
Outside time and play is important for everyone! Whether it is a winter walk, or an activity like skating or sledding, there are plenty of activities to be had during the long Canadian winters. But getting outside in the winter is more challenging with the inclement weather, and proper clothing is important to protect everyone so
Screen Time and Young Children
When I was a child, our television was always on. My parents allowed my brother and I to watch television as much as we wanted. I remember wondering why some of my friends had restrictions on how much television they could watch. As a family physician, I advise parents to follow recommendations set out by the Canadian Paediatric
Does shaving make your hair grow back thicker and darker?
Shaving is an effective and relatively cost-effective form of hair removal that removes hair temporarily just below the skins surface. But does shaving cause your hair to grow thicker and darker? Does shaving cause your hair to grow thicker and and darker? I was told growing up that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker,
What is Croup and How is it Treated?
Croup can be a very scary experience for parents. Your child may have a cold and suddenly develop a hoarse voice, noisy breathing, and a telltale barky cough. It often sounds worse than it really is but can be distressing for both parents and children. What is Croup? Croup is an infection most commonly caused by respiratory viruses. These viruses
Trouble Sleeping? Relaxation Techniques For Sleep
In my family medicine practice, I often see patients that have trouble sleeping. Particularly difficulty falling asleep. In medicine, this is known as “initial insomnia”. I recommend a proper sleep hygiene routine to all my patients that are suffering from poor quality sleep. But I also talk with them about relaxation techniques for sleep. Trouble