DEAR DOCTOR K: My first-grader was just diagnosed with dyslexia. Can you tell me more about it? Will my daughter outgrow it, or will she always struggle with it?
DEAR READER: Dyslexia is a learning disability caused by a problem in the way the brain processes information. But we are only beginning to understand what the problem is.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Today at the playground my toddler bit another child. How can I make sure she doesn't do this again?
DEAR READER: Lots of toddlers between 1 and 3 years go through biting and/or hitting stages. Children at these ages cannot yet express in words their feelings, so they may bite or hit parents, children or caregivers to get attention or to express frustration. These young children also may bite just to see what kind of reaction it provokes.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My infant has already had three tear duct infections. What's causing them, and how can I prevent another one?
DEAR READER: At the inner corner of each eye is a tiny little sac where tears are made. Some of the fluid bathes the eye. The rest of the tears travel through the tear duct, which empties in the nose. That's why, when you cry and make a lot of tears, you also get a stuffy nose and have to blow your nose to clear it out.
DEAR DOCTOR K: What are the benefits of breast-feeding? And if I do decide to breast-feed, how will I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
DEAR READER: Breast milk provides all the calories and nutrients that a baby needs for the first six months of life. It also helps protect babies from illnesses such as ear infections, lung infections, vomiting and diarrhea. That's because for the first months of life, a baby's immune system is not fully developed. Breast milk contains antibodies that the mother has made, plus several other infection-fighting substances and cells.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Two of my child's friends have hurt themselves playing on the playground recently. What can I do to keep my child safe?
DEAR READER: Kids get exercise, burn off energy and develop their motor skills by running, jumping and climbing on swing sets, monkey bars and other playground equipment. But each year more than 200,000 children in the United States visit emergency rooms for playground injuries. The most common are broken bones, bruises, scrapes and deeper cuts. More serious injuries also occur.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm expecting my first baby. Can you tell me how to care for the umbilical cord stump? How long will it remain?
DEAR READER: Why does every baby have an umbilical cord in the first place? Just as with every cell in your body, every cell in your baby's body requires a constant supply of energy and sustenance, and disposes of its waste material, through the circulation of the blood. However, during the time your baby is a fetus in the womb, your baby isn't eating or breathing. The energy comes from the food you eat and the oxygen in the air you breathe.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My 19-year-old son is always angry. Is this a normal developmental stage, or should I be concerned?
DEAR READER: The late teenage years are tough. Childhood is over. The protection offered by home and parents will soon end. Teens know that they will have to make it on their own in the world. Becoming a part of the society of teens around them is very important. Plus there are big challenges ahead: starting college, entering the work force, living away from home for the first time. So it's not at all uncommon for teens to be moody, and that includes periodic outbursts of anger that they didn't have when they were younger.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My husband and I work full time, and we have a daughter in middle school. Is it safe for her to be alone after school until we get home from work?
DEAR READER: By middle school, your child may be resisting the idea of a baby sitter or after-school program, yet you may not feel comfortable leaving her home by herself. By middle school some children can stay home alone safely for up to a few hours. Every child matures at a different rate, so it's not just age that matters in making your decision.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My toddler has frequent temper tantrums, and it's impossible to calm him down once he gets going. I'd rather learn ways to head off his tantrums in the first place.
DEAR READER: Though it may be hard to believe, tantrums can actually serve a purpose. My pediatrician colleagues here at Harvard Medical School tell me that tantrums are your child's way of letting you know that you're not meeting his basic needs for sleep, food, reassurance, independence, calm and safety. Provide these things, and he's less likely to fall on the floor wailing.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My 8-year-old has trouble falling asleep. Can you give me some practical suggestions that may help?
DEAR READER: The pediatricians here at Harvard Medical School who specialize in sleep problems have given me this advice: To help your child (or anyone of any age, for that matter) fall asleep, you must remove the obstacles that may impede or disrupt his sleep. By doing so, you'll make it much easier for your child to settle down and drift off into a restful slumber.
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. Learn more »
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. Learn more »
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