Parenting & Child Development: From Infancy to Adolescence

Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.

close-up of a honey dipper over a bowl of cereal

Is it OK to Eat Honey When Pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you probably feel very protective of your unborn baby. You may worry that drinking diet soda, consuming mercury in fish or even dyeing your hair could negatively affect your pregnancy.

Read more →
Smiling pregnant woman on bed with her hand at belly

Are Period-Like Symptoms Common When Pregnant?

Symptoms such as breast tenderness, spotting and cramping are experienced by many women during menstrual periods. Sometimes a woman may not be aware that she is pregnant because period-like symptoms are also common during pregnancy.

Read more →

Rash on Toddler's Bottom

From bright red and scaly to mild pink and itchy, the specific appearance of the rash sprinkled across your toddler’s bottom is a key to its cause. Some of these rashes require a doctor’s attention, but you should be able to get rid of most of them with proper home care.

Read more →
Asia baby girl cough

Coughing with Feeding in Infants

Your infant can cough for many reasons. If your infant coughs during feeding, he might be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, or GER.

Read more →

Breastfeeding and Acidic Smell From Bowel Movements

A breastfeeding mother often keeps a close eye on her baby’s bowel movements to help keep track of the baby’s milk intake. While most bowel movements from breastfed babies do not have a strong smell, an acidic smell from your baby’s stool could indicate a dietary sensitivity, or a more serious medical condition.

Read more →

Stringy Mucus During Breast-Feeding

Keeping track of the contents of a breast-fed baby’s diapers helps breast-feeding mothers ensure baby is getting enough to eat. Mucus in your baby’s diaper is not unusual, even in a breast-fed baby, and most of the time, it is not a cause for medical concern.

Read more →

About Toddler Arm Flapping

Arm flapping or hand flapping are classic autistic behaviors, but that doesn't mean your child has autism if she does this occasionally. Normal children may flap their hands or arms when they get excited.

Read more →
elevated close-up view of a doctor handing a new born baby to the mother

The Onset of Allergies After Giving Birth

It's one of the best days of your life. You've given birth to a beautiful baby, but perhaps your bundle of joy is not the only new arrival. You might notice you have developed new allergies after pregnancy. If so, you are not alone. "The New York Times"

Read more →
chocolate bars

Is Cocoa Bad for Pregnant Women?

Cocoa presents both risks and advantages for pregnant women. If you drink cocoa in the form of hot chocolate, the beverage typically contains a small amount of caffeine. The majority of health care professionals advise against the intake of any caffeine in a pregnancy diet.

Read more →
Garden salad

Is Vinegar OK for Pregnant Women?

Eating while you're pregnant can be fraught with worry and fear, since certain foods are off-limits, and many more foods exist somewhere in the gray area between danger and complete safety. Rest assured that vinegar is safe to consume during pregnancy.

Read more →
Baby playing with mother in bed

Silent Reflux and Breastfeeding

Silent reflux is similar to acid reflux in that it’s caused by a reflux of acid from the stomach. Silent reflux, however, gets its name because the acid reaches its way only to the lower esophagus without being spit up, as often happens in infants with acid reflux.

Read more →
Coach Giving Team Talk To Elementary School Basketball Team

The Impact of Sports on Middle School Students

There are more after school activity options than ever before for middle school students, including clubs, tutoring and sports participation. If your middle schooler participates in sports, you must consider the potential benefits as well as the risk of injury and the demands on the time and energy of young athletes.

Read more →
Father Bottle-Feeding His Young Daughter

The Advantages or Disadvantages of Bottle Feeding

Bottle feeding is the alternative to breast-feeding. Although formula provides all of the nutrients a baby needs to grow and thrive, there are advantages and disadvantages to choosing to feed a baby with formula. These considerations extend not only to the baby but to the mother as well.

Read more →
Baby boy (18-24 months) in high chair holding spoon in bowl, portrait

Swollen Lips in a Toddler

If your toddler looks like he's been in a back-alley fight -- with swollen, puffy lips -- he may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Take allergic reactions that cause facial swelling seriously, because they can affect your child's breathing.

Read more →
Pregnancy

How to Juice While You're Pregnant

Juicing is an effective way to consume more vitamins and minerals to fill in any nutritional gaps during pregnancy. Fresh juice provides concentrated nutrients for you and your unborn baby without adding the excess calories often found in store-bought juices.

Read more →

Dos & Don'ts for Newborn Babies

Your newborn baby is vulnerable and dependent on you for appropriate care. Following fundamental safety guidelines established by your pediatrician will ensure your baby is safe and healthy. For the first year of life, your baby will spend most of her time sleeping and eating.

Read more →
Woman and girl in home office with computer looking unhappy

Kids and Compulsive Lying

Like adults, kids often lie for many reasons or for no reason at all. Problematic, habitual lying -- in which a child lies by reflex -- is known as pathological lying or compulsive lying. If this behavior continues into adulthood, it can cause significant problems for your child's personal and social life.

Read more →