Dr. Nancy Mannisto, MD

This should be addressed immediately with your pediatrician. Chronic vomiting for that long is extremely concerning, especially with poor weight gain. You doctor should refer you immediately to a pediatric gastroenterologist, if there is any delay in the referral your doctor should order lab tests and if any critical values you should be referred to a Pediatric Emergency Center.

Raw honey should never be given to a baby under 12 months old as honey may carry botulism spores, and under 12 months of age babies’ immune systems are not strong enough to fight off certain germs. There are a variety of honey based products that have been processed for safety and these products may be tried. However, always check the dose for age and keep in mind these products do not cure the cold but may offer temporary relief only.

Given the young age of your baby I would recommend you call the office right now and either get an appointment or ask to talk to a nurse to make sure your baby is ok.

You need to tell your parents you don’t feel well and are having a hard time breathing. If it is severe and you cannot even talk and breathe at the same time you need to go the emergency room. If not that severe they can call the doctor in the morning so you can be seen then. Our office always has openings the same day for sick kids as trouble breathing is concerning and needs to be seen right away, if they have no appointments then go the ER.

The ear infection itself is not contagious as it is contained beheld the eardrum. However, if your son has any fever, vomiting, severe pain until the antibiotics take effect or heavy cough and nasal drainage he should stay home until those symptoms resolve.

Begin the antibiotics as prescribed, of course, but for the next 12-24 hrs until they take effect you can use fever/pain medication, sometimes a warm compress of heating pad on low gives some relief, elevate his head when sleeping, and you can see if the drugstore has an over-the-counter ear drop for pain . If the pain is severe and does not improve within 48 hrs of antibiotics, gets worse or recurs then call your pediatrician for another evaluation.

The average age for getting the first teeth , which are usually the lower central incisors, is 6 1/2 months old. Most babies will have teething behavior of chewing on their hands and drooling for 2 months prior.

Actually flu shots are not approved until 6 months of age. At that time your baby can get a flu shot but for the younger ages the shot is inactivated, not live, so the shot will not make your baby sick. Occasionally children will have some soreness or redness at the injection site, fever 1-2 days. Body rash, high fever or other severe reactions in children and babies are rare with the flu shot and are outweighed by the benefit . However, if your child has an egg allergy check with your pediatrician first as some kids with egg allergy may have more severe reactions.