Olubukola Adeyeye, MD, MPH - "Dr A"

07/29/2026

Can food help prevent iron deficiency? Absolutely! 🍎🥩🥬

One of the best ways to support healthy iron levels starts in your kitchen. Offering iron-rich foods regularly—and pairing them with vitamin C-rich foods to help with absorption—can make a big difference.

Remember, while healthy nutrition plays an important role in prevention, some children with iron deficiency may still need iron supplements prescribed by their healthcare provider.

💾 Save this post for your next grocery trip and share it with another parent!



Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you have concerns about your child’s iron levels or nutrition.

07/27/2026

Some children have obvious symptoms. Others have very subtle signs. And some children have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages.

Possible signs of iron deficiency may include:
• Feeling more tired than usual or having low energy
• Pale skin
• Poor appetite
• Irritability or mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating or learning
• Frequent headaches (especially in older children)
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Shortness of breath with activity
• A fast heartbeat
• Craving non-food items such as ice, dirt, or paper (called pica)
• Restless legs, especially at night
• Slower growth or developmental concerns in some children

Remember, these symptoms are not specific to iron deficiency and can have many other causes. Some children with iron deficiency feel completely well, which is why routine well-child visits and appropriate screening are so important.

If you have concerns about your child, talk with your pediatrician. Early recognition and treatment can make a meaningful difference.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

07/25/2026

Is Your Child at Risk for Iron Deficiency?

Not every child will develop iron deficiency, but some children have a higher chance than others.

Children at higher risk include:
• Exclusively breastfed infants after 4 months who are not receiving iron supplementation (breast milk is the best nutrition for babies, but by around 4 months, their iron stores begin to decrease).
• Toddlers who drink 24 ounces or more of whole milk in 24 hours, which can fill them up and leave less room for iron-rich foods.
• Picky eaters, especially those who eat very little meat, beans, lentils, fortified cereals, or leafy greens.
• Children following vegetarian or vegan diets without careful planning to include enough iron-rich foods.
• Rapidly growing teenagers, whose bodies need more iron to support growth.
• Menstruating adolescents, particularly those with heavy menstrual periods.
• Endurance athletes, who may have increased iron needs because of intense, prolonged exercise.
• Children with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, that can reduce iron absorption or cause ongoing blood loss.

Being at higher risk doesn’t mean your child has iron deficiency. It simply means it’s worth discussing with your child’s pediatrician, especially during routine well-child visits. Early recognition and good nutrition can make a big difference.

💾 Save this post for future reference, share it with another parent, and follow along for the rest of this iron deficiency series!



Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or nutrition, please speak with your child’s healthcare provider.

07/23/2026

Did you know that low iron isn’t the same as anemia?

Iron deficiency often develops before anemia, and many children can have low iron while their blood count is still normal. Because iron is important for brain development, growth, and energy, recognizing it early matters.

In this first video of my iron deficiency series, I explain the difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia—and why early recognition is so important.

Save this post for future reference, share it with another parent, and follow along for the rest of the series!



Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s health, please speak with your child’s healthcare provider.

07/16/2026

Some of my favorite moments happen in the ordinary. ❤️

A granddaughter dancing in the kitchen with Grandma while making breakfast. A grandson hugging Grandpa. A grandfather helping his grandson put on a tie. Grandpa cheering his grandson on as he plays the piano.

If you’re in this season of life—raising your children while also helping care for aging parents—I know it can feel like you’re being pulled in different directions. Some days it’s beautiful. Some days it’s exhausting. Often, it’s both.

But if your children are blessed to know their grandparents, cherish these moments. They’re building memories and a legacy that will last a lifetime.

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” — Proverbs 23:22

Praying for everyone in the “middle generation.” May God give us the grace to honor our parents, love our children well, and treasure the gift of generations together. ❤️

To every grandparent: You are seen. You are loved. You are appreciated. Thank you for the legacy you’re building.

And if you’re blessed to still have a grandparent—or know one—reach out today. Make the call. Send the text. Give the hug. Love on them while you can. ❤️

07/09/2026

Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is ask the question.

I know how hard it can be.

As parents, we hope our children will “catch up.” We don’t want to overreact, and we certainly don’t want to hear difficult news.

But getting your child evaluated isn’t about looking for what’s wrong. It’s about understanding how to best support them if they need it.

Whether the evaluation brings reassurance or identifies an area where your child could benefit from extra support, you’ve taken an important step toward helping them thrive.

❤️ A diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is. It may change the roadmap, but it doesn’t determine the destination.

If this message encouraged you, share it with another parent who may need to hear it today.



⚕️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Every child develops differently. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please discuss them with your pediatrician for individualized evaluation and guidance.

06/30/2026

☀️ Sunburn can happen faster than many parents realize, especially during summer.

If your child gets a sunburn:
💧 Keep them well hydrated.
🧴 Apply cool compresses or aloe vera gel to soothe the skin.
🛁 A cool (not cold) bath can help with discomfort.
💊 If needed, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for children 6 months and older) as directed for pain.
🚫 Avoid popping any blisters, and keep the skin protected from further sun exposure while it heals.

Most mild sunburns improve within a few days, but severe sunburn, large blisters, fever, dehydration, or significant pain should be evaluated by your child’s healthcare provider.

Stay safe, wear sunscreen, seek shade, and enjoy the sunshine! ☀️💛

Sunburns can be super uncomfortable and can make kids (and adults!) miserable. Here are 5 ways to help soothe a sunburn. And if your baby is younger than one year old and gets sunburned, call your pediatrician right away. Learn more about sun safety: https://bit.ly/3vmVFeO

06/22/2026

A few years ago, after my daughter finished 1st grade, she came home with an urgent request: she needed a Stanley cup for 2nd grade… because ‘everyone has one.’ 😅

And just like that, we were talking about peer pressure.

Peer pressure doesn’t always show up as risky behavior. Back then it was a Stanley cup. Today it might be something else. Sometimes it starts with wanting to fit in, wear what everyone wears, or have what everyone has.

As parents, our job isn’t to shield our children from every influence. It’s to help them develop the confidence and wisdom to make decisions based on their values, not just the crowd.

📖 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” — Psalm 127:4

Children are like arrows. We are not raising them to stay in the quiver forever. We are preparing them to be launched into the world with wisdom, courage, conviction, and faith.

And sometimes, those lessons start with something as simple as a water bottle.

Can you relate? What was the first thing your child wanted because “everyone else had it”? 👇



⚕️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized recommendations

06/15/2026

🔥 Fever Medicine: What It Actually Does

One of the biggest misconceptions about fever is that fever medicine treats the infection. In most cases, it doesn’t.

Fever-reducing medications are often used to help children feel more comfortable while their bodies do the work of fighting the infection.

When appropriate, medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort, improve sleep, encourage fluid intake, and help children feel better. Confirm dosage and interval with your child’s Pediatrician.

But medicine is only one part of caring for a child with fever.

💧 Encourage fluids.
😴 Allow plenty of rest.
👕 Dress them comfortably.
🏠 Keep the room cool and comfortable.

And remember to avoid:
❌ Ice baths
❌ Rubbing alcohol
❌ Aspirin in children and teens

One more important safety reminder:
💊 Medicines are not candy.

Many liquid medications taste sweet and appealing to little ones. Keep all medications stored safely and out of reach of children. When it comes to fever, try not to focus only on the number.

Focus on the child.
How are they acting?
Are they drinking?
Are they staying hydrated?
Are they comfortable?
Those questions often tell us more than the thermometer alone.

💛 Treat the child and the underlying cause
💛 Support the child.
💛 Trust your instincts.
💛 Seek medical care when needed.

Save this post for the next time fever visits your home.

👇 What fever questions would you like me to answer next?



Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

06/06/2026

🔥 Not all fevers are the same.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is focusing only on the number on the thermometer.

When it comes to fever, context matters.

A child’s age, symptoms, medical history, and overall appearance all help determine the next steps.

A fever in a healthy older child may be approached very differently than a fever in a newborn.

A fever in a child who is drinking, playing, and staying hydrated may be different from a fever in a child who is lethargic, struggling to breathe, or becoming dehydrated.

And for some children with certain medical conditions, we don’t simply “wait and see.”

While fever can certainly make children uncomfortable, remember this:

Fever is not the enemy.

In many cases, it is the body’s normal response to infection and a sign that the immune system is doing what it was designed to do.

The question isn’t always:

“How high is the fever?”

Sometimes the better question is:

“How is the child doing?”

💛 The thermometer gives you a number.
💛 Your child’s story gives you the context.

Know your child.
Know their history.
Trust your instincts.
Seek medical care when needed.

Save this post for the next time fever visits your home.

🎥 Part 2 coming next: Fever medications, supportive care, and when it makes sense to treat a fever.

👇 What is one thing you’ve always wondered about fever in children?



Disclaimer: These tips are shared to support and encourage, not to replace professional medical care. Seek your child’s healthcare provider for personalized guidance.