News & Pediatric Insights
Empowering Kids to Make Healthy Choices: A How-to
We all want the best for our kids. One of the best ways you can ensure your kids grow up strong and happy is to empower them with the power of health. As parents, we have a great deal of control over our children’s habits, so why not ensure they pick up habits to guide them through life? Here, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine shares valuable tips for teaching healthy choices.
Supporting Your Child’s Health as Schools Reopen
Supporting Your Child’s Health as Schools Reopen In the past two years, children have had to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic with little choice. Due to social distancing measures, many children have been forced to do almost every activity online, including classes, graduations, and birthdays. Now, they have to adjust again; this time, they’re…
Are you happy?
Guest Post: Sarah Intelligator I live in an incessant state of overwhelming gratitude, undermined by crippling guilt. It’s a weird place—what Camus would likely refer to as the “absurd.” I know I’m so fortunate to have a career that provides me with financial freedom, but also independence. At the same time, I feel chained to…
How to safely travel with the family right now…
How to safely travel with the family right now… Are you planning to travel? Many of my patients are getting the itch to travel but have questions about how to safely do this. There is no magical pill that will guarantee that you won’t get sick, but there are some fundamentals to think about that…
Should I get a CV test?
Should I get a CV test? At least 3 times a day for the last few weeks I have been asked this question. Often there is no simple answer and I ask the parent if they would like one done. Of course, if you are in the hospital, that is a different story and they will…
What to look for in a formula?
What to look for in a formula? One of the most common questions I get from parents who choose to feed their children with formula is which brand(s) I like best. As a Pediatrician, we always aim to encourage breastfeeding where possible, but there are many situations where a parent cannot breastfeed or chooses…
How to Easily Spot Healthy Food and Keep You Cruising Down The Aisles
How to Easily Spot Healthy Food and Keep You Cruising Down The Aisles Seeking healthy food is an emotional and mental struggle. Many of us grew up on Happy Meals, sweet treats and tasty chips. And it’s still tempting for adults. So it’s hard not giving that same childhood we grew up on. I mean,…
The Six Best Apps for First Time Parents
The Six Best Apps for First Time Parents First-time parents have a lot to learn, but believe it or not, your phone can help. There are plenty of fantastic apps for first-time parents that will keep you on track despite your busy schedule and help you stay organized and sane. Here are a few…
Art and Learning: How the Two Affect Children with Learning Disabilities
Art and Learning: How the Two Affect Children with Learning Disabilities Guest blog by: Stephanie Haywood A learning disability affects our children in ways that go beyond the classroom. They may suffer from low self-esteem and not believe in themselves. Thankfully, art is the perfect vehicle not only to help them learn in new ways…
How You Can Set Your Kids Up to Make Their Own Healthy Choices
How You Can Set Your Kids Up to Make Their Own Healthy Choices Guest blog by: Stephanie Haywood As parents, we basically have two options for getting our kids to do the right thing. First, we can simply force them to do it. Or, preferably, we can instill in them the compass to make the best…
Surviving A Picky Eater!
Surviving a picky eaterby Talia Moore of Tummy Thyme All we really want as parents is to have a happy and healthy child. Sometimes, the innate desire to achieve these things actually creates the opposite effect. This is particularly true when it comes to food and our desire to ensure our child is eating enough…
Family Health Revolution – The Definitive Approach to Elevating Your Family’s Health
Check out this video below where I talk with my good friend, Carla Atherton, about her new book, Family Health Revolution. In this book, she discusses how to use lifestyle medicine to overcome disease, illness, and discomfort, demedicalize family health, slow down fast-paced modern family life, reduce stress, and return your family to the ease…
This School Photo Hurt My Soul
What world do we want for our children? When I saw this picture, I knew it was not this one. My soul and my heart literally hurt just thinking about this. As a Pediatrician, but more importantly as a father, I am not ok with this. I would never, ever, send Eli to school to…
The unfortunate nature of toxins in our children’s food
Recently, CNN reported on the terrifying level of toxins in baby and child food. I sat down with toxin expert Aida Garcia-Toledo (aka the Non-Toxic Munchkin) to discuss her thoughts on what we can do moving forward. We chatted about: The unfortunate nature of toxins in our food What parents can do to decrease the…
Is our children’s food toxic? – A terrifying report
By now, you have probably heard about the recent terrifying report by CNN about toxins in baby foods. While this report brings new data to light, this is really not in any way surprising and is unfortunately a sad reminder about our current food system. Many parents have questioned what they should be feeding their…
Heal Your Gut – Guest Blog By: Sarah Greenfield, RD (aka The Fearless Fig)
Guest Blog By: Sarah Greenfield, RD (aka The Fearless Fig) If you suffer from chronic gut issues, meals that used to be enjoyable can suddenly trigger feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear. Because when your gut is out of whack, you never know which foods will result in an unexpected trip to the bathroom or…
Dr. Gator’s Latest CV va-x and mandate updates
A CV va-xx-ine, or several, are likely around the corner. Here is what you need to know. Emergency Use Authorization As of the date of publication of this article, two companies have already or are in the process of applying for Emergency use of their product through the FDA. Several more are likely in…
Halloween safety: Tips for trick-or-treaters
Halloween can be a real treat. The trick is to make sure Halloween is both fun and safe! Please follow local safety regulations, but if you are going out this year, here are a few tips on how to stay safe even when it’s a dark and stormy night with ghosts and goblins everywhere. Before…
Indoor Plants
Plants can be amazing air cleaners. Here are a few of Rob and my favorites for your home. SNAKE PLANT This succulent is known to release oxygen at night! It can be a great addition to a bedroom to increase the chances of a good night’s sleep. This yellow-tipped plant is also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue…
Top Homeschooling Resources & Tips from Dr. Gator
Homeschooling is not an easy task. This new responsibility has been thrust onto parents around the globe. Here are some resources that you may find helpful. Mandy Musgrave chats with me about what she has learned about homeschooling over the years. She has one of the best homeschooling set-ups I have seen and she was…
Sneak Peek! of the Integrative Pediatrics Summit
We have so many incredible voices and minds participating in the upcoming Integrative Pediatrics Summit – and after an entire year of planning it’s now just days away! Enjoy this inspiring sneak peek from some of our amazing presenters that will be in the Summit next week. 🙂 When we acknowledge what’s happening to children’s…
How is CV19 currently affecting children?
How is CV19 currently affecting children?
I have received this question from numerous families so I dove headfirst into the literature to see what has been reported over the last few weeks
Should I Send My Children to School/Camp This Summer?
This is a very complex question with no cookie-cutter response. There is no way for me to give you a one size fits all solution, as each person is different and each situation unique. Instead, I have decided to break this question down, so that I can hopefully help you think through the concern from…
What is Kawasaki disease?
Kawasaki disease is an illness that causes blood vessels to become inflamed, almost always in young children. It is an acute febrile illness of unknown cause that primarily affects children younger than 5 years of age. The disease was first described in Japan by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967
Why Are Social Distancing Kids Still Getting Sick?
“Why are my kids still getting sick if they have been out of school and haven’t left the house for weeks?
Composting For Kids – Guide For Spring/Summer
More and more, people are taking control of what they eat and drink and how it is made. Sustainable living is a growing trend, and a healthy one at that. Pursuing sustainable practices is no high-minded lifestyle, and is very unlikely to solve the world’s problems, but it is a good place to start. Getting children involved in sustainability at an early age is also the best way to ensure them a clean and healthy future.
How to “Kill” a Virus – Virology 101
Viruses are a fascinating aspect of biology, there is an ongoing debate as to whether they are truly ‘alive’ since they are not able to replicate on their own. One can consider them as not exactly a living organism, but instead a type of transmittable genetic programming that re-purposes other cells molecular machinery in order to replicate.
Parenthood: A Rewarding New Challenge
Life changes in the blink of an eye when you find out the stork is en route. That’s a fact for all parents, and all parents have to get themselves and their homes ready for the arrival. As a person with a disability, there are a few extra steps you can take to help you tackle the challenges of parenthood, since children don’t slow down for anyone.
Sunup to Sundown: Your Activities Affect Your Sleep Routine
If you lay awake tossing and turning half the night, you’re not alone. There are more than 70 recognized sleep disorders that affect 40 million adults in the US each year — 20 million more people have occasional issues with sleep. It’s not just the 18-plus crowd either. Children are not immune to sleep issues, and this lack of slumber has dire consequences.
Why You Should Be Thinking About Air When You Think About Your Family’s Health
Are you worried about the air inside your home? If your kids are constantly coughing and sneezing, you may need to take a hard look at it. The dangers of indoor air pollution are very real for families, but they are something that many moms and dads forget to think about. So, if you want to better protect your family’s health, you should start by bettering the quality of the air in your home by knowing these helpful tips.
Healthy Eating for Kids: Creative Ways to Get Them Excited About Vegetables
Getting your little ones to eat healthy — and enjoy it — can be difficult, especially if they’re picky eaters. Loading up a plate full of unfamiliar food can be daunting for kids, so it’s important to find fun and creative ways to get them to eat and appreciate healthy foods. One of the keys is to give them plenty of options. It’s also a good idea to let them know that if they try a new food and don’t like it, they can try something else. Never try to force a child to eat, as this can have damaging consequences.
Dirty Home Air? Here’s How to Fix It
Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma attacks, or trigger allergies, and these pollutants include smoke, pet dander, mold, cleaning products, and other chemicals. Keeping the air inside your home clean is extremely important for everyone, but it’s especially true if you have kids. Below are a few helpful tips and tricks for keeping the air inside your home healthy and clean.
What is Functional Medicine?
According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach looking at the root cause of illness.
Allergies Symptoms Healing Tree
Allergies Symptoms Healing Tree. If someone in your family suffers from allergies, you are not alone. 1 in 5 people, or an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Over the last 50 years, it has become even more common suggesting there are likely some environmental or behavioral triggers.
Increasing Breast Milk Supply Naturally
Increasing Breast Milk Supply Naturally – Nursing. Physically nurse anytime possible, and then pump when the baby finishes and just pump and pump for as long as you can. The longer you stimulate the breast like the baby is nursing, the hope is your body will rise to the occasion thinking you are actually nursing that long and produce more milk.
Healing Tree for Cough – Natural Remedies
Coughing is the body’s natural method for clearing the airway and trying to expel harmful microbes, dust or irritants. Coughing can rarely be a symptom of an underlying illness such as pneumonia or asthma so you should seek medical care if you have been coughing for more than a week
Children, Antibiotics, and Long-Term Health
I am reposting this article from the Institute of Functional Medicine because I think it is very important. In western society and western medicine, we are way to quick to jump to antibiotics for things that will get better on their own through time. Antibiotic use has consequences.
Vomiting? Diarrhea? How Can I Rehydrate My Child Naturally? Alternative to Pedialyte
It’s 2 am and you are sound asleep. Your 11-month-old son starts crying hysterically and then vomits. He has a low-grade fever. It has been 3 hours and he vomits again. You are trying to give him some formula, but he doesn’t want to drink any of it.
Dr. Gator’s Top Immune Boosting Tips
Winter is coming (Game of Thrones pun intended), and this signals the beginning of cold and flu season. A common question I get from families around this time of year is “HOW CAN I BOOST MY CHIL’S IMMUNE SYSTEM”, or is there anything they can do minimize the risk of their family getting sick.
5 Natural Ways to Support a Pediatric Sore Throat
So you went to the doctor for your child’s sore throat and the rapid strep test was negative. What now? Over 90% of sore throats or “pharyngitis” are viral infections and antibiotics are not helpful or needed. Are there any natural options that can be helpful?
