You are here:

Pediatrics/Expert Profile


Ask A Question

Mary Pat, R.N.

U.S.
Available
Expertise

I am happy to answer general non-diagnostic questions on infant & child care, infant & toddler feedings, discipline, illnesses, and how to access resources for the child with special needs.

Experience in the area

I am a pediatric nurse, an R.N. with 40 years experience first as manager of a community hospital pediatric department & 11 years working in a private pediatric practice. I have managed more than 100,000 phone calls from parents in private practice.

What do you like about this subject?

I have had a life long nursing career caring for children and their parents both in the hospital in an acute care setting and in ambulatory care. I have great observations to share.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I am still learning about infants and children especially in the area of growth and development. Children teach me constantly. They are our greatest resource.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Children are very honest, resiliant and so very brave when faced with illness or hospitalization. They bounce back from minor illnesses so quickly.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

I am convinced from observing infants that they have much more intelligence than we think they have. They simply do not have the motor skills to communicate this fact to us.

Average Ratings

Recent Answers from Mary Pat, R.N.

2009-11-06 Sleep:

Dear Michelle: Sleep patterns change in young children Michelle and the worst thing you can do is to bring her into your bed. She will train herself to awaken every night to get into your bed. Stop

2009-11-05 Question about my 5 month old son:

Dear Jordan: If the baby still has cold symptoms and is acting the way you describe he needs to have his ears examined either by the doctor who failed to do so or another one. This could be from teething

2009-11-05 asthma in 2 year old:

Dear Amy: Fevers are usually a symptom of infection in the body and fever helps to fight those infections. The fevers are not related to his asthma. Bronchitis can cause fever to occur in some cases

2009-11-04 GERD and Colic:

Dear Angela: I thank you for defining your infants constipation. Stools coming out like hard pellets is constipation but not going for several days may not be constipation. So thanks for the clarification

2009-11-02 need lotion recommendation:

Dear Amber: Hard to say what the rash is without seeing it but from experience it could be one of two types, fungal or bacterial skin infection. If she is a thumb sucker and the area stays moist then

 

Ask A Question

All Answers

Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.