Healthy Children

Teach your child sleep habits that will last a lifetime.Sleep is important for your child’s physical and mental function. Parental attention to sleep wanes as children age. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Little ones need twelve to fourteen hours of sleep. Try to put your children on your schedule, having them wake when you do. Put them to bed earlier than you hit the sack. Older kids need parental monitoring to put devices away. Set a good example and turn off your phone. Store devices outside the bedroom for optimal sleep hygiene. Help them train their bodies for a regular bedtime and waking time. Encourage routines, like ten minutes of reading before bed. These triggers make late nights and time changes easier. Listen as Dr. Natasha Burgert joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share the importance of sleep as your child grows up. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

No need to panic. Find out how your pediatrician treats ear infections.Ear infections are a pervasive problem, especially for young children. Untreated ear infections can cause a lot of discomfort but are not a reason to panic. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Ear infections often result from a cold when the eustachian tubes don’t properly drain excess fluids. Pediatricians look for fluid and inflammation before prescribing antibiotics. Some ear irritation comes from a virus or a little extra fluid, requiring a wait of 48 hours to issue the correct treatment. Outer ear infections are often treated with ear drop antibiotics. Inner ear infections typically require oral antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory medication can relieve some symptoms as the antibiotics treat the underlying condition. Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to address your child’s ear infection. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

When your child acts up, work to improve behavior without spanking.Parenting can test your patience, especially when your child misbehaves. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the use of spanking as a disciplinary tool. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Spanking or physical discipline can have long-lasting effects, increasing aggression in children. It doesn’t teach responsibility or self control, particularly when parents lose control to administer the spankings. Discipline That Works Model good behavior. Show how to be calm and respectful of others. Let them know expectations beforehand so they know the rules of the game. Explain how you expect them to behave in the store or at a restaurant before you even go out. Time-outs work best for kids two to five years old. Give one minute per year of age for them to think about what happened and remove them from the troublesome situation. Praise your child for good behavior. Natural consequences work well. “If you throw your snack onto the floor, it goes into the trash.” Use non-optimum behavior you see as a teaching opportunity. Listen as Dr. Jennifer Shu joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to help your child curb behavioral issues without spanking. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Learn more about respiratory syncytial virus.Every parent worries when their children get sick. Many children get respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at least once before age two. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor RSV pops up mostly from late fall to early spring. It presents as cold-like symptoms with sneezing, runny nose and coughing. It can cause pneumonia or other bronchial difficulties. Early symptoms aren’t worrisome, because they mimic the common cold. If the child has respiratory distress on the third or fourth day (fast breathing, grunting, nodding head to breathe, whistling on exhalation), contact your pediatrician right away. If your child is blue, gray or has stopped breathing, contact emergency services. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Steroids won’t help. Supportive care is the only treatment. Stay in contact with your pediatrician. Fluids, cold-mist humidifiers, and saline nasal rinse can ease the symptoms. Listen as Dr. Candice Jones joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to manage RSV. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Do you really need to get the flu vaccine for your family this season?Influenza or “the flu” is a virus that is often spread during winter months. It can be very dangerous and varies from year to year. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor While it typically peaks in January, it can be burdensome throughout the flu season. One hundred eighty children passed away last year from influenza-related infections. Kids tend to spread the infection more than others because they play, drool, and interact with others constantly. Children under age five and the elderly are at higher risk for dangerous infections from flu. The flu shot tends to decrease the severity of the flu if one contracts it. This year’s flu vaccine has three or four strains of the virus, based on the most prevalent strains anticipated for the continent. Anyone over six months of age can get a flu shot. Pregnant moms benefit from immunization. It’s safer to get a flu shot than try to outsmart it because you may not feel the symptoms as soon as you contract it. It’s best to get it before Halloween. Listen as Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson joins Melanie Cole, MS to share all you need to know about this flu season. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Why are there measles outbreaks and how can they be prevented?Measles can lead to hospitalization and death. Vaccination is the best preventative measure that can be taken to prevent spread of measles. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor It was declared as being eliminated in the United States in 2000. It was no longer circulating. Cases that appeared after 2000 were imported. Vaccination rates dipped, leading to outbreaks. A 95 percent vaccination rate in a community supports herd immunity. Measles is extremely contagious. If you’re prone to the disease, you can contract it from across a room. It can stay in the room up to two hours after an infected person has left. Public health authorities are great about tracking outbreaks. Listen as Dr. Sean O’Leary joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss measles, vaccinations and how they protect your child and others in the community. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Your older child is gearing up for spring break. Make sure they stay safe.Spring break is around the corner. How can you keep your kid safe? Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor For the college-age student, keep communication open. Arm them with information before they head out for spring break with their friends. Encourage them to set their party limits before they step out the door. They should have two forms of contraception on hand. Recommend they plan for a designated driver or ride share instead of driving under the influence. Urge caution while drinking to avoid those with bad intentions. As a parent, you have to trust them to be responsible. Having open conversations before they leave and staying available in case they need you are the best ways to get through spring break while they’re out in the world. Listen as Dr. Joanna Dolgoff joins Melanie Cole, MS to discuss spring break safety for older children. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

Herbal supplements worked for your friend's kid, but should you give them to your child?Parents want to help kids feel great. Many look to herbal supplements to aid health and performance. How do you know these supplements are safe? Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor First, the health supplement industry is not regulated. They could potentially be contaminated with something unsafe. There can also be potency irregularities on the shelf. However, many companies self regulate. Check the label for evidence of screening by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This means it isn’t contaminated and potency matches the label. Additionally, tell your providers what products you’re giving your child. Some herbal products react poorly to medications. Your provider can prescribe medications with full awareness of your child’s supplements. A healthy diet and enough sleep go a long way to support your child’s wellness. For children on antibiotics, probiotics can nurture good bacteria. Start probiotics at the same time you begin antibiotic treatment. Zinc reduces the duration of respiratory symptoms by three to four days. Start zinc within 24 to 48 hours of the start of infection. It can cause the loss of a sense of smell in some people, so zinc supplements are not recommended on a regular basis. Fish oils or omega-3s are often lacking in the foods we eat. They promote better mental health and can support efficacy of psychiatric medication. Be wary of anecdotal recommendations. Just because it worked for your friend doesn’t mean it will work for you. Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss which supplements you can share with your child and when, and which supplements it’s better to avoid. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

This Valentine's Day, check in on your child's dating life.Dating can be thrilling for teens. However, some young relationships can become violent. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Valentine’s Day can trigger unhealthy behavior in relationships. As teens try to figure out how the world works, they may endure emotional, mental and physical abuse in the name of “love.” Red Flags Social media controlling Sexting Stalking Cyber bullying Bruises Open conversation with your child to find out who is being texted and how young relationships are going. Don’t pass judgment but ask questions and listen. You have to be an ally if your teen needs help leaving a bad relationship. Call 1-800-SAFE or text Love Is Respect at 22522 for help. Listen as Dr. David Hill joins Melanie Cole, MS to discuss teen dating violence. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%

No need to panic. Find out how your pediatrician treats ear infections.Ear infections are a pervasive problem, especially for young children. Untreated ear infections can cause a lot of discomfort but are not a reason to panic. Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30% - sponsor Ear infections often result from a cold when the eustachian tubes don’t properly drain excess fluids. Pediatricians look for fluid and inflammation before prescribing antibiotics. Some ear irritation comes from a virus or a little extra fluid, requiring a wait of 48 hours to issue the correct treatment. Outer ear infections are often treated with ear drop antibiotics. Inner ear infections typically require oral antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory medication can relieve some symptoms as the antibiotics treat the underlying condition. Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to address your child’s ear infection. Sponsor: Fight colds and flu with Hydralyte. Rapid and complete hydration, suitable for all ages and doctor recommended. Use code “hydrakid” to save 30%