Activekidmd- Your Partner for Specialty Pediatric and Sports Medicine Care

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Activekidmd- Your Partner for Specialty Pediatric and Sports Medicine Care Pediatric and Sports Medicine Specialists focusing on comprehensive medical and musculoskeletal care

Dual board-certified pediatric and sports medicine specialists Dr. Chris Koutures and Dr. Ashika Sharma offer an individualized approach to general pediatric and sports medicine care that enhances the health and knowledge of patients and their families in Orange County, California

Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?Sleep plays an important role in nearly every part of a child’s health and developmen...
10/07/2026

Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?

Sleep plays an important role in nearly every part of a child’s health and development, but the amount of sleep kids need can vary depending on their age, activity level, and daily routine.

When children and teens aren’t getting enough quality sleep, it can affect:

• Mood and emotional regulation
• Focus and attention
• School performance
• Immune health
• Energy levels
• Athletic recovery and performance

A few simple habits can help support healthier sleep patterns, including keeping bedtimes and wake-up times consistent, creating a calming bedtime routine, and limiting screens before bed.

For young athletes, sleep is also an important part of recovery. The body uses that time to repair, recharge, and prepare for the next day of school, practice, and competition.

Learn more about building healthy sleep habits and supporting better performance:
Optimizing Effective Sleep Patterns for Higher Performance
https://activekidmd.com/optimizing-effective-sleep-patterns-for-higher-performance/

Proud to speak on Water Sport Safety to the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness at the American Academy of Pediatrics...
10/05/2026

Proud to speak on Water Sport Safety to the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Convention and Exhibition.

Check bio for links to water sports safety blog posts


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Big feelings can be hard to manage when you’re only two. Tantrums are a common part of toddler development as children b...
10/05/2026

Big feelings can be hard to manage when you’re only two.

Tantrums are a common part of toddler development as children become more independent while their language, social skills, and ability to regulate emotions are still developing. Waiting, sharing, transitions, hunger, and fatigue can all make those emotions even harder to handle.

So, what can parents do when a tantrum hits?

✔️ Start with safety
✔️ Keep your words short and simple
✔️ Stay calm and consistent
✔️ Offer a few appropriate choices
✔️ Prepare for transitions, hunger, and tiredness
✔️ Praise the behaviors you want to see more often

Tantrums can be challenging, but understanding what’s happening developmentally can help parents respond with realistic expectations, clear boundaries, and strategies that support emotional growth.

Read our newest blog, “Big Feelings, Little People: Understanding Toddler Tantrums,” for practical tips for navigating this stage:
https://activekidmd.com/understanding-toddler-tantrums/

If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, communication, development, sleep, or emotional regulation, give us a call.

October is RSV Awareness Month.RSV can start out looking like a typical cold, with symptoms such as a runny nose, cough,...
10/02/2026

October is RSV Awareness Month.

RSV can start out looking like a typical cold, with symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, congestion, or fever. But in infants and young children, respiratory symptoms can sometimes become more serious and deserve a closer look.

Watch for signs such as:
• Increased work of breathing or breathing faster than usual
• Wheezing
• Trouble feeding or taking fluids
• Fewer wet diapers or other signs of dehydration
• Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
• Symptoms that are continuing to worsen instead of improve

If your child’s breathing or respiratory symptoms are getting worse—or you’re simply unsure whether what you’re seeing is normal—contact your pediatrician for guidance.

Learn more about protecting your child during RSV and flu season:
https://activekidmd.com/protecting-your-children-during-rsv-flu-season/

Movement Doesn’t Have to Mean Organized Sports⁠⁠As Childhood Obesity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a good remin...
10/02/2026

Movement Doesn’t Have to Mean Organized Sports⁠
⁠
As Childhood Obesity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a good reminder that helping kids stay active doesn’t have to mean signing up for another team or structured activity.⁠
⁠
Movement can be as simple as:⁠
• Riding bikes around the neighborhood⁠
• Walking the dog⁠
• Playing at the park⁠
• Swimming⁠
• Dancing⁠
• Hiking as a family⁠
• Playing tag or backyard games⁠
⁠
The goal is to help children find ways to move that they genuinely enjoy. When physical activity feels fun instead of forced, kids are more likely to build healthy habits they can carry with them as they grow.⁠
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Looking for more ideas to get the whole family moving? Check out Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Kids: https://activekidmd.com/fun-ways-to-exercise-with-your-kids/
⁠

As Childhood Obesity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s important to remember that healthy growth is not about under...
09/28/2026

As Childhood Obesity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s important to remember that healthy growth is not about under-fueling active kids.

Young athletes need enough energy to support growth, school, training, competition, and recovery. That means consistent meals and snacks that include carbohydrates for energy, protein for muscle repair and growth, healthy fats, and plenty of fluids throughout the day.

After practices and games, recovery nutrition matters too. Replacing energy, fluids, and nutrients helps young athletes prepare for what comes next.

Restricting calories without professional guidance can interfere with growth, recovery, performance, and overall health. If you have concerns about your child’s nutrition, weight, or fueling needs, talk with a pediatrician or sports medicine professional before making significant dietary changes.

Learn more about nutrition for young athletes and active kids:
https://activekidmd.com/advice-by-sports-medicine-topics/nutrition-guidelines/

Baby Safety Month: A Safer Home Changes as Baby GrowsAs babies become more mobile, the safety risks around the home chan...
09/25/2026

Baby Safety Month: A Safer Home Changes as Baby Grows

As babies become more mobile, the safety risks around the home change with them. What was out of reach a few weeks ago may suddenly be accessible once your baby starts rolling, crawling, pulling up, or cruising.

Take a room-by-room look at your home and watch for potential hazards like:

• Small objects that could become choking hazards
• Furniture that could tip over
• Unsecured stairs
• Blinds and electrical cords
• Medications and cleaning supplies
• Sharp, breakable, or unsafe objects within reach

One of the best ways to spot hazards is to get down on the floor at your baby’s level. You may notice things that are easy to overlook from an adult’s point of view.

As we close out Baby Safety Month, remember that baby-proofing isn’t a one-time task. Reassess your home as your child grows, reaches new milestones, and explores new spaces.

Take a few minutes this week to walk through your home from your baby’s point of view and make any safety updates that are needed. If you have questions about age-appropriate safety or your child’s development, give us a call.

Learn more in “Baby Proofing – The First Year”:
https://activekidmd.com/baby-proofing-the-first-year/

Is Your Athlete’s Schedule Too Full?Between club sports, school teams, private training, tournaments, and overlapping se...
09/23/2026

Is Your Athlete’s Schedule Too Full?

Between club sports, school teams, private training, tournaments, and overlapping seasons, young athletes can quickly find themselves with very little time to recover.

More training isn’t always better. Growing bodies need adequate rest to rebuild, adapt, and stay healthy. Scheduling regular rest days, allowing time between seasons, and participating in a variety of activities can help reduce repetitive stress and support more balanced athletic development.

For many young athletes, playing multiple sports instead of specializing in one sport year-round can also build different movement skills, keep sports enjoyable, and give the body a break from repeating the same motions season after season.

Wondering how much is too much? Read “How Many Sports?” for more guidance on finding a healthier balance for young athletes:
https://activekidmd.com/advice-by-sports-medicine-topics/how-many-sports/

Concussion recovery isn’t only about getting back on the field—it also includes getting back to the classroom.Symptoms s...
09/21/2026

Concussion recovery isn’t only about getting back on the field—it also includes getting back to the classroom.

Symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to light or noise can make a full school day challenging after a concussion. That’s why returning to learning often needs to happen gradually, with adjustments based on how a child is feeling and responding.

A thoughtful return-to-learn plan can help students ease back into academics while giving the brain the time it needs to recover.

Learn more about supporting your child’s return to school after a concussion in our blog, “Six Wise Steps to Guide Return-to-Learn After Concussion”:
https://activekidmd.com/six-wise-steps-for-return-to-learn-after-concussion/

Questions about concussion recovery or returning to school and sports? Contact ActiveKidMD to schedule an evaluation.

Car seats are one of the most important tools for keeping babies and young children safe, but even small mistakes can af...
09/18/2026

Car seats are one of the most important tools for keeping babies and young children safe, but even small mistakes can affect how well they protect your child.

Common issues include harness straps that are too loose, incorrect seat installation, using a seat that no longer matches your child’s age or size, and turning children forward-facing too early.

As babies grow, car seat fit and positioning should be reassessed regularly. Check harness height, strap tightness, weight and height limits, and installation to make sure the seat still fits your child correctly.

Baby Safety Month is a good reminder to take a few minutes to review your child’s setup and make any needed adjustments.

Have questions about car seat safety or your child’s development? The team at ActiveKidMD is always happy to help.

Learn more: https://activekidmd.com/babies-toddlers-and-car-seats/

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Orange, CA
92865

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Wednesday 9am - 5pm
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