Ask a Pediatrician
Dealing with an unforeseen mom challenge and need answers asap? Step away from Google! We teamed up with board certified pediatrician Dr. Stephanie Dekom for our brand new series, “Ask a Pediatrician.” Each week, she’ll answer your most pressing parenting concerns, no matter how outlandish or neurotic. Believe us, she’s seen it all! Got a question? Submit through the comments below!
How do I know if my child is ready to start potty training? What are the signs I should watch for?
Potty training can be tricky. Here are a few signs that your little one is ready to join the diaper-free world. First things first, he/she needs to be able to walk to the bathroom and pull down his/her pants. It may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often moms fail to consider this key point. If your child gives you any clues that he or she is about to go, things like hiding when they poop or pee, or even verbal cues, this is another signal they are capable of this transition. Another sign that your toddler may be ready is waking up dry from naps or if you notice you are just changing fewer diapers each day (this signifies that the bladder capacity is growing and your child is capable of holding their urine for a period of time). Lastly, if your child is showing any interest in mimicking your potty behaviors or an older siblings, this is another indication they are interested and capable of making this transition. My parents decided my older sister was ready when they discovered she was changing her own diapers. Every child is a little different. Of note, girls are easier to potty train than boys. Patience and persistence is key.
At what age should my baby start sleeping through the night? What are some tips to help?
The age at which your child will start sleeping through the night varies from infant to infant. I will say that developmentally almost all children are capable of sleeping through the night by 6 months of age. Teaching a child to learn to go to sleep on their own and sleep through the night is one of the very first things you, as a parent, need to teach your child. There are many methods of sleep training, the truth is all of the methods only work if the child’s caretakers are both onboard with the idea of sleep training and are consistent in their approach. One suggestion that will make this transition easier is to try to always put baby to bed sleepy, but not fully asleep right from the very beginning. This will get your tiny one into the habit of learning to self soothe, which is the very first step towards getting them to sleep through the night.
My toddler is about to start daycare and I’m worried about germs. Any advice you can offer to help keep him healthy?
Sending your tiny one to daycare can be stressful, even without considering all the germs he or she will be exposed to. The truth is, germs are everywhere, and the even harder truth is that it is impossible to shield your child from all the potential viruses and bacteria he or she will face. The good news is, is that their immune systems are capable of fighting off the bugs. The even better news is that the more viruses and bacteria they fight off, the strong their immune system will be long term. So don’t stress. I think good handwashing is the simplest and most effective measure we can use to help reduce the risk of infection. Send your child to daycare with a bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer for the teachers to use frequently. You will not only be helping your little one, but you will also be helping the caretakers to stop the spread of germs.
Dr. Stephanie Dekom is a board-certified pediatrician located in Los Angeles, California. After completing her B.S. degree at Staten Island’s Wagner Collage where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008 with a major in Arts Administration and double minors in both chemistry and biology. She received her M.D. in 2013 from The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, she took a year-long leave of absence to compete in the Miss America Pageant as Miss District of Columbia. During her year of service, she made over 100 personal appearances to promote a platform of preventive healthcare. In 2016, she completed a residency in general pediatrics at the University of California Los Angeles. Currently, Dr. Dekom is subspecializing in neonatology, the practice of caring for premature and critically ill infants. She has been involved in research studies evaluating neonatal hemodynamics, studying the microbiome of newborns, and various intensive care unit based quality improvement projects. She has presented her work at multiple national conferences. For more tips and advice, follow Dr. Dekom on Instagram.
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