Krystle Balduzzi MD

04/29/2025

As a pediatrician, I care deeply about your child’s health—and their future. One of the most loving things you can do for your family is to have clear family planning documents in place. This was one of the first things we did when we moved to Cali.

These include a will, guardianship plans, medical directives, and powers of attorney. While no one likes to think about “what ifs,” planning ahead gives you control, peace of mind, and protection for your children should the unexpected happen.
If you own your home a family trust is nice.

Talk to a trusted attorney, and revisit your plans regularly as your family grows. I have a fire safe box at home I keep my binder in. I asked for mine for Xmas from the in-laws one year 😉

The two people I would recommend the most are

https://ldgnlaw.com

https://ccapclaw.com

04/23/2025

04/23/2025

Is Your Child Coughing? Here’s What You Should Know!

Coughing is common in kids—and most of the time, it’s not a reason to panic.

✔️ Normal:
• Coughs that follow a cold or viral infection - they can linger for 2-4 weeks
• Coughs that are dry but your child is otherwise active and eating well

⚠️ Call your pediatrician if:
• Any cough that lasts more than 4 weeks to see if there is a specific cause
• You hear wheezing
• There’s trouble breathing or chest pain
• Your child has a fever over 100.4°F for more than 5 days

Home tips:
• Use a humidifier
• Encourage fluids
• Avoid cough medicine (not recommended for kids under 6)
• Nasal saline

But what else could it be:
• Allergies - throat clearing/snorting
• Tic cough - barky loud. Suppressed when eating/drinking
• Asthma - there’s often more symptoms and longer history.
• Reflux. Not common in kids

Healthy lungs = happy kiddos! If you’re ever unsure, call your friendly pediatrician 🦄.

I have seen more long coughs this year than any year previously.

Let me hear your cough questions. I’ve got answers 😉

04/12/2025

My favorite travel item. I never leave home without it. I love taking pics of places with friends and then leaving the memories with the friends and family. I got the girls glass memory boxes which are perfect for displaying them.
Yes sometimes it’s a lot of posing bc I also take a phone pic and sometimes double Polaroids bc one for them and one for me. But I’m telling you it’s worth it.

What your “thing” you bring for traveling.

04/03/2025

Spring is in the air… and so are allergens! 🌸🤧 If your child has red, itchy, watery eyes, they might be experiencing allergic conjunctivitis, also known as “allergy eyes.”

Unlike pink eye (which is caused by bacteria or viruses), allergy eyes aren’t contagious but can be just as uncomfortable. I see more styes this time of year from rubbing.

How to Help Your Child:

👀 Cool compresses can soothe irritation.
💧 Artificial tears help rinse away allergens.
🚫 Avoid rubbing—it makes symptoms worse!
🏠 Keep windows closed and use an air purifier during peak allergy season.
💊 Antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy meds (if recommended by your pediatrician) can provide relief.

If your child’s symptoms persist or worsen, it’s always best to check in with your pediatrician. We’re here to help keep those little eyes happy and healthy!

03/27/2025

Gastroenteritis or more commonly known as the stomach flu, the tummy bug...this terrible illness goes by many names.
Besides actual influenza this is the only illness that will make me cancel patients because it’s impossible to function with it.
Gastroenteritis is most commonly caused by a virus and is pretty contagious. If you have kids it likely comes from them because they touch everything. Child care facilities often have outbreaks of gastro a few times a year where almost everyone including the teachers get sick 🤮.
It usually starts with upset stomach and vomiting. The vomiting can be pretty intense. Good news is vomiting usually only lasts for 12-24 hours. Bad news is once it stops the diarrhea starts. Diarrhea is the body’s way of getting out the bad so we usually don’t like to give meds to make it stop. It’s normal for diarrhea to last 2 weeks 😱. For kids in diapers we recommend prophylactic diaper cream to prevent rashes.
Things to help:
- Small frequent fluids, water, pedialyte, gatorade
- Bland diet once vomiting stops I say 2 hours
Things to worry about:
- Blood for anywhere, vomit or stool
- Having more then 6 stools per day
- Vomiting more than 24 hours regardless of other symptoms.
- Dehydration: no tears, dry cracked lips, less then 3 wet diapers.
- High fever with pain
How to prevent it 🤔...just pray 🙏🏻 but seriously once one child has symptoms they have already been contagious so likely others are already infected. Best to practice good hand washing technique with your kids and always wash your hands after changing diapers or helping your little one on the potty.
We do have medicine to help with vomiting but this is a case by case decision and mainly helps to settle tummy nausea.
The current situation is less bad with classic vomiting for 12 hrs and some loose p**p.

03/25/2025

Guys. Flu B is going around. We skipped last week of school to visit family and I’m kinda glad we did bc the kids are spreading it like the wave at a baseball game.
Fact: even if you had flu A earlier this season you can still get flu B. Sorry. 😞
Symptoms with the flu are all over the place. Fever, cough, congestion, headache, stomach upset, aches.
Treatment. Fluids rest and time.
I’m seeing that the vaccinated kids have much shorter duration of symptoms. Flu symptoms can last 7-14 days so it’s brutal.
They make over the counter flu tests sold and normal places.