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I Have a Cold Sore, Can I Be Near My Newborn Baby?

Cold sores are highly contagious. But what are you to do when you have a cold sore and also a newborn baby to care for? What is a Cold Sore? Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).  They look like small blisters around the lips, mouth, chin, cheeks, or even nose.  Within

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Can I Eat Sushi or Other Fish While Pregnant?

One of the most common food types that people will tell you that you cannot eat while pregnant is sushi, or raw fish.  There are many health benefits to having fish as part of your regular diet.  So why is it that sushi shouldn’t be consumed while pregnant?  Does this apply to other types of fish as well? 

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Safety of Hand Sanitizer

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer has become a staple household item. However, many parents are wondering, is hand sanitizer safe for use in children? The short answer is yes, though it can be unsafe in certain circumstances. Hand Hygiene The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hand washing with warm

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Ways to Improve Breast Milk Supply

Breastfeeding was not intuitive for me. I struggled with low milk supply early on and had difficulty getting Madi to latch correctly. Fortunately, with the help of a lactation consultant, after two weeks breastfeeding improved. There are two main reasons why mothers and their infants may have breastfeeding difficulties.  The first reason is inadequate milk production from the mother. The

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What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Pink eye (or conjunctivitis) is a common cause of a red eye.  Conjunctivitis means there is inflammation – swelling and redness – of the thin layer of tissue that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid.   There are different kinds of conjunctivitis, and not all of them are caused by a bacterial infection.  All of

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Fever and Temperature Taking

Living in a COVID-19 pandemic means we are often taking the temperatures of ourselves and our children.  I know this is often a required step as part of a daily screening tool for children who attend day care or preschool.  I have to take Madi’s temperature every time I bring her to preschool.   What Is A Fever?

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Diapering Tips

Despite caring for infants for years as a family physician, when I had my daughter Madi, I had no idea how to change her diaper. The first time I put on her diaper, I put it on backwards and I really didn’t know what to look for when it came to features. Fortunately, with the

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What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopment disorder among children and teens. ADHD used to be called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) but this is now outdated terminology.  ADHD is very common.  It is estimated that ADHD affects about 3.4% of children worldwide.  However the prevalence ranges across studies anywhere from 2-18% depending on the population

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How to Use Pacifiers Safely

Before I became a mother, I did not realize how attached an infant can be to their pacifier (soother). Madi loved her pacifier, and we lovingly nicknamed it “soo-soo.” Madi would reach for her “soo-soo,” call out for it, and we always make sure we had it in her diaper bag. During my pediatrics rotation

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