Arbor Pediatrics provides high-quality, personalized medical care for infants, children, and adolescents in Southlake, TX.
Melissa Asgaonkar, MD
Melissa Asgaonkar, MD
We are excited to welcome a new provider to the Arbor Pediatrics team! Collin Naugher is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who joins us from North Fort Worth, where he has been practicing pediatric primary care for the last eight years.
If it feels like your child is constantly battling ear infections, you`re not alone.
Recurrent ear infections are one of the most common reasons children are referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. In general, your pediatrician may discuss ear tubes if your child has 3 or more ear infections in 6 months, or 4 or more ear infections in 12 months (with at least one occurring in the past 6 months).
Ear tubes may also be recommended if fluid remains behind the eardrum for several months and is affecting hearing or speech development.
Ear tubes are tiny tubes placed through the eardrum that help ventilate the middle ear and allow fluid to drain, reducing pressure and improving hearing.
One common misconception is that tubes prevent ear infections. They do not prevent infections from occurring. Instead, they help reduce the frequency and severity of infections, make infections easier to treat, and allow antibiotic ear drops to be used instead of oral antibiotics in many cases.
The decision to place ear tubes is based on your child`s history, hearing, speech development, and how much recurrent infections are affecting their daily life.
If your child seems to have "another ear infection" every few weeks or has persistent fluid behind the eardrum, call our office. We can evaluate your child, monitor their ears over time, and determine whether an ENT referral may be appropriate.
Graduating college is a major milestone and it`s also a great time to take ownership of your healthcare.
As you transition into the next chapter, there are a few important health-related tasks that can help set you up for success.
Consider creating a healthcare checklist that includes:
✔️ Establishing care with an adult primary care provider
✔️ Understanding your health insurance coverage and any upcoming changes
✔️ Refilling medications before starting a new job or moving to a new city
✔️ Keeping a copy of your vaccine record and medical history
✔️ Learning how to schedule appointments, request refills, and access your patient portal
✔️ Knowing where to seek care for routine, urgent, and emergency health needs
Taking charge of your healthcare is an important part of becoming an independent adult. The habits you build now can have a positive impact on your health for years to come.
Recent graduates, what`s one adulting skill you wish someone had taught you sooner? Share your advice in the comments to help the next group of graduates prepare for life after college.
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Bringing home a new baby is exciting, and family and friends are often eager to visit.
While those visits can be special, it`s important to remember that newborns have immature immune systems and are more vulnerable to infections during the first few months of life.
It`s okay to set boundaries that help keep your baby healthy. Consider asking visitors to wash their hands before holding the baby, postpone visits if they`re feeling sick, avoid kissing the baby`s face or hands, and stay up to date on recommended vaccines such as Tdap and flu. Limiting large gatherings during the newborn period may also help reduce exposure to illness.
Remember, setting boundaries isn`t rude, it`s part of protecting your baby.
What boundary was most important to your family when welcoming a new baby? Share your thoughts or advice in the comments for other new parents.
817-865-3564
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Three-year-olds are busy learning, exploring, and becoming more independent every day! While every child develops at their own pace, this age often brings exciting growth in language, social skills, and physical abilities.
Many 3-year-olds are able to:
- Speak in 3–4 word sentences and carry on simple conversations
- Be understood by strangers about 90% of the time
- Follow 2–3 step directions
- Engage in pretend play and play alongside or with other children
- Name familiar colors and objects
- Run, jump, climb, and pedal a tricycle
- Wash and dry hands with some assistance
- Show a wide range of emotions and begin learning how to manage them
Remember, milestones are guidelines, not deadlines. Children develop at different rates, and one area may progress faster than another.
Your child`s annual well visit is a great time to discuss developmental milestones, behavior, sleep, nutrition, and preschool readiness. Call our office if you have questions or concerns about your child`s development.
817-865-3564
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As children grow into teenagers, discipline should evolve too.
While younger children often respond to immediate consequences and close supervision, teens benefit most from clear expectations, consistent boundaries, and natural consequences that help them develop responsibility and decision-making skills.
Instead of focusing solely on punishment, consider using discipline as an opportunity to teach. Encourage problem-solving, discuss choices and consequences, and involve your teen in creating solutions when appropriate. For example, if a teen repeatedly misses curfew, a consequence related to earning trust and demonstrating responsibility is often more effective than an unrelated punishment.
What discipline strategy has worked best in your home during the teen years? Share your ideas in the comments. You may help another parent navigate a challenging season.
817-865-3564
arborpediatrics.com
#arborpediatrics #southlaketexas #southlaketx
Does your teen get winded during exercise? Sometimes it`s simply a matter of conditioning, but other times it may be exercise-induced asthma (exercise-induced bronchoconstriction).
Poor conditioning typically causes a gradual increase in breathing rate and fatigue during exercise that improves with regular training.
Exercise-induced asthma, however, often causes symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty keeping up with peers, especially during vigorous activity.
Symptoms may occur during exercise or even 5–15 minutes after activity has ended.
Exercise-induced asthma is common in teens and should not prevent participation in sports or physical activity. With proper treatment and an asthma action plan, most teens can safely participate in the activities they enjoy.
A rescue inhaler used before exercise is often an effective way to prevent symptoms, but it`s important to make sure your teen has the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
Does your teen use a rescue inhaler at school? School medication forms are available on our website, can be completed at your next asthma follow-up visit, or can be requested by calling our office. Let`s make sure your child has access to their medication when they need it.
817-865-3564
arborpediatrics.com
#arborpediatrics #southlaketexas #southlaketx