Dr. Nicole Baldwin

Confessions of a "Type A" Dr. Mom

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  • Media
  • Reality Check,  Uncategorized

    Tik Tok…BOOM

    March 5, 2020 /

    January 10th, 2020 was a Friday. Two days before I had posted my FIRST video to a social media app called Tik Tok. For those who don’t know, Tik Tok is a video-sharing social network where users (primarily adolescents) share short form (15 – 60 second) videos typically lip syncing and dancing to popular music. I had decided to join Tik Tok so that I could reach more adolescents with messages about their health and wellness than I was able to reach on my other social media platforms.  Back to Friday – 1/10/2020. I arrived early to work with an idea for a couple of videos that I wanted to…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    October 11, 2018

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    September 26, 2018

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    October 27, 2018
  • Parenting,  Wellness

    Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)

    November 3, 2018 /

    I know that using the work “jerk” is not very kind or PC or whatever – and when I first started writing this post, I was going for the positive, heartwarming feelings about gratitude and how to foster that in our kids. But let’s be real – no one wants to raise a kid that is grumpy all of the time or that others perceive as rude or ungrateful. I think most parents can agree that we want to raise kind, loving, compassionate children who live happy and fulfilled lives (aka NOT grumpy jerks) but we don’t always know how to go about it. Stick with me – I’m here to…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    6 Tips For Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child

    October 3, 2018

    E-cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs To Know

    September 26, 2018

    Do’s and Don’ts When Talking To Your Kids About Shots

    September 13, 2018
  • Safety

    Halloween Safety 101

    October 27, 2018 /

    Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for many children – I mean, what other time do you get to dress up and pretend to be something or someone completely different AND people give you free candy…SCORE!! I LOVE Halloween…like, LOVE it!! Not the scary, creepy stuff – but the pumpkin carving, candy passing out, dressing up part is the BEST in my mind.  Since she was young, my daughter and I have been dressing up together – and it is one of my favorite things to do with her (although sadly now that she is in high school, our “couples” costume days may be ending). That doesn’t…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)

    November 3, 2018

    Self-care ISN’T Selfish: How to Fill Your Cup to Help Your Family THRIVE

    October 11, 2018

    Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent

    September 18, 2018
  • Nutrition

    Got milk? A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Milk for Your Child

    October 14, 2018 /

    We’ve all heard it said…milk, it does a body good. But what exactly makes milk so great? Regular consumption of milk in childhood and adolescence helps prevent osteoporosis.  Diets high in milk and dairy products have been shown to reduce childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and facilitate weight loss when combined with a healthy diet. Drinking low fat milk products reduces risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Milk may even protect against certain types of cancers. There are lots of different types of milk on the shelf and it can be confusing to know which one is best for your family (even as a pediatrician). After researching the current data…

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    Change Your Life in 3 Easy Steps

    September 12, 2018

    Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)

    November 3, 2018

    Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent

    September 18, 2018
  • Parenting,  Wellness

    Self-care ISN’T Selfish: How to Fill Your Cup to Help Your Family THRIVE

    October 11, 2018 /

    Parenting is freaking HARD! It’s stressful, emotional and downright exhausting! And it seems like all day, every day you are bombarded with messages telling you to “enjoy the journey” and “this too shall pass.” Let me be the first to say that I GET IT!! Not only have I been IN your shoes, but I see parents daily that seem like they are just holding it together by a thin, wispy, ready-to-break-at-any-moment thread. The perception that parents are more stressed than the average Joe is not imagined. A 2017 Gallup poll showed that 79% of Americans feel that on a daily basis they frequently or at least sometimes encounter stress!…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    E-cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs To Know

    September 26, 2018

    Tik Tok…BOOM

    March 5, 2020

    Halloween Safety 101

    October 27, 2018
  • Parenting

    6 Tips For Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child

    October 3, 2018 /

    Whining and crying and tantrums, OH MY! Parenting a strong-willed child can be exhausting, disheartening, overwhelming and extremely frustrating!! Trust me – I have been in your shoes! My daughter has been extremely strong willed from day one (a trait she inherited from her mama). I like to joke with her that she was in time out “40 times per day” between the age of 2-4 years…and then FINALLY between 4-5 years, things settled down. Now don’t get me wrong…she is incredibly opinionated, occasionally argumentative, and very driven – but her constant fighting and arguing have improved after years of discipline, consistency and a bit of “creative” parenting.   When…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    September 26, 2018

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    September 12, 2018
  • Parenting

    E-cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs To Know

    September 26, 2018 /

    I’m about to admit something kind of embarrassing. Until last spring, I didn’t really know that e-cigarette use was a huge deal and I had NO idea what a “JUUL” was or that “juuling” was something I should be concerned about as a parent and a pediatrician. As a routine, I always ask my teenage patients about their substance abuse habits (in Peds we often refer to these as the “Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll” questions): Do you smoke cigarettes? Do you use marijuana or other drugs? Do you drink alcohol? etc. I’m going to be honest here – I live under a bit of a rock and don’t read…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    Tik Tok…BOOM

    March 5, 2020

    Halloween Safety 101

    October 27, 2018

    Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent

    September 18, 2018
  • Parenting

    Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent

    September 18, 2018 /

    I have a confession to make. You know that parent on the sideline of the soccer game. The one who is super loud and likes to shout at her kid to “HUSTLE!!!” The one who doesn’t care what the coach TOLD her kid to do, she’s going to instruct them to do something completely different. That was me. I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit this about myself, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I am a recovering toxic sideline parent (the first step is to admit you have a problem, am I right?). What exactly IS a “toxic sideline parent?” I tried to find…

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    Halloween Safety 101

    October 27, 2018

    Tik Tok…BOOM

    March 5, 2020

    Self-care ISN’T Selfish: How to Fill Your Cup to Help Your Family THRIVE

    October 11, 2018
  • Wellness

    Be a Flu Fighter

    September 16, 2018 /

    As a pediatrician, one of my most important jobs is preventing illness in my patients – and one of the most effective tools that I have at my disposal to perform that job is vaccination. Every year at this time, I feel like a broken record: “Did you get your flu vaccine yet?” “It’s that time of year for your flu vaccine!” “You’re not sure about the flu vaccine? Let’s talk about some reasons why I strongly urge you to get your child vaccinated.” I could go on…but I won’t. If you’ve ever wondered WHY your pediatrician seems so “pushy” about the flu vaccine this time of year, here are…

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    Dr. Nicole Baldwin

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    September 13, 2018

    Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)

    November 3, 2018

    Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent

    September 18, 2018
  • Parenting

    Do’s and Don’ts When Talking To Your Kids About Shots

    September 13, 2018 /

    It’s that time of year again – flu clinic time. Every fall the sounds of crying children fill the halls of my office as they come in for their flu vaccines. So often I see or overhear parents trying their hardest to do what is best for their child, but making some pretty common mistakes. Here is a list of my most common DO’s and DON’Ts for parents when your child is getting a vaccine: DON’TS DON’T TELL YOUR KIDS THAT SHOTS DON’T HURT. That is a lie. Shots DO hurt. Getting a shot consists of a needle breaking the skin. It’s not a pleasant sensation. When parents tell children…

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12

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This one’s straight from the heart today… For This one’s straight from the heart today…

For parents struggling with transitions right now - I feel you!

I’m preparing to send my daughter off to college for year 2 and TBH it’s not much easier than it was last year. 

If you’re facing a transition in your parenting journey - be it sending your child to college or kindergarten (or anywhere in between) - try to take some time for yourself during this time so that you can be more fully present for your kids when they need you. 

Sending good vibes your way for a smooth transition 😘.

#parenting #parentingteens #collegebound #pediatrician #toughlovetuesday #drbaldwinsays
IYKYK 😳 #pediatrician #pediatrics IYKYK 😳

#pediatrician #pediatrics
You learn something new every day!! I’ll be hon You learn something new every day!!

I’ll be honest - I didn’t realize that acetaminophen concentrations in countries outside of the United States were still different between infant’s & children’s formulations!! Honestly, it seems silly to me given the high risk of toxicity with overdose that ALL countries wouldn’t adopt uniform concentrations - but I guess I don’t really have a say in that 😅.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure that parents are aware that if they purchase acetaminophen outside of the US, they need to carefully check the concentration and ask their physician or pharmacist if they’re unsure about appropriate dosing. 

#medication #medicationdosing #medicationsafety
*NOTE* - THIS IS ONLY APPLIES TO ACETAMINOPHEN IN *NOTE* - THIS IS ONLY APPLIES TO ACETAMINOPHEN IN THE UNITED STATES!

Who knew?!?!

I will often recommend that families get ONE bottle of infant acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) mainly for the syringe and then after that, buy the children’s bottle - it’s more cost effective. 

Please be sure to always check the dosage (based on weight), do not administer under 12 weeks of age (unless directed to do so by a physician), and keep those bottles stored away from curious little ones (acetaminophen overdose can be fatal). 

Give me a ❤️ if you already knew this and share with your friends who may not be aware. 

*Also note, children’s ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) and infant’s ibuprofen ARE NOT the same concentration and therefore they are different dosages (which is super annoying and I wish that would change - but it is what it is for now). 

#pediatrician #pediatrics #parentsofinstagram #medication #medicationsafety #parentsoftoddlers #parentsofinfants #drbaldwinsays
One of the hardest things you will ever do as a pa One of the hardest things you will ever do as a parent is…let your child fail. 

It sucks as a parent to watch your child struggle. 

BUT - the only way our kids will learn resilience is to actually fail and then try again. 

If we continually rescue our children from every uncomfortable situation or struggle, they will grow up believing that they need someone else to  rescue them or even worse they will avoid any situation that is challenging. 

So - let them fall. Let them struggle. Let them fail. And then praise the EFFORT. Tell them you’re proud of how they handled that situation. Brainstorm about how to approach the situation in the future to help overcome that struggle. 

If your goal is to raise self sufficient, confident, resilient adults, then you need to back off and let them struggle a bit as kids. 

Tell us about a time you were proud of your child for overcoming a challenge 👇

#parenting #parentingtips #resilience #drbaldwinsays #pediatrician #parentsofinstagram
I NEVER buy merchandise at concerts. It’s genera I NEVER buy merchandise at concerts. It’s generally overpriced and I really don’t need another t-shirt. 

But I saw this shirt at the Ed Sheeran concert on Saturday night and I knew I had to have it. 

Not only do I love butterflies, but I truly feel that I’m finally back to a place with my mental health where I can spread my wings again. 

The last year(ish) felt like I was trapped inside of a dark cocoon. I kept trying to break free and slowly but surely, I have emerged. I’m getting back to who I once was, yet I’m forever changed from the past several years. 

Thanks to everyone who stuck by me and continues to support me on this journey. 

If you’re feeling down, please reach out for help! You are worth it!

And if you know someone who is feeling down, please let them know you’re there for them. It’s in our darkest times that we often need others to bring their light.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #drbaldwinsays @teddysphotos
Head, shoulders, knees & toes… As a general ped Head, shoulders, knees & toes…

As a general pediatrician, I specialize in all things child - from tummies to ears, and boogers to poop. There’s not too much I haven’t seen (or heard) in the past 20 years. 

I absolutely LOVE what I do and feel so privileged that families trust me with their most precious little one’s health and well-being. 

Over the last few years, medicine has been challenging - lots of critics and armchair “doctors” out there which makes my job a bit more challenging. 

Will you do me a favor and drop a note in the comments about what you love about your pediatrician or even better - share this with them or tag them in the comments so they know they’re appreciated. I think ALL of us in the field could use some positive vibes 🥰.

#pediatrician #pediatrics #parentsofinstagram #parents #parenting
When you have a child at 18 and never get to exper When you have a child at 18 and never get to experience the “pre-kid” phase with your husband, empty nesting just hits different…

#emptynest
If I could choose ONE thing that is important for If I could choose ONE thing that is important for EVERY family to institute ASAP it would be…

Family meals!

Eating together as a family is soooo important to help establish and keep that connection with your kids. 

We know that kids who regularly eat meals with their family tend to perform better in school, have better self-esteem and are less likely to abuse drugs. 

This doesn’t have to be a big production:

Sit together 
No screens
Eat
Talk

That’s it. 

It can be food you’ve cooked. 
It can be take-out. 
It can be ANY meal of the day. 

Give me a ❤️ if you eat regular meals as a family and drop your struggles with family meals in the comments so we can help each other problem solve 👇👇👇

#familymeals #pediatrician #parenting #drbaldwinsays #parentingadvice #parentsofinstagram #parentsofteens
You want straight-up answers to common parenting i You want straight-up answers to common parenting issues? I’m your girl. 

You want someone to sugar coat things so you don’t feel guilty? I’m NOT your girl. 

And guess what - if I’m not your girl, that’s OK! Feel free to unfollow if you don’t like or are annoyed by my content. No hard feelings. 

Thanks to @kindcotton for using this sound and taking me back to my Jr. High days 🤩

#pediatrician #pediatrics #drbaldwinsays #parenting #parentingadvice
Time to clear up a common misconception I see in m Time to clear up a common misconception I see in my office about fevers…

Giving a fever reducer doesn’t actually “take the fever away” or do anything to treat the illness that is the reason for the fever. 

Fever reducers work to block the inflammatory response in our body that is leading to the elevated temperature (aka fever) but once that medicine wears off, that inflammatory response often comes right back (and that’s normal).

When to be concerned about fever:

🚩If your child is less than 3 months of age
🚩If your child has a temp of 100.4 or above for more than 5 days
🚩If your child is dehydrated (not urinating AT LEAST every 6-8 hours)
🚩If your child is lethargic when their temperature is back to normal
🚩If your child is immunocompromised

Please call your pediatrician right away if your child has any of those 🚩

As far as “height” of fever that we get worried about - there really isn’t a number. We look more at how your child is acting vs. the number on the thermometer. That being said, if your child’s temp is above 104.5 it’s very reasonable to call your pediatrician just to check in (but it’s unlikely you will need to go to the emergency room). 

Drop any ???’s you have about fever in the comments 👇

#pediatrician #pediatrics #drbaldwinsays #fever #parentsofinstagram #medicalinformation
OK parents, no more lies… Do shots hurt? Yep D OK parents, no more lies…

Do shots hurt? Yep

Do we have a shot for “bad behavior?” Nope

Will your kid most likely freak if you tell them you’re going somewhere else and instead you show up at the doctor’s office? Yep

Lying to your kids about these little things will gradually erode the trust they have in you. Just don’t do it. 

Thanks for coming to this episode of Tough Love Tuesday. Share away if you feel so led 😘 

#toughlovetuesday #drbaldwinsays #parentsofinstagram #parenting #pediatrics #pediatrician
It’s that time of year again…SPORTS PHYSICAL t It’s that time of year again…SPORTS PHYSICAL time!

Please don’t waste your time and 💰 at random clinics…call your Pediatrician!

If your child has had a Well Visit within the past year, they may not even need to be seen to compete the forms! If they HAVEN’T had a well visit, you can knock that out in one visit WITH the sports physical that most insurance companies will cover. 

And when you do come - please bring ALL the necessary forms (including the questions you answered either online or paper because we DO review those questions). 

Hope this helps save you (and your teenager) a little extra time this summer!!

#pediatrician #pediatrics #drbaldwinsays #sportsphysical #highschoolathlete @ohioaap @ameracadpeds
My sweet Holland 😍. Those eyes get me EVERY TIM My sweet Holland 😍. Those eyes get me EVERY TIME!! There’s DEFINITELY a human soul in there!!

#labradoodle #australianlabradoodle #lovemydoodle #doodle @gooddaydoodles
We call them “threenagers” for a reason! To a We call them “threenagers” for a reason!

To all the parents living through this phase - it DOES get better!

3 year olds are learning to exert their independence and that often means questioning EVERYTHING and straight refusing to do things that don’t suit them (they’re pretty much all narcissistic during this stage of development). 

So what’s a parent to do???

✅ Pick your battles 
✅ Offer CHOICES rather than commands
✅Be consistent with consequences

❌Give in to every tantrum
❌ Be wishy washy in your discipline
❌ Ask open ended questions

Good luck out there! I promise this phase doesn’t last forever!!

#parenting #threenager #threenagerlife #pediatrics #drbaldwinsays #parentsofpreschoolers #parentsofinstagram
Not even sure why this person is choosing to comme Not even sure why this person is choosing to comment on my post, but regardless - if you don’t want to buy someone’s course…don’t buy it. 

But also, don’t expect us to give our time, energy and knowledge away for FREE all the time. 

End rant.
Parents - TAKE NOTE Refillable water balloons can Parents - TAKE NOTE

Refillable water balloons can contain strong magnets that if removed and ingested can cause SERIOUS damage to tissues that can even be life threatening. 

I hate that sometimes my job is being a total buzz kill because these seem super cool (and who wants to fill a million water balloons) BUT they can be very unsafe. 

IF you have these PLEASE make sure the magnets are secure and that you talk to your kids about NEVER removing magnets from toys and NEVER putting magnets in their mouth/nose/ears/etc. 

Truth be told, it’s best to just pitch these altogether. 

Let’s just go back to the good ‘ol days of running through the sprinkler 💦😅. 

#safetyfirst #safety #pediatrician #drbaldwinsays #parentsofinstagram #childsafety
Do things that make you smile… I’ve shared in Do things that make you smile…

I’ve shared in the past how I’ve struggled with my mental health. I had a period where I was feeling pretty down and just not myself. Slowly but surely I’m coming back and it’s little gestures like this that keep me going!

I got this sweet gift from a patient’s family and I had ZERO clue what to expect…but it definitely has made me smile and reminds me why I really do love being a Pediatrician 🥰. 

And could there be a more perfect message - “It’s not symmetrical or perfect. But it’s Beautiful!” - Encanto

Thank you to this family - you know who you are 😘

Also - I was wrong - the picture is Squirt and not Crush…please don’t revoke my Disney Adult status 😅. 

#bewell #actsofkindness #bekind #disney #encanto #smile #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters
TOUGH LOVE TUESDAY is BACK! My OG’s may remembe TOUGH LOVE TUESDAY is BACK!

My OG’s may remember that I like to tell it like it is…no holds barred…because sometimes sugar coating things doesn’t do anyone any good. 

So for #toughlovetuesday reboot #1 I’m here to tell you - if someone is telling you about (or SELLING you on) this ONE perfect parenting strategy that will work no matter what - run the hell away. 

There is no one perfect way to parent your child - so don’t let influencers, friends or relatives make you feel guilty because you’re not doing XYX parenting method. 

Kids are unique.
Family dynamics change. 
What works for one child or one family may not work for another. 

Thanks for coming to my TED talk 😜. 

#drbaldwinsays #parenting #parentingtips #parentsofinstagram #pediatrician #momsofinstagram #dadsofinstagram
Do you have an anxious child? Do you find yoursel Do you have an anxious child?

Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety?

Try this quick breathing technique to help calm that fight-or-flight response you feel when you’re feeling anxious. 

If 4 seconds is too long in the beginning, you can start with 2-3 seconds and work your way up. 

It’s important to practice “box breathing” at times when you’re not feeling particularly stressed or anxious so you are then able to draw on that experience when you ARE feeling anxious (rather than trying something brand new during a moment when all your brain wants to do is panic).

Please share this video or tag a friend below who might benefit from learning box breathing. 

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #anxiouskids #drbaldwinsays #mentalhealthmonday
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Meet Dr. Baldwin

Dr. Nicole Baldwin is a pediatrician in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has worked in primary care pediatrics since completing her residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Baldwin is a wife and mother of 2 amazing children. She draws on her experience as a mom and a pediatrician to bring readers relevant, up-to-date information about parenting, child health and general wellness.

Check out my latest posts

  • Tik Tok…BOOM
  • Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)
  • Halloween Safety 101
  • Got milk? A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Milk for Your Child
  • Self-care ISN’T Selfish: How to Fill Your Cup to Help Your Family THRIVE

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