Press Coverage
January 6, 2012
Inside Edition "Toddlers and Tiaras in hot water again"
Photo/Video Gallery
Cheryl Wu MD
Bio Data
Cheryl Wu, MD joined LaGuardia Place Pediatrics in June of 2008. She attended University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School and completed her pediatric residency training at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. As the mother to an ex-colic toddler, Dr. Cheryl is also an expert in newborn behavior and infant sleeping patterns.
Complete Bio
Experience
Title: Pediatrician
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Industry: Medical Practice
Sub-Industry: Pediatrics, Child Care
Experience Area: Infants, Children, Adolescent, Medicine, Parenting, Parent support, New Mom support, breastfeeding, Childhood Vaccines
Complete Experience
Latest Blogs »
Squashing Parental Worries–Some Tips Feb 7 2011
The first thing I tell the parents that it is normal for them to worry – because that’s how those incredibly rare
diseases (1/100,000,000) in children are caught – by their parents – so we are hard-wired to worry and
fret over our offspring to ensure their maximal survival. Just knowing that a lot of times can alleviate a
parent’s anxiety – because they otherwise assume their heightened state of worry is founded on something
real, when in fact nature hard wires us to have an exaggerated anxiety response. The other thing parents
can do is to try to think rationally – which is a little like asking someone who thinks they’re drowning to
stop and assess the situation. But the main thing is perspective – is that problem that is causing you
concern truly worrisome (ie, are you really drowning?), or does it seem like a mountain when it is in fact a
molehill (ie, or are you in a knee-deep pool, but your fear of water is getting the better of you?)?
And if all else fails, speak to a pediatrician whom you trust – I can’t count how many times parents have
said to me “You must think I’m crazy,” and I tell them I completely understand. A good pediatrician will take
what you say, observe the child, think about it, and tell you their judgment.