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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

As part of that commitment, the AAP publishes expert advice for parents, caregivers, and patients on Pediatric Patient Education. Information can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and many titles also are available in Spanish.

  • Sibling Support—Autism Toolkit

    Siblings might ask about autism if they’ve heard you use the term, but they’re more likely to ask about what their brother or sister is doing (ie, behaviors). There is no “perfect time” for these conversations, but starting early and revising your description for age appropriateness can be very

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  • Siblings Arguing

    Most siblings argue and quarrel. They verbally fight over possessions, space on the sofa, time in the bathroom, or the last donut. On most days, siblings are friends and companions, rather than rivals. Some friction occurs in most close relationships.

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  • Sickle Cell Trait

    Information and guidance on sickle cell trait.

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  • Single Parenting

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how single parents can support their children and themselves.

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  • Sinus Infection - Bacterial

    A bacterial infection of one or more of the sinuses

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  • Sinus Infection - Viral

    A viral infection of the sinuses. A normal part of the common cold

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  • Sinus Pain or Congestion - Symptom

    Fullness, pressure or pain on the face over a sinus. Sinus pain occurs above the eyebrow, behind the eye, and under the cheekbone.

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  • Sinusitis and Your Child

    Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses. It is a very common infection in children.

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  • Skateboarding and In-line Skating (Care of the Young Athlete)

    Although skateboarding and in-line skating were once considered extreme sports, they are now both very common activities for children. Skateboarding and in-line skating involve street skating (using public areas such as sidewalks, steps, handrails,

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  • Skiing and Snowboarding (Care of the Young Athlete)

    As winter sports are gaining in popularity, young children are hitting the slopes to learn skiing and snowboarding. However, not every young child may be prepared for the experience. Your child's age, strength, and ability to cooperate are a

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  • Skin Conditions and Sports Participation (Care of the Young Athlete)

    Most skin conditions do not affect sports participation. As a general rule, young people with skin conditions should be allowed to participate in sports as long as there is no risk of blood or body fluid coming into contact with other athletes.

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  • Sleep - Confusional Arousals

    Confusional arousal is a partial wake-up in which children sit up in bed and talk, but usually don’t make much sense. They act confused and can’t be fully awakened. Peak age is 1 to 6 years.

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  • Sleep - Day Night Reversal in Newborns

    Information and guidance on when your baby wakes up more frequently during the night than during the day.

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  • Sleep - Early Morning Riser

    Children who wake up early before their parents do, usually between 5 and 6 AM. They come out of their bedroom and want everyone to get up. Early morning risers are not waking early on purpose. They are no longer tired. They’ve been put to bed too early the night before.

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  • Sleep - Nightmares

    Nightmares are scary dreams that wake a child from sleep. Occasional bad dreams are normal at all ages.

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  • Sleep Apnea and Your Child

    Does your child snore a lot? Does he sleep restlessly? Does he have difficulty breathing, or does he gasp or choke, while he sleeps? If your child has these symptoms, he may have a condition known as sleep apnea.

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  • Sleep Problem from Feeding Until Asleep

    A baby over 6 months old who can’t sleep through the night (at least 7 straight hours). Wakes up and cries one or more times a night to be fed.

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  • Sleep Problem from Holding Until Asleep

    A baby over 6 months old who can’t sleep through the night (at least 7 straight hours). Wakes up and cries one or more times a night to be held.

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  • Sleep Problems - Prevention

    Good sleep habits don’t just happen. You need to have a plan. It’s far easier to prevent sleep problems than it is to treat them later.

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  • Sleep Problems in Children

    Sleep problems are very common during the first few years of life. Problems may include waking up during the night, not wanting to go to sleep, nightmares, sleepwalking, and bedwetting. If frantic upset persists with no apparent cause, call your child's doctor.

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  • Sleep Problems: Your Child’s Sleep Diary

    Children differ in how much sleep they need, how long it takes them to fall asleep, and how easily they wake up. If you are concerned about your child’s sleep habits, talk with your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor may ask you to keep a sleep diary to help track your child’s sleep habits.

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  • Sleep Problems—Autism Toolkit

    Sleep problems are common in children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One-half to one-third of children with ASD have sleep problems.

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  • Sleep Talking

    Sleep talking is a partial wake-up in which children talk in their sleep. They act confused and can’t be fully awakened, but are usually calm.

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  • Sleep Terrors

    Sleep terrors are partial wake-ups in which children act terrified. They act confused and can’t be fully awakened.

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  • Sleeping Well: Tips for Parents of Babies and Young Children

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help ensure a good night’s sleep for children—and parents too!

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  • Sleeping with Parents (Bed-Sharing) - How To End It

    Your child sleeps with you during all or part of the night. You want to stop sharing your bed with your child

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  • Sleeping with Parents (Bed-Sharing) - Pros and Cons

    Sharing the bed with your child. Bed-sharing should be avoided during the first year of life. Reason: Safe sleep.

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  • Sleepwalking

    Sleepwalking is a partial wake-up in which children walk in their sleep. They act confused and can’t be fully awakened, but are usually calm.

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  • Smoking and E-cigarettes: What Parents Need to Know About the Risks of Tobacco Use

    Many people think that the only people harmed by tobacco use are smokers who have smoked for a long time. The fact is that tobacco use can be harmful to everyone. This includes unborn babies and people who don’t smoke.

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  • Smoking and E-cigarettes: What Parents Need to Know About the Risks of Tobacco Use

    Did you know that about 80% of teens in the United States don't smoke? They've made a healthy choice.

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  • Soccer (Care of the Young Athlete)

    Soccer (known as football outside the United States) is one of the most popular team sports in the world. Soccer also can be a way to encourage children to be physically active while they learn about teamwork and sportsmanship.

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  • Soft Spot in Babies - Normal

    The soft spot is a diamond shaped area on the top of the head. The medical name for this non-bony spot is the anterior fontanel. There’s another much smaller fontanel in back. It may be harder to find.

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  • Solid Foods (Baby Foods)

    This topic deals with how to introduce solid (baby) foods to young infants.

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  • Sore Throat - Symptom

    Pain, discomfort or raw feeling of the throat. Pain is made worse when swallows

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  • Spells - Unexplained

    Information and guidance on unexplained spells.

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