Healthy Kids Zone

Well-child visits are still happening, even during a global health pandemic. The good news is your doctor's office is probably one of the safest places to be during COVID-19 outside of your house. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what to expect during your child's visit, how doctors' offices are adjusting to COVID-19, and whether or not virtual well-child visits are a good alternative.

While the classroom may look different this year, school is still happening. As a parent, you worry your child might get infected if they are attending in-person classes. But if your child is remote learning, you worry they are not fully absorbing the learning materials. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to keep both students and teachers safe—in the classroom and at home—during the C...

Just because you're social distancing, doesn't mean you can't celebrate Halloween this year. There are a lot of fun Halloween activities you and your family can enjoy—even during a global health pandemic. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner has some dos and don'ts on how to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 .

Pacifiers can be a powerful soothing tool in infancy. But when comfort stretches into the toddler and preschool years, it can quietly create new problems. Pediatrian Cindy Gellner, MD , walks parents through when pacifier use stops helping, the age milestones that matter most, and realistic strategies to wean without turning bedtime into a battle. Learn how to help your child transition off the pa...

Keeping your child on the bottle for too long can lead to dental and nutritional risks associated with prolonged bottle use. But weaning a toddler off the bottle is easier talked about than accomplished. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , acknowledges how difficult this transition can be for both toddlers and parents. Dr. Gellner shares effective strategies and age-appropriate guidelines for a smoot...

More children are struggling with depression than ever before—and not always in ways parents expect. From fatigue and irritability to social withdrawal and self-injury, pediatric depression can take many forms. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about the signs to watch for, how to talk to your child, and when it is time to involve your pediatrician or a mental health specialist.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for many of us. This can be particularly true for mother’s who are breastfeeding and may have concerns about the health of their baby. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why breastfeeding is perfectly safe and can actually be beneficial for both baby and mom, even during a viral outbreak.

Despite what you may read on the Internet, viruses—including coronavirus —are not impacted by vitamin levels. So how can you best improve your child’s immune system? Pediatirician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why exercise, diet, and sunshine are the best ways to keep your child strong against any virus.

There can be a lot of confusions surrounding Telehealth and when to visit the doctor's office. Whether to bring your child in or not depends on your child's health condition. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what parents should do if your child gets sick during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exercise and sunshine are important, even during physical distancing. But a common concern parents may have is whether or not their kids can play outside. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the guidelines for keeping safe while playing outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are you the parent of a teenager? Then you know how hard it can be to talk to them about, well, anything. This is especially true when trying to talk about their health. Dr. Cindy Gellner recommends a few tips on how to broach sensitive health-related topics with your teenager—and actually get a positive response.

Bringing up health concerns like body weight can be a challenge. It can be even trickier when speaking with a child. Dr. Cindy Gellner recommends a few strategies to constructively speak about lifestyle changes without damaging a child’s self-esteem or triggering a parent.

Injuries at home are the leading cause of death in children under age four—most of them preventable. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , outlines the five most common pediatric home injuries and explains where and how they happen. Learn practical tips every parent and caregiver should know to make your home a safer place for kids.

Vaping is a huge problem in the teen population. Not only because of how many teens have begun vaping, but also the potentially dangerous chemicals present in vape juice. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why vaping is not a healthy alternative to tobacco, especially for teenagers.

Newborns sleep on a schedule all their own—and it never fits with their parents' schedule. How long will your baby’s erratic sleep schedule last? When can a parent expect to get a full night’s rest again? Dr. Cindy Gellner has the answers to your questions.

Teen pregnancy is something pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner sees far more often than you’d realize. What causes teens to get pregnant? Is it lack of parent involvement? Are kids too embarrassed to ask a parent about prevention? Learn the pediatrician's perspective on the causes of teen pregnancy and what parents can do to help prevent it.

When a child complains about chest pain, it’s easy for parents to panic and assume it’s a heart problem or pneumonia. But it’s much more likely to be something less serious like costochondritis or precordial catch syndrome. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what these conditions are and how they’re treated.

Up to 75% of adults with birch tree pollen allergies also react to apples or celery. Cindy Gellner, MD , explains oral allergy syndrome, why it happens, and how families can manage symptoms. Learn about the link between pollen and raw foods, and what steps can help reduce discomfort.

We’ve all heard the adage that reading in the dark will ruin your vision. Or that sitting too close to the TV will fry your eyes. But are these claims actually true? Dr. Cindy Gellner busts these myths about eyesight and talks about how to really keep your kids' eyes healthy.

Your relationship with your child’s pediatrician is important. Whether it be because of a move or a change in insurance, finding a new doctor for your child can be a very stressful situation. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares some tips to help you find the best pediatrician for your family.

You've taken your child to scheduled well visits, but a few weeks later, you receive a bill in the mail for their care. Aren’t well visits covered by insurance? Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what happens on the billing side of pediatrics and how you may have accidentally asked for extra services during a covered check-up.

As a parent, you worry when your child feels ill. If your child is suffering from painful, chronic headaches, you may assume the worst. But the cause of your child’s pain may be something much more simple. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains how stress, anxiety, and screen time may be causing your child’s headaches and how to prevent them.

Many parents are unprepared for how intense newborn crying can become in the first few months of life. The Period of PURPLE Crying describes a normal developmental phase when babies cry more frequently, more unpredictably, and often in the evening hours. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains what the Period of PURPLE Crying means, how to recognize when crying is normal versus concerning, and h...

A newborn waking up in the middle of the night is a normal thing. But one in five infants who have trouble sleeping may continue to have challenges during their toddler years as well. If your toddler is having problems with nighttime awakenings, there are a few possible causes. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to distinguish if your child's sleep pattern is normal, or if it’s somethi...

Parents worry, naturally. "Is my child developing normally?" "Why isn't my child eating?" "Will eating carrots improve my child's eyesight?" As The Healthy Kids Zone celebrates five years, Dr. Cindy Gellner goes through her list of top five children's health topics that parents should know about before bringing their child in to see the pediatrician.