Toddler
Toddler’s Snacks Predict Later Cavities
Toddlers who drank lots of juice or who ate candy more than once a week were nearly twice as likely as their peers to have a mouthful of cavities by kindergarten, according to a 2001 study published i…
How Do They Learn?
Which words do babies learn first? Not the words they hear most often, but the words they hear most often as single word communications, according to research by Michael Brent, PhD., presented at the …
Seafood and Preventable Neurologic Problems
Fish are a good source of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. But some fish contain mercury that is harmful to your health. What should you do? (more…)…
Cotton Swabs and Ear Performations
I heard from a reader about an extremely common practice that most of us have been warned never to do: My wife was cleaning our three-year old daughter's ear with a cotton swab. She turned into the sw…
Ear Infections and Pacifier Use
We've known now for several years that discontinuing the use of a pacifier can reduce ear infections in children. A study published in the September 2000 issue of Pediatrics looked at the effect of si…
Diapers & Infertility?
In boys, the scrotal sac is marvelously designed to maintain the testicles within a narrow temperature range, just below normal body temperature. When it is cold out, the sac constricts and draws the …
Diet Influences Asthma Risk
Kids' changing diets may be, in part, responsible for the worldwide increase in asthma. A study published in the September 2000 issue of Thorax looked at the demographics and skin test results of chil…
Dangers of Parental Smoking
Dr. Greene's take on parental smoking... (hint: don't do it!) A study in the August 2000 issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that parents who smoke increase the risk of meningococcal m…
Booster Seats: Still Needed after Age 4?
The August 2000 electronic issue of Pediatrics contains a study that looked at how many kids age 4 to 9 years use booster seats in cars (only 27.7% -- only 10% by age 6). The authors asked the parents…
Iron Deficiency Worsens School Performance
Teen girls who have low iron are more than twice as likely to score below average in mathematics achievement tests than similar girls with normal iron status -- even if they have no signs of anemia. T…
Bruxism – Helping Children Who Grind Their Teeth At Night
Like sucking on pacifiers and thumbs, grinding the teeth (called bruxism) is a common habit that usually disappears on its own as young children grow. The two peak periods of bruxism are as the baby t…
Disposable Diapers
In our online community, someone inquired about a baby who had eaten some of the gel out of her diaper. I was pleased to answer this query, but I want to be sure that every parent and grandparent and …
No More TV?
In a startling announcement in August,1999 the American Academy of Pediatrics officially recommended that children under age 2 watch no television at all. They pointed to the importance of face-to-fac…
On Her Tippy Toes…
A mother from Texas inquired "My 20-month-old daughter constantly walks on her tip-toes. Should I be concerned?" (more…)…
Fast Facts about Rotaviruses
Rotaviruses are the leading cause of both routine vomiting and diarrheal illnesses and of severe, life-threatening diarrhea in every country in the world. Click here to read more about rotaviruses. (m…
Don’t use that vaccine!
A public health advisory issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics now warns against giving children rotavirus vaccine because it might cause a rare condition called intussusception. (more…)…
Fast Facts about Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis can occur at any age, but 95 percent of cases are in children under 5 years old. Boys are more likely to get it than girls. (more…)…
Guidelines for Easing the Transition from Crib to Bed
She learns to pull herself to standing. Soon she is cruising 'round and 'round the crib, instead of going down for a nap. Then she begins to bounce up and down. Before long, she catapults over the top…
Tips for Two Year Old Play
Dr. Greene's advice if you have a two year old... One of the joys of parenting is finding that zone of moderate challenge for your child, and setting up fun opportunities for her to teach herself thro…
Tips for Where to Find Information on Car Seats
Excellent information on car seats (including approved models) for premature babies through older children is available from the Academy of Pediatrics. Another great resource is the website of the Nat…