Growing Healthy 0 - 19 Sunderland

09/12/2025

09/12/2025

Bladders

Advice on children's bladder health including what's normal and what can go wrong.

09/12/2025

🧝✨ The Elf has been spreading festive cheer with teams across Northumberland, Gateshead, Sunderland, County Durham, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, North Yorkshire, Wakefield, and has also been meeting our new teams in Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness! 🎄🎉

👀 Can you spot the Kendal cake?

09/12/2025

We know family life can be busy, and when someone feels unwell, it’s natural to want help quickly. Last winter, over 200,000 of people visited A&E for minor issues like ingrown toenails or hiccups – things that can often be treated safely elsewhere.

If it’s not an emergency, you can get expert advice and treatment without the wait:
- Pharmacies can help with common conditions like sore throats, sinusitis, and earache – and even provide some prescription medicines.
- NHS 111 (online or by phone) can guide you to the right care.
- Your GP is there for ongoing or more complex concerns.

Choosing the right service means shorter waits for you and helps A&E focus on life-threatening emergencies.

Let’s keep care flowing this winter – and make sure everyone gets the help they need.

08/12/2025

Explore Cbeebies parenting article on simple yet effective ways to help your children understand their emotions and express their feelings.

https://tinyurl.com/bdm6e32e

08/12/2025

Constipation

Find out what a healthy bowel and normal poo look like. We guide you through common children's bowel problems such as constipation and soiling, and how to identify and treat them.

07/12/2025

🧝✨ A mindful message from our festive Elf…

Take a moment today to pause, breathe, and notice how you feel.
Looking after yourself helps you look after others too. 💛

A little mindfulness can bring a lot of calm this festive season. 🌟

06/12/2025

Kinder Ways to Keep the Christmas Spirit Alive

Instead of scaring or pressuring children, here are gentler traditions that nurture joy and confidence:

🎭 Playful dress-up: If you want to dress as the Grinch, make it silly and fun — let kids join in by pretending to “save Christmas” together.

🎁 Positive encouragement: Rather than threatening to cancel Christmas, celebrate small acts of kindness and highlight the good things they’ve done.

🧝 Friendly elf fun: Turn the elf into a playful helper who inspires creativity — maybe it “bakes cookies” or “builds Lego towers” overnight.

📜 Celebrate the ‘nice moments’ list: Instead of a “naughty list,” create a “kindness list” where children can add their proudest moments.

❓ Gentle conversations: When asking if they’ve been good, frame it as curiosity — “What’s something you’re proud of this year?” — and respond with encouragement.

✨ The key is to replace fear or shame with wonder, play, and affirmation. Christmas traditions