Christine Tranchina has been in practice for 27 years, working with families, children, parents and general relationship issues. Her early training first took her to a state funded Family Crisis Center where she worked with families and their children. read more

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Sign In to Ask a Question Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8   child development expert   Thread Posted by Replies Views Date   Two more questions just for reassurance Question Should I let him cry throughout the night such as whenever it is not his feeding time I feed him about twice at night Also when he cries the first time perhaps he has to burp and sometimes that iis it but shouldn't he be able to burp himself or should I check him first I had a third question but I can't remember it right now Thanks so much I just need someone to say I am doing it right and its ok because my husband (especially his parents) are against it but it is getting really taxing on me every night to wake thanks again Answer joycebala 1 271 9/8/08 5:00 am   RE: separation anxiiety Question Can you answer my question   The response was   0 Answer Lisa 1 256 11/15/08 12:05 am   toddler babble Question I was wondering if it was normal for a 31 month old to still babble and talk on and on in a way that is unintelligible with no desire of being understood This same child (not my own) will also speak a few words and occasionally puts 2 words together This same child has other autism characteristics (violent tantrums uncoordinated walk and only desiring to play with cars ) I have been growing concerned about this child but unsure as to whether it is appropriate to say something or just wait for the parents to decide to have things checked out Is babbling normal for some at this age Answer Susan 1 311 10/27/08 4:26 pm   Impulse Control issues with my 4 year old Question Please help me This is the worst day in all of my 15 years as a mother My youngest son 4 hits and throws things We have been working on this trying to give him more attention and be more firm with our discipline He is in preschool 3 half days a week Last week on our day home together he did something of a violent nature to our dog twice enough to make her yelp I did not see it however but disciplined him for it Today he was outside playing with the water and mud while I worked on the computer Things got quiet and I heard him come upstairs 15 minutes later when I went to check on him I couldn't find him anywhere I called getting desperate but no answer Finally I found him under the covers in my other son's top bunk I knew from his silence and the look on his face that he had done something bad While searching for him outside I noticed that the top had been taken off our turtle pen He has been told not to go into the pen without an adult I then found two of our five turtles out of the pen I found the last one in the pen in the turtle house with the top of his shell broken I was screaming and sobbing I love my turtles and all of our various pets deeply and I was devastated to see one of them injured especially because I knew it was my son's fault I asked him how the shell broke and he told me he threw the turtle I sobbed even harder We have had a house full of animals his whole life and shown him nothing but care kindness and love as the way to treat these animals How could he have done this We rushed to the vet me sobbing him silent and more compliant than he has even been in his whole life The turtle had to be euthanized I tried not to use blaming words and my voice was quiet when I explained it to my son but I let him know that he was the reason that the turtle died and he did a mean bad thing to the turtle that caused him to die When we got home I took him to the pen and gave him a rock and asked him to show me what happened to the turtle just in case he dropped it not threw it He took the rock raised his arm and stopped He said he didn't want to hurt the rock by throwing it I told him that a rock is not alive like a turtle and he wouldn't hurt the rock He threw the rock down pretty hard I took his hand and told him he was having a really long time out in his room and he would be losing some of his favorite toys and movies for a while I feel so broken by this How could I have a kid who would do this kind of thing Will he grow up to be violent and or abusive And what about me I know I should have been paying more attention to him I was just telling another mom yesterday that I realized that he doesn't get enough attention and that could be why he does destructive stuff I know I should have been paying more attention to him Please help me to find a way to forgive him for hurting a defenseless animal Please help me find a way to be a better parent to him He is so different from my two older kids Thank you Answer TZT 1 316 10/10/08 9:06 pm   8 1/2 hates tummy time Question My 8 1/2 month old HATES being on his belly he screams until you help him roll over or sit him up   How is he ever going to crawl   Should I be worried or force him to be on his tummy   Please help Answer newmama2008 1 323 10/1/08 4:47 am   Sleeping Issues...is it too late? Question My 11 month old hours I've tried the crying let cry thing (like I did before which worked but now he doesn't cry he screams and we come in to say its alright we are here but that makes it worse What can we do is it too late to leave a baby that old crying at night until he realizes that he can son no longer sleeps at night well for long periods He used to sleep 4 5 hours at night then feed myaybe twice (he is breastfed) but now since we moved and got him used to the house and new room he continues not to sleep more than 2 3 Is there something we can do I have tried the crying let cry bit but he seems to only scream now that he is 11 months is he too old for that trick is there any other option Answer joycebala 1 334 9/6/08 9:03 am   sleeping issues 2 Question SOrry abuot the post before my computer has taken over What I meant to convey was that My 11 month old son doesn't sleep at night well I've tried the crying let cry thing (like I did before which worked but now he doesn't cry he screams and we come in to say its alright we are here but that makes it worse What can we do is it too late to leave a baby that old crying at night until he realizes that he can sleep on his own  He used to sleep 4 5 hours at night then feed myaybe twice (he is breastfed) but now since we moved and got him used to the house and new room he continues not to sleep more than 2 3 Is there something we can do Answer joycebala 1 323 9/6/08 9:15 am   6 year old son crying when he plays with children Question My six year old son's crying is getting out of hand   It only happens when he is playing with his friends   He says that they are not being fair he gets mad if he gets tagged out when playing tag he cries if someone else uses the toy he wants or anything that doesn't go his way   I try to explain to him that it's ok to cry only if your hurt and he tells me that his feelings are hurt   As soon as he cries I remove him from the situation and he doesn't get to play anymore and he doesn't really care   It has gotten to be a daily thing and I really don't know what to do   Talking about it doesn't work and punishment is not working   Any suggestions Answer vgiannisis 1 312 8/21/08 12:47 am   spoiling Question hi there My 10 month old has started throw fits when she doesn't get her way like she will arch her back bite kick hit scream and thro things how do i stop this and how did this start thank you so much Cathy   Answer Cheyennes mommy 1 277 8/25/08 2:28 am   Sleep problems for 2-year old daughter Question My daughter is 2 years and 3 months and has been a very good night time sleeper for a long time now   Her naps have also been very consistent and long of late (2 to 3 hours a day) up until a week ago   Suddenly she is having a terrible time falling asleep at her normal bedtime of 7:30 or 8pm and is up until 9 or later tossing and turning   She is also napping more inconsistently   I have noticed that she is falling asleep easier on the few days that she skipped a nap altogether or took a shorter  earlier nap but I think she still very much needs some afternoon nap at this point so am reluctant to drop it   She has a cold this week but I would think that would cause her to sleep more not less   Also we have a newborn who is 2 1/2 months   My daughter has taken to her new role as big sister very well so I don't think that is much of a factor here   Thanks for any help you can give     Answer ErinCourtney 1 265 8/26/08 1:06 am   Not Sleeping Question My son is almost 9 mos old and still wakes up 3 5 times every night Sometimes he wakes up to nurse sometimes he wakes completely up like it's playtime in the middle of the day If that happens it often takes me 2or 3 hours to get him to go back to sleep And sometimes he doesn't wake up completely He sits up eyes still closed whining and then lays back down after a few minutes I know part of this is my fault because after the 3rd time I've had to get up he usually finishes the rest of the night with me This doesn't keep him from waking up but it often helps to get him back to sleep faster But after all that nighttime wakefulness you'd think he'd be tired I'm lucky if from 8am 10pm I can get him to sleep a grand total of 1 and a half hours He'll do anything to keep himself awake: vigorous head shaking hair pulling he'll even try to leave me to go to people he doesn't know if they're standing & moving around & I'm sitting down trying to put him to sleep I know children grow when they sleep Is this affecting his development Is something wrong with my baby His current pediatrician just brushes me off when I bring it up but this subject is a real worry for me What should I do    Answer 1ProudMommy! 1 269 8/16/08 5:46 pm   Sleeping through the night Question My daughter is 16mnths and is still waking up 3 5 times in the middle of the night   It seems like she is unable to comfort herself into falling back to sleep   I know I am partially to blame She goes down awake about 8pm   I either rub her back or pat her tush   This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes   If I just place her down and sit in the rocker or walk out of the room she will stand up in her crib call for me and begin to cry   Once asleep she is good until about 11pm then she will call out to me begin to cry until I enter the room   I place her pacifier back in her mouth and hand her her blanket This will occur at least two more times during the night   At  times I get so frustrated I give in and scoop her up out of her crib and bring her into my bed which I do not want to do   This sleep pattern we have come accustomed to cannot be good for either one of us   What can I do to help break this pattern Answer Fran 1 337 8/15/08 11:30 am   Sleep Help Question Hi I have a 8 month old daughter that I am breast feeding We go to bed around 9 by 11:30 she is awake back awake by 1:30 back awake by 4:30 and then we get up at around 7:30 because she is awake When she wakes I feed her and she falls right back off to sleep but  I Sure cou;d use a good full nights sleep   Answer Kelli 1 297 8/12/08 10:32 pm   Constipation Question How many days before he goes again should I wait to call the doctor In other words how often should infants his age go poop Also wanted to ask if I should expect a burp after every single feeding When visiting with friends and family it seems like "he wants his mommy" he cries when others are holding him how do I get him used to other people Answer Ambyr 1 308 8/3/08 8:51 pm   2 year old son's fear/phobia of babies Question How can I help my 2 year old son get over his fear/phobia of babies   At first he was wary of my niece when she screeched or cried and would move away Over time his reaction has worsened to the point where he's extremely afraid (cries hysterically and wants me to hold him) More recently his fear includes all babies crying or not In ordinary circumstances I would say it's just a phase that he'll grow out of in his own time and not worry about it too much; however I am very concerned about how to help him handle the imminent birth of his sibling (only four months away) without being traumatized by the new baby's crying I am afraid that he'll have to contend with this fear in a way that's very forced and scary for him sort of like forcing my niece (who's terrified of thunder) into a big thunderstorm   I'm also concerned that he won't be able to bond with the baby   Please help Answer murphy 1 303 8/4/08 12:40 am   2 year old - fear of babies Question How can I help my 2 year old son get over his fear/ phobia of babies   At first he was wary of my niece when she screeched or cried and would move away   Over time his reaction has worsened to the point where he's extremely afraid (cries hysterically and wants me to hold him)   More recently his fear includes all babies crying or not   In ordinary circumstances I would say it's just a phase that he'll grow out of in his own time and not worry about it too much; however I am very concerned about how to help him handle the imminent birth of his sibling (only four months away) without being traumatized by the new baby's crying   Please help Answer murphy 1 297 8/4/08 11:52 pm   2 year old son's fear/phobia of babies Question How can I help my 2 year old son get over his fear/phobia of babies   At first he was wary of my niece when she screeched or cried and would move away Over time his reaction has worsened to the point where he's extremely afraid (cries hysterically and wants me to hold him) More recently his fear includes all babies crying or not In ordinary circumstances I would say it's just a phase that he'll grow out of in his own time and not worry about it too much; however I am very concerned about how to help him handle the imminent birth of his sibling (only four months away) without being traumatized by the new baby's crying I feel so afraid that he'll have to contend with this fear in a way that's very forced and scary for him sort of like pushing my niece (who's terrified of thunder) right into a huge thunderstorm   I'm also afraid that it's going to be hard for him to bond with the new baby   Please help Answer murphy 1 265 8/4/08 12:19 am   Constapation Question I have a 7 week old that is constapated It is Sat Aug 2nd and he went last on Wed morning Before that Sat night I took him to the doctor she suggested watered down apple juice and Karo syrup These might have been the reason for his last poop on wed but he hasnt since My mom suggest watered down prune juice or me drink prune juice (since I'm breastfeading) I am also formula feeding I've changed his formula also just to rule out that factor and nothing seems to be working The only improvement since the formula change is he doesnt scream like he's got a belly ache Should I try the prune juice   Can you suggest anything else Thanks Ambyr Answer Ambyr 1 297 8/2/08 8:29 pm   Dentist Question Hi Christine   I was recommended to you by my sister Samantha   I have a question about the dentist   My daughter Olivia just turned 3 on July 2nd and was wondering when is it time to start bringing her to the dentist   We brush every morning and every night and sing while we do it she doesn't  "love" to do it so I try to make it fun   We sing the song from the movie "Grease" brush a brush a brusha   Any advice would be great   Thanks Answer mloiacono 1 290 7/23/08 3:02 pm   Aleve for migraines Question My girlfriend is 6 weeks pregnant and suffers from migraines can she take Aleve If not what can she take that won'thurt the baby Answer tucker6769 1 308 6/30/08 11:53 pm   babys not sleeping Question My sons going to be 2 in July and at night im worryed that hes not getting enough sleep He still falls off his bed but not as much but for awhile it started about year ago really bad he wakes up in the middle of the night crying and as long as no on bothers him he falls asleep Like last night he woke up for a bit cryed rolled over and looked at me from his bed and smiled Then went back to sleep Well more and more lately hes been needing naps and I try not to give them to him couse I want him to sleep at night and when he takes naps he dont always fall asleep at 9 when  I do try to get him to sleep any sudjestions Answer gkayla 1 331 6/11/08 4:28 pm   my boy Question My son will be 2 the end of July and I think hes well ahead but most dont couse he dosent always talk around sertan people mostly in my family He talks up the storm with me he was just out side saying moon and pointing to it I can set out his like four yellow blocks and three green blocks and ask for two yellow blocks and he give me 2 He can turn on and off the computer He dose know how to talk but hes always trying to figure things out and I think thats such a good thing So should I try to get him talking more or not worry about him talking to other people he just likes exspering and I usely let him unless hes exspering something he shouldnt Like one day we had my aunts over and he would rother put together his puzzle then talk to anyone then he went outside and ran around Im just also wondering if theres games I can play also 2 help him learn docs keeps cheaking him couse he has a big head but 2 my belief thats all it is a big head Answer gkayla 1 301 6/12/08 1:17 am   Children and play Question My daughter is 3  1/2 years old She don't go to pre school yet I plan on sending her in September She hardly plays with other children her age I take her to parks zoo shows etc When I take her to the park she will stay right by my side To me she seems to have a shy personality My son is 23 now and was shy too I am a over protective Mom however I want to do what is best for her She gets lots of outdoor and indoor play My inner being tells me she will struggle somewhat when she starts pre school but I do feel she will make her way through without having any kind of long term problems When she does play with children she plays well with them She does play often with adults and by no means do I think this is a subsitute for playing with children I would like your veiws as a expert Do you think I am molding my daughter to be a loner or do you feel I am neglecting her and going to cause her to have social problems I seem to feel I am doing fine in raising my child but my mother in law that is a 2nd grade teacher seems to think I am doing the wrong thing Thanks Rosemarie Answer Yeha32 1 296 6/7/08 4:35 am   pacifier Question My son is four months and he loves his pacifier but my older son who be 2 hated it I really liked that couse I did not have to brake my older one from it Is it  going to be a big deal if I go ahead and try braking my younger one from them I dont really like them excepcily when I see all the time 2 or 3 year olds running around with them and I just think the sooner the better Answer gkayla 1 290 6/10/08 9:24 pm   premature Question        I had my third child 10 weeks early is there anything i can do to help him with his development Answer motherofthree 1 294 5/9/08 11:36 pm   immunnization Question i dont want to vaccinate my new born babby  i think it is wrong to inject dease in a new born babby  will i be able to do that or will i be force to vaccinte her Answer elcie 1 311 5/27/08 1:12 pm   don't want to play Question My baby girl is 3 months old and she is not interested in toys at all She dosen't want to look at them she dosen't pay attention to them she dosent want to hold or grab nothing She just wants to be held and to walk around with her I am trying to put things in her hand but she dosern't want to grab them I will put her in bouncing chair and she will start to cry ( I will pick her up it's ok and after 5 10 min put her again and she starts to cry) Is there something wrong with her Shouldn't she start to grab or try to grab toys by now I will place her on mat with toys hanging and she dosen't even look at them not even thinking about grabing them Answer Tweety 1 403 4/25/08 6:45 pm   please i need help Question hai I have a six year old son and would like to know what size his penis should be coz am very worried that most kids younger than him look  to have a much longer one than his but it gets better when he uses the bathroom pliz help could it also be because he is not circumsised yet i am so worried coz its so tiny Answer mandy 1 357 4/12/08 2:02 am   child does not sleep in her bed. Question My daughter is three years old and sleeps in our bed at night   She will sleep in her bed during nap but we are almost done with naps   When she was born she had some health problems so i started her in our bed   About six months we began her in her crib   we started her out crying herself to sleep and within two weeks   Then we sold our house and moved  in with the in laws   We could not let her cry we could not let her make a sound because a sister in law  worked graveyard shift   So back in our bed she went   Now she is three years old and is in our bed   We have tried to bring her toddler bed into our room and that worked for two days and then she would get so upset that she would make herself vomit   We tried putting her toddler bed back in her room and playing music and waiting till she would fall asleep but that didn't work   She would stay awake for two hours and then want to sleep with us   Now we have another child on the way and they will be sharing a room   Do you think that when this child is born that she will sleep in her bed or what can I do now to get her to do this   I don't want her to vomit and choke on it   Also my child can get herself so worked up that she can make her self vomit   How do I stop this   Is this because she is not getting her way and so she thinks that if she does this that it will get her way   How do I stop this   Answer flower 1 479 1/29/08 1:44 pm   Sleeping Irregular Question I have a 6 month old baby and the last month (at 4 months) he started to wake up every two hours He was sleeping thru the night for two months then like a switch overnight he started waking up SOmetimes every one hour I thught perhaps at first he was growing wanting more milk but now a month later and its not that Some nights I can tell its teething problems and I put in the numb stuff and he goes right back to sleep But I'm afraid he has gotten into a pattern of waking every hour or two How do I stop this I can't get any sleep I tried letting him cry to sleep but he gets really really mad and it wakes him up even more Help Answer joycebala 1 399 4/6/08 4:57 pm Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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