Most children are drawn to animals. As soon as they can walk, children try to pet, play with and feed treats to the family dog, the neighborhood cat, wildlife or pets owned by friends. Unfortunately, animals can—and often do—bite. Even if the wound seems small, it can become seriously infected. What can parents to do help their children stay safe around dogs, cats and other animals? What should parents do if their child is bitten, scratched, or injured in some other way? Get answers by reading th...
Getting to know your baby includes learning what makes them laugh, and what makes them cry. For new parents, hearing their baby cry can be frustrating and even scary. For babies, crying is a survival skill that lets caregivers know they need help. Keep reading to learn the most common reasons babies cry—and how to soothe them. Why do babies cry? From the very first moments after birth, babies use their voices to communicate physical and emotional discomfort. The most obvious discomfort is hunger....
You might have high blood pressure—and not even know it. In fact, about one in two adults in the United States have high blood pressure with no symptoms. That’s why the condition, also known as hypertension, is often called “the silent killer.” High blood pressure increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It can also lead to other serious health conditions. The good news is that high blood pressure is easy to diagnose. If your pressure is high, you can make lifestyle changes or take medica...
Are you—and your family—drinking enough water every day? Hot weather is hard on the human body. It can affect how much sleep we get, how much energy we have, and how well we recover from illness. This is especially true for young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions. One of the best ways to stay as cool and healthy as possible is to stay hydrated. Learn more about the importance of hydration from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in north Texas. How do bodies use water and ot...
If you’re like most families, you spend more time at home than anywhere else. So it’s no surprise that many childhood injuries, from cuts and scrapes to burns and falls, happen there. The good news is, with a little planning and effort, you can childproof every room in your home. Learn how with these tips from Dr. Sheila Capre-Franceschi, MD, a board-certified pediatrician in North Texas. Safety Tips for Every Room in the House Even before they start walking, your babies and toddlers can move ver...
It’s almost time for summer fun outdoors. Whether you like team sports, a solo bike ride, or enjoying the warm weather as a family, summer has something for everyone. As you plan your outdoor exercise, be sure to keep safety in mind. That way, you’ll prevent the accidents and injuries that can keep you from your favorite activities. Learn more: Check out these summer safety tips from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in north Texas. How to stay safe at the playground For young children, a trip to the pl...
The teen years can be tough. If your child is in middle school or high school, you might notice they feel pressure to look a certain way. They might even start to skip meals or try to lose too much weight, too quickly. For some teens, these behaviors out of control until they develop a dangerous eating disorder. The good news is you can help your teen avoid—or recover from—eating disorders. Learn more. Read this helpful Q&A with Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in north Texas. What is the typical a...
Good nutrition is one of the keys to keeping your family healthy – and as your child continues to grow, their dietary needs will change. North Texas pediatrician Dr. Yohanna Andrade, MD explains what you need to know about calories, portion size, and more. How do portion size and calorie intake change with age? The number of calories a child needs will increase as they get older. For example, a toddler typically needs about 1,000 calories per day, while an older child needs between 1,200 a...
In the past few years, we’ve heard a lot about respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. RSV is another common virus that mainly affects infants and older adults – while infections are usually mild, it can become more severe in some cases. North Texas pediatric physician assistant Robert Smith shares important information about this common infection – and what you can do to prevent it. What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)? RSV or bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection. It can cause...
From birth through late teen years, your child will visit the pediatrician often. Regular doctor visits are a normal part of growing up as healthy as possible. Make it easy for your child—and for you. Prepare ahead of time with these tips from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in North Texas. What kinds of appointments are available for my child? Some pediatrician visits are unplanned, such as those for diagnosing and treating sudden illness and injury. Others are scheduled in advance, such as well-baby...
The holidays are a fun break from routine. You and your family might plan to visit or host friends and family, enjoy time off from school, and try new foods, games, and toys. With just a little more planning, you can prevent a trip to the emergency room during this busy time of year. Dr. Mariel Silva, a pediatrician in North Texas, explains why families end up at the ER—and how to avoid it. What are common reasons for holiday ER visits? According to Dr. Silva, parents take children to the emergency room...
September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to learn more about how you can help your child maintain a healthy weight. In the United States, 1 in 5 children and teens are affected by obesity, meaning they are above a healthy weight for their age and height. Excess weight gain can have many causes, including behavior, genetics, and taking certain medicines. Compared to children with healthy weight, children with overweight or obesity are more likely to develop asthma, sleep apnea...
A Pediatrician Explains: The Importance of Sleep for Children and Teens A good day begins with a good night’s sleep. It’s true for adults—and especially true for the youngest members of the family. Do you need help getting your baby, toddler, child, or teen on a better sleep schedule? Keep reading for some great advice from North Texas pediatrician Dr. Mary Strength. Why is a good night’s rest so important? Growing brains work hard at school, at home, and even at play. When your child sleeps, they build...
The best way to treat childhood illnesses is to prevent them. Vaccines, also called vaccinations, were created to protect people of all ages from serious illnesses and diseases. When you take your baby, toddler, young child, and teenager to the doctor for their vaccines, you help them to stay as healthy as possible. To learn what vaccines are, how they work, and more, keep reading! North Texas pediatric physician assistant Patrick Tarango explains the basics of vaccines and why they are so important. Wh...
A Pediatrician Discusses Childhood Allergies Childhood allergies are common and can start at any age. Although most allergies are mild, some cases can be serious and life-threatening. When you know which allergies are common in children, it’s easier to identify and manage the symptoms. In this video, North Texas Pediatrician Dr. Tania Diaz discusses the most common childhood allergies. What are common symptoms of childhood allergies? Your child may show sensitivity to foods, pollen, and/or other irritan...
For many families, summer is the best season for fun. It offers a break from school, sunny skies and extended daylight. However, when you and your children are out in the high temperatures and bright skies of Texas, you have higher risk of illness and injury. How can my family stay safe at the pool? One fun—but risky—activity is swimming. When it’s time to cool off at the pool or beach, be sure to follow good safety habits. For example, make sure each child is supervised by an adult, and that everyone l...
Children seem to grow from babies to toddlers to school-age overnight. Growing bodies need good nutrition to stay strong and healthy. If children don’t get the proper nutrients in their food, they can have problems with attention, sleep—and many other health issues. These problems can last until they are teens and adults. What is a balanced diet for children? Every day, children need three meals and up to three nutritious snacks. Meals should follow the guidelines from MyPlate.gov . Do you and your chil...
You teach your child to look both ways before crossing the street. You use baby gates and keep medication, scissors and hot beverages up high, out of reach. What about environmental hazards? “Environment” means both indoors and outdoors. “Hazards” are substances in the air, in water or in everyday household items that can harm your child’s health. Watch as North Texas Pediatrician Dr. Mary Strength explains different types of environmental hazards and how children can be at higher risk from them. One co...
Babies and toddlers grow up fast. So do children and teens! That’s why it’s important to schedule regular “well-child” visits with your family pediatrician. During these appointments, parents can check up on their child’s health and make sure they’re growing and developing normally. You should take your baby for their first well-child visit within five days after bringing them home from the hospital. After that, most babies will have checkups at: 1 month 2 months 4 months 6 months 9 months 12 months The...
Accidents, injuries and illnesses are a part of life—for you and your children. Most cuts, scratches, bumps and bruises are minor. You can recover at home, without seeing a doctor. But what if the cut is deep? What if the pain doesn’t go away? Should you call your primary care doctor, or should you call 911 and go straight to the emergency room? North Texas Pediatrician Dr. Mariel Silva is here to help. In the short videos below, Dr. Silva gives easy step-by-step instructions on how to make this importa...
Does your child have a lot of extra energy compared to other children? Does he or she have trouble following instructions or paying attention when someone is speaking? If so, you might wonder if your child has attention deficit disorder (ADD). This is also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You might worry that your child will have a hard time in school. In the classroom, children are expected to focus on their work—and their teachers. Here is some good news. Your child can succee...
For generations, breastfeeding has sustained life. In addition to its many health benefits there can also be difficulties and challenges for new mothers. In this video, Valencia Moore, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant Supervisor at Parkland Health shares her expert opinion on these topics. Watch as she discusses the many benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby including the convenience factor of being able to nurse whenever and wherever, as well as its known ability to decrease the baby’s chances of c...