- dr. patricia

“Play is the Work of the Child” an eloquent statement by Child Development Specialist Maria Montessori, that was often echoed by Mr. Rogers. Unfortunately, many of us live in environments where, either due to weather constraints or safety, children simply cannot play outside the way they need to.  From the moment I came across Wiwiurka…

Wrestling with Potty Training?  Instead of dreading the struggle, approach it well prepared to make the smoothest transition for both of you. Laura Woj, creator of Super Undies and professional potty-trainer shared her wisdom with us at a conference I attended. Prepare ahead.  Explain to your child what it will feel like to go to the restroom…

If you have one priority during the early years of childhood, it should be to provide a safe sleep environment. To decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome certain guidelines need to be followed. Here is a list of safe baby sleep tips: Always place your baby flat on their back.  Only let baby…

1. Open ended play fosters imagination, independence, and extends attention spans. On the contrary plastic toys with lights and sounds actually interfere with the brain waves of children shortening their attention span and inhibiting the full imagination process. 2. Safe materials for teething infants through school aged children. Naturally anti-bacterial high quality wood that is…

From the day your baby is born, their nutrition is a primary focus. Are they getting enough of everything they need? Are they getting too much of one thing? How do you prevent them from being picky? How do you ensure they’re getting high quality ingredients? Link to Calming Parental Anxiety About Starting Solids Your…

Having a baby is incredible, but it is also incredibly challenging. Before my first son was born I thought I knew exactly what I needed to make the transition into parenthood as seamless as possible. But until you’re there it’s hard to know exactly what will work best for YOUR child. Below I have shared…

Let me start by saying the key to all birth plans is flexibility… and my birth story is no exception. I spent the months prior to my due date carefully writing my detailed birth plan, and taking natural birthing classes. I chose the Bradley Method because it was what my mother had used and I…

I’m 39 weeks and 2 days, but who’s keeping track… it’s the final countdown of my pregnancy and I can hardly wait to meet our little man. Each day that passes seems like it is getting longer and time is passing more slowly… Of course, it doesn’t help that every time I see my OB…

Thankfully, with the exception of morning sickness, and a couple episodes of food poisoning, I have been healthy for the duration of my pregnancy. That is until last Tues… Now don’t get me wrong, I am typically a trooper when I’m sick and don’t let a simple cold virus stop me from getting my To-Do…

Pregnancy can be a beautiful time, a time of bonding with a tiny person nestled deep inside, a time of excitement and celebration, but not everything about pregnancy is beautiful… Breasts: The good- They grow, a lot. Like to the breasts I always wanted, but thought I would need a surgeon to get. The bad-…

As a Pediatrician I thought I was ready for parenthood and in many ways I am, but what caught me off guard were all the fears I would have about my unborn child… At just 4 weeks pregnant I took my first pregnancy test, I was elated when it came back positive. Images of a…

After my son was born I had the privilege of spending the first 4 months of his life home with him before returning to work. As I re-entered the work force I experienced great anxiety over being separated from my son. Would he take a bottle? Would he cry the entire time we were separated?…