Briarvista Pediatrics

12/10/2025

A recent study found that 12-year-olds who owned smartphones were more likely to experience depression and obesity and not get enough sleep than those without one.📱But if your child or teen already has a smartphone, you can still ensure that they don't miss out on important activities like exercise, sleep, and quality time with friends and family, or jeopardize their health. The key is to help them set boundaries. Here are tips to get started!

12/09/2025

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month! 🧸🎁 If you're buying your children new toys for the holidays, it's important to keep in mind that safety should always come first. Here's a helpful guide that shares what to look for when buying toys and tips to prevent injuries.

Make sure to look out for button batteries or lithium coin batteries, high-powered magnets, or other small objects that children might be tempted to put in their mouths, noses, or ears.

Each year thousands of children are injured by toys. Read on to learn what to look for when buying toys that are safe.

12/04/2025

Do you have a child with dyslexia or ADHD? Reading books with characters who have dyslexia and ADHD can help kids overcome their challenges. Here are 7 books to share! 📚

These books feature characters with learning and thinking differences like dyslexia and ADHD. See this list of teacher-recommended books for kids with reading issues or thinking differences.

12/03/2025

Talking to kids about drugs and alcohol is super important. But what's most effective is when you focus on connection instead of control. Start conversations from a calm and open place and know that having multiple small conversations over time instead of one long one is more productive. 💬

If you suspect that your child is using substances and you're noticing changes in mood, sleep, appetite, school performance or friendships, contact our office. We are here to help! ☎️

➡️ Read more here for tips on how to have conversations with your children about drugs and alcohol.

Talking to teens about drugs and alcohol use matters. This guide offers strategies for starting the conversation, setting limits and helping your child make safe decisions about substance use.

12/02/2025

Got your holiday decorations up? Make sure to follow 12 safety tips to keep your children safe around your decorations! 🎄

"Keep children away from button batteries and lithium coin batteries, which can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. Secure battery compartments in electronic toys, string lights, flameless candles, light up necklaces and musical ornaments and books, for example. Wrap small batteries in tape before disposing of them."

​To help make sure your holiday decorations are safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers some tips.

11/28/2025

Happy Native American Heritage Day!

11/27/2025

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁

11/24/2025

Like many families, you might find the holidays a busy time. But there are millions of families and children who are struggling with having enough to eat. You can help fight hunger and give back to the community through various means. And getting your children involved is a great way to teach them empathy, kindness, and how to make a positive difference. Here are a few actions to take to help your community! 🫂

Learn how your family can make a difference in ending childhood hunger. Explore tips for volunteering, donating food, and teaching kids about empathy and community care.​

11/20/2025

Keeping children safe in and around vehicles is important! Make sure to follow these tips and remind your children of car safety. 🚘

11/19/2025

Does your child's school have a new phone policy starting this year? 📲 Many schools now ask students to keep phones away from classes. You might have concerns about not being able to reach your child or concerns about your child being too addicted to their phones. Here are some tips to follow!

"Most phones and devices have tools to help manage screen time. Through digital wellbeing, screen time or family pairing settings, you can set downtime or do-not-disturb options. Instead of seeing it as a restriction on your family's screen time, treat it as protecting activities that matter to you, where you want to be fully present. Remind your kids that tech companies don't need (or deserve) to have access to us every waking minute of the day!"

Many schools have rules about when and how kids can use their cell phones during the school day. This article helps parents understand common policies, why they exist, and how to help kids adjust to the change.

11/18/2025

Is your baby ready for shoes? When babies are only able to stand or take a few steps, they're not ready for shoes just yet. Giving your shoes too early may make learning how to walk a little bit harder, because they limit the baby’s foot movement. 👶

Babies can start wearing shoes when they're walking. In the meantime, if your baby's feet are cold, you can give them socks.

👉 To learn about what to look for in baby shoes, check out this link!

Wondering when to introduce shoes for your baby? Learn the best time to start and how to choose shoes that support Baby's development.

11/14/2025

🚨 The FDA announced that families should stop using all ByHeart formula immediately due to a multi-state outbreak of botulism. Read more here.

Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.