Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.
Much about a baby's health is reflected in the contents of his diapers, and most parents monitor their child's poop for abnormalities. Though green poop may seem gross or surprising, most babies produce green poop sometimes. Most of the time when a 16-month-old poops green, it is not a cause for concern.
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Hot sausage gives a bold taste to soups and sandwich recipes, and when prepared correctly, it's safe to eat while you're pregnant. Though it's safe to eat, hot sausage isn't your healthiest choice and it can contribute to some pretty uncomfortable complaints, too.
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Toddlers have started to gain control over their ability to react to stimuli in the environment. They learn to shut things out in ways they couldn't as infants. However, they're still new at this skill and can get overstimulated after a long day or by being around too many people or too much excitement.
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Fat malabsorption is an inability of the intestine to absorb fats. Fats are essential nutrients needed for energy and growth. A number of diseases of the intestine, liver and pancreas can lead to this condition. Toddlers can be severely affected by fat malabsorption due to their rapid rate of growth.
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A healthy diet is important, especially if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating the proper nutrients during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow. Yams are a safe addition to your diet -- high in potassium and fiber, low in fat and sodium and rich in antioxidants containing important nutrients.
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It's important to get certain vitamins and minerals in your pregnancy diet, and Brussels sprouts are one way to ingest some of the nutrients you need. They're also safe to eat while you're pregnant, as long as you prepare them properly.
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It is no secret that physical activity is necessary to a person's well-being. Because children are continuously developing physically and emotionally, they are especially affected by the benefits of activity – and inversely, the negative effects of inactivity.
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Many parents worry about whether their baby is eating enough. Your 10-week-old baby makes a sucking motion both when he is hungry and when he wants comfort, so the presence of sucking is not always a reliable hunger cue. Even a baby who is full may not be getting all the nutrition he needs to grow and develop.
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Teething causes a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mouth and gum discomfort to irritating rashes and loose stools. While teething should not give your baby diarrhea, it may cause light-colored, loose stools.
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A child with red palms and soles of the feet likely has a mild virus called hand, foot and mouth disease. It’s not uncommon for half a daycare class to have this illness at the same time due to the highly contagious nature of the virus and frequent diaper changing within the facility.
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Pregnancy is generally less mysterious and nerve wracking the second time around. You've been through the cravings, contractions and labor and delivery, so you know what to expect. What may come as a surprise is the way your body has changed after your second pregnancy.
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A fractured rib is not always easy to identify, particularly when an infant can’t tell you what’s wrong. If your baby has trauma to the chest, always consult your doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment. A cracked rib left untreated can do significant damage to your infant’s organs.
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As a new parent, it's easy to worry if you're doing your job right. If your baby doesn't seem to eat enough, you worry that you're underfeeding him. But if he eats too much, you may worry that you're overfeeding. It's good to be a vigilant and caring parent, but when it comes to overfeeding, you can relax.
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It is impossible to determine the amount of milk a breastfed baby is getting. For this reason, many parents may wonder if their baby is getting enough -- or perhaps even too much -- breast milk. To add to this confusion, feeding patterns change and you can expect one of these changes around 4 months of age.
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Many herbal teas are off-limits while you're pregnant, but white tea in plain form isn't an herbal tea. White tea is safe in small amounts during pregnancy, but check with your doctor before adding it your diet. The tea can contain caffeine and other compounds that are potentially harmful for you or your unborn baby.
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Your infant cannot protect himself against loud or harmful noises, so it's up to you to safeguard against damage to his delicate hearing. Understanding what noises can be harmful to your baby -- including sounds from loud toys -- can help you pinpoint noises that could harm him.
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As your toddler starts to transition from purees to whole foods, choking can be a concern. In addition to ensuring your child’s food is cut or torn into small enough bites, you should also teach him to chew thoroughly and properly, such as chewing with his mouth closed.
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Milk and other dairy products provide significant nutrients for pregnant women. While it is possible to obtain the nutrients in milk from other sources, milk consumption in pregnancy has been associated with better pregnancy outcomes in clinical research.
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When you're pregnant, you might become obsessed with eating well for your baby. Once she's born, that preoccupation with your diet might continue if you're breast-feeding, especially if your baby is gassy and fussy, as many are.
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Many people think about learning the alphabet, counting and recognizing shapes when envisioning early childhood education. While those are all very important for children to learn, music and dance can be helpful as well.
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