Kids Considered™

microplastics

probiotics

how to get ready for a new sibling

teen screen time recommendations

In the United States, most 2-year-olds use a digital device daily, and 9 of every 10 children are introduced to a device before their first birthday. In this episode we review screen time recommendations for children under 6. We also highlight some of the most recent studies addressing its influence on language, attention, development and sleep and the issues that arise when trying to research this topic. 

Resources 

Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits - HealthyChildren.org

Common Sense Media

Screen-Time Recommendations for Children Under Six | ZE...

In this episode we talk about the novel PATH program here at UC Davis. This program was implemented to promote accessibility to health care for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences. We talk with the co-directors, pediatric developmental pediatrician Dr. Scott Akins and pediatric surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kohler about their experiences caring for children with neurodevelopmental differences in the healthcare setting. We review the health disparities that exist within this population and ways that we as providers and parents can collaborate for a more successful approach to providing evidence based care for these kids and families. 

W...

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Moore to discuss the important topic of safe sleep in infants. We review evidence-based strategies for reducing the risk of sudden unexplained infant death (SIDS) including the importance of placing an infant on their back to sleep, ensuring a flat, firm sleep surface with nothing in the crib or bassinet and the protective role of breastfeeding and pacifiers. We also review popular misconceptions and sleep topics like smart bassinets and cardiorespiratory monitors. This episode will ensure every new parent and infant sleeps easier! 

Resources 

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In anticipation of the upcoming US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5th- this episode discusses how civic engagement and voting relates to our health. Voting is one of the main ways that community members can influence policies and laws that allow for access to resources like high-quality nutrition, education, housing, and health care. In this podcast, we review studies that show areas with higher voter turnout are more healthy and  adults who vote and who are more politically engaged have better mental health, achieve higher levels of education, and attain higher incomes. We also talk about d...

GLP-1 medications have been in the news recently highlighting their success in weight loss. In today's episode, we check in with Alex Nella, a pediatric physician assistant and registered dietician here at UC Davis, who specializes in obesity in youth and adolescents. We discuss traditional approaches to weight management in teens. We review these medications and the role they may play in treating obesity in the teen population. We also discuss some of the recent research, side effects, monitoring and safety data around this popular medication. 

I would like to thank Alex Nella, physician a...

In this episode, we talk with pediatric allergist and immunologist Dr. Sunil Saini about the very common pediatric condition, asthma. We review symptoms of asthma and  commonly co-occuring conditions. We discuss how asthma is diagnosed and some tests that may play a role in assessing asthma severity or common triggers. We also review medications used to treat asthma and how to follow an asthma action plan. 

We thank Dr. Saini for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Dean and Lena take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

In this episode we discuss menstruation in adolescents. We review typical ages for onset of menstruation, and the hormonal pathways that are involved with initiating puberty and menstruation. We discuss what is considered “normal” in terms of cycle length, amount of bleeding and associated symptoms. We also review conditions that may lead to delayed menstruation, or abnormal cycles (from very heavy, to irregular or absent) and talk about how to treat some of the commonly associated conditions. 

​​We would like to thank Dr. Juliana Melo, OB-GYN with a particular interest in adolescen...

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Daphne Say, pediatric gastroenterologist at UC Davis to discuss the all consuming topic of infant spit up, reflux and GERD. We discuss why this is so common in infants and which infants are more at risk. We review some signs that this may be evolving from a laundry problem (this is the most common!) to a medical problem. We also discuss ways to improve reflux symptoms- from positional techniques, to maternal diets, formulas and thickened feeds. We also review commonly used medications and the risks and benefits associated. 

In this episode we cover the daunting task of teaching your teenager to drive. We review the common process for obtaining a learners permit and license and evidence based safety rules & recommendations for learners. We discuss some of the reasons teens are more vulnerable to accidents. And we review strategies for approaching teaching, how to role model positive driving etiquette and things to consider when choosing a first car for your teen. 

Resources 

Safe vehicles for teens

DriveitHOME™: Pointers for Parents - National Safety Council

Heal...

In this episode we cover the daunting task of teaching your teenager to drive. We review the common process for obtaining a learners permit and license and evidence based safety rules & recommendations for learners. We discuss some of the reasons teens are more vulnerable to accidents. And we review strategies for approaching teaching, how to role model positive driving etiquette and things to consider when choosing a first car for your teen. 

Resources 

Safe vehicles for teens

DriveitHOME™: Pointers for Parents - National Safety Council

HealthyChildren.org - Help...

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 f...

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 ha...