Healthy Kids Zone

As a baby’s digestive system develops, transitioning to table food is the eventual goal. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner walks through a baby’s feeding progression from newborn to age one. She goes over some dos and don'ts, recommended quantities and breast vs. bottle feeding.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a heartbreaking occurrence that affects too many families. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , sheds light on the risk factors associated with SIDS and provides insights into its prevention. Discover what science has unraveled about SIDS and the practical steps you can take to safeguard your child from this tragic condition.

When toddlers start to discover, and in some cases, share and display their private parts, many parents get nervous. Dr. Cindy Gellner says this curiosity is all part of normal development. She gives tips for approaching the issue with your child and reminds parents of the one thing to never do when teaching kids about private parts.

What if your child's back pain is not about posture, but something more? Scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, often appears during a child’s growth spurt and affects more kids than you might think. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , goes over the signs to watch for, and the steps to take if scoliosis is detected. Learn how to spot early symptoms, understand potential cause...

Fever, sore throat, and a painful, spotty rash can look a lot like strep—but often the culprit is hand, foot, and mouth disease. This common childhood virus spreads easily and can affect kids of any age, even adults. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how the disease is transmitted, the key symptoms that distinguish it from strep, and the simple comfort measures that help your child stay...

Many parents of vomiting children get concerned if it doesn’t stop after a day. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , says that doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to see the doctor. She goes over the signs and symptoms of the stomach bug versus the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses. She also discusses what to feed a puking child and how you can treat the bug from your home.

Too much caffeine can do more than have your kids bouncing off the walls. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner provides some insight into how much caffeine children should be allowed to consume, the downsides of too much caffeine, and how to help your kids and teens to cut back.

Acne is an embarrassing topic for them, but 90% of teenagers may benefit from acne treatment. Dr. Cindy Gellner goes in depth on modern acne therapy and discusses the dos and don’ts of treating the three common types of pimples. From mild through severe, acne is not just a rite of passage, but also a treatable condition.

One of the most important parts of school registration is getting your child up-to-date on vaccinations. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , walks us through the required vaccinations and the ages they should be given. She gives details about vaccine exemptions and the best way to keep track of the boosters your child receives through the years.

Potty training is a milestone that can feel overwhelming—but when done patiently and positively, it becomes a manageable and rewarding phase. With support and consistency, most kids transition out of daytime diapers by the time they start school. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , offers clear, evidence-based strategies parents can use to guide their child toward bathroom independence.

Sunburns are not just uncomfortable—they are a sign of real skin damage that starts in childhood and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares how to prevent sunburns with proper sunscreen use, when to seek shade, and why babies and fair-skinned children need extra protection. If your child already has a burn, learn the safest, most effective ways...

Newborns can’t always control their developing eyes and sometimes go cross-eyed. But if your child is older than two months and you notice her or his eyes looking in different directions, something else might be going on. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner describes how to tell if your child’s eyes are developing in a healthy way.

When your child has a fever, it can be difficult to determine whether it is serious enough to see a pediatrician. Cindy Gellner, MD , goes over some myths and facts about fevers in children and infants, including how to tell low-grade and high-grade fevers apart, and treatments for both. Dr. Gellner also gives some tips about fevers that will help you keep calm while your child is ill.

What is the appropriate age, height, and weight to switch your child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat? Beyond recommendations, specific guidelines and laws ensure children's safety in passenger vehicles. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about current car seat regulations and how to keep your children as safe as possible while on the road.

Helmets can reduce the risk of severe head and brain injuries by 88 percent, yet 50 percent of kids ride their bikes and scooters without a helmet. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why some kids don’t wear helmets, and gives tips on getting your child to willingly use one. She also talks about how to pick out the right helmet to fit your child’s head.

You may think alcohol is the furthest thing from your child’s mind. But chances are, either your teenager or her friends will have had a drink or two by the time they finish high school. Studies show more than half of American high school seniors drink at least once a week. Dr. Cindy Gellner addresses why teenage drinking is such a huge problem and offers advice on how to prevent or stop your teen...

Kids who don’t get enough attention tend to have problems in life. Mealtime can be a great chance for some parent/child interactions. However, about 80 percent of adults use their cell phones during mealtime instead of interacting with their children. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about a new study that shows how parents’ use of cell phones at mealtimes is getting in the way of parent/child interaction,...

It’s not just about stealing lunch money or being teased in the playgrounds at school anymore. Bullying has become a very serious concern these days. There’s a good chance that your child, or a child you know is being bullied. Dr. Cindy Gellner addresses the issue of kids and bullying and what you can do as a parent if your child is being bullied. She also talks about cyber-bullying and some of th...

We often associate healthy babies with chubby babies. But obesity is becoming more and more of a problem in children. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the risks of obesity in children and why it’s important for parents to intervene before the age of 5 if they don’t want their children to be obese adults. She also talks about the physical and psychological problems that can come with obesit...

Pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough. It’s contagious and can be deadly, especially in infants. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the symptoms of whooping cough and tells parents how to distinguish it from a regular cough. She also talks about preventions and advises when kids should be getting the whooping cough vaccine.

You’ve childproofed the house to avoid any accidents that could occur – but what many parents overlook are choking hazards in food. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why certain foods can cause choking in young children, and the few foods that she mentions might surprise you. She also describes the symptoms of choking in kids and what you can do if your child is choking.

Asthma causes shortness of breath, wheezing, or repeated coughing episodes, and it is commonly diagnosed at a young age. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , discusses the signs and symptoms of asthma in children and what can trigger an asthma attack. Dr. Gellner also addresses the popular questions of whether asthma is related to allergies and if it can be cured.

Bedwetting affects millions of children and is more common—and more misunderstood—than most parents realize. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, breaks the silence around nighttime accidents and explores why they happen and what you can do to help your child. Learn when to wait, when to see your pediatrician, and when it might be time to consider medical treatment—all while helping your child feel saf...

Winter air inversion affects kids differently than adults, especially kids with breathing problems such as asthma. On a day with heavy inversion, is it safe for your child to play outside? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , defines what inversions are and why children are more at risk during periods of bad air quality. Dr. Gellner also discusses how to decide whether the air quality is good enough f...

Human papillomavirus, better known as HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with 79 million Americans affected in 2013. The HPV vaccine can have a few different names, but the bottom line is that it protects against human papillomavirus. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the affects that HPV can have on the human body and how the vaccine can help fight against HPV. She also discusses...