Parenting Advice: Child Behavior, Health & Single Parent Support

Child development is deeply influenced by parenting styles, behavioral strategies like positive reinforcement, and the quality of support systems available to single or adolescent parents.

Cute little girl blowing her nose in park

How to Relieve Nasal Congestion in Kids

Congestion in kids has many possible causes, including exposure to environmental irritants, allergies, viral and bacterial infections and changes in humidity levels.

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Newborn baby

Belly Button Discoloration in a Newborn

A discolored bellybutton -- usually blue or purplish -- is caused by an umbilical hernia. Ten percent of newborns, particularly girls and infants with African heritage, have umbilical hernias. These hernias are usually painless, and they often disappear on their own by age 2.

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bowl of honey

Things to Give Children to Soothe Their Throat and Cough

When deciding what to give to soothe a sore throat and cough, determine the type of cough and suspected underlying cause. In general, there are six different types of coughs that your child may be experiencing, according to the website WhatToExpect.com.

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Newborn wrapped in white blanket

Is It OK if My Newborn Baby's Belly Button Is Bleeding?

A baby's belly button may bleed a little in the days following birth. A few spots of blood is usually okay. However, if your baby's belly button keeps bleeding weeks after birth, bleeds heavily or shows signs of inflammation, then it may indicate another condition.

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Long-Term Effects of Spoiling Children

As a parent, you want to give your kids everything their heart's desire to make them happy, but parents who give too much, too often can spoil their children. Spoiling your children can be harmful to them, both socially and developmentally.

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Mother dressing up daughter (10-11), father watching

How To Not Lose Patience With Children

Your kids may not know much about the world, but they are bar-none experts at pushing limits and trying patience. However, you don't need to be a zen master to handle the trying times of rearing your children. Practicing patience with your children comes with deliberate effort, empathy and perspective.

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Belly Button Discharge in Newborns

At birth, the doctor clamps and cuts the umbilical cord, leaving behind a small stump that eventually falls off. In most newborns, the belly button heals on its own without any complications.

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How to Solve a Baby's Spitting Up After Burping

Some spitting up after feeding is normal in babies and does not interfere with growth or health. Spitting up is sometimes a nuisance, however; it stains all sorts of fabrics and simply makes quite a mess.

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Girl with toothache

Relief for Tooth Pain inChildren

Whether your child is teething, has a cavity or just got his braces tightened, a toothache causes discomfort and irritation. Until you can take your child to the dentist, use home remedies and over-the-counter care to make the pain bearable.

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What Are the Best Drinks for a Child with an Upset Stomach?

An upset stomach can have a variety of causes, including eating certain kinds of food, eating too much food, eating too quickly, indigestion or a viral infection such as the stomach flu. A child suffering from an upset stomach may also suffer from heartburn, nausea, excessive burping and bloating.

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Dance class applauding ballerina

What Are the Benefits of Positive Reinforcement in Kids?

Reinforcing good behavior while discouraging disobedience and anti-social behavior generally produces positive results in children. Positive reinforcement helps children feel good about their choices, which motivates them to increase the behaviors that bring rewards.

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African girl in hospital bed with mother talking to doctor

Sudden Nosebleeds in Children

When your child experiences a nosebleed, actually seeing the blood can often be more traumatizing than the bleeding itself. Since nose bleeds, medically known as epistaxis, are typically mild and not painful, quickly going to work to stop the nosebleed so your child can return to normal activities is best.

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How to Help With Nausea in Children

Parents try to keep their children healthy and feeling well. But, your child will still come to you from time to time with an upset stomach. Nausea can occur with or without vomiting or diarrhea.

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How to Tone the Flab Above the Belly Button

Everyone accumulates fat the same way, from poor diet and a lack of physical activity. But not everyone stores fat in the same places. If you have flab above your belly button, you probably want to eliminate this excess fat. According to the American Council on Exercise, spot reduction is not possible.

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Parents with teenagers

Side Effects of Overprotective Parenting

As children grow, they progress from total dependence during their first years of life to a higher degree of independence in their teenage years, when they start feeling the need to create their own identity.

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Mother and children brushing teeth

Is it Safe to Use Baking Soda on a Toddler's Teeth?

Baking soda has been safely used as a dental care product for decades. Using baking soda on a toddler's teeth is safe as long as a few simple considerations are followed. In addition, many dental associations have approved toothpaste and tooth-powder products that contain baking soda.

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Newborn Footprint

How to Change Birth Date on a Birth Certificate

Your birth certificate is one of your most important identifying documents. Whether trying to get a passport or filling out paperwork for a new job, it is important that your birth certificate has the correct information.

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