Cottonwood Pediatrics

08/26/2025

"Whooping cough" or pertussis, can be dangerous for the most vulnerable among us, especially babies under 1 year old, and senior citizens. Fortunately, the DTaP vaccine is a proven method of preventing pertussis. Help stop pertussis in its tracks.

08/25/2025

In addition to helpful hints about watching CoComelon with your toddler, the link below also contains a link to an earlier post about Ms. Rachel, another content producer popular with toddlers and their parents.

08/22/2025

Positive experiences and safe, stable relationships help children develop skills they need to manage their emotions, solve problems, communicate and develop close connections with others. The process of gaining these and other critical skills is called healthy mental and emotional development.

Click below to learn about key building blocks of healthy mental and emotional development in children. Also find tips to reinforce them in your family's day-to-day routines.
https://tinyurl.com/54vjtupr

08/21/2025

At Cottonwood Pediatrics, our mission is to provide the best care available for our patients and for all the children of the community - and immunizations are a big part of community health. If you have questions, contact us.

08/20/2025

The AAP published an independent EVIDENCE-BASED immunization schedule for children and adolescents. The schedule published includes guidance on COVID-19 vaccination that differs from federal policy and includes updates to recommendations on RSV and flu.

Today, AAP released an updated vaccine schedule, with recommendations to help your children build immunity from some of the most dangerous viruses. Learn more about these updated recommendations and how you can keep your kids healthy this year, especially as kids are heading back to school and respiratory virus season is approaching.
https://bit.ly/2TPNAkc

08/19/2025

Reading to your children is one of the easiest and most fun ways to spend time with your kids and help prepare them for school at the same time.

Here at Cottonwood Pediatrics, we participate in Turn A Page, Touch A Mind - a program sponsored by the Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics - which provides an age appropriate book for your child at each well-child check from birth to age 5.

In addition, Kansas is now participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which provides a free book monthly to registered children from birth to age 5.

And, you can also use these same tips with books you get from your local library.

Want to make storytime more engaging? Check out these tips for reading aloud to your child!

08/18/2025

Location sharing on Instagram might seem great to your teen, but it raises a lot of privacy concerns, and more. For some teens, this might feel like a harmless way to connect.
For others, it could bring:
* Social pressure to turn it on so they don’t feel left out
* FOMO if they see friends together without them

Risks if their location is shared too widely:
Dr. Katie Malbon, pediatrician, says of this update:

“In clinic, I often see how social dynamics can trigger or worsen anxiety in young people.

Something like location sharing might seem small, but if a teen feels left out or scrutinized because of where they are – or aren’t – it may heighten those feelings.

Over time, that social stress can have a real impact on mental health, affecting sleep, focus, and even physical wellbeing.”

08/15/2025

Most newborns get their first hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital. They also routinely get a vitamin K shot. But what exactly is vitamin K, and do newborns really need it?

08/15/2025

08/14/2025

Vaccines are like teachers. They teach your child's immune system to protect us from deadly diseases. When your child gets a vaccine, the immune system gets to work right away. It takes what it learned from the vaccine so it can be ready if your child is exposed to harmful germs. If you have questions, click on the link below for more information, or contact your pediatrician.

08/12/2025

Influenced by some of their favorite social media content creators, children are purchasing skincare products at a younger age than they need to. Using these harsh skin care products can damage the skin barrier that is necessary to promote healthy development. Pediatrician Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness talks about what basic skin care products are needed to protect the skin barrier while also allowing your children to have healthy and clean skin.

08/11/2025

Responding to a baby’s cries or cues isn’t about creating dependence. It’s about building connection and emotional security.
Responsive caregiving supports healthy brain development and helps babies feel safe, seen, and loved.
Learn more about the science behind early attachment and get tips to support a baby's emotional growth: https://bit.ly/4fdW3Tz