• Continue to wipe or brush child’s teeth daily. 
• Do not use fluorinated toothpaste until your child can spit it out.
• For more on dental care, see our dental pages.
• Smoking in enclosed places allows smoke dust to settle on clothes and hair.  When held, the child inhales the smoke dust and can develop allergies, asthma and ear infections.  Never smoke around your child or in the home or car - even if the child is not present at the time.
• If you choose to stop the pacifier, there are many methods.  Some parents choose the cold turkey method.  Others keep it in the crib only for a few weeks, then stop it.  Some will cut off the tip, so the child loses interest.  See our dental pages for more information.
• For fever, use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen as directed.  Dosing chart is on our medication page.
• Immunizations:
• Fever is common after shots for 1-2 days.  Only give Acetaminophen every 4-6 hours as needed for symptoms.  It is no longer recommended to prevent the fever due to the fact that it might lessen the effectiveness of the vaccine.
• Bring your shot record each visit.
• Review the VIS (Vaccine Information Sheet) before visits.
• Flu (Influenza) shots are recommended each Fall. 

Discipline: 

• Ignore tantrums.  Do not show that tantrums bother you.
• Reward good behavior frequently with smiles, compliments and hugs.
• They are too young to expect social perfection - set appropriate expectations.
• When sick or tired, expect more difficult behavior.
• Keep consistent routines.
• Time out can begin when a child is verbal enough to understand. 

Safety: 

• Continue keeping medications/poisons locked and out of reach.
• Toddlers fall frequently so watch them carefully.  Cold compress reduces swelling of head bumps.
• If child loses consciousness, vomits after a head injury, pupils are different sizes or child does not recognize you, take to the emergency room.
• Remove sharp edged furniture or cover edges with safety bumpers.
• Avoid burns by monitoring stoves, iron, curling iron, and fires.
• Keep water temperature below 120° F.
• Keep cigarettes, matches and lighters out of sight and reach.
• Child can drown in less than 2 inches of water.  Never leave unattended around any water, including toilets and buckets.
• Keep guns unloaded and locked up with ammunition locked up separately.
• Use sunscreen frequently.
• Continue to use car seat (never in front of an air bag).
• Avoid lawn mowers, farm equipment, garage doors, and streets.
• Do not pour unused medication into drains or toilets.  For information on how to safely dispose of medications, click here.
• All parents should learn CPR and refresh skills every 2 years.  For a list of CPR classes for both non-medical and medical professionals, click here.
• We recommend keeping toddlers rear facing in the car seat until 2 years and 30 pounds.
• Keep bulky clothing off the child in the car seat, it does not allow proper fit of the seat belt. Use blankets for warmth as needed.
  
• Click here for more safety information.