Q: I’ve heard so much lately about the vaccine for HPV, or the Human Papillomavirus. What is HPV, and should I have my daughter vaccinated for it?
A: Gardasil is the new vaccine which has been approved for girls and women from 9-26 years old. It is a vaccine against Human Papillomavirus, HPV, which causes genital warts and cervical cancer. Although no vaccine is 100 percent effective, this vaccine targets two strains of the virus which cause 70 percent of cervical cancer, and two more strains which cause 90 percent of genital warts. The goal is to immunize girls before they have been exposed to the virus through sexual contact. 

As a parent and a pediatrician, I am hopeful that the vaccine will protect my daughters against this virus and the conditions it causes. I would strongly encourage you to have your daughter vaccinated and to discuss this with your pediatrician at your next visit. Although the vaccine is approved for children as young as 9 years old, it is currently being given most commonly at the 11- to 12-year checkup along with other vaccines, such as tetanus. The vaccine is given in three doses over a six-month period.

It is important to remember that the vaccine does not treat the conditions caused by the virus, nor does it change the recommendations regarding routine screening for cervical cancer (Pap smear). There are ongoing studies to determine whether a booster will be needed in the future.  

Janet W. Dellinger, M.D.
Memphis Pediatrics

Q:  My child doesn’t sleep well at night. Am I doing something wrong? 
A: Establishing good sleeping habits is as important as establishing good eating habits.  Parents of children who have problems sleeping report more problems with attention, memory, behavior, and difficulty academically.
From about age 5 to12 years, your child will need about 10 hours of sleep per day.  It isn’t until about 13 years of age that your child can make do with eight hours of sleep per night. 

For the older child, avoid putting a television or telephone in their room, or letting them listen to stimulating music while trying to sleep. If your child insists that he can’t go to sleep without listening to music or watching television, try a sound machine that produces relaxing sounds. Another aid is relaxation techniques such as imagining that each muscle is relaxing.  Start with the toes and move up the body.

If you tried to establish good sleep habits and your older child still has significant problems with sleep, you may need to consult a sleep specialist. The specialist may want to place your child in the hospital overnight to monitor their sleep pattern to determine if there is a physiological reason for their inability to sleep

Dr. Vickie Brewer, Ph.D.
Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology, CEO

Q: I’m a mom-to-be who wants to breastfeed. How do I pick out the right breast pump for me and my baby?
The best type of pump you can buy is a double-electric one. These cut pumping time in half because both breasts are simultaneously massaged, expressing the milk within 10-15 minutes. It also increases milk production and prevents leaking.

When you’re trying to decide which pump to buy, make a good investment. An inexpensive pump can be difficult to use and not very effective. A double-electric pump can cost $100 -$300 and a hospital-grade pump can cost up to $1,000. A year’s worth of formula costs $2,300.  It’s important that you don’t share a pump with another mom, unless it has a removable kit. Otherwise, you run the risk of contamination. Kits cost about $50.

If you’re going to pump for a short period of time or don’t want to invest in a pump, you might consider renting a hospital-grade pump. Hospital-grade pumps are especially useful in establishing a milk supply for a mother who cannot breastfeed right away. You can rent a hospital-grade Medela pump from Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown for $50-60 a month, plus the cost of the kit. Consultants are on-site to help moms learn how to use the pumps. Call 516-6893 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for more information.

Ruth Ashcraft, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center