Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge.
“You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but your kiddo.” - Emily Martinec, CCLS
In this episode host Katie Taylor chats with Emily Martinec, another experienced Child Life Specialist. These two dive into the complexities of preparing children for an upper GI procedure. They provide valuable insights and practical tips for both parents and fellow specialists, sharing lessons learned from their work in pediatric radiology and GI. From scheduling the procedure to supporting children emotionally and physically, Katie and Emily guide listeners through every step of the process for both kids and parents. Whether you're a parent or a professional, this episode is packed with advice to help create an emotionally safe and successful experience for children.
A HUGE thank you to our sponsors:
BeginHealth Prebiotics: Nutrition support for healthy digestion. Use code “ChildLifeOnCall” to get 25 percent off.
30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important.
Begin Health®’s flagship product, Growing Up Prebiotics, is a tasteless, textureless fine powder that easily mixes into water, juice, or smoothies. This makes it convenient for daily use without altering the flavor of your child’s favorite beverages.
Key Insights
Preparation is Key: Schedule the procedure around your child’s routine (e.g., feeding and nap times) and advocate for care at a pediatric facility.
Child-Led Support: Tailor explanations based on your child’s age—toddlers need short, concrete steps, while older children benefit from a detailed walkthrough.
Creative Coping Strategies: Bring familiar items like a favorite cup or lovey, and offer simple choices (e.g., flavoring options for the barium).
Parent Emotional Regulation: Stay calm and positive, which helps children feel safe and supported during the procedure.
Teamwork with Staff: Collaborate with radiology staff and child life specialists to create a smooth experience tailored to your child’s needs.
Resources and Tips:
Support Spot App: Step-by-step guidance and visuals for procedures like the upper GI. Download here
Age-Appropriate Preparation Tips: This episode provides strategies tailored to each age group, offering practical and developmentally appropriate tips to help ease anxiety and ensure a smoother experience for both kids and caregivers.
When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels!
Links and Resources:
Learn more here.
Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.