Dr. Tanya Altmann

11/21/2025

Virus of the week: Parainfluenza 🦠

The most common cause of croup, that sudden, barky, seal-like cough that pops up at night.

Croup happens when parainfluenza causes swelling around the vocal cords and upper airway, which leads to:
• A hoarse voice
• That signature barky cough
• Sometimes a high-pitched sound called stridor when kids breathe in

What helps:
🌬️Cool night air
🚿Steamy bathroom
💧Cool mist humidifier 
💊Sometimes short steroid courses if breathing is tough (your pediatrician will determine)

📞 Call your pediatrician ASAP if your child has:
• Stridor at rest
• Trouble breathing
• Tugging at the neck or ribs
• Drooling
• Extreme fatigue
• Or if something just feels off to you
(Babies under 6 months or kids with recurrent croup should be seen sooner.)

The good news: With the right support, most kids bounce back quickly!

Always trust your instincts — if their breathing doesn’t look right to you, your pediatrician wants to hear from you. 💛

11/19/2025

Whooping cough (pertussis) is rising again across the U.S. – here’s what you need to know:

Vaccination rates are dropping, and immunity fades over time, adults actually need a Tdap booster every 10 years.

In older kids and adults, symptoms may start mild but can progress to severe coughing fits. For babies, pertussis can turn dangerous fast: rapid coughing fits, trouble breathing, turning red or blue, vomiting, and even stopping breathing. Infants are at the highest risk.

The good news: it can be diagnosed and treated. A nasal swab confirms it, and early antibiotics like azithromycin work best.

Prevention is key: stay up to date on vaccines and watch for concerning symptoms such as pauses in breathing, poor feeding, or a worsening cough. If you see these symptoms call your pediatrician right away.

11/12/2025

A family called me in the middle of the night becuase their little one was vomiting. Totally fine, that’s part of my job, and I love when families can reach me 24/7 to avoid an unnecessary ER trip!

I told them to grab ondansetron (Zofran) from their medicine cabinet and let it melt in their child’s mouth. It helps calm nausea and vomiting so you can give small sips of fluids and keep your child hydrated 💧

💡 Pediatricians have used this for years, and recently a Canadian study of 1,000+ kids confirmed it: giving ondansetron at home for gastroenteritis (vomiting ± diarrhea) helped reduce return visits to the ER and improved hydration.

⚠️ Of course, if your child has severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting despite medication, looks very sick, shows signs of dehydration, or is an infant under one year, call your pediatrician or go to the ER.

11/11/2025

The ByHeart formula recall has now been expanded from two lots to include ALL ByHeart products (all tins and individual sachets).

👩‍⚕️ I know many parents are wondering what to do next. As a pediatrician and Chief Medical Advisor for Bubs Infant Formula , I want to remind you there are several whole milk, grass-fed, 100% lactose, clean-label infant formulas available, including Bubs Grass Fed Infant Formula, which can make an easy transition for most babies.

🍼 For little ones who were on ByHeart for partially hydrolyzed protein due to sensitivity, you might consider a full-fat goat milk formula. Goat milk is naturally A2 dominant, making it gentle and easier to digest — similar to breast milk.

💛 As always, stay in touch with your pediatrician for guidance on feeding and formula changes. If you have any questions or need support, please reach out as we’re here to help.

11/10/2025

An outbreak of infant botulism is being investigated as 13 infants have been hospitalized. All of the infants have reportedly consumed the same infant formula, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant formula (Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 and Lot: 206VABP/251131P2), which have now been voluntarily recalled. Please note there is no report of botulism spores in an unopened can of this formula, right now it is only under investigation.

Early signs can be subtle - babies can become weak, constipated, have poor suck when feeding, a weak cry, or any other sudden change in their behavior. Prevention is the key - no honey under age 1, keep feeding areas clean, and always trust your instincts! Better to be safe!

11/01/2025

As we get ready to turn back the clocks , I can’t help but wonder… do we really need to keep doing this?
�A new study modeled what would happen if the U.S. stopped changing time — and the results might surprise you.�
👉 Permanent standard time could mean fewer strokes, lower obesity rates, and better sleep for everyone
�Until then, help protect your child’s circadian rhythm:�☀️ Get morning light�🛏️ Keep consistent sleep/wake times�📱 Dim lights + screens before bed

10/31/2025

10/30/2025

From a mom who loves Halloween and a pediatrician who wants every kid safe, I’m teaming up with Aussie Bubs to share my top tips for a fun (and safe!) night out 🎃👻

- Bright costumes or glow sticks help kids stay visible.
- Skip the vision-blocking masks, try face paint instead.
- Stick to sidewalks and cross at corners.
- Drivers, slow down! Little ones move fast and don’t always look.
- Check those treats before they dig in!

Wishing all families a safe, fun, and magical Halloween!