As mothers and physicians, we really believe in the intangible gut instinct that comes with parenting, and while it is unfortunate that sometimes it falls upon us as parents to be persistent and advocate for our children, this is sometimes the case.

Nasal irrigation, or using a neti-pot, has been around for centuries as a remedy for blocked noses. The idea is that you use a sterile solution, like saline, and flush out the mucus. If you’re going to try it, please do it safely.

Cold after cold, fever after fever. Non stop, without any real break for a parent to recover. It feels endless, and its easy to worry about whether or not things will always be this way.

We are at the start of respiratory season, but are seeing have unseasonably high numbers of RSV, Rhinovirus, and many other respiratory viruses - and in many parts of the country, flu season has also begun.

Most children have been infected with RSV by the age of 2 years and recover just fine. We worry most about those children who are very young (under 6 months) or have underlying medical issues, such as prematurity, lung or heart disease, or immunosuppression.

A fever is a normal body response to infection. If your child is handling it well, most of the time you can keep take a holistic approach and focus on closely monitoring them (barring a few specific situations, such as when your child is very young or has underlying medical conditions).

Fever is a normal body response to infection or inflammation. Increasing core temperature makes it easier to kill off invading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc). Children are more likely to develop fever than adults when they encounter the same illness.

Immunization is the most effective way to mitigate the severity of flu infection, but there are many misconceptions about the flu vaccine.

I grew up in Malawi, and my father treated people who had vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as Polio. I feel so lucky that I can raise my children in an era with vaccines. Yes, vaccine reactions are a nuisance, but they are often mild and self-limited. Hopefully these tips help you and your child get through them with ease!

Parents often think about strep when their child complains of a sore throat, but most of the time, the cause is something else. Viruses, allergies, reflux and even mouth breathing or dryness can also cause a sore throat.

Oral rehydration can be a good approach for mild symptoms but it is important to discuss with your pediatrician to determine at what point you need to step up the level of care.

Dehydration is a math problem. Dehydration can happen because of illness, over-exertion, or the environment.