Pediatric Health Tips

01/08/2026

The new CDC vaccine schedule recommendations were done behind closed doors and doctors are outraged.

06/18/2025

🤨Are you confused about all the age, height and weight requirements for car seats?

✅Well here it is, simplified to the core requirement (that covers the other requirements).

🤔This may seem more conservative than you are used to but it should be the norm!

All of my kids were small and were still rear facing at age 4

🎥Check out this Booster Seat promo filmed at the Children's Hospital where I trained!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoKPpqIhBNY&feature=youtu.be

💥🚗Here is a Crash Test showing why rear facing is so much safer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzieUZCILzY

02/06/2025

Many of us in healthcare, in Pediatrics specifically, are saddened and startled to see the unraveling of decades of work spanning multiple generations.

Our grandparents and great grandparents built our vaccine program so none of their descendants would have to experience the same diseases they did.

Let's honor their work and keep these diseases suppressed. Please get vaccinated and vaccinate your children. The science for their effectiveness and safety is undeniable.

10/28/2024

Just had a wonderful meeting on the topic of bullying with Yreka Union School District Superintendent Jami Carver and Jackson Street Elementary Principle Stacy Fussell.

I shared with them the concerns and problems that are brought to my attention as a pediatrician. I learned that there are some programs in place that keep students safe and track problematic behaviors at the school which I was glad to hear.

We all agreed there is room for improvement and I left the meeting excited to continue to work with the school to reduce bullying.

Here are two easy ways to get involved:

1. Take this brief survey about bullying in Siskiyou County:
https://forms.gle/AwFghzwdMN1TkMau5

2. Read some bullet points about what parents can do regarding the topic of bullying:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/what-you-can-do

Please help us understand the impact of bullying in our community. Your insights are vital in helping us develop programs to reduce bullying and fostering a safer environment for everyone. This anonymous survey will only take a few minutes of your time. Thank you for your participation!

10/22/2024

Send a message to learn more

10/05/2024

“Sometimes the best thing a parent can do is nothing at all”

We are seeing the consequences of helicopter parenting on the young adult population. Less confidence, flexibility and risk taking. This includes being inflexible on opinion; it is risky to listen to someone else’s point of view.

Lighthouse Parenting is a more passive, guiding approach. It is not about disengaging, but teaching principles instead of actions.

Stepping back as a parent takes faith and trust. We have to accept that our children will make mistakes, and we will be there for them when they happen.

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2024/09/lighthouse-parents-have-more-confident-kids/679976/?paymeter=hard-gate-email-test-1&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cr&utm_campaign=2024_Content_ContentTesting_Prosp_Sales_Standard&utm_content=092324_LighthouseParents_Various-Various_NoCTA&utm_term=ContentTesting_LAL&referral=FB_PAID&fbclid=IwY2xjawFukbtleHRuA2FlbQEwAAEdmmLwrTCRhzceaJ8ghZ_DEs92SbIQYIzIL_Ot_fSQ7HJUnswaueGSBBtC_aem_dkqaJLe6tf0C1zZCprzPoQ&utm_id=6546449062477

Sometimes, the best thing a parent can do is nothing at all.

06/27/2024

06/03/2024

Parents who do not regularly drop their kids off at school or daycare can get into auto-pilot and go to work and forget to drop off the child. 💼

Develop a habit of checking your backseat when you go to work, to the store etc. and are leaving the car. 🚗

Do not leave your children in a parked car, even for a few minutes, since the temperature can rise very rapidly (up to 20 degrees every 10 minutes!) 🔥⏱

06/01/2024

Sunscreen does not last all day! ☀
Re-application is crucial and is frequently forgotten by parents. 🙄

If you are going to have a full-day in the sun, then re-apply every 2-hours or every 1-hour if you got wet or were sweating. 🧴💦🕐

05/31/2024

Babies skin is more sensitive and prone to rashes and irritation so typical sunscreens are NOT recommended. Also they may absorb some of the ingredients through their skin more easily and we do not know how that might affect infants if it happens repeatedly. 🤔

Use a MINERAL based sunscreen (such as Zinc Dioxide) in babies. 🧴
But mostly try to use physical barriers such as wraps, clothing, hats and using shade. 👒 🏖

05/30/2024

The "UV Index" is a measure of how intense the Ultraviolet Radiation is from the sun. It is available on almost all weather forecasts, websites and apps. The higher the value, the least amount of time it takes to burn. 😡

The UV Index is highest from 10am-4pm and is the most important time to either stay in the shade or apply sunscreen. 30 SPF is the amount of protection your kid needs. 🧴

05/30/2024

SUN Bucks - A New Summer Food Program Coming in 2024!

Starting this summer, you can buy more food for your child with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT. SUN Bucks works just like CalFresh, but for the summer.

Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. You don't need to do anything to sign up. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July and August 2024 ($120 total). See https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks for more information.