Do you have a parenting question but were unsure who to ask? Ask us! Or review answers to questions we've answered in the past. We look forward to hearing from you. You are also welcome to call and speak to one of our Parent Educators at (208) 883-6454.

Note: Your family's health care providers are valuable sources of information for any question about the health of you or your child. Consult your physician or other health care professional about any opinions or recommendations you read here. Under no circumstances will YCFP be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, consequential, or special damages that result from reliance on or use of information provided on this website.

CLICK TO ASK A QUESTION

	My child is biting other children at the daycare. How do I get him to stop?
	How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
	When should I start feeding my baby cereal and baby food? I know my mom started feeding me solid food at 3 months of age, but that seems so young. What do you think?
	I have a five year old who is still sucking her thumb. Is that normal?
	How do you go about finding a doctor for your baby? What is the difference between having a Family Physician and a Pediatrician? I have heard asking questions is a good way of getting to know the doctor, but what kinds of questions do you ask?
	My 6 month old is not sleeping through the night? How do I encourage her sleep?
	My son is 12 months old. He has slept through the night since 4 months. But he won't nap unless in a stroller or car. He took 3 naps until 10 months so I don't think the crying/fighting now is due to wanting to go down to 1 nap since the 2 nap thing is still new. He has always resisted napping. He needs to learn to nap. Why does he fight it so when the night time is the same crib, same routine?
	How often should a 4 month old nap?Also, how long should the naps be?
	My daughter is turning ten this month. She had stopped sucking her thumb every night because we put a big bandaid on her finger. But now she has been sucking her thumb most of the time, not only when she is sleeping. What can I do?
	My baby is 6 months old, what is the ideal feeding schedule and how much? I am still nursing.
	At 3 months my baby was going to bed at 8pm, waking for one feeding, then sleeping until 6 or 7am. He had a cold for 2 weeks, then a week of constant family events to be at, and is now recovering from Hand Foot & Mouth disease. Now, at 4 months he doesn't want to sleep. He finally went to sleep at 11pm last night, then woke every 2 hours, sometimes eating, but taking an hour, or more, to get him back to sleep. He does not want to nap at daycare either. Any suggestions?
	Does thumb sucking affect baby's appetite?
	My 2 year old has just recently started to suck all four of his fingers while twisting his hair with his other hand. Is he just teething with his molars or is he satisfying a different need? And what can I do to help him stop?
	Does talking, singing and reading to a baby from the womb to preschool have a long term affect on the baby's intelligence?
	We are about to relocate to another state. We have a 20 month old baby and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make moving easier on her or a way to help her understand what is happening?
	My child is biting other children at the daycare. How do I get him to stop?
		Because toddlers are still developing ways to communicate with words, they often use biting to get their point across. Show your toddler words can be both useful and powerful. For example, if another child is bothering him, tell him to use the word "stop". Whenever he uses the word "stop" make sure you respond immediately to help him, otherwise a bite may be coming. It is also important for you to talk with your son's care provider so you know what is happening in his surroundings right before he bites. Together you can figure out a pattern and find a solution that will work for you both. For more information on biting, refer to Touchpoints written by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. This book is also available from the YCF resource library.
	How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
		This is a question many parents ask themselves. One of the primary ways to determine this is to discuss your child's school readiness with her preschool teacher. If she doesn't attend preschool, talk with the kindergarten teacher she could potentially have in the fall. Find out what kinds of things she needs to know and be able to do to be successful in school. There are a variety of useful books and articles written on this topic. If you'd like more information about school readiness, please contact our office. One of our Parent Educators will be glad to assist you.
	When should I start feeding my baby cereal and baby food? I know my mom started feeding me solid food at 3 months of age, but that seems so young. What do you think?
		Breast milk or formula is the only food your baby needs for the first 4-6 months. Talk to your doctor about starting your baby on solid food. Babies are generally ready for solids when they can do most of the following: can control his/her head and neck; has doubled his/her birth weight; can sit up with support; can show he/she is full; and, he/she shows interest in food when you eat. American Academy of Physicians Foundation 2002
	I have a five year old who is still sucking her thumb. Is that normal?
		Infants and children suck their fingers and thumbs as a way to sooth and calm themselves. As children grow and develop, their need to suck usually goes away. However some children continue to suck their fingers or thumb until they are 4 or 5 years old. Sometimes these older children suck their thumb due to boredom or during times of emotional upsets or stress-related problems. Thumb sucking only becomes a concern when children reach 6 or 8 years of age. This is when they maybe teased at school or when the thumb sucking affects the shapre of their mouth or teeth. If you are concerned about your child's thumb sucking, avoid punishments or pressure as they may only increase the behavior. Try distracting your child if you think the sucking is a result of boredom. If it is during times of emotional upsets, offer comfort and support. Most often thumb sucking disappears over time, so it is not usually a cause for concern. Talk to your dentist or doctor if you have concerns about thumb sucking and its affect on your child's teeth.
	How do you go about finding a doctor for your baby? What is the difference between having a Family Physician and a Pediatrician? I have heard asking questions is a good way of getting to know the doctor, but what kinds of questions do you ask?
		Pediatricians are graduates of a four-year medical school with three additional years of residency training solely in pediatrics. Upon completion of residency training, the pediatrician is eligible to take a written examination given by the American Board of Pediatrics. If this exam is passed a certificate is issued. Questions you should ask when you meet Pediatricians: 1. What is your philosophy about child rearing? Make sure to write down the issues you're concerned with and know how you feel (e.g.: do you think children should be fed on a schedule?, what about sleeping in the same bed as parents?, philosophy on antibiotics?, opinion on vaccinations, or circumcision?) 2. How much are your hospital charges and fees for office visits? Family Practitioners may have different rates. HMO's and similar healthcare plans may have set fees. 3. Do you charge for phone calls? Most doctors do not charge, but some do. 4. Do you return every call? Does the doctor return the call, or will he/she have office personnel return the calls (personnel or nurses may have different views than the doctor). 5. What is the schedule length of your appointments? The average can be between 15 to 20 minutes. 6. If you decide to share a practice, will you be able to see the same doctor? 7. Do you have evening or Saturday hours? 8. How soon after birth will you see my baby? If you had complications during your pregnancy or delivery the baby should be examined at birth. 9. When and how often will you see my baby? Most doctors have similar recommendations for a well baby schedule. Otherwise, the examination should take place within 24 hours.
	My 6 month old is not sleeping through the night? How do I encourage her sleep?
		All babies differ in their napping needs-but the general guide for 6 month olds is 2 naps per day, about 3-4 hours in duration. Generally, the best nap times for a baby would be mid-morning and early afternoon. A nap too late in the day will negatively affect nighttime sleep. These naps should happen immediately when your baby shows signs of tiredness. If you wait too long your child becomes overtired, "wired up" and sleep deprived. Observe your baby for signs of fatigue. Once you've watched your baby carefully for a week or so, you should be able to create a nap schedule that works with their daily periods of alertness and tiredness. Once you have established a nap schedule, it is very helpful if you create a simple but specific nap routine. This routine should be different from you nighttime routine, although it can have similarities that signal sleep - for example, soft music. Follow your nap routine the say way everyday. For a relcutant napper, your routine might include some relaxing motion, or some gentle lullaby music. A nap routine doesn't have to be long and involved to be effective. Better naps mean better nighttime sleep. Once you have established a naptime routine, you can move onto the nighttime routine. In efforts to help their baby sleep better, many parents put their baby to bed later in the evening. They think "if he is 'really tired' he'll sleep better." However, this often backfires because the baby becomes overtired, and is unable to sleep at all! If you have established a routine of two naps a day then your baby's biological clock is preset for an early bedtime. If you work with that time, baby falls asleep more easily and stays asleep peacefully. Most babies are primed to go to sleep for the night as early as 6:30 to 7:00 pm. Don't fear--an early bedtime will not mean an early wake-up call. It may take a week or more of adjustment to settle into a new bedtime, but once you do, both you and baby will be happier!
	My son is 12 months old. He has slept through the night since 4 months. But he won't nap unless in a stroller or car. He took 3 naps until 10 months so I don't think the crying/fighting now is due to wanting to go down to 1 nap since the 2 nap thing is still new. He has always resisted napping. He needs to learn to nap. Why does he fight it so when the night time is the same crib, same routine?
		By 12 months of age children will require only 1-2 naps. It can take some eperimentation to find your child's best nap time so if your child is a resistant napper, allow him to nap anywhere that makes him feel comfortable, such as the stroller or car seat. The important thing to keep in mind is the signals your child is sending to you. If his behavior is not deteriorating by late afternoon he may not be ready for a nap, he may need another hour to play. If you feel that he is becoming irritable, but will not accept a nap then he may simply need some "down time." Have a snack, read a story together, or play some quiet music. You can condition your child to nap, but he may only require one nap, so set a consistent nap time. You can't force a child to nap, but you can create an environment that is conductive to sleeping.
	How often should a 4 month old nap?Also, how long should the naps be?
		Babies differ in their napping needs. Generally however, a 4 month old would take about 3-4 naps a day, or a total of 4-6 hours. It is helpful to establish a nap schedule and routine. This routine should be different than the nighttime routine, although have some similarities, like a darkened quiet room with soft soothing music. This will help your baby develop a predictable nap schedule that involves fewer naps, but each longer in duration
	My daughter is turning ten this month. She had stopped sucking her thumb every night because we put a big bandaid on her finger. But now she has been sucking her thumb most of the time, not only when she is sleeping. What can I do?
		Children suck their thumbs to help themselves relax, when they are bored, or to help fall asleep. It is easier to tackle this problem if you can help them find other ways to do the above. For example, when your child is bored, quickly involve her in an activity that requires her to use her fingers. You might give her something small and soft to roll around in her fingers when she needs to relax. Night-time thumb-sucking is the hardest to tackle, because this is how she goes to sleep. Usually however, once you have been able to stop the day-time sucking, night-time follows. You might try rubbing her back to help her relax, playing soft music, or giving her something soft to hold. Given your daughter is almost ten, I would involve her in a discussion about thumb-sucking. Talk openly about the negative effects of thumb-sucking on teeth and the social stigma. Involve her in strategies designed to eliminate thumb-sucking. You might discuss visual or verbal ques you could give to remind her to stop. Finally, come up with some rewards for abstaining from thumb-sucking. At ten it is important to involve her in understanding the problem and finding ways to eliminate the behavior. You might also ask your dentist about methods to eliminate thumb-sucking.
	My baby is 6 months old, what is the ideal feeding schedule and how much? I am still nursing.
		At six months of age, most nutrition comes from breast milk or formula. At about four to six months of age a baby is ready for some solid food. It is at this age they have enough control over their tongue and mouth muscles to handle eating from a spoon and swallow. At first expect that baby may spit food out, as she is just learning to user her mouth and tongue in new ways. At first, try solid foods for only one feeding each day. Most babies begin with cereal and then move toward vegetables, then fruit and finally meats. Give your baby only one new food at a time and wait at least two to three days before starting another. This way you can watch for any allergic reactions to food. Initially, amounts will be small, perhaps only one to two teaspoons once a day, moving to two or three feedings of solids a day. Within two or three months of starting solid foods, your baby’s diet should include the following foods given over three meals: breast milk or formula, cereal, vegetables, meats, and fruits. With respect to breast milk, continue to feed on demand. Your baby will let you know when she is hungry. Remember, most of the nutrition at this age still comes from breast milk or formula. As she eats more solids, she will drink less and stay fuller longer. At six months a baby usually nurses five to six times a day.
	At 3 months my baby was going to bed at 8pm, waking for one feeding, then sleeping until 6 or 7am. He had a cold for 2 weeks, then a week of constant family events to be at, and is now recovering from Hand Foot & Mouth disease. Now, at 4 months he doesn't want to sleep. He finally went to sleep at 11pm last night, then woke every 2 hours, sometimes eating, but taking an hour, or more, to get him back to sleep. He does not want to nap at daycare either. Any suggestions?
		The first thing that I would suggest is that you establish a consistent nap time routine. Start observing your sons sleep signals. Make sure that you put him down as soon as he shows signs of tiredness. The key here is to start a routine that is the same everyday. You want to present him with a nap time routine that says, "Oh, this is what we do before we go to sleep." Quietly walk him into his darkened room. Check his diaper to make certain that he will sleep dry and comfortable. The nap schedule for your son should be simple but specific. Read a book, try massage or sing to him. If he is reluctant, but shows signs of being tired try a relaxing motion such as rocking or swaying to some gentle lullaby music, but follow through with the schedule. Remember, your son's naps do not have to be long and involved to be effective. Simply observe him for a couple of days and you'll recognize clear signals. This will help you ensure that his naps occur the same time everyday. With regards to his waking frequently at night you must remember that babies and children under 3 have shorter cycles of light and deep sleep. Each time the infant moves from deep sleep into light sleep he enters a vulnerable period for night waking (Sears, 1995). Therefore, you can assist him in falling back to sleep by singing softly or massaging him, but try to avoid feedings throughout the night. He may begin to associate this with falling back to sleep and you don't want this to happen. Hence, this is why it is key to settle him by rubbing his back, talking or singing quietly until he falls asleep again, rather than feeding or picking him up. The goal is to help him find ways of getting himself back to sleep. As you're easing your child out of night time dependence increase your degree of day time attachment. Since this would be your son's caregiver tell him/her to increase day time attachment such as more holding, and more play time. Also remind them to observe your son's sleep signals and establish a routine at daycare. Your son's sleeping habits will not be fixed overnight, but with consistency at home and daycare you will see results.
	Does thumb sucking affect baby's appetite?
		Thumb and finger sucking is normal for young children and has a calming effect. As children grow and develop, their need to suck usually goes away. Thumb and finger sucking does not have an effect on appetite.
	My 2 year old has just recently started to suck all four of his fingers while twisting his hair with his other hand. Is he just teething with his molars or is he satisfying a different need? And what can I do to help him stop?
		Many young children suck their fingers and/or thumb. Given your son is only two years of age I would not worry about this behavior. The fact that he also twists his hair at the same time as he sucks his fingers is not of concern. Both of these behaviors are considered self-soothing and most children stop these behaviors on their own over time. It is possible that he is getting his molars, but the sucking may or may not be associated with teething. I would recommend just being patient and allow your son to sooth himself in his own way. Many times when parents attempt to change what they consider a habit, the child replaces it with another behavior.
	Does talking, singing and reading to a baby from the womb to preschool have a long term affect on the baby's intelligence?
		In the mid-1990’s researchers found that college students improved their spatial reasoning after listening to Mozart sonatas. Shortly after the study the media and further studies perpetuated the idea that listening to classical music might improve ones intelligence, and the earlier we started listening the more intelligent our children might become. This is when further studies about hearing in utero began to evolve. Some studies claim to have evidence of children over the age of 12 months showing a preference to music that was played to them three months prior to birth. If you really look into this subject more you will find that in addition to the evidence that suggests babies respond to specific pitches, tones and melodies repetitively played before birth, there is reason to believe that your baby will recognize and show preference for your voice as well. Nevertheless, the best way to promote optimal health and brain development is to take care of yourself during your pregnancy. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise and sleep while you can. Once your baby is born you will have plenty of opportunities to share music, reading and experience the joys of your baby. It is the simple pleasures that you have with your child that will promote his or her healthy brain development.
	We are about to relocate to another state. We have a 20 month old baby and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make moving easier on her or a way to help her understand what is happening?
		Transitions are difficult for young children, so keep this in mind as you prepare to move. Simple statements about a new house and a new place that are positive can help generate some understanding of the change to come. Plenty of warning time is helpful, as well as time to say goodbye to the home you are leaving. Keep in mind that your child has no concept of what moving is, even if they have moved before, they probably have no memory of it. I would encourage you to take time as things are packed up and on the moving van to visit each room and literally say goodbye with your toddler. Then, prepare for adventure. Your toddler may have feelings that surround your move, try to give language to those feelings and express empathy while he/she expresses herself. Remain as calm and as positive through the move as you can. Stress build-up and negative reactions also affect young children. Special visits with friends as the weeks count down will be important as well. Remind yourself and your family of the people you will meet and the places you will explore! It is exciting and children are resilient to change if parents take time to allow them to process through their feelings. When you arrive at your new home, set up your child’s bedroom first. Also, keep your child’s schedule and routine the same. If you are changing time zones, be empathetic to your child’s internal cues, and make the transition gradually. This will provide the structure and routine that children thrive on no matter where you are living!