Doctor’s Appointments: More Traumatic for Baby or Mom?

My husband and I were advised by a G.I. Specialist to have our daughter’s blood drawn due to some issues she was having with blood in her stool. They wanted to test it to make sure she didn’t have any blood clotting disorders. After giving it some thought for a couple weeks, not wanting to inflict pain on our baby if it wasn’t necessary, we decided we’d take his advice and take her to the “local” Children’s Hospital (a 30-minute drive, but definitely worth the extra time on the road). The morning of the blood draw, I woke up feeling … Continue reading →

Questions To Ask Before Getting Your Infant’s Blood Drawn

From the time my daughter was about three months old, she’s had blood in her stool. It’s not every diaper and not even every week, but it consistently reappears. Her pediatrician and a G.I. specialist have almost entirely ruled out the possibility that it is anything to worry about. Even so, they recommended we get her blood drawn to test for and rule out any blood clotting disorders. I’m not the type of parent who immediately goes along with what a doctor tells me. I like to do my research, weigh the pros and cons, and then make a decision. … Continue reading →

There’s Blood In My Daughter’s Poop?

We first noticed that our daughter’s poop looked a little strange when she was two months old. It had taken on sort of a purplish hue. We took her to her pediatrician to test it, and discovered it contained blood. I immediately eliminated dairy and soy from my diet, which helped at first, but the blood came back. Then I did block feeding to correct a possible foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, which helped at first, but the blood came back. Then I tried Dr. Sears’ Elimination Diet. Everything I tried seemed to work at first, but the blood always came back. She … Continue reading →

Flu Shots for Babies

I took my six-month-old to his pediatrician this morning for his checkup. As soon as all the vitals were checked we got onto the topic of vaccines. More specifically, the pediatrician wanted to debunk some common misconceptions about the flu vaccine, especially the H1N1. If you’ve watched the news lately, you know there is a lot of controversy surrounding the H1N1 vaccine. Many people are concerned that they will get sick from the vaccine. Others are concerned that it is “too new.” My pediatrician told me why both of these claims are false. Flu vaccinations only contain a “dead” form … Continue reading →

Preparing a Young Child for the Hospital

Whether it is tubes in the ear for frequent ear infections or something more serious, having a young child stay in the hospital, especially when it involves surgery, can be a nerve-filled experience for both you and your child. Parents Magazine recently published an article all about preparing children when they have to go to the hospital. There is some good advice here, especially as it relates to babies and the youngest children. I’ve adapted some of the advice given as a result of my own experiences with children and hospitals. Inform yourself I always became less anxious whenever I … Continue reading →

More Signs that Crying is Serious

Babies cry; they cry a lot. This is natural, as it is the main way that they can communicate to let you know that they need something from you: food, a diaper change, comfort. Some times, crying can be indicative of a more serious problem, one that requires medical attention. Here are some more signs that your baby’s cry is serious. And check out yesterday’s post: Is Your Baby’s Cry Serious? How to Tell. When your poor baby is screaming at the top of his lungs, please check for a nasal discharge. If your baby has a thick, yellow discharge … Continue reading →

Is Your Baby’s Cry Serious? How to Tell

There is an instinctual heart-wrenching for most parents when a baby cries, especially when the baby belongs to you. While colic is a real issues, it is the sudden bouts of crying for seemingly no reason that concerns most parents, especially if the baby is generally not prone to crying jags. Here are some ways to tell if the crying is serious and requires medical attention. Of course, if you are ever in doubt, seek medical attention right away. Doctors would rather be bothered when something isn’t serious than have care put off for a serious issue. The Baby Book … Continue reading →

Signs of a Fever

While modern medicine has granted us all sorts of thermometers, from traditional to novel, not all of them are accurate all of the time. This is especially true for a young baby who may have hot insides but may only feel slightly warm to the touch. A slightly warm baby may not even prompt a parent or caregiver to take the baby’s temperature. But fevers in young children can be a cause for alarm. That is why it is always good to know the signs of a fever. Use the kiss method. The abundance of nerves and thinner skin in … Continue reading →

Know Your Child’s Medicine

No parent likes to give medicine to their baby. It is often an awkward and messy process, especially when you have a baby who is young enough to still have a gag reflex. But there usually comes a time when some medication is needed, whether through prescription or over the counter. Here is what you need to know about giving medicine correctly and ensuring the safety of your baby. I remember back when my middle child needed some fever reducer for strep throat (which I believe that she actually caught on her well visit appointment). I called the pediatrician office … Continue reading →

What Causes Food Allergies?

Food allergies can be life threatening. For a child who is allergic to peanuts, eggs, soy, shellfish or milk, the vigilance required by the parent can be overwhelming. Is there any way that you can help prevent food allergies in your child? Pediatricians and scientists have been trying to figure out why there has been such a great rise in the number of young children who have food allergies, especially severe food allergies. There are a couple of theories that so far haven’t been proven. One theory says that it is simply a matter of more proper diagnosis being made. … Continue reading →