Hi, I’m Captain Cough, one of the four Children’s Flu Fighters. First, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year as many of you head back to school and work this week. Second, I’d like to remind you that Children’s Flu Fighters (Missy Clean, Super Sneeze, the R & R Kid and I, Captain Cough) are working hard to protect your children and you from colds and flu. As we kick off 2010, I thought I would share some great advice our friend Jessica Balliet, RD, CD, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin put together recently: (more…)

Most of us think that constipation is a simple problem that can be solved with a little bit of prune juice or a laxative. But, for some kids, pooping can become an everyday problem. Here’s how you can help a child who can’t poop or has pain while he or she is pooping.

What causes constipation?
Many kids experience constipation when their diets change or there is a lack of fiber in their diets resulting from too many candies, cookies, cakes and other low-fiber foods served during the holidays. (more…)

Anyone with celiac disease, a condition that prevents people from eating gluten – an ingredient found in wheat, barley and rye – knows that gluten-free products tend to cost more than non-gluten-free products. At Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, we care for many kids whose families need to maintain a gluten-free lifestyle for them – without breaking the bank. Here are some money-saving tips we share with families:

Remember, there are many regular foods that you CAN eat!
Not everything has to be the more expensive gluten-free specialty products. For example, in the regular cereal aisle, Rice Chex® now is a gluten-free product (check the labeling on the front of the box to be sure). Cornmeal, grits and Cream of Rice® are other gluten-free breakfast or snack options.
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