Ask The Doctor http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/ en copyright 08 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:00:24 -1000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification My baby is 22 months now and is still breastfeeding Dear Dr. Markel,
My baby is 22 months now and is still breastfeeding. I thought he would stop on his own but he refuses to stop and doesn't really like milk and worst with soy. He also still feeds at night. He sleeps in our bed so when he wakes he wants to feed. I've tried not giving it to him but he cries and cries and I'm already sleep-deprived to I give up. Any advice?

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/04/my-baby-is-22-months-now-and-i http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/04/my-baby-is-22-months-now-and-i Nursing Sleep Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:00:24 -1000 My 16-month-old son is still not sleeping through the night My 16-month-old son is still not sleeping through the night.  I've established a bedtime routine, which we follow each night even  if it's off by a minute or two, and it's helped with bedtime, but not with his sleeping. He gets up 2-6 times each night, and while he doesn't night-nurse anymore, he still wants to be held and/or
rocked.  And if that doesn't work, he wants to sleep with me. He's such a restless sleeper that I don't get any more sleep than I do when he sleeps in his crib.

I feel like I'm losing my mind because I'm so sleep-deprived, but nothing has worked. I'm dead set against the Let-them-cry method, not only because we have a common wall with our neighbors, but because that's just not the kind of parent I aspire to be. On the flip side, I'M EXHAUSTED and don't know what else to do, especially since he consistently naps for a couple hours each day.

I even tried a homeopath when my son was around 9 months old, but his remedies didn't make a difference.

Is there a such thing as a pediatric sleep specialist? Would we benefit from seeking and consulting one? I live in the San Francisco area and am open to new ideas. ]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/03/my-16monthold-son-is-still-not http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/03/my-16monthold-son-is-still-not Sleep Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:32:11 -1000 Pros and Cons of Vitamin K A reader has asked about the necessity of the Vitamin K injection. The practice of administering Vitamin K injection to the newborn in the delivery room was instituted in hospitals during the era of routine mother-infant separation. Although controversial in other countries, injection of the newborn with Vitamin K right after birth is almost universal in the United States. The rationale for this is that newborns are born with a "deficiency" of Vitamin K, which they also do not receive in breast milk. This leads to a decrease in Vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation factors, making newborns more susceptible to hemorrhage in the first several days of life until Vitamin K is manufactured in their systems.

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/02/pros-and-cons-of-vitamin-k http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/02/pros-and-cons-of-vitamin-k Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:43:07 -1000 How can I get my daughter to latch on to my breast? Dear Dr. Markel,
How can I get my daughter to latch on to my breast? She is three weeks old and we have been using a breast shield, and sns to feed her. We have started giving her bottles when I can't take it anymore. She is really fussy when she eats even with the shield. Any advice?

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/02/how-can-i-get-my-daughter-to-l http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2008/02/how-can-i-get-my-daughter-to-l Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:29:48 -1000 How long should a baby be in a baby carrier? Just wondering if there's a recommended time limit to carrying a sleeping baby?  Is it ok for their back/spine, development, and breathing etc.,  for them to be in a carrier for hours asleep (or awake)?

Thanks for the help!
Li Ling ]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/how-long-should-a-baby-be-in-a http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/how-long-should-a-baby-be-in-a Attachment Parenting Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:05:22 -1000 Letting down during breastfeeding Dear Dr. Markel,
I am really struggling with breastfeeding my daughter. She is 6 months old and I am still pretty much exclusively breastfeeding her. Every time I feed her I have trouble letting down. Sometimes I can't let down at all which leaves both of us frustrated. I breastfed my son for 14 months and never had a problem. I think the more it continues to happen the more anxiety I retain about feeding her. I am not sure how to get back into a good rhythm with my feedings.I have spoken with women from the La Leache League but none of their suggestions have helped me to get back to an easy going breastfeeding relationship with my daughter. I will take any suggestions you have and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Kristin

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/letting-down-during-breastfeed http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/letting-down-during-breastfeed Nursing Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:03:34 -1000 Sleeping location alternatives Our 2-month old baby boy sleeps wonderfully in the ERGO for naps, and for that we are grateful! He also sleeps well at night all swaddled in the co-sleeper next to our bed (or sometimes in our bed). However, if we try to put him down for a nap during the day in the co-sleeper, his crib (which we haven't really transitioned him to yet) in his room or in our bed, he won't have it. It happens on rare occasions, but usually involves an hour or more of soothing before he'll nap there. How do we get him to nap in these other places when we can't carry him all day?
-Ali
]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/sleeping-location-alternatives http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/sleeping-location-alternatives Sleep Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:44:54 -1000 Pregnancy and the ERGO Dear Dr. Markel,I was wondering if it is safe to wear the carrier while pregnant? I understand that I need to wear it lower on the hips, but can it cause any problems with pregnancy?]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/pregnancy-and-the-ergo http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/11/pregnancy-and-the-ergo pregnancy and siblings Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:35:15 -1000 Best way to transport our baby? Dear Dr. Markel,
We are getting ready to welcome our first baby and looking into gear. We are wondering which is better for an infant when we are out for a long time: being a car seat attached to a stroller base or having a bassinet on a stroller. We live in the city and could easily spend 5-6 hours out running errands or just walking around and we want to make sure our baby is not going to be uncomfortable or her development compromised.

Thanks!
Silvia

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/best-way-to-transport-our-baby http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/best-way-to-transport-our-baby Attachment Parenting Continuum Concept Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:17:20 -1000 Adoption Adjustment Period Dear Dr. Markel,

We adopted a wonderful 9 month baby girl from China in June and our adjustment period was very stressful. After a couple of months she was able to sleep through the night in her crib. For some reason there was a setback that started a few weeks ago. She now refuses to go to bed (both for a nap and at night)and she wakes up several times in the middle of the night crying. She did have an ear infection which was immediately treated but this behavior has not changed. As a result, she is cranky and whiny during the day. I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you,
Sue
San Diego

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/adoption-adjustment-period http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/adoption-adjustment-period Attachment Parenting Sleep Adoption Sleep Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:35:53 -1000 Too late to start the continuum concept? Dear Dr. Markel,

I have only just discovered the continuum concept and I already have a 2 year old (2 today in fact!) and a 6 month old. I have been parenting in a very different way - very much routine based and the children sleep in their own cots in separate rooms and have done so from about 4 months old. Is it too late to change how I am doing things? Where do I start! Will my children respond well as they have been so used to sleeping by themselves and having their meals at certain times etc. My other concern is how will I meet both their needs if i am letting them lead me?

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/too-late-to-start-the-continuu http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/too-late-to-start-the-continuu Continuum Concept continuum Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:26:50 -1000 Chicken Pox and Vaccinations Dear Dr. Markel,

I had my two children who are 4 yrs and 2 yrs old vaccinated for chicken pox. I've been researching the vaccination more now and I believe I made a big mistake. This shot is only 70-85% effective on minor cases. I have a friend who had her children vaccinated and they have gotten chicken pox 2-3 times(minor cases).This shot sounds like it helps you get minor cases of chicken pox many times in your life. I had chicken pox when I was tiny and now I should be immune for life. I don't believe this is the case for my children. There is a booster now required before kindergarten, should I have my children get the booster? Will this prolong there exposure until they are older when it is more dangerous to get chicken pox?

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/chicken-pox-and-vaccinations http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/chicken-pox-and-vaccinations Immunizations chicken_pox vaccinations Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:16:36 -1000 Easing The Teething Blues Dear Dr. Markel,

Hi my baby girl is 5 months old and going through rough teething moments. She is working hard to cut the bottom two front teeth. But she is so uncomfortable.

She sleeps right beside us at night and wakes every few hours. I end up holding her until she falls in a deep sleep and then I put her to sleep in her crib beside our bed. We give her hylands teething tablets and gripe water and I have started drinking chamomille tea. She really doesn't seem to like teethers. What do you recommend to ease there pain? What are the best options for teething. I breast feed still and so I know frozen food to suck on is not the answer at the moment. Please suggest the best natural remedies for me to use to alleviate her pain and to give to her.

Thanks!

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/easing-the-teathing-blues http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/10/easing-the-teathing-blues Teething teething Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:06:10 -1000 Transitioning a baby from Co-Sleeping to their own room Dear Dr. Markel,
I love being a mother, even when I was sick during my pregnancy.  We were in and out of the hospital at least once per month for the whole nine months. I love that she sleeps close to me in her bassinet,  but she will be six month old on September 10th. She wakes from her sleep a couple times in the middle of the night and I feed her. Then I put her back in the bed until at least 5 am. The problem is that we would like to have her start sleeping in  her crib in her room.  I don't want to go backwards were she is sleeping in our bed every night.  How do you suggest we move forward with this transition, so it is smooth for me and her.Thank you and look forward to her from you.

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/09/transitioning-a-baby-from-cosl http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/09/transitioning-a-baby-from-cosl Attachment Parenting Continuum Concept Sleep Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:29:00 -1000 Baby's First Food Dear Dr. Markel,
My baby is 6 months old and showing signs that she is ready for solid food. I have heard that starting your baby on grains - like rice cereal - can increase their chances of getting food allergies and diabetes later in life. Is this true? What food do you suggest we start our baby on? Someone else suggested egg yolks and avocados, however, I've also heard no avocados until month 7 or 8? Yikes, there is so much conflicting evidence out there!

]]> http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/09/babys-first-food http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ask-the-doctor/2007/09/babys-first-food Baby Food Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:10:32 -1000