Healthy Kids Zone

Hand washing is one of the best ways to keep kids healthy, but getting them to do it—and do it right—can be a challenge. But with the right tricks, you can turn this daily task into something your child enjoys. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares creative ways to make hand washing fun, help kids kill the germs they cannot see, and build healthy habits that stick.

Newborns often do not have the perfect skin we expect. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains some of the common skin conditions that newborns face, including "cradle cap" and newborn acne. Learn what causes these conditions and why frequent bathing is not recommended for newborns.

Parents often ask about blood tests during routine pediatric visits, but pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, clarifies that healthy children rarely need them. She shares some of the criteria for screenings in young patients and how insurance factors into decision-making. Learn more about the focused approach pediatricians take to evaluate your child's health and why it may be different than adult screenings.

New parents often wait for their baby to cry before feeding. But earlier signs can be spotted. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses common signs of hunger in your baby, including rooting, hand sucking, and lip movements. Understanding these signals can help you more effectively address your baby’s needs and enhance feeding times.

Many parents worry when their child's feet turn inward, a condition known as intoeing. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains why intoeing happens, when it typically resolves on its own, and what parents can do to support their child's development. Learn when intoeing is a normal part of growth and when it might require medical attention.

Learn about the nurturing impact of skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, with insights from pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD. This gentle practice helps stabilize a baby’s vital signs and fosters deeper bonds between parent and child. Find out more about potential benefits, from enhancing premature babies' weight gain to improving sleep patterns and emotional connectivity.

Is your child often irritable or prone to temper outbursts? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, clarifies the distinctions between bipolar disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis in childhood mood disorders. Learn about the characteristics of DMDD, how it differs from other mood disorders, and the therapeutic approaches that can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is highly contagious and can be quite dangerous to infants and newborns. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses how early immunization can keep your kids safe, along with the signs of whooping cough, when to seek timely treatment, and why it is crucial to stay up to date with vaccinations.

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.

It is gross to talk about, but you can learn a lot from snot. While mucus may be a bit of an annoyance, it plays an important role in your child’s body. Mucus lines organs with a protective layer, keeping dust and dirt out to help fight off infections. But not all mucus is the same. Different colors can mean fungal infection or other serious health issues. And mucus from allergies is different from that of the common cold. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains what the different colors of mucus coming out of your child’s nose really mean, and when you should visit the doctor.