CONNECTICUT CAR SEAT LAW

Infants must remain rear-facing until they are a minimum of both 2 years and 30 pounds.
Toddlers must be in a forward facing car seat with a 5 point harness until 5 years and 40 pounds.
Children should ride in a booster seat until they reach 8 years old and 60 pounds.
The Newtown Police Department's Child Passenger Safety Seat Unit assists with installing and checking car seats. Call 203-426-5841 to schedule an appointment.
Find out more Safe Kids Connecticut booster brochure.

Start the school year strong!

Connecticut Children’s has put together a back to school toolkit with age-appropriate tips to help your kids navigate the start of the school year. Open communication can help strengthen your relationship with your child or teen. Find tips at the CDC's Connecting Conversations for Families. Other tips:

*Nutrition*

Encourage your kids to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Encourage them to choose water, not juice or soda.

*Sleep schedule*

Gradual adjustment: Begin transitioning your child to their new school sleep schedule about two weeks before school starts. Gradually move bedtime and wake-up times earlier by 15-minutes each night to avoid a sudden shock to their system.

Importance of Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for focus, behavior, and overall well-being. Aim for 9-12 hours of sleep for children aged 5-12 and 8-10 hours for teenagers.

Screen time: Limit screen time at least 30 minutes before bed to help your child wind down and prepare for sleep.

*Daily routine*

Consistency is key: Establish a consistent daily routine that includes bath time, reading, and a calm bedtime environment.

Prepare for school: Help your child get ready for the school day by laying out clothes and packing lunches the night before.

Build excitement: Talk about the fun aspects of school, such as new friends and activities, to generate enthusiasm.

*Stress and Anxiety*

Reassure your child: Let your child know that feeling nervous about school is normal. Share your own experiences to help them feel less alone.

Identify signs of stress: Pay attention to changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, loss of interest in hobbies, or frequent complaints of tummy aches.

Create a sense of normalcy: Maintain familiar routines and highlight consistent elements of the school day to reduce anxiety.

Model good coping skills: Children learn by example, so demonstrate healthy ways to manage stress, such as relaxation techniques or exercise.

*Germs*

Hand hygiene: Emphasize the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of germs.

Flu vaccine: Schedule an appointment for a flu shot for your child to protect against the flu virus.

EAR PIERCING FOR THAT SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

We offer ear piercing for your child’s comfort and safety, reducing the chance of infection or complications. Ear piercing is available for patients 6 months and older. All piercings are based on the discretion of the nurse, child's cooperation and anatomy of the earlobe. Ear piercing is not covered by insurance and payment is due at the time of service. We supply the hypoallergenic starter earrings. Earrings must stay in for 6 weeks and cared for per our instructions, after which they can be changed out for other earrings.

Allergies, Ticks and Poison Ivy

If your child is prone to seasonal allergies, we recommend they start their oral allergy medications. If they are taking a prescription allergy medication call us early for refills.
Daily tick checks from head to toes are the best prevention! After being outside to come in, put the clothes in the washer, shower, and check for ticks. The risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is only about 1 to 3 percent. Ticks can’t transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease until they attach and begin to feed, which makes them engorged. This can take up to 48 hours, so if you find a tick that isn’t engorged, your child may be less likely to contract Lyme disease. All you need to do is to remove the tick and watch for symptoms. How to Remove Ticks: What To Do
Stay away from plants that have shiny leaves or leaves in a pattern of three. If you think your child had poison ivy contact and has developed a rash, try OTC hydrocortisone cream. If the rash is spreading and you are concerned, call our office.

BETTER HEALTH PROGRAM

We are a proud members of the Connecticut Children’s Care Network. Connecticut Children’s Center for Care Coordination (the Center) empowers families to advocate for their children and connects families to appropriate medical, behavioral, educational, legal and social services. The Center works in partnership with care coordinators across the state to provide local and focused care. For more information about the Center, call 860-837-6200 or email them at center@connecticutchildrens.org.

ARRAY RX PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

Connecticut residents are eligible to sign up for ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. Valid physical Connecticut addresses and email addresses are required to enroll, and a digital card will be provided after registering. The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs. For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.