Dr. Karin Smithson shares her personal journey with baby Hoyte
By Karin Smithson, Mom to Elise, West and Hoyte
For a few wonderfully hopeful months in Spring 2010, I was on top of the world. When not chasing our 22-month-old twins or 15-year-old Golden Retriever, my husband Joe and I were preparing to welcome our third child into our already lively home, and we were charmed by the thought of watching our toddling son and daughter mature into the roles of big brother and big sister of a healthy baby brother. He was due on their birthday, which is also my birthday, and we looked forward to many Augusts of joint celebrations and healthy kids.
We had almost survived the twins’ first two years, which we were told would be completely exhausting (correct!), and we confidently thought that adding a third baby into our colorful mix would be easy breezy.
Then baby Hoyte entered the world two months early. Continue reading →
Help avoid hurried trips to the doctor by learning the symptoms and treatment
Ear infections are one of the most common childhood conditions. They happen when fluid gathers in the ear with nowhere to go.
And you may have heard about children you know getting ear tubes. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of ear infections, how to treat them and whether your child may benefit from ear tube surgery. Continue reading →
This Mother’s Day, we catch up with some special moms
Every parent makes sacrifices for their children, but when a child is sick or injured, selflessness becomes a way of life. On this Mother’s Day, we’re honored to share the stories of three mothers who learned to delicately balance the roles of warrior and gentle caregiver when a life detour took them to our Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Continue reading →
Five health tips for the first five days outside the hospital
Even as a doctor with parents in the medical field, I was not immune to new-mom anxiety when I first became a parent. Back then, and even more so today, you can get information from so many places. It seems like friends and family—even strangers—have advice for you. Well meaning though it may be, all the advice can seem overwhelming.
To help ease your anxiety, start with these five tips for the first five days outside the hospital. Take it one step at a time. Continue reading →
Four myths to heed
By Ann-Marie Brooks, M.D., F.A.A.P., Director of the Children’s Asthma Center; Pediatric Pulmonologist
The pressure to ensure your child with asthma is safe and healthy can make anyone breathe uneasily. In our media-packed culture, it’s easy to let advice from social media friends or self-diagnosing websites overwhelm you with mixed messages of how to care for your children.
Unfortunately, it often is hard to get real answers. And not knowing the truth can lead to sleepless nights and the pressure to monitor your asthmatic child’s breathing like a hawk. By clearing up a few of these misconceptions, we can help you keep your child with asthma healthy and active and allow your own breaths to feel steadier. Continue reading →
