Question 1

At what age does fear of the dark go away?

Accepted Answer

For most children it fades noticeably by early school age. If it is still strong after age seven and is costing your child sleep or school days, bring it up at your next pediatric visit.

Question 2

Should I check the closet to prove there are no monsters?

Accepted Answer

Checking once together is reassuring. A long search ritual repeated every night does the opposite: it tells your child the danger is real enough to need a search. Look once, then go back to the routine.

Question 3

Should I let my child come into our bed when they are scared?

Accepted Answer

One or two nights will not undo anything, but if it happens every night the parents' bed becomes the only solution your child trusts. Sitting beside their own bed for a few minutes and then leaving usually works better in the long run.

Question 4

Is it bad to let my child sleep with a night light on?

Accepted Answer

A small, dim, warm-toned night light will not harm sleep and helps a child recognize the room when they wake. What disrupts sleep is bright overhead lighting. As your child feels safer, you can lower the brightness step by step.

Question 5

How do I tell moderate from vigorous activity?

Accepted Answer

During moderate activity your child breathes faster but can still hold a conversation. During vigorous activity finishing a sentence becomes hard. Brisk walking is moderate; running and jumping rope are vigorous.

Question 6

How much activity does a baby need?

Accepted Answer

For babies under one, minutes are not the measure. Several short periods of floor-based play a day are recommended, including at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread across waking hours.

Question 7

Does the hour have to be in one go?

Accepted Answer

No. Both the WHO and the CDC describe the daily target as a total that can be spread through the day, so ten minutes here and twenty there add up.

Question 8

Does PE class count towards the 60 minutes?

Accepted Answer

The active part of the lesson counts. But PE is usually only a couple of hours a week, so the daily total still needs walking to school, running at recess or playing outside after school.

Question 9

Will my baby need to stay in hospital?

Accepted Answer

Most babies recover at home. Babies who are admitted usually need oxygen, fluids through a vein and sometimes breathing support, and the CDC notes that most improve with this supportive care and go home in a few days.

Question 10

Can my baby be protected against RSV?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The CDC recommends either an RSV vaccine during pregnancy or an RSV antibody given to the baby, and most infants need only one of the two. Ask your pediatrician which one fits your baby's birth month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions(174 questions)