Cottonwood Pediatrics

11/06/2025

COVID-19 spreads quickly and easily, and it's impossible to predict who will become seriously ill from the virus. That’s why the AAP recommends the COVID vaccine for all kids age 6 months through 23 months. Beyond age 2, AAP recommends annual shots for children and teens with health conditions that leave them more vulnerable to serious illness. AAP also recommends that any child whose parents want them to get a COVID shot should have access to this vaccine.
Hear more from Dr. Joanne Fernandez-Booker or speak with your pediatrician if you have any questions about the COVID vaccine for your child.

11/05/2025

For many years, experts thought that the best way to fight peanut allergy was to avoid peanut products in the first years of life—that's why in 2000 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that any child at high risk of peanut allergy (like those with a family history of it, or with other food allergies, or eczema) not eat any before they turned 3.

But that didn't help, which is why in 2008 the AAP stopped recommending it. For more information on the latest prevention guidelines:

We’ve moved from peanut-free lunch tables to peanut-free schools—and many camps and afterschool programs have banned anything peanut too. Finally we may have an answer, and it is the simplest answer of all: eating peanuts. 

11/04/2025

As parents, your biggest priority is keeping your kids safe and healthy. That’s why medical researchers thoroughly test each vaccine ingredient, ensuring they provide the strongest defense against preventable diseases.
Even though some vaccine ingredients may sound unfamiliar, each has a purpose in keeping children healthy. Hear more from Dr. Molly O’Shea or talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions about vaccines and their ingredients – your child’s doctor will work with you to help you make the best choices for your kids.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/430jf37

11/04/2025

Today, the USDA said it plans to send out partial SNAP benefits in November using the SNAP contingency fund. Once DCF receives guidance from the USDA on how to process these partial benefits, DCF will determine next steps to issue the partial payments and communicate when Kansas SNAP recipients can expect to receive them.

Visit https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency/Pages/2025-Federal-Government-Shutdown.aspx for more information on the government shutdown and impacts to DCF programs. FAQs and resources for Kansans are also available on this page.

11/03/2025

October was SIDS Awareness Month. Did you know that practicing safe sleep can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%? Pediatrician Florencia Segura breaks down AAP’s safe sleep recommendations.

11/03/2025

New product recalls. Are you using any of these products?

Federal officials have announced the recall of products that may be harmful.

10/31/2025

Inspect before they munch!

Halloween can be stressful if you’re a parent of a child with a food allergy – but it doesn’t have to be! Pediatrician Hailey Nelson reminds parents that you “inspect before they munch” and remove any candy that contains allergens and give it to co-workers, neighbors, or friends. Happy trick-or-treating!

10/30/2025

“Zombies walk slow, but trick-or-treaters walk smart.” Pediatrician Hailey Nelson shares her top tips for keeping your trick-or-treater safe from cars this Halloween with pediatrician Edith Bracho-Sanchez on a recent episode of the Healthy Children podcast. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or at the link below.
https://bit.ly/47t7PGe

10/30/2025

Local food resources in Harvey County. If you are not in need, please consider donating.

10/29/2025

Does your tween or young teen love watching horror movies? It’s totally normal! Some children are natural thrill-seekers and are drawn to scary content. However, research shows that kids who regularly watch violent content are more likely to act aggressively and may become desensitized to violence. Here are some tips on how you can help your thrill-seeking child fulfill their need for excitement, while also protecting them from violent, gory content. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47vu6mI

10/28/2025

The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to fully develop protection. If you missed our flu clinic, there's still time to get your child immunized before the holiday season - it will protect your child and family members who aren't/can't be immunized, as well. Call 316-283-7100 for a nurse appointment.

10/28/2025

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a recall on Belivium Baby Loungers. The baby loungers violate the mandatory standards for Infant Sleep Products in several ways, and these safety violations pose serious suffocation, entrapment, and fall hazards.

The product was sold on Amazon from November 2024 through August 2025 for between $25 and $50, and they were sold in the following styles: yellow zoo animal, blue dinosaur, blue rainbow, blue and grey star, colorful elephant, grey and blue palm leaf, light brown farm theme, pink butterfly and plant, pink deer, white and grey cloud, and white and grey elephant. “BABY NEST” is printed on an attached label inside the baby lounger’s cover.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the baby loungers and contact Belivium for a full refund. For more information, visit the CPSC website at https://bit.ly/belivium-baby-loungers-recall