<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Pediatric Checkup with Dr Watson]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Pediatric Checkup with Dr. Watson]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:04:44 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Beyond the Diagnosis]]></title><description><![CDATA[If there's one thing I've learned from caring for children with Trisomy 21 over the years, it's this: the diagnosis tells you something about a child's chromosomes, but it tells you very little about who that child is. Every child with Down syndrome has their own sense of humor, their own favorite song, their own stubborn streak, and their own way of making a room brighter. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so let's talk about it. Whether you're a new parent, an expecting parent, a...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/down-syndrome-awareness-month-beyond-the-diagnosis</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac434a0be2a50557c8f7f96</guid><pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:40:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/308301b30e944de8b023e7be83a19b5e.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Plague in the News]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stay informed about the plague in 2026 with our medical blog. Understand what plague is, recent events, and why there's no need to panic.]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/plague-in-the-news</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acc43bd03ce31675d0ba996</guid><pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:50:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_44426945787a684d743345~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ ADHD Awareness Month: What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've ever watched your child lose their shoes for the fifth time before school, stare out the window during homework, or bounce through dinner like they're powered by a tiny motor, you may have wondered, "Is this just kid stuff, or is it something more?" It's one of the most common questions I hear in clinic, and October happens to be ADHD Awareness Month, so let's talk about it. Grab a coffee (you've earned it), and let's break it down the way I always do. WHO is affected? A lot of...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/adhd-awareness-month-what-every-parent-and-caregiver-needs-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac3fe6b0600a80a1a6bc810</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:50:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6f55cfce66a448fda7a974d9332fce35~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This Season's Flu Shot: What Parents Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Seasonal FLU Vaccine Recommendations for children.]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/this-season-s-flu-shot-what-parents-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab09f2fed85621288beb276</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:32:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4b7915_2d3a33ccc8e4423d86dcfc1acc2f4f85~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Magic of a Book:  Why Reading to Your Child Matter More Than You Think]]></title><description><![CDATA[ Read it again, Mama!   If you’ve ever read the same children’s book so many times that you could recite it from memory…you’re doing something pretty wonderful. ❤️   Reading from infancy helps build language, early literacy, cognitive &#38; social-emotional skills, &#38; lays important groundwork for school readiness. (AAP) 
 New on the blog: Why Reading to Your Child Matters  
 Come grab a book &#38;let’s talk about why those everyday story times matter   ]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/reading-to-children-language-literacy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab1cacc92bad082c0614b4d</guid><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:48:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9aaa2e405cf84640ac18bb763e409329~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[RSV Season Is Coming:                          What Every Parent Needs to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've been in a pediatrician's office in the fall, you've probably heard the acronym RSV thrown around a lot. It stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and if you're a parent of a baby or young child, it's worth understanding — because this season, there are more tools than ever to protect your little one from it. Let's break it down the way I always do: Who, What, and Why. WHO is at risk? RSV can infect anyone, but it hits two groups the hardest: Babies, especially those under 8 months...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/rsv-season-is-coming-what-every-parent-needs-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab04210d590640036341e11</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:54:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_1800f68c83944db0b7122950b71d5407~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top Resources for Online Child Health ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Navigating the world of pediatric health information can feel overwhelming at times. When your child is unwell or you have questions about their development, having trustworthy information at your fingertips is invaluable. Over the years, I’ve discovered that reliable online child health resources can be a lifeline for parents and caregivers. They offer expert advice, practical tips, and reassurance when you need it most. Today, I want to share some of the best resources that have helped me...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/top-resources-for-online-child-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a9e0b02de6f1c87ba27b3d4</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:00:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4b7915_c0edfd92b4844174873af341110ad5f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Car Seat Safety: Knowing When Your Child Is Ready for the Next Stage ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Crash Course in Car Seat Safety]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/car-seat-safety-knowing-when-your-child-is-ready-for-the-next-stage</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa8297fabcfc8d624a34ffc</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:00:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/876982a738dd4dc888d19804f1f1e900.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rabies In the News — What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know Right Now]]></title><description><![CDATA[Good evening, friends. If you feel like you've seen the word "rabies" in your news feed more than usual lately, you're not imagining it. It has been an unusually active few weeks for rabies in our region and beyond, and I want to walk you through what's actually going on, why it matters for your family, and — most importantly — what to do if you or your child ever has a possible exposure. What's actually been happening Let's start with the headlines, because they're wild (pun intended): North...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/rabies-in-the-news-what-every-parent-and-caregiver-needs-to-know-right-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a9e0dcfc6495acaaf329fc9</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 02:00:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_6f165c408ecd4921b29938190c76f026~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Measles Is Back — And It's Closer Than You Think]]></title><description><![CDATA[Measles outbreak with facts about the measles infection, debunking misinformation about measles and Vit A and what parents can do to protect their children]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/measles-is-back-and-it-s-closer-than-you-think</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a949729738fc05073c44fc5</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:30:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a7786b9389c04bbdbd96c13e77909a9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Recalls, Rumbly Tummies, and Real Talk: Keeping Your Family Safe This Season]]></title><description><![CDATA[If it feels like you've seen an unusual number of food recall headlines lately, you're not imagining it. This summer has brought a run of multistate outbreaks tied to everyday grocery items — iceberg lettuce, jalapeños, cheese, and more — and the case counts have been significant. So, this week on The Pediatric Checkup, let's talk about what's actually been going on, and more importantly, what your family can do about it. This isn't meant to scare you. It's meant to arm you with some...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/recalls-rumbly-tummies-and-real-talk-keeping-your-family-safe-this-season</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8b877e30d700055ab0cd78</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 03:02:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6d6df85884704860aeeb224a43aa8f3e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Summer Water Safety Essentials for Kids: What parents need to know!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Summer means more time outdoors and many families look forward to pool days, beach trips, and water play. While water activities are fun and refreshing, they also come with risks, especially for children. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in young kids, but many of these tragedies can be prevented with the right knowledge and precautions. In today's The Pediatric Checkup, we'll answer key questions parents often have about children and water safety.   Grab your sunscreen...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/summer-water-safety-essentials-for-kids-what-parents-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3068872e35c99df8d57f4e</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:22:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4b7915_2223c945dad246a08dc852497a838ba6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Childhood Vaccines: What Every Parent Should Know (And Why the Myths Won't Die)]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've turned on the news lately, you've probably seen vaccines front and center again. It seems like every few months there's a new headline, a new controversy, or a new claim circulating online that makes parents pause and wonder, "Wait, are vaccines actually safe for my child?" So today on The Pediatric Checkup, we're going to walk through the who, what, when, and why of childhood vaccines, and tackle some of the most persistent misinformation I hear from families in clinic. Let's dive...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/childhood-vaccines-what-every-parent-should-know-and-why-the-myths-won-t-die</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7bd0cb2ca7f56c717e1ab5</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:20:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_313dd321461644d68dfb6803ced6fcd4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What's The Deal with Vitamin K?]]></title><description><![CDATA[There have been a lot of news headlines recently about some parents declining the vitamin K dose that is given to newborns after birth. So, what's the big deal?  And why are doctors worried about this?  In today's blog of The Pediatric Checkup, we'll tackle the who's, what's, and why's of vitamin K, do some myth busting and hopefully address why this has become a controversial topic.  So, let's dive in! What even is vitamin K?   Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and is a substance our body...]]></description><link>https://www.thepediatriccheckup.com/post/what-s-the-deal-with-vitamin-k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a260c177af0f7335696b04a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:43:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_af26628f08ab4f6a818d247f08cb9fe9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Watson</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>