Thank you for your question. A pediatrician is a physician who is primarily concerned with the health, welfare and development of children. In order to become a pediatrician, training includes four years of undergraduate course work, four years of medical school education, plus an additional year or years (usually at least three) of intensive training devoted solely to all aspects of medical care for children, adolescents, and young adults. The American Medical Association provides additional information on requirements for becoming a physician, www.ama-assn.org. 

Choosing healthcare and insurance for a toddler depends on a number of factors. You should ask questions so you can make an informed decision. Questions to consider include but are not limited to the following: 

1. Are there physicians on the plan that can care for my child? 
2. Is the physician office location convenient? 
3. What hospitals are covered on the plan? 
4. Cost? 
5. Are well child visits and immunizations covered on the plan? 
6. How are prescriptions handled? 
7. How are after hours questions/problems handled? 

Thank you for your question. When deciding on a career in pediatrics, it is important to identify your interest and decide if you are interested in caring for children. A pediatrician is a physician who is primarily concerned with the health, welfare and development of children. You will work not only with children but also with parents, caregivers and others in the community. I would encourage you to shadow others who work with children to determine your interest and desire for working with this population. Working with children can be very rewarding. 

Sincerely, Dr. Seema Csukas

Thank you for your question. A pediatrician is a physician who is primarily concerned with the health, welfare and development of children. In order to become a pediatrician, training includes four years of undergraduate course work, four years of medical school education and three years of training devoted solely to all aspects of medical care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Additional years may be required for specialized training in a specific focus area of child health. The American Medical Association provides additional information on requirements for becoming a physician, www.ama-assn.org. 

Sincerely, Dr. Seema Csukas

Thank you for your questions. Prenatal care is extremely important during pregnancy. An obstetrician is a physician that specializes in pregnancy and child birth. If you do not have an obstetrician, you can go to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) web site to help you locate a physician in your area, www.acog.org. During your appointment, this would be a good time to talk with your physician about your diet. A healthy diet is extremely important before, during and after pregnancy. Your body needs a regular supply of nutrients to grow, replace worn-out tissue, and provide energy. To be sure that your diet gives you enough nutrients, you need to know which ones are in the foods you eat. The US Department of Agriculture’s food-planning guide called MyPlate, www.choosemyplate.gov can help you make healthy food choices. Your physician will be able to provide more specific recommendations.

Thrush is a yeast infection causing mouth infections in young infants. The signs and symptoms of thrush are white patches on the inside of cheeks and on gums and tongue. The children would need to be seen by their pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis and provide the appropriate treatment.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the yeast that causes thrush is widespread in the environment and normally lives on the skin, and is found in the mouth and stool. It can be controlled by using good hand-washing techniques. This includes, but not limited to, before and after handling food, administering medication, after diapering and toileting, handling body fluids, wiping noses, mouths and sores. It can also be controlled by treating the individuals who have an infection.

One additional suggestion is to make sure you properly wash and sanitize toys, bottles and pacifier nipples after they have been mouthed. You would not want to allow sharing of mouthed objects between children without first washing and sanitizing them. Once you have alerted the parents and had the child seen by their pediatrician, prescribed medications would need to be administered as instructed. I hope this additional information is helpful. 

It is never too early to encourage children to make healthy food choices, but using the term diet is not ideal.  Instead of limiting the number of helpings, limit the availability of nutrient-poor foods that are high in sugar, salt or fat.  Fruits or vegetables should be a part of every meal and snack, but it is important to offer a variety of types and colors to keep kids interested.  Canned fruit packed in water or 100% fruit juice (instead of syrup) is a healthy option if fresh fruit is not available.     In addition, always serve water with meals and snacks and have water readily available for kids to drink.  For additional suggestions on healthy eating options for kids, visit https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ or https://www.letsmove.gov/.

Vaccines available today are safer than ever and have virtually eradicated many illnesses.  Before a vaccine is approved, it goes through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. While some children may have a reaction after receiving an immunization, such as a slight fever or swelling at the injection site, these reactions are usually mild and do not last long.  The greatest risks from immunizations actually come when children are not immunized.  Immunizations not only protect the child, but they protect everyone who comes in contact with the child.  Parents are always encouraged to discuss their concerns with their child’s doctor.  For information about immunizations, visit https://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/ or https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx. 

Breast milk contains the ideal balance of nutrients for your baby.  In addition, breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby and is inexpensive.  Nutrients in breast milk are easily absorbed and digested by your baby, and breast milk contains immune factors that protect against illness.  Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and ear infections, resulting in less missed worked for parents.  Mothers who breastfeed lose pregnancy weight more easily and have a lower risk of reproductive cancers.  For additional benefits of breastfeeding, visit https://www.health.state.ga.us/programs/nutrition/breastfeeding/benefits.asp or https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/.