Just like how a yearly physical is a key part of checking an adult's health, well-child exams are essential to making sure children stay as healthy as possible. From vaccines to general health, these exams track your child as they grow, making sure they hit milestones and get the protection they need....
The benefits of breastfeeding are well-established, but a study by UC Davis Medical Center found that only about 13% of women manage to breastfeed exclusively for the six months that are recommended. For many women, the trouble starts early, as the same study found that 92% of mothers said they...
When a new parent looks at the list of vaccines their child will receive, especially the jam-packed first two years, you can't blame them for feeling a little overwhelmed. Getting a shot can be intimidating for many adults, and some parents may not want to subject their children to so...
As the nation moves past two years since the first COVID-19 outbreaks, it can often feel like the pandemic is over. Kids have been back in school for at least a full year, the vast majority of places no longer require a mask for entry, and even air travel is...
Is there a worse way to wake up than with a sore throat? On the mild end of it, you could have slept with your mouth open and just need a few sips of water to get feeling better. But it’s the other end of the spectrum, with the possibility...
Any parent can attest to how hectic life with kids can be. It can sometimes feel hard to keep up with all the different things you need to keep track of for your child and your family. Even the most diligent parents can sometimes forget something as it slips through...
Do you know how many children in the United States have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, about 5.4 million children ages 2-17 have the condition. The most well-known treatment for ADHD is medication. However, there is another treatment that may not be...
It may sound ridiculous now, but up until the mid-1990s, “pox parties” were a routine part of many children’s lives. The idea of a “pox party,” where parents would bring their children to play with a child who had contracted chickenpox, was to expose children to chickenpox at a young...
Just like your annual physical as an adult, well child exams are an important part of managing and monitoring your child’s health and growth. Although largely centered on the first 15 months of your child’s life, well child exams should be a part of your routine until your child moves...
Every parent will tell you that giving birth can be a whirlwind of activity. No matter how prepared you are — birth plans made, hospital bags packed, and car keys in hand — nothing can quite prepare you for welcoming a child into the world. Birth is also a whirlwind...
Tetanus is a serious disease that can lead to death. The good news is, the number of tetanus cases and deaths have dropped dramatically since the 1940s. There are two main reasons for this. When it comes to the drop in deaths, wound treatment and management has improved significantly since...
While your child can have the flu — which is short for influenza — at any time of the year, most cases occur during flu season, which lasts from early fall to early spring and peaks in the mid-winter months. And while everyone is different, symptoms often include intense fever,...
If your child has a fever, do you know what to do? Should you just let them rest? How do you know if you should take them to a doctor? At Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics, we’re experts on children and fevers, from the flu to common colds. It’s one...
Does your child have diabetes? If it’s not properly addressed, it can have disastrous consequences at some point in their life. Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes you can make with your child to help them manage their diabetes and lead a more healthy life. At Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics,...
If you’re a parent, you may be worried about your child and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Among children, about 13% of boys and 6% of girls are believed to have ADHD. All told, a 2016 study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 6.1 million children are...
Grocery stores and restaurants don’t boast about the vitamins their foods contain for no reason. Vitamins are key nutrients that help facilitate many of the body’s essential functions. Vitamin D, which is obtained from sun exposure and from consuming certain foods, helps regulate your immune system and also helps reduce...
Vomiting in children is an obvious sign of distress and sickness, but it usually doesn’t mean something is terribly wrong. Unfortunately, children vomit quite a bit, in large part because their immune systems aren’t fully built up. So what should you do if your child vomits? And when should you...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children ages 6-17 need an hour or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. For children ages 6 and under, the guidelines are a little less stringent, with physical activity recommended throughout the day. When taken as a...
In the 1930s, around 250,000 Americans contracted whooping cough every year. And by the mid-1990s, it appeared as though the disease had been nearly eradicated. However, since 2000, cases have been rising. In fact, in 2016, more than 15,000 Amerians got it and seven people died. In order to protect...
No one likes getting shots. Some people may like the benefits of a shot or say that getting a shot doesn’t faze them, but there is nothing appealing about a needle being put into your skin. Studies have shown that 20% of the population has some degree of fear about...
Almost everyone comes down with a little cough or cold during the winter. Over the course of an average year, Americans collectively suffer from about 1 billion colds. Children, who are often in close contact with others during school, sports, and daycare, tend to have about 6-10 colds a year....
For many people, winter means coming down with some kind of illness, whether it be a head cold or something more serious, such as strep throat. With COVID-19 still active for this cold season, you may be watching your child — and any symptoms — more carefully than ever before....
Typical COVID-19 tests can sometimes take days to come back, which can instill worry and anxiousness or delay clearance for work. Fortunately, rapid COVID-19 tests are available, which can give you results quickly. In this blog, the health professionals at Ross Bridge Medical Center explain everything involved in rapid testing....
All children get restless, energetic, and have trouble sitting still at times. So, it’s important for parents to keep an eye on their child’s behavior and recognize when there could be something else going on. Their behavioral issues could stem from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you think your child...
Flu season begins in October and runs through the early spring. Getting your child a flu shot is the best prevention tool. Still, some kids will catch the virus anyway. When that occurs, among the most effective recovery measures is rest. Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center...
If you’re a parent, you may worry every time your child isn’t feeling well. How do you know when it’s time to bring them to the doctor? Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama, offers same-day sick visits. In this blog, Dr. Labovitz explains...
Children can get Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and it's crucial that they see a doctor if they have either. If they don’t get medical attention, they could develop other long-term health problems. In this blog, Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama,...
If you’re a new parent, you may be a bit overwhelmed at all the doctor’s visits your child needs during their first few years. These visits are important for monitoring your child’s growth and development and watching for signs of trouble. Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center...
Children of all ages and teenagers can be diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. While it may be surprising to get this diagnosis, don’t worry. Diabetes is manageable, and your child can lead a normal life. Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover,...
As your baby grows, they start developing their fine motor skills, which is the ability to perform small, precise movements. While they should largely develop these skills on their own, you can help them progress. Furthermore, you can monitor their development to make sure they're on track. In this blog,...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is common in children of all ages. It can be hard to tell if your child has ADHD, especially if they’re on the younger side. This is because some of the signs are similar to how a child would normally behave at a certain...
The life of a new parent is incredibly exciting, But, it can also be incredibly frustrating, especially when your tiny bundle of joy seems to cry nonstop. The good news is that, with the right steps, you can help soothe your crying newborn. In this blog, expert pediatrician Gina Labovitz,...
Many parents are familiar with the sounds of sneezing, coughing, sniffling, and wheezing coming from their child, especially during the spring months. If your little one has allergies, you’re probably wondering how you can ease their symptoms. Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics wants you to...
Most teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep each night. But, many teenagers don’t get anywhere near that. Maybe your teen works hard and is up late doing homework. Maybe your teen has an after-school job that doesn’t let them off until late. Or maybe your teen just likes to stay...
As a parent, you face a tough decision every time your child doesn’t feel well: Should they go to school or stay home? This can be a particularly tough decision if you’re a working parent and either have to stay home or arrange for childcare. In this blog, Gina Labovitz,...
You can’t always control what your infant or toddler will do during travel. But, you can prepare to make travel as trouble-free as possible. In this blog, Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, of Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics gives her top five tips for traveling with infants and toddlers. 1. Get...
All new parents, whether they’re caring for baby #1 or #4, feel concern when their little one suffers from a health problem — even if it’s one that’s common in infants. So, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Not only that, but Dr. Madhav Devani and our entire team of caregivers...
Raising children would be a lot easier if they came with an owner’s manual. But, since they don’t, we provide the next best thing: well-child exams. Dr. Gina Labovitz and our team at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama offer these physicals to help ensure your child grows into...
From kidnappings to school shootings, parents worry about their children's safety any time they leave the house. Equally important yet less publicized are health dangers. For example, Type 2 diabetes. Here at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama, Dr. Gina Labovitz and our highly trained staff provide exceptional...
Back-to-school is a special time for parents. It combines the thrill of a new year with the dread of making sure everything’s checked off your to-do list. Are vaccines still on there? Don't worry! If you're not sure which important vaccines your child needs, we're here to remind you. Dr....
Summertime means more time spent outdoors with the family. But with that also comes a higher chance of suffering common summer ailments. No matter how carefully you planned out your summer activities, you probably didn’t plan to take your child to the pediatrician for an urgent issue. To help prevent...
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common developmental disorder that affects about 8% of the children in the United States (and 2.5% of adults). An ADHD diagnosis may give parents a name for and some understanding of their child’s behavior, but coping with your child’s ADHD can still...
Nothing makes a parent more concerned than an unhappy or unwell child. Often parents feel powerless when their child has a fever. But, it may help to know that, in most cases, a temperature is nothing to worry about. Fevers are common in infants and children. A fever is a...
