Common Baby Concerns
Our concern guides cover over 2,500 common baby health questions with age-specific information, action tiers (normal, mention at next visit, call now), and source citations from the AAP, CDC, and WHO.
2705+ evidence-based guides for the questions parents search at 2am. Each tells you what's normal, what to watch, and when to call your doctor.
Ear Tube Surgery for Babies
Ear tube surgery (myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement) is one of the most common childhood surgeries. Tiny tubes are placed through the eardrum to allow fluid drainage and air circulation in the middle ear. It is typically recommended for babies and toddlers with recurrent ear infections (3 or more in 6 months, or 4 or more in a year) or persistent fluid behind the eardrum causing hearing loss. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes under brief general anesthesia and most children recover quickly.
Still on Purees Past 12 Months
While most babies begin eating textured and soft table foods between 8 and 10 months, some toddlers continue to prefer purees past their first birthday. A prolonged preference for purees can sometimes reflect oral motor delays, sensory sensitivities, or simply a lack of exposure to varied textures. Gradually introducing thicker textures and soft finger foods is important for developing chewing skills.
Toddler Repeating Words and Phrases (Echolalia)
Repeating words and phrases (echolalia) is a completely normal part of language development in toddlers - it's one of the main ways children learn new words and practice speaking. Most toddlers go through a phase of repeating between ages 1 and 3. It typically becomes a concern only if it's the primary way a child communicates past age 3, or if it replaces rather than supplements spontaneous language.
Ectopic Pregnancy Warning Signs
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. It affects about 1-2% of pregnancies and cannot develop into a viable pregnancy. Early detection is critical because a rupturing ectopic pregnancy can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. With timely diagnosis, treatment with medication or minimally invasive surgery is very effective, and most women go on to have healthy pregnancies afterward.
Baby Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Baby eczema is extremely common, affecting up to 20% of infants, and is not caused by anything you did wrong. It shows up as dry, red, itchy patches and is very manageable with consistent moisturizing and gentle skin care. Most children outgrow it by school age.
Eczema and Food Allergy Link
Research shows a strong connection between eczema (atopic dermatitis) and food allergies in babies. Babies with moderate-to-severe eczema, especially appearing before 6 months, have a significantly higher risk of developing food allergies. Current guidelines recommend early introduction of allergenic foods (particularly peanut) starting around 4-6 months for high-risk babies with eczema, as early exposure may actually help prevent food allergies.
Eczema Flare Triggers in Babies
Eczema flares are triggered by different things for different babies, but common culprits include dry air, irritating fabrics, fragranced products, heat and sweating, saliva from drooling, and sometimes certain foods. Identifying your baby's specific triggers through observation can help reduce flares, and a consistent moisturizing routine is the foundation of eczema management.
Educational App Effectiveness
Research shows that toddlers under age 3 learn very little from screens compared to real-world interaction. While some apps labeled "educational" can reinforce learning in children over age 2 when co-used with a parent, many "educational" apps are primarily designed to be engaging (and profitable) rather than truly educational. The AAP emphasizes that no app can replace the learning that happens through play, conversation, and hands-on exploration.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in Babies
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin that stretches more than normal, and tissue fragility. The most common type, hypermobile EDS, affects an estimated 1 in 5,000 people. Signs in babies are often subtle and can include very flexible joints, soft or stretchy skin, and easy bruising. Most types of EDS are manageable with appropriate care and physical therapy.
Processing an Emergency C-Section
An emergency cesarean section can be a frightening and disorienting experience, especially when it happens quickly and without time to prepare emotionally. Feelings of shock, grief, relief, guilt, anger, or numbness afterward are all normal. Processing this experience takes time, and support is available.
Enamel Hypoplasia (Thin or Pitted Tooth Enamel)
Enamel hypoplasia is a developmental defect where tooth enamel is thinner or incompletely formed, appearing as white, yellow, or brown spots, pitting, or grooves on the tooth surface. It affects approximately 1 in 10 children to some degree. The condition occurs when enamel formation is disrupted during pregnancy or early infancy, potentially caused by prematurity, nutritional deficiencies, illness, or medication exposure. While enamel hypoplasia cannot be reversed, affected teeth need extra care because thin enamel is more vulnerable to cavities and sensitivity.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Baby Products
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with hormone systems. Common EDCs found in some baby products include BPA, phthalates, parabens, and PFAS. While the dose makes the poison and regulatory limits exist, the AAP recommends reducing unnecessary exposures, particularly for developing infants whose hormone systems are most vulnerable. Practical steps include avoiding heating plastic containers, choosing fragrance-free products, and washing hands before handling food. Complete elimination is neither possible nor necessary.
Breast Engorgement Pain and Relief While Breastfeeding
Breast engorgement is swelling and hardness of the breasts that happens when milk production increases faster than milk removal. It is most common in the first week after birth when your milk "comes in" and can make breasts feel hard, hot, and painful. Engorgement is temporary and manageable. The key is to remove milk frequently through nursing or pumping. Cold compresses between feeds, gentle massage, and anti-inflammatory medication can help with discomfort.
Baby Large Head (Macrocephaly)
A head circumference above the 95th percentile (macrocephaly) is found in about 5% of all children and is most often a benign familial trait. If one or both parents have larger-than-average heads, the baby is likely just following family genetics. However, your pediatrician will monitor head growth over time to ensure the growth rate is following a consistent curve rather than accelerating.
Enterovirus D68: Respiratory Illness in Children
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a respiratory virus that can cause illness ranging from mild cold symptoms to severe breathing difficulty in children, particularly those with asthma. Unlike many common cold viruses, EV-D68 has been associated with outbreaks of severe respiratory illness and, rarely, with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a condition causing sudden limb weakness. There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. Children with asthma should have their asthma action plan up to date during enterovirus season (late summer through fall).
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic condition where white blood cells (eosinophils) build up in the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation and swelling. In babies, it can cause feeding difficulties, vomiting, poor weight gain, and irritability. EoE is diagnosed by endoscopy with biopsy and is managed with dietary elimination, medications, or a combination of both.
My Baby Has a Streaky or Velvety Raised Birthmark (Epidermal Nevus)
An epidermal nevus is a benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of skin cells that is present at birth or appears in early childhood. It typically looks like a slightly raised, skin-colored to brownish, velvety or wart-like patch that often follows a linear or streaky pattern along the body's natural skin lines (Blaschko lines). Epidermal nevi are usually isolated and purely cosmetic. However, when they are large or extensive, they can sometimes be associated with abnormalities in other organ systems (epidermal nevus syndrome), so a thorough evaluation is recommended for larger lesions.
My Baby Has Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic disorders that cause the skin to be extremely fragile, forming blisters and wounds with minimal friction or trauma. The severity varies widely by subtype. EB simplex (the most common and mildest form) primarily affects the hands and feet. Junctional and dystrophic EB are more severe and can affect the entire body, mouth, and internal surfaces. Wound care is the cornerstone of management. Children with EB are sometimes called "butterfly children" because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. Gene therapy and protein-replacement treatments are emerging areas of research and early clinical use.
Epidural Questions and Fears
An epidural is the most effective form of pain relief during labor, used by about 70% of birthing people in the United States. It involves placing a small catheter near the spinal nerves in the lower back to deliver continuous pain medication. Modern epidurals are very safe, and serious complications are extremely rare.
Epiglottitis Warning Signs in Babies and Toddlers
Epiglottitis is a rare but serious infection where the epiglottis (the flap of tissue at the base of the tongue) becomes swollen and can block the airway. Thanks to the Hib vaccine, epiglottitis has become very uncommon in vaccinated children, but it still occurs rarely and is a medical emergency. It comes on rapidly and requires immediate emergency care. Knowing the warning signs can be life-saving.
Excessive Tearing in Babies
Excessive tearing (epiphora) in babies is most commonly caused by a blocked nasolacrimal duct (blocked tear duct), which affects about 6-20% of newborns. Tears cannot drain properly into the nose, causing them to overflow onto the cheek. This condition usually resolves on its own by 12 months of age. Other causes of excessive tearing include conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, a foreign body, allergies, and rarely, infantile glaucoma. If excessive tearing is accompanied by light sensitivity or an enlarged eye, urgent evaluation is needed.
Episiotomy Recovery and Concerns
An episiotomy is a surgical cut made in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) during delivery to widen the vaginal opening. While once routine, episiotomies are now performed selectively when medically indicated. Recovery typically takes 2-4 weeks for the initial healing, with full recovery over several months.
White Bumps on My Newborn's Gums or Mouth
Epstein pearls are tiny white or yellowish cysts that appear on a newborn's gums or the roof of the mouth. They are extremely common, affecting up to 85% of newborns, and are completely harmless. They are often mistaken for teeth, thrush, or something concerning, but they require no treatment and disappear on their own within a few weeks.
ER vs. Urgent Care vs. Wait It Out
Choosing between the emergency room, urgent care, or waiting for your pediatrician depends on the severity and urgency of the symptoms. The ER is for life-threatening or potentially serious situations, urgent care is for issues that need same-day attention but are not emergencies, and your pediatrician's office is best for concerns that can wait until the next available appointment. When in doubt, calling your pediatrician's after-hours line first can help you decide.
Showing 1201-1224 of 2705 concerns
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members