Sunshine Pediatrics

06/11/2026

We want to share this important video from the AAP and Dr. Scott Hadland, who talks about the dangers of teens turning to AI chatbots when they're experiencing a mental crisis.

Nearly 1 in 5 teens now turn to AI chatbots when they’re struggling. Dr. Hadland published a study last year in which he tested 25 chatbots by posing as teens in a crisis.

More than half of the responses weren’t clinically appropriate, and some were outright dangerous. The “companion” apps built to feel like a friend were far worse than ChatGPT or Gemini at spotting a teen who needed real help.

You don't need to ban your teen from phones. But it's important to ask them what they use and what it tells them, remind them that a chatbot isn’t a therapist, and make sure they know they can always come to you.

☎️ If you ever suspect your child is in danger, call or text 988. If you have concerns about your child's mental health, we are here for your family as well.

🎥 Reposted from

06/10/2026

Stuttering is a type of speech disfluency that some children develop when they start talking. The most common type of stuttering in children is developmental stuttering, which usually occurs between the ages of 2.5 and 5. In this type of stuttering, kids have a hard time expressing what they want to say. Over time, the stuttering goes away for most children. But if you notice stuttering issues occurring later or continuing after the age of 5, call our office so that we can assess and determine the best course of action to reduce or eliminate the stuttering.

Learn more about stuttering and speech issues in children here. 👇

Does your child have trouble getting words out? Learn the signs of stuttering, when it’s typical, and when to see help from a speech-language pathologist.

06/09/2026

Babies usually begin eating solids after 6 months. When introducing solids, it's always best to give your baby the most nutrient-packed foods possible, a.k.a. superfoods. Here are 10 superfoods that support a baby's development and healthy growth! 🥕

📸

06/04/2026

AI-generated content is becoming more common online, and not everything labeled "educational" is actually helpful for young children. 🤖📱

Experts are raising concerns about the "AI slop," which refers to low-quality, AI-generated videos and content created to capture attention rather than support healthy learning and development. These videos may be repetitive, overstimulating, inaccurate, or lack meaningful educational value.

Young children are especially vulnerable because they are still learning how to understand stories, emotions, and what is real vs. pretend. That’s why it’s important for parents and caregivers to stay involved, choose trusted sources, preview content when possible, and prioritize real-world play, conversation, and connection. As AI-generated content becomes more widespread, being intentional about what children watch can help support healthier screen habits and early development. Learn more here. 👇

Discover the clear indicators of AI-slop that we can use to make good decisions about what kids are watching.

06/03/2026

Babies may enjoy splashing and playing in the water, but it's important to remember that without adult supervision, they are at high risk of drowning when in water. It only takes a few inches of water for drowning, and it can happen within seconds. Always make sure that there is close, hands-on supervision at all times that your baby is in or near a source of water. 💦👶

Not only should you stay within arm's reach, but flotation devices should never be relied on as a substitute for supervision. Create layers of protection, including barriers around pools. For more info about water safety for babies, check out this link. 👇

Infant water safety essentials: AAP guidance on preventing drowning with touch supervision, bath safety, water hazards at home and protecting babies around even small amounts of water.​

06/02/2026

Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore, but that curiosity can put them at greater risk around water. 💦

At this age, children are often drawn to pools, ponds, buckets, bathtubs, and other sources of water, but they don't yet understand the danger or have the skills to keep themselves safe. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, even in small amounts of water. That's why close, constant supervision is essential whenever toddlers are near any water. It's important to have multiple layers of protection, including constant adult supervision around water, pool fencing, locked gates, and emptying buckets, wading pools, and other containers after use.

Read more here for important water safety tips to help keep young children safe this swim season. 👇

Water safety is important for all ages, but especially for toddlers. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children 1-4. Young children can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, and it can happen quickly and silently. Learn how to keep your toddler safe in this article.​

05/28/2026

Sleep plays an important role in children’s mental and physical health. When kids and teens don’t get enough quality sleep, it can affect mood, behavior, focus, stress levels, and overall well-being. 😴

Poor sleep has also been linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges in children and adolescents. Many kids, however, struggle to get enough sleep because of busy schedules, screen use before bed, and inconsistent sleep routines. ⏰

To help your child get adequate rest, encourage healthy habits like maintaining a consistent bedtime, limiting screens at night, and creating a calming bedtime routine. 🛏

Read more here to learn about the connection between sleep and mental health in children and teens. 👇

​Sleep plays a key role in children’s mental and emotional health. Learn how poor sleep affects stress, mood, anxiety and depression—and practical ways families can support better sleep at every age.

05/26/2026

Swim lessons can help children build confidence in the water and reduce the risk of drowning, but it’s important to remember that lessons do not completely protect kids. Rather, it serves as one layer of protection, and it is recommended to have multiple layers to prevent drowning. These include constant adult supervision around the water, pool gates, and life jackets when appropriate. 🏊

Many children can benefit from swim lessons starting around the age of one, depending on their developmental readiness and comfort in the water. But keep in mind that even strong swimmers still need close supervision, especially around pools, lakes, and beaches. Water safety is most effective when families combine swim skills with safe habits and active supervision. 🌊

Check out this article to learn more about swim lessons and water safety recommendations for children. 👇

​Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the best time to start swim lessos and what to look for in a quality learn-to-swim program.  

05/25/2026

Remembering and honoring those who have served. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

Food allergies in children are becoming more common, and even a small amount of an allergen can cause a serious reaction in some kids. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. 🥜

Symptoms can range from mild issues like hives or stomach pain to severe reactions that affect breathing. Because reactions can happen quickly, it’s important to recognize the signs and know when to seek emergency care. 🏥

Check out this article for more information, including symptoms, diagnosis, creating an allergy and food management plan, and treatment options. 👇

A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. Food allergies are most common in babies and children, but they can occur at any age. They also occur more often in children who have other allergies or who have family members with allergies. Learn more here.​