Can baby sign language delay speech?

There are times when concern is warranted, though. If a child has been using words and then stops and seems withdrawn or socially remote, Wegner says, it’s cause for further investigation. A pediatrician may identify temporary hearing deficits, other developmental delays or underlying health conditions affecting the child.

Other than that, don’t worry. “If the child is enjoying it and the parent is enjoying it, it creates a good interaction. It’s fun and it’s not going to be detrimental … the more you communicate the better the child’s experience will be,” says Jaswal.

Q: Is it OK for my 11-year old daughter to crawl in bed with her father and me when she has nightmares?

A: Not only is it OK but you’re sending your daughter a good message, says Dr. Richard A. Ferber, director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children’s Hospital Boston.

“If a child is scared — for whatever reason — parents need to do whatever it takes to make them not scared,” says Ferber. “It tells the child that you’re there for her.”

Ferber also notes, however, that while an occasional (e.g. once a month) nightmare isn’t out of the norm, a child who says she’s having repeated nightmares may actually be having other problems.

“A real nightmare is when the child wakes up from a frightening dream and is terrified," he says. "There’s usually a story to the dream.” An 11-year-old should be able to describe the story.

If, on the other hand, your child calmly comes to your bedroom and tries to slip in bed with you night after night, you’ll have to dig deeper for the solution. She may be afraid of being alone. Or perhaps there’s something going on at school or home that’s causing her to worry or be afraid. Discuss this with your child and perhaps your pediatrician.

Also, if she’s taking any medications you may also want to discuss whether they could interfere with her sleep. Many experts also say that adhering to a regular bedtime and reading or having quiet time instead of watching television immediately before bed helps ensure more restful sleep.

Victoria Clayton is a freelance writer based in California and co-author of the new book "Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance from a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom," published by Fair Winds Press.

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