Peninsula Pediatrics

05/21/2026

Food allergies in children are becoming more common, and even a small amount of an allergen can cause a serious reaction in some kids. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. 🥜

Symptoms can range from mild issues like hives or stomach pain to severe reactions that affect breathing. Because reactions can happen quickly, it’s important to recognize the signs and know when to seek emergency care. 🏥

Check out this article for more information, including symptoms, diagnosis, creating an allergy and food management plan, and treatment options. 👇

A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. Food allergies are most common in babies and children, but they can occur at any age. They also occur more often in children who have other allergies or who have family members with allergies. Learn more here.​

05/19/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While social media can help teens stay connected, too much social media time or unhealthy habits around using it can lead to depression, anxiety, loneliness, or low self-esteem. It can also interfere with kids' sleep, which can impact their health further.📱

That doesn’t mean social media automatically causes depression, but it’s important for families to pay attention to how online experiences affect their child’s mood, behavior, and overall well-being. Open conversations, healthy screen habits, and device-free time can make a difference. Learn more here. 👇

Is using social media making our kids unhappy? Evidence is mounting that there is a link between social media and depression. How us of Instagram and other platforms may be negatively affecting teenagers and young adults.

05/18/2026

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

05/14/2026

Prom can be an exciting night for teens, but it's important to talk to your kids about safety and responsibilities and help them navigate any complex feelings they're having around it.

Check out this guide for tips on how to openly communicate with your teen about peer pressure, substance use, social media, and making safe choices during prom night. 💃

What you need to know about how prom has changed since you were in high school and how to manage expectations — both yours and your teen's.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day! 🌸

05/07/2026

Babies have delicate skin that can burn much more quickly than adults, even after a short time in the sun. That’s why extra sun protection is so important during those early months. ☀️

It is recommended that babies, especially those under 6 months, be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Shade, lightweight protective clothing, and wide-brimmed hats are some of the best ways to help protect their skin. 👒

For older babies, sunscreen can be used on exposed areas, but it should be applied correctly and reapplied regularly for continued protection. Check out this article for more tips on keeping your baby safe in the sun.👇

​Babies need extra protection from sunburn. Learn how to stop sunurn before it happens and keep your baby happy, safe and smiling. Sunny days invite outdoor family fun.

05/06/2026

Online media can expose teens to harmful or toxic content, including violence, self-harm, unrealistic body standards, and other disturbing material. While platforms try to limit this content, it can still appear in feeds and influence how young people think, feel, and see themselves. And in addition to harmful content, kids are also vulnerable to cyberbullying.📱

Talking openly about what teens are seeing online, helping them think critically about content, and encouraging healthy boundaries can make a difference.

If you’re concerned about what your teen may be exposed to or for your child's safety, check out this article for tips on how to navigate toxic online content. 👇

Concerned about the effects of shows like Adolescence on your child? Learn how to understand and support your child through today’s online challenges and media influences.

05/05/2026

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🎉

04/30/2026

Car seats are extremely important for keeping children safe in a vehicle. 🚘 The right car seat depends on your child's age, weight, and height.

➡️ If you're unsure if you're using the right one, visit the NHTSA Car Seat Finder: https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/right-seat

📸

04/29/2026

Children under the age of 8 are watching a ton of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. As Dr. Jenny Radesky warns, this type of content is part of an "attention economy," designed to keep viewers engaged for as long as possible. For young children, whose brains are still developing, this can make it harder to build focus, patience, and self-regulation over time.

As parents, it's important to stay involved by choosing high-quality content, watching together when possible, and setting healthy limits around screen use. For more info, check out this link from Zero to Three.

The developmental research tells us that creating a healthy screen media environment for children is about more than just screen time.

04/28/2026

Vitamin K is an important nutrient that helps your baby’s blood clot properly. Because newborns are born with very low levels of vitamin K, they are at risk for a rare but serious condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

A vitamin K shot given shortly after birth is a safe and effective way to prevent this condition and protect your baby during those early weeks and months of life. 💉

If you have questions or concerns about the vitamin K shot, call our office. Check out this article to learn more about why vitamin K is recommended for newborns and how it helps keep them safe. 👇

​​Newborn infants are usually given vitamin K soon after birth to prevent a life-threatening disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Learn more here.