Category Archives: General Commentary
A Spoonful of My Own Medicine
The first time I meet the parents of a newborn, I always give them a little lecture. In order to be a good parent, I say, you have to take care of yourself first. You cannot be a good parent … Continue reading
Filed under General Commentary, Newborns and Infants
Humor in Chaos: Watching The Swine Flu Epidemic Evolve
As I said in a previous post, being on the front line of a potential global pandemic is fascinating and not a little scary. Since I shared my thoughts about swine flu, it appears that though the disease continues to … Continue reading
Filed under Common Illnesses, General Commentary, In The News
It’s All Fun And Games Until Someone Pokes An Ear Out
I have been getting great pleasure from parents telling me about how their children evoke my name at home (ah, the ego). A 3-year-old patient of mine recently got a *very* small splinter and said to her mother: “If this … Continue reading
Filed under General Commentary, Kids Say the Darndest Things
Teething Woes: Tools to Soothe Teething Pain
The mother of one of my patients, who herself is a doctor (a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases), walked into my office the other day saying: “I’ve just realized that I have been killing my child.” What could make … Continue reading
Filed under General Commentary, Newborns and Infants
Fresh or Frozen: Assisted Reproductive Technology Works Both Ways
I knew that one of my favorite families had two sons who were conceived through IVF but I hadn’t asked their mother the details. On a recent visit for the younger child’s checkup, I did. “Our first was fresh”, she … Continue reading
Filed under General Commentary
Rejoicing in Wrinkles: How to Pick a Pediatrician
As a relatively young female physician, I need to balance professionalism and personality. I try to be a young, hip, vibrant pediatrician that connects with parents and kids, while at the same time projecting an air of competence, authority, and … Continue reading
Tip for Masking Medication Taste
Does your child refuse to take medicine? Have you been sent home with a completely unpalatable concoction? In a previous post I wrote about a patient who refuses her medicine. I gave her mother this photocopied and pencil-annotated list, which is rumored … Continue reading
Filed under Common Illnesses, General Commentary
A Spoonful of Sugar, Peanut Butter, or Grape Juice: How to Get Kids to Take Their Medicine
What is it about some kids? Some kids take their medicine (ok, expect the really disgusting ones) without a peep. Some even love the taste of medicines and ask for them when they’re not ill at all. I was one … Continue reading
Filed under Common Illnesses, General Commentary, Uncategorized
Beginnings…
“I’m going to break my child!” Every day in my pediatrics practice in San Francisco, California, parents come into my office in a bit of a tizzy. Or a really big tizzy. It is my job, one in … Continue reading
Filed under General Commentary
A Pediatrician's Insights on Child Health, Parenting and Doctoring Kids
In the News: Detoxifying Fakery
You must listen to this hilarious piece from one of my favorite local public radio reporters, Sarah Varney. She starts her report with this: “I know, you’re probably thinking, what kind of moron would believe that a toxin sucking foot … Continue reading →
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Filed under General Commentary, In The News