Kiddie West Frequently Asked Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the right method for giving medicine to my child:

Always use the dosing suggestions provided with the product.
Make sure that all caregivers are aware of the medication that your child is taking.
Never give adult medicine to a child.
Check medicine labels to ensure that different combinations aren't combining to provide too high a dose.
Keep a log of your child's daily medications.

When is a baby ready for solid foods

When child doubles birth weight and weighs at least 13 pounds.
Child seems hungry after 8 to 10 breastfeeding's a day or drinks 32 ounces of formula a day.
When the child has the ability to lift and support its own head.

When I think my child is ready for solid foods, what should I do
Start feeding you baby single-ingredient baby foods. Here are some basic guidelines:

Start with 1 tablespoon of single-grain cereal, mixed with 4 tablespoons breast milk, formula or water. Decrease the amount of fluid as your baby gets used to the consistency.
Start a new food in the morning; if it doesn't agree with your baby, you'll know before bedtime.
Add only one new food at a time. Feed each new food 3 to 5 days in a row before starting another one. (To see how the food agrees with your baby.)
You can repeat a food already given, and pair familiar favorites on the spoon with new foods.

How should I handle choking and CPR for an infant

We recommend you take an infant-child CPR course so that you can receive proper training to handle potentially life-threatening problems such as choking.

What should I treat my infant's constipation

Constipation in infants less than one year of age can be a source of concern for parents. Sometimes your baby is not really constipated, but must be given time to set his own schedule for having a bowel movement. Remember that some grunting and straining is normal. Generally, an infant's stool is soft and easily passed. Irregular bowel movements do not necessarily mean a baby is constipated. If your baby is having large and very hard bowel movements or seems to struggle painfully when having them, please discuss this with me.

Treatment for Constipation:

If your baby is old enough to eat strained foods, you may give him fruits and vegetables.
If your baby is not eating jarred baby food yet, we may recommend fruit juices (prune, pear, cherry or apple). If his stools become too loose, just give him less juice.
If your baby is eating rice cereal, it may help to switch to oatmeal or barley cereal. Rice cereal can sometimes cause constipation.
Do not give your baby enemas, laxatives, or suppositories unless I direct you to do so.

What should I do if an infant has Diarrhea

One of the most common illnesses among infants and young children is diarrhea. The most common cause of diarrhea in infants is an intestinal virus. It may be accompanied by fever and/or vomiting. A child may have several large watery stools or more frequent (more than 5 or 6 in 24 hours) loose stools. Usually, diarrhea lasts only a few days and can be managed at home. My staff or I will discuss with you the routine management of diarrhea.
During diarrhea, babies lose fluid and important minerals from their bodies. Excessive fluid loss caused by diarrhea can lead quickly to a serious condition called dehydration, especially if the baby is also vomiting. Dehydration may become severe enough to require a baby to be hospitalized to have fluid replaced.
It is important that extra fluids be given to replace the fluids and nutrients (electrolytes) lost during bouts of diarrhea. Discuss with me the need to keep on hand an oral electrolyte maintenance solution and instructions for its use. An oral electrolyte solution is the best way to replace the fluids and minerals your child is losing.
You may have heard that sports drinks, fruit juices, weak tea, and soft drinks containing sugar are good to give your baby during diarrhea. However, these liquids are not best for your baby. They do not have enough sodium and the proper balance of electrolytes to replace what is lost during diarrhea. Most of these fluids also contain too much sugar. Too much sugar can draw water into the intestine and away from the rest of the body and make diarrhea worse. The best fluid to give your baby is an oral electrolyte maintenance solution.

Know the signs of diarrhea — more frequent, watery stools, often with a change in color and odor. Follow my instructions for dealing with the diarrhea. Be sure to call me if your baby has persistent vomiting or you note any of the following signs of dehydration:
Less frequent urination (fewer wet diapers)
1. Dry mouth
2. Few tears
3. Overly sleepy or overly fussy
4. Sunken eyes

What is the best way to care for fever in my child

Newborn: Fever in a newborn baby is a concern to us. If your baby is 2 months or younger, and has a rectal temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call us immediately.
Older Infants: Fever is generally a sign that your baby's body is fighting infection. It can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check with my office about which to use and carefully follow the manufacturer's label instructions. If your baby is older than 2 months, and has a fever associated with unusual sleepiness, irritability, or any other unusual or troubling signs, please call me.

What should I know about "Spitting Up"

Spitting up is when some of the baby's stomach contents spill out of her mouth. This usually involves only small amounts of liquid— although it often seems like a lot. Spitting up generally occurs shortly after feedings, beginning in the first few weeks of life. More than half of all babies spit up to some extent after they have been fed. Occasional spit-up is normal for both breastfed and formula-fed babies.
In many cases, spit-up is thought to be due to an immature muscle at the base of the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat and stomach, which allows the stomach contents to back up into the mouth. This is often referred to as "GE reflux" (gastroesophageal reflux) and goes away as the baby matures. Though spit-up may be messy, it's usually not a cause for concern. Most babies gain weight well despite spit-up. If an infant is frequently in distress, is not gaining weight as he should or has other symptoms, we may need to do some further evaluation.
Spit-up happens. If your baby spits up occasionally, here are several things you can do to help prevent excessive spit-up:
Avoid feeding your baby when he is lying down and keep him upright for about 30 minutes after a feeding — in a front carrier, a back carrier, or in your arms.
Avoid placing him in an infant seat after feeding, which can increase pressure on the abdomen.
Avoid vigorous play and jostling after feeding your baby. Excess activity can aggravate an already delicate system.
Control the amounts you are feeding. If your baby gets an overly full stomach, it is more likely to overflow. Give more frequent, smaller meals to see if that helps.
Burp your baby often and control the amount of air and liquid he takes in. Check the nipple-hole size. If the hole is too small (which may increase the gulping of air) or too large (and the formula flows too fast), your baby may spit up more.
Try to feed your baby before she is overly hungry. Gulping formula too fast may lead to spit-up problems.

What should I do when a baby is vomiting

Vomiting occurs when the stomach contents are ejected through the mouth with force. It usually is a cause of great distress for the baby and his family. When vomiting occurs, it usually involves more than just a few mouthfuls. Call my office immediately if you notice any of the following:

Frequent, repeated vomiting
Crying (with legs pulled up) that cannot be soothed
Fever
Blood in vomit
Green vomit
Can't keep fluids down
Repeatedly refuses feedings
Any signs of dehydration