Good Growing

Springtime and Mental Well-Being

Did you know that each spring, there’s a predictable rise in mental and behavioral health concerns among kids and teens? This may seem surprising, and the reasons for this yearly trend are not fully understood — but pediatric mental health experts have some strong theories.

The first is school-related stress, which can include more testing, a big push or panic to improve grades, general burnout, worries over college decisions and increased social pressures due to events like prom and graduation.

Next is ‘spring fever.’ The season brings more daylight and more activities, but often less sleep, leaving kids worn out.

Kids may also struggle more with body-image issues in the spring. As the weather warms up and lighter clothing is needed, tweens and teens may have trouble shedding their concealing layers for styles that reveal more of their bodies.

Stay alert to the signs of mental health problems — especially those that impact the quality of daily life. Be aware if your child or teen:

• Is feeling very sad or withdrawn for two or more weeks.
• Has severe mood swings.
• Shows big changes in behavior.
• Is having many problems in friendships and other relationships.
• Has a sudden, overwhelming fear or worry that does not match the situation.
• Seems unusually irritable.
• Displays explosive anger.
• Has trouble sleeping.
• Changes their eating habits.
• Loses weight suddenly or unexpectedly.
• Spends so much time alone it interferes with other activities.
• Starts hanging out (in person or online) with others who are an unhealthy influence.
• Is taking new risks, like using drugs or alcohol.
• Has lots of stomachaches or headaches.
• Avoids school or isn’t doing as well as they used to.

The good news is that parents and caregivers can support kids’ mental wellness. Check in regularly, talk things out, validate their feelings, encourage and support their healthy habits, and keep structure and routines in place. Eating meals together as a family is a sure and simple way to connect!

If you have concerns, start with your child’s doctor. Also consider Seattle Children’s Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic, which offers both in-person and video visits. (In any case, be sure your child gets human, professional help, rather than turning to an AI chatbot.)

Visit the Mental Health Resource Hub for a wide range of information and available support.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse Is on the Rise

Alerts from the Washington Poison Center warn of local and national spikes of nitrous oxide abuse through inhalation or ‘huffing.’ Hospitalizations and deaths are up, especially among adolescents and young adults.

Nitrous oxide cuts off oxygen to the brain and creates a brief, euphoric high and lightheadedness. Regular use can cause numbness, loss of strength, and life-threatening blood clots.

Nitrous oxide has legal, legitimate purposes. It’s used by medical and dental professionals for pain relief. It’s also a propellant used to make whipped cream and culinary foams; for this purpose, it’s sold in small metal canisters called chargers. When used for huffing, nitrous oxide has many nicknames, including whip-its, chargers, galaxy gas and hippie crack.

Parents and caregivers can be on the lookout for evidence of nitrous oxide abuse, including silver metal chargers and uninflated balloons, which are used for huffing. And of course, watch for behavior changes and talk regularly with your child about making healthy choices.

Baby Loungers Are Not Safe for Sleep

Baby loungers are a popular product, but they’re not safe for sleeping babies — not even for a quick nap. Child-safety experts want parents and caregivers to be aware of the risks. Baby loungers are designed for use only when a baby is awake and supervised. Still, serious accidents can occur, resulting in suffocation, entrapment and falls.

What is a baby lounger? It’s a type of support cushion — typically an oval with an indent in the middle and slightly raised sides. This concave or ‘scoop’ shape is designed for babies under 9 months old to be placed on their backs. So, while baby loungers may be marketed as an alternative to a play mat on the floor, they don’t allow for tummy time, which all babies need under close supervision.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced stricter design and usage standards for baby loungers in 2025. However, safety risks still exist. Suffocation can happen when a baby turns their face into the side cushion or rolls into it and cuts off their air supply. It’s also possible for a baby to roll completely out of the lounger and get trapped underneath. And if the lounger is on a countertop or another elevated surface and the baby rolls out, the fall can cause severe injuries.

Check out these tips to keep your baby’s sleep space as safe as it can be.

Is It a Cold or Nasal Allergies?

Colds and nasal allergies are both very common. While the causes are different, they share certain symptoms.

Colds are caused by viruses. If your child has a cold, their symptoms can include a stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and low energy. Kids with colds usually start to feel better within 5 days, and all symptoms are usually gone in about 14 days. Colds do not cause itching of the nose, eyes or other areas.

Nasal allergies are caused by airborne allergens. Common irritants are seasonal pollens, household dust, pet dander and mold. Nasal allergy symptoms can include a runny nose, sneezing, sniffing and an itchy nose. Often, nasal allergies cause the eyes to be red, watery or puffy. Kids with allergies may also complain of itchy eyes, skin and ear canals. However, nasal allergies do not cause a fever.

If you have questions about prevention and treatment for colds and allergies, visit the symptom checker and talk with your child’s doctor.

New Autism Videos

Experts at Seattle Children’s Autism Center have created two new animated videos for families. They’re part of a series being developed to support families before, during and after a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The 8-minute video, ‘Autism as a Medical Diagnosis,’ provides an overview for anyone who is curious about the condition. The 4.5-minute video, ‘How to Get an Autism Evaluation,’ helps families navigate how to get a diagnostic evaluation for their child. A formal diagnosis is important, so families can better understand their child’s differences and get support.

Six more videos will be released in the coming months, so check back for additional topics. The series was made possible through the generous support of Wizards of the Coast.

See more resources created or curated by Seattle Children’s on the Autism Center’s Patient and Family Education page.

Understanding Growth Plate Injuries

If your child is ever treated for an injury, their doctor may raise concerns about your child’s growth plates. Children and teens have patches of growing tissue (a rubbery cartilage) near the ends of the long bones in their arms, hands, legs and feet. Some of these growth plates determine how long a child’s bones will be once their bodies mature. Most growth plates have hardened into solid bone at around age 14 to 15 for girls and 16 to 17 for boys. Because growth plates are softer and weaker than bone, they are vulnerable to injury. Any damage to these areas before the growth plates harden can permanently affect a child’s growth or lead to deformities in the shape of the bones.

The most typical areas for growth plate injuries are the elbows, wrists, fingers, knees and ankles. These injuries can be caused by falls, collisions and overuse. Overuse injuries tend to happen to kids who play competitive sports — and especially those who play one sport year-round, rather than those who switch sports each season.

Symptoms of a growth plate injury include pain or tenderness at the injury site, especially when direct pressure is applied. There may be swelling, bruising, redness or warmth — plus loss of movement or strength. Doctors diagnose growth plate injuries through physical exams combined with imaging such as X-rays. Treatment may involve stabilizing the bone with a splint or a cast, or perhaps surgery.

Prevention is key. Be sure your child is in proper condition for their sport, uses the right gear, and warms up and cools down. Kids should never ‘play through the pain.’

When injuries happen, it’s important to get pediatric specialty care to prevent problems with bone growth as your child or teen develops. Learn about Seattle Children’s Sports Medicine Program, with several locations that treat children, teens and young adults for sports-related injuries, including the Orthopedic Injury Urgent Care option.