Hi Krista,
This can definitely be a difficult situation.  Toddlers do develop different fears which may very well be age appropriate.  When this is the case, they will exhibit the fear/behavior for some period of time and then it goes away, usually on its own for no apparent reason.  We need to worry more about a fear or irrational behavior when it seems to be worsening, starts to keep the child from doing the normal things in life, is associated with other developmental concerns, or does not get better over time.

My two year old niece is going through a similar situation as your son right now.  She is crying and screaming that she wants to go home whenever there are large crowds of people (especially if it's people she doesn't know).  If she is at a parade or even a birthday party where she doesn't know most of  the kids, she gets very upset and goes from being really happy to distraught.  So, I can empathize with your situation.

Here are a couple of suggestions to help your son.  First, if you know that you will be going to a place where there is a potential for there to be a crying baby or a noisy baby, let your son know beforehand.  Talk to him about it and come up with a plan as to how both he and you are going to handle it.  For example, you could bring a hat or ear muffs with you and tell him that if a baby starts to cry or make loud noises, he can take the hat and put it over his ears.  This gives him control over the situation.  This may or may not work, but it's worth a try.  Another option is to role play at home.  Pretend that you are playing restaurant and you are holding a baby doll that starts to cry.  Ask your son what he would do and then go through a scenario about how you want to handle it.  This may help defuse things in real life.

If you find that his fear is associated with other sensory issues (such as not liking certain types of clothing, certain textures, etc.) or any other developmental concern (either a delay or a regression) please let his doctor know right away.  Also, if it starts to keep him from doing the daily things in life this would be another warning sign to seek professional help right away.  There are lots of specialists who deal with issues such as these who can offer wonderful suggestions and monitor the situation if needed.

Good Luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Leigh,
Breath holding spells are extremely scary to watch.  This is not something that my children dealt with, but if they did have this condition, I can assure you that even as a pediatrician, I would be very nervous every time I had to witness a spell.

First let's discuss what a breath holding spell actually is.  These events usually occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 5-6 years old; with the peak age being between 2 and 3 years old.  Most kids outgrow the spells by kindergarten age.  The "classic" history is a child experiencing pain or anger, holding of the breath, a change in color, becoming limp, collapsing, possibly a loss of consciousness, and then in some children some brief seizure like activity.  This is then followed by a return to baseline. 

There are two types of breath holding spells: cyanotic and pallid.  The pallid type is much less common and usually occurs after a painful experience (the child may not cry).  The heart usually slows with this type and may even stop for a very short period of time.  The cyanotic spells usually occur after a child is upset or frustrated, a short cry, and then a long breath out, and then holding the breath.  Both types then lead to the color change, becoming limp, and collapsing.  As stated above, a seizure may or may not occur.

The frequency of breath holding spells varies from child to child.  Usually they occur a few times a month but can be more or less frequent.

If a parent witnesses an event such as this, the child's doctor should be notified immediately.  Before a diagnosis of  breath holding spells can be made, one needs to be sure that the history of the event fits into the classic story for a breath holding spell and that the child's neurological and cardiac exams and history are normal.  If the history is not consistent with breath holding spells a further work up should be obtained looking for another reason for fainting, loss of conciousness, and seizures (if this occurred).

There is not a whole lot for parents to do if their child suffers from breath holding spells.  However, if mom or dad is able to anticipate when these events come on, they should try to divert their child's attention as fast as possible to prevent it.  After a while, parents may be able to pick up on certain cues which bring on the spells.  So basically it is behavioral modification.   Also, once the child has a spell, try not give too much attention to what just happened so that there is not any positive reinforcement for the event.  This is very hard to do when your child has just gone through one of these events!  Also, keep the child horizontal when an event is going on and if he is standing be sure to help him to the floor to prevent him from injuring himself from a fall.

Lastly, iron deficiency anemia should be ruled out.  This just involves a simple blood test.  In very rare cases, children are put on medication for this and even more rarely a cardiac procedure is performed. 

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Jenny,
Preauricular pits are known as a "minor anomaly".  This is a feature which has no serious medical or cosmetic consequence to the patient.  However, minor anomalies may serve as clues to something more serious going on in the body.  In most cases, as the number of minor anomalies which are present go up, there is a greater chance of finding a major malformation. 

Due to the fact that the ears form at a similar time as the kidneys during development, one needs to be sure that the kidneys look normal when anything is abnormal with the ears, including a preauricular pit.  So, any child who is born with any minor or major issue with his ear(s) needs to have his kidneys checked out. 

If only one minor anomaly is present then there is not a strong need to go looking for other medical problems (with the exception of checking out the kidneys, in the case of the ears).  The timing of the kidney ultrasound can really be whenever; the sooner the better!  If your daughter's initial hearing screen at birth was normal, it seems very reasonable to repeat it; and there is probably no need to see an ENT at this time, unless your doctor advised you to, or it will bring you more peace of mind!

Good Luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Francine,
Here is a quick summary about constipation in a 6 month old. It's important to first understand that constipation requires a baby not only to have infrequent stools but also have difficulty passing them. It's not unusual for babies to go through periods where their bowel patterns change, especially when introducing foods. The following are a few suggestions to help relieve mild constipation; try giving stage 1 prunes as the fruit (be sure that if this is a new food for your child it is given for 5 days before introducing something else), or offer an ounce of prune juice (or two, or three if it doesn't work), or maybe try a different type of iron fortified baby cereal such as barley or oatmeal (if it's the rice which is currently being given). Always keep in mind that it is important to separate the introduction of new foods by about 5 days in case some sort of reaction occurs.

If a baby is constipated one can also try something called rectal stimulation.  This requires placing the tip (only the very end) of a digital rectal thermometer into the bottom.  This sometimes will stimulate a bowel movement.  This method is okay to use once in a while, but do not do it repeatedly.  If  a parent feels it is needed often, consult the doctor.  Next, glycerin shaves (a very small piece of a suppository) can be placed in the bottom.  Again, this should not be done repeatedly without consulting a pediatrician; as babies can become dependant on this. If these recommendations don't seem to help let your pediatrician know so that he can further advise you as to what else can be done.

It is not advised to give babies water.

The MommyDocs

Hi Nana,
Your concerns regarding your daughter's sleep are understandable.  It sounds like she goes to bed okay but then you find her "awake" at different points throughout the night.  Some questions are:  Is she actually awake when you go into her room or is she sleep talking?  When she is "roaming" around , is she awake or sleep walking?  These are important things to know.

I agree that it will be very important for her to get a good night sleep prior to going to all day kindergarten.  You may already be doing this, but establishing a consistent bedtime routine that the whole family agrees to and participates in is very important.  This means that starting at a preset time, each and every day the same routine is followed up until your daughter is tucked into bed.  For example, this may include going upstairs at a set time, taking a bath, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, reading a book in bed with mom or dad, a hug/kiss, then lights out.  Kids thrive on routines, they like knowing what comes next. 

You mentioned that before bedtime you now "get her moving".  This may not be advisable right before bedtime.  It may, in fact, make her more awake.  It is better to get the increased activity in during the day, not just before bed.  Also, the marathon nap may be creating a vicious cycle which needs to be broken (in other words, she takes a long nap which leads to less consistent sleep at night which leads to more tired the next day, which leads to wanting to take a huge nap).  These cycles can be hard to break (I know from personal experience).  Rest time sounds like a great alternative to a nap.  This will give her the "down time" she needs, without her body actually napping.  This should help at night.

Lastly, you may find that she is so tired after a full day of kindergarten that she starts sleeping through the night without any problems.  However, if the night time waking and roaming continues it would be a good idea to let her doctor know.  He may want to refer you to a sleep specialist who may be able to provide specific recommendations for your daughter.

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Stephanie,
Persistent loose stools can be rough on the little ones.  In general, the main goal when a child has loose stools, diarrhea, or increased frequency of stools is to keep him hydrated.  Pedialyte is great option; as it will help replace some of the lost electrolytes as well.  If a child is old enough he may have some water as well, but pedialyte is usually the best fluid replacement.  In children under the age of 1 year they should not be given water; only pedialyte (or an equivalent) should be used.  Juices should be avoided because they contain a lot of sugar and can make the diarrhea worse.  During times of loose stools or diarrhea, a child should eat a bland diet.  One should avoid high fat foods, greasy foods, and spicy foods.  The BRAT diet is a good choice; bananas, rice, and toast.  Plain pasta or potatoes are also good options.  There are no medications for children which help directly with diarrhea unless there is a bacterial cause for it and then antibiotics will sometimes be prescribed.  Pepto bismol is not helpful for loose stools.

If the loose stools persist, you should take him to his doctor for further evaluation.  If he has concerns he may want to check the stool for any signs of infection.  Also, it is important to let the doctor know immediately if there is any blood or mucus in the poops, belly pain, or if your child begins to show any signs of dehydration.

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Donna,
From what you describe, there is definitely cause for concern in regards to your granddaughter's gross motor development.  At the age of 11 months, she should be a talented crawler, pulling to a stand, and cruising around while holding onto furniture or a hand.  It is worrisome that she does not want to even bear weight on her legs when you try to stand her up.  She needs an evaluation immediately to assess what is going on.  It sounds like she will need some therapy and perhaps a medical work up to check things out.  Have your daughter (or you) bring your granddaughter to the pediatrician as soon as possible so that he can take a look at her and refer you to the proper agency in your area which does developmental screens and evaluations.

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Shawna,
In most cases nosebleeds which occur every so often are not due to serious medical conditions we need to do a whole lot about.  However, your son's case is a bit more concerning.  Due to the fact that he has a history of nose bleeds (or epistaxis) which have now become worse, combined with  being persistently tired and cold symptoms which won't go away it is very important for him to be evaluated by his doctor as soon as possible.  His pale appearance and the dark circles under his eyes are cause for concern as well.  It is possible that he is anemic (which can be serious depending upon the cause), but there are some other medical conditions which need to be looked into also.

I'm glad that you asked this question because it is very important to contact your son's doctor right away.  Most likely the doctor will want to do bloodwork and perhaps more of a work up depending upon his exam and your son's medical history and what has been going on with him recently.

The MommyDocs

Dear Shara,
The average range of formula intake for a 3 month old is about 30-40 oz./day.  Please keep in mind that this is a range.  It is important to follow a child's growth and weight to ensure they are growing and gaining appropriately.  Please check with your son's doctor to discuss his daily formula intake in conjunction with his growth chart (both height and weight).  Some babies take more than the average amount and it may be fine.  As far as his sleeping through the night...congratulations, you are one of the lucky ones!  It seems that he has figured out on his own to concentrate his feeds during the day and before bedtime.  At the age of 3 months it is fine for him to be sleeping through the night unless you have been advised otherwise by his doctor.

Hope this helps
The MommyDocs

Hi Christy,
Introducing solids can be a confusing process.  There are no strict rules as to exactly how much, but there are some guidelines.  Usually solids are introduced between 4 and 6 months of age (some docs are now recommending closer to the 6 month mark).  Usually, one begins with cereal mixed with either formula or breast milk.  As one might imagine, while introducing foods, a baby is not getting very many calories form the solids; so either formula or breast milk needs to remain the main source of nutrition.  In fact,  formula or breast milk needs to remain the main source of nutrition for a lot of a baby's first year of life.  It is not until a baby is taking approximately 2-3 meals  a day that a bottle is usually dropped.  Keep in mind that formula and breastmilk are 20 calories/ounce, so a 7 ounce feeding will give them 140 calories.  A stage1 or 2 jar of fruit will only be approximately 40-80 calories, depending on the specific food.  So, it takes quite a bit of baby food to make up for or replace that of a bottle.  In addition the solids which make up the diet need to become quite varied (which takes time, due to both separating the introduction of new foods and waiting until a child is old enough for certain foods), in order to provide enough nutrition to make up for the nutrition in one bottle/breast feeding. 

So, a 5 and 1/2 month old baby should just be in the introduction phase for solids; starting cereal and introducing fruits/vegetables one at a time (need to separate introducing new foods in case an allergic reaction occurs).  At this age a baby should continue with their normal fourmula/breastfeeding routine; meaning approximately 4-6 times a day, depending on the child.  Over the next few months, the number of solid feedings/meals will slowly increase.  There is no exact rule, but as the child approaches 9 months he will probably be taking 3 meals a day.  Be sure to introduce certain solids at age appropriate times.

As the solid feedings increase in both size, variation, and frequency, one usually notices a drop off in formula/breast milk intake.  This is normal.  It's just important to be sure the total caloric and nutritional needs of the child are being met. The above recommendations can vary from child to child so always talk with the pediatrician if there are any questions or concerns. 

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Alicia,
The term tongue tied is often used to describe the medical condition known as ankyloglossia.  When this occurs, the tongue is either partially or totally (more rare) attached to the floor or bottom of the mouth by a narrow piece of tissue called the lingual frenulum.  Everyone has a lingual frenulum to help stabilize the tongue, but with ankyloglossia, the frenulum is too far forward and/or too short which prevents the tongue from normal full range movement.  Usually this is diagnosed during the newborn period.

Some areas which may be affected by this condition include:
-feeding
-teeth development
-speech (The amount to which speech is affected by this condition is controversial.  In an article by Ann Kummer on the American Speech and Hearing Association website, she states that "there is no empirical evidence in the literature that ankyloglossia typically causes speech defects".  However, both ankyloglossia and speech problems do both commonly occur in the same child, it's just not clear if the prior is the cause of the later or if the two are unrelated.  According to Ms. Kerr, it is unlikely that ankyloglossia causes speech problems in most cases.)
-cosmetic issues
-personal image issues

Sometimes to rectify some of the above effects of being tongue tied a "frenulectomy" is performed.  This is when a surgeon "cuts" the tissue (the frenulum) which is preventing the tongue from normal movement.  This course of action is considered when there are feeding problems, teeth issues, cosmetic concerns, and rarely for speech problems (unless severe or oral-motor problems).  The other option is to leave it alone and see what happens over time as the mouth grows and changes in shape.

You should discuss the extent of your daughter's condition with her doctor and how he thinks her specific condition should be handled.

Hope this helps
The MommyDocs

Hi Karen,
It appears that there are two issues going on with your son.  The first is the raised platelet count which was discovered about 3 weeks ago after some bruising.  The second issue is the persistent green bowel movements, which have been going on for a few weeks, multiple times a day.  It is very difficult to say from the limited information you have provided if these two things are related or two entirely separate medical problems.  Let's discuss each one separately.

The elevated platelet count could be from a lot of different things.  It depends on how high it actually was and what other signs/symptoms your son was/is experiencing.  You need to talk to his doctor as to what he thinks it was from and if he wants to follow up with additional lab tests to investigate further and to repeat the platelet count to see if it has normalized.

As far as the three week history of green poop and weight loss, this also should be investigated further.  Usually, doctors like to give loose stools a couple of days (even up to a week) to get better on their own.  If it does not begin to get better, sometimes it is necessary to start looking for a cause.  Different types of lab tests can be done in order to determine what may be going on.  This includes stool cultures for certain viruses and bacteria.  Sometimes a specific cause is determined and sometimes all tests come back negative.  Especially in light of the fact that your son is starting to lose weight and that he has been having these stools for 3 weeks, it's probably fair to look further for a cause.

Hope he feels better soon
The MommyDocs

Hi Brandy,
I think any mother (or father) will tell you that potty training can be a very trying time.  I (Dr. Jamie) know that I found it to be quite challenging.  When it comes down to it, probably the most important key to ultimate success is that the child is ready.  Far too often I hear stories from parents about how difficult potty training has been and that they have gone back and forth from underwear to diapers and now they just don't know what to do anymore.  Usually this is the case when the parent has decided to train the child and he just isn't quite there yet.  Ultimately, potty training comes down to control, and if the child is ready, able, and willing it will be a success, not if the parent is ready, able, and willing.

So, what are some signs that a child is ready?
-telling mom or dad that they have a wet or dirty diaper
-telling mom or dad that they want to go to the bathroom before they actually wet the diaper (this is a good sign that neurologically they should be ready)
-showing an interest in underwear
-asking to sit on the potty (even if they don't have to go)
-wanting to watch others use the potty
-ability to use words or signals which signify they are wet or need to use the potty
-developing the motor skills to pull pants/underwear up and down (obviously with some assistance at first)

Some parents feel more strongly than others about potty training at an early age.  One can "push" the issue and be successful but this is not usually recommended.  It takes a lot of time, persistence, and patience.  And, as stated previously, the final decision of whether or not it is going to happen rests with the child.

Lastly, when in training, be sure to focus on some of the tips below:
-be consistent (for example, don't confuse your child by changing back and forth between diapers and underwear)
-set aside a time period which can be devoted to this
-be patient (for most kids this doesn't happen overnight)
-using a positive reward (reinforcement) incentive plan can work wonders (for example: sticker charts, star charts...even put it up in the bathroom or let your child wear the stickers on their clothes for all to see!)
-remember: always use positive reinforcement
-make potty training a good experience, not a negative one
-show by example (let your children follow you or even older siblings into the bathroom to see how a big girl or boy uses the potty)
-role play using the potty with a special "potty" doll or stuffed animal
-make the bathroom a comfortable place

Good luck with the training and hopefully some of these tips will help. 
The MommyDocs

Hi Angela,
Diarrhea is no fun for either the little one going through it or her parent!  From your description, it sounds like you daughter has been having loose stools, multiple times a day for about a week now.  So far, you have been giving her pedialyte and rice cereal to try to help with the bowel movements. 

One of the main goals when a baby/child has a gastrointestinal illness is to keep her hydrated.  Depending upon the amount of outs, either through vomiting or diarrhea, this task of maintaining adequate hydration can be easier or harder.  Usually, if a child/baby is not vomiting it is a bit easier because at least they can keep some liquid down (keeping in mind that there may be large volumes coming out the other end).  When looking to see if your child/baby is hydrated some things to pay attention to are:
-is the child making tears (if old enough to do so)
-is the child making wet diapers (should urinate at least once every 4-6 hours)
-are the gums and inside the mouth moist
-are the lips moist
-is the child alert (one needs to be concerned if the child appears unusually tired or even "lethargic")
-is the child able to keep down liquids

If the answer to any of the above questions is "no", then the doctor needs to be seen right away.

In addition, if the child ever has any blood or green color in the vomit, projectile vomiting, vomiting associated with abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or anything concerning go to the doctor immediately.  Or if the child is unable to keep down enough fluid to keep hydrated.

With lower gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea), it's important to let the doctor know if there is ever any blood or mucus in the poop, persistent diarrhea, or one is unable to keep up with enough fluids to make up for what is coming out.  Sometimes when diarrhea  has been going on for a while, the doctor will do further testing to look for a cause.  At this point, you should let your daughter's pediatrician know that she is still having diarrhea many times a day, and discuss if she wants to see her and do any further studies.

Hope she feels better soon
The MommyDocs

Hi Erin,
Pulled neck muscles can be very painful.  Unfortunately, we can not give any direct medical advice over the website.  However, typically for an injury of this type a pain reliever is recommended and using either a cold pack (in the first 24 hrs) and then heat can provide comfort as well.  So, it sounds like you are doing all the right things.

Hope it feels better soon
The MommyDocs

Hi Josslyn,
It is definitely young for nightmares or night terrors.  However, at 8 months of age, your daughter is entering into a stage where separation anxiety can play a large role in behavior.  At this point, your daughter is beginning to realize that when you leave the room, you are no longer there, and she is able to keep the thought of you in her mind which can lead to her missing you and wanting you.  This is known as object permanence.  Prior to this developmental stage, when someone or something disappeared it was "out of sight, out of mind".  Separation anxiety is a phase which comes and goes, and then tends to come back again at various ages. 

Now, that being said, it is always important to be sure there is not anything medically wrong with your daughter when she wakes up very upset.  So, be sure that she is healthy otherwise before chalking this up to a behavioral stage.  In addition, be sure to check for any new teeth coming in.  This can definitely cause nighttime waking and discomfort.

If this waking is due to a separation issue, one option with dealing with it may be to do a modified Ferberization plan.  First, you may want to wait a couple of minutes when you hear her start to stir to see if she is able to comfort herself back to sleep (sometimes as parents we rush into the room too fast and don't give our kids time to settle back down on their own).  If she doesn't go back to sleep this would allow you to go into your daughter's room to provide her comfort, but not pick her up.  You could start out by going next to the crib and placing your hand on her for reassurance and then slowly over the course of days move further and further from the crib, until you are just at the doorway, and then out of the room.  At 8 months old you don't want to get into the habit of needing to be rocked to sleep or a middle of the night bottle (unless your pediatrician has told you otherwise). 

Lastly, please discuss this issue with her pediatrician.  He may be aware of other things going on which we are not due to limited information.

Get some rest,
The MommyDocs

Hi Matt,
My answer to you is not what you are going to want to hear.  The absolute safest way to place your daughter to sleep is on her back (to reduce the chances of SIDS).  This recommendation is from the American Academy of Pediatrics.  In a completely supervised situation it is okay to give her tummy time (in fact it's a good thing), but not for sleeping.  And, eventually she will get used to sleeping on her back.  Lastly, there shouldn't be any blankets or anything extra in the crib, so if she is fighting out of a swaddle, it's time to stop doing this because you don't want a loose piece of blanket to go over her head.

Sleep well
The MommyDocs

Hi Elizabeth,
When looking at weight gain in children, one of the most important things is that they follow their curve (whether it's height, weight, or head circumference).  This is why you will always see the doctor (or nurse) plotting the child's stats on the growth charts and paying close attention to them.  So, it's not so much what percentile the child's curve follows (unless they are above the 95% or below the 5%), but that they maintain their growth on their curve.  The doctor tends to become worried when a child starts to either fall off a growth curve or take a big jump up.  This may be what your doctor is expressing concern over.  It does seem that your son is now at about the 7th percentile and at 6 mo. (according to your question) was at approximately the 25th percentile (keep in mind these are estimates since I don't know the exact age of your son at these visits).  My guess is that your doctor is concerned that the percentiles have fallen from about 25% to 7% over the three month period.  This is why he is probably suggesting you incorporate more solids, preferably ones which have increased calories/fat into your son's diet (please only introduce age appropriate foods). 

My suggestion to you would be to call your son's doctor and express your concerns and worries so that he can clarify exactly what his concerns are.  Also, he may want to have you speak to a nutritionist if you are having difficulty getting your son to take in solids.  Some children do have more trouble with this than others, but it is definitely important for him to be taking in lots of different age appropriate foods at this point, in addition to breast milk (which is wonderful that you are still nursing!!).

Good luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Sandy,
As far as the first aid kit is concerned, please check out our "Summer First Aid Kit" entry in the Health Q and A section of our website.  There is a very comprehensive list of what should be included in a complete first aid kit and you can go through it and pick and choose what you feel you need to bring.  Our suggestion would be to definitely bring a thermometer, fever reducing medication, a Benadryl type medication, a dosing syringe, band aids, Neosporin, emergency numbers, and  a card with the exact amount (dose) of medicine your children will need should the situation arise. 

Regarding ear pain on the plane, for the 6 month old you may want to have her nurse/take a bottle on the take off and landing to help with the pressure.  You can also have your 2 year old drink on the way up and the way down as well.  If they are able to swallow during these times it may help with the pressure in the ears.  Otherwise there is not a whole lot else to do.

Have a wonderful trip
The MommyDocs

Hi Danielle and Mark,

In January 2008, the FDA released new recommendations for giving cough and cold medications to children under the age of 2.  These medications should NOT be given to children under the age of 2.  If your baby has some nasal congestion, one thing you can do is use some saline (salt water) with a bulb syringe to help clear his nose.  Give your baby lots of love--We know it's never easy for anyone when the baby isn't feeling well.  Also, when a newborn is experiencing these types of symptoms, you should always let the pediatrician know so that he can decide if he wants to examine to your son.

Feel Better Soon,

The MommyDocs

Hi Cristina,
Diaper rash can be from a variety of things, and the treatment for each is different.  There can be irritation from wetness, poop, or the diaper itself.  This is usually more of a contact irritation which requires a protective/healing barrier between the affected skin and the diaper.  In addition, this type of rash also may benefit from some exposure to the air without a diaper on (this can get a bit messy if the baby/child has an accident).  Sometimes diaper rash can become severe and bacterial skin infections can occur.  When this happens, an antibiotic is needed to aid in healing.  Lastly, there can be a yeast skin infection in the diaper area.  This requires an antifungal medicine.  Usually this involves raised red bumps that like to appear in the folds or creases of the skin, or in moist areas. It's important to keep the creases/folds dry and clean as well.  Sometimes the red bumps can all come together so it looks like raised red patches.  It's always good to consult the pediatrician to find out what type of diaper rash your child has so that the most appropriate treatment can be used.

Hi Umma,
When it's really hot outside and the kids are sweating a lot and wearing sunscreen, it can be difficult to tell if a reaction on the skin is due to the heat or the "chemicals" (sunscreen) which have been applied.  So far, it sounds like you have tried all different types of sunscreen, all with the same result...a bumpy rash.  Two things make this situation difficult to determine the cause of the rash.  First, if this was some sort of allergic reaction to the sunscreen, then one would think it would come out everywhere the lotion is applied (and that does not seem to be the case).  Second, your son is exposed to the heat every time he is outside, so this variable is always in the picture.

One thing to consider is that the rash is due to something entirely different, such as a new detergent (especially because the rash is distributed where a shirt would be).  Please think if you have introduced any new soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, etc.

Lastly, one thing you could try to take out the heat factor is to apply a few different sunscreens in small patches on his back or chest at night, and then check the areas in the morning to see if there is a rash similar to the one he is getting.  This will allow you to test some different sun lotions with the heat factor taken out.  It's important to find this out because it's so important to wear sunscreen every day!!

Good Luck
The MommyDocs

Hi Sandy,
Some babies really do not like taking the bottle, and this can be very frustrating for someone who needs them to, such as yourself, since you are back at work.  However, please keep in mind that the formula or breast milk that he is taking throughout the day is extremely important for his growth and development and that it contains calories and nutrition which can not be replaced by other things.  As your son takes in more solids, his formula/breast milk intake will go down, but he still needs it to maintain appropriate growth and adequate nutrition.  As he progresses through his first year, he will start to eat more and the variety will increase, so his formula/breast milk intake will go down, but it is still a necessary part of his diet.

It is wonderful that he has taken to solid foods so nicely.  At 6 months of age, he can be taking baby cereal, fruits, and vegetables.  Usually it is recommended to begin with one feeding of solids a day and then increase over time, so by the time the baby is about 9 months they will be getting 3 meals a day.  At this point, you may want to offer the bottle at times when he is the most hungry (like when first getting up) to increase the likelihood he will take it.  Right now, think of the solids as "extras" and the formula/breast milk as his main nutrition.  As the amount of solids he takes in goes up, and the variety expands, the formula/breast milk intake will go down some.

Keep in mind that certain foods should not be introduced until certain ages and that when introducing new foods separate it by about 5 days to look for any signs of food allergy.

Good luck with the bottle,
The MommyDocs

PS-Keep in mind that in a very short time you can start introducing him to a sippy cup; perhaps he will take to that better than he has to the bottle!

Hi Angelica,
Although it is commonly reported by parents, diarrhea is not a result of teething.  There is most likely another cause for the loose stools, such as an infection.  If you have any concerns about the diarrhea or there are any worries your child is not getting in enough fluids to keep him hydrated, please let your pediatrician know.

The MommyDocs

Hi Jennifer,

It is possible that your son may have an allergy.  In particular, he could have a dust mite allergy, as dust mites are often found in carpeting.  Multivitamins, while they may help his overall health in general, do not have much of a role in preventing or treating allergies.  There are some over the counter medications you could try, such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), or Loratadine (Claritin), but you should check with your physician before starting these meds, and find out the proper dosage for your son.

Good Luck,

The MommyDocs

Hi Krista,

We've been talking a lot about this very issue recently!  The bottom line here is that you need to use separate DEET and sunscreen products.  The reason for this is that DEET should be applied just once per day, whereas sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day.  You can use both sunscreen and DEET on the same day.  When looking for DEET products for children, make sure the concentration is less than 30%.  And when you apply it, you can put it on your son's exposed skin, and his clothes, but not on skin underneath clothes (this can increase the toxicity of the product).  So enjoy the great outdoors, and make sure you use these products separately!

The MommyDocs

Hi Kareema,
At the age of 9 months, most babies are ready to start with some table foods.  In fact, a lot of little ones at this age will start to grab at the spoon if others try to feed them and show a lot of interest in what the rest of the family is eating and doing at the table.  There are a few things to be aware of when starting table foods:

-be sure everything you offer your baby is mushy and/or soft to prevent choking
-be sure that everything you offer is in very small pieces (keep in mind that babies need to gum their food, so there is no real chewing) to prevent choking
-avoid highly allergic foods (such as shellfish, eggs, peanut butter, etc.) until your pediatrician says it's okay to introduce them
-be sure any grains/cereals you offer melt easily in the mouth (try it out yourself before giving to your baby)
-if there is any family history of allergies talk to your doctor about the introduction of solid foods
-when introducing new foods, be sure to wait about 5 days in between foods so that any unusual reactions can be more easily pinpointed to the potential cause


Some things to start with when first introducing table foods include: small pieces of well cooked pasta, very soft, cooked vegetables. small peices of mushy fruit (such as cut up banana),  and small pieces of soft cheese.  Yogurt is also something to introduce between 9 and 12 months.  This can provide an opportunity to practice using a spoon.  At around 10 months the meats can start to be introduced.  Just be sure that everything is extremely soft and in very small pieces.  Placing foods in front of the child will give them good practice using their pincer grasp, which should be rapidly developing.

It is very difficult to predict when a child should be done with baby food jars and only eating table food.  Every child is different so there is no strict age cut off.  Once a child is eating three meals a day of table food (and the parent feels they are interested and getting enough in both nutritionally and amount wise), it should usually be okay to give up the jars.

Also, keep in mind that all children need to continue formula and/or breast milk up to the age of 12 months.

Good luck with feeding
The MommyDocs

Hi Samantha,
The 50th percentile for the height and weight of a twelve month old girl is:  29 1/4 inches and 21 lbs., respectively.

The 50th percentile for the height and weight of a twelve month old boy is: 29 3/4 inches and 22 1/2 lbs., resp