Healthy Kids Zone

Do an Internet search and you’ll find way too many stories about drownings this year. If you think your child is safe, think again. What can you do to make sure your child is safe around water? What mistake do many parents make at the pool that might endanger their child’s life? Do swimming lessons help? Dr. Cindy Gellner answers these questions and more, including places children can drown that you might not have considered.

Sunburns are not just uncomfortable—they are a sign of real skin damage that starts in childhood and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares how to prevent sunburns with proper sunscreen use, when to seek shade, and why babies and fair-skinned children need extra protection. If your child already has a burn, learn the safest, most effective ways to treat it—and what to avoid.

Many parents know the frustration of throwing away uneaten vegetables. Children need the vitamins packed into fruits and veggies, but getting them to eat green beans, carrots or spinach can be a challenge. Dr. Cindy Gellner has some tips for getting even the pickiest kids to eat – and even enjoy – fruits and vegetables.

When your child has a fever, it can be difficult to determine whether it is serious enough to see a pediatrician. Cindy Gellner, MD, goes over some myths and facts about fevers in children and infants, including how to tell low-grade and high-grade fevers apart, and treatments for both. Dr. Gellner also gives some tips about fevers that will help you keep calm while your child is ill.

What is the appropriate age, height, and weight to switch your child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat? Beyond recommendations, specific guidelines and laws ensure children's safety in passenger vehicles. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about current car seat regulations and how to keep your children as safe as possible while on the road.

Helmets can reduce the risk of severe head and brain injuries by 88 percent, yet 50 percent of kids ride their bikes and scooters without a helmet. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why some kids don’t wear helmets, and gives tips on getting your child to willingly use one. She also talks about how to pick out the right helmet to fit your child’s head.

Helmets can reduce the risk of severe head and brain injuries by 88 percent, yet 50 percent of kids ride their bikes and scooters without a helmet. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why some kids don’t wear helmets, and gives tips on getting your child to willingly use one. She also talks about how to pick out the right helmet to fit your child’s head.

You may think alcohol is the furthest thing from your child’s mind. But chances are, either your teenager or her friends will have had a drink or two by the time they finish high school. Studies show more than half of American high school seniors drink at least once a week. Dr. Cindy Gellner addresses why teenage drinking is such a huge problem and offers advice on how to prevent or stop your teen from drinking alcohol.

You may think alcohol is the furthest thing from your child’s mind. But chances are, either your teenager or her friends will have had a drink or two by the time they finish high school. Studies show more than half of American high school seniors drink at least once a week. Dr. Cindy Gellner addresses why teenage drinking is such a huge problem and offers advice on how to prevent or stop your teen from drinking alcohol.

The younger your child is when they start having sex, the more likely they’ll get a sexually transmitted infection. If you’ve never had the talk about sexually transmitted infections with your child, you really need to. Dr. Cindy Gellner offers suggestions on how to bring up the sensitive subject to teenagers. She also talks about the most common STDs, their affects, symptoms, and treatments.