On Children's Health
As school commences after a couple of rocky years, we sat down with Chapin Pediatrics’ Dr. Luke Bonnett to answer commonly asked questions about children’s health.
How often should my child see a pediatrician?
Whenever a concern arises pertaining to your child’s health, they should be seen by their pediatrician. Most pediatric health concerns are acute and will resolve on their own or with proper management from a physician. However, sometimes the concern is the beginning of a bigger, possibly chronic problem that needs to be investigated and diagnosed so a proper course of treatment can begin. A delayed diagnosis can result in more intensive intervention or lead to a poor outcome.
Children are seen very frequently in the first two years of life for what we call “well visits.” Recommended appointments in the first three years of life are at 2 weeks, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months old. These visits are important to ensure your child is growing and developing properly. After the first 3 years we begin to see them once a year. Parents sometimes erroneously skip the annual well visit especially if vaccinations are not needed. We stress the importance of the annual well visit because it is an opportunity to diagnose problems early and to keep your child healthy.
Photo by Robert Collins
How do I get my child to listen and obey?
I receive this question almost daily. The answer is very complex and points directly at the heart of parenting. The answer starts by being willing to step up and actually be the parent. You have to be the one who fulfills the authoritative role in your child’s life. Teaching your children from a very young age that you are in charge and that it is not your job to meet their every demand is important. You should set clear expectations and boundaries for your child. If they know you are serious and there will be consequences for disobedience they will be more likely to do what you say. Of course, this will never be 100 percent but you should not see a continued pattern of disobedience or disrespectfulness. Training up a child is difficult. Very difficult. It takes constant effort pouring into your child.
Consistency is important when it comes to consequences and you must mean what you say. Refrain from empty threats that are never backed up. If you warn your child of a consequence then it is important to follow through with it. Older children operate under the same principles. While some parents find it tempting to be their child’s best friend, you must be the parent. Parents often tell me, “I don’t want to lose them if I parent too firmly or tell them no.” I would argue that you have already “lost” them if you feel that way. It is okay to admit that your child’s behavior isn’t right and things need to change. It will be for their benefit as well as the entire family’s to admit it and begin to address these issues.
Parenting is not simply about disciplining with negative consequences. You should also affirm your child when they make good choices and when they do what you say. Help them clearly see what it looks like and sounds like when they do right versus wrong. They need to know that you love them no matter what. Good behavior doesn’t make you love them more and bad behavior doesn’t make you love them less. They are loved, period. Make sure they know and feel that. However, they need to see and feel the consequences of their choices. Provide good consequences and rewards when they do what you say. Words of affirmation and praise go a long way in helping your child make the right decisions. Provide negative consequences and discipline when they do not do what you say. They are learning that it is their choice to make their lives miserable when they know what the consequence of disobedience is but still do wrong and “earn” the negative consequence. Your child will then be mad at you for the consequence even though it was their choice to get it. Think of how we know the law states we should stop at a stop sign. Teach your child that a stop sign means STOP. It doesn’t mean ignore it and continue driving. When drivers choose to ignore a stop sign they face receiving a ticket from an officer. Teach your child that if they don’t stop before making the wrong decision they could receive a “ticket,” or consequence, and the only person they should be upset with is themselves.
Photo by Jordan Whitt
My baby keeps spitting up. What should I do?
The majority of healthy babies do spit up and that is perfectly normal. Spitting up does not mean that your baby has a medical problem. Most babies are what we call “happy spitters” meaning that they spit up but do not seem uncomfortable and they remain content. This would be in contrast with a baby that seems to be uncomfortable or in pain. Most babies will outgrow the spitting up by one year of age. You can help your baby with some of their symptoms by eating less spicy or “trigger” foods if the baby is being breastfed. You can also try smaller and more frequent feedings. Feeding them in an upright position, holding them upright for about 30 minutes after feeding, and “burping” them can help. The introduction of solid foods at four months old also tends to help with the symptoms.
If the spitting up is accompanied by pain or irritability, gagging, poor weight gain, or sleeping problems, your child may have true reflux disease and need medical management. If your child is having difficulty breathing, turning blue, or seems in distress with feedings or while spitting up, that is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Always call your child’s pediatrician if you have questions or concerns about your child’s health.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema
