This podcast discusses the popular sleep hormone melatonin. We discuss its role in promoting sleep and our circadian rhythm, review the studies that explore the supplements role in treating sleep issues in pediatrics and typical dosage and timing and for administration. We also highlight some of the issues with this common supplement including the lack of regulation around dosage and additives, risk for overdose and common side effects. 

We would like to thank Dr. Kiran Nandalike, Division Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine for reviewing this episode. Although Drs. Dean and Lena take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Resources

Health advisory | Melatonin use in children and adolescents

Melatonin for Kids: What Parents Should Know About This Sleep Aid - HealthyChildren.org

Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need? - HealthyChildren.org

Melatonin For Children? A Guide for Parents

In this summer re-play, we are re-posting an episode from 2019 with Amber K. Stott, Chief Food Genius and Founding Executive Director of the Food Literacy Center, a local non- profit that works in after school programs teaching children to love their veggies! In this episode we provide tips for parents to create a food adventurer, including how our own language and behaviors can create resistance to trying new foods.  

We thank Amber Stott for joining us for this episode, although we take complete responsibility for any errors or misinformation and acknowledge that some information may have changed since its original publication in 2019.

Resources

foodliteracycenter.org

Healthy Children 10 Tips for Parents of Picky Eaters

Zero to Three How to Handle Picky Eaters

SOS approach to feeding- picky eaters vs. problem feeders parent workshop

In this summer re-play, we are re-posting an episode from 2018 on vegetarian diets. We discuss the reasons kids and teens choose to become vegetarian and talk about the health and climate benefits of a vegetarian diet. We also discuss key nutrients that may be missing from a vegetarian diet and how to ensure adequate intake of protein, calcium, iron, omegas and other micronutrients.

We thank Staci Collins – pediatric dietician at UCD for reviewing this episode, although we take complete responsibility for any errors or misinformation and acknowledge that some information may have changed since its original publication in 2018.

Resources

·     Healthy Children- My teen wants to be a vegetarian

·     Plant based diets- are they good for kids?

·     EatRight.org- vegetarian diets

·     EatRight.org- protein rich foods for your vegetarian child

In celebration of PRIDE month, we are reposting a prior episode (originally released July 2019) on gender diversity and gender identification in children. In this episode we discuss when gender identity develops, review pronouns, and how to create a gender affirming environment.  We also discuss legal and medical options for gender affirming care in transgender youth and some of the controversies surrounding this topic. 

We thank Dr. Laura Kester- Prakash, adolescent medicine specialist at UCD for reviewing this episode, although we take complete responsibility for any errors or misinformation and acknowledge that some information may have changed since its original publication in 2019. 

Resources

Gender Unicorn PDF

Gender Spectrum

Trans Lifeline

Growing Up Trans | FRONTLINE

Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children - HealthyChildren.org

Gender Pronouns | LGBTQ+ Resource Center