Arbor Pediatrics provides high-quality, personalized medical care for infants, children, and adolescents in Southlake, TX.

Toddlers cannot always explain when they are having difficulty seeing or hearing, so their behavior may provide the first clues.

Possible hearing concerns include delayed or unclear speech, not consistently responding to their name or other sounds, turning the volume up, seeming to hear some sounds but not others, or having frequent ear infections.

Hearing concerns can develop even after a child passes the newborn hearing screening.

Possible vision concerns include frequent squinting, rubbing or closing one eye, holding books or screens very close, bumping into objects, struggling to recognize things at a distance, or an eye that regularly turns inward or outward.

These signs do not always mean a child has a vision or hearing problem, but they are worth discussing. If you notice a pattern or have concerns about your child’s development, contact their pediatric provider at Arbor.

Early screening and support can make an important difference.

Weaning from bottles and pacifiers can be a big transition for toddlers, especially when they are closely tied to comfort and sleep. Gradual changes are often easier than stopping everything at once.

For bottles, begin by replacing one daytime bottle with an open or straw cup, then slowly work toward removing morning and bedtime bottles. Offer milk with meals, water between meals, and create a new bedtime routine with books, songs, or cuddles.

For pacifiers, start by limiting use to naps and bedtime. When your family is ready to stop, choose a consistent plan and offer another source of comfort, such as a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or extra snuggle time.

Prolonged bottle use can increase the risk of cavities, especially when used at bedtime, and continued pacifier use may affect how the teeth and mouth develop. If weaning feels difficult, ask your child’s pediatric provider at Arbor or their dental provider for guidance.

There is no single age when visitors suddenly become safe for every newborn. Healthy family members and friends can usually visit when the parents feel ready, but a few precautions can help protect a baby’s developing immune system.

Visitors should wash their hands before holding the baby, avoid kissing the baby’s face or hands, and stay away if they have a fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, a cold sore, or recent exposure to a contagious illness. Close caregivers should also stay current on recommended vaccines, including flu and Tdap.

RSV protection is another important consideration, especially during fall and winter.

Most babies are protected through either maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy or a long-acting RSV antibody immunization given directly to the baby. Most babies do not need both.

Ask your baby’s provider at Arbor about RSV eligibility and whether additional visitor precautions are recommended based on your baby’s age and health.

Petechiae are tiny, flat red, purple, or brown spots caused by bleeding beneath the skin.

Unlike many common rashes, they do not fade when pressed.

Petechiae can sometimes appear around the face or neck after forceful coughing, vomiting, or crying. They may also be associated with viral or bacterial infections, low platelets, clotting problems, medications, or other conditions. Because the spots can look similar even when the causes are very different, a photo alone may not provide the answer.

Contact your child’s pediatric provider promptly for new, unexplained, or widespread petechiae. Seek urgent medical care if the spots are rapidly spreading or occur with fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, difficulty breathing, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, extreme sleepiness, or a child who appears very ill.

Tetanus was once a much greater threat in the United States.

Since routine childhood vaccination began, reported cases have fallen by more than 95 percent and deaths have fallen by more than 99 percent.

Tetanus bacteria are found in soil, dust, and manure. They can enter the body through cuts or puncture wounds and release a toxin that causes painful muscle stiffness, lockjaw, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, and sometimes death. From 2009 through 2023, the United States reported 402 cases and 37 deaths.

Tetanus does not spread from person to person, so community immunity cannot protect an unvaccinated child. If vaccination rates fell, more people would be left vulnerable to bacteria that remain present in our environment, and serious cases would likely increase.

Staying current on recommended DTaP and Tdap vaccines protects children before an unexpected injury occurs. Contact Arbor if you have questions about your child’s vaccine record or whether tetanus protection is needed after a wound.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to connect families with information, services, and community support.

Families raising a child with Down syndrome can ask their pediatric provider about early intervention, developmental therapies, school-based services, and trusted parent support organizations.

Connecting with other families can also provide encouragement, practical guidance, and a sense of community.

Everyone can offer support by learning more about Down syndrome, using respectful language, including children in school and community activities, and listening to families about what they need.

Small actions can help create a community where every child and family feels welcomed and supported.