Kirsten Robinson, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, discusses essential preparations for new parents. Dr. Robinson advises starting prenatal care early, optimizing health conditions, and taking prenatal vitamins. Key items for newborns include a safe sleep environment, a car seat, a thermometer, basic care items, and a pediatrician. To prepare siblings and pets, she suggests reading books and gradually introducing them to the new baby. Dr. Robinson emphasizes the importance of safe sleep practices, avoiding overbundling, and recognizing signs of illness. Regular pediatric visits are crucial, with the first at one to two weeks post-birth.

Start the new year with a plan to quit smoking, vaping or dipping and see significant health benefits. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Sara Tello, a Texas Tech Physicians nurse practitioner specializing in smoking cessation, explains how she helps smokers quit. Tello emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to quitting using medications and nicotine replacement therapies. This compassionate, non-judgmental approach to helping smokers quit offers them a chance to significantly improve overall health.

Alan Pang, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians surgeon burn specializing in wound, trauma and critical care, discusses common burn injuries during the holiday season, emphasizing prevention and treatment. He highlights scald burns from cooking and hot beverage spills and fire risks from Christmas trees.

Safety tips include keeping children away from cooking areas, using covered cups for hot drinks, and ensuring electrical safety. For burn treatment, he advises running burns under cold water to remove heat, avoiding home remedies like butter, and seeking medical help for severe burns, pain, or large burns. He also warns about frostbite risks in cold weather and the importance of keeping extremities warm.