Healthy Kids Zone

Puberty is not only awkward for teens, but for parents too. Are you prepared to talk with your daughter about the changes in her body? In this episode, Dr. Cindy Gellner lays out all the information you need to educate your daughter - and maybe yourself - about maturing into an adult.

Tonsils are small glands on either side of the throat that stop bacteria from entering the body. They are an important part of your child’s immune system, but sometimes can become ‘ginormous’ and cause problems like difficulty swallowing, heroic snoring, or chronic strep throat. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains the functions of tonsils and when you should consider getting them removed.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic children’s disease in the country—even more chronic than allergies. Over 40 percent of children will have tooth decay before kindergarten. And those who have it are more likely to suffer from cavities in adulthood. Dr. Cindy Gellner tells you how to check for tooth decay and simple ways you can keep your child's teeth strong and healthy.

Stomach ache, headache, dizziness, and nausea are all symptoms you might hear from your child on a school day morning. The condition may even get worse as it gets closer to time for school, then miraculously become better on the weekends. It may be school phobia. Pediatrician  Cindy Gellner, MD , explains what can cause school-phobic kids to feel sick and the simple method to calm the fear in...

You see it happening but just can’t get there fast enough to stop it—your child falls or gets hits in the head. Dr. Cindy Gellner says the first thing to do is not to panic. Head injuries are common in active kids and there are three main types: scalp injury, skull fracture and concussion. In this episode, Dr. Gellner tells you what the most dangerous head injury is and what to do at home if it ha...

Thumb-sucking is a normal comfort habit for younger children, but when it lingers past age four or five, it can affect dental health and become harder to break. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains when thumb-sucking is harmless, when it becomes a concern, and the most effective, positive ways to help your child give up the habit without a battle.

Straining, crying, and turning red without producing a bowel movement can leave parents worried that something is seriously wrong—but in many cases, it is a normal developmental phase called infant dyschezia. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why babies struggle with bowel movements and what parents should—and should not—do to help.

Nail biting is a common habit, but usually not a serious one for most children. Most children who bite their nails eventually lose the habit, but some may continue well into adulthood. In more serious situations, nail biting can lead to health concerns. There is no prescription to stop nail biting, but it can be addressed. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the reasons why nail biting occurs and offers...

It might seem like your child does not eat enough, is never hungry, or will not eat at all, and you worry they will starve unless you spoon-feed them yourself. Do not worry. It is normal for a child's appetite to slow down between the ages of 1 and 5. Normal does not mean it is pleasant, however. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , gives tips on what parents can—and should not—do to help their child...

Children do not learn very well or get much out of school when they are sick. It is in your child’s and their classmates’ best interest to keep them home from school when they are not feeling well. But what body temperature is a stay-home-from-school temperature? What if your child only has a mild cough? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to know when to keep your child home from sch...

It is gross to talk about, but you can learn a lot from snot. While mucus may be a bit of an annoyance, it plays an important role in your child’s body. Mucus lines organs with a protective layer, keeping dust and dirt out to help fight off infections. But not all mucus is the same. Different colors can mean fungal infection or other serious health issues. And mucus from allergies is different fro...

Throughout the year, parents often find themselves worrying about their child's health, especially when they seem to catch one cold after another. While it's natural to bundle them up to protect them, the common misconception that cold weather or seasonal attire causes sickness needs to be debunked. Pediatrician  Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about when, why, and how children get colds and other...

Cows’ milk is one of the eight foods responsible for most food allergies in children. It’s also a common ingredient in many foods. Dr. Cindy Gellner gives tips on how to help your child manage the allergy. She also talks about the effects of a milk allergy and how to treat a reaction if it happens.

If your child is allergic to latex, something as simple as going to a birthday party with latex balloons can trigger a deadly allergic reaction. Knowing what products and foods contain latex can save your child’s life. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the effects of a latex allergy and how to treat a reaction if it happens.

Learning that your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be a lot to take in. You will want answers to questions including: “What causes ADHD?” “What can I do to help control the disorder?” and “Why my child?” The piles of information can be overwhelming. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to process all the information and what you and your family can do to p...

As parents, we always want to make sure we give our children the attention they need, but too much attention could have a negative affect. Are you too involved in your child’s life in a way that is overcontrolling, overprotecting, and overperfecting? Do you select your children’s friends and activities for them? You might be a Helicopter Parent. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about why helicopter parenti...

With all the technology around, bullying is no longer limited to schoolyards. Kids are using cell phones and social media to torment and spread rumors about others in a very public way. If you are the victim of cyberbullying, you can feel embarrassed, but it’s important to remember it’s not your fault. You need to tell someone, whether it’s a parent, teacher or other trusted adult. Dr. Cindy Gelln...

Suicide is the third most common cause of death from kids aged 10-19. Children and teens suffering from depression, whether it is being treated or not, are much more likely to think about taking their own life. If you worry that your child is having suicidal thoughts, there is help. Dr. Cindy Gellner has advice for parents seeking to have this worrisome conversation with their kids. The National S...

In 2013, poison control centers received 16,000 calls about children eating hand sanitizer and getting sick. Dr. Cindy Gellner warns that some hand sanitizers are twice as strong as vodka, and no parent would allow their child to have a shot of that. She provides some tips for keeping the hand sanitizer out of reach and keeping your kids safe. If you have concerns, call the Poison Control Center a...

Every parent knows how frustrating it is when their baby is crying and they don’t know how to help them. While young children can’t use words to convey what they want, babies as young as eight months can use gestures to communicate with you. In this podcast, Dr. Cindy Gellner tells you how to get started teaching sign language to your baby and provides some helpful tips to keep in mind.

Certain research has shown that children growing up in a family with pets have a significantly lower risk of developing allergies to animals. But as Dr. Cindy Gellner warns, that doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy a cat or dog. She talks about the research in-depth, as well as other contributors to allergies and asthma including allergens in the home, exposure in preschool and daycare, and g...

Teenagers are growing to become more independent, which can lead to clashes with parents. In this podcast, Dr. Cindy Gellner gives some helpful tips for maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship with your teenager. She talks about how to balance your teen’s freedom and privacy with house rules and expectations. She also gives advice for what not to do in a disagreement with your adolescent...

Did you know puberty could start as early as eight years old? Many parents worry about the changes and behaviors that can accompany the teenage years: bad attitudes, rebellion, and an interest in drugs, alcohol and sex. In this podcast, Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what you can do to maintain a good relationship with your teen and how to give them some freedom and privacy while still making sure...

When kids are playing outside or competing on sports teams, injuries are a common occurrence. Ankle sprains in particular go hand-in-hand with the start of football and soccer seasons. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to tell if your child has sprained their ankle and what to do if they have. She talks about treating it at home to speed the recovery and gives some tips for preventing ankle injuri...

There are many reasons children get bloody noses: allergies in the spring, summer and fall can contribute to a bloody nose, and so can the dryness of winter. As Cindy Gellner, MD , explains, it’s the frequent rubbing and blowing of the nose that can actually lead to the bleeding. She tells parents how to treat a bloody nose at home and what to do if the bleeding doesn’t stop.