Information on integrative pediatrics from the blog of GetzWell Pediatrics, a premier pediatrics practice in San Francisco, California.

integrative pediatrics

Information on integrative pediatrics from the blog of GetzWell Pediatrics, a premier pediatrics practice in San Francisco, California.

Ways to Boost Your Kid’s Immune System – All Year Round!

Do you feel like your kid is constantly getting sick? Well, that’s likely because a child’s developing immune system makes them more susceptible to illness, especially with frequent exposure to germs at daycares, classrooms, and playgrounds.

Tylenol Revisited: It’s NOT as Benign as People Think – Especially During Pregnancy

What you choose to put in your body during pregnancy directly impacts your child’s health – and Tylenol (aka acetaminophen/paracetamol) is no exception. For decades Tylenol has been commercially endorsed as THE “go-to” over-the-counter pain reliever, with over 60% of women in the United States relying on it to alleviate aches and pains related to pregnancy. However, mounting evidence continues to underscore the potential short- and long-term health risks it poses to babies – before and after birth.

Toddlers, Tantrums & Teens – Oh My! Tips for Supporting Your Child at Every Stage of Development

Kids are often mistaken for being little manipulative masterminds. But the truth is – they’re not. They’re burgeoning beings who are learning how to navigate the world and interact with people around them.

To better manage your child’s behavior it is instructive to understand why they do the things they do, and every stage of childhood development comes with a set of common behaviors and challenges. Below we’ll give you a brief breakdown of what you can expect during these developmental stages along with pediatric care tips to help alleviate some of the stresses of parenting.

Baby’s First Foods: A Jump-Start to Lifelong Health

More and more studies are proving that our earliest exposures to food – both before and after birth – set the stage for lifelong flavor preferences and eating habits. This means, as parents, you have more control over what kinds of foods your child likes than you probably realize.

Could Gluten be to Blame for Your Child’s Behavioral Issues?

Some kids simply can’t tolerate gluten and that can manifest in different ways. The array of complaints can include, but aren’t limited to, stomach aches and other digestive issues, nasal congestion, headaches, itchy/watery eyes, skin rashes, and mood complaints such as anxiety or depression. It’s also becoming more and more apparent, especially among functional medicine pediatricians, that a gluten sensitivity can negatively impact a child’s behavior.

Get Ready for Pregnancy by “Greening Your Womb.”

Preconception care means comprehensively preparing your body to provide the healthiest possible environment for your developing baby. At GetzWell, where we believe pediatric care should begin before your baby is born, we have named this process “greening the womb.”

The Beauty of Bacteria and Your Baby’s Health

We are all are teeming with natural gut bacteria (a.k.a. gut flora) that have myriad functions including facilitating digestion and safeguarding against harmful diseases and allergies. In fact, nearly 75-80% of immune function originates in the gastrointestinal tract.

In this post we’ll give you the inside scoop on the inner workings of good gut health and helpful tips on keeping your child’s intestinal tract in tiptop shape.

Parents Beware: How to Protect Your Children from Big Food

For decades, children have been the prime target market for big food corporations. In this recent interview clip, Michael Moss, author of Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, tells the history of Oscar Mayer’s Lunchables, the on-the-go snack of processed meats, cheeses and crackers the company marketed to kids of working moms as a fast, fun and easy alternative to a healthy lunch. (Listen to Moss’ NPR Interview for more of his findings.)

Your Right to Know: The Push to Label GMO Products Continues

Prop. 37, California’s Right to Know initiative, put us at the center of the movement to demand mandatory labeling on Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs).

Despite the proposition’s narrow loss in the recent election, the fact that nearly 47% of Californians voted YES is significant progress. The outcome is our mandate to continue to educate our families on the potential health risks GMOs pose to parents and children.