Patient resources

While most children in North America receive conventional medicine when they are sick, many parents want to know about natural therapies too. Alternative, complementary, and integrative medicine and folk remedies are some of the words used to describe these different therapies. Read on for more information.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed this information about the benefits of choosing a pediatrician, how to choose a pediatrician, and why regular well-child visits are important.

Some hospitals allow 1 support person (usually a parent) to go with a child into the operating room or other area where the child is to receive anesthesia. This may be possible for scheduled procedures or surgeries but not for emergency surgery. Check on the policy at your hospital ahead of time. Your

Any time a child requires a hospital visit, it can cause anxiety for both a parent and the child. This especially may be the case when the visit involves any type of procedure that might require anesthesia. Examples of such procedures are surgery, medical imaging, and certain tests to examine the stomach

Young children need a variety of foods to get the energy they need to grow up healthy. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on creative ways to serve up breakfast and lunch, tips for picky eaters, and how to make healthy fast-food choices. Also read some tips about food

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Americans are not getting enough potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D in their diets and consume too much sugar, sodium (salt), and fat. Here are tips to help you and your family make more healthy choices and less unhealthy choices. Start

Raw milk is milk that comes straight from a cow, sheep, or goat. Raw milk is not pasteurized (heated to kill germs) or homogenized (processed to keep the cream from separating from the milk).

Fiber is an important nutrient that most children (and parents) are not getting enough of each day. As parents, you do your best to feed your family healthy foods, but you may need help with choosing good sources of fiber. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about fiber.

Many Americans consume too many calories and too much fat, especially saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar. These eating patterns are one cause of America’s high rates of obesity and heart disease.

Environmental dangers are everywhere. Most of these dangers are more harmful to children than adults. However, there are things you can do to reduce your child’s contact with them. Read more to learn about how to protect your family from environmental dangers.

Rice, oatmeal, or barley? What infant cereal or other food will be on the menu for your baby’s first solid meal? And have you set a date?

Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help ensure a good night’s sleep for children—and parents too!

Because of illness or injury, some children need to receive transfusions of blood and blood products. This procedure may be frightening for parents and their children. Many parents are also concerned about the safety of transfusions. While blood supply in the United States is considered very safe, parents

Many infants die during sleep from unsafe sleep environments. Some of these deaths are from entrapment, suffocation, and strangulation. Some infants die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, there are ways for parents to keep their sleeping baby safe.

Young children may put anything in their mouths. This is part of learning. Many household products can be poisonous if swallowed, if in contact with the skin or eyes, or if inhaled.