Iron deficiency can be easy to miss—and your child doesn’t have to look sick to have it. 🩸 We’ve covered a lot in this series, but if there are only 5 things I hope every parent remembers, it’s these: 1️⃣ Iron deficiency is common. And it can happen before a child develops anemia. 2️⃣ It

In the midst of uncertainty… keep going. 🤍 I don’t know who needs this reminder today—maybe it’s you, maybe it’s me. Keep going doesn’t always mean doing the same thing the same way. Sometimes you need to pause. Sometimes you need to re-evaluate. Sometimes you need to pivot or change cou

Back-to-school season can bring ALL the feelings. 🎒📚 Excitement. New beginnings. New teachers. New friends… and sometimes a little worry. Will they adjust? Will they make friends? Will they be okay? Parent, remember this: God has already gone ahead of your child. 🙏🏽💛 Do your part—prep

One of the most common questions I get as a pediatrician is: “Should my child be taking a vitamin?” The answer is… it depends. Most healthy children do not need a routine multivitamin if they’re eating a balanced diet. However, there are a few important exceptions. Here’s a quick timeli

Do Iron Supplements Work? The answer is yes—but only when they’re used appropriately. Iron supplements are commonly prescribed to treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, but they aren’t recommended for every child. Here are a few things every parent should know: ✔️ Iron supple

Yes! One of the best ways to help support healthy iron levels starts with everyday meals. Include iron-rich foods like: 🥩 Lean beef 🍗 Chicken and turkey 🫘 Beans and lentils 🥚 Eggs 🥣 Iron-fortified cereals 🐟 Seafood such as salmon, shrimp, sardines, clams, oysters, and mussels 🥬 Spinach an

Most swollen lymph nodes in kids are harmless. But there are a few signs that make pediatricians want to take a closer look. If your child has a swollen lymph node, here are some things that deserve further evaluation: 🚩 Signs to pay attention to: • larger than about a quarter in s

Did you feel a lump on your child’s neck and immediately worry? In many cases, it may simply be a reactive lymph node — a normal sign that your child’s immune system is doing its job. Lymph nodes often swell when kids are fighting common illnesses like colds, sore throats, ear infections, or

POV: You’re trying to do your job… but your patient has other plans 👶🏽👓😄 Safe to say — my glasses didn’t stand a chance. When I see a kiddo grabbing at my hair, glasses, earrings, or ID badge, I’m smiling on the inside 😄 Because it tells me so much: ✨ They can see ✨ They can reach, grab,

Medicine is hard. There’s increasing distrust. Misinformation. Long days. Heavy decisions. So why do I stay? Because medicine has humbled me. Sometimes I don’t know. Sometimes the history and exam don’t add up. And that humility makes me safer. I learn every single day — from rese

From time to time, a quiet “what if” thought pops into our minds. What if this goes wrong? What if things don’t work out? What if the future is uncertain? If you’re a parent or caregiver, you know those thoughts can feel especially loud when they’re about your child or loved one. Those t

“If your baby’s belly button pops out when they cry, don’t panic — this is actually very common.” Umbilical hernias can happen at any age, but they are most commonly seen in infants. In fact, about 1 in 5 newborns have a small opening in the muscle around the belly button that doesn’t close i

Part 1 was about what I believe. Part 2 is about who I am. I will celebrate your baby’s poop, sneeze, first steps, first words, and growth chart — because I celebrate progress and the journey. And I will celebrate their first job, driver’s permit, college acceptance, wins and losses from

I don’t believe in parenting perfection. I believe in consistency and grace. I believe God is sovereign — and I believe in science. Both can be true. I will always choose connection over rushing through a visit. I believe play is brain development. I believe in good sleep, good food, lau

If your newborn looks yellow, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Jaundice can affect all ages, but it’s most common in newborns. In fact, most babies have some degree of jaundice in the first week of life. Here’s what’s happening: In newborns, red blood cells are naturally broken down

I was already a doctor. I had seen countless moms breastfeed. It didn’t look complicated… until it was my baby. When my son lost weight and needed phototherapy for newborn jaundice, I felt pressure, frustration, and guilt. My MD didn’t make it easier — it made me harder on myself. What I

Let me tell you something many parents don’t realize at first: Children learn more from what they watch than what they’re told. They’re paying attention to: • How we respond to stress • How we speak when we’re overwhelmed • How we calm ourselves • How w

Today’s visit turned into a two-way checkup. 🩺💛 I listened to her heart— and she listened to mine with her toy stethoscope. She came prepared. I left reminded why I love pediatrics. These are the moments you can’t script: trust, curiosity, connection… and a little imagination. Real l

If your kids argue a lot or constantly misunderstand each other, I need you to hear this: you’re not failing. I’m a pediatrician—and a mom of three—and yes, my kids argue over things that don’t always make sense. While reading Luke 9, something stood out to me. Even the disciples argued. Je

Does your newborn grunt all night and make you wonder if something’s wrong? Grunting during sleep is very common in newborns—and most of the time, it’s completely normal. Why newborns grunt: • Newborns spend a lot of time in active (light) sleep, where they wiggle and make noises • They’re