Senders Pediatrics

01/15/2026

We know parents have questions about the new vaccine guidelines—and we’re here to help. Our Vaccine FAQs page shares clear, up-to-date information to help you feel informed and confident about your child’s care. We break down common questions, recent updates, and what they mean for your family in a calm, straightforward way.

Take a moment to review the FAQs and reach out anytime—we’re always happy to talk things through.

https://www.senderspediatrics.com/Vaccine-Update-and-FAQs

01/14/2026

Choline? The Surprising Nutrient Linked to Anxiety
Anxiety affects 1 in 8 children and up to 25% of teens. Alongside therapy and medical care, research shows nutrition may play a supportive role—especially choline.

Choline is an essential nutrient needed for brain function and for making acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and the stress (fight-or-flight) response. While our bodies make a small amount, most choline must come from food, and only about 10% of Americans get enough.

Studies have found lower choline levels in people with anxiety, including an 8% reduction in brain choline compared to those without anxiety. Researchers believe chronic stress may increase the brain’s need for choline.

🔹 Food sources of choline
Some of the best sources include:
🥚 Hard-boiled eggs
🌱 Roasted soybeans
🍗 Chicken breast
🐟 Cod
🥔 Red potatoes with the skin

Even with these foods, many kids and adults fall short—leading some families to consider supplements, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when many prenatal vitamins still lack choline.

Takeaway:
Choline isn’t a cure for anxiety, but getting enough may support brain health. Always talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements.

Check out our Amazon Storefront for some suggested Choline supplements:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/senderspediatrics/list/2D57QUVNZMOPW?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d&ccs_id=53ff294c-afc6-434c-91ae-70b6b9bda0cc

For the full story on choline and anxiety:
https://www.senderspediatrics.com/Newsletter/December-2025

01/12/2026

“Our daughter thrived in the Superhero class. We saw her show more patience and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone when it came to family and school interactions. The supportive, fun environment was a good fit for her. Thank you”

Calling All Superheroes Ages 10–12! It’s time to level up those social superpowers!

Through 8 weeks of interactive, superhero-themed fun, kids will learn to:
✅ Manage big emotions
✅ Use flexible thinking
✅ Build stronger friendships
✅ Solve problems with confidence
✅Navigate tricky social situations with confidence

Led by: Amy Lumadue, LPCC, counselor at Senders Behavioral Health, with 20 years of experience helping children and tweens develop social skills.
Superhero Academy – Starts January 28, 2026

WHO: Kids ages 10–12 (Do not need to be a Senders Pediatrics patient)
WHAT: 8-week, in-person social skills group
WHEN: Wednesdays, January 28 – May 27, 2026 4:15–5:15 PM |Please plan to attend all 8 sessions
WHERE: Senders Pediatrics, 2054 S. Green Road, South Euclid, OH
FEE: Billed to insurance (Copays and deductibles may apply)
$25 materials fee for snacks and supplies due at registration

📞 Register today! Call 216-230-2154 or email bh@senderspediatrics.com

Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance to help your child shine like a true hero!

01/09/2026

“We saw real improvements in how our son makes friends and responds to tricky situations. We’re so thankful for this program!”

Ahoy, Parents of 7–9 Year Olds!
Does your child need a boost in confidence and social skills? Our Pirate Adventures Social Skills Group is the perfect way to help them learn, grow, and have fun!

Starts January 28, 2026!
This 8-week, in-person group uses pirate-themed activities to teach kids how to:
✅ Play cooperatively
✅ Express emotions calmly
✅ Solve social problems
✅ Make and keep friends
✅ Respond to bullying in healthy ways

Led by: Amy Lumadue, LPCC – 20 years of experience helping kids thrive!
WHO: 7-9 year olds- need not be a patient of Senders Pediatrics WHERE; Senders Pediatrics, 2054 Green Road, South Euclid, OH 44121
WHEN: Wednesdays | Jan 28 – May 27 | 3–4 PM
FEE: billed to insurance + $25 materials fee

📞 Register today! Call 216-230-2154 or email bh@senderspediatrics.com

For details: https://sendersbehavioralhealth.com/Programs-and-Groups/Pirate-Adventures-for-Kids-Ages-7-9

Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance to help your child shine!

01/06/2026

Manuka Honey Versus Forest Honey to Prevent Viral Illnesses This Time of Year

Manuka honey (MH) is a monofloral honey—meaning it comes from the nectar of a single plant, the Manuka myrtle tree native to New Zealand and Eastern Australia. It’s especially valued for its naturally strong antibacterial activity, largely due to a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). Manuka honey also contains phytochemicals like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and wound-healing benefits.

Evidence for Manuka Honey’s Medicinal Uses
Coughs & Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)
Honey—when mixed with lemon, warm tea, or glycerin—has been shown to help soothe coughs and support URI recovery. However, there is no evidence that Manuka honey works better than any other honey.

Influenza
Lab research shows MH can inhibit influenza virus replication. One possible mechanism: improving how the immune system’s T cells recognize viruses.

GERD / Reflux Disease
In one study, taking ¾ tsp of Manuka honey three times a day before breakfast and between meals for four weeks improved symptoms in 100% of participants (versus 40% with placebo).
Burns

Manuka honey has been shown to heal infected postoperative and partial-thickness burns faster than standard antiseptics and gauze. The FDA has approved MediHoney for use on leg ulcers, burns, and even MRSA infections—it's also the preferred burn treatment at Senders Pediatrics and available on our Amazon Marketplace.

Dry Eye
A meta-analysis found that MH helped improve symptoms such as dryness, tear evaporation, and daily need for lubricants.

Forest or Honeydew Honey
Has been shown to be similar in efficacy against bacterial and viral infections when compared to Manuka Honey.

Manuka and Forest honeys can be useful natural adjuncts in protecting yourself and your children against the viral illnesses that seem to be omnipresent this time of year. The recommended dose of each is 1-2 tsp 3x per day or 1 tbsp twice a day.

As always, do not give honey to children under 1 year old.

Recommended Macuna Honey brands https://www.amazon.com/shop/senderspediatrics/list/17S4PYOTY722Z?ref_=aipsflist&ccs_id=8eb09089-eb9f-4eb3-8dcd-f24633a5694

Suggested MediHoney for use on leg ulcers, burns, and even MRSA infections:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/senderspediatrics/list/3HWUVVJTLPRUP?ref_=aipsflist_f&ccs_id=3ded197b-f66c-4bc3-8aac-563ce7073f63

For the full story: https://www.senderspediatrics.com/Newsletter/December-2025

01/05/2026

Thank you Northeast Ohio Parent for a terrific article on the benefits of having structure for preschoolers-and their parents. And thanks especially for interviewing Dr. Sharon Apel Bursky, Director of Behavioral Health Services and Joan Morgenstern, Parent Coach and Educator.

Consistent routines help little ones know what to expect and move through transitions with fewer tears. For parents, routines ease decision fatigue and create calmer mornings, evenings and everything in between. And when life inevitably gets messy? Model flexibility!

Preschool-age children thrive on structure. Consistent routines help them understand expectations, move through transitions with fewer tears, and develop independence one step at a time. We spoke with local experts about their take on routines, how to support children during the process, and what to...

12/30/2025

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! We are closing on Wednesday, December 31, at 1 PM and we will be closed all day on Thursday, New Year's Day. On Friday, January 2, we are open from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
As always, our after-hours service will remain open for calls. Please stay dry, warm and safe!

Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12/22/2025

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas! On December 24, we will close at 12:30 PM to allow our wonderful staff more time to spend with their families. On Thursday, December 25, we are closed.

On December 31, we will close at 1 PM and we are closed all day on January 1. Please stay warm and safe!

12/19/2025

Influenza is Spreading Locally and It's Making Kids Miserable:

Local influenza rates have risen logarithmically in the past 3 weeks since the Thanksgiving holiday, rising from 1.3% to 7.4% (personal communication). Unfortunately, in children, the rate has risen to 17%, closely mimicking our Senders Pediatrics experience.

The WHO is reporting a new variant of the H3N2 serotype that is circulating. While there is protection against the H3N2 serotype which is contained in the current vaccine, it is not a complete match between the circulating virus.

The answer, while not intuitive, is to actually double down on flu vaccine administration. The flu shot won’t prevent every case, but it does prevent the most serious ones.
With holidays coming up, that means large gatherings and parties, and we expect cases will keep rising. If your child hasn’t gotten their flu shot yet, please schedule it before winter break.

As for prevention, consider giving your children Sambucol Elderberry) syrup Prevention boost: Sambucol Elderberry Syrup
• Under 10: 2 tsp daily
• Ages 10+: 3 tsp daily
• During illness: 3–4× daily based on age

See our Amazon Storefront for other cold and virus prevention approaches
https://www.amazon.com/shop/senderspediatrics/list/1O7GGRHLKCTRL?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_s_ofs_mixed_d&ccs_id=36e5c2e0-dfcc-446e-afce-02ff825413fa

12/16/2025

Small leaf. Big health benefits!

Kale is a cruciferous vegetable (like broccoli and Brussels sprouts) packed with nutrients. Just one cup provides 68% of daily vitamin K, 22% of vitamin C, and powerful carotenoids that support eye health, healthy aging, and disease prevention.

One catch: kale’s key nutrients are fat-soluble, so your body absorbs them best when kale is eaten with healthy fats. Raw or cooked kale alone doesn’t deliver the same benefit.
Boost absorption (and flavor!) by pairing kale with:
🥑 olive or avocado oil
🥜 nuts or seeds
🥗 fresh avocado
Quick, Easy Kale Recipe (Maximizes Nutrition + Flavor):
• 1 bag pre-chopped organic kale (or 1 large bunch, stems removed)
• Massage kale well before dressing
• Shake together:
o 1/3 cup olive oil
o 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
o 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
o 2 Tbsp soy sauce
o 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
o 1–2 crushed garlic cloves
Toss with kale and enjoy!

Kale powder is a great option for smoothies, The following brands meet these criteria:
o Nutricost
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZM351W?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsendersp-20&creativeASIN=B073ZM351W&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.18GLJ4KWG2FNU&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin&th=1

o Bulk Supplements
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087QSNPL3?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsendersp-20&creativeASIN=B087QSNPL3&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.18GLJ4KWG2FNU&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin&th=1

⚠️ Kale is on the EWG Dirty Dozen, so choose organic when possible. Kale powder works well in smoothies—just look for organic, third-party tested options.

12/12/2025

Friendship + Food + Fun + a retro picture of Dr. Senders and his family, thrown in for good measure, are all the ingredients needed for a wonderful holiday party! Happy Holidays from our Wonderful Senders Family to Yours!