All CHLA Blog Posts
Published on November 2, 2016
Swaddling is a technique that mimics the coziness of the womb. Parent learns this special way of providing comfort for their newborn, but is it safe? If so, is there a wrong and a right way to swaddle?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that when done... Read More
Published on November 1, 2016
With the help of our many corporate partners and supporters, we were able to throw not one, but TWO Halloween activities this year!
Both outpatient and inpatient kids (at separate times) helped kick off the festivities on Friday at the Pumpkin Party. It was filled with... Read More
Published on October 26, 2016
After a whirlwind romance in the hallways of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, therapy dogs Luke and Blondie took a big step this week – coordinating their Halloween costumes to dress up as bride and groom! Chloe Dollar, a 13-year-old CHLA patient, dog-lover and Blondie-... Read More
Published on October 16, 2016
Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala 'Once Upon a Time' honors long-time supporters Drew Barrymore, The Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Foundation and The Los Angeles Kings.
Once upon a time, many gathered together for a magical night to hear the tales of... Read More
Published on October 12, 2016
When Caiden Moran was born, he failed the newborn hearing screening, a standard test given to all babies before they leave the hospital. So his parents brought him back for a recheck. And he failed again.
Caiden, it turned out, was born with underdeveloped cochleae and... Read More
Published on October 10, 2016
Sodium is a mineral—an essential nutrient that is commonly found in many foods. It is used by the body to control blood pressure, blood volume, and muscle and nerve function. Maintaining an appropriate sodium balance not only benefits heart health, but also bone, brain,... Read More
Published on October 6, 2016
The Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program has more than 100 fur volunteers who have all left their adorable paw prints on the hearts of our patients and staff. However, we want to honor a special guy who has dedicated 10 years of his life to making people smile—Oscar... Read More
Published on September 30, 2016
After the 7.8 earthquake in Nepal in 2015, nearly one million children were affected. Thus, the organization has issued warnings regarding the vulnerable status of children in such a situation. Potential risks that children can face during a disaster include... Read More
Published on September 30, 2016
Written by Stephanie Marcy, PhD, psychologist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
School is back in session after a long summer break. You drop your angel off, bid him a good day, tell him to behave, and exhale. The flyer comes home for back to school night, and you... Read More
Published on September 27, 2016
I am Kate Schumacher, and I am honored to have the chance to share my story and my journey. I am 15 and a freshman at Marymount High School. I have a twin brother Joe, and he goes to Loyola High School. I am currently on the Marymount Freshman Volleyball Team and... Read More
Published on September 26, 2016
Some of the biggest thrills for parents come in their baby’s first year of life: the first smile, first “da-da,” first steps. But after reading the baby books, most new parents know what milestones should be reached and when, and many are disappointed or begin to worry if... Read More
Published on September 26, 2016
As parents, we never want to admit that our children are any less than perfect. That wasn’t the case with my eldest son, as no morning alarms were necessary in my home. When he was a boy, my son’s loud snoring and disruptive breathing kept my family awake throughout the... Read More
Published on September 22, 2016
Emboldened by tales of his warrior ancestry, Jeremiah Succar takes the fight to a rare and menacing cancer
“The Succar bloodline is a bloodline of warriors,” his father told him, sitting beside him in his hospital room that evening. “You’re strong. You’re powerful. You... Read More
Published on September 15, 2016
Anat Erdreich-Epstein prepares for her 10th year biking in the triathlon that supports her cancer research
Anat Erdreich-Epstein, MD, PhD, doesn’t get to train as much as she’d like to for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. She bikes on the weekends when possible, but she has... Read More
Published on September 9, 2016
Strategies to help kids deal with a bully at school
Written by Stephanie Marcy, PhD, psychologist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Bullying can be a daily occurrence for some children, making them fearful and anxious about going to school. They may go to great... Read More
Published on September 8, 2016
Have you ever noticed that your child has an assymetrical head shape or flatness on the back of his or her head? Do you think that this is typical and that all children have a flat spot from sleeping on their backs? This is actually atypical, and may be diagnosed by a... Read More
Published on September 8, 2016
Carmella Cruz, 8, shows it’s not how you dance that matters, but that you’re dancing at all.
Despite all the surgeries, despite the grim prognoses—despite the odds, really—8-year-old Carmella “Ella” Cruz just keeps dancing.
It’s a dance all her own, more of a... Read More
Published on September 6, 2016
Karen Hayhurst was giving her daughter Emily a piano lesson one day when Emily, then 7, piped up with a question.
“Wouldn’t this be a lot easier,” she reasoned, “if I had five fingers on each of my hands?”
Her mother’s response was matter-of-fact. “I told her, ‘... Read More
Published on September 1, 2016
I love watching “The Big Bang Theory,” specifically the character Sheldon. He makes me laugh when he knocks on a door and says the name of the person he is visiting, and then repeats this action three times. He displays traits of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I will... Read More
Published on August 30, 2016
Surgery for hip dysplasia leaves Leana Vardanian pain-free and ready for a bright future.
For Leana Vardanian, the first moment she knew something was terribly wrong came in sixth grade, when she stood up from her desk at school and immediately fell to the floor. Her left leg... Read More