Dr. Greene’s Blog

Dr. Alan Greene

Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.

    Helping a Child Handle Blood Draws
    September 23, 1996
    Helping a Child Handle Blood Draws

    Although you can’t make the needle go away, there are some things you can do to soften the experience. Click here for a list of things to do for your child before, after, and during a blood draw…

    A Divorced/Separated Parent’s Guide to Making Visits Count
    August 28, 1996
    A Divorced/Separated Parent’s Guide to Making Visits Count

    If you are a parent who does not live with your child, it’s important to make every visit count. Here are some ways you can do that:…

    On Being a Physician: A day in the life
    July 10, 1996
    On Being a Physician: A day in the life

    Over the years we have received numerous requests from high school and university students, who are in the midst of choosing a career, asking what it is like to be a physician. Here is Dr. Greene̵…

    The Essential Components of Breast Milk
    June 21, 1996
    The Essential Components of Breast Milk

    There are a number of breastmilk components that are extremely beneficial to babies’ development. Many of these cannot be found in formula.…

    Handling a Clingy Baby
    June 6, 1996
    Handling a Clingy Baby

    Dr. Greene’s tips on how to handle a clingy baby: Many children go through a stage when they strongly prefer one parent to every other person in the world. One common pattern is for them to noti…

    The Olympic Flame
    May 3, 1996
    The Olympic Flame

    When I was first asked to carry the Olympic Torch, my eyes misted. Not until the moment actually came did I understand why. The Olympic Flame reaches back to a time when the human race was younger, an…

    A Parent’s Guide To Diaper Rashes
    April 30, 1996
    A Parent’s Guide To Diaper Rashes

    There are a surprising number of different types of diaper rashes (that respond best to different types of treatments). Skin wetness is the common denominator underlying these various causes of diaper…

    Revolutionary Test for Early Detection of Autism
    April 14, 1996
    Revolutionary Test for Early Detection of Autism

    Autism rates continue to rise, as 1/54 children receive a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), up from 1/68 in 2010 and 1/150 in 2000. Part of this may be due to the fact that methods of autis…

    When Time Away From Baby Can’t Be Avoided - Follow Up
    April 5, 1996
    When Time Away From Baby Can’t Be Avoided – Follow Up

    Several of our readers have expressed concern for Nancy Cefalu and her family. We received a letter from her and are reprinting it with her permission . . .…

    Young black girl brushing her teeth. Unusual breath odors in children with good dental hygiene should see a pediatrician.
    March 13, 1996
    Unusual Breath Odors & What They Mean

    Unusual breath odors are common in kids. Typically there isn't anything to worry about, but there are some breath odors that indicate an underlying problem.…

    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 1
    March 5, 1996
    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 1

    A ten-month-old girl, who had been sleeping through the night, has now been waking up each night for one week. She pulls herself to standing in the crib, and rubs her right ear. She calms quickly when…

    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 2
    March 5, 1996
    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 2

    A seven-month-old boy has had a cold for three days. Last night he woke up screaming, and remained irritable for several minutes even when he was picked up. He felt hot to the touch. This morning, he …

    Boy looking enthusiastically at a chocolate bar. What is the relationship between sugar and behavior in children?
    March 3, 1996
    The Relationship between Sugar and Behavior in Children

    The effect of sugar and behavior in children is a hotly debated topic in pediatrics. Parents and teachers look at kids' activity levels and pediatricians look at test data. Which one is right? Here's …

    Lead Screening
    February 23, 1996
    Lead Screening

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that if you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions a blood test to check for lead should be considered.…

    Child hits their head such as this young boy with swollen forehead after a fall
    February 13, 1996
    When to Call the Doctor after your Child Hits Their Head

    It can be tough to know if a doctor visit is necessary after your child hits their head. Here's how to determine if a visit is best.…

    February 8, 1996
    Steps To Take Before Giving Up On Breast Feeding

    Before you decide to give up nursing, I recommend that you try a few simple things that might make the situation much easier for both you and your baby. If these don’t work, you can still decide…

    Alleviating Eczema
    February 5, 1996
    Alleviating Eczema

    Eczema is a chronic condition in which sensitive skin reacts to certain triggers, and a rash develops. The mainstays of eczema treatment are moisturizers and ever-increasing strengths of cortisone cre…

    The Dangers of Balloons
    January 8, 1996
    The Dangers of Balloons

    Believe it or not, balloons cause more childhood deaths than any other toy. That’s right. Balloons! This shocking fact was established by a study conducted by Children’s Hospital of Pittsb…

    Sad boy. Helping children grieve is not easy.
    January 6, 1996
    Helping Children Grieve

      Losing a loved one is never easy. Having to explain the loss and help a child deal with it can be very difficult. Here are some suggestions for making the grieving process a little easier for y…