Baby Has a Bruise That Won't Go Away

Baby Fell Off the Bed or Couch

Falls from beds, couches, and changing tables are one of the most common accidents in infancy. Most falls from furniture height (2-3 feet) do not cause serious injury, but every fall involving the head deserves careful monitoring. If your baby cried immediately after the fall and is now acting normally - alert, feeding, and moving all limbs - serious injury is unlikely. However, certain warning signs require immediate medical evaluation.

Petechiae (Tiny Red Dots) on My Baby

Petechiae are tiny red, purple, or brown dots caused by broken blood vessels just under the skin. While they can appear after vigorous crying, coughing, or vomiting in healthy babies, they can also signal serious conditions. Always contact your pediatrician if you notice petechiae, especially if they appear suddenly or are widespread.

Baby or Toddler Fell Down the Stairs

Falls down stairs are a common injury in babies and toddlers. Most stair falls, especially from just a few steps, do not result in serious injury. However, any fall down stairs warrants careful observation. After a fall, check your child from head to toe for signs of injury. If your child cried immediately, is consolable, is moving all limbs normally, and has no visible signs of serious injury, observe them closely for 24-48 hours. Any fall from a significant height, loss of consciousness, persistent vomiting, excessive sleepiness, or signs of a broken bone require immediate medical evaluation.

My Baby Has an Extra Nipple (Accessory Nipple)

Accessory (supernumerary) nipples are one of the most common minor congenital findings, occurring in about 1 in 18 people. They appear as small, flat, often pigmented bumps along the "milk line" — an embryonic line running from the armpit to the groin on each side. Most people mistake them for moles. Accessory nipples are almost always harmless and require no treatment. In rare cases, they may be associated with kidney abnormalities, so some pediatricians recommend a renal ultrasound if one is found, though this practice varies.

My Baby Was Born with a Raw Spot on Their Scalp (Aplasia Cutis)

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a condition where a baby is born with a small area of missing skin, most commonly on the scalp. It occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births. The affected area may look like a raw wound, an ulcer, or may have already healed into a thin, shiny scar by the time of birth. Most cases are small, isolated, and heal well with basic wound care — the area eventually forms a hairless scar. Larger defects or those associated with other findings may need more investigation, but isolated small ACC has an excellent prognosis.

New Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Children

Treatment for atopic dermatitis in children has advanced significantly in recent years. While moisturizers and topical steroids remain first-line treatments, newer options include non-steroidal topical medications (like crisaborole), biologic therapies (like dupilumab, approved for children 6 months and older), and JAK inhibitors. Most children's eczema is well-managed with basic skin care and mild topical treatments, but these newer options provide hope for moderate-to-severe cases.