Healthy Children

Heading into the warmer, summer months can bring up a lot of feelings when our kids & teens think about wearing shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits.

Eating disorders and body dysmorphia occur all year long, but wearing fewer clothes in the summer heat can trigger a lot of emotions. So today we are focusing on eating disorders: signs and symptoms, mental illness, and treatments, and how to talk about bodies & weight with our children.

Joining us today for this conversation is Dr. Nicole Cifra. She is a third-year pediatric fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center and currently serves on the Medical Care Standards Committee of the Academy for Eating Disorders.

Tattoos and body piercing are gaining popularity as a form of personal expression. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommendations for your child’s safety with these body modifications.

Basic Guidelines:
- Know that each state has a set of rules and regulations for minimum age. Proper identification is needed and so is parental accompaniment in some cases.
- Look for a clean and sanitary establishment.
- Watch someone else undergo a tattoo or piercing at your chosen establishment.
- Meticulous guidelines for care of the wound is important.
- It’s expensive to get a laser tattoo removal and it isn’t covered by insurance. Consider long and hard before getting a tattoo. A temporary or henna tattoo is a smart first step.
- No tattoo artist or piercer will do a procedure on someone under the influence.
- Make sure tetanus, hepatitis and other immunizations are up to date.
- If the procedure site is red, hurts more than the initial needling, red streaking above or below, pus or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Speak with your child’s pediatrician if he is considering a body modification. She can share risks and complications if your child is passionate about getting a tattoo or piercing.

Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, in this encore episode from 2018 to share how to make sure your child is safe when getting a body modification.

These have been unprecedented times for medical care really across the board. But for pregnant women, this was an especially difficult time to navigate.

Dr. Wendy Hasson joins Melanie this episode to talk about pregnancy during COVID-19, the safety of vaccines, and how they affect the baby and shares her own story of how she got vaccinated & boosted while carrying her second child. At the time of this taping, she was 37 weeks pregnant!

Dr. Hasson is the Medical Director of the PICU at Randall Children's Hospital.

It seems straightforward to show love to your kids. But, every parent and every child is different.

First, your words have an impact. Sarcasm and mocking can be upsetting to your child. Be positive and find kinder ways to communicate that don’t make your child feel inferior.

Second, express gratitude and respect for your child. “Please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are important phrases for communication. They may just help you get that smart device set aside for family time by respectfully making requests.

Additionally, hugging is important. They’re great for expressing love and encouraging physical closeness. Hugs can be calming for parents and children alike.

Schedule family times and be sure to keep them. Give your children the time they need. You’re cultivating the way they succeed in their future relationships.

Listen as Dr. Naveen Mehrotra joins Melanie Cole, MS, in this encore episode from 2018 to share how you can demonstrate your love for your child.