The Doc Smitty - Dr Justin Smith, Pediatrician

04/22/2026

Strong-willed kids aren’t “too much.”
They’re built for something big. 💪

Yes, it’s exhausting right now.
But that determination you’re seeing?
That’s future resilience, confidence, and leadership.

You’re not losing battles.
You’re shaping strength.

You got this.

ParentEncouragement PediatricianParenting RaisingLeaders GraceForParents

04/22/2026

Sticky Situation: Constipation (Yes, Even If They Go Every Day)

This is one of the biggest surprises for parents:

👉 A child can p**p every day… and still be constipated.

Constipation is about how well the body empties, not just frequency.

Signs to watch for:
• hard or large stools
• pain with bowel movements
• avoiding the bathroom
• belly pain or accidents

The good news?
It’s very treatable with the right plan and consistency.

👇 What parenting or kid health question keeps sticking in your mind?

Drop it below — it might become the next Sticky Situation.

One sticky situation unstuck.






YouGotThis

04/20/2026

Sticky Situation: Belly Pain (Part 3)

Most belly pain in kids is harmless.

But call your pediatrician if you see:

• worsening pain
• repeated vomiting
• dehydration
• pain that prevents walking or movement
• a child who looks very ill

Parents’ instincts matter.

👇 What parenting question keeps sticking in your mind?

Tell me below.

One sticky situation unstuck.

04/15/2026

Sticky Situation: Belly Pain (Part 2)

The most common causes of belly pain in kids:

• constipation
• mild stomach viruses
• stress or anxiety

The brain and gut are closely connected, so emotions can show up as stomach pain.

The key is watching patterns and behavior, not just the symptom.

👇 What parenting question keeps sticking in your mind?

Drop it below.

One sticky situation unstuck.

04/14/2026

See you next time.”

⸻

Caption

Sticky Situation: Belly Pain (Part 1)

Few things worry parents faster than hearing:

“My stomach hurts.”

But most abdominal pain in kids is caused by:
• constipation
• mild viral illness
• stress or anxiety

Serious causes are much less common.

In the next episodes we’ll talk about how to tell the difference.

👇 What parenting or kid health question keeps sticking in your mind?

Leave it in the comments.

One sticky situation unstuck.

04/11/2026

Sticky Situations — Handling the Things That Stick in Parents’ Minds

Some parenting worries don’t pass quickly.

They stick.

The rash you keep checking.
The stomach pain before school.
The meltdown that makes you wonder if you handled something the right way.

In this new series, we’re going to talk about the gray areas of parenting and pediatric health — the questions that don’t always have simple yes-or-no answers.

Each episode will break down:
• what’s common
• what the science says
• when it’s time to call your pediatrician

Because most parents don’t need more panic.

They need clear information, calm reassurance, and practical perspective.

👇 Now I want to hear from you.

What parenting or kid health question keeps sticking in your mind?

Drop it in the comments or send me a message — your question might become the next Sticky Situation we tackle.

And remember…

one sticky situation unstuck.






YouGotThis

04/09/2026

That kid who sleeps perfectly every night?
They’re basically a myth. 😴

Sleep struggles are one of the most common things I see as a pediatrician. Babies wake. Toddlers stall. Kids go through phases.

It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means your child is growing.

If you’re tired right now, you’re not alone.
And this season won’t last forever.

You got this. 💛

PediatricianParenting GraceForParents YouAreEnough

01/06/2026

Some paraphrase these passages by saying:

“Systems built on absolute power, ideology, or “ends-justify-the-means” thinking inevitably sacrifice children, who bear suffering for adult ambitions.”

Wherever you stand on everything that’s going on right now, can we at least agree that everything needs to be done openly with transparency and a full discussion of all the nuance involved?

And I get it, both sides could say the same thing when trying to make their own points…but I personally have real fear about what suffering our children are in store for if we continue down the path we’re heading down.

11/01/2025

10/26/2025

Irenaeus—an early church father—once used this incredible analogy.

He said some people take a beautiful mosaic of a king, made up of precious jewels, and then rearrange all the pieces into the shape of a dog or a fox. Then they point to it and say, “See? This is what the artist meant.”

The problem isn’t that they used fake jewels—it’s that they reworked the picture.

He was talking about theology.

But wow, does that sound familiar today.

That’s basically what happens when we take pieces of science out of context—one study here, a graph there—and build our own “truth” out of it. It still looks shiny, it still has real data, but the picture’s all wrong and the end we’re not really talking about science at all-we’re talking about faith.

We’ve gotten so good at rearranging the jewels to fit our own story—whether it’s about faith, medicine, or whatever’s trending this week.

Faith and science actually have a lot in common: both require humility. Both ask us to admit we might not see the full picture yet. And I’m not claiming that I or the scientists always get it right-not at all.

So maybe the goal isn’t to grab new pieces to prove we’re right…

Maybe it’s to learn to see the whole mosaic—the way the Artist meant it to be.

And to say maybe we should all be curious and humble and let the truth win-not the most aggressive or persuasive voice.

09/26/2025

🌟 Happy Nurse Practitioner Week! 🌟

Huge thank you to Kalie and McKenzie for the amazing care, compassion, and dedication you bring to Cook Children’s every day. We’re so grateful for all you do! 💙

We had a great time celebrating you both today at Perry’s — you deserve it!

08/24/2025

It’s ok…here’s why. One bad day doesn’t define you as a parent.Your kids won’t remember the moment you snapped—they’ll remember the love that surrounds them. 💛And if you’re struggling with repeated anger or frustration, reaching out for help is one of the bravest things you can do.Tomorrow is a new page. You got this.