The Baby Manual

Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby’s skin today, specifically baby acne and diaper rash. She explains what causes each irritation as well as how they typically present. She then goes through Western and alternative medicines that offer relief or healing.  Baby acne often starts in the first month or so of a baby’s life. There are several causes for baby acne and it will typically cover the face and...

Dr. Carole Keim explores the topics of allergies and eczema in this episode. She defines what each disease is and what typically causes their appearance. All your questions about what symptoms to look for in your infant or child as well as how you can treat allergies and eczema when discovered will be answered by Dr. Keim.   Allergies, eczema, and asthma are called atopic diseases and tend to run...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about constipation and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in this episode. Dr. Keim details how to tell if your infant or child is truly constipated and what can be done to help alleviate the discomfort, as well as what to look for if you suspect a UTI. Her advice includes all holistic options that are applicable to alternative care.   The rate of true constipation in infants un...

Dr. Carole Keim discusses vomiting and diarrhea in this episode, explaining the causes and symptoms of each. Beyond Western medicine treatment, Dr. Keim dives into alternative and holistic options for the treatment of both vomiting and diarrhea in babies and toddlers.   Vomiting and diarrhea can often appear together, caused by viral infections, but vomiting alone can be a red flag for issues beyo...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about colic and reflux in this episode. She explains what they are and explores how different modalities can help alleviate your baby’s discomfort. There are supportive and alternative care options that Dr. Keim doesn’t often get a chance to address in the office but can present here.     Dr. Keim defines a baby with true colic as one who cries for “three hours per day, three...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about teething, a subject that comes up a lot and that parents have many questions about. She explains all about what to expect in terms of your baby’s teething discomfort and what modalities can help alleviate some of the pain.     Teething happens to babies and then again to older children and is uncomfortable both times, though the experiences are slightly different. Dr. K...

Dr. Carole Keim discusses ears and two main issues that your baby can experience. Ear infections, also called otitis media, and ear wax. Dr. Keim explains the many symptoms of an ear infection, what causes them, and explores the holistic options for treating the pain and infection. She also talks about how best to clear ear wax from a baby’s ears.    While Dr. Keim doesn’t talk about swimmer’s ear...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about two conditions that can affect your baby’s eyes. The first is lacrimal duct stenosis and the second is pinkeye. She explains what causes each condition, how they typically present in your child, and ways each modality of medicine can help with treatment. All this information will also be found in her new book, Holistic Mama’s Handbook .    Lacrimal duct stenosis is ofte...

Welcome to Season 3 of The Baby Manual podcast with Dr. Carole Keim - pediatrician, mom, author of The Baby Manual and the upcoming Holistic Mamas Handbook . In this new season Dr. Keim will take parents through things like teething, colic, constipation, and allergies. This first episode explores what types of modalities are available, from Western medicine to acupuncture to naturopathy and more. ...

Dr. Carole Keim discusses all the supportive care options available for your child’s cold, beyond the over-the-counter medications. She details alternative medicines and things you can do to alleviate your child’s cold symptoms. Most viruses don’t have specific treatments in Western medicine. We have COVID and flu vaccines, but beyond that, there isn’t much medically to be done for a cold. Dr. Kei...

Dr. Carole Keim gives parents information on daycare and preschool - from the different types of preschools available to how they operate - so you can find the best fit for your child, but also for you in terms of community.  There is a lot to consider when choosing a preschool: in the United States there are three main types of preschools and they would each suit specific child needs or parent de...

Dr. Carole Keim explains all the toddler behavior you can expect at different ages between ages one and three. She goes through all main behavior and ability changes and gets to the heart of why toddlers are acting in the way they are.  The more understanding you have of why children are behaving in a certain way, the easier it is to see things from their point of view. Dr. Keim offers tips and tr...

Dr. Carole Keim talks all about picky eaters in this episode. Is it normal when your toddler reaches a point of only eating five beige foods? Yes. Dr. Keim covers this and everything to do with development, child nutrition, tempting picky eaters, and when to see a doctor about food concerns. Dr. Keim also addresses why the old food pyramid is out of date and explains the actual nutrients your chil...

In Episode 6 of Season 2, Dr. Carole Keim walks us through what to expect from three year olds. This can be a difficult age because children experience a lot of emotional growth and often become oppositional. Dr. Keim offers guidance on what to expect and how to handle it. Three year olds have a lot of big feelings and drama, they often ask “why” a lot, they do the opposite of what is asked to tes...

In this episode, Dr. Carole Keim talks about what to expect from your two and a half year old. Your child is getting older, is super cute, and is now talking more, so Dr. Keim explains everything from motor skills to nutrition, and offers some parenting advice. A child at two and a half will have enough language to communicate basics with you but their lack of full verbal skills can frustrate them...

In this episode of Season Two, Dr. Carole Keim discusses two year olds. Dr. Keim explains exactly what developmental and behavioral milestones to expect, offers potty training and safety advice, and touches on preschool and checkups for your two year old. This age is often called “the terrible twos” largely because children have learned the word ‘no’ and have started advocating for themselves. The...

In this episode, Dr. Carole Keim talks all about potty training. While potty training usually involves toddlers - the common age is between two and four years - it can be started as early as infanthood with what’s called elimination communication. Dr. Keim walks parents through all the major questions and issues about potty training.  Dr. Keim first explains how to identify when your toddler is re...

In this second episode of Season 2, Dr. Carole Keim discusses what to expect at the 18 month stage. Your baby is a toddler now, and showing ever more personality, and Dr. Keim has advice on everything from tantrums to sleep. Dr. Keim addresses what social and motor development looks like at this age. Your baby will want to play with you and they understand a lot more language than their few words...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Baby Manual with Dr. Carole Keim MD. This first episode of Season 2 is all about your baby at 15 months of age. From parenting to nutrition to skin care, Dr. Keim covers all the major developments of the 15 month age group.  Dr. Keim discusses the developmental progress of your baby at 15 months and notes that they understand the word no, they have preferences, and they...

Dr. Carole Keim MD congratulates all parents on making it through the first year. She reminds everyone how much babies have developed in that year and then goes through what to expect at 12 months and beyond. From development to parenting decisions to skin and teeth care, Dr. Keim covers what you need to know.  Dr. Keim addresses how best to engage with your baby once they’re a year old. She detai...

Dr. Carole Keim MD introduces everything to know about babies at 9 months of age in this episode. She details developmental milestones and safety considerations for the 9 to 12 month age range and lets you know what to look for. Dr. Keim encourages parents to have date nights at this stage, to leave your baby with a trusted sitter, and also to start really talking out any parenting differences tha...

Dr. Carole Keim MD takes parents through all the different developmental milestones that babies go through from newborn to one year of age. She details the types of development, how to play with your baby to enhance development, and how much screen time is okay for babies. Dr. Keim explains how your baby’s grasp will develop as they age through their first year and when they’ll be able to use thei...

Dr. Carole Keim MD takes listeners through vaccines in today’s episode. She explains everything from how vaccines are created to common myths and misconceptions about them. She then details each baby and childhood vaccine, and what disease each prevents. Dr. Keim breaks down how vaccines work and what criteria they must meet in disease to be effective. She explains the four main types of vaccines...

In this episode Dr. Carole Keim MD covers baby illnesses and red flags. A red flag is a sign something could be wrong with your baby. Dr. Keim explains abnormal temperatures, choking, diarrhea, head injuries, seizures, and more to guide you in identifying red flags and what they might mean. Not all red flags are emergencies that require immediate attention. Some are, but some are identified as urg...

Dr. Carole Keim MD talks you through everything about sleep in this episode. Your baby’s sleep and yours as well. She addresses sleep patterns, helping your baby fall asleep and stay asleep, crying, safe sleep and reducing SIDS risk, and how to consider nighttime work division with a partner so both of you can get your own sleep.  Sleep is vital for both you and your baby. For the first months of...