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.

Woman with hand on head

How Soon Can Headaches Start When Pregnant?

Headaches are one of the most commonly reported symptoms among pregnant women. There are a number of likely causes. Some are quite serious, but most pose little threat to the mother or child. If you are pregnant, always keep your doctor apprised of any complications or symptoms you are experiencing.

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Baby with bottle

How Much Water Should My 11-Month-Old Be Drinking?

Milk doesn’t always quench an adult’s thirst, but it does the trick for babies. Breast milk and formula are the main drinks your 11-month-old needs, but once your child starts solid foods around 6 months of age, you can offer small amounts of water.

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How to Eat Strawberries During Pregnancy

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to make sure both you and your baby get the nutrition you need. Strawberries provide calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and other vital nutrition.

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Expectant mother with headphones on her belly

Can Loud Noises Hurt an Unborn Baby?

When you are pregnant, exposure to loud noises can raise the risk of hearing problems and other health issues not only for you, but also for your unborn baby. Loud noises can come from a variety of sources, including airplane engines, rock concerts, workplace-associated noise or a car radio played at a high volume.

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Baby Holding Blanket

When to Give a Newborn a Pacifier?

Trying to calm a fussy newborn is one of a new parent's greatest challenges. You may feed your baby, burp her, change her diaper and cuddle her -- and find that she still won't stop crying. When nothing else works, offering a pacifier can help calm a distressed baby.

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When Should Babies Start Crawling, Walking & Talking?

Babies, like adults, vary considerably in their abilities. No two babies begin crawling, walking or talking at the same age, even if they're in the same family. Each child develops at an individual pace, although most children fall into a certain range for meeting developmental milestones.

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Cute sleeping newborn baby child on mother hands

Sweating While Sleeping in Newborns

Just like children and adults sweat, so do babies -- even newborns. Newborns spend the majority of their day sleeping, and they are just as prone to sweat while asleep as they are awake. In some cases, the sweating is nothing to be worried about, but sometimes it can be a sign of a serious condition.

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ill young girl with fever drinking cup of warm tea

Recurrent High Fever in Teenagers

If your teen has a high fever, you might be concerned. Oftentimes, a fever is caused by a viral infection; however, sometimes, your teen’s fever might occur due to a bacterial infection or inflammatory condition. Knowing how to treat a high fever will assist with providing your teen some comfort.

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Couple with a baby

Pros of Gay Adoption

Gay adoption is also referred to as same-sex adoption. It allows couples of the same gender to be legally recognized as parents of a minor. In some situations, the child may be the biological child of one of the parents.

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background of fresh oyster in a plate

Is it Safe for Kids to Eat Oysters?

Most children aren't adventurous enough to slurp a raw oyster straight out of the shell, and this is probably good. Raw oysters can harbor bacteria and toxins that can be life-threatening to young children.

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Teenage friends text messaging on cell phones

How Has Texting Affected the Social Lives of Teens?

Talking on the phone is so old school. Most teens today prefer texting. About 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States own cellphones, and 75 percent of these teens send text messages, according to the Pew Research Center's Pew 2010 Internet and American Life Project.

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steamed crap claws

When Can Children Eat Shellfish?

The time to start allowing children to eat shellfish depends on your family’s history of atopic disease, such as allergies and asthma.

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Shaking & Tremors in Infants

Some babies develop shaking and tremors shortly after birth. These symptoms are not normal and indicate a prenatal problem with the mother’s health or use of prescription or illicit substances.

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Baby sleeping peacefully in a white bed

Why Do Toddlers Wake Up Crying?

During a baby's earliest months and even in the first year of life, parents can expect their children to wake in the night crying for food, comfort, a diaper change or a pacifier. The first night that a baby sleeps all night is a glorious one for sleep-deprived parents.

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Tiny Red Dots on the Skin in Pregnancy

Skin changes are common during pregnancy. Stretch marks, dry skin and itchy skin are the most common; however, some women also suffer from other skin conditions during pregnancy. While some of these skin conditions are nothing more than a bother, other skin conditions can signal that something is wrong.

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What Does It Mean If Your Baby's Breath Smells Like Vinegar?

The image of a sweet-smelling baby is often far from the reality, especially if your baby frequently spits up. Babies who spit up may have a vinegar smell due to sour milk lingering in the crevices under their chin or on their clothing. However, if the vinegar smell is from your baby's breath, consult your doctor.

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Is It OK to Drink Coffee in the Third Trimester?

Caffeine is a stimulant that causes increased heart rate and blood pressure. It also acts as a diuretic, causing increased urination, which can lead to dehydration. Coffee and other caffeinated foods also cause heartburn for some women.

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