In this dedicated space, we aim to provide you with valuable information and resources to help parents and caregivers navigate all things related to pediatric health and well-being. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to support your child's health and wellness journey. Explore our resources to learn more about health topics such as seasonal trends, promoting a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, preventative and home care, parent guides and much more! We are committed to promoting pediatric health education and awareness to help children thrive and grow into happy and healthy adults. Thank you for visiting, and we hope you find the information here useful.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Child Health Associates at 508-832-9691 (Auburn) or 508-842-1500 (Shrewsbury).

*This information is intended solely for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be relied on for diagnosis and treatment plans and should not replace in-person evaluations or the medical advice of your provider.

General Health Education Resources

This information is intended solely for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be relied on for diagnosis and treatment plans and should not replace in-person evaluations or the medical advice of your provider.

  • HealthyChildren.org is the only parenting Website backed by 60,000 pediatricians and is owned and operated by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This website provides general information related to child health and more specific guidance on parenting issues.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services. Here you can find information on diseases and conditions, healthy living, immunizations, environmental health, injury, violence and safety, global health, travelers’ health and more.
  • Product recall and safety information.
  • This booklet is designed to provide information about the office, as well as to present guidelines for proper healthcare, and the growth and development of your child. We hope that you take the opportunity to read this book and familiarize yourself with it. Keep it in a handy place so that you can refer to it as needed. If, after reading about a topic, you feel you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact our office
  • For information on all thing’s child health related, please review our frequently asked questions document below. Here you will find information on fevers, rashes, constipation, cough, ear pain, diarrhea, OTC medications, insect repellants, sun safety, lice, and more! 
  • For dosage questions relating to Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Benadryl, please review our dosage chart. Doses should always be given utilizing a child’s weight for the best effect.
  • Having trouble administering medication to your child, our Medication Administration Tips & Tricks guide has been developed to help you, help your child feel better!
  • Boston Children’s Answers Parentcast
  • Boston Children’s YouTube channel is full of videos on a wide range of topics surrounding children’s health. 
Infection and Illness Prevention

Promoting health, safety and well-being is the forefront of primary care. To help decrease illness, there are ways to help decrease the spread of germs for your family. 

  • Hand Hygiene! While it sounds simple, it is the biggest factor in disrupting the infection chain. Be sure to teach and observe your children washing their hands properly. Hand washing should take at least 20 seconds. Educate children on the key times for hand washing to take place: before and after eating, after using the restroom, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose, after riding the bus, etc.
  • Cough Etiquette. If your child develops a cough, it can last upwards of 3 weeks before resolving. During this time, they should be sure to practice good cough techniques to limit their spread of germs. Encourage them to cough into their elbow. 
  • Staying Home if Needed. To limit the spread of infection, kids are most contagious if they have had a fever in the last 24 hours or have been vomiting. If either of these occur, your child should remain out of school to limit spread to other children and ensure they are rested and recovered before returning to their normal activities.
  • Our website offers a multitude of resources for treating symptoms of common illnesses at home. Be sure to check online for this information and give us a call for any questions or concerns you may have.
  • Preventing Respiratory Viruses | CDC
  • Preventing Flu | CDC
  • Protecting Yourself and Others from Getting Sick | Mass.gov
CPR Classes
Swim Instruction and Safety

Your city or town may offer free/discounted swimming lessons - check your city/town website for swimming lessons or call the recreation department in your community.

Car Seat information
Seasonal Health Topics
Feeding & Nutrition
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture created the food guidance system MyPlate. Their website is full of information regarding all thing’s nutrition relating to age, healthy eating, budget tips, food groups, recipes and more! 
  • CHA has feeding guidelines based on the official nutritional recommendations established by the Academy of Pediatrics. This feeding guide offers guidance on feedings, introduction of solids, breast and formula feeding tips, weaning, vitamins and much more! 
  • Boston Children’s Hospital YouTube page has a lot of nutritional videos for your access.
Picky Eating

Having trouble with a picky eater? Please review our Picky Eating brochure for tips and resources!    

Allergen Foods

Introducing allergen type foods can be nerve wracking – our introduction to allergens brochure is full of information and resources to make this easier for you! Below are helpful links regarding different allergens as well for your use. 

Formula

Please note, changing formulas should be considered with the help of a physician to ensure that the right formula is selected based on your child’s needs. 

Breastfeeding

At Child Health we are proud to offer lactation consults in the office! If you feel this would benefit you and your child, please contact our office. 

Puberty

Resources for all things female and male health can be found below to help navigate different female health related concerns. 

Physical Activity

Physical activity is vital to support the health and wellbeing of growing children. Below are resources to help you integrate physical activity for you and your family.

Hearing Impairment
Immunizations

We strongly support the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule for vaccination. This schedule was developed after many years of rigorous scientific research. This scientific research provides evidence that vaccines are highly effective and safe. There is no doubt that vaccines prevent disease and save lives.

Vaccination is one of the most important things that we do to promote the health of our patients. We strongly recommend vaccinating your children according to the CDC/AAP schedule.

Travel Vaccines

Child Health Associates does not provide Travel Vaccines and Medications. These vaccines and medications are specific to where you are traveling, how long you are traveling, urban vs rural accommodations, and possible drug resistance in endemic areas.

To best serve your needs please contact one of the following clinics, as soon as possible, as they typically book several months ahead.

Illness Related Education

When anyone gets sick, the cause of that illness and its symptoms are caused by either a virus or bacteria. It is important to note that viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics while viral infections are treated through symptom management. If sick symptoms are being experienced, please review our resources and visit the applicable symptom listed below. 

Please keep in mind our antibiotic policy:

It is our policy at Child Health Associates to see a patient in the office before prescribing antibiotics. Due to the increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance, it is important to treat specific bacterial infections with an appropriate antibiotic; this decision can only be made by examining the patient and cannot be decided over the telephone.

A-Z Health Education 

This information is for educational purposes only and it should be used only as a guide.

Abdominal Pain

Anemia

Asthma

Blocked Tear Duct

Colds and URI

Colic

Concussion

Constipation

Colic

Conjunctivitis

Cough

COVID-19 

Croup

Diarrhea 

Ear Infection

Eczema, Acne & Sensitive Skin

Fevers 

  • The average normal temperature is considered to be 98.6°F. Infants and young children generally have higher temperatures than older children and adults. Temperature can vary based on time of day, activity, clothing, weather, etc. 
  • In infants younger than 90 days old, a fever of concern is a rectal temp ≥100.4°F and Child Health has a protocol in place for this. 
    • https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/fever-newborn
      • Infants 0-60 days older for any fevers >100.4°F rectally need to be evaluated in the ER for a comprehensive workup that our office is not able to provide. 
      • Infants 61-90 days old with a rectal temp >100.4°F need to be evaluated that day either in the office, urgent care, or the ER.
    • Fevers after an infant’s 2-month vaccines can happen. 
      • If the temp is less than 101.5°F rectally, not ill appearing, or inconsolable, Tylenol can be given but should be seen in the office. 
      • If temp is less than 101.5°F but are ill appearing and inconsolable an evaluation in the ER is necessary. 
      • Fevers greater than 101.5°F need to be seen in the ER 
  • Fever Treatment

Flu

GERD

Headaches

Hip Dysplasia

Hives

Lead Poisoning

Mononucleosis

Pneumonia

Pyloric Stenosis

Respiratory Distress

RSV

Scoliosis

SIDS 

Sinusitis

Skin and Rashes

Sore Throat 

Swimmers Ear

STDS 

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Yeast Infection