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Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

LinkedIn

Pediatrician & Pediatric Gastroenterologist

MD, FAAP, CLCMom of three

About

Dr. Ruiz is a board-certified pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, and certified lactation counselor at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and a clinical instructor at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. A mom of four, she knows health begins at home. This compassion drives her research and advocacy to improve patient health and advance the medical field.

Credentials

  • Doctor of medicine
  • Board-certified general pediatrician
  • Board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist

Education

  • Dartmouth College
  • Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
  • Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford

Expertise

Dr. Ruiz is uniquely dedicated to treating children with chronic pediatric feeding disorders in a multidisciplinary setting. For nearly a decade, she has helped children suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, abdominal pain, swallowing difficulties, inadequate weight gain, inflammatory bowel disease, fatty liver and other liver diseases, and Celiac disease. She also performs upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, and transient liver elastography.

“Healing starts with knowing the whole child—not just their symptoms. Understanding their story builds trust, and that trust leads to better outcomes.”

By Dr. Rachel Ruiz

side view of a baby drinking a glass cup of water

Water for Babies

9 min read
Feeding schedules landscape

Baby Feeding Schedules

45 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair exploring some food while sticking their tongue out

Tongue Thrust and Starting Solids

15 min read
A green measuring scoop filled with powdered infant formula in front of an empty baby bottle with measurement markings, with a second bottle filled with prepared formula in the background.

How to Choose the Best Baby Formula

16 min read
A baby in a striped top reaches toward three black olive slices on a white high chair tray, practicing the pincer grasp.

6 Ways to Help Baby Practice the Pincer Grasp

13 min read
a variety of colorful popsicles for babies starting solids

Popsicles for Babies & Toddlers

12 min read
A baby in an avocado-print onesie sitting in a white high chair, eating while an adult offers a piece of soft white food, with the baby's hand also reaching toward their mouth.

5 Month Feeding Schedule

4 min read
A blue-eyed baby in a yellow top sitting in a high chair with food smeared on her face and hands, mouth open wide, with scattered food pieces on the tray in front of her.

How to Help Baby Gagging on Solids

5 min read
A little girl in a blue star-print top covers her face with both hands in protest in front of a plate of broccoli, tomatoes, and other vegetables on a wooden table.

When to Seek Help for Picky Eating

24 min read
a baby in a high chair with their tongue out and eyes closed after tasting a tart strawberry

Is This Normal? Things Babies Do When Tasting New Foods

8 min read
A white cupcake with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles

Sugar in Food for Babies 6 to 12 Months

15 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair with five pieces of quartered grape on the high chair tray and food in their mouth

When Baby Stuffs Food in the Mouth

11 min read
A mother with curly hair tenderly resting her cheek on her baby's head while bottle-feeding the infant on a couch.

4 Month Feeding Schedule

10 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair with a few pieces of cooked vegetables on the tray in front of him and a piece of zucchini in his outstretched hand

How to Safely Cut Food for Babies

18 min read
Eczema Riley L Bottle

Tips for Feeding Babies with Eczema

11 min read
a small brown swirl, meant to look like poop, with a smiley face on it

When to Worry About Baby's Poop

7 min read

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