Is that backpack too heavy? It might be hurting your child now . . . and in the future. Check out this video.

Olivia test drives a new Strider bike, donated to Northfield Hospital + Clinics by Downtown Bicycles. Owner Tom Bisel donated two Strider pediatric balance bicycles to benefit kids in physical therapy at NH+C’s Rehabilitation Services clinic.

“Bikes let kids practice balance and weight-shifting,” says pediatric physical therapist Heidi Richardson, PT. For kids with physical challenges, “they get to do something that’s a typical family outing activity, something other kids are doing at school or in the neighborhood – they get to do it, too.”

By Ben Flannery, MD

You may be hearing about manganese levels in Northfield drinking water, and might have health concerns for infants. This is relevant only for formula-fed babies, and there’s a simple solution.

Manganese naturally occurs in drinking water and can be found in rocks and soil. It’s a naturally occurring element that our bodies need.

Pediatrician Ben Flannery, MD helps you understand childhood vaccines – why your child needs them, when to get them, and common side effects.

The Vaccine Schedule

Vaccinations generally begin at two months of age, with one exception—the hepatitis B vaccine, which is given at birth. The two-month, four-month, and six-month vaccine installations include:

By Bryan Hoff, MD

Getting enough sleep improves students’ academic and athletic performance, overall health, and quality of life.

For teens, getting enough sleep isn’t just a matter of how much . . . it’s when they sleep.

First job? I was a hostess at a golf course restaurant all during high school. I learned customer service, and how to work with people – good skills that still serve me well.

Free time? I love gardening; flowers, vegetables, all of it. I like getting my hands dirty and making things look beautiful. My husband and I like to go camping; the North Shore is one of our favorite spots. Our dog Esther sometimes goes camping with us.

Waking up for school can be tough on kids and parents. Shifting from summer to a busy (early!) school routine makes it tempting to cut corners on sleep. But kids age 5 to 12 need 10-11 hours of sleep per night, and teenagers often fall short of the 8-10 hours of sleep they need each night.

And it’s more than mere hours that matters. “Healthy sleep” requires appropriate timing, daily regularity, good sleep quality, and the absence of sleep disorders, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Dr. Kraushaar loves the laughter and curiosity of kids. She’s a pediatric specialist who cares for children and adolescents in the Northfield Clinic, starting August 7.

“I enjoy working with families to provide the best possible care for their children during all the stages of growth and development,” Dr. Kraushaar says. “The best part of my job is working with children. There is always laughter and curiosity.”

It’s a return to Northfield for Dr. Kraushaar, who is a graduate of St. Olaf College.

Enjoying summer activities? Make sure you’re protecting your head.

Sports and activities with a risk of head contact can cause concussions. So can everyday falls, collisions, and other accidents at home or work.

Physical therapist Chris Myatt, DPT, MS talks about recognizing – and treating – concussions.

If you hit your head and lose consciousness, or you suspect you might have a concussion, see your health care provider and review your symptoms together, including:

Northfield has been designated as a “Bookend Community,” where every primary care clinic in town takes part in Reach Out and Read, a national program that gives free books to kids at their health checkups, and gives advice to parents about reading aloud to their young children.