Your Pediatrician Friend

A Pediatrician in Your Pocket

Serving Minnesota families via telehealth

Headshot of Dr. Kate Harrington, pediatrician.

Clarity, reassurance, and a plan—from a board-certified pediatrician with 20 years experience, who truly knows your family.

Unlimited Texting Membership

Message me anytime about any child in your family. I reply personally within hours.

Same-Day & Next-Day Visits

For fevers, rashes, coughs, stomach bugs, school/daycare notes, and “should we be seen?” decisions.

30-60 Minute Consults

ADHD, anxiety, behavior issues, sleep struggles, constipation, eczema, headaches, second opinions, and more.

From the Blog: Real Answers for Real Parents

Featured
Raising a Resilient Teen Starts With These 5 Things
Raising a Resilient Teen Starts With These 5 Things

Parenting teens is hard. But building resilience in your child doesn't require saying the right thing or fixing everything. You just have to show up. Here's a simple framework for doing exactly that—and the science behind why it works.

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Ultra-Processed Foods and Kids
Ultra-Processed Foods and Kids

Nearly two-thirds of what American kids eat comes from ultra-processed foods—and the research on what that means for their health is growing. But before you spiral: this is not a reflection of bad parenting! Here's what a pediatrician actually wants you to know, and six realistic strategies for making small changes that stick.

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Spring is Here!! But Close That Window if Your Child Has Allergies
Spring is Here!! But Close That Window if Your Child Has Allergies

Spring is finally here! And that first instinct to throw open the windows is completely understandable. But if your child has seasonal allergies, that beautiful fresh air comes with millions of invisible pollen grains attached. A pediatrician explains why keeping the windows closed is one of the best things you can do this allergy season, and what to do instead.

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Why Your Child Always Seems Sicker at Night: A Pediatrician Explains
Why Your Child Always Seems Sicker at Night: A Pediatrician Explains

It's 9pm, everyone's finally in pajamas—and suddenly the cough seems a million times worse, the fever spikes, and your kid who seemed fine at dinner is now miserable. You're not imagining it. There are real physiological reasons symptoms get worse at night, and understanding them will help you respond with a lot more confidence and a lot less panic.

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Pediatrician-Approved Resources for Parents

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Seasonal & Environmental Allergies in Children: A Pediatrician's Guide for Parents
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Seasonal & Environmental Allergies in Children: A Pediatrician's Guide for Parents
$14.99

Does your child have a constantly runny nose, itchy eyes, or a cough that never seems to go away? Allergies in kids can be confusing—and the options at the pharmacy can feel overwhelming!

This guide was created to give parents clear, confident answers. Written by a board-certified pediatrician with 20 years of experience, it walks you through everything you need to understand and manage your child's seasonal and environmental allergies.

Inside the guide you'll find:

What allergies actually are—and why kids get them: Understanding the difference between seasonal and environmental triggers, and how to identify what's affecting your child.

Symptom guide: How to recognize allergy symptoms and tell them apart from a cold or other illness.

Medication guide: Including second-generation antihistamines with dosing by age, nasal steroid sprays with a comparison table, combination sprays, allergy eye drops, and nasal saline irrigation—so you know exactly what to use and when.

Practical management strategies Reducing exposure at home, school, and outdoors—without turning your life upside down!

When to consider allergy shots—and how to talk to your doctor: Wondering if your child's allergies have gone beyond what medications can manage? This guide explains allergy shots, who it's typically recommended for, and when it might be worth a conversation with a specialist. You'll also find practical guidance on how to prepare for that appointment—including what questions to ask and what information to bring—so you walk in feeling confident and ready.

When to seek extra help: Clear guidance on when allergies need more than over-the-counter management.

Perfect for:

  • Parents whose child has been diagnosed with seasonal or environmental allergies

  • Parents wondering if their child's chronic runny nose or cough might be allergies

  • Families heading into spring and fall allergy season

  • Anyone who wants to understand their options before walking into a pharmacy

Format: Digital PDF download with instant access after purchase.

Wishing your family a breath of fresh air—literally!

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Daycare Guide Cover SS product.png
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The Daycare/Preschool Illness Guide
$9.99 $14.99

It's 6:45am. Your child woke up with a runny nose and a cough. Daycare drop-off is in an hour. Sound familiar?

If your child is in daycare or preschool, you will face this moment over and over—because kids this age get sick 8–12 times a year. The question is never if, it's what do I do right now.

This guide was created to answer that question clearly, calmly, and without a Google spiral! Written by a board-certified pediatrician with nearly 20 years of experience, it gives you everything you need to make confident decisions when your child wakes up with something new—or when daycare calls.

Inside the guide you’ll find:

A step-by-step "Can They Go Today?" decision flowchart: Walk through your child's symptoms any morning and land on a clear answer.

The only 5 reasons your child actually needs to stay home (Most other symptoms aren't on the list—really!!)

Symptom-by-symptom breakdowns for:

  • Cough

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Nasal congestion/runny nose

  • Pinkeye

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Each section includes what the symptom usually means, when your child is okay to attend, and when to stay home. Plus a Pediatrician's Insight with the real advice your 15-minute appointment doesn't always have time for!

Quick reference for common daycare illnesses: RSV, flu, strep, croup, ear infections, Hand Foot & Mouth—what to expect and when they can return.

Virus timelines table: How long each illness typically lasts and when your child can go back

How to talk to daycare: Including a script for mild symptoms and a clear list of when you actually need to pick up.

Your sick season toolkit checklist: What to keep at home and what to send to daycare.

Perfect for:

  • Parents of kids ages 0–6 in any daycare or preschool setting

  • Families navigating their first sick season in group care

  • Anyone who wants a clear, calm answer at 6:45am instead of a Google rabbit hole

  • Parents who want to stop second-guessing every runny nose

Format: Digital PDF download with instant access after purchase.

Save it to your phone. You will use it more than once.

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Traveling with Kids: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Staying Healthy on Vacation
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Traveling with Kids: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Staying Healthy on Vacation
$9.99

Traveling with Kids: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Staying Healthy on Vacation

When you're traveling with kids, illness and unexpected health concerns can feel especially stressful–especially when you're far from home!

Have you ever googled “what to do if your child gets sick while traveling?” Well, this guide was created for you! It was developed to help parents feel prepared, calm, and confident if your child were to get ill while you’re away.

Written by a board-certified pediatrician, it provides clear, practical guidance for managing common travel health issues.

Inside the guide you'll find:

A travel health packing list

So you know exactly what medications and supplies to bring before your trip!

Guides for common travel illnesses

Including:

  • ear pain on airplanes

  • motion sickness

  • travelers’ diarrhea

  • altitude sickness

  • sunburn

  • swimmer’s ear

Each guide includes simple decision tools to help you know what to treat at home and when to get extra help.

Medication guides for 11 common travel medications

Including instructions on when and how to use:

  • Ondansetron (Zofran)

  • Azithromycin

  • Diamox

  • Imodium

  • Dramamine

  • Meclizine

  • Scopolamine patch

  • Melatonin

  • Swimmer’s ear drops

  • Plus dosing guides for acetaminophen and ibuprofen

Perfect for:

  • family vacations

  • international travel

  • ski trips and mountain travel

  • beach trips and pool vacations

  • parents who want to feel prepared as possible before traveling with kids

Format

Digital PDF download with instant access after purchase.

Wishing you healthy and safe travels!

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See all the Guides!

Testimonials

  • “We’ve been blown away by Dr Harrington’s responsiveness, attention to detail, and extraordinary care. We use the subscription texting regularly, and we’ve also taken advantage of video visits, which have been incredibly helpful.  We are an MD/APRN (pediatric) family, so we’re particular about who we trust and what we expect. Kate always supports her guidance with both data and deep clinical experience. She has a remarkable ability to speak to us in both worlds—honoring our medical/nursing backgrounds while understanding that we’re parents first. Her communication is always calming, thoughtful, and deeply informative.

    Kate treats all of our children by speaking to them directly, which creates a level of connection — especially for younger kids who are still learning to feel seen and heard.

    We have four kids (ages 9, 6, 4, and 1), and she’s helped us through RSV, endless colds and viruses, chronic strep and tonsillitis, questionable staph, cold sore meds, sleep issues, and most recently, navigating the need for tonsil removal. The reassurance she’s given us has been absolutely invaluable. We’re so grateful for her and for this service!”

    -Emily & Matt (children ages 9, 6, 4 & 1)

  • “Dr. Harrington was a lifesaver when my daughter was very sick, and our pediatrician couldn’t provide answers. She gave us a much-needed second opinion, which allowed us to advocate for our daughter and get her the proper diagnosis quickly. Thanks to Dr. Harrington, she was on the road to recovery much sooner. We are so grateful for her expertise and care!”

    -Jen (child age 11)


  • “Your Pediatrician Friend has been an invaluable service to our family. Dr. Harrington is truly one of a kind- so thorough, knowledgeable, and reassuring- everything you'd want in a pediatrician! She has been incredibly helpful to our family and has saved us so many trips to the doctors office and even the ER. Dr. Harrington is super responsive (even when she's on the other side of the world!) and so caring. I can't recommend her enough. This service is worth every penny!”

    -A. Leung (children ages 4 & 2.5)

  • “Our teen experienced severe facial swelling while on Spring Break. Initially, I talked to the nurse line at our regular pediatrician’s office. They offered solutions that included three types of medications and discussed us making a trip in to see a doctor. I decided to get a second opinion from Dr. Harrington. Not only did Dr. Harrington provide a detailed explanation of what was happening inside the body to cause the swelled appearance, she offered a solution that did not involve any medication. My teen followed her advice and was noticeably better within hours and has had continuous improvement since. We saved a trip to the doctor’s office and avoided unnecessary medication! Thank you, Dr. Harrington!”

    -Mom of 16 year old


  • “So thankful for Dr. Kate Harrington and this service. She has been a great resource and second opinion for several illnesses/medical concerns that we have had. She is thorough, empathetic, quick to respond and follow up, and very knowledgeable on every concern/illness that we have discussed with her. Being able to text a pediatrician to help make medical decisions for our children has been such a valuable service to us and we look forward to being clients for years to come!” 

    -Emily Eppel (children ages 4, 2 & 7 months)

  • “As a Mom to two busy boys, managing all the things can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, since I started using Dr. Harrington’s texting service, the mental load has significantly lightened. This service is a game-changer for busy parents like me.

    The convenience of being able to text a pediatrician anytime with questions or concerns is invaluable. Whether it's about symptoms, medication, or general advice, Dr. Harrington provides prompt, reliable, and reassuring responses. The peace of mind knowing that expert help is just a text away has made a world of difference.

    I highly recommend Dr. Harrington’s texting service to any parent looking for help with managing the mental load around kids' health questions, it's been a game changer for me! “

    -Sophie A. (children ages 7 & 5)

  • “I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Harrington. She is approachable, an excellent listener, and never makes you feel like an overanxious parent. Her guidance is always clear, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful. She has a remarkable way of putting your mind at ease and reminding you that you’re not alone in facing health or behavioral challenges with your child. Thank you, Dr. Harrington—you’re truly the best!”

    -Meghan K. (children ages 7 & 3)

  • “Navigating a new ADHD and learning disability diagnosis for our child felt overwhelming - until we connected with Dr. Harrington. 

    She answered every question with clarity and compassion, provided us the information we needed to make confident decisions, gave advice for how to talk with our daughter, and helped us build a plan that felt thoughtful, doable, and full of hope. We left our first virtual visit with a deep sense of relief - a feeling of, "we’ve got this." Her warmth, care, and steady guidance have been an incredible gift during a time that initially felt so uncertain. We’re planning to continue with Dr. Harrington for a few months as we get our feet under us, as it gives us real peace of mind knowing she’s in our corner!”

    -Anonymous 

  • "There is no other doctor we trust more than Dr. Harrington. She has taken care of our two girls, ages 9 and 12, since birth. There is no one more experienced or informed than her. If your kiddo has a tricky health concern, I’m sure she’s seen it before…more than once. She approaches every situation with a kind and calm voice. Her demanor makes our girls and us so comfortable and confident in their treatment. They look forward to their appointments with her. We would highly recommend Dr. Harrington.”

    -Alyssa

  • “We love Dr. Harrington! We have missed Dr. Harrington since leaving our pediatric clinic, but we have been so thrilled to still have her guidance and expertise as we navigate the baby and toddler years through her unlimited texting membership. She is prompt, incredibly diligent and detailed in her questions and responses, and has been an immense help for our family!”

    -Maggie (children 2 & 3 months)