Kids First Podcast

Welcome to the first of our Pediatric Pearl series with Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Karen Gentile!  Pediatric pearls are quick tips that aim to discuss the most challenging parenting problems and are designed for parents who don't have 30-45 minutes to commit to a full podcast episode.  The pearl in this episode is healthy snack ideas for kids!  We get asked this question all of the time so Registered Dietician Gia Diakakis with Feed to Succeed is here to discuss what she recommends as a professional as well as how she approaches snacking in her own family.  

Our very own Sarah Nussbaum, RN is an expert at car seat safety and it's a good thing because there is SO MUCH to learn about how to keep your little ones safe while in the car.  In this episode we will discuss: American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations State of Illinois law on car seats Why it's important to keep your child rear facing because of their bone structure  What types of car seats are available: Infant, Convertible, Combination, High Back, Low Back Pinch test for correct fit The 5 steps to Seatbelt Aftermarket products and car seats Resources: https://thecarseatlady.com https://www.safekids.org https://www.nhtsa.gov  

Potty training your toddler is a wonderful new developmental milestone for both parent and child!  Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jessica Fanucchi discuss the theory of potty training while Registered Nurse Yael Cohen gives real life, practical advice on how she potty trained her 4 kids including what worked well and what didn't.   In this episode we will discuss the following potty training topics: Signs of readiness When to start potty training What age are most kids typically potty trained How to execute the day-of What to do if your child has many accidents on potty training day Potty chair vs. toilet seat insert How to overcome fearful pooping The child who was potty trained but having accidents again Late potty trainers How to incentivize your child appropriately The age in which bed wetting and accidents are normal

One of the most common secondary infections caused by the common cold is a middle ear infection.  In this episode we talk about middle ear infections and also touch briefly on swimmers ear and middle ear effusions.  In this episode you will learn:  Normal ear anatomy What is an ear effusion Does swimming or bathing cause an ear infection? What is the difference between swimmers ear and an ear infection? What causes an ear infection What are the signs and symptoms of an ear infection The most common age group affected by ear infections How can we protect kids from ear infections What to do if you suspect an ear infection in the middle of the night How to provide pain control to your child from an ear infection What is watchful waiting and how do we effectively use it to treat an ear infection? Perforated ear drums Flying with an ear infection or cold When should we consider an ENT referral, what are ear tubes, and when should we consider an ENT referral to discuss ear tubes? https://www.kidsfirstpediatricpa

Fall and Winter are the seasons in which there is a rise in upper respiratory infections including croup.  Croup is a specific type of URI that causes a barky seal-like cough and sometimes difficulty breathing.  Croup often comes on suddenly and can be very scary for parents.  In this episode, Nurse Practitioners Karen & Jean discuss croup and help us to understand how to handle croup when it is suspected:   Signs and symptoms of croup The hallmark symptom of croup Sound bite of the classic “seal” bark cough At home treatment recommendations Steroids?  When should and when should we not use them?  The differences between mild, moderate, and severe croup When to consider an ER evaluation or when to call 911 When would an ENT referral be appropriate?   https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Croup-Treatment.aspx

The 2018 and 2019 cold and  influenza season is just getting underway.  This episode, recorded for the 2017 and 2018 influenza season but applicable today, discusses how to keep your child safe this flu season.  The topics for this episode will include:   How to identify influenza vs. the common cold Common cold treatment recommendations Why antibiotics do not help alleviate symptoms of the common cold or influenza Influenza treatment recommendations (these recommendations are updated throughout each flu season, for the most up-to-date treatment recommendations go to https://www.cdc.gov/flu/) Facts regarding the influenza vaccine and the Flu Mist   Find us at www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com   Resources:  IDPH (Illinois Dept. of Public Health) Influenza Surveillance Website: http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/surveillance   CDC Flu Activity and Surveillance Website: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm

Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile & Jean Russo are joined by a special guest and of our very own pediatricians Dr. Jenny Kim!  Dr. Kim explains one of our HOTTEST topics in pediatric primary care- fevers!  Some of the topics Dr. Kim covers in this episode:  What can affect our temperature fluctuations A true fever starts at 100.4F of a core body temperature Temperature measurement techniques Reasons why fever may be a GOOD thing The symptoms a fever will produce  When fever is considered an emergency When parents should call our office to let us know about their child's fever  Viral fevers can generally last 3-5 days Why do fevers come and go throughout the day What temperature is “too high” Why a fever doesn’t actually cause brain damage How, when, and why we should administer fever-reducing medications like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen Why do fevers sometimes go UP after giving fever-reducing medications Febrile seizures Fevers caused by vaccinations https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issue

Registered Dietician Gia Diakakis from Feed to Succeed in Glenview, IL joins us for an informative discussion on pediatric nutrition basics.  Gia answers our long burning questions about how we can set our kids up for success with a healthy diet that will last a lifetime!  Spoiler alert: She recommends feeding your child the same foods that the rest of the family is eating!   Topics Include:  Children's menu's in restaurants, portion sizes, and expecting your child to eat the same types of foods that you as a parent would eat.   Gia recommends the entire family get involved and active in healthy eating regardless of their weight or size Ways you SHOULDN'T talk to your child if they are overweight Sports drinks Chocolate milk as a sports drink When to offer your child juice and how much  Smoothies, are they good or bad?  How to handle picky eating How to be a good role model for your kids School lunches Balancing meals Do kids still "outgrow" baby fat? Check out our website for resources that will enhance yo

Experts recommend that infants start eating solid foods between ages 4-6 months of age, but where do we start?  This new journey in an infants life can be confusing for new parents, not to mention it may elicit fears of food based allergic reactions.  Karen and Jean talk about the AAP's current recommendations on how to advance your infant diet's from formula or breast milk to the addition of solid foods.  Join us for an interesting discussion about how to approach this milestone, learn when your baby is ready for solid foods, what food allergies may look like, and what ONE food all babies should avoid (hint: it's honey!).  Check out our resources listed below for text-based information on solid food introduction!  https://www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com/parent-education/introducing-solids-infant/ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Switching-To-Solid-Foods.aspx

Do you think your child may have a social media addiction?  Is social media use preventing your child from sleep or giving them poor self esteem?  Do you think your child may be bullied on social media? Special guest Dr. Nirmeen Rajani, a Clinical Psychologist from Primary Care Psychology Associates, reviews the effects of social media use on children and teens in a wonderful discussion called "Does My Child really have 500 Friends".  She talks with NP's Karen and Jean about the various social media platforms including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, WhatsApp, Musical.ly, and LinkedIn.  The positive and negative effects of social media use on youth are discussed.  In Dr. Rajani's podcast, we hear confessions from students about how social media makes them feel and how it affects their sleep and their behavior. Over use of social media can lead to addiction-type behaviors in which Dr. Rajani can successfully treat in the office.  Methods on how to speak to your child about healthy, s

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jean Russo talk about how and when to introduce screen time to infants, toddlers, and adolescents.  This includes modalities such as Skype, Face Time, iPads and tablets, TV, and cell phones.  In this episode, we discuss the health risks and dangers of early or inappropriate screen time use.  Follow us at www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com Screen time information retrieved from www.healthychildren.org and www.aap.org 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jean Russo talk about techniques that will help you successfully sleep train your toddler or older child including how to manage nap times, transitioning out of the crib and into a toddler bed, executing schedule changes, and how to handle the child who still won't sleep.  Infant sleep training was previously discussed in Episode 4.  References for this podcast include Toddler 411 by Denise Fields and Ari Brown. Visit us at www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com for more resources or to schedule an appointment! 

Learn how to keep your little one safe this summer with safety tips from our very own Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Jessica Fanucchi.  In this episode we talk about pool safety and drowning prevention as well as playground safety and considerations, insect repellent, lyme disease, and ATV/bike safety.  

Dr. Mimi Boren, one of our Pediatricians and Lactation Consultants discusses breastfeeding basics.  She reviews the health benefits of breastfeeding to both the baby and the Mom, including the emotional benefits and bonding experiences expected during the breastfeeding process.  We learn about what to expect during the first few days of nursing and what our excellent team of Lactation Consultants at the Chicago Breastfeeding Center at Kids First Pediatric Partners can do to best support Mom's in this new role as a nursing mother!

Are you traveling out of the country soon?  Guest Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Pat Lawrence discusses the Kids First Travel Health Clinic.  On this episode, Pat discusses who should consider making an appointment at the travel clinic and how far in advance the consultation should be scheduled.  Pat also reviews basic travel safety tips, routine vaccinations that are important for traveling with young children, obtaining any special travel vaccines for special destinations.  Pat talks about travelers diarrhea and basic food and water precautions while visiting foreign countries.  We review how to protect your family from Zika virus and Malaria by using insect repellent with DEET.  An overview of Pat’s travel clinic can be found at:  https://www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com/services/travel-clinic/ Specific destination information can be found at:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jean Russo discuss newborn sleep patterns, sleep transitions, and how to sleep train your baby through the first year of life.  Jean gives real life examples of how she sleep trained her two sons successfully using the methods discussed in the podcast.  The two most popular methods: the Weissbluth method and the Ferber method are compared.  Find us at https://www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com/about-us/podcast/ Book recommendations: Baby 411 by Dr. Ari Brown and Denise Fields Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Dr. Richard Ferber

Spring has sprung! Chicago’s seasonal allergy season is in full swing, and our patients are feeling the pollens in the air. Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Karen & Jean discuss allergic rhinitis, the symptoms and how to treat the symptoms. Find us at www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jean Russo introduce the Kids First Podcast, an evidence-based educational discussion about pediatric health conditions and concerns designed for parents. Karen and Jean will discuss their backgrounds as pediatric healthcare providers and the goals of the podcast.   Find us at www.kidsfirstpediatricpartners.com