Baby and Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents' Top 150 Questions

By Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP

This easy-to-use guide offers parents the advice they need for pressing baby and toddler health and development concerns—fast! Dr. Altmann draws on more than 20 years in practice to present answers to parents' most frequently asked questions in a convenient Q&A format. Topics covered include breastfeeding, baby care, developmental stages, first aid and injuries, sleep, vaccines, and more. Parents can dip in and out of this resource as-needed for trustworthy information, offering evidence-based answers at their fingertips and letting them skip the contradictory, misleading, and sometimes dangerous information on the internet. This new edition is fully revised and updated and includes COVID-19 information, new fever guidelines, and reflects all current American Academy of Pediatrics policy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781610026215

Book preview

Front Cover of Baby and Toddler Basics

Also Available From the American Academy of Pediatrics

Building Happier Kids: Stress-busting Tools for Parents

The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5*

Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro

Guide to Toilet Training

Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

High Five Discipline: Positive Parenting for Happy, Healthy, Well-Behaved Kids

My Child Is Sick! Expert Advice for Managing Common Illnesses and Injuries

The New Baby Blueprint: Caring for You and Your Little One

New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding

Raising an Organized Child: 5 Steps to Boost Independence, Ease Frustration, and Promote Confidence

Raising Twins: Parenting Multiples From Pregnancy Through the School Years

Retro Baby: Timeless Activities to Boost Development—Without All the Gear!

Retro Toddler: More Than 100 Old-School Activities to Boost Development

Return to You: A Postpartum Plan for New Moms

The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself

Your Baby’s First Year*

For additional parenting resources, visit the HealthyChildren bookstore at https://shop.aap.org/for-parents.

*This book is also available in Spanish.

Book Title of Baby and Toddler Basics

American Academy of Pediatrics Publishing Staff

Mary Lou White, Chief Product and Services Officer/SVP, Membership, Marketing, and Publishing

Mark Grimes, Vice President, Publishing

Holly Kaminski, Editor, Consumer Publishing

Shannan Martin, Production Manager, Consumer Publications

Sara Hoerdeman, Marketing Manager, Consumer Products

Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics

345 Park Blvd

Itasca, IL 60143

Telephone: [phone]

Facsimile: 847/434-8000

www.aap.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication.

The publishers have made every effort to trace the copyright holders for borrowed materials. If they have inadvertently overlooked any, they will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity.

This publication has been developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The contributors are expert authorities in the field of pediatrics. No commercial involvement of any kind has been solicited or accepted in the development of the content of this publication. Disclosure: The author disclosed financial relationships with Evivo, Aussie Bubs, and Ember.

Every effort is made to keep Baby and Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents’ Top 150 Questions consistent with the most recent advice and information available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this publication. Email Special Sales at [e-mail] for more information.

© 2023 Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior permission from the publisher (locate title at https://publications.aap.org/aapbooks and click on © Get Permissions; you may also fax the permissions editor at 847/434-8780 or email [e-mail]). First edition published 2018; second, 2023.

Printed in the United States of America

9-483/0922 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CB0132

ISBN: 978-1-61002-620-8

eBook: 978-1-61002-623-9

EPUB: 978-1-61002-621-5

Cover and publication design by Scott Rattray Design

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021921246

What People Are Saying

Altmann comfortably segues between the role of knowledgeable MD and friendly mom.…New and prospective parents will find that Altmann’s compact, concise primer is a valuable source of reassurance and advice.

Publishers Weekly

This is a helpful resource for new parents/grandparents. It takes a no-nonsense, factual approach to commonly asked questions.

Doody’s Book Reviews

Dr. Tanya manages to make you feel like your best friend and your pediatrician have come together to write this new parent guidebook, just for you. Baby and Toddler Basics is engaging and essential, and I know you will return to it again and again!

Samantha Ettus, work-life expert and national bestselling author of The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction

Every question parents think of is answered in this book, with up-to-date info and Dr. Tanya’s experienced wisdom and tips. It’s a must-have for all new parents.

Jenn Mann, author of SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years and The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy Confident Kids

Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned veteran when it comes to kids, Baby and Toddler Basics is sure to teach you something new and reinforce facts you already know. In a straightforward, practical manner, experienced pediatrician and mom Dr. Tanya Altmann explains the essentials of caring for a sick or healthy young child—from dealing with fevers, aches, and injuries to the basics of eating, sleeping, peeing, and pooping. This book is a necessity for all families!

Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, medical editor of HealthyChildren.org and coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality and Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood With Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup

Dr. Tanya answers 150 of your most common baby health questions with the expertise of a trained pediatrician and the voice of a friend who’s been there. Chances are, your questions are in there—and you’ll love her answers.

David L. Hill, MD, FAAP, author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro

Once again, Dr. Tanya Altmann has hit a home run. In her characteristically warm and reassuring style, she covers every question a parent could have about knowing and caring for her new baby. Baby and Toddler Basics is a must-have for every new mother’s home library. It’s like having a pediatrician in residence! And it is an absolutely perfect baby gift!

Betsy Brown Braun, child development/behavior specialist and author of Just Tell Me What to Say and You’re Not the Boss of Me

I want to dedicate this book to every parent with a question about caring for their baby or toddler, you got this!

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

The American Academy of Pediatrics is committed to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in its publishing program. Editorial boards, author selections, and author transitions (publication succession plans) are designed to include diverse voices that reflect society as a whole. Editor and author teams are encouraged to actively seek out diverse authors and reviewers at all stages of the editorial process. Publishing staff are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of publication writing, review, and production.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1Basic Baby Care

2Breastfeeding

3Formula Feeding

4Beyond Bottles and Breastfeeding: Starting Solid Foods

5Pooping

6Stomachaches and Vomiting

7Fever

8Coughs, Colds, and More

9Vaccines

10Skin

11Child Care

12Ingestions, Injuries, and First Aid

13Growing Up

14Sleep

Acknowledgments

By the time this book is in print, I’ll have been a physician for more than 25 years and a parent for more than 16. And I’m the first to admit that I still learn something new every day. That’s one of the reasons I love my job. I learn from my patients, their parents and caregivers, colleagues, and even members of my own family. That’s a lot of people to thank, so I’ll try to keep this brief and focused, but know that there are many others who have also touched my life and assisted in the information I am providing throughout this book.

Starting with the staff at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), who have been my support, education, colleagues, and professional family, I thank you for suggesting that I put the culmination of my pediatric career thus far on paper as Baby and Toddler Basics. I want to express my appreciation to the AAP Department of Publishing, including Mark Grimes and Holly Kaminski, who played an integral role in the birth of this book.

Thank you to Michelle Shuffett, MD, for your dedication to the early years of this project and lifelong friendship. Also, thank you to my mentors and the current and past interns, residents, and pediatricians at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital for offering exceptional advice and contributions to Baby and Toddler Basics. In addition, thank you to Angela Beals, who helps keep my office and patients at Calabasas Pediatrics healthy and running well 24/7. Thanks to Polly Gannon, whose invaluable advice has helped not only me but my patients to successfully breastfeed, remain calm and happy, and sleep soundly through the night.

Thank you as well to the following physicians and child health experts for their review and additions to my manuscripts:

Mara Beck, MS, CCC-SLP

Brynie Collins, MD, FAAP

David Hill, MD, FAAP

Laura Jana, MD, FAAP

Alanna Levine, MD, FAAP

Catherine Pourdavoud, MD, FAAP

Angelee Reiner, MD, FAAP

Elena Rumack, DDS, MS

Beth Saltz, MPH, RD

Nina Shapiro, MD, FAAP

Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Ali Strocker, MD, FAAP

Christine Katie Thang, MD, FAAP

Last, but definitely not least, thank you to my wonderful family. Thank you Melissa and Miles Remer and Diane and Clifford Numark, who provided questions and parenting insight, as well as technical and writing support. A heartfelt thanks to my sister, Candace Remer Katz, MD, an allergist and a mom who keeps me up-to-date on asthma and allergy topics and added immensely to this book and to my life.

I owe my life and many accomplishments to my parents, Donald and Louise Remer, and my grandparents who always support me and encourage me to reach for my dreams. Thanks to Grammie, Grandma, and Nana for helping to watch, play with, and teach my boys so I could see patients and write this book.

Finally, thank you to my husband Phil, the best dad ever, who really does everything and without whom I could never do all that I do. We have 3 wonderful sons, Avrick, Collen, and Maxton, who have taught me more about pediatrics and parenting than I could ever learn at the office and who are constantly making me smile with a new adventure every day. I am proud to be their mom.

Introduction

As a pediatrician, I have been answering questions from parents for over 20 years. That’s why I wrote Baby and Toddler Basics for parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Keep this book on your nightstand or in your baby bag so when something comes up, whether a cough, a fever, a diaper rash, or a stomachache, you’ll have the answer you need in a simple, concise, accurate, and easy-to-read format.

Baby and Toddler Basics focuses on your child from birth through age 3 years and includes parents’ top questions on breastfeeding, nutrition, crying, sleeping, illnesses, and child care. Baby and Toddler Basics is meant to answer not only the questions you have today, but those you are likely to have at 3:00 am tomorrow! Baby and Toddler Basics provides practical information, advice, and important tips and tells you when you need to call your pediatrician. Best of all, it fits in your baby bag! So before you pick up your smartphone to call, text, or email your pediatrician, check out Baby and Toddler Basics for your answer.

In pediatrics, situations change dramatically depending on the age of the child, so it’s no surprise that the answers to many common questions will vary by age. Therefore, in this book, babies aged birth through 1 month are called newborns; babies aged 1 month through 1 year are called infants; and children aged 1 through 3 years are called toddlers. As with all advice, sometimes it’s most important to call your pediatrician. For that reason, I’ve indicated those moments with a telephone symbol inline-image .

The information and advice in this book apply equally to children of both sexes, except where noted. To indicate this, the use of masculine and feminine pronouns is alternated throughout the book.

I hope you find Baby and Toddler Basics helpful, but don’t forget that you know your child best. You will undoubtedly come up with questions not addressed in this book. That’s the nature of having kids! If ever you find yourself with unanswered questions, no matter how small or silly they may seem, go ahead and ask your pediatrician. And whenever you have more serious concerns—remember that no book, Baby and Toddler Basics included, can ever take the place of direct medical advice—never hesitate to call your pediatrician. After all, that’s what we’re here for—even at 3:00 am!

If you’re reading this book, congratulations on your pregnancy (or the arrival of your little one)! Chances are you’re getting a good head start in anticipating what lies ahead with your new bundle of joy. Admittedly, some days may be more joyful, or at least more peaceful, than others. Whether you’re trying to figure out why your baby is crying (is she hungry, wet, or tired?) or you’re attempting to get her dressed and out the door for her first doctor’s appointment (don’t forget that new diaper bag), you will quickly realize that your life has now changed … forever.

Even though you’ve eagerly awaited and geared up for this wonderful addition to your life and family for the past 9 months (if not more), you are likely to find yourself still needing some guidance, now that you are going to become a parent. In the hospital, you will have lots of help from the nurses, lactation consultants, and doctors—all at your fingertips. You may still be reading all the must-have parenting books and spending many evenings on the phone with your mother and friends talking about all the details. You think you are prepared. But nothing can ever completely prepare you for the crazy but exciting ride ahead. Most new parents have questions, usually lots of them! Here are some of the top questions parents have.

(If it is sleep, feeding, poop, fever, or skin-related answers you’re looking for, rest assured that these very important newborn topics are covered in their own chapters.)

After Delivery

1.What happens in the delivery room?

If this is your first baby, it can definitely be an overwhelming experience. But don’t worry—whether you are having a vaginal delivery or a C-section, there will be designated doctors, nurses, and other specialists around to assist you and your newborn during the delivery. There will be monitors on your belly to keep track of you and your little one throughout the whole process.

After delivery, your doctor will dry and rub your baby’s back and may also use a blue bulb syringe to suction her nose if needed until there’s a good cry to make sure those lungs are working. Crying is a wonderful sound after delivery because it means your baby is likely strong and healthy. These are your baby’s first breaths, and crying helps the lungs expand and makes residual fluid in the mouth and airway come out, which is especially important if you had a C-section. Your baby may then be placed on your chest skin to skin for that first moment of precious mother-baby bonding. Your baby may even search for your nipple for her first attempt at breastfeeding.

If your doctor or nurse feels that your baby needs some extra attention, she may be brought over to a warmer (in the same room) so that they can take a closer look. This will happen either immediately after delivery or after a short period of mother-baby bonding. Either way, please let the nurses and pediatricians do their job as they are quickly trying to ensure that your baby is healthy. Their priorities will be to check that the heart is beating well and the lungs are expanding properly. A spouse, family member, or birth partner may be asked if they want to cut the umbilical cord. This is optional but simple and may be a nice moment to remember. The nurse or doctor will show him or her exactly what to do (and they may even take a photo for you if you ask). After the initial minutes of going down the checklist, the nurses may weigh and measure your baby before bringing her back to you (often bundled up with a hat for warmth).

2.Should I give my baby vitamin K and eye ointment?

Yes. The vitamin K injection is one of the most important things you can do for your baby at birth because it reduces the risk of life-threatening bleeding in the first few weeks. Vitamin K is one of the essential clotting factors in the blood. All babies are born with a low amount of vitamin K due to immature organs, such as the liver and intestines, which take a few weeks to months to mature. If the vitamin K is not replaced, it puts newborns at a high risk of experiencing serious bleeding. The injection is easily given in the thigh and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic that prevents a bacterial eye infection that can spread from the process of delivery. Your baby may be at low risk for an infection, but the antibiotic is harmless—and it is always better to be safe than sorry, since it can prevent eye damage and blindness.