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FAQ of the Week

"How Can I Get My Wife to Balance Attachment Parenting and Our Marriage?"

Ten Most Recent FAQ's

Attachment Parenting

"Where can I find research in favor of Attachment Parenting?"

"I don't understand the attachment parenting concept?"

"My husband and I are pregnant with our first, and we are determined to do attachment parenting. We're very concerned that my husband's way-too-busy schedule will make it almost impossible for him to become attached to Baby and visa versa."

"Because of breast cancer I am unable to breast feed. After reading how beneficial it is for the baby I am worried. Will bottlefeeding hinder my relationship with the baby and will it have long-term effects on the baby's health?"

"Military Dad, new baby."

"Is it okay to leave our AP'd, breastfed, 3-month-old for a night?"

"Is it okay to leave breastfeeding 9-month-old for a week?"

"Myth vs. Fact: I don't agree with my family's parenting advice."

"Work with mom or go to daycare?"

"Is it OK to defrost frozen breast milk from a deep freezer overnight in the refrigerator and then re-heat per guidelines?" "My pediatrician says dairy allergies from breastmilk are impossible..." "My 12-week-old is often VERY uncomfortable due to extreme overactive let-down when I breastfeed. How do I control this or reduce my milk supply!?" "I have a 4 month old and have attempted to breastfeed. Unfortunately, my supply is so low that it takes me all day to pump 4 oz. What can I do to help increase the milk flow?"

"How long can bottled breastmilk remain out of the refrigerator? May I re-refrigerate what is left?"

"Can my baby taste it in the milk if I've eaten something spicy?"

"I have impetigo on my breasts, and am nursing a 7 month old. Can I continue to breastfeed without harming him? What is the prescribed treatment for my rash?"

"Should I give my baby the fresh or frozen breastmilk, which should I use first?"

"Our 7-week-old breastfed boy weighed 9lbs 2oz at birth and is now up to 16lbs! Is he gaining too much weight?"

"Which is better, feeding more breast milk for a shorter period of time, or supplementing with formula & feeding breast milk for a longer period of time?"

"I?m 26-years-old and 7 months pregnant with hepatitis B & C and I'm trying to find out what you think about breastfeeding."

"I am breastfeeding my baby girl and have been advised to switch to formula as my daughter's growth is slow and was told that the quality of breast milk reduces day by day. Is this true?"

"I am currently breastfeeding and want to be able to pump and feed an occasional bottle, how much milk do I feed him at each feeding with a bottle?"

"Is it safe to use self-tanners while still breastfeeding my two-year-old?"

"Is it okay to drink alcohol when breasfeeding as long as you pump and dump?"

"Is breastmilk nutritionally useless after one year?"

"My husband and I are barely sleeping with our 8-month-old son. We have a family bed philosophy, which worked great with our daughter, who is now 3+. Any suggestions on getting our son to sleep?"

"I was not able to breastfeed my baby after birth due to medical issues. My milk supply has diminished drastically. I really want to breastfeed my daughter, or at least give her breast milk. Can you give me any advice on what to do? I don't want to give up."

"How do you address daddy jealousy over baby's need for mommy?"

"Is it safe to fast while breastfeeding?"

"Does a breastfeeding infant need extra vitamins?"

"Is it safe to get a tattoo while breastfeeding?"

"Taking medication while breastfeeding"

"Does Breastfeeding While Lying Down Cause Ear Infections?"

"My 9-month-old only nurses twice a day..."

"I still nurse my 2-year-old at night, but now he has cavities..."

"Can I safely diet while breastfeeding..."

"My breastfed eight-month-old still does not seem interested in solids. Does he need the solid foods for complete nutrition at this age?"

"How long do I have wait to breastfeed after surgery?"

"I get a lot of heat from others for rocking my 6-month-old daughter to sleep at night because "she will never learn to put herself to sleep". Will she eventually learn to go to sleep on her own without me rocking her?" "Everybody always says to put babies to sleep on their backs. If they spit up or vomit while laying there wouldn't they aspirate on it? Wouldn't it be better on their sides?" "Is it harmful to my son to let him move at his own pace with regard to sleeping through the night?"

"Our 9-month-old baby is 25 pounds and walking. I fear for his safety (he has already fallen out of bed once when I was in a deep sleep). What can my husband and I do to make this more safe of an environment for him?"

"My 5-year-old is snoring loud, is their anything I should be worried about?"

"I know it is not safe to have toddler and newborn co-sleeping in the same bed, but what can I do so we can all continue to benefit from co-sleeping?"

"Our 14-month-old baby pulls our hair while he's soundly asleep and it hurts! Is their anyway to discourage this?"

"I have a 4 1/2 year-old daughter who has been working on nighttime potty training for 2 years now, and we have tried everything to no avail, any tips?"

"How do I get my 14-month-old who has never slept without me or has never fallen asleep without nursing to start out in her own crib at night and during the day for naps?"

"When is the right time to transition children to sleeping in their own bed?"

"Are bedrails safe?"

"Encouragement from the parents of a sleepless baby"

"My 2 and 5-year-old sleep together in the same bed. How long will this be okay to continue?"

"My 8-month-old son used to sleep through the night just fine, but lately..."

"Our 3-year-old won't fall asleep on her own..."

"Help! My 18-month-old baby is waking up in our bed every hour to breastfeed..."

"I have trouble putting my 3-year-old and 2-month-old to sleep..."

"Our 15-month-old fights going to sleep..."

"My baby wakes up everytime I try to put her down..."

"How can I get my 3-year-old to go to bed without me?"

"My three-year-old won't go to sleep in his own bed. How can we transition him into his own bed?"

"My four-month-old just started turning over and sleeping on her tummy. I know that back-sleeping is important to prevent SIDS. What should I do?"

"My 10-month-old refuses to take a morning nap and usually doesn't get more than a half-hour nap during the day."

"My daughter is 13-months-old and sleeps from 11 at night to seven or eight in the morning with one or two 45-minute naps during the day. How much sleep should she be getting?"

"Our three-year-old fights going to bed. It's always a battle getting him to sleep before 10:00 p.m., and by that time I'm more tired than he is. Help!"

"My 3-year-old fights going to bed before ten and by that time I'm more tired than he is...help!"

Family Nutrition

"How can I tell if my 4-year-old son is allergic to red (or other) dye in food?"

"My kids like to use sourdough bread for their sandwiches. Is this healthier than white bread?"

"Please give us the definitive answer of whether or not yogurt with sugar can contain live yogurt cultures."

"Is deli meat healthy for my 13-month-old?"

"I am wondering if the small, peeled, packed in water, ready-to-eat carrots have any nutritional value?"

"Can you eat flax seeds without grinding them first, and is there anything to be gained/lost by not grinding?"

"I was wondering just how much Iron does an 18 m. old need?"

"Could you tell me how to calculate the percent of sugar in an item by looking at the nutrition label?"

"I've read your section about oils; however, you don't mention anything about cooking using omega 3 marine oils."

"I take a Flax Oil w/High Lignan and need to know if it is ok to give it to my 2 1/2-year-old grandson."

Childhood Illnessess

"My 1-year-old son has an undescended testicle, and I was wondering if you can recommend any non-surgical treatments?"

"I want to split up the M-M-R into three separate shots. My pediatrician said that the drug companies no longer sell it as three separate components. Is this correct?"

"Can you tell my why croup is worse at night? I have an 18 month old with croup and I am worried for this evening. Is there anything I can do?"

"My 3-month-old always lays with his head to the left and has a very flat spot it doesn't look normal. Will it round out as he gets older?"

"My 2 1/2-year-old daughter has something called IPT. Is this common and serious in children? Is there anything we can do?"

"My son is 5 months old and has severe recurring cradle cap."

"Could I use a vaporizer all day and night long during an illness?"

"I read in the psychiatrist journal that asperger children appear to have 25 % more serotonin. I don't understand this. Are there any foods or supplements that can reduce serotonin in the brain?"

"My infant (6 weeks old today) has had very difficult bowel movements the past 2 weeks. He struggles to poo a lot during the day, passes gas, but only has a bowel movement (huge and loose) every 2-3 days. He is healthy otherwise and has gained 4 lbs since birth. Do you think there could be blockage of the colon of a sort?"

"My 9-week-old son has a lump behind his right ear. When I showed the doctor he said he thought it was an enlarged lymph node. It seems to have grown since then. Should I be concerned?"

"My daughter found a knot in behind the nipple of my 8-month-old granddaughter, her pediatrician recommended we watch it and she did order a cbc and sed rate, which were normal. Is this what you would do or do you feel we should ask for a sonogram?"

"My 6-month-old daughter just had her check up and the pediatrician said that she is developing normally but she has tight muscle tone and would like to get a neurologist to examine her to ensure the doctor isn't missing anything. Can you explain why there would be a concern over a baby?s muscle tone?"

"My 8-month-old daughter has had a cold for about a week. Last night we watched the skin under her eyes turn black and purple. What could this be?"

"What is your opinion on immunizing a child that is either ill (no fever, only diarrhea) or recovering from an illness?"

"I have 3-year-old boy who has been wheezing a lot this summer and using a nebulizer. Should I be more concerned and have tests done to make sure nothing is wrong with him?"

"I have a 3-year-old daughter that has just had another "battle" w/ croup. She just turned 3 in April and this will be her 3rd case in the last year. Is this alot?"

"My 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis a few years ago Now the doctor wants to see her every 4 months and x-rays will be taken. Is there anything she can do to minimize the effect of radiation on her body?"

"My co-worker has a 2-year old son who has a temperature of 103 at least once a week. Does this sound like some sort of infection?"

"My 3 ½-year-old daughter has really bad breath. She is lactose intolerant and has significant allergies. What is causing this incredibly offensive breath?"

"My breastfed 2-month-old's stools are dark, sticky and green, is anything wrong?"

"My 3-year-old daughter is being evaluated for Autism, do you think or know of any link between Hypothyroidism and Autism?"

"If someone is on antibiotics, three times per day, how much yogurt should be eaten daily to prevent the killing of "good" bacteria?"

"I am a west Indian women, would this increase the problem of dry scalp for my baby, and if so, could you recommend hair oil to use?"

"My 21-month-old only has seven teeth and he hasn't had a new tooth in over 7 months. Could something be wrong?"

"I am considering whether or not to get the Prevnar vaccine for my baby (11wks)"

"Am I being an overprotective mother by not allowing my in-laws to see their grandson (he's 7weeks old) because they are both sick?"

"Please help!! Our one-year-old gets sick everytime we drive somewhere."

"My two-month-old did not poop today what does this mean?"

"Why do large babies have low blood sugar when they are born?"

"Can babywearing all day cause bow legged ness in children?"

"What is the normal cholesterol range for a 2-year-old?"

"Is it safe to have my daughter visit my father who has been diagnosed with hepatitis?"

"Should I use a humidifier with the heater?"

"What causes perioral blisters on the face?"

"Affect on little eyes reading by a nightlight"

"My 2-year-old gets frequent ear infections..."

"My 6-month-old is constipated after starting foods..."

"My 9-month-old son is anemic. What is your opinion on using iron vitamins in infants?"

"How do I treat my baby's cradle cap?"

"My adolescent keeps soiling his pants..."

"Help! My 4-M-O is suddenly very gassy."

"I think my child is having night terrors..."

"Please comment on using warm tap water to mix baby's formula. What age would one give a child tap water, warm or cold?" "I switched my 4-W-O son from Similac Advanced to Isomil, is it safe for me to put him back on milk-based formula?"

"I was wondering if it's okay if I use electrolyte water in my 12-month-old's formula instead of regular bottled water?"

"How do I add DHA oil to my baby's formula..."

"Help! I'm going back to work and my baby won't take a bottle..."

Feeding Infants & Toddlers

"Eventhough it is recommended to not give honey to babies under one year old. What about if the honey is used in a product like cereal that includes honey as one of the ingredients?"

"Why is it OK to give a 9 month old baby yogurt made with whole milk and NOT OK to give a 9 month old baby whole milk to drink?"

"At what age can a healthy toddler start to drink milk with a lower fat %?"

"My breastfeeding 8-month-old, is really getting interested about feeding herself. Is there anything I can chop and mush up for her to feed herself?"

"Can I feed pureed salmon to my 6 month old baby girl? She is eating other solids such as carrots, turkey, and pears."

"My 5-month-old fussy high need baby grabs for food in my hands, does that mean he is ready for solids?"

"What are the risks of giving a taste of honey to a toddler?"

"Is it safe for my son to eat Pedialyte popsicles when he is not experiencing an illness?"

"My 2½-year-old just won't eat at mealtime, she might have one or two bites on her own, but that?s it. Please help with any suggestions, it?s very frustrating."

"My almost 12-month-old son, who has been doing very well with breastfeeding and eating baby foods, gags very easily on any foods that have texture. Do I need to see a speech therapist, or will he grow out of it?"

"My mother in law does not believe that feeding my 9-month-old junk foods is harmful."

"I watched my nephew and niece be fed jar food around 8 ? 10 wks old. This CAN?T be good! Where is the nutritional value in that?"

"What guidelines would you suggest for letting toddlers consume fish?"

"I have a 15-month-old son who is always on the go. Should I expect to be able to teach him to sit still during meal time at this age or should I just wait until he's older?"

"Hi there, I have heard that soy products are not good for infants and toddlers because of the high level of hormones and estrogen that are in them. Does this have any merit?"

"I have an 8-month-old girl who is a very happy breastfed baby who's not interested in solid foods, is this a problem?"

"When do I start giving my baby water?"

"I want to give my eight-month-old twins juice plus."

"Is it okay to let my toddler drink Green Machine with echinacea?"

"Am I making my baby's food in vain?"

"How can I get my 15-M-O picky eater to eat more?"

"My 3-Y-O dips everything in ketchup. Help!"

"Any advice on how to get my three-month-old to relate better to strangers would be so helpful." "We are struggling with colic in our newborn. I have been reading about breastfeeding and colic and the role foods that I eat play. What are your thoughts on splenda in my diet?"

"How can I change my 3-month-old high need baby so she doesn't need to be held all the time and I can get some sleep?"

"How do I help my high-need baby transition into daycare?"

Pregnancy & Childbirth

"Can I safely take Juice Plus supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Do I also need to take my prenatal vitamins if I take Juice Plus?"

"I was hoping that Dr. Sears would have a book in regards to having a second baby, but I didn't see one. I would just like to have a reference on hand and an idea of what to expect."

"I am wondering how the baby breathes while in the amniotic fluid?"

"I had my first baby 9 months ago and recently I started having depressive moods especially towards my husband. I have tried having some time on my own and exercising, but it doesn't seem to help a lot. What else can I do?"

"I am schedule for a C-section with my second child and will need to be in the hospital for four days, I am extremely nervous about being away from my AP'd 25-month-old during that time. Please help!"

"I'm in my first trimester and will soon start volunteering in the public schools. Is it safe for me to get a TB test in my forearm?"

"I am 20 wks pregnant with our second child. Our children will be 19 mos apart when the second baby is born. What can I do to help my first born through this transition?"

"Genital herpes and childbirth"

"Before my baby can eat salmon herself would be it advisable for her to take fish oil supplement?"

"Should I do cord blood stem cell banking for my newborn?"

"I'm taking Juice Plus and prenatal vitamins while pregnant and breastfeeding..."

"Is it safe to continue breastfeeding while pregnant?"

"How can I safely eat fish while pregnant and breastfeeding without worrying about mercury contamination?"

"I am group B strep positive and pregnant. Should I worry about this?"

Medicine Cabinet

"For drug dosage should I follow the instructed dosage by his current weight or his current age?" "We are using a store brand (generic) cold remedy and the medicine cabinet doesn?t give a dose for this brand."

"What do you know about the safety of ibuprofen if given on a regular basis?"

"Is it safe to apply Vick's to a 4-month-old's chest to relieve cold symptoms?"

"Our doctor prescribed Miralax for constipation but on the package it says that pediatric use has not be proven safe and that children should not use it. Is it safe to use?"

"My son was diagnosed with several allergies and pediatric allergist has recommended he take an antihistamine every day do you have any other suggestions?"

"Can the M-M-R be given separately?"

"What are the risks for children in playgroups who are immunized playing with children who are not immunized (ages 4 mos.-5 years)?"

"I've received the following email, should I be worried? - DRUG RECALL: PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE"

"Do you have a pediatrician referral list? What should I do?"

"Could you guide us as to what to look for in infant shoes or what is considered good, supportive, and healthy for growing feet?"

"I am confused by what humidity level I should be monitoring in my baby's room, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends a humidity level no higher than 50 percent." "My 7 1/2-month-old seems to have chapped lips. It is red on the right side of his mouth, on the upper lip. Is there anything we can use to "treat" the chapped lips." "At our 1 year old little girl's last appointment with her dr she said that her vagina was closing. I was wondering what causes this?" "I am afraid that I will not have the proper bonding time that I know my baby will desperately need. How do I build that bond if I may be gone until next October in Iraq? My child will be 8 months old by then. Will I be too late?" "Is there anything you can recommend to help my husband gain more confidence in his abilities or resources you might recommend?"

"Is baby-signing good, or will it may impede the baby from wanting to verbally talk and just resort to signing only?"

"My daughter, who is only 15 days, constantly has the hiccups. Is there anything I can do to relieve them?"

"Do I need to pull back his foreskin regularly now and clean underneath? It feels pretty tight and I have been unable to pull it back."

"I was suggesting a sling for my friend who is petite, are there different sizes in slings?"

"My daughter is 15 months old and she only has 6 teeth, is this on track for her development?"

"I have a two year old and have recently discovered she has a cavity, when should we begin taking her to the dentist?"

"My son is thirteen months old and I feel like his penis isn't right since circumcision at birth. Too much skin?"

"I have a 10 month old son who does not have any tears when he cries. What is my son's condition?"

"My son is two and 1/2 and when we go to have his haircut he becomes extremely upset. Is there any thing we can do for him so that he will not be so upset? "

"Due to financial issues with the cost for natural gas, I'm needing to keep the house pretty cool this winter. We have a 6mo (who is 21lbs) and a 2.5 yo, both are constantly dressed in layers. The thermostat is at 66. Is this okay?"

"My 13-month-old baby does not like the taste of baby toothpaste. I have been brushing her teeth with a wet toothbrush without toothpaste so she will accept the toothbrush. I know that it doesn't have any fluoride - so is there any other benefit to using baby toothpaste?"

"My husband and I are debating whether or not to tell our 20-month-old son the truth about Santa this year."

"My day sitter burns a big candle in her home while watching my son and four other children. I have heard somewhere that candles can expend some harmful fumes or smell? Is this true?"

Is it normal for roseola to recur?"

"My 12-month-old grinds his teeth while awake and sleeping what can I do to stop him and will it hurt his teeth?"

"I was told my 4½-year-old needs glasses for slight nearsightedness. What are my options?"

"I am a divorced father in the middle of a pretty bitter custody battle. My ex and the counselor are questioning certain behaviors / interactions with my daughters claiming they are innapropriatte. I feel these are normal father-daughter interactions. Can you shed some light on wether or not you see these behaviors as innapropriatte?"

"I strongly believe in answering my baby's cries and I *never* leave her to cry it out and it's making me nervous. Am I going overboard with the not letting her cry issue?"

"When my 27-month-old uses training pants she pees in the toilet but when she wears panties she pees in them every time. How do I get her to potty in the toilet when wearing panties?"

"When can we let our 3-½ year-old play by himself in the bath?"

"My 21-month-old son still isn't talking! What can I do before having him evaluated for speech therapy?"

"My almost one year old son started daycare last week and I was hoping to visit him during my lunch break but am worried that this may not be in his best interests."

"When is it ok to take a newborn out in public, church, etc.?"

"I have a family member that is always criticizing the way my husband and I raise our child. How do I get her to back off?"

"My 11-month-old baby has a black line that goes across the middle of both of her bottom teeth. What could've caused this?"

"Do I have to worry about my 4 ½-month-old daughter crying every time she needs to be dressed?"

"What do you think about a 5-year-old witnessing his younger sibling's birth in the delivery room?"

"My 23-month-old needs crowns, I hate the idea of putting her under to do this but want to know if this is the only option?"

"What do you know about baby sign language? Someone suggested that it is supposed to improve language and brain development."

"At what age should we become more discrete about parental nudity around child?"

"My daughter has been potty trained since she was two and a half, recently she has had a set back and we can't figure out why, I need some suggestions on how to figure out what is bothering her."

"Our pediatrician is quite critical, especially when it comes to our sleeping arrangements and approach to her not sleeping through the night, do you have a pediatrician that you can recommend or a resource that I can use to find one?"

"I'm searching for research on what is in the best interest of the child when the father is in jail."

"Is smoke odor on your hands and clothes considered second hand smoke?"

"I am concerned about my toddler granddaughter's vaginal hygiene, how do I properly care for this?"

"I'm looking for information on how to handle a young toddler's (14 months) need of having Daddy all to herself."

"Preschool is complaining my three-year-old can't sit quietly through group time."

"How can I get my 14-month-old to brush his teeth?"

"Is it safe to take a newborn on an airplane?"

"Toxic houseplants?"

"Is the exer-saucer safe?"

"My infant's back cracks?"

"My sister's baby has to have surgery for a tongue-tie. Is surgery necessary?"

"What's a good age to start teaching sports?"

"My toddler is touching his privates"

"Is there anything I need to know about taking my 3 month old on an airplane?"

"Where can I find out about buying an Original Dr. Sears Baby Sling?"

"Should we try to retract our son's uncircumsized penise?"

"Is a 4-Y-O ready to attend a funeral?"

"What should my toddler watch on TV?"

"My three-year-old son won't have a bowel movement on the toilet."

"My baby hates diaper changes..."

Discipline & Behavior

"Our 3-month-old screams in the car..."

"My son is 18 months old...he will not stay in a time out."

"My 28-month-old daughter has started spitting whenever she is upset about something. What can I do to try to stop this spitting problem?"

"When my son sees me hugging or kissing my husband, he either starts crying, throws a tantrum, or behavior meant to take us away from each other. How can we stop this?"

"My 19-month-old son has started throwing these screaming tantrums. It's become an every day occurrence, what do I do?"

"Vivid imagination causing anxiousness?"

"How can I get a 20-M-O to stop masturbating?"

"Setting limits and time-outs."

"My 7-month-old refuses to go to dad..."

"My 18-month-old fights getting into his carseat..."

"My 18-month-old has breath-holding spells. Is this dangerous? How can I stop it?"

" My 4-year-old just started preschool, he screams and cries and does not want to be left. What should I do?"

"How can I handle my 2-year-olds tantrums?"

"I need a discipline plan for my preschooler."

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