Caring for a Sick Toddler

It's miserable to watch your child suffer through the six to 10 colds she's likely to catch this year. And to make matters worse, experts now say that kids under 6 shouldn't use over-the-counter cold and cough medicine because of potentially dangerous side effects. So what's a concerned parent to do? We asked experts to tell us how to help fend off germs in the first place and how to help her feel better fast if she does get sick.

The wait-and-see approach is fine for some kids' health problems. But not these.

These errors are all too easy for even the most vigilant moms to commit. How many do you recognize?

Though your child may not have much of an appetite when he's sick, try to get him to eat. These comfort foods can help.

Vomiting can signal anything from a 24-hour bug to a food allergy to appendicitis. Here's how to figure out what's making your child's stomach ache -- and how to treat it.

What you don't know about this common ailment can make your kid feel even worse. To help her fight back from stomach viruses fast, be sure to learn these six essential facts.

Looking for safe, doctor-approved cures for sore throats, coughs, stomachaches, and more? Check this out!

We often lose more sleep over our kids' coughs than they do. They sometimes snooze through all that hacking while we lay awake listening. In truth, breathing problems would be tough to miss. Use this guide to sort out worrisome signs.

Is your child sick enough for a late-night call to the pediatrician? If you're really worried about your child, it's always better to call -- pediatricians expect to be awakened in the middle of the night. In fact, doctors say that many parents don't recognize some of the most serious medical situations. Here are the top 10 symptoms pediatricians want you to call about right away.

Guidelines for the first three years of your child's life

Though your child may not have much of an appetite when he's sick, try to get him to eat. These comfort foods can help.

Giving your little one medicine doesn't have to be a complicated, frustrating experience. "If your child is sick and prescribed a medication, the most important thing is to get him to take it at the correct time and in the correct dose," says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, author of Mommy Calls. Use these proven strategies, from doctors and real parents, if the "Here comes the airplane" tactic fails to work.

With all the conflicting medical advice out there, it's hard to know what's best for your child. And everyone -- from your neighbor to your mother-in-law -- seems to have a different opinion. We looked at the latest research and checked in with leading experts to put an end to eight great debates.

The average cold can last up to 10 days -- that's a long time of not feeling well for a baby! Here's how to survive and make the little one feel better, too.

The same viruses that cause a stuffy nose can infect other areas of the body -- or reduce your child's immunity and pave the way for a secondary bacterial infection.

Kids 3 and under are especially vulnerable to ear infections, stomach bugs, and colds, but they also come down with other infections you've probably never heard of. Here, learn about the most common childhood maladies and the best treatments for them so you don't freak out when your child comes down with something this season.

It's hard to keep your cool when your kid is burning up. We asked doctors what you should (and shouldn't) do the next time it happens.

This guide to removing the snot from your baby's nose will help you through what can feel like one of the trickiest jobs of parenthood -- in four simple steps.

We've uncovered the natural remedies for kids that really work -- and the ones you should never try.

Is my child too sick for school or daycare?

... of Austin, author of Toddler 411. In fact, potty-training isn't considered delayed until a child is four...." The toddler years are the time your child is trying to foster his independence, so a strict set of guidelines...'s getting something healthy for dinner." We're all familiar with the importance of time-outs when a toddler...

You can't take chances when your child has a fever, but you shouldn't panic either. We'll explain what to look for so you can stay calm -- and help her feel better fast.

A simple plan to treat your feverish child -- with advice on when to call the doctor.

... checkup, and how do I care for his teeth? A: Most toddlers should see the dentist for the first time... be worried about long-term damage? A: All toddlers fall as they learn to walk, run, climb, and jump. Most... Brown, pediatrician and author of Toddler 411. Q: When do I bring my toddler to the dentist for a...

..., such as when you cough louder than usual or make a funny face. "Toddlers also enjoy making people laugh," says...-on-one playdate. Sometimes it feels like your toddler wakes up in the morning with a whole new set of abilities... with everyone at Starbucks. Part of me doesn't want him to grow up. Ever! I'm not the only mom who's in a full...