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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.

2009-11-19 baby wont eat.:

Dear Anne: We are seeing more and more of this in young children. I would suggest you ask his pediatrician for a referral to a children's hospital and have him seen in a feeding therapy clinic where

2009-11-18 Vomiting:

Latoshia: Your daughter just may be exhibiting signs of stress over school pressure by vomiting. Or she could have a real physical reason for vomiting. I think it would be wise to have her evaluated

2009-11-14 My 11 months old having diarrhea:

Pavithra: A breast fed baby does better with soy formula than milk based formula so I would continue the soy formula. Feed rice cereal, banana (mashed), cooked rice, applesauce, pieces of toasted bread

2009-11-09 toddler feeding:

Dear Mahalieo: If you are always blending your son's food he can't possibly learn to chew. Start offering him soft, mashed with a fork foods such as potatoe, carrot, sweet potatoe, etc and let him

2009-11-08 eating problem:

Dear Nasim: Try and allow your baby to feed herself. Place a mound of soft food like mashed potato on her feeding tray and allow her to touch and play with the food with her hands. Eventually, and

 

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