Building Blocks Pediatrics

08/10/2026

A statement from AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine on today’s executive order on U.S. childhood vaccines:

"As measles cases reach a 35-year high in the U.S. and with cold and flu season quickly approaching, today's executive order on vaccines is not only disheartening but dangerous. Instead of ensuring every family can access life-saving vaccines for measles, influenza, RSV and more, federal leaders are once again spreading misleading claims.

Today's executive order is not based on ‘gold-standard science.’ There is no new evidence to justify significant changes to childhood immunization guidance. Dozens of studies involving millions of people show there is no link between vaccines and autism, and yet federal leaders continue to promote this outdated, disproven idea to scare families. Today's executive order will do nothing to support families of children with autism or advance understanding of the condition. The only purpose of this announcement is to sow confusion so that more people doubt the importance of vaccines. Delaying or skipping shots is risky, especially as measles continues to spread and children go back to school.

Vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics are tailored to the health of children living in the United States and are based on decades of research and systematic tracking of real-world experiences. Pediatricians recommend children receive certain vaccines at specific ages based on when children's immune systems will respond best and when they are most vulnerable to certain diseases. Sometimes this means children will receive a single shot that protects against multiple diseases, or they may receive multiple vaccines at one visit.

On-time immunization keeps our kids and our communities healthy and thriving. If parents have questions about vaccines, I encourage them to talk with their child's pediatrician or clinician.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3SmyNvH

05/27/2026

Due to power outage, we are closed this morning. We plan to re-open for normal business hours tomorrow, May 28, 2026. So sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused.

03/03/2026

NOTICE:
Building Blocks Pediatrics will be closed 3/9/2026-3/13/2026 for Spring Break

11/21/2025

11/06/2025

The clinic will be closed Friday, November 7, 2025. We will resume normal business hours on Monday.

10/12/2025

Our family loves Halloween! 🎃 Let's do a refresher on candy-related choking risks:

Children less than 4 years old should not be given any hard candy (such as peppermints, butterscotch candies, fruit drops, Jolly Ranchers), candy corn, caramel apples, taffy, popcorn, gum, small candies (jelly beans, Hot Tamales, Skittles), gummy candies (worms, bears, etc.), pumpkin seeds, or any whole nuts.

(Please see my comment below for a more inclusive list of high-risk candy created by .)

Essentially you want to avoid anything too hard, round, or chewy/gummy for children under 4 years of age.

Watch out for candy wrappers, stickers, bouncy balls, small toys, and temporary tattoos as well; all of which can all pose a choking hazard for babies in particular. 👶

SAFE options for your littlest ones include larger treats that easily melt in the mouth such as peanut butter cups, chocolate bars, cookies, animal crackers, or cupcakes.

While many websites advise parents not to give any peanut products to young children, new research has found that peanut products (NOT whole peanuts, as these are a choking hazard) can be introduced as early at 6 months of age to healthy babies without a history of severe eczema or food allergies! 🥜 With that being said, it's nice to have allergy-safe options amongst your candy stash for the children who DO have food allergies.

Have a great Halloween! 🍭👻🕸️

09/23/2025

On Sept. 22, President Trump claimed that acetaminophen used during pregnancy or by young children is associated with autism. NAPNAP strongly objects to these unproven claims about the impact of acetaminophen on maternal and child health. Read our full statement: https://www.napnap.org/napnap-official-statement-on-acetaminophen-use/

09/18/2025

Bubble baths, bath bombs, and pool time can trigger itching and burning of the ge****ls, especially among girls less than 12 years old. Let me potentially save you a trip to the doctor: the diagnosis is often vulvovaginitis.

Vulvovaginitis is a common pediatric condition that involves irritation of the ge****ls. It tends to happen to pre-pubertal girls due to the presence of delicate skin that can be very sensitive to moisture, soaps, chemicals, perfumes, friction, tight clothing, and heat.

If your daughter is showing signs of itching or burning discomfort, there are several treatment options that you can try from home:

• Soak in clean, warm water 2-3 times per day while symptoms persist. No soap, vinegar, or baking soda is required. 🧼 Make sure that the bathtub is rinsed free of any recent bleach or cleaning products.

• If the private area is swollen and tender, use cool compresses for a few minutes at a time. Vaseline, petroleum jelly, zinc oxide diaper cream, or A&D ointment can definitely help to soothe and protect the skin. Do not use antibiotic ointment.

• Use alcohol-free unscented wipes if wiping with toilet paper feels too harsh on sore skin. 🧻

Here are some tips to avoiding vulvovaginitis in the first place:

• After swimming, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

• Do NOT use bubble bath, bath bombs, or scented soap! 🚫 In fact, only use soap when absolutely necessary - like if you see visible dirt - and make sure that it’s a mild, unscented soap such as Dove. Use it at the very end of bath time and rinse it off completely with fresh water. 🚿

• Do not scrub private parts. Just allow the water to soak the area. Gently pat dry.

• Wear plain cotton underwear. Wash underwear with unscented detergent and rinse well to remove any remaining chemicals. Avoid fabric softeners or any extra “freshening” products.

• Wear a nightgown or very loose pajama pants to bed. If possible, sleep without underwear!

• Avoid one-piece leotards, skinny jeans, tights, or leggings, especially in humid weather. Find comfy clothes that allow air to circulate. 👖

• Remind your child how to properly wipe! Wiping from the front to the back is important to keep bacteria where they belong. 🦠

Most of the time, vulvovaginitis will resolve on its own within a week of using the above methods. The key is staying clean and dry while avoiding harsh soaps and chemicals. Call your pediatrician if symptoms persist beyond a week or if your daughter experiences belly pain, bleeding, or fevers. ☎️ An appointment may be necessary to rule out other things such as UTI, pinworms, or yeast infection.

I can’t wrap this up without encouraging all of you to teach your children about personal privacy and stranger safety. Explain that nobody should ever be “helping” them with their private parts unless Mom or Dad says it’s okay (like for potty time at daycare or during a doctor’s visit). Teach them proper terminology for their body parts. Empower all boys and girls to speak up if they suspect any inappropriate acts against them. 💪

09/09/2025

We have FLU vaccines!

We are having a Flu clinic on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in the afternoon.
Please call to schedule an appointment for your child.

08/27/2025

We are closed today (8/27/2025) for a Staff Development.