ParentingU

Measles is making a comeback — here's what parents need to know.   Kali Broussard, MD, pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, explains why measles cases are rising, what makes this virus so contagious and how vaccination offers powerful protection. Learn how to spot early symptoms, what to do if your child is exposed and why getting vaccinated is more important than ever.  This episode was recorded March 20, 2025. At the time of this recording the outbreak had only 300 cases and is now over 480 cases. Key Moments: Why measles cases are increasing How measles spreads so easily  Signs and symptoms to watch for What to do if your child is exposed How the MMR vaccine protects kids and communities  More ParentingU Resources:  Learn more about measles on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/measles-on-the-rise/ Learn more about Dr. Broussard: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/kali-a-broussard/2585966    

The holiday season brings a lot of active, outdoor fun for kids — trampolines, bikes and even ATVs can bring excitement but also risks. James Gutheil, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, shares his advice to reduce kids' risk of injury during holiday activities. He shares the most common injuries, ways to prevent accidents and signs that an injury needs medical attention.  More ParentingU Resources:  Learn more about keeping kids safe during the holidays on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/keeping-kids-safe-during-the-holidays-tips-to-avoid-breaks-sprains-and-other-injuries/ Learn more about Dr. Gutheil: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/james-p-gutheil/2955594?   Enjoy the holidays with peace of mind and keep your kids active and safe! 

Lots of families struggle when it comes to the topic of introducing cell phones to tweens — parents don't want their children gaining free access to the internet on a phone, but they might need the convenience and safety that a mobile phone provides. What can a family do? Well, pediatrician  Nicholas George, MD — a recent guest on ParentingU, shares his favorite “parenting hack” to tackle this issue. Dr. George explains how a family cell phone can work for parents of tweens and teens. More ParentingU Resources Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

In this ParentingU ExtraCredit episode, Our Lady of Lourdes Burn Center physician assistant Rachel Stutes shares her insights on summer safety, especially for kids. She emphasizes the importance of taking precautions to prevent burns and injuries in the kitchen.   Key takeaways:  Maintain a kid-free zone of at least three feet around anything hot, whether in the kitchen or while grilling.  Place hot liquids away from the edge of counters to prevent young children from grabbing and reaching.  When cooking, make sure all pot handles face backward to prevent spills.  Avoid carrying a child while cooking or holding something hot.  If you do get a burn, stop the burning process, cool it off, and remove any jewelry or rings. Place the burn under cool water for 5 minutes.  Seek medical care if the burn is on the face, hands, feet or genitalia, if it is deeper than a first-degree burn, or if it is larger than the size of a palm.  Read more about keeping kids safe in the kitchen on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/about-us/essential-kitchen-safety-for-kids-and-families/ You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website (http://parentingu.ololchildrens.org) or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. 

Navigating breastfeeding challenges can feel overwhelming for many new moms. Elizabeth Wallis, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health, shares her personal journey with breastfeeding and encourages moms to take care of themselves and know it's OK if things don't go as planned. Listen to your body and your baby. A fed baby is best.  Read more from Dr. Wallis on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/new-moms-take-care-of-your-mental-health/ Learn more about Dr. Wallis: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/Elizabeth+Nicole+Wallis/1878375   Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/phj7ROtIz7I   Listen to all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Podcasts. Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.  #ParentingU #Breastfeeding #MaternalMentalHealth #BreastfeedingBlues 

From changing voices and growing pains to first periods and teenage mood swings, puberty comes with so many changes. Empower yourself to support your child through puberty with confidence. This episode of ParentingU features expert insights from Karli Boggs, MD, Board Certified gynecologist with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, and Brett Hutchinson, MD, Board Certified pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read our blog post, all about teen puberty: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/understanding-puberty-in-girls-a-comprehensive-guide-parentingu-podcast/ - Watch ParentingU host Stephanie talk with Dr. Boggs and Dr. Hutch: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-boys-puberty-parentingu-podcast/ - Dr. Boggs recommended parents learn more at the American Academy of Pediatrics' healthychildren.org and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's girlshealth.gov Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Vaccines are a modern medical miracle according to “Dr. Hutch” (also known as Brett Hutchinson, MD, Board Certified pediatrician.) While we've talked about COVID vaccines on other ParentingU episodes, this time Dr. Hutch joins us to talk about what vaccines teens and tweens might hear about from their doctors at well check visits. If you've ever questioned why your teen or tween is recommended to take vaccines that you never received, Dr. Hutch gives clear, understandable explanations about how vaccine technology has changed over the years and why teens of today might receive vaccinations that parents did not. ParentingU host Stephanie asks Dr. Hutch about the current recommended vaccine schedule and what conditions are trying to be prevented from the vaccinations. The conversation even covers flu shots for teens, and the top myth about flu shots. Parents will appreciate Dr. Hutch's calm, thoughtful manner in talking about vaccinations (he's even got some suggestions for treats—even teens appreciate a little treat—after getting a round of vaccination shots.) More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read more about vaccines for teens and tweens on our blog: Vaccines for Tweens & Teens | ParentingU Podcast - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org) - Dr. Hutch has included a handy primer for parents: A Parents' Primer on Vaccines - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org) - Check out our current recommended vaccine schedule. Download the guide here: What to Expect at Well Checks Guide (PDF) Watch Dr. Hutch speak with Stephanie (mom of two and ParentingU host): https://youtu.be/evgGDF8C9Ig Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Sports teams and athletics can be a formative, fun part of tweens and teens lives. How can parents make sure teens are participating in sports in a safe way, that avoids injury, while providing enrichment, exercise, and life lessons along the way? ParentingU welcomes Kyle Pontiff, MD, sports medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health to share his insights about getting the most out of youth sports. Dr. Pontiff offers practical guidelines for parents to assess how much activity is too much as well as explains the importance of rest for young athletes (if sports pros can rest, youth athletes can rest, too!) Dr. Pontiff also offers thoughtful perspectives on how to balance a desire to excel with a spirit of healthy competition. Parents of kids in sports programs will appreciate the real-world information in this episode. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read more about sports medicine for teens and how Dr. Pontiff cares for young athletes on our blog: The Playbook for Safer Youth Sports | ParentingU Podcast - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org) - Watch Dr. Pontiff speak with Stephanie (mom of two and ParentingU host): https://youtu.be/WLbAcvxfWl4   Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Illness and injury seem to come up at any time (sometimes, the most inconvenient times!) How do parents of teens and tweens know when to go to urgent care and when to go to the Emergency Room? Hannah Chachere, MD, a pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health joins us on ParentingU to break down all the different choices parents have when encountering an illness or injury with a teen or tween. What is the difference between urgent and emergency care? Do you know when to call the pediatrician's office instead of going to urgent care? Do you know when urgent care might be the best option, as well as what types of urgent care offices are available? You'll find out on this episode as well as receiving practical tips from Dr. Chachere about first aid and some home remedies that she swears by! More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Dr. Chachere recommended a first aid product: Hibiclens, also known as chlorhexidine gluconate—available at most drug stores - She also likes family favorites like Aquaphor, Vaseline, and local honey (listen to the episode for more details) - We have a handy “Where to Go for Care” guide you can get here: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024ParentingU_Where-to-Go-800x1000-1.jpg - Watch Dr. Chachere and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yfly4ehPHLk - Read our informative blog post all about where to go for care:  https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/panic-free-pediatrics-where-to-seek-care-for-your-sick-or-injured-tween-or-teen-parentingu-podcast/   Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

The teen years can be difficult—for parents and teens alike! Did you know there's a whole medical specialty dedicate to young people ages 12 to 21? It's called adolescent medicine, and Ruben Battley, MD joins ParentingU to talk about what adolescent medicine is and how it can help families. Dr. Battley shares his insights from seeing patients at the Adolescent Medicine Clinic in Baton Rouge. He offers practical tips for how parents can be positive role models for teens, plus how to openly discuss topics teens need to hear about. This episode will give parents of teens and tweens hope and clarity for navigating these formative years with their children. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read our blog post all about adolescent medicine for teens and tweens here: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-foundation-for-self-esteem-and-healthy-tween-and-teen-relationships-parentingu-podcast/ - Watch Dr. Battley and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ayXBd62lk5c   Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

As children grow up, they gain more independence and autonomy in every aspect of their life, including healthcare. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents to help ease the transition from pediatric to adult primary care. Dr. George emphasizes that it's normal and natural for adolescents to want more privacy during medical appointments. We hope this  episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for supporting your tweens and teens as they continue the journey through adolescence. Questions Answered on the Episode -          Why might I need to leave the room during my older child's healthcare appointment? -          How can I help my child feel comfortable speaking openly with their physician? Additional Resource - Read more on Helping Kids Feel Empowered at the Doctor's Office We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Teens and tweens have their own needs when it comes to eating and food. Teens might be past the baby years when younger children are figuring out what they like to eat and what they need to grow, but not quite to the adult years when metabolisms change and most growing is done. How can parents help their teens develop healthy eating habits that will serve them well into adulthood? Lisa Le, MD, a pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Prairieville joins host Stephanie on this episode of ParentingU to talk about what teens need in terms of nutrition and calories as they grow into adults. This episode is filled with great practical tips that will help get teens involved in their own health and nutrition, developing what can be positive, life-long food habits. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read our blog post all about healthy eating for teens: - Watch Dr. Le and Stephanie on YouTube:   Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Teenagers and tweens start asking about it early—first with colas and sodas, but soon after with coffee and energy drinks. It's all about caffeine. While adults might worry about caffeine hyping kids up and disrupting sleep, teens often seek out caffeine for the same reasons adults do. Caffeine is a stimulant, make no mistake about that, but some of the things people believe about caffeine might not be fact-based. On this episode of ParentingU, Kali Broussard, MD joins host Stephanie to get the straight story about caffeine for teens and tweens. How much caffeine is too much? Does caffeine stunt kids' growth? What is really in those energy drinks? Dr. Broussard provides some great guidelines all parents can use when making decisions about caffeine. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read our blog post all about caffeine for teens: Beyond the Buzz: Insights on Teens, Tweens and Caffeine - Watch Dr. Broussard and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cFvSa9sEVUw While you pour yourself another cup of coffee, if you know a parent who is interested in how much caffeine their kids are consuming, you're invited to share this episode of ParentingU.   Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

It's a teenager milestone that fills some parents with fear and dread: teen driving. How can parents help teens learn how to be safe and responsible drivers without causing family strife? Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health who practices on the Northshore, shares ways parents can help their teens develop safe driving habits. Dr. Clinkingbeard brings the facts—and shares many actionable tips—to help make this stage of the parenting journey as productive and peaceful as possible. More Helpful Teen Driving Resources - Read our blog post all about driving in the teen years: Roadmap to Safety: Teen Driving Tips - Watch Dr. Clinkingbeard and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C6FIcLAcYKI?si=RHJymEViqXSCLFpv What was your favorite teen driving tip from Dr. Clinkingbeard? If you know someone with a teen driver, you're invited to share this episode of ParentingU. Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Is your teen getting enough sleep? Or are they trying to “catch up” on the weekend? Or do you worry they're sleeping too much, staying in bed as much as they can? Teens and tweens have different sleep needs than toddlers or young adults. Natalie Derouen, MD joins host Stephanie on the Season 4 premiere of ParentingU podcast to talk about sleep for teenagers. Sleep habits and sleep routines can be forged in the teen years, and may help (or hinder!) young people in these important years. Dr. Derouen shares tips and tricks for helping teens get quality sleep, and provides helpful facts about sleep needs from ages 11-18. We all know sleep is important, but parents will have all their top sleep questions answered on this episode. More Helpful ParentingU Resources - Read our blog post all about sleep for teens and tweens here: Unlock the Secrets to Teen & Tween Sleep – ParentingU Podcast - Watch Dr. Derouen and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZeAZigCa8Ck Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

As temps fall, we all experience the instinct to bundle up. Not so fast for our littlest passengers. Rachel Dewey, DO, family medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, shares why parents should remember to remove children's coats before buckling them into a car seat in this ParentingU Extra Credit episode. Read more about car seat safety on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/winter-wonders-coats-off-for-car-seat-safety/ We'll be back with more full-length ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

As children grow up, they gain more independence and autonomy in every aspect of their life, including healthcare. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents to help ease the transition from pediatric to adult primary care. Dr. George emphasizes that it's normal and natural for adolescents to want more privacy during medical appointments. We hope this extra credit episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for supporting your tweens and teens as they continue the journey through adolescence. Questions Answered on the Episode -          Why might I need to leave the room during my older child's healthcare appointment? -          How can I help my child feel comfortable speaking openly with their physician? Additional Resource - Read more on Helping Kids Feel Empowered at the Doctor's Office We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Kids can get sick anytime, including outside of business hours. In this ParentingU Extra Credit episode, Brian Bailey, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, walks parents through what they should consider when trying to decide where to go to receive the right care. Questions Answered on the Episode - When should I take my child to urgent care? - How do I know an illness requires emergency care? Additional Resources - Download our Where to Go When quick guide - Read more about choosing the right care in the right place in our blog post, What Type of Care? It's Tricky, But We're Here to Help - Try our online pediatric symptom checker We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Technology use and screen time increase for kids as summer break begins. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents about screen time as tweens and teens begin to use social media. Dr. George emphasizes how parents serve as role models for our children in many ways. We should watch our own technology use to demonstrate good screen time and social media habits. We hope this extra credit episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for continuing the conversation about technology with your tweens and teens. Questions Answered on the Episode - How can I help my kids develop healthy habits around technology? - What's a good “cyber citizen”? - What are signs and symptoms that social media is impacting my child's mental health? Additional Resource - Read more on Healthier Screen Time Habits here We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Lent is a special time of year for Christians worldwide. Rob Tasman, Our Lady of Lourdes Health vice president of mission integration, shares some ways parents can talk to youngsters about what Lent means and offers some practical ways families can celebrate Lent on this special extra credit edition of ParentingU. Tasman emphasizes the many ways to have age-appropriate discussions about Lent and Jesus' life and resurrection. He also shares how talking about gratitude and getting involved in community service projects and helping the poor can bring home the message of Lent. To give families some ideas of ways to pray and talk about Lent, Tasman shares how to modify a Jesuit practice called the Examen for children of all ages — a practice he employs within his own family. We wish everyone a blessed Lent and hope this extra credit episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for discussion and reflection this season. Questions Answered on the Episode - How does Lent relate to my Catholic faith? - How can I simplify Jesus' resurrection for my young children? - What are some ways young children can observe Lent in a meaningful way? - What is the Examen and how can I use it with my kids? Additional Resources - Enjoy our Lenten playlist, available on our Healthful Notes Spotify channel. Over 30 minutes of beautiful music, curated for quiet reflection - Read more on Talking About Lent with Kids here - Watch Rob Tasman talk about the Lenten season on ParentingU  We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Fever is always a hot topic for parents, and there are lots of myths and phobias. It's one of the most common reasons parents bring their kids to the doctor. Knowing what qualifies as a fever and how to respond are important for parents to understand. Paige Guillory, MD, joins us again to share some ParentingU Extra Credit about children's fevers. Additional Resources on Kids and Fever Read our blog post, My Child Has a Fever, What Should I Do? Fever Questions Answered on the Episode What temperature qualifies as a fever in a child? What is a temperature when I should bring my child to the doctor? What signs should I be looking for in a child with a fever? What steps should I take if my child has a fever? We hope you enjoyed this mini episode with tips you can use right away. We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

No one likes a headache! Even kids can get a routine headache from time to time, but when are headaches something we should bring to our pediatrician? Yash D. Shah, MD, a pediatric neurologist with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital offers some ParentingU Extra Credit, sharing some tips about headaches in kids. Additional Resources for You Stay healthy this season! Read our post: Avoiding Coronavirus, Flu, and Confusion this Season Read our blog about the importance of pediatric primary care: Establishing a Foundation for Lifelong Health Hear all the episodes of ParentingU, including our recent Extra Credit episodes here: ParentingU Podcast We hope you enjoyed this mini episode with tips you can use right away. We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Happy Holidays from ParentingU! To keep your littlest ones safe this season as they receive lots of toys as gifts, we welcome Paige Guillory, MD, to provide some safety tips about button batteries and magnets. Important Message If you believe a child has swallowed a battery or magnet, treat it like an emergency Additional Holiday Resources for You Christmas is right around the corner! Get some wonderful ideas for how to talk to your children about this holiday: ParentingU Talking to Our Kids About Christmas We hope you enjoyed this mini episode with tips you can use right away. We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

A seizure sounds like a scary event for any parent to witness in their child, but it's important to understand that a seizure doesn't necessarily mean there's a scary diagnosis in a child's future. Kenneth Habetz, MD of Our Lady of Lourdes is a pediatric neurologist and has a focus on childhood epilepsy. Dr. Habetz joins us on ParentingU to explain what a seizure is; how they are different to epilepsy; and what to do if your child has a seizure. Many parents have concerns about seizures in children—this episode has a lot of answers. Childhood Seizure Questions Answered on this Episode Does having a seizure mean a child has epilepsy? What should I do if my child has a seizure? What is a febrile seizure? What causes seizures? Do kids outgrow seizures? Is medication the only treatment for seizures? Does sugar cause seizures? Why should I video my child having a seizure? Seizure Resources for You Habetz likes some of the resources available on the Epilepsy Foundation website If your child is having a seizure, Dr. Habetz says to place the child on their side; DO NOT put anything in their mouth Habetz welcomes calls from primary care physicians to discuss pediatric seizures We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Happy Holidays from ParentingU! To help keep all your holiday travels safe and sound, we welcome back Grant Clinkingbeard, MD to provide you some practical tips for staying safe as you travel with children to Grandma and Grandpa's (or wherever you travel this holiday season!) Additional Holiday Resources for You Stay safe through whatever weather we get this year: Family Safety Tips as the Weather Changes Christmas is right around the corner! Get some wonderful ideas for how to talk to your children about this holiday: ParentingU Talking to Our Kids About Christmas We hope you enjoyed this mini episode with tips you can use right away. We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

The diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is much more common than you might realize, but the treatment is accessible, advanced and comprehensive! We can't quite say that cleft lip and palate is “no big deal,” but we can say an entire team of doctors, surgeons, dentists, speech therapists and social workers are trained and experienced at making this diagnosis as low-impact and manageable as possible. Most babies who have a cleft lip or cleft palate only have a slight, unnoticeable scar after receiving treatment. To discuss the team approach for treating cleft lip and palate, ParentingU host Stephanie is joined by Lisa Morris, MD and Laura Hetzler, MD—both otolaryngologists (Ear, Nose and Throat physicians), both with specialties in facial plastic surgery; and co-directors of Our Lady of the Lake Cleft and Craniofacial Multidisciplinary Team. You will hear the passion these doctors have for their specialties and receive an education about how a medical team can work together for their infant patients and their families. Resources for You Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Cleft and Craniofacial Multidisciplinary Team here. Read about the Cleft and Craniofacial Services available. Learn more about the LSU Department of Otolaryngology and the research they are conducting. Questions Answered on the Show How common is a diagnosis of cleft lip and palate? When do expectant parents often learn of the cleft lip and palate diagnosis? We received a diagnosis of cleft lip for our baby. I am scared and upset. What can I do? What causes cleft lip and palate? What kinds of doctors help with cleft lip and palate treatment? Can a baby with a cleft lip have a normal life? How do babies with cleft lip and palate eat? Are there resources in South Louisiana to help with a diagnosis of cleft lip and palate? Is LSU involved in cleft lip and palate research? We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.   I'm deleting these links to the other hospitals - this is really a Baton Rouge specific service - at the Children's Hospital. These are the three hospitals where babies are born (although St. Francis is in northern Louisiana)

The possibility of gestational diabetes can bring about a lot of fears for many expectant moms (and dads!). From stories of unpleasant glucose testing, concerns about “failed” tests, blood monitoring, pregnancy weight gain and worse—there are lots of questions when it comes to the facts about gestational diabetes and how to properly manage this condition. Returning to ParentingU is Carmen Alexis Miller, MS, RDN, LDN, of Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette. Miller is a dietitian with lots of practical tips and clear information to help us better understand what gestational diabetes is—plus how to manage it during pregnancy. Resources for You Miller recommends Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE, as a resource for managing gestational diabetes with diet.  Read more from Miller about eating well with gestational diabetes. Once your baby is born, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits as they grow. Listen to this ParentingU episode—How Can Parents Encourage Healthy Eating Habits? “Focus Foods” guide—ideas for healthy foods while pregnant. Download our Focus Foods guide here. Questions Answered on the Show What is gestational diabetes, and is it serious? Why do I have to take a glucose test when pregnant? Does my diet have anything to do with gestational diabetes? What are “focus foods” and how do I get more focus food into my diet? Should I exercise while pregnant? How can I talk to a dietitian while I am pregnant? My doctor said I failed my glucose test. Does that mean I have gestational diabetes? Is medicine the only cure for gestational diabetes? We're Here to Serve You You can learn more about our birthing hospitals and maternity services across South Louisiana: Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Francis Medical Center We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Halloween is right around the corner, and ParentingU has some extra credit for you. Dr. Grant Clinkingbeard, MD is a pediatrician with some tips to help keep your kids' Halloween happy and fun—not scary! Additional Halloween Resources for You Boo! Stay healthy at Halloween: Your Guide to a Healthier Halloween Halloween safety tips for the whole family: A Snapshot of Halloween Safety Safety treats, not tricks! Tips and Tricks for Halloween Safety We hope you enjoyed this mini episode with tips you can use right away. We'll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

When you're having a baby, it's good to have a solid team on your side. Meet Ashley Conner, RN, BSN, a Pediatric Nurse Navigator and  Evie Robison, RN, a Pregnancy Navigator—both Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital. Conner and Robison join ParentingU host Stephanie to talk about how to pick a pediatrician, why you should make the choice before your baby is born—and how to get help making that decision! Both navigators stress that who you and your baby see for medical care in the early years is all about forming a relationship. Your baby's doctor is someone you may be seeing for years to come—what are some of the questions and considerations to take on now, before your baby arrives? In this thoughtful episode, you'll learn more about what to think about when choosing a doctor for your baby plus how to access resources available to you and your family. Questions Answered on the Show What is a Pediatric Nurse Navigator and what do they do? How do I find out a pediatrician's office policies and how they view pediatric care? Does “bedside manner” or a doctor's style matter when it comes to pediatrics? How do I get recommendations for pediatricians? Oops, I am not happy with the pediatrician I picked. What can I do? What are some practical things I should think about—like office location—when picking a doctor? Why are those so important? I just found out I'm pregnant! When should I start looking for a pediatrician? Does it matter if I have a pediatrician picked out before I give birth? What kinds of things should I know about myself before I pick a pediatrician? How do I set an appointment with a Pediatric Nurse Navigator? Resources for You Ready to start a relationship with an exceptional pediatrician? Find a pediatric provider in Baton Rouge. Find a pediatric provider in Acadiana. Find a pediatric provider in Northeast Louisiana. Find a pediatric provider in Bogalusa.    Preregister! Expectant moms can register at Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital here ParentingU episode about Getting Ready for Baby ParentingU episode about Preparing to Breastfeed Digital Resources from our birthing hospitals: Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Francis Medical Center We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

It could be happening any day now: the arrival of your baby! So much excitement and anticipation… but also some anxiety and lots of questions. How can expectant moms get ready for the arrival of their baby? On this episode of ParentingU, host Stephanie is joined by Evie Robison, RN, a Pregnancy Navigator with Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital, to explain all the details of giving birth, including what to pack for your hospital stay; what a birthing plan is (and what happens if the plan doesn't work for the actual birth); when to get a car seat; what support partners can do to help during the birth; and more! Throughout this episode you'll learn how Pregnancy Navigators help families know what to expect during birth and help moms make decisions beforehand, so your baby's birthday can be a positive and joyful experience. Questions Answered on the Show What is a Pregnancy Navigator and what do they do? What is a birthing plan? Do birthing plans always get followed perfectly? What do I pack for my hospital stay? When should I get the car seat for my baby? How can dads/support people make the birthing process easier for mom? What happens if I must deliver via C-Section? What is the 5-1-1 rule? If my water breaks, what should I pay attention to and tell my doctor? What decisions should I make before my baby is born? How do I get an appointment with a Pregnancy Navigator? Mentioned on the Show ParentingU episode about Breastfeeding in the NICU ParentingU episode about Preparing to Breastfeed Digital Resources from our birthing hospitals: Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Francis Medical Center We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Healthy eating habits and a positive attitude about food can start early in a child's life. In honor of September being Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ParentingU spoke with Carmen Alexis Miller, LDN—a dietitian with Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital. Miller shares how food and eating is a very personal matter—what we eat is part of how we care for ourselves. Food becomes an emotional matter. Since eating is something we all must do, parents have an opportunity to teach kids positive eating habits and healthy food attitudes that hopefully can last a lifetime.  Some Questions Answered on the Episode What are some words and phrases parents can use to foster a positive attitude about food and eating? How can parents involve children with food prep or meal selection? Why should parents consider bringing children grocery shopping? Why is food considered an “intimate” issue and how does that change how parents can talk about food? What does it mean for a child to be “self-regulating” about food and what can parents try at mealtime to encourage self-regulation? My child often compares their body size to other children. What can I do? What does a dietitian do and when should I schedule an appointment with a dietitian? Mentioned on the Episode: - Miller wrote a practice “script” parents can use when a child is comparing themselves to others. Consider using a version of the following if you face this situation: You're saying that you like the way that ____________ looks because she's __________ (thin/tall/etc.), and you wish you would look more like her. I hear you. ____________ is a beautiful person. It's perfectly normal for you to admire that the way that she looks and want to look a little bit more like her. But remember that you are not ____________. You are your own person and your needs may be different than hers. You are beautiful in your own way. Whether or not you're the same size as her, focus your attention and your energy on nourishing your body, in a way that feels best to you. My job as your mom is to make sure that you are healthy and safe. I'm here if you need anything. If you'd like to go buy new clothes, if you would like to try new foods or join a new sport, or whether you just need a listening ear, I'm here for you. - Miller recommends Alex Turnbull, the Family Nutritionist as a good online resource. We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and ParentingU is ready to help families with practical information about nutrition, activity, excess weight, and the resources available to tackle this sometimes sensitive and tricky topic. Pediatricians Katie Queen, MD and Melissa Holland, DO both see patients at the Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health Weight & Nutrition Center. The statistics are stark: 1 in 7 children aged 10-17 in the United States are obese (source: National Survey of Children's Health.) Unfortunately, the rates of childhood obesity in Louisiana are worse. This is where the Weight & Nutrition Center comes in. Dr. Queen and Dr. Holland aim for a healthy weight for each child individually. Using a team approach, the Weight & Nutrition Center assesses each child's health needs and works with families to get to optimal health (as opposed to focusing solely on weight loss.) On this episode, Dr. Queen and Dr. Holland describe the process for addressing excess weight in children as well as sharing some tips for healthier eating, exercising more and talking about weight in a constructive manner. Some Questions Answered on the Episode Is obesity a disease or a self-control problem? Why is childhood obesity a serious issue? What are some reasons a child may have excess weight? How can children get more activity in their days? What are some words we can use instead of “good foods” and “bad foods”? Bullying about weight at school is a big issue. What can I do to help my child? Why isn't the Weight & Nutrition Center called a weight loss clinic? My child has excess weight. How can I get my child an appointment with the Weight & Nutrition Center? We've tried everything and the weight won't come off! What can my child do? Mentioned on the Episode: Learn more about the Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health Weight & Nutrition Center. Queen likes HealthyKids.org as a place to get high-quality information about childhood health: https://www.healthykids.org/ Call the Weight & Nutrition Center: (225) 374-HEAL Need a little exercise break? Adrian B. has some Family Fit Break videos for you! Click to see on YouTube. Queen was recently quoted in a Healthline article about childhood obesity: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-childhood-obesity-rates-are-rising-and-what-we-can-do We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Can babies being cared for in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) breastfeed? On this episode of ParentingU, we welcome back Becca Miller, SLP, a Certified Lactation Counselor to address the process of breastfeeding NICU babies. A baby being in the NICU doesn't mean a mom can't start her breastfeeding journey if she chooses to. Host Stephanie asks all the questions expectant parents would want to know about breastfeeding a NICU baby. Access breastfeeding support across our health system: Acadiana Baton Rouge Bogalusa Northeast Louisiana Jackson/St. Dominic At ParentingU, we believe a fed baby is best. This episode is geared towards moms who are choosing to breastfeed their baby. Whatever choice you make for your baby, we want to provide help and support for you along your parenting journey. Some of the questions answered on the episode Can babies in the NICU breastfeed? How do breast pumps figure into the NICU breastfeeding plan? Who can help me if my baby is in the NICU and I want to breastfeed? If my baby is in the NICU, should I just wait until my baby is out before trying to breastfeed? How can I get connected to lactation counseling information? We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

In our last ParentingU episode, we talked about how breastfeeding is a journey. One of the stops on that journey is pumping breast milk. How does pumping fit in with the overall baby feeding plan? On this episode we speak to Dr. Gregory Gelpi, MD FAAP, an Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health pediatrician with special training in breastfeeding, and Becca Miller, SLP, a Certified Lactation Counselor, to get the scoop on what's involved with pumping, how frequently and how long to pump, what to do with breast milk, and some helpful tips to make breast milk pumping approachable and comfortable. Access breastfeeding support across our health system: Acadiana Baton Rouge Bogalusa Northeast Louisiana Jackson/St. Dominic Breast Milk Storage Tips A helpful guide for you about breast milk storage guidelines for healthy term babies. We also have a blog post about returning to work as a breastfeeding mom here: Click to read the blog post. At ParentingU, we believe a fed baby is best. This episode is geared towards moms who are choosing to breastfeed their baby. Whatever choice you make for your baby, we want to provide help and support for you along your parenting journey. Some of the questions answered on the episode Why do moms choose to pump breast milk? Should I pump first or figure out how to get my baby to latch first? Can I freeze breast milk? How about colostrum? I'm not sure my milk has come in yet. What can I do? Which pump should I get? My boss said I can't pump at work. Is that true? Can my healthcare professional help me? How can I get connected to lactation counseling information? We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: Click here.

S3E1 Parenting is a journey, and breastfeeding a newborn baby is one possible step on that journey. Many new moms have lots of questions about breastfeeding, and first time Moms often need support and encouragement as they start to breastfeed their baby. On this episode we speak to Dr. Gregory Gelpi, MD FAAP, an Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health pediatrician with special training in breastfeeding, and Becca Miller, SLP, a Certified Lactation Counselor to answer the most common breastfeeding questions. Access breastfeeding support across our health system: Acadiana Baton Rouge Bogalusa Northeast Louisiana Jackson/St. Dominic At ParentingU, we believe a fed baby is best. This episode is geared towards moms who are choosing to breastfeed their baby. Whatever choice you make for your baby, we want to provide help and support for you along your parenting journey. Some of the questions answered on the episode What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding? Does breastfeeding hurt? What should I do if breastfeeding hurts? Can my regular doctor answer my breastfeeding questions? What are some of the common breastfeeding milestones? What happens the first day, the first week, and the first two weeks? Barely anything is coming out of my breasts. Is this normal? Is my newborn baby getting enough? What are some common positions to breastfeed? Arrg! This is so frustrating! Who can I talk to right now about breastfeeding? What can the baby's dad do to help? What are some ways other family members can support me breastfeeding my baby? How can I get connected to lactation counseling information? We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GpleQMd3Spc

Please note: This episode was recorded February 2, 2022. Bonus episode: Parents have lots of questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for their children, and Our Lady of the Lake understands and encourages parents to seek out the information they need. On this special episode of ParentingU, we answer many of the most common questions that arise about COVID vaccination, and even have part of the show dedicated to teens (who might have questions of their own.) Host Stephanie shares some of the most current information available on COVID from Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health and from our own Dr. Michael Bolton, a pediatric infectious disease specialist. Since getting the vaccine is a personal decision for you and your family, ParentingU wants to ensure you have accurate information to guide your decisions. Some of the questions answered on the show: - Is the vaccine safe and effective for children? - Didn't they rush this vaccine through without complete testing? - Our family already went through COVID. Do we still need to get vaccinated? - Since children are at relatively low risk from COVID, why would my child get vaccinated? - My child hates shots. Why put them through another one? - Is this the same shot adults are getting? - Do teens need the COVID vaccine? - Does the vaccine have unknown long term effects, including possible fertility issues? - What do parents need to know for their own family when discussing the vaccine? These questions and more are answered on the show. Additional Resources - Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health has a helpful FAQ on the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for the FAQ: https://ololchildrens.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine - Does your child hate getting shots? We have a special blog post to help you prepare your child for “pokes.” Read the post here: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/preparing-your-child-for-pokes/ - Our Lady of the Lake offers video visits! Find telemedicine information here: https://ololrmc.com/patients-and-visitors/video-visits -  The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education have information for parents. - The Centers for Disease Control continues to be a good resource for parents: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus episode: The final countdown to Christmas is on, and we chatted with Meaghan Myrick, Child Life Specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital, and Lisa Baumgartner, Pediatric Chaplain with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, about holiday traditions and ways to make the season meaningful for our kids and focus on the love, peace, joy and hope. We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. Stay tuned – we have more episodes planned for 2022 to help you navigate the amazing journey of parenthood with confidence. Listen to all ParentingU episodes on our website or your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. We also have great written content on our ParentingU blog. With ParentingU you can earn your degree in exceptional parenting, no studying required! Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

“Drowning is silent but we will not be.” ~ Mazie's Mission Heather, mom of Mazie, joins us on this important episode of ParentingU. At just shy of 18 months old, Mazie drowned in the family swimming pool. Now, mom Heather and her family are committed to helping other families learn more about water safety. Louisiana has the difficult distinction of being fourth in the nation for drowning deaths of children ages 1 to 14 years old. Through the pain of this situation, Heather and her family are trying to bring purpose to this tragedy. Drowning doesn't always look typical or like what we've seen on TV or in movies. This episode seeks to give education and hope to a difficult topic. Listen to this episode to learn more about precautions and facts that families can use to be water safe this summer, and all year round. Mentioned on the show: - Learn more about Mazie, and her legacy to help others: https://www.maziesmission.net/ - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a website, Pool Safely with lots of resources for parents to use to help keep kids water safe. Visit: https://www.poolsafely.gov/ -  Heather mentioned LOPA, Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. Learn more about organ donation here: https://www.lopa.org/ - Stay tuned to ParentingU: we have two more episodes on water safety, including hearing from Shelly of Crawfish Aquatics and Dr. Michael Odinet, Emergency Room physician at Our Lady of Lourdes. We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Water is fun! Let's keep it that way with some tips from Dr. Michael Odinet, Emergency Room physician at Our Lady of Lourdes. Dr. Odinet isn't here to rain on our parade—he's a water fan himself, having a family pool and a water-side camp. Dr. Odinet offers lots of practical tips for families to stay water safe: from where an adult should be when it's pool time to how to talk to friends to assess everyone's water skills. Life jackets, water watchers, and water safety conversations are non-negotiables for Dr. Odinet and you'll learn how to incorporate all of these for your family in this episode of ParentingU. Mentioned on the show: - Dr. Odinet's top tip is when you suspect someone is in trouble in the water is to immediately move towards the person and get them out; laying them on their side once out. - A call to 911 is critical: minutes count and can make the difference. If you suspect drowning, call 911. - Remember: real-life drowning does not look like the movies or TV. A drowning person might be quiet and in distress. Dr. Odinet said most people say they only looked away for a moment—use this common thread to change your water situational awareness. - Be a Water Watcher! Pledge to be the eyes on the water, whenever anyone is playing poolside. Get your own Water Watcher card here from Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health: https://ololchildrens.org/blogs/water-watchers - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a website, Pool Safely with lots of resources for parents to use to help keep kids water safe. Visit: https://www.poolsafely.gov/ - Stay tuned to ParentingU: we have two more episodes on water safety, including hearing from Heather, the mom of Mazie and the founder of Mazie's Mission plus Shelly, CEO of Crawfish Aquatics and Crawfish Swim School.   We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

South Louisiana has an amazing water safety resource in Shelly Ripple Rogers and Crawfish Aquatics. Shelly is a former NCAA Champion swimmer and a member of the Stanford Swimming Hall of Fame. Now, as CEO of Crawfish Aquatics, Shelly is able to help families gain the skills to be water prepared for a lifetime. On this episode of ParentingU, Shelly explains to host Stephanie some of the basics about how to talk to kids about water safety (without making water scary); what swim skills can be learned at what ages; practical tips for making the pool a safer place to be; and what a Water Watcher is and how to be a responsible Water Watcher. Crawfish Aquatics has lots of free resources to help community members be water safe, including certain free classes. Listen to the show and be a part of the ongoing conversation of swimming skills and water safety. Mentioned on the show: - Do you have a little one who needs to learn to swim? Details about the classes available are here and on the Crawfish Swim School website: https://crawfishswimschool.com/ - Be a Water Watcher! Pledge to be the eyes on the water, whenever anyone is playing poolside. Get your own Water Watcher card here from Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health: https://ololchildrens.org/blogs/water-watchers - Learn more about our guest, Shelly, on the Crawfish Aquatics website. - Shelly told us about resources available from the US Swim Schools Association. Parent resources from USSSA available on their website: https://www.usswimschools.org/parent-resources/ - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a website, Pool Safely with lots of resources for parents to use to help keep kids water safe. Visit: https://www.poolsafely.gov/ - Stay tuned to ParentingU: we have two more episodes on water safety, including hearing from Heather, the mom of Mazie and the founder of Mazie's Mission plus Dr. Michael Odinet, Emergency Room physician at Our Lady of Lourdes. We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Please note: Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health will continue to monitor the efficacy and safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccine in children, just as we monitor all vaccines in children. Bonus episode: The vaccine is here! Many parents are now asking, what does the vaccine mean for our teens and youth? Returning to ParentingU are two doctors—both pediatricians and both parents—Dr. Christopher Funes and Dr. Michael Bolton. Why do teens even need the vaccine? Is it safe? Is this the same shot adults are getting? What do parents need to know for their own family when discussing the vaccine? These questions and more are answered on the show. Mentioned on the show: - Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health has a helpful FAQ on the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for the FAQ: https://ololchildrens.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine - Our Lady of the Lake offers video visits! Find telemedicine information here: https://ololrmc.com/patients-and-visitors/video-visits -  The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education have information for parents. - The Centers for Disease Control continues to be a good resource for parents: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus episode: Parents are starting to wonder—this time of year usually is when we starting thinking about flu season and flu vaccinations. What impact will COVID-19 have on flu season? We speak to pediatrician Dr. Lauren Bailey to bust some flu myths, get our COVID-19 questions answered, and find out what we can all have in our medicine cabinets at home to be prepared for flu season. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Questions answered on the show: - Who should get the flu shot? - How is the flu shot different from the flu nasal spray? - Is flu going to be worse this year because of COVID-19? - What should I have at home before flu season? - My child is sick—when should I call our pediatrician? - When should we get our flu shots? Mentioned on the show: - We’ve made a handy flu survival kit you can download and take shopping! All of the products recommended by Dr. Bailey are on the list. Get it here. - Our Lady of the Lake offers video visits! Find telemedicine information here: https://ololrmc.com/patients-and-visitors/video-visits -  The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education have information for parents. - Our Lady of the Lake has information and updates about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus episode: The calendar says it’s Back to School season, but what does that mean in these times of COVID-19? We have two doctors on this episode of ParentingU—both pediatricians and both parents—Dr. Christopher Funes and Dr. Michael Bolton. How can parents feel confident about children going back to school? What precautions make the biggest positive impact on children’s health? How can families assess their own comfort level for this transition time? These questions and more are answered on the show. This episode was recorded on Friday, July 24, 2020. Mentioned on the show: - The Three W’s—Wash your hands; Wear a mask; Watch your distances. - Our Lady of the Lake offers video visits! Find telemedicine information here: https://ololrmc.com/patients-and-visitors/video-visits -  The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education have information for parents. - Our Lady of the Lake has information and updates about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. - The Centers for Disease Control continues to be a good resource for parents: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.  

Bonus episode: From disrupted schedules to cancelled plans, the pandemic has put us all in a difficult position, and we each have all been affected in some way. Our kids might have thoughts, fears, and feelings (just like we do.) How can parents help kids cope? Dr. Choo (Dr. Thiravat Choojitarom) joins us on ParentingU and shares practical, age-appropriate suggestions for how to address concerns children may have and how healthy routines can be built into kids’ lives, especially as Summer begins. Dr. Choo addresses the changing nature of the pandemic, and updates parents on some of the guidelines for maintaining good hygiene; keeping up with well-checks; Summer camp; and more. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Mentioned on the show: - Dr. Choo recommends some of the parenting resources on the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://healthychildren.org/ - Our Lady of the Lake offers video visits! Find telemedicine information here: https://ololrmc.com/patients-and-visitors/video-visits -  The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education have information for parents. - Our Lady of the Lake has information and updates about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. - Summer camp info from the American Camp Association suggests best practices and guides for parents. - Dr. Choo suggests Families Helping Families as a local resource for parents (especially families with a special needs child.) https://www.fhfgbr.org/ - The Centers for Disease Control continues to be a good resource for parents: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus episode: Parents have a lot of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and what it means for keeping kids healthy. To bring you facts you can use, we sit down with Dr. Michael Bolton, of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatric Infectious Disease division. Dr. Bolton shares practical tips for what parents can do now, where you can find up-to-date information, who is at most risk for COVID-19, and what to do if you are concerned you or your child is ill. Dr. Bolton discusses practices we all can employ now (and at all times) to encourage health among all our family members. If you have a child that is anxious or overly concerned about the novel coronavirus, host Stephanie and Dr. Bolton talk about how to approach those conversations. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Mentioned on the show: - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tips for talking about the novel coronavirus with children. - Our Lady of the Lake has information and updates about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. - Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health has an infographic to help you know more about COVID-19. Some of the questions answered in this episode: Are children at risk for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? How can I talk to my child about the novel coronavirus without increasing anxiety? What should I do if I think my child has the novel coronavirus? What are illness prevention practices I can start using right away? Should we cancel our family vacation because of COVID-19? Does Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health offer telemedicine? Where can I get accurate, up-to-date information about the novel coronavirus? We hope you find this Bonus episode of ParentingU informative and timely. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Much of healthy eating is a matter of healthy habits. Return ParentingU guest Dr. Aimee Ferrell is joined by Lea Theriot, Pediatric Registered Dietician to talk about helping our kids be happy, healthy eaters. Many attitudes about healthy eating are formed in childhood, and our guests share tips for encouraging kids to try new things, get the nutrition growing kids need, and how parents can model positive behaviors themselves. If you are a parent that has questions about your child’s eating or if you need some new ideas, this is the ParentingU episode for you. Some of the questions answered in this episode: What is my ChooseMyPlate.gov and how can it help my family? What activities can I do with my child to encourage healthy eating? What is a “colorful plate” and how can I help my child eat more variety? What are some ideas for healthy snacks? What are good portion sizes for children? Is it okay for children for eat in front of the TV? How can I encourage a positive body image in my older child? This is the final episode of Season 2 of ParentingU. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

A serious issue, but one that parents are wise to address head on, inappropriate drug use is a concern for families. Dr. Lisa Le, Pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake joins us on ParentingU to help parents open the lines of communication with kids on this topic. If this is a conversation you have been dreading or avoiding, we hope this episode gives you perspective and confidence in confronting drug, alcohol, and vaping use among kids. Some of the questions answered in this episode: What does ADHD diagnoses have to do with teen drug use? By what age should parents start talking to their kids about drugs and alcohol? Is vaping on the rise in teens and children? How can parents have an honest drug conversation with their kids? How can your child’s pediatrician help when it comes to talking about drugs and alcohol? How have perceptions about drugs like marijuana and things like vaping impacted teen use? ParentingU is here to answer questions from families like you. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. You can also hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

We travel to the Emergency Room on this episode of ParentingU to speak with Dr. Hitesh Chheda, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist. What are some of the trends he is seeing in the Emergency Room? What do parents need to know? Dr. Chheda gives special attention to drug and alcohol issues as well as how big of an issue vaping is among tweens and teens. Dr. Chheda provides insights into these serious issues, equipping parents with the facts they need to communicate effectively with their children. Some of the questions answered in this episode: What are the most common cases in the Emergency Room? Is drug and alcohol use increasing or decreasing among teenagers? Are prescription drugs being abused by teens? What can parents do to protect prescription drugs from teens using them inappropriately? Is youth vaping something parents should be concerned about? Why is vaping becoming so popular? Isn’t vaping safer than smoking? Why is vaping in the news right now? How can I talk to my kids about drugs, alcohol, and smoking when I have used these as well? ParentingU is here to answer questions from families like you. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. You can also hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s the largest organ in the human body, but might get overlooked in your day to day healthy living. It’s your skin! Children’s skin needs care and attention—Dr. Sylvia Sutton, pediatrician for Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and Dr. Jill Fruge, dermatologist with Our Lady of the Lake join us on ParentingU to help us know more about the skin we are in. Our doctors talk about common childhood skin issues from moles to molluscum to sunburn to acne. Proper skin care is important, and our guests give several tips to help parents. Some of the questions answered in this episode: What is eczema? Why is eczema so common? How long should kids spend in the bath? What kind of lotion should I use on my child? How can I tell my child’s skin type? How should kids be protected from the sun? Does skin tone matter when it comes to sun protection? Does drinking water help skin? How can parents help a teen with acne? When should a parent worry about a rash? ParentingU is here to answer questions from families like you. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. You can also hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

They are everywhere and available nearly any hour of the day or night. Devices and gadgets with screens are ubiquitous and the impact of screentime is now on the minds of lots of parents. Dr. Murli Rao, a pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and Jessica Brayden, LCSW talk about how to navigate our modern world that is full of screens in ways that promote health for children. Some of the questions answered in this episode: Is it okay for young children to look at screens? What are some mistakes parents make with kids and screentime? Does screentime impact child development? Is screentime hurting interpersonal skills of teens? Is the internet addictive? What are the long-term effects of spending a lot of time on devices? What are the benefits of using screen devices? Does screentime help or hurt children’s mental health? How can parents set healthy limits for screentime? ParentingU is here to answer questions from families like you. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. You can also hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.

Asthma is a common condition that parents have lots of questions about. On this episode of ParentingU, we are joined by return guest Dr. Courtney James and by pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Andres Carrion. Our doctors explain what asthma is, what causes asthma, how asthma is treated, and what families can expect if they have a child with asthma. Dr. James and Dr. Carrion address many of the misconceptions about asthma, and provide a lot of helpful information for managing this condition. Some of the questions answered in this episode: What is asthma? What is the difference between wheezing and asthma? Is asthma curable or reversible? When do kids with asthma need to see a pulmonologist? Can babies have asthma? Do most kids grow out of asthma? Why do so many kids have asthma in our area? What does asthma have to do with other allergies? Does genetics have anything to do with asthma? What are some asthma triggers? How is asthma treated in children? ParentingU is here to answer questions from families like you. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. You can also hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website. Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital is now open! Read all about our amazing opening and what the Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital means for our community.  Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.