Q: How do I know if my baby boy's reflux is normal or GERD? --Melissa, Dobbs Ferry, NY

The symptoms of reflux are similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), so you'll need to play detective. Let's start with your baby's age. Small amounts of reflux are normal, and these episodes should abate by the first birthday, says Benjamin Gold, M.D., chair of pediatric gastroenterology at Emory University. You also need to pay attention to the severity of the reflux. Is it accompanied by incessant and inconsolable crying, persistent back arching, head turning, and pulling away? Are there specks of blood in your baby's spit-up? If yes, make an appointment with your pediatrician. He or she should suggest lifestyle changes first, Gold says. This might include trying a specialty formula that's thickened with rice cereal (such as Enfamil A. R. and Similac Sensitive R.S.) and keeping your baby upright at a minimum of 30 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes after eating. If these strategies don't work, the next step is a prescription GERD medication, of which there are three categories: coating agents such as Carafate; acid suppression agents such as Zantac, Prevacid, and Nexium; and promotility agents that speed digestion, such as Reglan. The acid suppression agents have all been FDA-approved for use with children at least 1 year old (Zantac is approved for children as young as 1 month). However, Carafate has not been approved for children, and Reglan is approved for use only with pediatric patients undergoing small-bowel intubation.

Q: My baby takes hours to fall asleep. How can I speed up the process?--Alexandra, Cape Elizabeth, ME

It's not a matter of what you do; what matters is that you do it the same way and at the same time every evening. "A structured routine provides the signals that it's time to wind down and get ready for bed, which decreases a child's arousal level," says Jodi A. Mindell, Ph. D., a professor of psychology at Saint Joseph's University and author of Sleeping Through the Night. In fact, Mindell and her colleagues found that infants and toddlers whose parents followed a specific pre-sleep protocol--a bath followed by a massage or lotion application, and then lullabies or reading--fell asleep 40 percent faster and slept one hour longer after three weeks. A warm bath is best (test the water to make sure it's not too hot). The heat will cause your child's skin temperature to rise, which in turn will make their core temperature drop, producing an extra dose of drowsiness, Mindell says.

Q: My 13-year-old is on Facebook. What do I need to know? --Peg, Doylestown, PA

Think of Facebook as your Internet eyes. "It's a way for kids to express themselves, and it can be a way for kids and parents to stay connected," says Gwenn S. O'Keeffe, M. D., a pediatrician and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Communications and Media. But first you have to create your own Facebook page and familiarize yourself with the site's basic features, including how to "friend" your teen and use privacy settings. Once you're speaking the same online language, discuss what's appropriate. Start with the "Only Friends" privacy setting, which prevents strangers from viewing your daughter's page. O'Keeffe also recommends using this rule for friending: If they're not pals offline, they shouldn't be pals online. Finally, let her know that you'll regularly be perusing her page, and tell her if (and when) you find inappropriate content, such as contact information, suggestive photos, or profanity. Post on her wall when it makes sense, but don't overdo it. That's like setting up camp at her sleepover: not cool. However, if she de-friends you, take away her Facebook privileges, O'Keeffe says. "It's a red flag, and you need to investigate what she doesn't want you to see on her page."