Navigating the world of social media as a parent with a teenager can be challenging. Are they spending too much time on specific platforms? Is social media contributing to feelings of anxiety and depression they may be experiencing? On today’s episode of Young & Healthy, Dr. Suzanne Sampang and Dr. Brian Kurtz, both pediatric psychiatrists, help us explore the complex world of social media and the positive and negative effects it can have on teens. We talk about how social media shapes their self-esteem, relationships, and mental health, and discuss strategies for parents and teens can use to navigate these digital landscapes safely and responsibly.

This week on the Young & Healthy podcast, we’re talking about bedwetting. It’s more common than you think, and we know it is hard for kids and parents alike. Dr. Bob DeFoor, a pediatric urologist, joins us to shed some light on the causes of bedwetting and how to distinguish between typical nighttime accidents and an issue that needs attention. Listen in as we explore actionable strategies for parents, including steering clear of the 4 C's – caffeine, carbonated drinks, citrus, and chocolate – known to trigger nighttime accidents. We also talk about pros and cons of several treatment options, like moisture alarms and medications. Bedwetting is a medical condition, and our aim is to assist you in navigating and understanding it. Join us for an insightful conversation on this common yet often misunderstood aspect of childhood.    For more tips on managing bedwetting, please read: Bedwetting Solutions: Tips for Helping Your Child Overcome It

School is back in session! As Young & Healthy kicks off season 4, listen to school specialists Melissa Schafer and Willie Jonovski delve into the unique challenges and opportunities students have in the second half of the school year. From increased academic pressure to navigating social dynamics that cause school avoidance, we explore the factors that make the second half of the school year important. Our experts talk about managing stress, setting realistic SMART goals, and maintaining motivation when the initial excitement wears off. Tune in for an empowering conversation that combines empathy, expertise, and real-world solutions!

Do you hear what I hear? It’s time to wrap up and put a bow on Season 3 of the Young & Healthy podcast. On today’s episode, the whole podcast team is together to chat about their favorite episodes of the past year. The team also dives into a round of fun questions to share behind the scenes tidbits about the podcast and about each of the members of the team. We hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording this one! Happy Holidays and see you in January for Season 4!  Resources:  For a full catalog of the team’s favorite episodes, check out Young & Healthy | a podcast by Cincinnati Children’s (podbean.com) If you would like to find out what your strengths are, take the survey at Login | VIA Institute (viacharacter.org)

Anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction, is the stuff parents’ nightmares are made of. Seeing someone experience an anaphylactic reaction can be scary, but Dr. Tim Dribin advises that by staying prepared and knowing what to look for, you could save the life of someone experiencing this type of reaction.   Today on the Young & Healthy podcast, we talk to Dr. Dribin, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist, and anaphylaxis expert. He and our host Kate Setter discuss myths and misunderstandings about anaphylaxis, the common triggers of anaphylactic reactions, symptoms to be aware of, and the importance of seeing an allergist. They also talk extensively about epinephrine injectors, commonly known as EpiPens, which are the first line of defense for a severe allergic reaction and a necessary prescription to have on hand for kids who have allergies. Be sure to check out the chapter markers to navigate to specific points of the episode.

Dieting – people have been doing it for generations. Perhaps someone is dieting in your house right now. But have you paused lately to think about how exposure to diet culture or talk of dieting could be impacting your children? Today, on the Young & Healthy podcast, Dr. Jessica Lin and Dr. Sanita Ley sit down with us to discuss the impact of dieting and how other people’s opinions can have a negative impact on kids and adolescents. They bust myths, such as eating disorders are not specific to one body type and the influence of dieting affects kids of all ages, cultural backgrounds and genders. We learn how fitness guidelines and recommendations from influencers are not always safe and the long-term impact diet culture can have on a child’s relationship with food. Jessica and Sanita talk to us about how eating foods you like in moderation is good for you and so is having carbs and fats. After today’s episode, we hope listeners have quality information and feel empowered to find a value-based approach to healthy movements and foods and some ideas for what that can look like for you and your family.   Resources: For more information on resources available at Cincinnati Children's, visit Eating Disorders | Cincinnati Children's (cincinnatichildrens.org)  For a guide to good, healthy eating, visit MyPlate. For resources to help stop bullying, visit StopBullying.gov For general guidelines for nutrition, visit the Center for Young Women's Health and Young Men's Health

Calling all the ghouls, ghosts and goblins! It’s Friday the 13th and we are thinking about all the scary things. The exposure to all things spooky can be challenging for families to navigate. You may be wondering if it’s okay for your children to be scared? The short answer is, yes! On today’s episode of Young & Healthy, pediatric psychologist Dr. Shivali Sarawgi, joins us to discuss how to expose your children to scary things at the appropriate time, how to help kids understand the difference between reality and the unreal and to help them feel safe even when things are scary. We also talk about how to help kids navigate feelings of being scared and the importance of parental involvement when kids want to watch scary movies or play intense video games. Don’t miss this fang-tastic episode!  Happy Halloween!

Did you know, 50-75% of new moms who have postpartum depression are never diagnosed? Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing experience that comes with significant hormonal, physical and emotional changes. Stress, anxiety, sadness and fear are all normal emotions during the postpartum period. You’re likely familiar with words like postpartum depression, perinatal depression, maternal depression, and baby blues. But what do they all mean?   Today we have a profound and powerful conversation with Dr. Rachel Herbst, pediatric psychologist and therapist Kara Messmore about these types of depression and their impact on families and children. We learn how to identify symptoms of PPD and discuss psychosocial stressors that pre-dispose parents to depression. Kara and Rachel also provide tips on how families and friends can support new parents and ways for caregivers to take care of themselves, which is the most important thing a new parent can do for their own health and for their baby.   Resources:   For more information on Moving Beyond Depression at Cincinnati Children’s, please watch this video to learn more: Moving Beyond Depression | Cincinnati Children's  For additional resources in the Greater Cincinnati Area, visit:  Cradle Cincinnati: Cradle Cincinnati (squarespace.com)  Queen’s Village: Queens Village (blackwomenforthewin.com)

It is well known that menstrual cycles can be stressful and painful – especially when a young person first starts their period. Most people learn from their family members about what to expect and how to be as comfortable as possible during menstrual cycles.   But what if your family’s “normal” isn’t normal at all? Margo D’Agostino had excessively heavy menstrual bleeding for years – including some symptoms, that in hindsight, were quite alarming. But her mom had the same experience, so they together decided it must be normal. Spoiler, it wasn’t normal – Margo has a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease, that other members of her family likely have too.   On the podcast today, Margo and Dr. Maria Carter Febres, a pediatric hematologist, join us to talk about bleeding disorders and Margo’s journey to find answers about her health. We talk about typical menstruation experiences, the importance of normalizing conversations about monthly cycles and what to do if something doesn’t seem quite right with your own or your child’s health.

Sudden cardiac arrest often happens without warning. There have been several recent cases of cardiac arrest in young athletes, covered in the news. The thought of your child’s heart stopping, is truly terrifying. But instead of worrying that it could happen, we recommend everyone prepare, so you are ready if you ever witness a sudden cardiac arrest.  In this episode, Dr. Adam Powell, a pediatric cardiologist, and Brenda Williams, an RN in the Heart Institute and Simulation Center, are here to discuss cardiac arrest and project ADAM. We define sudden cardiac arrest, talk about warning signs and discuss AEDs and why they are so important. Project ADAM is helping schools become heart safe, and we talk about their work and how schools can get involved. This episode is loaded with information and advice that could be a difference-maker if you ever witness a sudden cardiac arrest. Parents of athletes in particular, need to listen to this one.  For more information on Project ADAM, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/h/heart-institute/project-adam