Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.
Pregnancy comes with a host of symptoms -- one of which can be cramping. While uncomfortable, mild cramping is typically normal during pregnancy. If you are ever concerned, speak with your obstetrician. Otherwise, don’t underestimate the importance of drinking plenty of water throughout your pregnancy.
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Metformin is usually prescribed for Type 2 diabetes patients who have trouble maintaining consistent blood sugar levels. As a general rule, it is unsafe to take any herbs, supplements or vitamins while taking metformin unless you have the express approval of your doctor.
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Proponents of reflexology believe that pressing on special reflex points help to induce labor. You should never try to induce your labor without consulting your doctor first. Generally, a doctor will recommend inducing labor when you’re up to two weeks past your due date and labor has failed to start naturally.
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Around 3.6 million babies are born each year, according to psychologist John Gottman. While the birth of a baby is generally a happy time, it also brings many changes and, often, a lot of stress. For some couples, the extra stress can lead to increased fighting.
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Applesauce is easy, inexpensive and a favorite first fruit for many babies. As with any new food you introduce to your baby, he might exhibit an allergic reaction. Babies allergic to applesauce have a pollen allergy rather than a food allergy and typically display oral symptoms.
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Some babies become so upset that they cry inconsolably. Vomiting may accompany this extreme crying for some children. If your baby throws up when she cries, assess the situation carefully to determine whether an underlying issue causes the gastrointestinal response.
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Pregnancy unleashes an arsenal of changes on your skin. Hormones, stretching, tightening, bloating and rashes can transform your once calm midsection into a ball of itchy, painful discomfort.
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Protein is essential during pregnancy, and without sufficient amounts, your baby won't grow normally. Regularly consuming more protein than you need, however, can also impede your baby's development. Avoid either of these problems by learning how much is enough and how to go about getting exactly what you need.
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For the 40 weeks you carry a child, you're constantly concerned about whether the nutrients you're putting into your body are giving your baby what he needs. After you deliver your baby, you shouldn't stop thinking about it -- your body needs the right vitamins to help heal itself.
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Apples contain soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which can help keep a baby’s bowel movements regular. In addition, apples have high amounts of potassium, calcium and vitamins A, C and E. According to Wholesome Baby Food, you should introduce apples into your baby’s diet when the child is 6 to 8 months.
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Glipizide is a diabetes drug designed to help your body process sugar. In a normal person, the pancreas helps the body store excess sugar by releasing insulin in the proper amounts to give you energy. Diabetics do not store sugar properly, however, and instead, sugar remains in the bloodstream.
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When your baby is born, he has six soft spots around his skull. The anterior fontanelle is the one that you are most familiar with, as it is the most prominent and takes the longest to close. Soft spots are gaps between your child's skull bones that allow for rapid brain growth.
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It is well established that breastfeeding is the superior method of feeding an infant. Companies that make infant formula have attempted to imitate the composition of human breast milk, but no substitute exists.
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Calcium is a mineral crucial for the healthy development of teeth and bones, as well as muscle function, nerve transmission and hormone secretion. The dietary reference intake -- called the DRI -- for calcium depends on an individual's age.
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Yogurt offers several health benefits, including protein and probiotics, but may not be a good choice for all children. If your child has health problems, talk with her doctor about whether yogurt is a healthy option to include in her diet.
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Gasping behavior in infants and toddlers means that they aren't getting enough air. Many times, this indicates that the airway is obstructed. Gasping can indicate a number of serious conditions.
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If your child is normally full of energy, showing symptoms of lethargy can make you concerned he is experiencing an underlying medical condition. While lethargy resembles fatigue, it is typically accompanied by an underlying cause beyond missing a few minutes of sleep per night.
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Boredom can help children develop problem-solving skills and creativity. It also can alert you to problems, such as anxiety or loneliness. Once you've talked to your child and ruled out an underlying problem, you need to help him learn to entertain himself.
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During pregnancy, the average woman should consume about 2,500 calories a day instead of the approximately 2,100 calories necessary before pregnancy. Consumption of any health or supplement product during pregnancy should contribute to these caloric needs, rather than restrict them.
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Nail ridges are raised lines that typically run vertically across the fingernail or toenail. Although they usually develop in adulthood, they can appear in people of all ages, even babies.
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