Pediatrics: Lillian Beard, M.D.   Diet & Nutrition: Linda Hsieh   Pediatric Nutrition: William Klish, M.D.   OB/GYN: Roy Pitkin, M.D.   very best baby

William J. Klish, M.D., is Professor of Pediatrics, Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief of the Nutrition and Gastroenterology Department at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Dr. Klish has served as chair of the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your Baby Today is proud to feature expert Q&A with Dr. Klish. New questions and answers will be added to this page regularly. If you have any questions for Dr. Klish, please write to him at klish@yourbabytoday.com. While Dr. Klish cannot respond to each individual inquiry, we will post answers to the most common questions here. Q: Are hot dogs unhealthy to serve to my child? I've heard that they contain cancer-causing nitrates -- is this true? A: The concern over nitrates has been controversial. Nitrates are added to processed meats to give them an appealing red color. For the past 20 or more years, people have questioned whether the human body can convert them to nitrites, which can then be turned into to nitrosomines, which are carcinogenic. To my knowledge, no evidence exits that this can happen and the Food and Drug Administration continues to allow nitrates to be added to processed foods. While hot dogs are not unhealthy, you still must take care when feeding one to your infant or toddler. Because of their shape and size, hot dogs pose an increased risk of lodging in a child's windpipe and obstructing breathing. To prevent this, you should cut hot dogs in quarters along the axis. This creates a smaller diameter and is therefore safer for your child. Past Questions: Are hot dogs unhealthy to serve to my child? I've heard that they contain cancer-causing nitrates -- is this true? My newborn spits up frequently. Is this serious? My 11-week-old baby has been feeding a lot for the past few weeks. She takes 8 ounces every hour and sometimes 10-12 ounces, at times bringing a lot of it back up. Can babies at this age have a spoonful of baby rice? My 7-month-old has had diarrhea for the last two days. What should I do to make sure he doesn't dehydrate. Is it okay to give him water? How about yogurt? I've heard it can help with stomach bugs. My 9-month-old's hemoglobin is low. He's on an iron supplement. I have a tendency to be anemic and wonder if this can be a genetic problem. I recently read about two new ingredients that will now be added to some brands of infant formula. What are they and why are they important? I'm nervous about giving my one-year-old ground beef because of the Mad Cow scare. What are the risks here in the United States? My baby is only 6 1/2 months old, and she is using her thumb and forefinger to pick up her toys and likes to feed herself with her spoon (although this is very inefficient). I think she would really enjoy finger foods. I don't want to give her teething biscuits because I was allergic to wheat as a baby. What would be safe to give her? When my baby is ready for solids should I start with fruits or vegetables? How long should I feed her one before starting the other? The past three or four days my 8-month-old seems uninterested when I try to feed him vegetables. After three or four spoonfuls he turns his head away and refuses to open his mouth. I've tried green and orange veggies. Should I keep trying? Try to disguise them? I use formula, ready to feed. When I take it from the refrigerator, is it necessary to warm it up? My baby seems to prefer it cold, but will this cause any problems? My baby girl is now 7 weeks old and seems to get extremely gassy after her feedings. Is this common? She has been on formula with iron from birth. Can babies develop an intolerance to the formula? My son is 4 months old and we started him on baby food last week. He eats well and seems to like it, but has been spitting up more than when he was just on formula. Is this normal? Is his system just adjusting? My pediatrician says my 3-month-old is suffering from reflux and recommended we see a gastroenterologist. What can I expect from this visit? Will he prescribe a medication to treat it? At around what age does a baby learn to chew? My son is 20 months old and has frequent diarrhea and very soft stools. Should I change his diet? What's the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? My friend's pediatrician advised her not to give her daughter eggs until she was a year old, and peanuts until she was at least three due to a family history of seasonal allergies. Is this sound advice or is he being overly cautious? My 6-week-old seems to really be bothered by gas. Should I consider changing her formula? Are vitamins essential during pregnancy? What kind do you recommend? My 6-month-old baby is not gaining weight. Do you have suggestions? My little girl is 15 days old, and she is already suffering from colic. We have tried everything to console her, from car rides to rocking. How long will this last? What do you suggest? When do you think I can feed my baby broccoli? She does not like any fruit or fruit juice, but loves vegetables. I'm worried that she's not getting enough vitamin C. Is it necessary to begin children who are formula fed, on solid foods at six months, or can you postpone giving them solids for a year? I do not eat meat and am expecting a baby. Can this hinder the baby's development? If so, what alternatives are there to provide similar nutrients? My 5-month old spits up regularly after his bottle feedings. What causes this, and do I need to worry he's not getting enough to eat?

The content on these pages is provided as general information only and should not be substituted for the advice of your physician.

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