There is a growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The reasons for this is multifactorial, one of those factors being highly processed and high sugar foods and beverages. An unexpected family dynamic between my parents, and Graeme and I is how we choose to feed our children. My mom in particular feels that if my daughter (her granddaughter)
Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, our family has been watching a lot more television while we do our part in social distancing and staying at home. For children ages 3-5, the recommended screen time is 1 hour or less per day by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and the American Academy of
Throughout my medical training, I thought putting an infant to sleep was as simple as putting them down in a bassinet or a crib. When parents approached me complaining of how difficult it was to get their infant to sleep, I would think to myself, “put them down and that’s that!” After my daughter Madi
My husband desperately wants a dog. He grew up with dogs and believes every kid deserves an animal companion. Madi also loves being around animals – especially puppies. I don’t know whether or not we will get a dog in the coming years. But the discussion of children and animals made me wonder if there
One of the most common medications I get asked about by patients are about acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil). How do I dose it for my child? Are these safe medications? Can I give both to my child? Here is some information on acetaminophen and ibuprofen to help guide you when your little one is
During medical school, I learned that babies require vitamin D supplementation for healthy bone development. However, other than bone health I was unaware of what the other benefits of vitamin D were until I had Madi. Postpartum, I wanted to understand why vitamin D was so important and why pediatricians recommended it. The information I
One mention of colic and you will be inundated with tips and tricks to help soothe your baby. One of the most common pieces of advice breastfeeding mothers hear is to change their diet. The most common diet change people suggest is for the mother to eliminate dairy from her diet. But is there any evidence that
Having an infant with a cold can be distressing for parents. Cough, congestion, and sore throats can affect their sleep, their eating habits, and they may be more irritable. Parents often bring their babies and young children into my office asking what they can do to alleviate their baby or child’s cold symptoms. Unfortunately, there is not
Morning routines with children are hard! Waking up, eating breakfast, and getting out the door and into the car on time can be challenging and frustrating for parents and children, alike. So much so, that meltdowns, yelling, and tantrums can all be part of it. As a child psychologist, I also understand the impact of
From the day George was born, the moments I cherish most are when he looks at me. In my opinion I think George started to recognize me from day 2 and explored my face. However, I do remember having heard that newborns have very poor vision. So is George actually able to see me or