Flu season is here again and to unpack some of the myths and confusion about the flu, our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by paediatrician and immunisation specialist, Dr Nigel Crawford. With the latest release of The Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll finding that a quarter of parents (29%) are unaware that healthy children can get seriously unwell with the flu, it is more important than ever to know the facts when it comes to the flu.   
This episode unpacks the best ways you can keep your family safe this winter and provides information about the new intranasal flu vaccination available for children aged 2 – 17 years. 

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal  

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here:  

Kids health info fact sheet: Kids Health Info : Flu (influenza) vaccine 

Learn more about vaccine options in your state here:  

Victoria: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/seasonal-influenza-vaccine  

New South Wales: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Pages/default.aspx  

South Australia: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/preventing+disease+and+infection/free+flu+vaccination+for+children+under+5/free+flu+vaccination+for+children+under+5  

Tasmania: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/flu-influenza/flu-vaccination  

Western Australia: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/articles/f_i/influenza-immunisation-program  

Queensland: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/2026-free-flu-vaccinations  

Northern Territory: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/healthy-living/immunisation/flu-vaccination  

We all know how it feels to not get enough sleep. We’re grumpy, irritable and simply not our best selves. As an adult it’s easy to describe, but what about when kids don’t get enough sleep?  In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Bisset to unpack the powerful link between sleep, emotions, and behaviour in children. 

Learn how sleep needs change across childhood, the signs that tiredness may be driving behavioural challenges, and practical strategies parents can use to support healthy sleep routines and calmer days. 

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Sleep problems - babies and toddlers 

Why do young children feel their emotions in such big and dramatic ways, and how can parents support them through those overwhelming moments? In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Tamera Clancy to explore emotional development in the early years.  

Learn why toddlers and preschoolers experience emotions so intensely, what’s happening in their brains as they grow, and the practical ways parents can help children recognise, express, and regulate their feelings. 

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Challenging behaviour – toddlers and young children  

What does autism look like in children, and how can parents better understand neurodiversity? In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by developmental paediatrician Dr Toby Rheinberger to explore the many ways autistic traits can present across childhood. 

Discover how autism may show up at different ages, what strengths and challenges can accompany neurodivergence, and how families can support their child’s development, communication, and wellbeing. 

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal. 

For more information related to autism and neurodiversity, visit Amaze: What is Autism - Amaze - Shaping the future for autism 

Ever wondered if your teen needs supplements, protein powders or other special dietary tweaks? This episode pulls together the information you need.  

Getting teens to consume a balanced and nutritious diet isn’t always easy. They might be going straight to sport after school with little time to eat or they could be snacking before dinner and not so interested in the nutritious meal you’re serving up at dinner.  

If you’re facing challenges in supporting your teen to get their three and five (that’s fruit and vegetables), then join host Dr Anthea Rhodes and guest, Paediatric Dietitian Tayla Rabie for a chat about helping teens to make nutritious food choices.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids health info fact sheets: Nutrition – teens and young people

Information to share with your teenager: Teen Health Info : Food and nutrition – eating a balanced diet 

Have you ever wondered if your child could be showing signs of anxiety? Anxiety can show up in many ways for children and in this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Grace McMahon to unpack these symptoms.  

Learn about the ways in which anxiety can show up for children at different ages and stages, what might be driving it, and how parents can navigate anxiety in their children.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal. 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Anxiety in children 

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.  

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn about the signs you might want to keep an eye out for and the support available to you and your family as we explore this topic.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.  

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn about the signs you might want to keep an eye out for and the support available to you and your family as we explore this topic.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: Kids Health Info : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  

Parents often feel like they need to be everything to everyone and do it all perfectly. This can be overwhelming as it is but add medical complexities or behavioural challenges and stress can reach boiling point. 

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Caitlyn Gourlay to explain what it means to be a ‘good enough parent’ and what your kids really need from you.  

This episode is packed with simple tips and advice, as well as information about resources that parents can explore to find support.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

In this episode, Dr Caitlyn mentioned a few resources. Here are some that parents may wish to explore:

• Tuning into kids: https://www.kidsfirstaustralia.org.au/program/tuning-into-kids/  

• Tuning into teens: https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/child-parenting-courses/tint-kew/  

• Circle of Security: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/blogs/resources/tagged/parents  

• This way up: https://thiswayup.org.au/  

If you’re located outside of Victoria and seeking support, we recommend contacting your local council to explore programs that may be available to you.  

For more information, search ‘Kids Health Info’ to access our fact sheets. 

Australian teens learn about the dangers of smoking in the classroom, but is there an extra role for parents to play?

In this episode of the Kids Health Info podcast, our host, Dr Anthea Rhodes, is joined by Respiratory Specialist, Dr Moya Vandeleur, to explain the facts about nicotine that parents need to know.

Exploring the challenges that parents face in having conversations with their teens about cigarettes, vapes and oral nicotine pouches, this episode covers the impacts these products can have and unpacks the myth that there is any ‘healthy’ form of nicotine consumption.

Parents seeking support to navigate the quitting process with their teens can visit: https://www.quit.org.au/en

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore more by reading our Kids Health Info fact sheet and share our Teen Health Info fact sheet with your young person.

Few things are more frightening for a parent than seeing their child have a seizure — especially when it’s unexpected and linked to a fever. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department doctor Sandy Hopper to help parents understand febrile seizure. They explain what febrile seizures are, why they happen, how common they are, and what parents should do if their child experiences one. With calm, clear advice and expert insight, this episode helps parents understand the difference between febrile convulsions and other types of seizures and offers reassurance about what to expect if it happens to your child.

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: Kids Health Info : Febrile seizures