articles
Topic: Questions & Answsers
January 2010
Do I need to use sterilized water to make my baby’s bottles?
You should have seen the look on my babysitter’s face when she asked where the water for the formula was and I pointed to the tap. The short answer is: if you live on a farm and use well water or you carry your water to your house from the nearest stream, then yes, you need to use either boiled or bottled water to feed your baby. But if your town provides clean water directly to your home, then there isn’t any need to “be a Gum Wiper” and use special water. In fact, if your water supply is fluoridated, it is better to use that water than bottled which lacks fluoride. So that someday he’ll have pretty teeth for you to brush.
December 2009
Q. Should I be brushing my babies teeth even before she has any?
Dr. Zibners' Answer:
I know this sounds ridiculous, but yes. I don’t mean you really have to brush what doesn’t yet exist but it is a good idea to start from the very beginning with gently cleaning the gums. You can buy special wipes or a little gum brush that fits on your finger and gently wipe her little gums, lips and tongue best you can at least once a day. I usually do it at bathtime and I can usually get most of her gums but my success generally stops there. At least I’m trying.
Q. My kid snores at night. Should I be worried?
Dr. Zibners' Answer:
A lot of us snore. My husband snores. Loudly. Having too much soft tissue (fat and muscle) back there or having enlarged tonsils or adenoids can cause the back of the throat to vibrate with each breath, thereby making noise. Snoring isn’t usually something to worry about. Sometimes kids will start snoring with a cold or allergies and this is usually temporary. Your pediatrician may recommend an allergy medicine or nasal spray to help with the symptoms. Other times the problem is more permanent, such as with very large tonsils or if a person is overweight. If the soft tissue actually obstructs, or blocks, the airway, then the person may even stop breathing, only to start up again with a gasp a few seconds later. If this happens, the snoring is called “obstructive sleep apnea,” with apnea meaning “to stop breathing.” If a child or adult develops snoring that is so severe that it disrupts sleep or causes actual pauses in breathing, then this is a reason to seek medical treatment. As usual, if you are worried, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician.
Q. My 7 month old is starting to crawl. Do I have to completely childproof my house today?
Dr. Zibners' Answer:
If you pay attention to my chapter on home safety, you’ll note that I think childproofing is only a delay tactic, not an absolute. Putting locks on cupboards or gates on stairs will prove to be challenging but not insurmountable obstacles to a determined child. That said, you are allowed to use your head. If your little one is starting to crawl, get everything within her reach put away. But you do have a little time to get your house “toddler-ready.” Your safeguarding measures should change and grow just as your child does. Start now but don’t panic and think you’ve got to do everything at once. Get the locks on the cupboards and start looking for a safer place to move its contents. Household chemicals and medications never belong within a child’s reach. A closed door or a cupboard latch is not enough to prevent your highly intelligent offspring from doing a little problem solving once he gets past crawling and on to more exciting activities like walking around the house.
November 2009
Q. My baby is very congested. This can’t be normal, can it?
Dr. Zibners' Answer:
My husband was forced this week to reread both the newborn and the respiratory chapters. Because this is the question that came to me at 3 am from the other side of my bedroom. I suspect he thought I was being heartless because my baby sounds like a farm animal and I didn’t seem too upset about it. She’s got a nose full of boogers and snot. It doesn’t sound nice. But it’s normal. She’s pink and happy, doesn’t have a fever and can eat fine. I keep telling him that all babies about this age suddenly sound horribly congested but he needed more reassurance. I just thought you’d like to know that even having me in the house doesn’t mean a parent worries any less. I’m not taking it personally. By the way, plain saline nose drops are as helpful as I always said they were to loosen that snot up and help her breathe a little less loudly. I usually follow up the drops with a little bulb suction action. But just a little. Getting too excited with the suctioning can cause irritation and swelling.
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