With a new baby, a pacifier can work wonders — quieting tears and inducing calm almost instantaneously. But now that your little one is walking and talking, you may start to wonder whether it's time to ditch the binky. Get up to speed on the age-appropriate benefits of pacifiers, when to start pacifier weaning and how to make this toddler transition go as smoothly as possible. | What to Expect
You know the signs all too well: the cranky mood, the cold symptoms (runny nose and low-grade fever), the tugging on the ear, the loss of appetite and the difficulty sleeping. Yup, now that your child is a toddler, you've probably seen an ear infection or two (at least), and you can spot one from a mile away. | What to Expect
If your toddler has experienced ear tugging, a low-grade fever and crankiness for days, you know that few things are worse at this age than an ear infection. But when these painful episodes become more frequent or even chronic, it’s time to speak with the doctor about treatment such as ear tube surgery. | What to Expect
The shots on your child's vaccine schedule all play an important role in protecting your little one from preventable illnesses. One of them — pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) — targets a common and sometimes serious type of bacterial infection. | What to Expect
If you're worried that your baby might suddenly stop breathing during the night, know that the chances of a child succumbing to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) — which is defined as the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant — are very, very small.| What to Expect
Yesterday your baby was nursing peacefully. Today he's rejecting the breast. What should you do?| What to Expect
Your child has a fever, swollen glands and glazed eyes. You rush him to the pediatrician, eager for medication that will help him feel better. Whether or not your doctor prescribes antibiotics will depend on the bug that’s making your little one sick.| What to Expect
A runny nose or mild cough probably doesn't worry you much — as a parent, minor cold symptoms can be common. But a sick baby or toddler with a fever will probably kick your concern up by at least a few notches.| What to Expect
Your baby's stuffy or runny nose is definitely not fun, but it's rarely a sign of anything serious. While it’s tricky to prevent or stop those sniffles — which can make your little one fussy and sleepless — there are things you can do to help alleviate her discomfort. And knowing what’s causing her runny or stuffy nose can make it easier to treat.| What to Expect
