Sunshine Pediatrics

09/25/2025

A cup of caffeinated coffee or tea is healthy for most adults.☕ But caffeine affects kids differently and can impact their development and growth. It can increase your child's heart rate, raise their blood pressure, trigger rapid breathing, cause nausea, diarrhea, restlessness, or anxiety, and interfere with sleep.

For children under the age of 12, it is recommended to avoid caffeine altogether. For kids ages 12-18, no more than 100mg of caffeine per day should be consumed. Keep in mind that caffeine isn't just in coffee or tea. It can show up unexpectedly in foods and other beverages, which is why it's important to inspect products.

To learn how to help kids avoid or limit caffeine, click here. 👇

Caffeine affects kids’ health, sleep and learning. Here’s what parents can do to help kids choose healthy drinks and avoid caffeine.

09/24/2025

September is NICU Awareness Month. 💚 When a baby is premature or needs special medical attention, they may need to stay in the NICU. It can be overwhelming and scary for parents. But remember there is a lot of support available and babies are resilient. Here's info on how you can learn your preemie's cues and start bonding with them.

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09/23/2025

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

09/18/2025

Head lice are a common problem among children in elementary school. This is because kids are more likely to have head-to-head contact and share items like hairbrushes, hair accessories, and hats. Although head lice are a nuisance 🤯, they don't cause serious illness or carry any diseases.

The most common signs of lice include persistent itching on the scalp, behind the ears, or at the back of the neck. You may also notice nits (eggs), which can be found attached to the hair shaft close to the head. If you notice these signs, you'll want to check to see if your child has lice.

➡️ Read this guide for how to properly look for lice and how head lice should be treated. If you have any questions or concerns, call our office.

The following information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will help you check for, treat, and prevent the spread of head lice.

09/17/2025

Save this guide for to ensure that your home has been properly baby proofed. There are many household hazards that can be dangerous to babies once they start moving on their own. By following these precautions, you can keep your child safe! 🏠

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09/16/2025

Not sure how many hours of sleep your child needs? 😴 The number of hours depends on the age of your child. As they grow older, they need less hours of sleep. Here's a handy chart that breaks it down so you know how many hours of sleep your child should be getting.

By the time your child is 7-9 months old, they should have a reliable sleep schedule where they sleep throughout the night. 💤

If you have concerns about your child's sleep, get in touch with us! ☎️

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09/11/2025

🎒 Does your child struggle with their morning routine? Getting ready in the morning can be stressful for many kids, and especially for kids with learning and thinking differences. But here are 8 tips to streamline your child's morning routine and make it easier for them to stay on schedule.

"To jump-start the morning routine, plan ahead. Before bedtime, have your child get a bath or shower out of the way. Then, ask your child to pick out an outfit for the next day. Take a few minutes to go over the next day’s schedule together. Check that all books, homework, and changes of clothing are packed up and by the door."

Mornings before school can be super hectic, especially if your child struggles with transitions. But they don’t have to be. Try these tips and make school morning routines less hectic.

09/10/2025

🎗️For ***dePreventionMonth and ***dePreventionDay, we recommend checking out this guide on 12 important steps to support your children's mental health needs and help them get the emotional support that they need.

"I'm 15 years old and am a teen mental health advocate, international bestselling book author and social entrepreneur. Su***de prevention is something I didn't learn about until high school!

In 4th grade, I thought comments like, "I don't deserve to live," were jokes. After the pandemic, in middle school, more students talked about these issues. As a 12-year-old, I struggled to understand. But I realized I could help by simply listening without judgment so my peers could express what they couldn't elsewhere." - Taanvi A.

As children grow and become more independent, it can be more challenging for parents to know what they are thinking and feeling. When do the normal ups and downs of adolescence become something to worry about?

09/09/2025

For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, here's a guide that shares the different types of childhood and adolescent cancers, information on causes, and treatments. Childhood cancer is rare and advances in treatment have increased survival rates.

"Overall for children and adolescents (ages 0 to 19) in the United States, the most common types of cancers are leukemias, which are cancers of the blood or bone marrow cells; brain and central nervous system tumors, including cancers of the spine; and lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymph nodes or glands). However, the types of cancer can vary by age."

​Approximately 1 in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20. The most common cancers among children and adolescents vary by age. Learn more here. 

09/04/2025

👶 As a reminder for , screening tests for your newborn are essential to uncovering potential issues so that early intervention can be done for the best outcome.

Newborn screening tests are typically performed when babies are one to two days old and are done via a blood test, hearing test, and a heart screening. 🩺

👇 Click here to learn more about these tests and important things to know!

Before your baby is born, talk to your pediatrician about which screening tests your baby will undergo, including their benefits and any risks, and ask if it is necessary for you to consent to this testing.

09/03/2025

September is ! 👶 Following essential guidelines for your baby's sleep is crucial to keeping them safe. 💤 Here are important measures to follow. If you have any questions or concerns, call our office.

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day!! 🇺🇸