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It’s fall and everyone seems to have a bit of a cough or sore throat. It could be just a cold – or could it be walking pneumonia, which has been surging here in Connecticut? New Canaan Pediatrics has seen an increase in pneumonia diagnoses since school began this fall, mostly in elementary school-aged children. […] [...]
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We know parent are lectured about the dangers of screens and social media ad nauseam. Studies show that kids who use screens excessively are more likely to be obese or overweight. They have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, leading to poor physical health. Screen-using children are more aggressive and more likely to be anxious […] [...]
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Here at New Canaan Pediatrics, Dr. Flynn knows that there are lots of funny names for flowers; pig’s squeak, lamb’s ear and donkey tail spurge are just a few. Your New Canaan Pediatrics providers know that funny names exist for illness too, such as “slapped cheek” rash, an absolutely accurate descriptor. Also called Fifth Disease, […] [...]
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As summer approaches, we parents begin thinking about all the ways we can tempt kids to get outside, move, breathe fresh air and use their imagination. Your family may opt for a backyard pool to lure kids outside. You might build a miniature park with opportunities for play and exercise. The humble backyard fire pit […] [...]
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By the time your child is three years old, they will have most likely experienced an ear infection. Five out of 6 kids will have one by their first birthday. Ear infections are one of the most common reasons kids visit New Canaan Pediatrics. Otitis Media, Middle Ear Infection While there are several types of […] [...]
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Most of us believe home fire safety means being very careful with gas and electric appliances and installing smoke alarms. If we have a fireplace, we are sure to install a fireplace screen. While these steps are, of course, very important, to be as safe as possible, experts in fire prevention, insurance, and disaster assistance […] [...]
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When today’s parents were in middle school and high school, no matter how vicious a bully could be on the bus, at school or on the playground, when they got home, they were safe. The bully did not come into their home to torment them when they were relaxing, doing homework or watching a movie. [...]
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Last year, the Connecticut State Department of Education updated their Individualized Education Program (IEP) in an effort to make the process easier to navigate for students, parents, and educators. Helpful as those changes are, making sure a child has access to schools and can thrive in them becomes a bit more involved when a child […] [...]
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When you were expecting your baby, you probably received a gift of safety devices; outlet covers, cabinet locks and baby gates. As soon as your newborn rolled over the first time, you probably installed everything to keep your child safe. Have you taken a minute lately to see how safe your home is for your […] [...]
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As parents, we spend a great deal of time worrying about how much screen time is healthy for our children. Will it affect their attention span? Will it impact their academic performance? Are phones and screens causing depression and anxiety in our kids? Unfortunately, even if our kids never see a screen until the age […] [...]
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Allergies can be a simple sniffle that quickly resolves as tree pollen dissipates. It can also be itching, watery eyes, difficulty breathing and uncontrollable sneezing during the spring and summer. New Canaan Pediatrics is here to help you better understand allergies and provide solutions to allergy symptoms. [...]
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When your baby is just born, their mouth, tongue and cheeks have already developed the strong muscles and skills to suck, enabling them to start feeding immediately. However, even with all this strength and dexterity, it will take years for these same muscles to develop sufficiently for your child to properly enunciate all the sounds […] [...]
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As parents, our very first worries center around food. Is our newborn baby eating enough? Too much? What is the right amount anyway?! These concerns generally abate as our kids get older; almost always parents see their children eating just as they should – and thriving – within several months. However, when our children enter […] [...]
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Parents would love to wrap their children in virtual “bubble wrap” to protect them from all hurt, illness and troubles, but the reality is that all kids will get hurt, get sick, get colds, and get a fever. At New Canaan Pediatrics, we understand that, especially when little ones get a fever, parents get worried. […] [...]
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For years, you’ve purchased gifts that have enriched your children’s lives, from educational games to toys that develop large and small motor skills, to equipment for activities to must-have clothing. This holiday, as your child grows older, you’re stumped. Besides gift cards, what is there to buy? New Canaan Pediatrics is here to recommend holiday […] [...]
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It’s Halloween! Children (and many adults) look forward it to for weeks; the chance to be someone else for a day, to roam the neighborhood looking for the best candy, and to enjoy spooky decorations all around town. It’s a delicate balance to keep Halloween mysterious and fun, but to also keep safety a first […] [...]
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In the months before your baby was born, you divided time into chunks of 12 weeks, or trimesters. After three trimesters (or so), your baby was born. According to a theory developed by Dr. Harvey Karp, this is about 12 weeks – or one trimester – too early. Dr. Karp coined the term “Fourth Trimester” […] [...]
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It seems like just yesterday you were rocking your newborn to sleep and now here they are, off to kindergarten. Whether you are sending your first child or your sixth child off to kindergarten, there are plenty of big feelings and big adjustments that your child, and you, are going through. At New Canaan Pediatrics, […] [...]
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Children seem to endlessly enjoy their summer, running outside in the sunshine for hours on end, seemingly oblivious to the hot weather. Unfortunately, too much time in the sun can lead to forms of heat illness. While localized forms of heat illness like heat rash or heat cramps can be a minor inconvenience, heat exhaustion […] [...]
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Temperatures are rising, so it’s time to play in the water. Whether your family is splashing in an inflatable wading pool, swimming in a large public pool, or enjoying lake water, keeping your children safe is the most important part of water play. Here at New Canaan Pediatrics, we are happy that increased water safety […] [...]
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While cases of hepatitis in children remains very rare, cases across the U.S. and around the globe, are growing. There are currently cases across Europe, in 36 of the United States, and in Puerto Rico. In the United States, the CDC is investigating about 180 cases in previously healthy children, typically between 2 and 3 […] [...]
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Crib safety is important to your child’s health and to us! When parents are deciding on decorations for their baby’s nursery, they may turn to Pinterest and see cribs that look like an adult’s dream bed. These cribs are filled with soft pillows and blankets, cushy toys and lush bumper pads, all covered by magical […] [...]
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Throughout our lives, from height and weight checks when we’re toddlers, to blood pressure and cholesterol checks each year at annual exams, health screenings inform us, diagnose us, and help us prevent or treat any serious illness as soon as possible. For your baby, health screenings begin just moments after they are born. In fact, […] [...]
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Snuggling up on a cold winter night with your child and a pile of books is the perfect way to spend time together. You may think that you’re just enjoying your child’s company and they may just think they are being entertained, but there is alot more going on when you open a book and […] [...]
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Here at New Canaan, we are often asked when we think COVID-19 will “end” and things will return to normal. Like our families, we also can’t wait until things are back to where they used to be. We do know that we simply won’t get back to normal until everyone does three very vital things. [...]
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The cards are filling our mailboxes and the images are filling our social media. It’s a photograph of a wonder-filled child, surrounded by happy family, gazing at the splendor of lights against a dark sky. Who can resist this joyous portrayal of the winter holidays? Unfortunately, without proper preparation and planning, the holidays are much […] [...]
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As more and more people receive the COVID-19 vaccine, families are allowing themselves to be optimistic about life after the pandemic. It’s important to remember that we are not quite there yet; we are still in the beginning steps, especially for our youngest children – and unfortunately infection rates are rising again in some parts […] [...]
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Help Us to keep your child’s vaccine record up-to-date! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children ages 5 + receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of our families have begun the process of getting vaccinated throughout the different community vaccine distribution sites. It is very important that we keep all our patient’s immunization records up-to-date. [...]
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Puberty is a time of life most of us just want to forget. While it’s a critical time in our physical and mental development, it’s rare that anyone looks back and says “Yep, I’d do that again.” And just when we (may have) recovered from this most cringe-inducing time of life, we realize that our […] [...]
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