Children's Wellness Center

07/30/2026

As your baby starts eating more solid foods, you may wonder when it's time to introduce a high chair and utensils. 👶 🍽️

Most babies are ready for a high chair around 6 months, when they can sit up and begin eating solid foods. By 10–12 months, many are ready to start practicing with baby-safe spoons and forks as they become more confident with finger foods.

Don't worry if mealtimes get messy. That's a normal part of learning! Giving your child opportunities to practice self-feeding helps build fine motor skills, coordination, and independence.

Check out this guide for more info about when babies are ready to start using a high chair and utensils and tips to make mealtimes safe and enjoyable. 👇

Has Baby started solids? Learn when Baby will be ready to eat in a high char and use utensils. Plus, find baby safety tips to find the right high chair.

07/29/2026

Reposted from Healthy Children

The CDC is continuing to investigate several outbreaks of cyclosporiasis across multiple U.S. states. Here are steps you can take to help protect your family from the parasite. And remember: Careful washing of produce may not completely remove Cyclospora, but it can help reduce risk. It’s best to cook all produce until they reach an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

07/28/2026

As the summer temperatures are getting very high, it's important to keep kids safe while playing sports and spending time outdoors. ☀️🏃

Exercising in the heat can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies don't cool down as efficiently as adults' bodies do.

Protect your kids by encouraging regular water breaks, scheduling outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day whenever possible, taking breaks in the shade, and watching for warning signs like dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, or unusual fatigue. 🥵

Keep in mind that not all kids respond to the heat in exactly the same way, and children with health conditions may be more vulnerable. If you have any questions or concerns about preventing heat illnesses in your child, call our office. ☎️

Here's a guide with more information. 👇

Exercise-related heat illness or “heat injury” happens when exercise is done in high temperature and high humidity. It’s one type of injury, unlike sports injuries caused by contact, that can almost always be prevented with proper attention to safety and common sense. Learn more here.

07/23/2026

Many teens may want a tan for the summer, but it's important to know the risks of tanning, whether it's from the sun or an indoor tanning bed. ☀️

Tanning can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Teens are especially vulnerable because UV exposure during childhood and adolescence can have lasting effects. Even tanning beds or sun lamps expose teens to UV radiation.

To keep your kids safe, encourage sunscreen use, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and letting them know about the risks of tanning beds. Read more here. 👇

Parents may have questions about tanning beds, self-tanning products and tanning trends touted on social media that range from beef tallow "sunscreen" to nasal sprays that deepen skin tone.  Learn the health risks of tanning, how UV exposure affects teens and how to protect skin from sun damage......

07/22/2026

Kids aren't just using AI for homework help or entertainment. Many children and teens are using AI chatbots to provide companionship and emotional support. 💬

However, it's important to know that AI can't replace the empathy, connection, and real-life relationships that children need to grow and thrive. We recommend talking to your kids about what AI is, its limitations, and why healthy human relationships remain valuable.

☎️ If your child is struggling mentally and needs support, call our office. We are here to provide the right resources your family needs.

What Parents Need to Know About AI Companions

07/21/2026

Children's media has changed drastically over the past couple of decades, especially in recent years with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Many parents are concerned about what types of content their kids are consuming and if it's created by AI.

AI-generated content, sometimes referred to as "AI slop," is designed to grab children's attention rather than support healthy development. Dr. Jenny Radesky, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician and Co-Medical Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, recently shared her research on how AI and technology influence children's learning, behavior, and development and how families can discern between high-quality media and “AI-slop”.

Read about it in our latest blog! 👇

Children's media has changed drastically over the past couple of decades, especially in recent years with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Many parents are concerned about what types of content their kids are consuming and if it's created by AI. AI-generated content, sometimes referred to a...

07/20/2026

There's been a lot of concern lately about lettuce and other produce causing diarrhea and other digestive problems due to an outbreak of the parasitic infection called cyclosporiasis. 🥬

Recently, there have been confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 34 states. One of the best ways for families to prevent illness is to wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly, practice good hand hygiene, and follow safe food handling practices.

Signs of illness to look out for include frequent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, or weight loss. Because symptoms can last for weeks without treatment, it's important to contact our office if your child has persistent diarrhea or signs of dehydration.

Check out this link for more information. 👇

Learn what parents need to know about cyclosporiasis in children, including symptoms, how the parasite spreads, diagnosis, treatment, foodborne outbreaks and tips to prevent infection.​

07/16/2026

Keep your kids safe all summer long with these important tips! ☀️

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07/15/2026

Traveling this summer with your baby? 🧳👶 While going on a vacation with your family can be exciting, it's important to keep in mind that hotel rooms often have hidden hazards that parents may not think about.

Make sure to spend a few minutes baby-proofing your room when you arrive, never leave a child alone in a hotel room, and continue following safe sleep practices. Learn more here.👇

​​Vacations should be about fun, not about trips to the emergency room. Get tips from here for keeping your baby safe in and around your hotel room.  

07/14/2026

Water parks are a fun way for families to cool off during the summer, but it's important to keep safety top of mind. 🌊

Whether your child is near pools or splash pads, or going down a water slide, they should always be closely supervised. For any water attraction, make sure they follow posted rules and wear properly fitted life jackets when appropriate. They should also only use attractions that match their age, size, and swimming ability.

Learn more here in the link below! 👇

​As a parent, it's important to know what to look for if you are planning a trip to an indoor or outdoor water park. Here is some information and reminders from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help keep your family safe and healthy.