Ask the Experts

We have a wide range of experts on hand to answer your questions on everything from pregnancy and birth to sleeping, feeding, fitness and general well-being. If you have a question that needs answered, get in touch.

Q. Is it okay to add rice cereal to my baby's bottle to get her to sleep through the night?

No, rice cereal should not be added to your baby’s bottle to help her have a better night’s sleep. The most important reason for this is that rice cereal represents a choking hazard for your baby. Also, the unnecessary calories from rice cereal are a concern, as they can lead to excessive weight gain. Additionally, constipation is a very common and troublesome side effect that is seen with this intervention. Sleep issues are one of the most common complaints of new parents, so please reach out to your pediatrician if you want to discuss safe and effective ways to improve your baby’s sleep at night.

Alex Brainard, MDPediatrics Shawnee Mission Pediatrics

Every day, the AdventHealth ShawneeMission Birth Center provides the compassionate, expert and exceptional care families expect from Johnson County’sleader in mother and baby care. AdventHealthKC.com/birthcenter

Q. My dog has not been around many children, and I am now expecting. How do I prepare my dog for our new baby?

Start refreshing or training your dog on the basics such as “sit,” “wait,” and “no jumping.”The “leave it” command is also a good one to utilize when your dog and new baby are first getting to know each other. Familiarize your dog with the baby gear and strollers. Take the dog for a walk with the stroller prior to the baby’s arrival and have the dog spend some time in the baby’s room so everything is not new all at once. Create a safe space where your dog can go if he feels overwhelmed and never leave your baby unsupervised with your dog.

Ashley FloresGreat Plains SPCA

GREAT PLAINS SPCA Great Plains SPCA is one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in the Kansas City area, serving Johnson County, KS, and Kansas and the surrounding area.913.831.7722, GreatPlainsSPCA.org

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  AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center

  More families choose the AdventHealth Birth Center, formerly known as the Shawnee Mission Birth Center, to deliver their babies each year, not because of the amenities, but because of the outstanding doctors and dedicated nursing staff who ensure...

• AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

  When you’re in need, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission's expert care teams help heal your body, ease your mind, and lift your spirit.

• AdventHealth Centra Care

  AdventHealth Centra Care has been helping families feel whole for more than 35 years. Our urgent care clinics are open 7 days a week and have evening hours on weekdays. Walk in anytime, or make a convenient online reservation.

• Great Plains SPCA

  GPSPCA provides lifesaving services for approximately 6,000 animals annually in the greater Kansas City area. Great Plains SPCA exists because of our caring Kansas City community and generous donors.