re: Dr. Vicki Papadeas

A recent newsletter from The Nest Baby quoted you as saying:

"It's never too early to teach healthy eating habits, even to babies under six months. While very very few babies are truly obese, by this age many have already learned to 'snack'. It's not how much but how often (aim for six to eight feedings per day -- never go about ten) and what you feed your baby that tends to lead to bad habits."

I find this to be dangerous advice for breastfeeding mothers.  Breastfed babies, especially those younger than 6 months old, should be fed on demand, without concern for how many times the baby has nursed that day.  Breastfed babies cannot overeat (unless they have a medical problem) and they have the ability to control how much they eat - sometimes they need a drink, sometimes a meal, and sometimes comfort.  When a baby is going through a growth spurt (of which there are several in the first 6 mo.), s/he may need to eat more often to get the necessary calories.   Mothers should NOT be worried about creating bad habits through breastfeeding - it's not possible.  Those lessons and habits are learned later.

Posted by JenML    Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:04 PM

Ask the Expert format change (or, Where'd my comment go?)

No, your questions have not all disappeared! We've simply changed our Ask the Expert format. You can now e-mail all questions to experts@thenestbaby.com. And don't worry, we've saved all questions that were previously posted as comments. (Please see the above disclaimer about Dr. Papadeas' ability to respond.)

Posted by Nest Paula    Friday, September 21, 2007 4:37 PM

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT

My daughter is nearing 9 months old now and is still waking up at night and won't go back to sleep without a drink.  She's obviously not really hungry, she drinks about an ounce and then goes back to sleep.  

Do you have any recommendations on kicking the habit?  

Posted by AshleyGarcia    Thursday, September 27, 2007 8:14 AM

re: Dr. Vicki Papadeas

My daughter was diagnosed with Eczema at 6 weeks; she is now 2 months and 1 week.  Right now I am using Mustela Stelatopia moisturizing cream and body wash.  I told my pediatrition about this, and she said she never heaerd of it, but recommended using Dove Soap and Eucerin cream.  Is Mustela safe to use?  It really has helped her skin I think.

Posted by lucky80    Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:25 PM

re: Dr. Vicki Papadeas

I have a 10.5 mos. old boy and am expecting again. Not sure if its a girl/boy yet. Will find out in Feb. I heard that a boy & girl cant sleep in the same room after a certain age b/c of developmental issues. I heard that age was 4 yrs. old. Is this true or false & where can I find more info on it?

Posted by mamakoki    Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:25 PM

re: Dr. Vicki Papadeas

DR. Papadeas,

I am concerned about my 8 month and his erratic sleep pattern. I have tried every method to get him to sleep through the night. He has no problem napping or going to sleep initally at bedtime, but he wakes every 2-3 hours at night and can not get himself back to sleep. I have tried letting him "cry it out" as recommended by my pediatrician but after 2 months of trying this it has resulting in nothing. He cries for hours on end and when i go in the check on him he screams even harder. I am at a loss when trying to think of what I should do. I have not had more than 2 hours of sleep at stretch myself in 8 months and feel alone in my dilemia. What do you recommend I do?

Rebecca Thomas

rthomasdtr@yahoo.com

Posted by RHThomas    Friday, February 15, 2008 5:51 PM