All CHLA Blog Posts
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My friend was recently concerned that her child might have pink eye and wondered if it was contagious. I informed my friend that pink eye is highly contagious and to call her child’s pediatrician. Her concern for her child is what inspired this blog topic, especially because... Read More
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Updated 05/12/2015
Bullying is an issue I follow in the news and try to spotlight when I can because it is so harmful, even deadly. I have written about ways to detect bullying, some tips to prevent it, cyber bullying and bullying of autistic children. I also follow the... Read More
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At the Division of Pediatric Urology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I see a lot of diaper rash, because I am always opening up the diaper for exams. Diaper rash is an inevitable part of being a baby. Even though diaper rash is very common, it can cause a whole lot of... Read More
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This post discusses detailed strategies to use during the visit, as well as how to appropriately reward good behavior after the appointment.
The key is to remain calm and be honest so your child can learn to build trust in their medical care providers—trust which will carry... Read More
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As a parent, one of the most important parts of your relationship with your child is communication and maintaining an open and honest relationship. Our children look to us for guidance and protection. Information that’s good, bad or indifferent will be disseminated to our... Read More
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A shy child is a common concern many parents have during their child’s development. Parents hope for their child to be comfortable in social situations and meet friends easily. As a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I see many kids walk through the hospital... Read More
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For me, summer means more time outside exploring with my favorite furry friend – my basset hound Droopy Grouper! Droopy Grouper has been in my family for five years and was a gift after I graduated from my Nurse Practitioner Program at UCLA. He continues to be one of my best... Read More
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As an advanced practice pediatric nurse, I am constantly learning about cutting edge approaches to care. For one of my courses recently, I researched and wrote a paper on Family-Centered Care (FCC) in the pediatric hospital setting and it struck such an emotional chord that it... Read More
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As a kid, I had lot of throat infections. I was used to taking antibiotics and missing school pretty frequently.
Finally, after I had been dealing with nagging infections for an extended period of time, my doctor informed my mother that I would need to have my tonsils removed... Read More
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I remember my first experience with head lice. I was working at a summer camp and on the first day I had to check for head lice on each of my campers. The camp nurse instructed each of us on what to look for, but I still felt unsure because I had never seen them. Since my days... Read More
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Many people think cats, especially kittens, are playful and adorable. While this is true, you may be shocked to find out that cats carry bacteria called bartonella henselae (Cat Scratch Disease). Cat scratch disease can affect anyone, including people with decreased immune... Read More
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Most of my posts cover topics that impact the majority of parents. But, for this post, I want to give a little extra support to parents who have kids with gastrostomy feeding tubes (G-tubes). The needs of this community are extra special.
Making sure your child eats and gets... Read More
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Mommy, I’m hungry and thirsty. Can I have some juice and chips?
We have all heard this question and want to provide the best nutrition to our children. As parents, we wonder, “What types of nutrition can provide the best source of energy needed for our children?” Continue... Read More
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Teething can be a time of great frustration for caregivers, in this post I will list some of the most common symptoms, explain how they relate to teething and share some insight on how to help soothe your little one during this potentially uncomfortable time.
When Does... Read More
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The original version of this story is featured in Community Benefit Report, 2013 issue (page 20).
Recent studies show that in Los Angeles, 22 percent of young adults ages 18 to 24 live in poverty. Among those ages 20 to 24, unemployment is 9.4 percent, compared to 6.1 percent... Read More
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It’s likely you’ve heard of MRSA and not known exactly what it was. Some people in the media call it a “flesh eating bacteria” or “staph infection.” The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) categorized MRSA has a major public health threat.... Read More
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Expecting moms typically register for baby items based on what their friends (usually other moms) tell them "they MUST have." Sharing space at the top of the list, along with the latest fun trends in newborn fashion, is often BPA-free Baby Bottles. One thing I've realized is... Read More
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More mothers are breast feeding their children, which is a wonderful thing. Breastfeeding your infant or child, when they are ready to eat, is ideal. Yet, sometimes that isn’t possible. Working moms and on-the-go moms often pump (express) their breast milk and store it for the... Read More
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As parents, we wish for our kids to thrive and be independent, successful adults. Did you know that one of the factors interfering with that wish is being overly involved, also known as, “helicopter parenting?” A helicopter parent is one who pays extremely close attention to... Read More
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Constipation is a common problem for many children. Did you know that making simple changes to your child’s diet can often make a big difference? Bowel patterns are different for each child, but you can watch for patterns of less frequent bowel movements than normal—for... Read More