Summer Health
The Summer Health blog brings together practical, clinically reviewed answers for parents navigating kids’ health, development, nutrition, sleep, and everyday care.
Bug bites and warm weather go together like pineapples on pizza. So to help prepare you for warmer days and making core memories outdoors, we’ll share some tips on how to prevent insect bites and help keep your little one as comfortable as possible if they do get bitten.
5 home remedies to hydrate your baby’s dry skin
We're sharing all the essential bathing tips for a newborn bath.
Text directly with pediatricians for clear guidance you can count on. Your monthly subscription to Summer Health gets you answers in under 15 minutes, 24/7, 365.
To save you from a never ending cycle of shirt changes, we’re breaking down the specifics of baby drool to help you understand it better (and maybe even prevent a drool rash or two!)
What exactly are vitamin D drops and why do babies need them? For the inside scoop, we’re turning to Summer Health’s pediatric registered dietitian Nicole Silber RD, CSP, CLC who will break down everything you need to know about vitamin D for your baby.
We've asked Summer Health's pediatric dietitian, Nicole Silber RD, CDP, CLC, to share expert insights on babies and honey.
As you snuggle up with your sweet newborn, you’ll probably notice all sorts of funny movements and quirks. You might see them twitching, flailing their arms and legs, or grasping onto your finger with their tiny hand. Let’s take a closer look at these cute reflexes that your newborn is showing off.
Just like adults can have allergic reactions, newborns and babies can have allergies too. Allergies in children happen when a child's immune system notices a strange or harmful substance, and then overreacts to that substance. Anything that causes an allergic reaction is known as an allergen. This explainer will detail the many types of allergies babies and young children can have — including milk allergies, other food allergies, and pollen allergies — as well as how a pediatrician can help your child with allergies.
Developmental milestones and sleep regression by age
Since dealing with a gassy baby isn’t fun for anyone, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of all things gas — triggers, how to spot it, and ways to offer your baby some relief. With a few tricks up your sleeve, you might turn that farty baby into one happy camper.
This guide will lead you through the process of choosing a pediatrician, covering what to look for, factors to consider, and how to find the perfect fit to meet your family’s needs.
Let's discuss what constipation looks like in babies, and how to keep those diaper changes flowing smoothly.
Trying to figure out why your baby is crying can feel like trying to solve a logic puzzle. Sometimes there’s an easy fix. Other times, the odds aren’t quite in your favor. It can be especially frustrating when your baby is fussy or crying right after you've tried to solve a core problem, like feeding them if you think they’re hungry. And if you have a colicky baby who cries more than most, your child may seem inconsolable. Knowing these can be stressful times for parents, here are some ways you can try to solve the unpredictable puzzle of baby’s cries.
When babies come into the world, they need help doing most things — keeping a consistent body temperature, included. It’s one of the reasons why babies are wrapped in a blanket after birth, and are sometimes placed under a warmer. Because it’s so easy for babies’ body temperatures to change, it’s certainly possible for a baby to be too warm and even to overheat. Luckily, there are ways you can help keep your baby from overheating.
Is there anything cuter than a little tot smiling as he/she splashes away in the water on a sunny day? One of your priorities as a parent might be keeping that smile on your little one’s face, but your top priority is probably keeping them safe in the water. Consider this deep-dive into introducing swimming to newborns and infants a helpful start to a lifelong love of and respect for water.
Introducing solid foods to your baby is a thrilling adventure full of messy kitchens, memorable first bites, and those adorable avocado-covered smiles. While spoon-feeding purees has been the go-to method for many parents, there's a growing trend towards baby-led weaning (BLW), a method of starting solids in which babies explore finger foods on their own terms. To help you understand baby-led weaning, we've outlined everything you need to know in this guide. The Summer Health team is here to support you every step of the way.
We've broken down the baby milestones by week and month.
Dealing with food allergies can be nerve-racking for parents as they start introducing solids to their babies. The last thing you want is to accidentally feed your baby something they're allergic to, and suddenly they start itching, or worse, they’re having trouble breathing. Yeah, no thank you! But remember, knowledge is key, and understanding food allergy symptoms can give you the confidence to navigate this new milestone. We're here to provide guidance and help you recognize what to look for so you can feel more at ease when introducing allergens to your child.
Managing your own sleep with a newborn can be like walking a tightrope very sleepily, trying to strike the right balance between getting things done and getting some sleep yourself. In the early stages, baby sleep is plentiful. But babies aren't necessarily sleeping when you want them to, which doesn't allow you, the parent, to get much sleep.Knowing what to expect when it comes to newborn sleep patterns can help you better prepare and hopefully get the rest you need, whether through naps or nighttime sleep.
After a long, exhausting day of non-stop feeding, fleeting cat naps (seriously, can they stretch them out any longer?), and endless diaper changes, all you’re craving is putting your baby down for the night and to finally catch some Z’s yourself. But as soon as they're down for bed, bam! Anxiety hits. Is my baby too cold? Is the sound machine too loud? Are they still breathing? These parental worries are totally relatable, and for a good reason - we just want our babies to sleep safely.
Right when you think you’ve become the expert in milk feeds, solid food enters the chat and shakes up your routine (yet again!). Whether you're a first-time parent or experienced pro, we're here to guide you through the process of introducing solids. We'll cover signs of readiness, recommended foods, allergen introduction, and provide the top tips and tricks to make this a smooth and happy transition for both you and your baby. Don't worry, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Understanding family travel with a newborn
Lugging your newborn to the doctor’s office can be a chore — especially if they hate their car seat and make it known... loudly. As the parent of a newborn, you’ll be making your way to the pediatrician’s office quite often. Sometimes these visits will be unplanned because your bundle of joy isn’t feeling well. But during a baby’s first year of life, there are at least 7 routine pediatrician appointments, and it can be helpful to know what to expect.