Demystifying Pediatric Fever: When to Treat, When to Wait, and How to Safely Choose Medication Episode 95 S3E8

In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, hosts Dr. Sylvia Bank and Dr. Vivian Carlin are joined by pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Lori Handy from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to demystify childhood fevers. The pediatricians share personal and stressful parenting stories and their medical perspective. The discussion covers practical advice for parents, including how to choose and use different types of thermometers, when and how to treat fever, and why a fever can actually benefit a sick child. Finally, they highlight key warning signs that warrant a call to the pediatrician while providing trusted resources.

Resources:

Treating a fever: What to consider – Healthy at Home with Dr. Handy | CHOP

https://youtu.be/7D9_4Ab58Mo?si=H1QQEZjdd4nZL9FO

Healthy at Home with Dr Handyhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUv9oht3hC6RPYvvs_3AnMVdiQ-3vEeC2&si=hn7bc3TBXPIbh98a

Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Childrenhttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx

Ibuprofen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Childrenhttps://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/pages/ibuprofen-for-fever-and-pain.aspx

Fever Without Fear: Information for Parentshttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Fever-Without-Fear.aspx

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Special Guest - Dr Lori Handy, MD, MSCE

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Fever

02:12 Real-World Parenting Stories: Navigating Fever

05:45 What is a Fever? Definitions and Thresholds

07:35 Choosing and Using the Right Thermometer

09:08 The Biological Benefits of Fever

11:09 How and When to Treat Fever with Medication

The Colic Survival Guide: Feeding, Soothing and Staying Sane - Episode 94 S3E7

If you have a baby with colic, you already know how exhausting and overwhelming the constant crying can be. In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, Dr. Sylvia Bank and Dr. Vivian Carlin break down what colic actually is, what parents can try at home, which commonly recommended remedies don't have strong evidence behind them, and—perhaps most importantly—how parents can make it through this incredibly difficult season.

Resources:

Crying and Colic https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/default.aspx

Colic Relief Tips for Parents https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Colic.aspx

How to Calm a Fussy Baby: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Calming-A-Fussy-Baby.aspx

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 What Is Colic?

02:15 How to Approach a Colicky Baby

02:50 Feeding and Maternal Diet

06:20 Formula Options and Probiotics

08:33 Movement, Sound, and Soothing

11:05 Pacifiers, Swaddling, and Safe Sleep

12:20 Treatments That May Not Help

14:30 Surviving the Season of Colic

Infant Colic: When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying - Episode 93 S3E6

In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, Dr. Sylvia Bank and Dr. Vivian Carlin explain what infant colic is, when it typically starts, and how long it lasts. They take a candid look at colic through the lived experience of parenting a baby who cries inconsolably for hours.

Resources:

Crying and Colic https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/default.aspx

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Welcome to Ten Kids Two Docs

00:34 What Is Infant Colic

01:03 The Medical Definition of Colic

03:03 Living With a Colicky Baby

06:05 What Colic Crying Sounds Like

08:54 When Crying Could Signal Illness

13:03 When Parents Feel Overwhelmed

15:09 The Importance of Taking a Break

18:51 Colic Does Not Predict Future Sleep Problems

Suicide Prevention: A Pediatrician's Guide to Building Resilience Episode 92 S3E5

In episode, pediatricians Dr. Vivian Carlin and Dr. Sylvia Bank focus on proactive suicide prevention and building mental health resilience in youth. Navigating a sobering reality—where suicide is the second leading cause of death among preteens and teens—the hosts unpack critical warning signs, the realities of universal screening in pediatric offices, and environmental risk factors like chronic stress and bullying. Moving beyond the statistics, they share practical advice for parenting with a "mental health wellness" mindset from an early age, emphasizing the power of parental acceptance, open communication, and fostering a strong sense of individual identity. Finally, they cover essential home safety measures, such as locking away firearms and safely disposing of medications, while reminding listeners of the immediate accessibility of the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Resources:

Suicide: Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention https://www.aap.org/suicideprevention

Teens and Suicide: What Parents Should Know https://afsp.org/teens-and-suicide-what-parents-should-know/

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Introduction and scope of issue

05:59 Identifying Warning Signs & Environmental Risk Factors

09:08 Preventative Parenting & Building Resilience

10:10 Recognizing and Celebrating Your Child's Unique Strengths

11:25 Teaching Kids to Identify and Register Their Emotions

11:43 The Power of Parental Acceptance vs. Frustration

13:20 Strengthening Identity, Faith, and a Sense of Belonging

14:55 Starting Deeper Conversations and Open Communication Without Judgment

18:32 Means Prevention: Securing Firearms, Medications, and Substances

20:42 Utilizing the 988 Lifeline & Taking Care of Parental Mental Health

Toddler Girl Vaginitis - When It’s Irritated “Down There” Episode 91 S3E4

Our hosts discuss a very common problem with toddler girls - Vaginal irritation or vaginitis. We review what it may look like and how you can prevent it at home.

Resources:

Vulvovaginitis in Children & Teens https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/vulvovaginitis-in-children-and-teens.aspx

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Introduction

01:03 How Vaginitis Presents

02:19 What is Vaginitis?

03:30 Common Culprits

07:10 At-Home Remedies

12:15 When to See the Pediatrician

14:35 Recurring Issues and Safety Conversations

15:31 Conclusion

Should Your Child Play Football? Tackling the Pros and Cons - Episode 90 S3E3

In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, pediatricians and co-hosts Dr. Sylvia Bank and Dr. Vivian Carlin are joined by guest Dr. Jendi Haug—a pediatric ER doctor, high school football coach's wife, and mom to two football players—to tackle the complex decision of whether children should play football. The doctors weigh the powerful benefits of the sport, including strong community engagement, discipline, selflessness, and screen-free physical activity, against its significant risks, most notably concussions, physical injuries, and mental health pressures like eating disorders. Ultimately, the hosts provide an honest, multifactorial framework to help parents evaluate their child's personality, physical readiness, and family boundaries to make the best, guilt-free decision possible.

Resources:

Halstead, M. E., McAvoy, K., Devore, C. D., Carl, R., Lee, M., Logan, K., Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, & Council on School Health. (2013). Returning to learning following a concussion. Pediatrics, 132(5), 948–957. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-2867

After a Concussion: When to return to School https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/After-a-Concussion-When-to-Return-to-School.aspx

Sports Related Concussion: Understanding Risks, Symptoms, and Recoveryhttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Sports-Related-Concussion-Understanding-the-Risks-Signs-Symptoms.aspx

Brenner, J. S. et al (2015). Tackling in youth football. Pediatrics, 136(5), e1419–e1430. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3282

Musinski, R. (2015, October 25). Zero tolerance for improper, illegal tackling in youth football: AAP. AAP News. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/15053/Zero-tolerance-for-improper-illegal-tackling-in

American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, & Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. (2026). The adolescent athlete and the team physician: A consensus statement: 2025 update. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 58(2), 371–402. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003863

Kerr, Z. Y. et al (2022). Head games: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining concussion and head impact incidence rates, modifiable risk factors, and prevention strategies in youth tackle football. Sports Medicine, 52(6), 1259–1272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01609-4

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Special Guest - Dr Jendi Haug, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Welcome to Ten Kids Two Docs

00:33 Should Your Child Play Football?

02:05 Starting Football and Choosing the Right Age

04:09 The Community and Life Lessons of Football

08:44 The Risks and Realities of Football Injuries

14:39 Concussions, Prevention and Safer Play

19:01 Preseason Physicals and Football Safety Guidelines

21:23 The Takeaway: Making the Right Decision for Your Child

Vaccines, Politics & Parents: Making Sense of the New MMR Executive Order Episode 89 S3E2

In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, pediatricians and moms Dr. Vivian Carlin and Dr. Sylvia Bank discuss the August 10, 2026 executive order concerning childhood vaccines—and what it means from the perspective of physicians who care for children and parents who make vaccine decisions every day.

They unpack several claims made about the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, including the proposal to separate the combined vaccine into three individual shots. They also discuss vaccine volume, safety, the practical consequences of requiring additional doctor visits, comparisons between U.S. and European vaccination schedules, and claims about a connection between MMR vaccination and autism.

Resources:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center

Offit, P. A. (2020). Overkill: When modern medicine goes too far. HarperCollins.

White House — Executive Order 14420: “Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/delivering-gold-standard-childhood-vaccine-recommendations-for-americans/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/gold-standard-childhood-vaccine-recommendations-%f0%9f%87%ba%f0%9f%87%b8/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-signs-an-executive-order-aug-10-2026/

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Welcome to Ten Kids Two Docs

02:27 What the New Vaccine Executive Order Says

05:15 How Much Liquid Is Actually in the MMR Vaccine?

07:19 Is the MMR Vaccine “Lethal”?

11:06 Does the New Policy Really Align With Europe?

16:04 The Real-World Risks of Splitting Up the MMR Vaccine

18:42 MMR, Autism & What the Evidence Shows

24:01 Reliable Vaccine Information & Final Thoughts

The Harms of Screen Use - Inside the 2026 Surgeon General’s Advisory Episode 88 S3E1:

Welcome to the season three premiere of Ten Kids Two Docs! To kick off the new season, Dr. Vivian Carlin and Dr. Sylvia Bank discuss the May 20, 2026 Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Harms of Screen Use. This episode breaks down the developmental and cognitive risks of early screen exposure, the mental health challenges adolescents face online, and the ripple effects screens have on childhood sleep. They also review real feedback from their listeners on screens, share actionable advice for parents, and discuss advised community changes.

Resources:

Official Landing Page: HHS.gov - The Harms of Screen Use https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/screen-use-harms/index.html

Full Advisory (PDF): Surgeon General's Advisory: Warning on the Harms of Screen Use https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/us-surgeon-generals-advisory-warning-on-the-harms-of-screen-use.pdf

Official Toolkit (PDF): Surgeon General's Warning on the Harms of Screen Use Toolkit https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/us-surgeon-generals-advisory-warning-on-the-harms-of-screen-use-toolkit.pdf

How to Make a Family Media Plan: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/How-to-Make-a-Family-Media-Use-Plan.aspx

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Visit our webpage https://tenkidstwodocs.com Follow our show on TikTok/Facebook/Instagram/Youtube @TenKidsTwoDocs, and share your thoughts with us by emailing feedback@tenkidstwodocs.com

00:00 Welcome Back to Season 3

00:33 Why the New Surgeon General Screen Advisory Matters

01:48 The Science: How Screens Affect Child Development & Mental Health

04:06 Screens, Sleep, and Why Rest Is Essential for Kids

05:04 Parents Weigh In: Real Reactions to Delaying Social Media

11:41 Practical Strategies for Parents: Setting Screen Boundaries

16:53 What Schools & Tech Companies Should Do to Reduce Screen Harm

21:19 Final Takeaways: Building a Healthier, Screen-Smart Future