Supporting Children Through Burn Injuries

Supporting Children Through Burn Injuries

Author: Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist July 1, 2026 Duration: 34:20

Has your child been burned? Whether it was hot water, ramen noodles, a stove, fireworks, or another accident, this episode guides parents through what to do next.

In this episode, Katie sits down with Christella Almonacy, Certified Child Life Specialist at Wellstar's Burn Program, to discuss what families can expect after a child experiences a burn injury. Together, they explore the physical and emotional recovery process, how Child Life Specialists help children cope with painful procedures, and why giving kids choices can make all the difference.

Christella also shares common causes of pediatric burns, practical prevention tips, and resources that help children and siblings navigate life after a burn injury.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or pediatric healthcare professional, this episode offers reassurance, education, and hope.

Key Takeaways

  • Burn injuries happen more often than families realize—and accidents can happen to anyone.

  • Parents often experience intense guilt after a child's burn injury, but they aren't alone.

  • Child Life Specialists prepare children for procedures, reduce fear, and build coping skills.

  • Giving children choices helps them regain a sense of control during medical care.

  • Burn recovery includes emotional healing, not just physical healing.

  • Siblings may also need support after witnessing a traumatic injury.

  • Burn prevention starts with awareness of everyday household risks.

Timestamps

2:59 Christella's path to Child Life

3:30 Supporting families after a burn injury

5:58 What children experience after a serious burn

7:28 Preparing kids for procedures and surgery

9:15 Giving children choices during treatment

12:30 What to expect in a burn clinic

17:10 Meet the burn care team

18:50 Burn prevention tips every family should know

22:08 The burn recovery journey

25:50 Returning to school after a burn

27:15 Supporting siblings through trauma

29:20 A powerful patient story

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Us

Keywords

Pediatric burns, burn prevention, child life specialist, burn recovery, pediatric burn care, burn clinic, childhood injuries, coping with hospitalization, emotional recovery after burns, parenting after a burn injury.

 

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.

 


Hosted by Katie Taylor, a Certified Child Life Specialist, Inside the Children's Hospital is a quiet space for the often unspoken journey of pediatric illness. This podcast moves beyond the clinical to explore the human heart of the hospital, offering conversations that feel more like a shared cup of coffee in a waiting room than a formal interview. You'll hear directly from parents and caregivers who articulate the complex mix of fear, resilience, and love they experience, while pediatric nurses, doctors, and therapists provide their unique professional perspectives on fostering healing and normalcy. The discussions naturally delve into the practicalities of family life disrupted, the emotional weight carried by all involved, and the small, profound moments of hope that sustain people. It’s a resource for anyone connected to a child’s health challenge, whether you're a family member seeking solidarity, a friend looking to understand, or simply someone interested in the intersection of medicine and humanity. Each episode aims to validate the listener's own feelings, whether they are in the midst of a crisis or reflecting on one, by presenting these authentic narratives without sugarcoating yet always with profound compassion. Tune in to find a sense of community and a deeper appreciation for the delicate, powerful work happening within those walls.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Inside the Children's Hospital
Podcast Episodes
Autism, Advocacy and the Power of a Medical ID Bracelet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:14
Tara Cohen opens up about her son Will's autism diagnosis and how it transformed her family and career. From navigating meltdowns to discovering AAC as a communication lifeline, Tara shares her honest reflections on pare…
When Your Baby is Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes: Marlee's Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
"My baby went from fussy to lifeless in hours—by the time we reached the PICU, they said he might have had six hours to live." In this episode, TikTok Influencer and Medical Mom Marlee Brandon, a pediatric speech-languag…
Brain Surgery for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Managing Infantile Spasms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:14
Join us for an incredibly candid and informative conversation with Audrey Vernick, a passionate advocate and the Director of Patient and Family Advocacy for the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance. Audrey shares the powe…
Speech Therapy at Home: Expert Tips to Help Your Child Communicate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
"The excitement that the kids feel when they are seeing you... and they know today's session with Ms. Luba and they can't wait to see you." - Luba Kaplan When a child enters the medical system, parents often meet many sp…
Type 1 Diabetes: Finding Community and Humor After Diagnosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
When Stacey's toddler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family's world turned upside down. In this episode, she shares the early warning signs, the struggle of those first two weeks of injections, and how humor and…
NICU Stay, Down Syndrome, and Infant Loss: A Grief Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
In this incredibly personal and moving episode, we sit down with Teejay and Jon, the authors of the gentle children's book Clemence, to share the full, raw story of their daughter, Nadiya. Their journey began with an une…