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 genetics.

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 they follow your rules.

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 injuries in the first place.

With the new school year approaching, you might start to worry about your child being away from you. Especially for young kids who might have separation anxiety, starting school can be a scary time. Take a few minutes to listen to the tips Dr. Cindy Gellner has for helping your child get ready for school emotionally. With preparation and support, you can help make school and learning a fun and positive experience for your child.

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 Dr. Cindy Gellner explains, it’s the frequent rubbing and blowing of the nose that can actually lead to the bleeding. She tells you how to treat a bloody nose at home and what to do if the bleeding doesn’t stop.

Hiking is a fun summer activity for the whole family, as long as safety is a top priority. Dr. Cindy Gellner gives some tips for letting your kids have some fun in the outdoors without getting into trouble. She lists some important things to bring and how to set some ground rules for your young children and teenagers.

It seems like not long ago you could leave your kids at home for the evening or let them play outside all day with almost no worries. These days it seems like you can’t be too careful. At what age can you start to leave your kids at home for the night? Dr. Cindy Gellner provides some tips for preparing your kids for an evening without you.

It’s important to make sure your children are safe and supervised when they’re swimming, but it’s important to protect them from the unseen dangers too. Cryptosporidiosis, or crypto, is a microscopic parasite that can lurk in public pools and other recreational bodies of water. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue. In this podcast Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to avoid contracting crypto and what to do if you think your child has it.