2. How do I know if my child has an ear
infection?
There’s no sure way unless you
see bloody or pussy drainage from the ear. Many
ear infections follow head congestion from colds or allergies. Some come with fever or difficulty sleeping and as
they get older the children can tell you it hurts.
3. Why isn’t my infant sleeping at
night?
Many things affect baby’s sleep including congestion and
other illnesses, hunger and loneliness. Children
also vary in their need for sleep and in how deeply they sleep. If they wake during the night and aren’t used
to falling asleep alone, they will wake Mommy for help.
4. How do I convince my toddler to go to
sleep without confrontation and difficulty?
Make sure bedtime is appropriate time and that they’re
tired; then work toward some relaxing routine for bedtime. Once they’re in bed, be
firm and consistent about them staying there.
5. What do I do if my child is congested?
Start by increasing fluids such as water and juices, humidify
the bedroom and elevate their head with a pillow or blanket under the mattress. Medications for stuffy heads are widely available
and worth trying but are not always effective. Saline
nasal spray also helps moisten the nasal passages and loosen congestion for all ages. Mucus
can be very thick and even greenish or yellow with a cold.
If it lasts more than 5-7 days, a visit may be in order.
6. How do I wean my baby from being
breast-fed?
Introduce a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula in place
of one feeding a day and increase the number of feedings by bottle every few days. Usually first morning or good night feedings are
the last to be given up.
7. How do I get my child to give up the
bottle?
Use a cup more and more. Limit bottles to bedtime or illness and watch for
opportunity to remove completely. Bottles can
be quite harmful after many teeth are in because milk or juice at bedtime can lead to
cavities if not followed by rinsing or brushing.
8. When is it the right time to take my
toddler in for their first dental appointment?
Generally around age 3, sooner if
problems arise or later if afraid, shy or uncooperative.
9. How do I potty train my toddler?
When they know the words to tell you the need and are able to
maneuver pants up and down, they are physically ready.
Girls tend to be earlier, usually l8 months – 2 years while boys a little
later, usually 2- 2 l/2 years.
10. When do you start referring adolescents
to adult primary care providers?
Genesis Pediatrics LLC will care for kids through college or
until they have their own children. Girls
can go to a gynecologist anytime after age l6 for routine GYN care.
11.If I am allergic to a certain
medication, will my child be allergic to it?
Not necessarily, but we take that
into account when deciding which antibiotics to prescribe.
12 When do you think it is time to see an
ENT specialist for my child’s ear infections?
After children have been on three antibiotic courses in a
period less than 4-6 months or show signs of trouble hearing.
13. My
child’s teacher says that my child has a difficult time paying attention in school
and following directions. What do we do now?
First step is to request testing at school to determine
ability and performance. Then a meeting with
that information and the doctor can be arranged to discuss the results. We may treat here or send on for other testing.
14. My child is still wetting the bed
during the night.What can I do to help?
If they are under 6 and are always wet, there is not much to
do but wait for their body to mature. If they
have been dry and are now wetting again, there are many considerations and the child
should have a urine test and probably a visit to discuss.
15. Do you think my child has a sinus
infection? He/she has yellow/green nasal discharge?
Yellow/green drainage is normal the first 2-3 days of a cold. If drainage persists past 5-7 days, then child
would need to be seen for possible sinus infection.
