Healthy Kids Zone

Is your child constantly complaining that their feet hurt? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over the signs and symptoms of flat feet in younger kids and teenagers. She talks about how to treat this condition and the one thing doctors used to recommend but don’t anymore.

With so many apps, it can be hard as a parent to keep track of all of them. If your child has a smartphone, it may be tricky to decipher what each app does. Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the programs that may look harmless but are definitely not for children. Learn how to spot these dangerous apps and keep your kids safe.

Washing your hands well and often is one of the important things you can do for your health—especially for children. But as a parent, how can you motivate your children to wash their hands and do it correctly? On today’s Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares some fun tips for making handwashing a fun activity. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

Will shaving your baby's head make its hair grow thicker? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says no. On this episode of Debunking Old Wives’ Tales, Dr. Gellner highlights some common misconceptions out there about what makes a baby's hair grow and gives some real, science-based tips for caring for your baby's hair.  

Most smells come from kids being active explorers and can wash off with soap, water, and teeth brushing. But what if an offensive odor doesn’t go away? Dr. Cindy Gellner goes smell by smell to identify what’s causing that stink and talks about whether you should visit your child’s pediatrician.

That constipated look your baby gives you when they can’t poop can be entertaining to look at, but can be quite painful for your baby. Luckily, painful pooping, or infant dyschezia, is a very common, normal and curable problem. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what might cause dychezia and what safe methods you can use to help your baby.

Pandemic fatigue is the mental exhaustion that comes from the sustained increase of stress and uncertainty during the global pandemic of COVID-19 and it can impact children just as much as adults. With few signs of the world returning to normal soon, how can you keep your kids spirits up? Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what she’s seeing in her young patients and strategies you can use to help your loved ones.

Suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss with a teenager, but it is too important to ignore—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teen depression, self-harm, and suicide have seen a rise as teenagers are cut off from their sense of normal. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares her personal and professional experience with suicide, and the importance of checking in with your child and helping them process what they are experiencing.

Newborns can’t always control their developing eyes and sometimes go cross-eyed. But if your child is older than two months and you notice her or his eyes looking in different directions, something else might be going on. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner describes how to tell if your child’s eyes are developing in a healthy way.

Animals can provide comfort, this is a fact. But an emotional support animal is not a pet or a service animal and requires specific training and certification. Some parents may think to request a letter from their child's pediatrician if the child has an emotional disability and a pet helps calm their symptoms—pediatrician Dr. Cindy Geller talks about the criteria for a diagnosis that qualifies your child for an emotional support animal.

Many children have in-toeing – also known as pigeon toes or duck feet – when they start growing. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why it's so common and when you should expect your child to grow out of it. However, if your child reaches a certain age and still has turned-in feet, you may want to consult a doctor.

Well-child visits are still happening, even during a global health pandemic. The good news is your doctor's office is probably one of the safest places to be during COVID-19 outside of your house. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what to expect during your child's visit, how doctors' offices are adjusting to COVID-19, and whether or not virtual well-child visits are a good alternative.

While the classroom may look different this year, school is still happening. As a parent, you worry your child might get infected if they are attending in-person classes. But if your child is remote learning, you worry they are not fully absorbing the learning materials. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about how to keep both students and teachers safe—in the classroom and at home—during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that is linked to shorter daylight hours. About six percent of children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the condition. On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains the symptoms and treatment options that might help if your child has seasonal depression.

Just because you're social distancing, doesn't mean you can't celebrate Halloween this year. There are a lot of fun Halloween activities you and your family can enjoy—even during a global health pandemic. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner has some dos and don'ts on how to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19.

For many parents, the pacifier was a godsend in helping soothe their infant—especially for those fussy late nights. But prolonged use of the binky may lead to dental problems and orthodontic work, and in some cases, even hinder speech development. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains when and why your child should stop using a pacifier and shares her strategies for getting your child off the binky for good.

Weaning a baby off a bottle is easier to talk about than to accomplish. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner acknowledges how difficult this transition can be for both toddler and parent. She shares her advice on how to switch to a sippy cup and strategies to help your child move on from the bottle.

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

It can be hard to watch your child have night terrors: when they scream and cry inconsolably at night. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why a small percent of children experience these and how you can help when it happens. Although night terrors usually stop eventually, there are some signs that it’s more serious and you should take your child to their doctor.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 3.2 million kids aged 12 to 17 have had a depressive episode in the last year. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what depression looks like in children and how you as a parent can help your child’s mental health.