 1. Strabismus
What it is: A misalignment of the eyes -- one may seem to "wander." The eye muscles on one side may be weaker than on the other, there could be a disconnect between the eyes and the part of the brain that's responsible for focusing, or both. If strabismus isn't treated (with an eye patch over the stronger eye to give the weaker muscles a workout; surgery; glasses; or some combination), it can lead to amblyopia, or lazy eye, in which the weak eye stops working properly altogether
.Why it can be hard to catch:Your baby's eyes might appear straight during a check up, so the doctor may not notice a problem. A newborn's eyes may wander, but by 3 to 6 months, they should be in sync most of the time.
How can I help:Check your baby's eyes once a week by shining a flash light in them - hold it 6 to 12 inches away and look for the dots of light to be in the same place in each eye. If they're not, have the doctor chek her more closely. 2. Ear Infection
What it is:
An infection of the middle ear that's caused when fluid builds up, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. At least 70 percent of the time, ear infections are preceded by a cold. Young kids are especially susceptible to ear infections because their eustachian tubes, which allow fluids to drain, are so narrow.
How can I help:This is where your detective skills can come in handy. Mothers will often say they can tell their baby is getting an ear infection when he's had a cold and doesn't want to lie down, or nurses differently (the pressure caused by fluid in the middle ear makes it too painful to be horizontal or swallow). Other signs you should watch for: yellow drainage from the inside corners of the eyes; frequent night waking; thick, mucus-y nasal secretions; increasing crankiness and irritability; blue circles under the eyes; droopy eyes; and that overall facial expression that means "I'm really feeling lousy!"
Also, moms commonly call the doctor when they're unsure if there's something more serious than a cold going on. If you're convinced there is, say so right away.
3. Developmental Delay
What it is: Any significant lag -- five or six months -- in a child's physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social development.
What if it can be hard to catch: Because there's such a wide range of infant development -- there are "normal" late walkers and late talkers -- often a doctor can't make a diagnosis until a child is well beyond the outer range. Plus, chances are your doctor sees your child for only 15 minutes every few months; it's hard to make a judgment with so little time to observe. And in order for developmental testing to be accurate, a child needs to be relatively calm and relaxed, and, of course, during a checkup your kid could be tired, cranky, scared, or simply not in the mood for a full exam.
How you can help: Try to gauge your child's progress objectively by keeping track of it in her baby book or health book. Note where she was three to six months ago when you're making entries; if she's progressing steadily, then you most likely have nothing to worry about. Above all, don't compare your child with other kids. If you notice a plateau in your child's progress, bring it up with your pediatrician.
Longtime contributor William Sears, M.D., is the author, most recently, of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood.
Source: http://www.parenting.com
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