During the years that I have been practicing pediatrics, I’ve heard many “Old Wives’ Tales” about kids. I’d like to discuss some of these with you. 1. “The earlier a baby talks, the smarter she is.” Or, put another way, a baby who is a late talker is not too bright. This is not true. […]
Many parents are curious to find out if their baby is right or left handed. There is no way to know for sure for the first year or two, since most babies are ambidextrous and use both hands equally. Although some do favor using one hand over the other at an early age, by four
The Nutrition Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that solid foods be started within four and six months of age, and I agree. Introducing solid foods too soon could cause problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even food allergies later on. There are a number of signs you can use to help you
Most pediatricians recommend that single grain cereals be started first, usually rice cereal. Baby cereals are excellent first solid foods because they are all iron fortified by law in the United States and are easily digested. Each new food should be introduced one at a time, starting with just one teaspoon the first day and
Infants should be breast fed or formula fed for the first year of life. They should not be started on regular whole milk until after their first birthday. My reasons for saying this are as follows: 1. Regular milk has much more salt and protein in it than either breast milk or infant formula, and
Breast milk is the ideal food for a baby from both the nutritional and psychological points of view. It also gives some protective immunities to the baby, and especially against some gastrointestinal infections. Therefore, I would strongly encourage all mothers to try to breast feeding. Those new mothers who choose not to, or can’t breast
Besides swimming and family outings to keep your preschooler active and exercise-oriented, another terrific activity is wrestling. It exercises all your child’s muscles and increases strength and flexibility. It also allows you and your child to have fun together. I would advise you to call frequent rest periods, if not for your child, certainly for
Most toddlers are full of energy and have an intense desire to move around and explore their environment. It is your job to provide your toddler a variety of interesting opportunities for exercising, always keeping safety in mind. Elaborate equipment is not necessary, just arrange for the space and opportunity. Your youngster will do the
Infants love to be active. Just give them the space and opportunity. For the three- to six-month-old, here are some suggestions: 1. Turn-over games. Babies never tire of being turned from front to back, and back to front, and on and on. 2. Kicking toys attached to the sides of his crib are great fun.
Your new baby is sturdy and very well engineered, so don’t be afraid to handle him and move him around right from the start. During the first month or two it is important to support your baby’s head because it is quite wobbly. The earlier you start to help him develop strength, good muscle tone
