Hartman Pediatrics

05/22/2026

Recognizing Teen Depression: What to Watch For 💜

Teen years can be emotional and stressful, but depression is more than “just a phase.” Many teens struggle silently because their symptoms are mistaken for moodiness, attitude changes, or normal growing pains.

Here are some signs that may indicate a teen is dealing with depression:

* Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
* Irritability or anger over small things
* Loss of interest in hobbies, friends, or activities they once enjoyed
* Changes in sleep — sleeping too much or not enough
* Changes in appetite or weight
* Trouble concentrating or falling behind in school
* Low energy or constant fatigue
* Withdrawing from family and friends
* Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
* Talking about self-harm, death, or feeling like a burden

Depression can also show up physically through headaches, stomach aches, or unexplained body pain.

What helps most is creating a safe space where teens feel heard without judgment. Listening calmly, checking in consistently, and encouraging professional support can make a huge difference.

Depression screening is a standard component of every well child check at Hartman Pediatrics, but if you’re concerned about a teen in your life, trust your instincts and reach out to our office. Early support matters.

You never have to struggle alone. 💜

05/19/2026

First edition of Tech Tip Tuesday! I will try to share a few posts on Tuesdays this summer with tips regarding screen use.

Children under age 2 learn best from exploring the world around them. They have a hard time understanding what they’re seeing on screens unless it’s explained by an adult. Researchers have found that overall screen time in young children is linked with lower language and social-emotional skills, but viewing high quality educational content—think Sesame Street—with a parent has been associated with increased language skills. Main tip: select quality content and watch with your kids! Learn more: https://bit.ly/48hexQW

05/19/2026

Eating habits can change often for children and it is common for kids to develop preferences and be selective sometimes. When eating habits seem extreme, there may be more to it. If you are concerned about your child’s eating habits, I highly recommend contacting us to schedule a visit so we can help provide any resources that are available.

05/19/2026

Children’s ibuprofen recall alert! Check your bottles at home and discard if your bottle has been recalled.

Parents, a quick reminder about a recall from March.

A batch of Children’s Ibuprofen Oral Suspension has been voluntarily recalled after some bottles were found to contain unexpected particles or gel‑like clumps. While the FDA considers the risk of serious harm low, these products should not be used.

Check your bottle for:
• NDC: 51672‑5321‑8
• Lot numbers: 7261973A or 7261974A
• Expiration: 01/31/2027
• 4 oz (120 mL) size

If you have one of these, stop using it and reach out to your child’s clinician with any concerns. You can also report issues through the FDA’s MedWatch program. The recall is active as of March 2, 2026.

To check current recalls see https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts

05/13/2026

It is honestly quite difficult to raise a child in 2026 without screens. They are everywhere! Did you know that children can develop emotional dependence on a screen if used/offered in certain situations repeatedly? We know there are sometimes difficult things that we have to do at the doctor or a wait in the office at times and it can be easier to just bring a tablet. We would love for our office to be a screen free zone though, and we are to help!

05/13/2026

If dipping is the only way your kid will currently eat meat or veggies, that’s ok! At least they are trying! Here are some of the more nutritious options to consider when it comes to dipping.

05/12/2026

If we’ve ever had a discussion at the office about behavior concerns, I’ve likely shared with you that being a doctor is my easy job, being a parent is my hard job! Every family, every child and every situation can be so unique. However, there are some key factors based on normal brain development that may help you to be more successful at modifying less desirable behavior.

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-lecture, wondering how you got there — you’re not alone.
In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to slip into long explanations, over-talking, and trying to get a child to understand right now.

But here’s the truth: children don’t learn from lectures.
They learn from reflection — and reflection only happens when both adult and child feel safe, calm, and connected.

Guiding a child through reflection can actually help you deregulate too.
It slows the moment down, reduces the pressure to “fix it immediately,” and shifts the focus from frustration to understanding.

You start to see the why behind their reactions — the feelings, needs, and overwhelm that drove the behaviour.
And when the adult feels calmer, the child’s nervous system follows.

If you’d like structured reflection prompts, co-regulation strategies, and guides for tricky moments, they’re all inside my Managing Big Feelings Toolkit. Find it via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Follow for more on reflection, consequences, and brain-based parenting this week.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Hartman Pediatrics 💐

Today we celebrate the moms who give endless love, comfort, and support to their children every single day. Thank you for the bedtime cuddles, the reassuring hugs, the strength during tough moments, and the countless ways you help your little ones grow healthy and happy.

We are honored to be part of your family’s journey. Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and appreciation — today and always. 💜

05/09/2026

🍓 Toddler suddenly refusing foods they used to love? You’re not alone! Picky eating is a normal part of development for many toddlers.

Here are a few toddler feeding tips

✨ Keep offering foods without pressure
It can take many exposures before a child feels comfortable trying something new. Seeing the food on their plate still counts as progress!

✨ Serve at least one “safe” food
Pair new foods with familiar favorites so mealtimes feel less stressful.

✨ Avoid forcing bites or negotiating
Toddlers do best when parents decide what is served and children decide how much to eat.

✨ Let them explore
Touching, smelling, licking, or even squishing food are all part of learning. Messy meals can actually build confidence around food!

✨ Eat together when possible and eat the same foods.
Children learn by watching us. Family meals help model healthy eating habits.

Remember: picky eating is usually a phase, not a parenting failure. Consistency, patience, and low-pressure mealtimes can go a long way. 💜

If you have concerns about your child’s growth, nutrition, or feeding behaviors, the team at Hartman Pediatrics is here to help!

05/08/2026

Happy Nurse’s Week to the incredible pediatric nurses in our office! 💜

Nurse Raechel has been the most wonderful nurse a pediatrician could ever dream of, supporting me for more than 10 years now!

Nurse Melody joined our team in January this year, and we could not be more thrilled to have such a caring individual choose our team!

Thank you both for the compassion, patience, and care you show every child and family at Hartman Pediatrics. We are so grateful for your hard work, kindness, and the smiles you bring to our patients. Thank you for all that you do — today and every day!

05/06/2026

We’d love to hear from you! 💬

What topics would you like to see us post about here at Hartman Pediatrics? Whether it’s child development, nutrition tips, common illnesses, mental health, parenting advice, or something else entirely—we want to make sure our content is helpful and relevant to your family.

Drop your ideas in the comments below 👇 We’re here for you!

— Your Hartman Pediatrics Team 💜