Sunny Hill Pediatrics

07/31/2025

Going on a long flight and not sure how to keep your kids entertained? ✈️ You might be wondering how much screen time is ok for your young children. Movies, games, or videos during a long flight are ok for kids, but the key is to keep screen time to a minimum. 📱

👇Here are some pointers to keep in mind for using digital media.

"Have content ready. If you are bringing your own mobile device, pre-select and download digital content for your child before you leave home. If you're not sure what to choose, visit the Common Sense Media website, where you'll find thousands of media reviews—movies, games, video series, audiobooks and more, all rated for different ages and levels of development. If your airline has an in-flight entertainment system, navigate through it with your child."

Entertaining kids on long trips can be a Level 10 parenting challenge! But there's good news. Adding movies, games or videos to your travel toolkit won't do any harm, even if you usually keep screen time to a ​minimum. Here are some pointers for using digital media to keep toddlers and preschooler...

07/30/2025

Many kids struggle with their mental health and finding everyday ways to talk to your children about it takes practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Discussing mental health earlier on in life helps kids understand their feelings build resilience, and develop healthy mental and emotional coping skills. 🫂

👉We recommend checking out these tips on how to make conversations about mental health a regular part of your family's routine.

☎️ If you have any questions or concerns about supporting your child's mental health, don't hesitate to call our office.

Here’s how talking with your child about their feelings can help them feel safe sharing and when to ask the pediatrician for help. Find everyday parenting tips to build resilience and support mental health: learn how to talk calmly, model feelings, use words & visuals, and get proactive with menta...

07/29/2025

Reposted

For breastfeeding moms returning to work, building a "stash" of breast milk for other caregivers to feed to your baby can feel overwhelming. Pediatrician and licensed breastfeeding consultant shares her realistic tips for pumping and creating a stash with host in a recent episode of the Healthy Children podcast.

07/24/2025

Your child’s early years are filled with many exciting milestones like walking, talking, and more. Keeping track of your child’s milestones is important, especially to help identify delays for early intervention. 👶

📲Use CDC’s Milestone Tracker app, which provides guidance on how to support your child's development! https://loom.ly/b8i1ZbY

Download CDC's FREE Milestone Tracker app for iOS and Android

07/23/2025

After your baby turns one, they're crawling, starting to walk, and starting to say words. Toys can help your toddler's development and growth. 🧸 There are 2 types of toys:

🔹 Close-ended: There is a beginning and end to playing with this toy.
🔹 Open-ended: This toy can be played with in different ways with no definite end.

Check out these toys to consider for your toddler that can help with sensory, motor and communication skills!

Support your toddler's development with toys that build motor, sensory, and communication skills. Here are our best toy suggestions for toddlers!

07/21/2025

🚨Salmonella Outbreak

🔈UPDATE: A recall has been issued for World Market’s Emek Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif, 9.7oz with a best before date of April 1, 2027 and batch number: 250401.

07/17/2025

Reading together with your children strengthens your bond and helps your kids with their brain development, literacy skills, and stress reduction. Take the time this summer to read with your children! 📚

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07/15/2025

Does your child struggle with sensory processing? Summer can be a challenging time for kids who get overstimulated by outdoor activities and overwhelmed with transitions. 😰

Check out this blog for tips on how you can make your child feel more comfortable this summer and address their needs. 👇

"Take any situation that’s potentially problematic and do a sensory analysis of it. If taking your kid to the park overwhelms them, think about what sensory triggers might be behind their reaction. Breaking the experience down to its sensory components — the light touch of long grass, the bugs, the noise — can help you and your child figure out how to manage the more difficult parts of the experience before you arrive."

How to help kids with sensory processing issues develop the skills to stay comfortable in what can be overstimulating outdoor activities.

07/14/2025

Our hearts remain with the families impacted by the devastating floods in Texas this month. 💙

We know that watching upsetting news like this can be hard and frightening for children. Here are some ways to talk to your child about traumatic news events and how you can reassure them, including tips for each age group and for children with autism.

"No matter what age or developmental stage your child is, you can start by asking what they've already heard. Most children will have heard something, no matter how old they are. After you ask them what they've heard, ask what questions they have and how they feel about what's happened.

Older children, teens, and young adults might ask more questions. They may ask for and benefit more from additional information. But no matter what age your child is, it's best to keep the dialogue straightforward and direct."

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about the crisis and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to, and cope with. Includes the video, "AAP Tips on Talking t...

07/10/2025

Summer time is a great time for barbecues, picnics, and outside gathering! 🍡 But when packing food or planning a family cookout, it's important to keep food safety in mind. During warmer months, germs can multiply quickly on food and cause food poisoning. 🤢

Children under 5 are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from contaminated food. To prevent food poisoning, follow these steps: clean, separate, grill (or cook) and chill. Check out this guide for more information. 👇

​Planning a picnic or cookout? Keep your family safe during outdoor meals with essential food safety tips from pediatric experts. Learn how to avoid foodborne illnesses while enjoying meals outside—from proper food storage to safe grilling temperatures.​

07/09/2025

Swaddling or using a sleep sack can help newborns feel secure and calm, making it easier for them to fall asleep. 😴💤 However, babies should stop swaddling when they can roll over to keep them safe from SIDS.

Remember to always place your baby on their back on a firm sleep surface without any loose beddings, blankets, or stuffed toys.

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07/08/2025

July is ! ☀️ With kids spending more time outside in the sun, it's important to protect them from too much exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Here are some precautions to follow:

⛱️ For babies under 6 months, keep them out of direct sunlight by finding shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy.
👒 Dress your kids in loose and light clothing that covers most of the skin whenever possible and give them a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
😎 Give your child sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection.
🧴Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15.

For information on how to select the right sunscreen and apply it properly and information on how to soothe a sunburn and when to call the pediatrician, check out this guide.👇

Sunscreen can help protect the skin from sunburn and some skin cancers but only if used correctly. Keep in mind that sunscreen should be used for sun protection, not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.