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You bet breastfeeding will make a difference, says James Sears, MD, a pediatrician at Sears Family Pediatric Practice in San Clemente, Calif., and author of several books including The Baby Sleep Book: The Complete Guide to a Good Night's Rest for the Whole Family . It will also make a big difference in a mother's health.

For starters, he says, breast milk boosts immunity and helps protect your baby against certain diseases and infections including ear infections, allergies, pneumonia, and wheezing.

For moms, breastfeeding may decrease the risk of breast cancer, lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and build strong bones. It is also said to increase bonding and help shed those remaining pregnancy pounds, according to Sears.

But that's not to say it's easy or that it is for every new mom. There are some medical as well as personal reasons why a mother doesn't breastfeed, and infant formula is an acceptable alternative. Together with your partner, you can make the decision that is right for your family.

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The good news is that there are ways to dramatically reduce your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night. You should also place your baby on a firm sleep surface and keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Another no-no is smoking around a newborn.    

While SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age, claiming the lives of approximately 2,000 babies in the U.S. each year, the National Center for Health Statistics has reported a more than 50% drop in SIDS death rates and a decrease in stomach sleeping from 70% to 15%. This is the equivalent of saving more than 3,500 American babies each year.

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The immunizations and autism debate doesn’t seem to go away. As of today, the weight of currently available scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism, says the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Md. Some groups still contend that the preservative thimerosal, which contains a type of mercury, and is found in certain vaccines, is responsible the rising rates of autism. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that any vaccine can cause autism.

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There is no magic bullet to keep your child from getting sick at day care or school, but certain precautions may make a difference. The main one is regular hand-washing. Use warm, soapy water and rub vigorously for at least 20 seconds -- about the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday."

When choosing a facility, be sure to check into the day care facility's hand-washing policy, the actual hand-washing practices, and the availability of sinks, says Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai in New York City, and the author of The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu . Ask to make sure surfaces are being cleaned regularly. Research presented at a media briefing by the American Medical Association showed that nearly 50% of those teachers surveyed report they regularly clean and disinfect their classrooms themselves.

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Some children do get frequent and painful middle ear infections. Your doctor may choose to begin medical prevention if your child has more than three ear infections in six months or more than four in one year including prophylactic antibiotics, says James Sears, MD, a pediatrician at Sears Family Pediatric Practice in San Clemente, Calif., and author of several books including the The Baby Sleep Book: The Complete Guide to a Good Night's Rest for the Whole Family .

Another option may be a vaccine called Prevnar that came out in 2000. Four doses are given during the first two years of life. The vaccine has been shown to significantly decrease the number of ear infections caused by pneumococcus that are resistant to standard antibiotics, he says.

You may have also heard about ear tubes. These are tiny tubes that an ear, nose, and throat specialist inserts into the eardrum under general anesthesia. They usually stay in place for six months to more than a year to drain chronic ear fluid, preserve hearing and assure timely speech development (by avoiding long months of muffled hearing caused by middle ear fluid). Talk to your pediatrician to see if any of these remedies are right for your child.

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Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the U.S, but parents can -- and should -- do their part. Make time for the entire family to participate in regular physical activities that everyone enjoys, suggests American Obesity Association, and limit the amount of TV watching. As far as eating, try to implement the same healthy diet for your entire family, not just for select individuals, and eat meals together at the dinner table at regular times. Sounds simple, but these little things can help your children develop the healthy habits that last a lifetime.

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects as many as one in every 20 children. It is marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

If you notice these symptoms in your child, he or she should be evaluated by a mental health professional. The evaluation should include observation in the classroom and at home. The good news is that treatment for ADHD is effective for most children. The most effective treatments for ADHD include a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and parental support and education. 

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Children and teenagers can be depressed. It is not just a grown-up's illness.

Signs of depression may include:

• Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
• Hopelessness
• Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
• Persistent boredom; low energy
• Social isolation, poor communication
• Low self-esteem and guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Difficulty with relationships
• Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and stomachaches
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Poor concentration
• A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Talk of or efforts to run away from home
• Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your child's pediatrician about getting a referral to a mental health provider. Early diagnosis and treatment for depression can make all the difference!