In honor of Baby Sleep Day 🤍
Peaceful nights start with safe, simple routines.
Newborn sleep can feel overwhelming, but small, consistent habits make a big difference.
As a pediatrician, I focus on practical, safe routines that help babies settle more easily and give parents a little more confidence at night.
Swipe for 8 pediatrician-approved sleep tips to help your baby settle easier tonight. 🌙
Tag a parent that needs more sleep... 😶🌫️💤
#newbornsleep #pediatricianapproved #safesleep #newmomtips #mustelapartner
As a Pediatric ER doctor, I know this is a hot topic, and I may get some heat in the comments — but I’ll always prioritize your baby’s safety over anything else. ❤️
There is never a completely safe way to bed-share. But I also know many families do it anyway — out of exhaustion, bonding, feeding, or survival. Instead of pretending it doesn’t happen, I want to support every parent with the best information to help keep your baby safe.
Here are the most dangerous bed-sharing situations:
⚠️ With a premature or under-4-month-old baby
⚠️ If alcohol, drugs, or sedating medications are in your system
⚠️ When you’re extremely exhausted (harder to wake and respond)
⚠️ With baby sleeping between two parents
⚠️ On a couch or armchair
⚠️ With multiple children in one bed
⚠️ If baby is sleeping on your chest
If you still choose to bed-share, here are ways to lower the risk:
✔ Always place baby on their back
✔ Keep pillows, blankets, and soft bedding away from baby
✔ Use a firm mattress — no pillow-top or memory foam
✔ Dress baby lightly to prevent overheating
✔ Ensure the mattress fits snugly in the frame with no gaps
✔ Never fall asleep with baby on your chest
✅ The safest setup is when baby sleeps in their own space — like a bassinet or crib — in your room for at least the first 6 months.
Every family deserves support — not judgment. You are doing the best you can in a tough season. And if this helps even one baby sleep safer tonight, then it’s worth it. 🤍
Have questions about safe sleep? Drop them below — I’m here to help. 👶✨
#safesleep #pediatrics #babysafety #bedsharing #roomsharing #parentingtips #babysleephelp
#safesleeptips #babysleepsafety #infantsafety #bedsharingawareness #cosleepingsafety #pediatricianapproved #babysleeptips #sleeptraininghelp #fourthtrimester #newbornsleep #newmomlife #newparenttips #momsofinstagram #dadsofinstagram #safesleep7 #breastfeedingmom #postpartumlife #babiesofinstagram #motherhoodunfiltered #parenting101
Comment “COUGH” below for my favorite pediatrician-approved products — especially this one — to help your family get through those dreaded nighttime coughs this cold and flu season! 💙
As a pediatrician, I know upper respiratory infections are some of the most frustrating to get through. During the day, your child’s cough may seem manageable — but at night, it can feel endless.
So why does it get worse once they lie down?
👉 Gravity: When your child is flat, congestion drips down the back of the throat, triggering the cough reflex as their body tries to keep mucus out of the lungs.
Helpful guide for nighttime cough 👇🏻
😮💨 Elevation: Slightly elevate your child’s head with a pillow or wedge to help drainage and reduce coughing. (Only for children over 1 year old.)
🍯 Honey: Give a teaspoon of honey in warm water after dinner. (Only for children over 1 year old — never for infants.) Honey naturally calms coughs and can help improve sleep.
😷 Steam: Create a “steam room” by running a hot shower (keep kids away from the water) and sitting together in the bathroom for 10–15 minutes. The moisture loosens mucus and helps them breathe easier.
💧 Saline Spray: Clear nasal passages before bed. Spray, wait 15 minutes, then have your child blow their nose to reduce post-nasal drip and coughing.
🌬️ Humidifier: Use a cool-mist humidifier to keep the air moist and relieve congestion. Clean it daily and use fresh, sterile water.
Dr. Katie 💙
#pediatrician #kidshealth #nighttimecough #coldandfluseason #pediatrics #coldandflu #momhacks #parentingtips #childrenshealth #pediatricianmom #winterwellness #sickdaytips #coughrelief #humidifier #salinespray #honeyforcough #momlife #momapproved #healthykids #upperrespiratory
⚠️ POOL SAFETY TIP you might not have thought of — straight from a pediatrician.
One summer, a baby turned on a garden hose and suffered second-degree burns to a third of his body. Why? The water inside had reached 140°F — hot enough to scald skin in less than a second.
It’s a danger most parents don’t expect, especially during pool days and backyard play.
☀️ Garden hoses left in the sun — especially darker-colored ones — can become dangerously hot, and that first burst of water can cause serious burns.
Here’s how to help protect your child:
• Store hoses in the shade whenever possible
• Choose lighter-colored hoses when you can
• Always turn the hose on first, test the water, and let it run cool before your child gets near it
• Be cautious with other outdoor water sources too — like outdoor showers, splash pads, or shallow pools sitting in direct sun
As we head into summer (and May being National Water Safety Month), I’ll be sharing more simple safety tips to help prevent accidents before they happen.
Save this post + share with another parent — it could help prevent a serious injury.
Dr. Katie
#WaterSafetyMonth #PoolSafety #SummerSafety #PediatricianTips #ChildSafet
Comment "MESSFREE" below for a direct link to all of our favorite pediatrician-approved mess free toddler toys for the Summer ☀️
I’m always looking for easy activities I can pull out during the Summer that keep kids entertained without turning the house upside down 😅
These are the kinds of toys we reach for over and over again because they’re:
✔️ Low mess
✔️ Easy to set up
✔️ Great for independent play
✔️ Less overstimulating than a lot of flashing/noisy toys
✔️ Perfect for hot afternoons, travel days, or quick indoor breaks
Honestly… sometimes you just need something simple that buys you 20 minutes without glitter ending up in your couch 😂
#ToddlerToys #MessFreePlay #SummerActivities #ToddlerMom #MomHack
Something many parents may not realize about eczema…
it often worsens overnight.
As a pediatrician, I see this pattern a lot—kids going to bed relatively comfortable and waking up more red, dry, and itchy.
There are a few reasons for this:
• The air tends to be drier at night → pulling moisture out of the skin
• Heat gets trapped in pajamas and blankets → increasing irritation
• Kids often scratch in their sleep → creating that itch → dryness cycle
So by morning, their skin is already more inflamed before the day even starts.
The good news—there are simple ways to help support their skin overnight:
✔️ Choose breathable pajamas (cotton over synthetic fabrics)
✔️ Keep the room cool and well-ventilated
✔️ Be mindful of your nighttime routine—what goes on their skin before bed really matters
Using gentle, eczema-friendly products—like those from @mustelausa —can help restore moisture and support the skin barrier overnight. Their Stelatopia line is specifically designed for eczema-prone skin and is one I often recommend for nighttime routines.
Even small changes can make a noticeable difference by morning!
Dr. Katie
#ad
As the weather warms up and kids start spending more time outside… ticks become a lot more common this time of year ☀️🕷️
Between camps, sports, hiking, parks, and outdoor play, it’s important parents know exactly what to do if they find a tick on their child.
The good news? Staying calm and removing it properly can make a huge difference 👏 This video is a great example of how to safely remove a tick the right way.
Here are some of the biggest tick removal mistakes parents should avoid:
❌ Using heat or chemicals
Never use things like petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol, or a hot match to try to make the tick detach. This can irritate the tick and increase the risk of infection.
❌ Squeezing or crushing the tick
Avoid squeezing the body of the tick, which can release infectious fluids into the skin.
❌ Grabbing the tick incorrectly
Use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
❌ Twisting or yanking the tick out
Pull upward slowly and steadily to avoid leaving mouthparts behind.
❌ Throwing the tick away immediately
Place it in a sealed bag or container in case identification is needed later.
❌ Not monitoring symptoms afterward
Watch for rash, fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, or joint pain in the days and weeks after a bite.
And this time of year, prevention matters too 👇
✔️ Use bug spray
✔️ Wear protective clothing in wooded areas
✔️ Always do tick checks after outdoor activities
Watch the reel above for a step-by-step guide on proper tick removal 🎥
Dr. Katie
#ticks #tickremoval #lymedisease #summer #summercamp
🩺 Comotomo Baby Bottle. Refined.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Comotomo is partnering with 9 wonderful experts who deeply care for moms, babies, and families.
Across 3 special giveaway posts, each giveaway will feature Comotomo alongside 3 expert partners who support families through every stage of the parenting journey.
👇 HOW TO ENTER 👇
Step 1: ✅ Follow @foreverfreckledmd and @comotomobaby
Step 2: 💬 Tag a friend in the comments below!
✨ Bonus Entry:
Each expert will select 10 winners from their own giveaway post.
Follow all featured experts and comment on each giveaway post for a chance to earn up to 8 total entries ❤️
Across all giveaways, we’ll be gifting prizes to 100 winners total!
This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the love, care, and little moments that make family life so meaningful.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Comotomo.
Giveaway starts 05/08/2026 and ends on 05/13/2026 at 7:00pm PST.
🎁 Prize details: 1 Baby Bottle Gen 2
🏆 Winners will be shared in the comment and contacted via direct message.
(selected at random using a third-party randomizer tool)
📍 Open to U.S. residents ages 18+, only.
🔔 Please Note: This giveaway is not affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram. By entering, you agree to release Instagram from any responsibilities associated with this contest.
☀️ As we head into the warmer months and summer temperatures start climbing, one of the biggest things parents need to watch for is heat exposure in babies and young children.
Infants are much more sensitive to heat than adults — they overheat quickly and can’t cool down as easily. Here’s what every parent should know before spending long days outside this summer 👇
🚨 When is it too hot?
If the heat index (temperature + humidity) is 90°F or higher, it’s best to:
➡️ Stay indoors or in a shaded, well-ventilated area as much as possible
➡️ Avoid direct sun between 10am–4pm
➡️ Keep outings short and choose early morning or evening hours
🩺 Signs your baby may be overheating:
🔻 Flushed skin
🔻 Rapid breathing
🔻 Fussiness or lethargy
🔻 Hot to the touch but not sweaty
🔻 Fewer wet diapers
If you notice these signs, move your baby to a cooler area right away and contact your pediatrician if symptoms continue.
🌡️ Pediatrician-approved tips for hot summer days:
✅ Dress baby in lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or muslin
✅ Use a wide-brimmed hat and stroller fan outdoors
✅ Offer feeds more often to help maintain hydration
✅ Never cover a stroller with a blanket — it can trap dangerous heat
✅ Take frequent breaks indoors or in air conditioning
✅ Use a cool washcloth or lukewarm bath to help cool them down
✅ Apply baby-safe sunscreen if 6+ months and outside briefly
Bottom line: if it feels extremely hot to you, it’s even hotter for your baby.
Save this for summer ☀️
Dr. Katie
#babysafety #summerbaby #heatwave #pediatrictips #newmomlife
I love this video for so many reasons—but mostly because this is such a common reaction I see in the pediatric ER 😅
The name hand, foot, and mouth disease sounds way scarier than it actually is.
It’s a very common childhood illness—especially in younger kids and during the summer. It usually starts with a fever, followed by sores on the hands, feet, and in the back of the throat.
A few things parents always ask me 👇
What does it look like?
Small red spots or blister-like sores on the hands, feet, around the mouth (and sometimes diaper area). Inside the mouth you’ll often see painful ulcers.
Common symptoms:
• Fever (often first)
• Sore throat
• Decreased appetite
• Drooling (because it hurts to swallow)
• Rash with small blisters on hands/feet/mouth
Most important thing we watch for?
👉 Dehydration. Those mouth sores can make it uncomfortable to drink, so keeping kids hydrated is key.
When is it most contagious?
It spreads easiest in the first week (saliva, cough, stool), but kids can shed the virus for weeks after.
Can adults get it?
Yes—but it’s much less common since most of us have built immunity. If adults do get it, it’s usually more mild.
When to worry:
• Not drinking at all
• Fewer wet diapers / not peeing
• Dry lips, no tears
• Low energy or worsening symptoms
Bottom line: it looks scarier than it is—but hydration + comfort go a long way 💛
Dr Katie
#PediatricianTips #HandFootMouthDisease #MomLife #Parenting101
🛒 Comment “SNACK” below for our Pediatrician-Approved Snacks from Target!
We also added the ultimate snack container that every mom needs! HINT: it's not meant for snacks 👀
As we get into the end of the school year and everything starts to feel a little chaotic—events, activities, travel, shifting routines—this is one thing you can take off your plate: what snacks to keep on hand.
As a pediatrician and a mom, I always like to have easy, grab-and-go options ready this time of year. Think: something quick for after school, before activities, park days, or those long summer afternoons when everyone is suddenly hungry at once 🙃
These are some of our go-to snacks for this season—simple, convenient, and kid-approved.
As always, these are just suggestions. Snacks don’t need to be fancy or expensive. A balanced diet with whole foods, fruits, veggies, and hydration comes first—and everything else fits in where it works best ❤️
Dr. Katie
#TargetFinds #PediatricianMom #SnackTime #OnTheGoSnacks #HealthyKids
Comment "OUTDOOR" below for a direct link to our favorite pediatrician approved outdoor toys ☀️
As the weather is heating up, I always do a little backyard reset—toss the moldy toys, clean out the water tables, and bring in a few new favorites to freshen things up. We spend so much time back here, so it’s worth making it a space they actually want to play in. Here are some of my favorites that my toddler is obsessed with right now 💦
#toddlermom #momlife #backyardplay #outdoortoys #toddleractivitiesً
