There is an outbreak of measles in our community right now. Following is information regarding measles and what you should do if you are concerned about a possible exposure in your family. It is important to know that children and adults who have been fully immunized are not considered to be at risk...

The spring months bring sunshine, warmer weather and sometimes a trip or two to your pediatrician. A trip to the pediatrician’s office can be stressful, but knowing how to make the most of your time there can make visits run smoothly. Offer information: • It’s important your doctor be aware of any change...

This time of year almost everyone gets the “common” cold. Symptoms can include: • Fever. • Cough. • Runny nose. • Poor sleep. • Decreased appetite. • Crabbiness. Treating cold symptoms Colds are caused by viruses. There are no medicines that kill viruses like antibiotics kill bacteria, so the best plan...

Spring cleaning is an annual ritual. This year, as you clean and organize your home, keep poison prevention in mind. Wisconsin Poison Center answers more than 50,000 calls each year concerning potentially hazardous substances and situations. More than 90 percent of poisonings occur at home. Though unintentional...

Concussions in young athletes are common and often misunderstood. Many children sustain concussions but do not report them to parents or coaches for fear of being sidelined from activities. When kids get concussions, medical follow up is crucial before they return to normal activities. What is a concussion...

Parents often feel pressured to potty train their children. It seems everyone has an opinion. Our opinion is, it's best to take a relaxed approach. Like many things during the toddler years, potty training is, in part, a test of your patience. No matter how much you want to ditch the diapers, it...

Sleep – we all need it, especially our children. Two-thirds of children age 10 and younger have sleep problems. Lack of sleep has been linked to poor school performance in adolescents and irritability and overall fussiness in infants and toddlers. Here are tips to help your child sleep: Infants (newborn...

It’s common for kids to be concerned about their looks—especially during the ‘tween and teen years. Unfortunately for a growing number of kids, that concern can grow into a weight obsession that can lead to serious physical and psychological complications. Eating disorders most commonly occur between...

Congenital heart disease patients benefit from long-term follow-up If you turn the clock back 50 years, the harsh reality is that 8 out of 10 children born with congenital heart defects did not survive. Today, thanks to improved surgical and medical care, 9 out of 10 patients with congenital heart defects...

About 2.2 million school-aged children, and one in every 17 children younger than 3, have food allergies. Food allergies often are more common in individuals who have family members with allergies. With a true food allergy, a child’s immune system will overreact to an ordinarily harmless food. Once the...