Your Top Baby Questions Answered!
The Doctors welcome pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann, who wrote the book "Baby and Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents' Top 150 Questions," to help answer some of the top questions concerning your little one.
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"My baby is really congested. What can I do to help her breathe more comfortably?": Dr. Altmann says if the congestion is not interfering with eating or breathing, do not let the noise your baby might be making bother you. If you want to try and help with the congestion she suggests using some nasal saline or even some of the mother's breast milk. She also says a snot suction device can help. She warns that if in addition to the congestion your baby's chest is going "in and out," your baby is having trouble eating, your baby has a fever, or appears sick to call your doctor.
"My child has these small bumps on his body. Should I be worried, and what can I do?": In this instance, Dr. Altmann says it is a case of Molluscum contagiosum, which is a viral bump spread by skin to skin contact. She says it rarely itches or hurts and can take 6 to 12 months to go away on its own. She says there are over-the-counter options to treat or it can be treated by a dermatologist. The Doctors note that some kids can outgrow this type of skin issue.
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"I found a red streak in my newborn baby girl's diaper, Is this blood and should I be concerned?": The pediatrician says some little girls can have what is often referred to as a "mini period" as they are exposed to the mother's hormones while in the womb. She explains this should not be happening after the baby is a week of age. She also notes that urate crystals can look like blood, but are not. This can happen if the baby is not eating enough, and should go away with more eating. Dr. Altmann says this issue should also not be occurring after the baby is a week old.
