Our Top 10 Blog Posts of 2017

For the past three years we have saved a slot on our calendar to list the top 10 posts of the year. In 2017, we shared year-over-year favorites, trending and newsworthy topics and told you about new initiatives. And, because YOU shared our content, we were able to spread unparalleled information about kids’ behavioral and mental health all over the world. Thank you.

1. 13 Reasons Why: Should Parents Be Concerned About This Netflix Series?

   As the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why (13RW) gained popularity, so did discussions about whether the stories and characters accurately portrayed tough subjects like bullying, sexual assault and suicide. Find out why our suicide prevention expert, Dr. John Ackerman, says 13RW misses the mark in critical ways.

2. The Poop Palette: What Do All of Those Colors Mean?

   Everybody poops and our doctors aren’t afraid to talk about it! They even created a handy chart with colors and consistencies so parents can recognize signs of trouble. Tip: red, white and black warrant a call to the pediatrician!

3. Fidget Spinners: Don’t Get Injured By This Latest Craze

   Dr. Mike is an emergency medicine physician, an award-winning podcaster on PediaCast and a world-class fidgeter! Here, he shares morals of the fidget spinner story.

4. New Guidelines: Early Introduction of Peanut to Prevent Peanut Allergy

   Were you told that your kids shouldn’t eat peanut butter before the age of 3? New guidelines suggest the wait may not be necessary. Check out this post and for more great allergy, asthma and immunology information, follow Dr. Stukus on Twitter where he “dispels myths one tweet at a time!”

5. Bed Bugs 101

   For the third year in a row, our annual post on bed bugs made the top 10. If you need us, we’ll be checking under our mattresses.

6. The Lone Star Tick and Red Meat Allergy: Should You Be Concerned?

   For the second year in a row, our top 10 blog post list contained more than one about bugs. Read why southern states aren’t the only ones who need to know about the Lone Star tick and the allergic reaction it can cause.

7. Teen Mental Health Issues and the “Not My Kid” Phenomenon

   Kids who are depressed don’t always seem like it and there are a multitude of reasons why you may never know your child needs help. This important post gives tips on how to talk to your kids about their behavioral health – even if you don’t think they need to have the conversation.

8. Ticks and Illness: Lyme Disease and Powassan Virus

   Bugs again! We’re beginning to sense a trend. No really. Predictions for 2017 showed the U.S. had the potential for the highest number of ticks reported in recent years, which also increased the risk of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Please pass the DEET.

9. Ear Tube Removal: Is It Necessary?

   Ear tube surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on children, but what happens if the tubes don’t fall out as a child gets older?

10. The Purple Butterfly Project

    This is one insect we don’t mind discussing. The Purple Butterfly Project is a beautiful program supporting families who have suffered loss in a set of multiple babies. This post explains the worldwide initiative that celebrates the life of the lost sibling(s) and brings awareness to the staff who cares for the survivor(s).

The 700 Children’s team thanks our great community of readers and authors who make this a destination for trusted pediatric health care information. We wish you all a wonderful 2018!