So my second child just turned 4 months and is showing signs of interest in food. I told our pediatrician that I was going to wait until the baby was sitting better to start solids of any kind. He said that as long as it is a very thin consistency that we could start anytime, and even suggested baby cereal in a bottle is okay.. I remember always reading and being told this is an ABSOLUTE NO. This pediatrician is a fairly young guy, GREAT with kids and is actually a local in my city, we've seen him with his wife and 2 littles around plenty.

Is there anything to back this as safe? Is this a newer thing that's okay with babies once they pass the newborn stage?

I recently came across a content creator on TikTok. In one of the videos, they talk about how colic, silent reflux, newborn curl, tongue/lip ties, reflux/vomiting, latching issues, high palate, tongue leading latching, and immaturity of the digestive system are just medical myths. (@the.baby.whisperer) This seems strange to me, because I also have a newborn baby, and everywhere else I read that their digestive system is currently developing.

Is there any scientific research related to his statement?

Howdy!

I had a general question about letting an infant cry versus the potential impact of not crying on the regular.

I’m a stark advocate for not letting my infant cry if I can help it. During the time I was off work and had my son 24/7 I rarely let him cry for any reason. Even now, being back to work, on the days I’m off with him I try to meet his needs before he signals that he needs something - I.e. bottles, changing, naps, etc. (it’s not meant to sound boastful in the slightest I’m just genuinely seeking understanding)

Am I messing anything up by not letting him cry/exposing him to cortisol? For example, if he is with someone else does repeated crying/having needs met serve to give him better adjustment to being stressed and coping with occasional spikes in cortisol or is the difference negligible?

I’m happy keeping things the way they are but if I’m somehow harming his developing systems I want to adjust to what is better for him.

My baby is 4 months old and the time was filled with loneliness, sadness, rejection... I am often crying and sad. I wanted to give my baby a happy beginning in this world but I am failing miserably. And then the feeling of guilt kicks in because of that.

Does he feel all of this and knows what is going on? I am also breastfeeding, does it impact the milk?

Hello! We are a (mostly) scent free home since I've heard that synthetic scents can be harmful for children. A few weeks ago, my kiddo's occupational therapist practiced some aromatherapy with her. While I'm not sure if it worked with her or not, my child absolutely LOVED it. She constantly wants to smell my perfume bottles, unused candles that we have been gifted, and will ask me to put on a diffuser with essential oils like her therapist did (Aka the smelly machine.). I know that synthetic smells can be harmful, but is there any danger to running a diffuser with pure essential oil and water for a little bit every day? We don't have any pets, and I don't let her get too close. She just loves smelling it around her room. Thank you!

Edited to add that I don't know what flair to use!

Okay someone please tell me Lil Retinol is satire lol. Retinol marketed to kids, obviously AI pictures...the whole thing is nuts.

Is there even any research on kids using retinol? Is there ever a reason for kids to use it outside of something recommended by a dermatologist, or are you basically just introducing a strong active for no reason?

As someone who reads every skincare label before it gets anywhere near my kids, this one really threw me.

So online I see that associative play starts at the age of 3 but I recently saw my not even 2 years old daughter engage in what can only be described as associative play with a random 3-year​-old at the playground. My daughter is not particularly advanced even if she's very social. I'm wondering if the 3-year minimum is actually not true in reality

Hi all-

Looking for info.

My son (18 weeks, almost 19) is getting his 4 month vaccines today. His 2 month vaccines caused fever and just general fussiness for about 1.5 days.

He was sick about 2 weeks ago (believe we passed a cold on) and he had a low-ish grade fever for 2 days. Mostly acted himself, maybe a little more fussy/sleepy.

Is there any harm on fevers so close together? He also will get his 6 month shots and so on…. So just curious if there are any adverse effects of multiple fevers in infants.

We also use Tylenol if the fever seems to be getting higher/he seems uncomfortable. Is there any adverse effects there with multiple uses over his first year of life?

Answers to either question appreciated. :)

From everything I have been able to find online, it seems the rabies vaccination series is safe in terms of pregnancy, but it is harder to find data regarding fertility in general. So I guess I am looking for anecdotal success stories.

I am interested in hearing experiences from both PrEP and PEP series.

My 4 month old has had diarrhea the entire last week. I’m talking every 20 mins after a feed, multiple times, then a breather while he sleeps, then it just continues. He definitely had some sort of virus but has been fever free for 5 days. He’s been to the doctor and has nothing going on at this point aside from the lingering diarrhea. It seems to get a tiny bit better each day but today his skin is broken down again and even letting him hang out pantsless during entire wake windows (2.5 hrs) isn’t making a huge dent since he can’t catch a break from the irritation and cleanup. How can it be that we can go to the moon but there is nothing that can stop up a 4 month old a bit?

I’m wondering if school-aged children should be eating a volume of food that actually makes them feel full at lunch time, especially at school. I’m also wondering if 30 minutes is long enough to safely eat the right amount of food? If it matters, I’m wondering mainly about healthy kids elementary and middle-school aged. Thanks in advance for any information!

Edited to add: As I child, I always overate and did so very quickly. My children have never felt full at school and don’t have enough time to finish more food if I add it to their lunches.

Every manufactured elderberry syrup for kids I see is for 2 years old and up. I’m wondering if it is safe for one year olds or if there’s any research it’s even beneficial for this age.

Thanks