Seattle Mama Doc

Parents can learn how to curb disruptive behaviors in their children with autism. Pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, and Clinical Child Psychologist, Dr. Karen Bearss discuss autism and disruptive behaviors. Up to half of children with ASD exhibit high rates of disruptive behaviors, such as tantrums, aggression & property destruction. Dr. Bearss guides parents in ways that they can get ahold of this challenge and correct it.

Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson discusses ways we can consider redesigning healthcare for children who have disabilities with bioethicist, Dr. Holly Tabor from Stanford University Medical Center. When we fix and improve things to help make healthcare more accessible to people with disabilities, we’ll end up helping everyone, a win-win for all!

“My worry is many teens believe e-cigs are safe to use. More and more, I’m certain they are not,” Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson. We know that e-cigs pass along carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) to those who use them and are associated with future tobacco cigarette smoking in teens.

Screen and smartphone addiction is becoming (or has already become) a real threat to all of us, I’m afraid, as we depend more and more on our devices for connection and organization. Smartphones are smart and are built, designed and strategically engineered to draw us in and play off some of our greatest human traits and urges to love, be connected, and be respectful. If you’re feeling guilty, ashamed, and/or frustrated, you’re not alone. I’m sharing one tip to help combat phone addiction: go grey and be nice to yourself.

Clearly teens respond to what they read about e-cigs. Teens who engage with online tobacco marketing are more likely to try and use tobacco and are less likely to stop. Teens are clearly at risk. Learn more, stats and data from pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson.

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.