When your son reaches school age, he’s going to want some bathroom privacy. Up until this point, whenever Junior had to obey the mandates of nature in a public place, Mom just whisked him into the ladies room. Not anymore.

To determine whether or not your young son is ready to go into the men’s room alone, ask yourself these questions:

• Can he handle all of the necessary potty skills? He should be able to do and undo his pants and wipe himself, and he should know that he has to wash his hands when he’s done.
• Does he dawdle in the bathroom?  Do a few practice runs at home to make sure your son knows the rules - no peeking under the stalls, no playing with the hands dryer, and absolutely no talking to strangers.
• Can he handle the equipment? If possible, find a one-stall public restroom, or take him into an empty ladies room, to show him how to lock and unlock a stall door, use the toilet seat cover or some strips of toilet paper on the seat, and work the faucet, soap, and towel dispenser.

Even if he’s able to manage perfectly well on his own, you’ll want to stand guard at the door. Tell him to call out if he needs help.

After one successful trip, his confidence will soar - and yours will, too.

To read about one mother’s first public men’s room experience with her son, read Anxiety at the Ball Park.

Is your baby teething? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Perhaps your baby is drooling more than usual or waking up frequently at night. Some teething babies have runny noses, loose bowel movements, or diaper rash. The teething process takes about two years, but it’s the first few teeth that are the toughest.

If teething symptoms are making your baby miserable, consider these tips to ease the discomfort:

• Give the baby something to chomp on like a cold, damp washcloth or a chilled teething ring. Offer cool water, too.
• Massage the gums gently but firmly with the soft pad of your clean finger.
• Consider giving medication. Ask your pediatrician about pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or topical gels.
• Keep the baby’s mind off the pain - distract the baby with a walk outside or a favorite toy.
• Offer extra attention. Hugs, kisses, and snuggles from Mom always help.

To learn more about baby teeth, read How to soothe teething pain and Eight signs that your baby might be teething.

Summer foods were tailor made for kids, but so many of them are dietary no-no’s. So while your children attend ball games, cookouts, and festivals, can they still enjoy their favorite summer foods? Sure! With a few modifications, kids can get the same great tastes they’ve come to love - and maybe get a little healthier, too!

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs - Consider mixing lean ground beef with lean ground turkey for a less fattening burger. Or try grilling a frozen veggie burger. With all the fixings, it’ll have that same barbequed taste kids love. Hot dogs - infamous for high fat and sodium content - are now available in light and reduced-fat versions. You can even buy chicken and turkey dogs!  Once again, the key is to serve them hot off the grill.

Nachos - Cover nachos with healthful beans, salsa, and low-fat cheese for a serving of healthy carbs. A dollop of fat-free sour cream tops it off nicely! If your kids like nachos dipped in cheese, puree some veggies to add to the cheese - the kids will never notice.

Ice Cream - Premium ice creams are fattening, but many of today’s well-known brands now offer super-creamy light and slow-churned ice creams that have less fat and fewer calories. Other cold treats are even less fattening and adored by kids - Fudgesicles and Popsicles are long-time favorites.

Marshmallows - What’s summer without some scorched marshmallows on a stick. But marshmallows consist of little more than sugar, and nutritious they’re not. Consider skewering marshmallows with berries or other fruit. Or make some s’mores with graham crackers - a good source of whole grains.

Watermelon - Watermelon is a kid favorite AND nutritious, too. Watermelon contains a high concentration of disease-fighting antoxidants and a low concentration of natural sugar (it’s 92% water!). To encourage kids to eat other fruits too, cut them up and serve them salad-style with watermelon cubes. Or freeze them - frozen blueberries taste just like candy. Some kids get their daily serving of fruits in a smoothie - what could be more refreshing on a hot, summer day?

Jazz up your picnic with tips from Get your haute dogs!

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying … they can also make you sick. According to WebMD, mosquitos spread disease to more than 700 million people every year.

Mosquitoes love sweaty, active kids. The pests are attracted to chemicals in sweat and find a moving target easier to zero in on.

Mosquito repellent masks the chemicals that mosquitos find so inviting. One of the oldest and most effective mosquito repellents is DEET. The Center for Disease Control recommends DEET for preventing mosquito-borne diseases. DEET repels - it does not kill - the mosquitoes. Top DEET products on the market today offer an average of five hours of protection. And since mosquito repellent only works on the surface to which it’s applied directly, DEET wristbands do not work.

The Environmental Protection Agency regulates DEET and has found that DEET is very safe when used according to label directions, and it’s not classified as a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). The label directions advise that DEET be applied once a day to exposed skin and outwear, not under clothing. Under clothes, DEET can absorb into the skin and possibly cause irritation. Keep DEET away from eyes.

Young children shouldn’t be allowed to apply DEET repellent themselves, but it is safe for them to use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a statement saying that DEET - up to a concentration of 30% - is safe for children aged two months and older. The previous age limit was set at two years.

Other strategies - such as citronella candles, ultrasonic mosquito repellents, and a certain brand-name bath oil - have simply not proven effective. And mosquitos just ignore electric bug zappers.

One of the best ways to keep swarms of mosquitoes away is to get rid of standing water, where they lay their eggs. Empty birdbaths, kiddie pools, and other water collectors regularly AND scrub them to dislodge eggs that may be attached along the side.

For advice from a pediatrician, read Using DEET on babies.

New research indicates that more and more families are using bassinets for their newborns. What research doesn’t show, however, is whether or not bassinets are safe for babies.

Oftentimes, bassinets are passed down as family heirlooms. It’s imperative that bassinets - epecially a hand-me-down one - be inspected carefully for potential hazards.

There are no federal government safety standards for bassinets, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers guidelines for bassinet construction. Here’s what the CPSC advises:

• Keep the bassinet in top shape - make sure it works well and has no broken slats.
• Make sure the bassinet has a sturdy bottom with a wide base to prevent tipping.
• Ensure that the bassinet has smooth surfaces - be on the lookout for sharp wicker or materials that could scratch or puncture baby’s skin.
• Remove any hardware that might be sticking out of the bassinet.
• Use a mattress that is firm and fits snugly.
• Do not put anything near the bassinet that could potentially lead to suffocation, such as a mobile or plastic sheeting.

Babies grow quickly, and their time in the bassinet is short - usually no more than a few months. Just be certain that sleeping safety is a top priority during those tender weeks.

Most children can stay dry through the night by age 5. Bedwetting by definition is when a child age 5 or older wets the bed at least 1 or 2 times a week over at least 3 months. Wetting the bed is upsetting and embarrassing, especially for an older child. Parents can help by being loving and supportive. Try not to get upset or punish your child for the “accidents.”

You can help your child understand that this won’t be a problem forever, and there are other ways to help, too:

• Give your child most of his daily fluids in the morning and afternoon.
• Limit caffeine - it’s in chocolate and cola - especially at night.
• Have your child visit the bathroom to use the toilet right before going to bed.
• Involve your child in the problem solving. Ask her what she thinks may help.
• If your child is comfortable wearing them, offer disposable nighttime underpants.
• Praise your child for accident-free nights.

For more on bedwetting in older children, read How to help your school age child cope with bedwetting.

It’s not hard to instill healthy eating habits in your children. With these helpful tips, you can help your child become a responsible eater.

• Keep healthful snacks on hand. When kids are hungry, they reach for the quickest snack possible. Sometimes what’s fast isn’t all that nutritious. Instead of keeping chips in the pantry, stock some whole grain crackers. Skip the dip and keep yogurt in the fridge. It’s only easy to grab something nutritious if it’s there.
• Give kids some control over what they eat. But instead of asking them what they want carte blanche, offer healthful choices and let them choose. Kids will become comfortable with taking responsibility of their food choices, and when they’re away from home or with friends, they’ll have experience in making good decisions.
• Be a little bit flexible. An occasional junk food treat helps prevent kids from feeling deprived. Limit where such snacks can be eaten - not in front of the TV, for example, and don’t offer them every time your child is hungry.
• Control portions. Children don’t need as much food as adults, so watch serving sizes. Putting too much food on a child’s plate will result in one of two things - overeating, or wasted food. A good rule-of-thumb for kids under 10 is the one tablespoon for every year of the child’s age, so a two-year-old would get two tablespoons each of whatever is served.
• Set a good example. Eat together as a family so your children can observe and imitate your good behavior. And correct your own bad habits - kids will observe and imitate those, too.

To learn more about kids and healthy eating, read Fit Kids Eat Healthy

We sometimes take for granted our five senses. Sometimes we’re overstimulated, at other times desensitized. Imagine, if you can, your newborn’s senses. How overwhelming it must be to emerge from the quiet, dark, coziness of the womb into this big, bright, noisy world! While a baby’s senses aren’t fully developed at birth, they are functioning.

• The sense of sight: A newborn baby can see best at close range. She can focus on Mom’s face when it’s just a ruler’s-length away; beyond that distance she may have trouble focusing. Babies like looking at human faces, as well as bright colors and things in motion. Contrasting colors are appealing at this early age, so black and white toys and pictures will keep her entertained longer than pastel-colored objects. Move baby’s location and bassinet toys frequently to give her new and interesting things to practice looking at.
• The sense of hearing. We know that baby could hear us when he was in the womb - Mom’s heartbeat, Dad’s voice. Imagine the clarity of sound he’ll experience in the outside world. He may be startled by loud, sudden noises and soothed by “quiet noise” like that from a fan. Baby will respond to the sounds of familiar voices. He may not make eye contact, but he’ll likely demonstrate some reaction - even if it’s just to stop crying - to hear a voice he likes.
• The sense of taste. Even tiny babies love sweets. Research shows that a baby will readily accept sweetened water but will turn away or become upset if given something unpleasant to taste. At this early stage, your baby is happily feasting on breastmilk or formula, so there’s no need to challenge her palate yet.
• The sense of smell. Since babies can taste, they likely can smell. She’ll know her mom’s scent and may respond to other senses as well. Soon she’ll recognize the familiar smells of her little world and will continually be amazed at the new smells she encounters daily.
• The sense of touch. Your baby was perfectly content in Mom’s tummy before he was forced out into the cold. The warm, enveloping fluid of the womb is replaced by soggy diapers and Daddy’s whiskers. Nothing will comfort your newborn more than touch. Hugs, kisses, massages, and even soft blankets will help him feel safe and soothed in this cold, scratchy world.

If you have concerns about your baby’s senses, talk to the doctor. Simple testing can determine whether or not your newborn’s senses are functioning properly. To learn about baby’s five senses beyond the first few months, read Help your baby learn: ages 3-6 months.

It’s such a joy to watch children having fun in the sun. They play, swing, ride bikes, and run around to their heart’s content. But while kids can be carefree, parents must still be diligent about safety. Here are five top summer safety concerns:

• Heat exposure. Children who are in the hot sun for too long may develop heat exhaustion and dehydration. Keep little ones indoors during the dog days of summer, and give them plenty of fluids. Watch for dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, nausea, and vomiting.
• Food poisoning. Everything tastes better when you eat it outdoors.  Food that has been left out in the heat, however, could become contaminated with bacteria. Always pack food in an insulated cooler with ice. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
• Fireworks: Fabulous, but dangerous, fireworks should be a spectator sport only. Shooting fireworks can cause blindness or loss of fingers. Even “innocent” sparklers can burn skin or clothing. Visit a public fireworks display instead, and leave the danger to the professionals.
• Wheels: Whether using a bike, scooter, or skateboard, make sure your children protect themselves. No matter what they’re riding, children must wear a properly-fitting helmet. Wrist protectors, elbow pads, and knee pads are also recommended - the pavement is unforgiving to skin and bones.
• Lawn mowers: Parents can mow grass while keeping an eye on their kids playing the yard, right? Wrong. Kids and mowers shouldn’t be running in the yard at the same time. Children can be struck or run over by a riding lawn mower, and every mower projects dangerous flying debris. The safest way to mow the lawn is to make sure the children are not in it.

Let your kids enjoy the summer sun, but keep them safe. For more summer safety tips, read Keep it safe outdoors and Summer safety.

Are you planning to use a pacifier for your baby? Babies instinctively want to suckle and often use sucking to self-soothe. The American Academy of Pediatrics approves of pacifier use during the baby’s first year and offers the following dos and don’ts:

• Don’t offer a pacifier until a nursing routine is well established – around one month old.
• Do let your baby set the pace – don’t force the baby to use a pacifier if he or she doesn’t seem interested.
• Do use a one-piece pacifier. Two-piece pacifiers pose a choking hazard if they break.
• Do keep it clean. Wash the pacifier before its first use, and soak daily in equal parts white vinegar and water.
• Don’t “clean” the pacifier with your own mouth. Doing so just adds germs to the dirt.
• Do keep extras. After the baby finds a favorite pacifier, stock up on it.
• Do replace the pacifier when it shows signs of deterioration.
• Don’t use pacifier clips with long strings or straps that could get caught around the baby’s neck.
• Do try other methods to calm the baby – holding, rocking, feeding – before resorting to the pacifier.
• Don’t let the baby use the pacifier indefinitely; start weaning before age 2.

While many babies stop using a pacifier on their own, some need a little help and encouragement. Read How to get rid of the old pacifier for tips on helping your toddler give up the binky.