Kids Health Info

Flu season is here again and to unpack some of the myths and confusion about the flu, our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by paediatrician and immunisation specialist, Dr Nigel Crawford. With the latest release of The Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll finding that a quarter of parents (29%) are unaware that healthy children can get seriously unwell with the flu, it is more impor...

We all know how it feels to not get enough sleep. We’re grumpy, irritable and simply not our best selves. As an adult it’s easy to describe, but what about when kids don’t get enough sleep?  In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Bisset to unpack the powerful link between sleep, emotions, and behaviour in children.  Learn how sleep needs change across chi...

Why do young children feel their emotions in such big and dramatic ways, and how can parents support them through those overwhelming moments? In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Tamera Clancy to explore emotional development in the early years.   Learn why toddlers and preschoolers experience emotions so intensely, what’s happening in their brains as they g...

What does autism look like in children, and how can parents better understand neurodiversity? In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by developmental paediatrician Dr Toby Rheinberger to explore the many ways autistic traits can present across childhood.  Discover how autism may show up at different ages, what strengths and challenges can accompany neurodivergence, and how families can s...

Ever wondered if your teen needs supplements, protein powders or other special dietary tweaks? This episode pulls together the information you need.   Getting teens to consume a balanced and nutritious diet isn’t always easy. They might be going straight to sport after school with little time to eat or they could be snacking before dinner and not so interested in the nutritious meal you’re serving...

Have you ever wondered if your child could be showing signs of anxiety? Anxiety can show up in many ways for children and in this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Grace McMahon to unpack these symptoms.   Learn about the ways in which anxiety can show up for children at different ages and stages, what might be driving it, and how parents can navigate anxiety...

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.   In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn abo...

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.   In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn abo...

Parents often feel like they need to be everything to everyone and do it all perfectly. This can be overwhelming as it is but add medical complexities or behavioural challenges and stress can reach boiling point.  In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Caitlyn Gourlay to explain what it means to be a ‘good enough parent’ and what your kids really need from...

Australian teens learn about the dangers of smoking in the classroom, but is there an extra role for parents to play? In this episode of the Kids Health Info podcast, our host, Dr Anthea Rhodes, is joined by Respiratory Specialist, Dr Moya Vandeleur, to explain the facts about nicotine that parents need to know. Exploring the challenges that parents face in having conversations with their teens ab...

Few things are more frightening for a parent than seeing their child have a seizure — especially when it’s unexpected and linked to a fever. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department doctor Sandy Hopper to help parents understand febrile seizure. They explain what febrile seizures are, why they happen, how common they are, and what parents should do if their child ex...

The social media delay is now in place and Australian teens aged under 16 will no longer be able to access some online platforms. But now what? How can parents support their teens through this transition and what else should they be doing to make sure their children can thrive in an increasingly online world? Host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Paul Clark, Executive Manager, Education Prevention an...

Sunscreen has been in the spotlight over the past few months, making it tough for parents to know what products they can trust to keep their kids safe. In this bonus episode of the Kids Health Info podcast, our host, Dr Anthea Rhodes, is joined by Dr Susan Robertson, Director of Dermatology at The Royal Children’s Hospital to unpack some of the mystery surrounding sun protection. Exploring ways to...

Thunderstorms and asthma might seem like an unlikely pair — but for some children, stormy weather can trigger sudden and severe breathing problems. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department specialist Dr Tristan Harding to unpack the phenomenon of thunderstorm asthma. They explain what it is, why it happens, which children are most at risk, and how parents can prepar...

From backyard bee stings to jellyfish encounters at the beach, bites and stings are a common reason kids end up in the Emergency Department. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department doctor Tristan Harding to explore what parents need to know about bites and stings — including insect bites, spider bites, snake bites, and marine stingers like jellyfish. They discuss w...

Rashes are a common concern for parents — but not all rashes are cause for alarm. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department Dr Fiona Reilly to unpack the wide world of rashes in children. They explore what different rashes can mean, which ones are linked to infections, allergies or serious illness, and how to tell when a rash needs urgent medical attention. Whether i...

Giving medicine to children can be one of the most stressful parts of parenting — especially when they refuse, spit it out, or cry at the sight of a syringe. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Dr Amanda Stock from our Emergency Department to explore the common challenges parents face when giving medicine to kids. They share practical tips for making the process smoother and advice...

Penis pain in children can be alarming for parents and confusing for kids — but not all causes are serious. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department Doctor, Bec Hughes to unpack the common reasons children can present to the ED with pain in the penis. Unpacking the conditions and injuries that can lead families to head to the Emergency Department, they explore what...

When you search for health information online, how can you tell if it is true? When you see a post on social media, what signs should you look for to make sure the advice can be trusted? It’s not always easy to navigate online sources when you’re seeking support for your child’s health. Listen in for some simple tips you can follow to make sure you’re ready to spot mis- and disinformation when it...

Poos and spews. Voms and bombs. We all know the feeling of stress and discomfort when one of your children comes down with gastro. But how can you best look after your child and the whole family when gastro arrives in your home? Tune in for some tips on keeping up the fluids and how to stop the spread.  Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department Specialist at the RCH, Dr Tom Glover, to pro...

How can I identify hand, foot and mouth disease and if my child has it, will I catch it too?   Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Director of General Medicine at the RCH, Dr Sarah McNab, to explain what hand, foot and mouth disease is and help you to understand how you can stop the spread in your household this winter.   This episode is part six of our winter wellness season. Listen to the full season...

Croup can be scary and serious – can you recognise the signs, and would you know what to do if your child gets croup this winter?   Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department Specialist at the RCH, Dr Tristan Harding, to explain how you can spot the signs of croup in your child and what to do if they develop the distinctive barking-style cough or have difficulty breathing.  This episode is...

Do you know what a ‘whoop’ sounds like? Could you tell if your child had whooping cough? Would you know how to stop it spreading through your household? Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Director of General Medicine at the RCH, Dr Sarah McNab to unpack the signs and symptoms of whooping cough in this episode of the Kids Health Info Podcast.  This episode is part four of our winter wellness season. Lis...

What is RSV and how concerned should you be about this virus? Who can have the new RSV immunisation this winter? In this episode of the Kids Health Info Podcast our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by paediatrician and immunisation expert, Dr Margie Danchin to discuss what RSV is, what it looks like in children of different ages and how you can protect your family this winter.   This episode is par...

When the sniffles, cough and fever arrive in your home this winter, rest assured you have the right information on hand to navigate what lies ahead.   In this episode of the Kids Health Info podcast Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by paediatrician, Dr Margie Danchin to explore whether it’s important to know the difference between illnesses and whether COVID is really still around this winter.  This epi...