Q: I worry about my toddler's safety during the Christmas season.
Do you have any tips about protecting a child while shopping?
A: Few things are as frightening as realizing your child is missing in a crowd.
Fortunately, though the anxiety is real, the risk is quite low, and you can guard against it.
Maintain bodily contact with your toddler by pushing a stroller, holding hands or by a child tether. During serious shopping, your attention will be diverted by transactions and your hands and arms by bundles.
For sessions like that, it is best to take a companion with you whose sole duty is to pay attention to your toddler. Better yet, hire a sitter and leave your toddler at home!
Though the lights, sights and sounds of a mall in December can entertain a toddler for a short period of time, we don't know any toddler who really enjoys shopping!
Dr. Wilson is director of general pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Children's Center; Dr. Joffe is director of adolescent medicine.