Healthy Lifestyle - Infant and toddler health

Infant and toddler health

Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned veteran, you might have many questions about infant and toddler health. Which vaccines does your child need? What's the best way to take your child's temperature? What should you expect at well-child exams? What are the latest developments in infant and toddler health?

The more you know about infant and toddler health, the more comfortable you'll feel caring for your child. Start by sharing your questions about infant and toddler health with your child's doctor. Remember, nothing is too trivial when it comes to your child's health.

Also, find out how to reach your child's doctor between visits. Questions about infant and toddler health can surface at any time — and knowing help is available can offer precious peace of mind.

Newborn health

A newborn brings a whirlwind of activity to your life. At first, newborn health might seem limited to round-the-clock feeding, bathing, diapering and soothing — but there's more to newborn health than these basics. Other newborn health highlights include caring for your newborn's skin, decoding your newborn's cries and promoting your newborn's development.

Newborn health also extends to parents. After all, taking good care of your baby includes taking good care of yourself. Sneak in as much sleep as possible, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need a break.

Newborn care can turn your life upside down, and newborn health concerns can sometimes seem overwhelming. Appreciate the joy your newborn brings to your life — and cope with everything else one day at a time.

Infant health

It might seem that your baby learns something new every day. In fact, every experience — from cuddling before nap time to listening to a sibling's chatter — helps your baby learn more about his or her world.

As your baby grows and changes, you might have new questions about infant health. How can you encourage your baby to sleep through the night? When should you introduce solid foods? When will your baby sit up? What are red flags for infant health?

Your baby's doctor is a great resource for learning more about infant health. Take advantage of other resources for infant health, too, such as nurse information lines. Above all, trust your instincts. When it comes to infant health, timing is critical. The earlier any problems are detected, the earlier treatment can begin.

Toddler health

For a toddler, every day is a new adventure — and constant motion is often the name of the game. That's why child safety is a prime toddler health concern. Take simple precautions to prevent falls, burns and other household mishaps.

For many parents, a toddler's limited vocabulary leads to other toddler health concerns — such as temper tantrums. Learn why tantrums happen, and what you can do to encourage good behavior.

Toddler health is also marked by important milestones, such as potty training. Know when it's time to begin potty training — and, if your child resists, when it's time to call it quits.

As always, your child's doctor is a great resource for questions about toddler health. Understand what to expect from your toddler, and which toddler health concerns deserve special attention.