Shoals Pediatric Group

09/09/2025

We all know strep is going around. Recent studies have shown that the strep bacteria can live on and in reusable water bottles. I love that kids are drinking more water throughout the day, but make sure you're keeping their water bottles clean and disinfected, especially after an illness.

-Dr. Kelley

You’d be surprised at what might be growing inside your water bottle.

09/09/2025

RSV VACCINE AND BEYFORTUS (yes, they're different!)

I tried recording this video twice, and both times it ended up being over six minutes. Play it while you're doing your makeup or driving down the road. There’s really no quick way to explain this without leaving out key details. It’s a little technical, but I think it’s important to clarify the difference between what we give babies to protect against RSV (Beyfortus) and the RSV vaccine that’s given to adults and pregnant women.

One thing that I left out was this: This medicine WORKS. It is amazing to see these little bitty babies with RSV who are hardly sick.

As always, links in the comments. I welcome any questions you may have!

-Dr. Kelley

09/07/2025

Boy moms, when do they learn that they really can’t hit/ kick/ slap/ toss/ bounce/ throw balls inside the house? I just told my 5 year old to take his ball outside because he wouldn’t leave it alone, and he came back in with another ball?! Is this my future?? 🤣

⚽️🏀🏈⚾️🥎🎾🏐🏉

09/05/2025

We have gotten our first shipment in of the flu vaccine. It is a small shipment, but more will be coming. This is for COMMERCIAL INSURANCE only. We do not yet have flu vaccines for VFC, which supplies Medicaid. They should be in soon. We do not have FluMist yet either.

Most people don't know this, but we have no ability to predict when we will receive shipments or how many flu vaccines we will get in each shipment. We are at the mercy of the vaccine manufacturers in this case. We can easily order other vaccines that are not seasonal.

I will continue to update as we get more in!

09/04/2025

As of now, no local schools have made the pledge to Wait Until 8th! It only requires 10 families in one grade to sign up to join. Who is going to be first?! Tag your fellow parents in the comments and sign up together!

📱 New research shows kids who get smartphones before age 13 face higher risks of poor mental health later on.

🚫 Girls reported lower confidence + resilience.
😔 Boys reported less stability + empathy.
💔 Early phone use was linked to higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Experts recommend:
✨ No smartphones before 14
✨ No social media before 16
✨ Prioritize real connections over screen time

The longer we wait, the better for our kids’ mental health!

Source: ABC News; Kids who own smartphones before age 13 have worse mental health outcomes

Parents➡
✅ Delay the smartphone until the end of 8th grade with our pledge!
✅ Get a basic phone if you need to get in touch before. We have a list on our website.
✅ Start slowly when you do say YES. Put smart limits in place! Tips on our website!
✅ Delay social media until 16 at least!
✅ Keep phones out of the bedrooms!
✅ Advocate for phones to be away for the day at school!

09/04/2025

Take a look at some of the FREE classes that NAMC offers.

The Mindful Mothers Class will be taught by a licensed mental health professional, Alisha Dreiling. New mothers learn how to maximize emotional health & wellness. Other topics include bonding with your baby, how to ask for help and ways to adjust to your new life as a mother.

Breastfeeding Basics is taught by NAMC’s Certified Lactation Counselor, Amanda Tanner. She covers breastfeeding expectations, strategies for success, and how to avoid complications.

From Bump to Baby Childbirth Class will be taught by NAMC Labor & Delivery and Nursery staff and cover the basic information to help parents mentally and emotionally prepare for the arrival of their new little one.

The Diabetes Education Class is taught by certified diabetes educator Leigh Anne Rutledge and covers a wide range of topics that empower individuals to manage their condition effectively.

For more information, including registration info and class schedules, visit www.NAMCCares.com/Events

09/04/2025

09/03/2025

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a baby's first dental visit should happen at their first birthday or within 6 months of getting their first tooth (whichever happens first)? 🦷👶🏼 Early appointments have many benefits to your baby’s oral development. Dr. Carson Cruise can’t wait to meet your family and help create happy, healthy smiles for your little ones. Contact us today to set up your first appointment!
https://www.pediatricdentalclinic.com/appointments/

08/30/2025

Reminder that this is our first weekend to be back open on Sundays. We will be open both weekend days until next summer! Click on the original post for more information about our weekend sick clinic.

Shoals Pediatric Group Weekend Clinic: The Rundown

1. Current patients only. The only exception is new babies who have called ahead to arrange a visit. 
2. No appointment needed. Just show up.
3. We open at 8AM on BOTH SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. If you want to be guaranteed to be seen, be here at 8AM. We leave when we are finished seeing patients. Sometimes that’s 9AM, sometimes that’s 11AM, depending on how busy we are. If you wake up after 8AM and your child is sick, call us, and we will let you know if you have time to throw some clothes on and head our way. Please do not message us or comment on a post asking if we are open. We are always open unless explicitly stated in a post (like if Christmas is on a Saturday).
4. No well-child checks, med checks (ADHD meds, headache meds, etc.). Weekend visits are for acute illnesses, not four months of lingering abdominal pain. This is for those times when your child wakes up vomiting or with a fever or an asthma attack. 

Remember that we always have a doctor or nurse practitioner available by phone on both weekend days. We can help you decide if you need to go to the ER or an urgent care or can wait until the next morning to be seen in our office. 

08/29/2025

Reminder from last year!

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Hello guys! Something must be in the water, because I’ve seen lots of cuts and injuries lately. I wanted to remind you that we can sew up or glue simple lacerations. Save yourself a trip to the ER! Busted chin? Call our office. Gaping knee wound? Call our office. Sometimes, depending on where or how severe the wound is, we may need to send you some more else, but I would say we can fix about 95% of the injuries we see.* Plus, your child will know our faces and it may be less scary for them.

*Often, we can determine based on a few questions and a picture if something is appropriate for the office, so give us a call if you are unsure.