Seattle Mama Doc

How we talk about eating and how we talk about dieting really changes how our kids eat and how they feel. Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, explains a recent study that found there are serious, long-term, harmful associations when parents encourage a teen to diet. Things like severe dieting, binge eating, low self-esteem and a less favorable body image can stem from being encouraged to diet. Even more, these negative associations are learned and are passed from one generation to the next.

Teens are changing our awareness of what we can do to help prevent tragedies. In the wake of recent school shootings, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson gets personal and discusses the importance of gun safety in high-risk populations. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for children aged 10 - 17 years and firearms are often involved. Store your firearms locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition, especially if someone in your home struggles with mental health.

My podcast typically features parenting advice, but I’m often asked about all the different hats I wear: mom, doctor, Chief of Digital Innovation at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Chief Medical Office at Before Brands, reporter at KING5 News and more. So, this is my first attempt at detailing what I’m working on each month. Let me know what you think!

Head lice…yuck. All parents fear it and it inevitably happens to many families. Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson reviews how lice spread, how to treat them with over-the-counter medications and how some head lice are becoming resistant to standard treatments. Tip: if your child’s lice isn’t going away after following the recommended treatment plan, you may need a prescription. More here…

Happy New Year! Don’t have your resolutions totally planned out yet? Pediatrician Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson shares what she’s learned from BJ Fogg about creating “tiny habits” to help drive change.

Here are 7 concussion tips from expert Dr. Sara Chrisman and Pediatrician, Wendy Sue Swanson. We aren’t just talking football here; lots of other sports may put your child at risk for concussion. That being said, there are so many wonderful benefits sports offer our children. Here is what you need to know…

More than 1 million children get concussed every year. The recommendations for recovery after concussion have changed over the years and are confusing, they share the latest tips for parents! Pediatrician, Wendy Sue Swanson and Dr. Sara Chrisman, a pediatrician who researches sports-related concussion discuss how to guide families, coaches and teens in understanding concussions.

Trying different baby formulas is ok! Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson explains the differences between certain types of formulas the not-so rigid rules for feeding your baby.

Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson shares ways to reduce painful gas in babies and highlights other tips from gastroenterologist, Dr. Bryan Vartabedian’s book: Looking Out For Number Two.

Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson & cardiologist, Dr. Jack Salerno discuss what happens when a child faints, it’s terrifying for most parents. We help you sort out when it’s concerning and when it’s not. About 25% of children will faint by the time they reach teen years. Some kids may need to see a cardiologist if they do.

Learning how to manage stress productively, and develop resilience in the face of ongoing challenges, is a set of skills all families need. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson and psychologist, Dr. James McKeever discuss the science behind resiliency. “Resiliency is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity or trauma or tragedy.”

Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson discusses the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Animal agriculture uses 4x the amount of antibiotics as human medicine! One thing you can do is buy antibiotic-free meat and an antibiotic-free turkey this Thanksgiving. Here are a few quick reminders for better use in our homes knowing that up to 50% of all the antibiotics prescribed for people are not always needed.

Self-harm is used as a way to regulate intense negative emotions and puts you at an elevated risk for suicide. This can be an extremely scary situation for both parents and their children, but there are ways to work with a therapist to learn new communication strategies and skills for coping with stress & pain. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson and Dr. James McKeever, a pediatric psychologist explain more about self-harm.

Ahem….children and teens can be moody. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson and clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Hilt discuss when it’s moodiness or when it might be something more.

It’s chemical! Which is why SSRIs (i.e. Prozac) can help with anxiety and depression. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson and clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Hilt discuss a variety of approaches and highlight the importance of psychotherapy.

What you do today could contribute to preventing a mass shooting. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson shares tips for talking to children and teens about guns and violence in age-appropriate terms. If there is a gun in your home, keep it locked, unloaded & separate from ammunition. Safe storage leads to a 75% reduction in the risk of firearm suicide & unintentional shootings.

Magnets, batteries and other small object can cause serious harm and even death. Pediatricians, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson & Dr. Julie Brown share what you need to know about what happens when toddlers and teens swallow magnets or batteries.

Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson discusses what parents need to know about this year’s flu shot. Your entire family (all those over 6 months of age) should get a flu shot before Halloween. No nasal flu mist again this year, so don’t promise a no-poke visit!

Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson and Emergency Medicine expert, Dr. Julie Brown discuss food allergies and the importance of knowing how to dose & use epinephrine. Their mantra: “epi first and epi fast.”

Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson highlights the importance of extending support, compassion and understanding to children and families with food allergies. Special guest, Dr. Julie Brown who works in Emergency Medicine at Seattle Children’s provides her clinical expertise on anaphylaxis and anecdotal knowledge from parent support groups for children with life-threatening allergies.