What to Know About Popular Respiratory Infections: Viral, Bacterial, and Walking Pneumonia
‘Tis the season of the respiratory infection. This season has been especially confusing with the increasing rate of walking pneumonia. As a pediatrician, I often encounter parents concerned about their child’s cough, runny nose, or
Listen: Dr. Hoffman “You might be panicking about the wrong stuff” on The Snooze Button Podcast with Brittany Sheehan
Listen on Apple or Spotify. Thanks to our host, Brittany Sheehan, mom and sleep and potty training expert of Brittany Sheehan Sleep and The Snooze Button. Overview: Cold & flu season is upon us, which means
Discover the Upper West Side: Fun and Affordable Activities for Younger Kids
At Manhattan Valley Pediatrics, we’re proud to serve all families in our diverse community. Our founders are both pediatricians and moms; we understand the importance of keeping your little ones engaged and entertained. Our
Tips for Staying Healthy in the City
We all know how hard it is, summer fades away and fall creeps up as your trying to get into the swing of things. Before you know it, with school or daycare or commuting to and
Top 10 Tips for Kids’ Fall Allergies
MVP invited Dr. Jennifer Toh from ENT and Allergy Associates to help us better understand how relieve common symptoms that come up when the late summer starts and fall creeps in. Check out Dr. Toh’
Fireworks, Concerts & Hearing in Kids
MVP invited Dr. Alyssa Hackett from ENT and Allergy Associates to help us better understand how fireworks and attending sporting events like baseball games, concerts, and more can affect our children’s hearing. Check
Why I Love Ms. Rachel
We Had a Special Guest in the Office I’m sure some of you noticed we had a celebrity in the office a few months ago…none other than Ms Rachel!! MVP was fortunate
Types of Bug Bites, Stings, Repellants and more!
As the weather warms up and we spend more time enjoying the outdoors here in New York City, it’s important to be prepared for potential insect encounters. While most bug bites are just annoying
Meningitis in Children to Young Adults: What Parents Need to Know
Meningitis is a severe infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord. It can affect people of all ages, but infants, young children, and adolescents are at higher risk
10 Things Your Toddler Sleep Consultant and Pediatrician Want You to Know about Toddler Sleep Training
Thank you to Jennie, your friendly toddler sleep consultant from Tiny Duck Parenting who provided MVP families with a free toddler sleep training webinar recently. We wanted to follow that training by sharing some tips
Anxiety Resources for Families
Books for Parents: Our top recommendation – Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD by Eli R. Lebowitz Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide
Toddlerhood and Tantrums Resources for Families
Online resources: Big Little Feelings Instagram Account = @biglittlefeelings https://biglittlefeelings.com/ Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Dr. Becky at Good Inside Instagram Account = @drbeckyatgoodinside Dr. Rebecca Hershberg Instagram Account = @rebeccahershbergphd Book: The Tantrum Survival Guide
Depression Resources for Families and Patients
Long before the COVID pandemic, families with adolescents and teens wondered if their kid was acting normal for their age or was there something more troublesome going on. Depression is treatable when identified and aided by
Grief Resources for Families
We know that death and grief are hard and inevitable parts of life for us all. Explaining death and the feelings associated with grief may be difficult for families with children of all ages and stages
ADHD Resources for Families
Books: Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
Navigating Flu Season: A Parent’s Guide to Protecting Children
As flu season rolls in, parents face the annual challenge of protecting their children from this common yet potentially severe illness. Understanding the importance of flu vaccinations, recognizing symptoms in children, and adopting effective prevention strategies
Autism Resources for Families
There are many online resources for parents. Below are various websites to get started: Start by reading the “100 Day Kit” on The Autism Speaks Website: Children diagnosed at age 4 years or under: https
Essential Child Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, NYC families anticipate festive celebrations and travel. However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to prioritize the safety of our kiddos. This article offers essential child safety tips for
Does Your Child Have Croup?
Help! My child woke up in the middle of the night sounding like a seal?! What is happening? This scenario is a common occurrence in childhood and is typical of croup. Croup is not the
What is the new RSV vaccine Beyfortus?
What is the RSV vaccine Beyfortus? Beyfortus is not technically a vaccine, as it does not cause the body to make its own antibodies against RSV. Rather, it provides a dose of pre-made antibodies
Good news! Bite-Sized Parenting by Sharon Mazel is available today!
MVP is proud to announce the book launch of our friend, Sharon Mazel. Today is the “official” launch day of Bite-Sized Parenting, Your Baby’s 1st Year! We’re also excited
FAQ’s with MVP: Our Standard Office Fees
All are Welcome Here In recent months many pediatric practices have started charging annual fees to families in their practice. These fees are meant to cover the extra work pediatricians do outside of business hours; phone
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (aka Coxsackie Virus) Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), aka Coxsackie, is a virus that causes sores around the mouth and throat and a rash on… you
Marijuana Use in Adolescents
Quick Stats: It’s no surprise that adolescents commonly experiment with drugs and alcohol. More than 40% of adolescents in the US admit to trying an illicit drug. This is not limited to high schoolers
All Are Welcome Here, a Pride Month Blog by Dr. Prantik Saha
An Inclusive Practice and Ally for LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families I think we can all agree that as parents, caretakers, pediatric care providers, and teachers, we want the best for all children. What does that
Air Quality Tips for Parents
Save and share these tips from NYC pediatrician and mom of two, Dr. Judith Hoffman, on decreasing exposure to harmful pollutants like smoke. As the skies over NYC turned a glowing orange on Tuesday night
Does My Infant Need Vitamin D Supplementation?
At every newborn visit the topic of Vitamin D supplementation comes up, usually at the end of the visit as a side note- “oh by the way, you need to give your baby a vitamin D
Top 5 Questions to Ask When Looking for the Right Pediatrician
Like almost everything else related to child-rearing, people have very strong opinions about their pediatricians. Finding the right pediatrician can feel like a big task, especially for new parents. Here are five useful questions to
Why Are Kids So Stressed Today?
Stress is part of daily life no matter one’s age, and children and teens are not immune. With each passing year, life seems to move faster and become more complicated. The stakes seem to get
Starting Solids for Infants
Starting solids is an important milestone for you and your baby! It’s an exciting new stage in your baby’s development that often comes with a lot of questions: When should I
Your Child is Diagnosed with ADHD, Now What?
Sophia was at work when her phone rang. She looked down at the caller-id and immediately felt a pit in her stomach. It was Jack’s school again. What was it this time? His inability
How to Tell if Your Baby Has a Cold or RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)! It’s a hot new topic these days, and everyone is panicking. Is it the new COVID? Should we go back into quarantine? Is it time to wash our groceries
What is Infant Torticollis and Should I Be Concerned?
What is Infant Torticollis and Should I Be Concerned? Infant or Congenital Torticollis is a common condition that usually results from the way an infant was positioned in utero. Infants with torticollis have a tight
Your baby may sleep less while teething — here’s how you can soothe their pain and help them rest
Is your baby’s teething interrupting their sleep? Insider health writer Courtney Telloian interviewed our very own Dr. Judith Hoffman to get the “inside” scoop on what families can expect when babies
My child has a fever? A guide for parents
The number one after-hours call we get at MVP? MY CHILD HAS A FEVER! We know that it can be very scary when your child, no matter their age, has a fever. A few
Puberty 101: Boys
An overview of puberty for parents and families with young sons, ages 9-14 At MVP we usually start the puberty discussion with boys at the nine or ten-year visit. Often parents are surprised
Puberty 101: Girls
An overview of puberty for parents and families with young daughters, ages 8-13 At MVP we usually start the puberty discussion with girls at the 9-year visit. Often parents are surprised when we
Sunscreen & Heat Safety Tips for Families
Happy summer MVP families! Hope you’re staying hydrated and finding lots of ways to stay active while having fun as a family! Please refer to this post when shopping for sunscreen and reapplying wherever your
Pride 2022: A Review of LGBTQIA Resources w/ Dr. Saha
LGBTQ Legislation Across Country The flurry of legislation that is being passed in many states in this country has targeted LGBTQIA communities in an alarming fashion. In Florida, there is a bill that has passed making
All the things that haunt you late at night in one blog post!
Intro to Gross Stuff: Let’s face it- no one wants to discuss lice, bed bugs, pinworms, or scabies. But let’s also face it- this stuff happens and we have to face the music sometimes
Choking Prevention for Infants and Children
Wednesday, 5/18 MVP is hosting our first Basic Infant and Child CPR and Choking Prevention Class. Email info@manhattanvalleypediatrics.com to be notified of our next class later this summer! Many of the families
Our IG Live with UWS Allergist, Dr. Loewy
MVP talked Seasonal Allergies with a local allergist, Dr. Elizabeth Loewy. We at MVP were lucky enough to have some time for a one on one conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Loewy, a beloved Upper West Side
Dr. Hoffman’s Experience with Sleep Training her 4.5 month old
DR. HOFFMAN HAD A BABY RECENTLY As my second child approached four months, my husband and I were getting a lot of “you look tired” comments. I was investing in a lot of under-eye concealer
RSV- What is it and why do we see it?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, it is a viral infection that we usually see in the late fall and winter. RSV usually causes a regular old cold in most children and adults. In younger babies
Top 10 Questions Asked by Expectant Parents
1) How quickly after we leave the hospital do we need to see our pediatrician? We generally see newborns 2-3 days after you leave the hospital. The pediatrician who sees your baby at the hospital
Teen Mental Health Wellness
Our tweens and teens are a vital part of our active community. Today we want to recognize the struggles that teens face in these digitally charged days. For World TEEN Mental Wellness Day we want to
12 Facts About Newborns
12 interesting facts about newborn babies for parents and families. Great reminders for both first-time families and growing families
Does My Kid Need A COVID Test (And if so, what kind?)
One of our most common phone calls at night and over the weekend is: DOES MY KID NEED A COVID TEST? Usually, the call is triggered by a fever, cold symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting, or a COVID
Infant and Toddlers Car Seats and Air Bags: What You Need to Know
Unfortunately, car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in children each year. One of the most important ways to protect your children in a car is by properly buckling them into an appropriate
Lyme Disease – What You Need to Know
As the weather heats up and kids spend more time playing outside, ticks become a bigger threat. Although Lyme Disease can be contracted throughout the year, cases spike between the months of June and October. With
Understanding and Treating Concussions
In order to understand how to identify and treat a concussion it is important to understand what a concussion is. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), generally caused by a sudden
Diversity & Inclusion Book List
Grades K – 2 Immigration Mama’s Nightingale Mango Abuela & Me Coming to America The Keeping Quilt Going Home Primer dia en las uvas El camino de Amelia Pancho rabbit and the coyote My Name
When to start Potty training your child
Potty training is an extremely important development in your child’s (and your own) life. We’re here to provide you with the information you need to help your child take this big step. At what
Infant Solid Food Introduction
Most of you love food and eating, and hopefully you can pass this onto your little one. Many parents find starting solids overwhelming or stressful at first, we are hoping this information helps to make
Some Exciting Updates from MVP!
Some big news from Manhattan Valley Pediatrics… Now Offering Rapid Antigen Testing! This testing is covered by insurance for all kids. For parents it is $75 out of pocket, or $100 if they want both the
Everything you need to know about the COVID Vaccine…
As we celebrate the FDA approving two COVID-19 vaccines recently, many questions have arisen. Here are some thoughts from the MVP team. If you have any other questions, please reach out to your pediatrician. – What
Grow with Us: The Newborn
In this video, Dr. Grant and Dr. Hoffman give you the rundown on everything a new parent needs to know in the first two weeks of their Newborn’s life
Alcohol and Breastfeeding
Alcohol and Breastfeeding You have been abstaining from alcohol for a full nine months and have finally delivered your precious newborn… is a celebratory glass of champagne ok? Or will it get your little one
Weed and Breastfeeding
Using Marijuana and Breastfeeding. Let’s talk about it. Now that recreational marijuana is legal in many states, (besides New York…) parental marijuana use has become a less taboo topic during routine visits. More and
Is It a Boy or Is It A Girl
“Is it a boy or is it a girl?” This is a very common question in the minds of new parents-to-be. After all, will there be a gender reveal party? What kind of baby
Workshop: Talking Race/Racism with Children
We often avoid talking about race with our young children but, whether we like it or not, children notice similarities and differences between people. When we are silent, they are left to draw their own conclusions
Newborn Welcome Note
Congratulations! Welcome to the practice, or welcome back if you’ve been here before. The purpose of this email is to give you some basic information about your new baby that you can refer to
Why Isn’t My Baby Sleeping?
As the late afternoon intense fatigue sets in, I walk into the office and smile as I see my four month old patient and her family. “Hello!” I greet them cheerily. “How are you? What’s
Ear Pain in Children
Is Ear Pain Normal in a Baby or Child? Ear pain is the most common reason parents bring their children to the pediatrician. Children are more prone to ear infections because they have smaller Eustachian
Seasonal Allergies
Beautiful spring day, light wind on your face, warm sun beating down…. your child sneezing non-stop, constant sniffing and eye-rubbing, cough keeping her up all night…. Seasonal allergies can be like a thunderstorm on
COVID-19 Response
We wanted to take some time to communicate information about COVID-19 to the Manhattan Valley Pediatrics community. We are aware that there have been a lot of mixed messages out there and hope you can
Eczema
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that caused dry, red, itchy skin in all age groups. Eczema will come and go based on a number of factors. Approximately 65% of patients with eczema
Dental Care
Good dental care starts as soon as your baby gets his/her first tooth. Unfortunately, many kids still develop cavities and tooth decay. That’s why it is important to set up good dental habits from
Post-Partum Depression
Let’s talk about postpartum depression. Although we are pediatricians, we feel, as a practice, that it is important that we care for parents as well. During your visits at MVP we want you to feel
Vomiting in Children
Vomiting in children is often caused by a virus. The dreaded stomach virus is usually self limited but can be scary and stressful for both child and parents. The mainstay of treatment is to help keep
Breastfeeding
Working as a pediatrician in Manhattan, many of the families I work with choose to breastfeed. We’ve all heard the facts; breastfed infants are healthier, they have fewer ear infections, fewer stomach viruses, their intestines