What are the best bug sprays for kids? And are insect repellents even safe? Here is a pediatrician’s take on exactly what parents need to know (and some info on which products a pediatrician mom uses on her own kids).

Unfortunately, it is very easy to unknowingly become over-heated, especially when on vacation and not in your regular space or routine. Knowing the signs of heat illness and when to be concerned is important, especially because children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to heat injury.

When you find a tick on your child, it is easy to panic. Here is a practical, high yield post detailing what you should do, and what else you need to know about tick-borne illnesses in kids, including Lyme.

While melatonin is widely available, effective, and generally well-tolerated for short-term use in children, there is limited data on its long-term safety. Studies looking at the longer-term effects of melatonin are reassuring but have limitations.

Parents significantly underestimate the dangers of bodies of water. Approaching water safety using multiple layers is the most effective way to make sure that you have back-up fail safes in the event something goes wrong. Here are my top tips to keep your kids safe this summer.

What products should you have to make sure your child stays safe in the sun? Here are my top tips on everything from sunscreen to UPF clothing to hats!

Apply the sunscreen 20-30 minutes before you go outside, and then make sure to re-apply after 2 hours, or after your child has been in the water. Using a make-up applicator brush or sponge makes applying sunscreen much easier and less-messy.

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.

In most cases, you will also get to meet the anesthesiologist before your child’s procedure (sometimes for a pre-op visit a few days before, and always in the pre-operative area). This is a good opportunity to discuss risks and what you can do to keep your child comfortable before, during and after the procedure.

Learning to ride a bike is an important milestone and staying active is obviously something pediatricians encourage. But a recent study from the University of Michigan found that nearly 1 in 5 parents admit to not enforcing helmet-wearing when their children are on their bikes.