Healthy Kids Zone

Fruits are healthy for our kids, but that doesn't necessarily mean that 100% all-natural fruit juice is healthy for our kids. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says fruit juice is “basically liquid candy.” Learn about the myth of fruit juice health claims and what you should be giving your child instead.

Heavy backpacks can do more harm than you might think—leading to muscle strain, posture issues, and even spinal stress in growing kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to properly size and fit a backpack, how much is too much to carry, and when to see a doctor for back pain.

Kids can be rambunctious, and that can lead to occasional bumps and falls. While an injury to the outer ear is usually minor, it could lead to cauliflower ear. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the warning signs to look for to make sure your child’s ear injury doesn’t lead to permanent damage.

Large, swollen bug bites don't necessarily mean your child is allergic. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why kids' bodies react the way they do when bitten by insects and what parents can do to treat bites when they happen.

Fidget spinners are a cheap and trendy new kids’ toy that claims to help with ADHD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. But pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says there's no hard evidence these toys help kids to focus. Instead, Dr. Gellner says fidget spinners can actually be a distraction. Find out why, and get some ideas for effective alternatives if your child has behavioral challenges.

When your child gets diarrhea, it’s a bad time for everyone. But what really causes it? And how do you get it to stop? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses some of the most common myths about diarrhea and what you can do to help prevent it in your child.

Your baby should be sleeping on their back. But what about when they are awake? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about why tummy time is important for infants to build up their back and shoulder muscles and explains some different techniques for doing it safely.

Meningitis is an infection of the tissue and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It's a serious condition that can turn deadly for your child. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what causes this painful infection and how you can identify and treat meningitis in your child.

Nose picking is a normal habit for children—but it can be gross. It's deemed socially unacceptable, can spread colds and can cause nose bleeds. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner has some tips for parents on how to keep their kids' little fingers out of their noses.

Kids can develop pretty gross habits. Nail biting is a common one—more than 50 percent of teenagers bite their nails. But frequent nail biting can lead to infection, warts and permanent nail damage. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses why nail biting can be a serious health concern and offer some strategies to help your kid kick the habit.

Playgrounds are great for kids and parents. They let your children get rid of some of their seemingly endless energy and give them a chance to socialize with others. But sometimes kids don’t quite get along. As a parent, what should you do when your child encounters difficult children who may not let her play or who tease her? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner from University of Utah Health shares a...

New parents may worry that their newborn will have stomach problems if she doesn't burp after feeding. But pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says not to worry: the air in your baby will find a way out. She explains symptoms associated with colic and spitting up symptoms and why new parents shouldn't worry.

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed stimulant medications to help manage the condition. But parents may worry about how these medications might change or impact their kid's health. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , says stimulant medications for ADHD actually claim the highest positive response rate for any mental health diagnosis. Learn what...

Will shaving your baby's head make its hair grow thicker? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says no. On this episode of Debunking Old Wives’ Tales , Dr. Gellner highlights some common misconceptions out there about what makes a baby's hair grow and gives some real, science-based tips for caring for your baby's hair.  

Finding a lice infestation in your child's hair can cause panic. Lice are tiny gray insects that feed on your child's blood and can easily be spread to and from other children at school or daycare. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says the good news is the infection can be treated with over-the-counter lice shampoo. If you suspect your child has lice, learn some tips to contain and prevent the infes...

In the battle against your child's acne, parents often wonder about the efficacy of treatments. Does washing the face help prevent acne? Will popping pimples make them go away faster? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , addresses five realities and misconceptions surrounding the treatment of childhood and teenage acne.

If your baby is cranky and can't sleep, should you try a different formula? Are colicky babies just hungry? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner challenges some myths around cranky babies with feeding issues and explains why gassiness isn't such a bad thing and why crying doesn't necessarily mean it's time for a feeding.

Newborns don’t come with a detailed instruction manual, which can leave parents terrified when their baby’s body does bizarre things. On this episode of Debunking Old Wives’ Tales , we cover five of the normal, yet strange, symptoms that your new bundle of joy may be experiencing. From excessive crying to spontaneous eye goop to all the alarming things that can happen with a belly button, pediatri...

Teething can be a fussy and difficult time for babies and their parents. But some over-the-counter teething tablets contain a homeopathic product—belladonna—that can make your child sick. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why these teething tablets, or gels, are bad for toddlers and suggests some simpler, and safer, alternatives.

Your child may want to take his or her smartphone or tablet to bed. But is it a good idea? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says using a mobile device before bed reduces sleep time for kids, which can disrupt sleep quality and quantity. Learn more about what parents should know before allowing mobile devices at bedtime.

New babies cry, a lot. Sometimes they cry to the point you want to cry right along with them. Is your new baby crying all the time? Is the crying driving you to wits end? Stay calm. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner has the top reasons your baby might be crying and tips to help soothe your child.

Sounding out words for the first time is hard for children. Repeating sounds and dropping of letters is common. In fact, 30 percent of kids have difficulty sounding out words during their early development, while only 1 percent of those have true stuttering. As a parent, when should you be concerned about your child’s speech patterns? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains common childhood speech...

Most parents eagerly watch for milestones like rolling over, crawling, and walking, but some of the earliest and most important developmental signs can be easy to overlook. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , highlights five key milestones that provide valuable insight into a baby’s social, language, sensory, and motor development.

More and more children are being treated for anxiety. The kids with these problems seem to get younger and younger each year. What can you do as a parent to help your child struggling with anxiety? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares some simple techniques you can do to help soothe your child and identify when you should consider involving a mental health specialist.

Being a parent can sometimes be a really scary job. Kids sometimes exhibit bizarre and worrisome symptoms: rashes, crying so hard they stop breathing, banging their heads on things, and so on. But should you be spooked? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses three symptoms that might scare you as a parent, but don’t necessarily worry a doctor.