Shoreline Pediatrics provides high-quality, personalized care for infants, children & teens in Muskegon MI.

Homesickness is common when students are adjusting to college. Missing home, feeling lonely, or having occasional difficult days often improves as they develop routines, make connections, and become more comfortable in their new environment.

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, isolation, major changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty functioning, or loss of interest in usual activities may be signs of depression and deserve attention.

Students can begin with their college health or counseling center. They may also contact Shoreline Pediatrics to ask whether a virtual visit is available and appropriate based on their location and needs. Seeking help early can keep symptoms from becoming more difficult to manage.

If a student is thinking about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 for immediate support or call 911 for an immediate danger.

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Walk-in sick visits, and Flu Shots, are back! Stop in Tues–Thurs from 8:30–9:00 AM for quick care—no appointment needed.

Diabetes can affect children and teens, and recognizing the symptoms early can help prevent serious complications. Type 1 diabetes symptoms may develop quickly, while type 2 diabetes can be more gradual and easier to overlook.

Possible signs include increased thirst, frequent urination or new bed-wetting, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, mood changes, or blurry vision.

Without enough insulin, the body may begin producing dangerous levels of acids called ketones. This can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, a life-threatening complication that requires immediate medical treatment. Warning signs may include vomiting, stomach pain, fast or deep breathing, fruity-smelling breath, confusion, or extreme sleepiness.

Contact your child’s pediatrician promptly if you notice possible diabetes symptoms. If your child has warning signs of DKA, go directly to the emergency department.

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Happy Halloween from all of us at Shoreline Pediatrics! 🎃👻

We hope your family has a fun and safe night filled with costumes, laughter, and plenty of treats.

Remember to carry a flashlight, stay on sidewalks when possible, check all candy before eating, and use extra caution while driving through neighborhoods.

Have a safe and happy Halloween! 🧡

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The clocks may fall back by one hour, but children’s internal clocks do not change overnight.

A few days before the time change, gradually move bedtime, wake time, meals, and naps about 15 minutes later each day.

Keep the usual bedtime routine, limit screens before bed, and use morning sunlight and daytime activity to help reset the body clock. Babies and younger children may still wake at their usual time for several days, so patience and consistency are helpful.

Most children adjust within about a week. If sleep difficulties continue or significantly affect your child during the day, talk with their pediatric provider.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Walk-in sick visits (and Flu Shots) start Tuesday, November 3rd! Stop in Tues–Thurs from 8:30–9:00 AM for quick care—no appointment needed.

An active patient portal can make managing your child’s healthcare simpler.

Depending on the features offered by your practice, the portal may allow you to send non-urgent messages, request medication refills, complete forms, review visit summaries, view lab results, and receive important updates from the office.

The portal also keeps much of your child’s health information in one secure place, making it easier to prepare for appointments and follow care instructions afterward.

Sign up for the patient portal at Shoreline Pediatrics, or take a moment to confirm that your current account is active and your contact information is correct. Contact the office if you need help getting started. Our portal website is: https://shoreline.pcc.com/portal/session/new

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Weaning from bottles and pacifiers can be a big transition for toddlers, especially when they are closely tied to comfort and sleep. Gradual changes are often easier than stopping everything at once.

For bottles, begin by replacing one daytime bottle with an open or straw cup, then slowly work toward removing morning and bedtime bottles. Offer milk with meals, water between meals, and create a new bedtime routine with books, songs, or cuddles.

For pacifiers, start by limiting use to naps and bedtime. When your family is ready to stop, choose a consistent plan and offer another source of comfort, such as a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or extra snuggle time.

Prolonged bottle use can increase the risk of cavities, especially when used at bedtime, and continued pacifier use may affect how the teeth and mouth develop. If weaning feels difficult, ask your child’s pediatric provider at Shoreline Pediatrics or their dental provider for guidance.

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shorelinepeds.com

Turn your fall pumpkin into a fun, hands-on learning activity! 🎃

Try one or more of these ideas together:
• Predict how many seeds are inside, then count them
• Measure the pumpkin’s height and circumference
• See whether it sinks or floats
• Explore and describe the different textures
• Compare the sizes, shapes, colors, and weights of several pumpkins
• Use the pumpkin to bake muffins, bread, or another fall treat

Younger children can practice counting, sorting, and describing. Older children can record their predictions, measurements, and results.

A little curiosity can turn an ordinary pumpkin into a family science experiment, and a whole lot of fun.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com