Search Results for: blog new medical advice for your baby

Most Important Early Pregnancy Advice

Many people might start off their first pregnancy blog with a story: why they decided to have a baby (or not), the story of how they became pregnant, their early thoughts on pregnancy and childbirth.  I might get to all of that, or I might not.  But today I want to share one of the most important things I learned in my first month of pregnancy: do not go off any medication without talking to your doctor first. This might seem silly or obvious, but I cannot stress how important it is.  My whole first trimester might have taken a … Continue reading →

Is Your Toddler Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Probably not… at least according to medical experts. A new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that at least 40% of American infants and toddlers aren’t getting enough vitamin D. What’s more, the study also found that there has been an increase in the number of rickets (a vitamin D deficiency disease) cases in several states in the last few years. Doctors say millions of American children are vitamin D deficient and that number is likely to increase if parents don’t start adjusting their kids’ diet or modifying their schedules to allow toddlers to spend … Continue reading →

Do You Over or Under Medicate Your Toddler?

My young daughter would rather endure excruciatingly painful injections to her thighs than down a teaspoon of grape-flavored medicine. Since she was a tiny baby, my daughter has forcefully regurgitated every single drop of oral medication that I have carefully and skillfully placed in her mouth… towards her cheek, away from her taste buds and not directly down her throat. As a result of her violent gagging and distressful purging tendencies, my daughter’s pediatrician recommends that my little throw-up queen receive medication via syringe. It works when the injection option is available, like when she had strep throat, hand, foot … Continue reading →

Do You Feel Well Informed by Your Health Care Provider?

Do you feel well informed by your health care provider? Doctors and midwives vary from each other and among other professionals in their field in terms of patient communication and patient education. Some doctors are naturally good at educating and informing patients about options for birth as well as many other health related topics. Others aren’t as good at communicating or are hurrying to the next patient and don’t take the time. Rushing or not bothering to offer information to patients seems to be all too common in the experiences of many women. The reasons vary. Sometimes the doctor is … Continue reading →

The Best of the 2007 Baby Blog

It has been an exciting year in the baby blog with a few changes in bloggers, several news stories, a few series started, and of course lots of information and reflection. This is a list of the best of the best. . .the best news, the best advice and the best of my personal favorites. With that I wish you all a Happy New Year, and look forward to an exciting year in 2008! Ask a Baby Blogger Series–This, in my opinion is one of the best things the baby blog has to offer. Granted, it’s my advice which I … Continue reading →

Most Commented On Baby Blogs of 2007

As a means of reviewing the year, I always love to look at the blogs that had the most comments! Sometimes controversial blogs get noticed. Other times it has more to do with a topic of interest. Sometimes a commenter sparks a discussion. Regardless of the reason, these are the blogs that got the most comments in the baby blog in 2007! Is My Baby Gifted? How to Tell Merry Poison Free Christmas Dad’s Weird Things You Should Be Giving Your Baby Soda!! Why Breast Pumping Isn’t a Good Substitute for Breastfeeding Is Swaddling Overrated? Watching T.V. While Breastfeeding Unwanted … Continue reading →

New Medical Advice for Your Baby

Cough and Cold Medecines It is official: the FDA no longer recommends giving cough and cold medicines to babies under the age of 6. This came on the heals of recommendations by pediatricians and researchers saying that the drugs were ineffective in treating kids that young and that they could in fact be dangerous. Drug makers have a certain amount of time to pull all of their cough and cold medicines from the shelves. A few parents feel that the drugs are not dangerous and they’ll continue giving them to their children as long as possible. They plan on using … Continue reading →

Is Your Pediatrician Breastfeeding Friendly?

It is always surprising to me the amount of bad advice new mothers get from their pediatrician regarding breastfeeding. It would seem that if breastfeeding is the best way to feed an infant nutritionally speaking, then a pediatrician would be highly knowledgeable about breastfeeding and yet this is not the case for lots of women. Truth be told, there is no required breastfeeding class in medical school. In fact, my pediatrician told me that she had one two hour lecture on breastfeeding and of course she dealt with it in her residency. (I won’t tell you where she was educated … Continue reading →

Finding Out Your Baby Has Special Needs

It is impossible in one blog to cover all of the various degrees of special needs. Due to advances in technology and testing, some parents know in advance that their child will have special issues. Some parents find out as soon as the baby is born that something is not ‘normal’. And some parents don’t find out that something isn’t ‘normal’ until toddler hood. Whenever you find out, there is a period of mourning for what you thought would be. Grief Is Normal When we first find out we’re pregnant, visions fill our heads with little league, soccer practices, ballet … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Week in Review: Feb. 3 through Feb. 9

Sorry that this is a little late. Poor Heather has been under the weather. Did you miss something last week? We’ve covered everything from products you don’t want in the same house with a baby to hot topics like breastfeeding in public and religious opposition to standard medical procedure. If you missed something, check it out now! Sunday, Feb. 3 Should Medical Exemptions be Justified By Religious Beliefs? We tackled the story of a couple who did not want their daughter’s blood drawn within the state mandated period of 48 hours after birth. There is no easy answer here, but … Continue reading →