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Rachel Nelson MD

graduated from Loma Linda University and completed a pediatric residency at UC Davis. She has a passion for helping children reach their full potential. She is married to a colorectal surgeon and together they have two children: Amy and Michael. Dr. Nelson enjoys playing outside with her kids, gardening, and music.

Summer Activities to Get Kids Moving

Summer Activities to Get Kids Moving

Activity is very important for children. One of the contributors to the obesity epidemic is lack of activity. There are multiple factors that contribute to children not moving: lack of safe playgrounds,…

Getting Kids to Drink More Water

Getting Kids to Drink More Water

Occasionally, my children come to the hospital with me while I round on patients. This morning, they sat in the nurses lounge and happily colored. When I came to collect them, I…

how many calories does my child need

How Many Calories Does My Child Need?

One of the common questions I get from parents is “How many calories does my child need?” With 1 in every 3 children overweight and almost 2 in every 5 children obese…

Sibling Fight! Dealing With Quarrelsome Children

Sibling Fight! Dealing With Quarrelsome Children

I groan as my three-year old son jabs his chubby fingers into my ears. “Good morning momma!” He chirps cheerfully. I bury my head into my pillow and try to ignore him.…

Vaccines Part 2: Answers to Common Objections.

I have two precious children. I hate seeing them sick or suffering. Yet, as a pediatrician, I see lots of sick and suffering children every day, it makes my heart ache. In…

Vaccinations Part 1: My Story

It was August 2013. My 17 month-old son, Michael, had just been released from the hospital after being diagnosed with a very rare intestinal disorder. He had been on continuous intestinal feeding…

The Many Benefits of Breastfeeding

The Many Benefits of Breastfeeding

“Breast is best” seems to be the mantra of new mothers in the 21st century. In the United States, 77% of mothers now choose to breastfeed and half of these are still…

Teething Baby? 5 Tips to Soothe the Pain

At 12 months, my daughter Amy had two teeth and some good-looking gums for her 1st year photos. Even at 18 months, she sported only 6 teeth. Her teeth came in slowly…

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