Healthy Children Podcast

Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez for a special episode celebrating 15 years of HealthyChildren.org. They talk about this pediatrician-produced website, it’s thousands of articles, interactive parenting tools and other resources for anyone caring for infants, children, teens and young adults.

Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez for a special "Ask the Pediatrician" episode. They answer questions submitted by listeners on topics that include preventing RSV, traveling with an infant, styles of crawling, how to respond to hitting, holiday treats overload and why you should avoid heating plastics.

Nicholas Chadi MD, MPH, FRCPC, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about the misuse of prescription medications. Some of the most commonly misused medications are those prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pain relief, anxiety or sleep problems. When kids share or use them in ways other than prescribed, it can be dangerous. Learn ways to help prevent medication misuse and keep your child safe.

Anna Esparham, MD, FAAP, DABMA, DABOIM, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about sleep. She explains how much sleep kids need from infancy through the teenage years. They discuss how to help kids fall and stay asleep, "wake windows," ideal bedtimes, melatonin and more.

Trish Hutchison, MD, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to debunk myths about puberty. They talk about helping kids avoid stigma, teaching hygiene tips for acne and body odor, using correct names for body parts and explaining the biological wonders of menstruation.

Susanna Jain, MD, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about suspension and expulsion from school. The number of children being removed from classrooms is on the rise, and it’s affecting not only their learning but also their long-term health. Listen in to learn more.

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about the value of reading aloud with children. Even infants can benefit from the relationship building that happens when a caregiver holds them and points at pictures, using funny voices to tell stories. These brief interactions support healthy mental development and learning skills as children get older.

Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about using opioids responsibly. Ask your pediatrician about low-dose, short courses in combination with other therapies. Untreated pain in kids can have lasting effects—physically and mentally. The risk of addiction or overdose is low when the right precautions are taken.

Andrea Pappalardo, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about managing allergies and asthma outside the home. They focus on school policies, best practices for sports and other activities, and teaching children to advocate for themselves.

Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez for a special "Ask the Pediatrician" episode. They answer questions submitted by listeners on topics ranging from eczema causes and treatments, anxiety around school, nutrition and healthy beverages for athletes, and how to turn perfectionism into a tool for helping others.

Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to discuss drug and alcohol use by teens. They talk about ways to talk with your child from a place of caring and concern rather than judgment, along with strategies that can help prevent substance use.

Maneesha Agarwal, MD, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about helmet use during sports and recreation. Dr. Agarwal offers strategies for choosing the appropriate helmet type, making sure it fits and persuading older tweens and teens to wear it. She also explains why advocacy is needed to make helmets more equitable.

Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about helping children grow into resilient adolescents and young adults. They debunk the myths about teens being rebellious, risky and self-centered. Instead, they focus on the positives: rapid brain growth, idealism and a real desire for approval from their parents.

Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about the safety of products we bring home to make parenting easier. From inclined sleepers to unnecessary bedding to magnets to marbles, potentially dangerous goods flood the feeds of parents just trying to raise healthy children. Find out ways you can protect your family.

Jennifer Thomas, MD, MPH, IBCLC, FAAP, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about ankyloglossia or tongue-tie and how it affects the breastfeeding journey. The pediatricians also offer tips to help new parents manage the emotions around newborn feeding.

Chris Renjilian, MD, MBE, FAAP, CAQSM, joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about the benefits of sports when it comes to mental health and development. They focus on learning, growth and making sure kids’ efforts spark joy.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Nathan T. Chomilo, MD, FAAP, about no parent's favorite topic: poop. They answer all the questions you might have about frequency, consistency, color and when to worry about constipation.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Brian K. Reilly, MD, FACS, FAAP, a pediatric otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat doctor. They look at the impact of noise on our children’s lives—from white noise machines, from fireworks, from headphones, and even from traffic and lawnmowers outside our windows. Dr. Reilly offers ways to limit the cumulative damage from exposure.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Natalie Muth, MD, MPH, RDN, FAAP, a pediatrician and registered dietitian. They look at which parenting style leads to the healthiest eating habits, but they also acknowledge that it’s difficult to get it right every single day.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with pediatric dermatologist Teresa Wright, MD, FAAD, FAAP, about the dangers of sun exposure. The two pediatricians go over the different types of sunscreens, what SPF really means, how to persuade teens to protect their skin, and why all skin tones are susceptible to sunburn and damage.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Kevin Osterhoudt, MD, MSCE, FAAP, FAACT, FACMT, about the dangers of lead and how to protect your child from exposure. The two pediatricians discuss places lead might hide in the home and in the products we buy.

In this episode Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez talks with Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, co-medical director of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. The two pediatricians (and moms) discuss strategies for treating social media as a tool rather something to be avoided.