SproutWell Pediatric Integrative Medicine

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Darien, CT
SproutWell Pediatric Integrative Medicine

Dr. Julie Sweeney is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in Pediatric Integrative Medicine. Located in Darien, CT

SproutWell offers a range of holistic therapies that complement conventional medicine and expand your child's current pediatric care.

06/18/2026

☀️Summer is the perfect time to build gross motor skills through play — and if anyone knows how to make movement fun, it’s Amanda Masterson, our collaborative member and founder/owner of Play & Thrive Pediatric Therapy.

Parents often ask what activities they should be doing to support their child’s development. The good news? Some of the best opportunities are already woven into your summer routine! Here are simple, low-equipment activities that help little ones build gross motor skills and strength:

1. Sidewalk chalk obstacle course
2. Hopscotch
3. Nature scavenger hunt
4. Animal walk relays (bear, frog, crab — around the cone and back!)
5. Riding a scooter or balance bike
6. Climbing playground equipment (ladders, rock walls, play structures)
7. Walking or running along the sand
8. Playing with a beach ball or catching water balloons
9. Create an obstacle course that includes pool noodles as hurdles

Children learn best when they’re interested and having fun — and with activities like these, they’ll be building real developmental skills without even knowing it. 🌿

If you’re looking for a pediatric physical therapist who makes therapy feel like play, find Amanda Play and Thrive

06/01/2026

This week, we spent time with Jessica Andersen, feeding and swallonwing specialist, discussing feeding milestones, what healthy feeding development looks like in the early years, and when parents may want to reach out for support.

As Jessica reminds families, feeding is about much more than nutrition—it’s also about communication, connection, learning, and trust.

“From an infant showing feeding cues to a toddler exploring a new food, children are constantly communicating through feeding behaviors,” says Jessica.

While feeding may seem natural, it is actually a complex skill. When medical, nutritional, oral motor, sensory, or environmental factors are out of sync, children may struggle to feed comfortably. In fact, feeding challenges affect nearly 45% of typically developing children and up to 80% of children with developmental differences.

Supporting feeding milestones isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating positive, nurturing experiences around food and building trust around mealtimes.

Take a look at our Feeding & Swallowing Milestones Guide to learn what to expect from birth through age 3 👶🏼🧒🏻, along with signs that may indicate a child could benefit from further evaluation or support.

If you have questions about your child’s feeding journey, Jessica is here to help.

Follow or reach out to learn more about feeding and swallowing support. 💚💚

05/28/2026

We are so excited to welcome Lila Occi to the SproutWell Collaborative 🌱

As a Functional Medicine Health Coach, Lila supports parents through an integrative, holistic approach to wellness — helping them create healthier, more balanced lifestyles for their children and themselves.

Lila offers practical and compassionate support in areas including nutrition, gut health, sleep, stress management, and sustainable lifestyle habits, empowering parents to feel more informed, confident, and supported in their family’s wellness journey.

She takes a whole-person approach, creating personalized health plans tailored to each client’s unique needs, goals, and lifestyle.

Lila will be offering 1:1 Functional Medicine Health Coaching here at SproutWell. 💚

To learn more or get started:
✉️ : [email protected]
🌐 : www.lilaoccihealthcoaching.com

05/26/2026

Every sign tells a story — and every story deserves more than a quick fix.

Sometimes parents need time, a thoughtful plan, and someone truly willing to connect the dots.

If any of these sound familiar, Dr. Julie would love to help. She’s an integrative, board-certified pediatrician who blends evidence-based medicine with a thoughtful, holistic approach to your child’s health. 🌱

Website link in bio to learn more about SproutWell and meet Dr. Julie.

05/13/2026

This week we’re featuring our collaborative member Dr. Chloe Massey - child development expert, researcher, and mom of three boys - passionate about empowering parents through practical, evidence-based guidance.

With bedtime battles a near-universal parenting experience, we teamed up with Dr. Chloe to share a few insights on sleep and why it matters more than we might think.

😴 A Few Insights on Kids & Sleep

🌙 Predictable bedtime rituals help kids feel safe
Children thrive on knowing what to expect! Predictable routines reduce the mental load of transitions because kids aren’t constantly wondering what comes next. Bedtime routines also create space for connection — which is often what children are really seeking at the end of the day. A simple routine repeated consistently tends to be more supportive than an elaborate one that’s hard to sustain.

↔️ Transitions are hard - set the mood
A buffer of calmer activities before bed helps the brain and body gradually wind down. Dim the lights and choose activities like reading, stretching or a quiet chat. Avoid TV and other screens for at least an hour before bed. Fast-paced, stimulating content makes it harder for a child’s brain and body to wind down, especially after a full day of school, activities, and socializing.

⭐ Avoid making “staying up late” feel like the fun option
The way we talk about sleep around children matters. When staying up late becomes the reward, kids can start to see bedtime as something negative or restrictive. Most children aren’t fighting sleep to be difficult — they’re usually craving more connection or struggling to transition away from the day’s stimulation. Framing sleep as something that supports their growing bodies, brains, mood, and ability to play and learn can shift the dynamic entirely.

Want more guidance from Dr. Chloe? Follow her for evidence-based parenting support that actually works in real life. 🩵💛

05/01/2026

While chatting with Kristen Smaldone, our SproutWell Collaborative member and integrative pediatric dietitian who supports families with picky eaters, we asked her to share one of her easy weekday meals—the kind that works for the whole family.

This one checks all the boxes: simple to prep, ready in under 30 minutes, and designed with enough variety to support even picky eaters.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas🌮

Why this is so great💚: so many components to cater to everyone’s liking.

·     💪🏻 Protein options of chicken, cheese or yogurt.

·      🌈Fruit and veggie options (color foods): cooked or raw peppers, and mango.

·      ⚡️Energy rich food option: corn tortilla or chips for some added fiber.

While not everyone may eat every component, there are many variations of options that can suit most family members.

This is also a very simple meal requiring minimal prep, ready in under 30 minutes.

Recipe:

·      🔪Cut up red, yellow and orange peppers and red onion, toss with a little EVOO and place on a sheet pan; reserve some pepper strips on the side for an additional offering

·      Take thin chicken breast and mix with 1 packet of Siete taco seasoning and a little EVOO

·      Place chicken on top of the cut-up veggies

·      🔥Cook at 400 until done. Cut the chicken into strips

·      Serve with warmed corn tortillas (or corn tortilla chips), plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), shredded cheese, and thawed frozen mango in a bowl

04/28/2026

This week we’re featuring our collaborative member Kristen from Kristen Smaldone Nutrition, LLC — a pediatric nutrition practice supporting children from infancy through adolescence with evidence-based, family-centered care that blends advanced clinical expertise with real-life parenting experience.

With spring in full swing and parents hopping from field to field, we asked Kristen to share her go-to easy, nutritious snacks for busy days on the move. 👇

🌿 Easy On-the-Go Nutritious Snacks

“When I think about snacking on the go, I think: filling, nutritious, and convenient.”

Kristen’s approach: lean toward non-perishables so you can pack a snack bag once and grab it on the way out the door — refill as needed across multiple outings. For cold items, she loves a PackIt snack bag as a compact travel option.

🧺 Packable Favorites (Non-Perishable) That’s It Bars · GoGo Squeez Applesauce · Solely Fruit Jerky · Bear Fruit Splits · Freeze-Dried Strawberries · Chomps Meat Sticks · MadeGood Granola Bites · Aloha Bars · Harvest Snaps · Hippeas · Homemade Trail Mix (nuts, raisins, dark chocolate morsels)

🧊 Perishable Picks Cheese sticks · Yogurt cups · Individual guac or hummus cups · Cut fresh fruit or veggies in small baggies

🍎 Don’t overlook whole fruit! Apples, pears, bananas, and clementines travel surprisingly well with zero prep.

⭐ Kristen’s Favorite Snack Pairings (Always keep your child’s age in mind and avoid choking hazards)

🧀 Cheese stick + apple slices + Harvest Snaps
🍫 That’s It Bar + Chomps Meat Stick
🥜 Homemade trail mix
🍌 Peanut butter pack + banana

Want more tips from Kristen? Find more info @ www.kristensmaldonenutrition.com

04/22/2026

At SproutWell, we care deeply about whole-child health and that includes time spent outside, moving, playing, and being part of a team ⚾️.

We’re proud to support Darien Little League this season and be part of such a special community.

Here’s to a season full of growth, teamwork, and fun 💚

04/15/2026

✨ A Shared Space, A Shared Philosophy 💚

The SproutWell Collaborative brings together a thoughtful group of practitioners—each with their own practice—coming together in a shared space grounded in whole-child wellness.

Alongside Dr. Julie Sweeney’s integrative pediatric practice, you’ll find trusted support in:
✨ pediatric nutrition
✨ pediatric speech & language therapy
✨ parenting & child development
✨ child academic & executive function support
✨ pediatric physical therapy
✨ kids’ yoga

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting each collaborator—sharing insights on common parent questions, plus practical tips and guidance you can use at home.

FamilyWellness

📷: Abby Cole Photography

04/09/2026

✨ NEW BLOG POST ✨

Supporting Your Baby’s Health — Before They’re Born

Long before birth, your baby’s immune system and metabolic pathways are already developing—shaped by nutrition, environment, and maternal health in ways we’re still uncovering.

In our latest blog, we explore the questions many parents are quietly asking:

• What’s the best formula if I need to supplement?

• Do babies really need vitamin D or probiotics?

• How can I reduce toxins without overhauling my entire home?

• What actually helps prevent colic, eczema, or food allergies?

• Which products and supplements can I trust?

A thoughtful, integrative perspective—designed to support you before your baby arrives.🌱

Read the full blog at the link in bio.

Address

53 Old Kings Highway N
Darien, CT
06820

Telephone

+12033096215

Website

https://www.sproutwellpediatrics.com/

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