Dr. Anne Lorraine Bringas - General Pediatrics

14/05/2026

Excess in early childhood reduces exposure to adult speech and conversational exchanges, which may negatively affect language development.

This JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page discusses screen time and language development in children. https://ja.ma/4d7nQ8Y

28/02/2026

Many children appear “busog,” but healthy feeding goes beyond fullness. It includes proper nutrition, skill development, and positive mealtime participation. Supporting feeding milestones helps children grow stronger, more independent, and more confident in everyday life.
With the right support, every meal becomes an opportunity for development.

✨ Nourish growth. Support skills. Build healthy habits.

If you need an OT, head over to our website https://paotinc.org and use the ‘Find an OT’ function, or check our directory of clinics/centers offering OT services at https://tinyurl.com/PAOTdirectory2024.



Link/Resource:
[1] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Feeding and nutrition guidelines for infants and young children.
[2] American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Feeding and swallowing milestones: Birth to 1 year. https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/feeding-and-swallowing-milestones-birth-to-1-year/
[3] Arvedson, J. (2008). Assessment of pediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 14(2), 118–127.
[4] Case-Smith, J., & O’Brien, J. (2020). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.
[5] Rourke, E. (2025). Occupational therapy for feeding difficulties: Complete parent guide. Beaminghealth. https://beaminghealth.com/article/Occupational-Therapy-for-Feeding-Difficulties-Complete-Parent-Guide
[6] Treating Feeding and Eating Problems in Children with Occupational Therapy. (2024). Nationwidechildrens.org. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2024/05/treating-feeding-and-eating-problems-in-children
[7] World Health Organization. (2023). WHO guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age (ISBN: 978-92-4-008186-4). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081864

20/02/2026

Sleep disorders in children may present as behavioral insomnia, night terrors, sleepwalking, teeth grinding, bed-wetting, or .

Recognizing symptoms, such as snoring, gasping, or persistent sleep difficulties, and implementing consistent bedtime routines can help address underlying issues and support .

https://bit.ly/3ZWpliD

15/01/2026

12/12/2025

Fact: Gagging is not choking and gagging does not lead to choking.

The body is designed to protect the airway and keep food out of the airway during both eating and swallowing and gagging, and even when throwing up.

When food is swallowed, more than 50 muscles work together to coordinate the motion. One is our vocal folds coming together like sliding doors in the breathing tube to tightly close off our airway and prevent anything from entering it. Amazingly, the muscles of the throat close tightly shut and the airway is pulled up and slightly forward, safely out of the way when we vomit or gag so that particles of food or liquid do not enter it.

So how does choking occur?

Choking occurs when there is a miscoordination of the swallow and food or liquid sneaks past our multiple lines of defense.

Things that can increase the risk of such type of coordination failure include:

✔️Caregiver placing finger food in a child’s mouth
✔️Caregiver putting their fingers in a child’s mouth
✔️Eating while in a reclined position
✔️Eating while laughing or coughing
✔️Eating while crying
✔️Eating while walking around
✔️Being startled while eating
✔️Lack of supervision while eating
✔️Eating while distracted

To access our free choking rescue guides for babies and toddlers download the Solid Starts App 📲

01/12/2025

It’s that time of year again when illnesses seem to pop up like whack-a-mole! 😷🫣
From October through April, pediatricians see the highest number of sick visits. Having a sick child - whether they’re six months, three years, or ten - never gets easier. The worry is real.
Swipe through to see some of the most common illness myths I hear in my practice and what’s actually true 👇
➡️ Going outside without a jacket will only make your child cold, not sick.
➡️ Green mucus doesn’t automatically mean infection - it can just mean mucus has been sitting longer.
➡️ Milk during a cold won’t worsen symptoms. In fact, if it’s their main source of hydration, let them drink it!
➡️ If your child has a fever but is playful, it’s okay to monitor. If they’re cranky or uncomfortable, treat it and keep fluids up.
➡️ And when in doubt, trust your gut and reach out to your child’s clinician.
Illness season can feel endless, but knowledge is power. Understanding what’s normal and when to worry can help you stay calm, confident, and prepared.

17/11/2025

Deaf Awareness Week 2025 reminds us that hearing loss is not a limitation, but a call to build bridges of understanding. Early detection, family-centered support, and inclusive communication open doors to language, learning, and belonging. Let’s celebrate diversity, honor lived experiences, and ensure every voice is heard — whether spoken, signed, or felt. 💙🤟

15/11/2025

Hi everyone!😀

Marami ang nagtatanong sa nangyari kay Yella at nangamba. Naoperahan si Yella last August para sa TOF repair ngunit kinaliangang operahan ulit dahil sinira ng bacteria ang VSD patch nya.

Ano ang nangyari sa kanya para humantong sa isa ulit na operasyon gayung na-repair na ang puso nya?

Si Yella ay nagsimulang magkaroon ng lagnat. Nakitaan sya ng senyales ng heart failure pagkatapos gaya ng pamumutla at paghihingal. Na-diagnose sya ng INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS.

Ang INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS ay infection sa lining ng puso (endocardium) at kadalasan sa balbula (valves). Sa mga naoperahan na sa puso, mataas ang panganib dahil sa:
1. may artificial material (patch, valve, conduit)
2. may peklat (scar tissue)
3. nagkaroon ng manipulasyon sa puso noong inooperahan

PAANO NAGSISIMULA ANG SIRA?
Pagkatapos ng operasyon, ang mga balbula at paligid nito ay may irregular surfaces (bako-bako) at peklat kaya mas madaling kapitan ng bacteria.

Kapag dumikit ang bacteria, bumubuo ng "bacterial colony" na dinidikitan ng platelets at fibrin (parang namuong dugo) na syang nagiging VEGETATION na parang maliit na bukol sa balbula.

PAANO NASISIRA ANG PUSO?
1. Nilulusaw ng bacteria ang balbula. Nagiging butas, malambot o di nagsasara ng maayos na nagiging sanhi para ito ay tumagas.
2. Pwede din itong bumara sa mga batang may RV to PA conduit, VSD patch o artificial valves

Maaari rin itong maputol at mag-embolize o mapunta sa ibang lugar gaya ng utak na pwedeng magdala ng stroke, sa baga na pwedeng maging sanhi ng pulmonary embolism o sa bato na pwedeng pagdala ng problema sa pag-ihi at eventually pagpalya nito.

NAGDUDULOT ITO NG:
> lagnat
> mabilis na tibok
> immune reaction na nagpapahina sa puso

SA MATITINDING INFECTION GAYA NG KAY YELLA, pwede nitong tunawin ang tahi at mare-open ang dating butas.

So importante na i-report agad sa inyong mga cardiologist kung may kakaibang napapansin sa inyong mga anak pagkatapos ng operasyon. Follow-up is also very important.

15/11/2025

A healthy smile starts young. 🦷💕

“Si Mommy mismo ang bumunot ng ngipin ni baby gamit ang sinulid.” Maraming nagtag sakin sa video na ‘yan, kaya pag-usapan natin kung ano ang dapat tandaan:

1. “Ang unang dentista ng mga babies ay ang kanilang parents.” Tama ‘yan! kayo ang magtuturo ng brushing at hygiene routine nila.PERO hindi ibig sabihin kayo rin ang dapat bumunot ng ngipin. Kapag may naiwan na root, puwedeng magka-infection o maapektuhan ang pagtubo ng permanent tooth.

“Baby tooth lang naman, okay lang masira.” Hindi po okay. Alam nyo ba na puwedeng magdulot ng infection ang sirang ngipin ng bata? At oo, delikado rin sa kanila ‘yan. Bukod pa doon, masakit at nakakaapekto sa pagkain at tulog ng bata.

3. “Ayoko dalhin si baby baka matrauma sa dentista.”
Baliktad ‘yan. Habang mas bata pa silang nadadala sa dentist, mas nasasanay sila. Pero kapag dinala lang kapag masakit na, doon sila madalas natotrauma.

4. “Tinoothbrush ko naman, mahilig lang talaga sa sweets.” Sugar isn’t the enemy, BACTERIA ang tunay na kontrabida. Si sugar, pagkain lang ni bacteria. Kaya kapag consistent ang brushing at hygiene, maiiwasan ang cavities.

5. “3x a day magtoothbrush si baby.” Good job, pero baka kulang sa fluoride ang toothpaste niya. Kailangan pa rin ng fluoride application sa dentista:

Every 3 months kung high risk sa cavities
Every 6 months kung low risk

Baby teeth may be temporary pero ang epekto ng pagkasira nila, pangmatagalan. Wag ipagsawalang-bahala ang ngipin ng inyong mga anak.

A healthy smile starts young. 🦷💕