News from Dr. Schramm

 New free online parenting, coaching and teenage mental health services! The state of California (Dept of Health Care Services) has invested in the following services so that they are FREE for all California residents: #1:  Brightlife Kids provides unlimited online coaching services for kids 0-12 years old and their parents. This may include parenting, help for sleeping, worries, tantrums and healthy coping skills.  If a child's issues need more in-depth help then therapy will be recommended and they (and I) can provide more resources.  Here's the website!   hellobrightline.com/brightlifekids #2:  Soluna app; for teens 13 and up: The Soluna app provides anonymous, confidential 1:1 mental health coaching either over the phone or chatting through the app anytime. Read more about it at  solunaapp.com

Now available: Immunization to protect babies from RSV, a yearly cold-like illness that is particularly serious in newborns and very young infants. Unlike other colds, it frequently goes to the chest, and because babies have tiny lungs they fill up with mucus quickly. They can have wheezing, labored breathing, pneumonia, or stop breathing. About 2/3 of babies catch it their first RSV season, approximately October through April. About 20% of these infants develop wheezing, and 2% of healthy, full-term babies are hospitalized and 6% of preterm infants, with the youngest at the highest risk. We all continue to catch RSV every year or two, but with fewer symptoms each time because of stronger immune systems and bigger lungs (until over 50, when it worsens again; people over 65 are also advised to get this immunization). This RSV immunization (Beyfortus) is different from vaccines in that it is actually an injection of antibodies against RSV. A single dose will circulate for at leas...

 My favorite sleep expert, Dr Craig Canapari of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center, has a great article on this.  "Falling Back"

 Affected by the infant formula shortage or just wondering about the differences in brands?   Substitute formula recommendations during the shortage Everything you wanted to know about choosing a baby formula

 Small but fascinating study suggesting that even low levels of light when we are sleeping can activate our sympathetic ("fight-or-flight") nervous system and adversely affect our blood sugar regulation and cardiac health.   Original article in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences And the NPR summary

  Today's announcement from the LACDPH: Starting tomorrow, Los Angeles County vaccination providers may begin offering the Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds at vaccination sites that offer the Pfizer vaccine. All eight county run sites will be open tomorrow and able to vaccinate children 12-17; teens should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.  For a full list of sites across the county offering Pfizer vaccines, please visit  http://bit.ly/PfizerSites  . To schedule an appointment, visit  www.VaccinateLACounty.com  beginning this evening; walk-ins are welcome at all 8 county-run sites.  Parents or teens with questions about the vaccine should contact their healthcare provider or visit the  Public Health  website for more information on vaccine safety and efficacy. From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Safety Pfizer and CDC officials reviewed data on safety and e...