Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.
Teenagers strive to fit in with their peers as they begin to spend less of their free time with their families and more of it engaged in activities with friends. Peer pressure can have negative and positive effects on teenagers. Teens may aspire to get good grades and join a club that a peer whom they admire leads.
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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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As your daughter goes through her teens, your relationship with her doctor will change. She will become more responsible for her health, and her checkups become focused on the issues and health concerns affecting teenagers.
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When you're shopping for infant formula, you might wonder if it's prudent to switch brands if another brand is on sale. If your baby is doing well on one formula, you might worry that changing brands could cause side effects, such as diarrhea.
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The first trimester of pregnancy comes along with many body changes, including an increased propensity for dry skin. In addition to being bothersome, dry skin is more vulnerable to infection, making it more important to prevent it from the start.
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Preparing breast milk ahead of time by bottling it is an easy way to feed your baby when breast feeding is not convenient. Cold breast milk, however, is sometimes less preferable and tolerable to babies. Quickly warming up breast milk is possible, even when you are on the go.
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Pass on the pina coladas during pregnancy, but don't pass on the coconut. The fruit of the coconut palm offers numerous health benefits -- especially via its oil. Coconut oil is an affordable alternative to expensive skin creams and hair conditioners.
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Pectin is a type of soluble fiber, and a common ingredient in many foods because it's a gelling agent. If you're pregnant and are worried about the safety of food additives and over-the-counter medications, you can likely use pectin safely for some applications.
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Most pediatricians recommend that you begin feeding a baby a wide variety of solid foods by the time the child is 1 year old. However, for children who are used to an easily digested liquid diet of breast milk or formula, this may be a difficult transition.
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Fever is an indication that the body is fighting. The cause of fevers vary, but, in an infant, a rising temperature can be significant. For this reason, it is essential that a parent know how to provide home care for a baby running a temperature. Taking steps to reduce the fever can prevent febrile convulsions.
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Your baby's umbilical cord is her source of life during pregnancy. Once your baby is born, she begins breathing oxygen and obtaining nutrition from milk or formula, so the umbilical cord is no longer needed.
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Feces in infants comes in different colors and consistencies. Formula-fed babies commonly produce bowel movements that are yellow, tan or brown, whereas breast-fed babies typically produce mustard-yellow bowel movements.
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Your child may have a productive cough, which is one that brings up phlegm. Your child's cough may be particularly acute after a bacterial respiratory infection, a bout with the flu or another virus. Other causes of a particularly severe cough include sinus infections that drain into the throat, allergies and asthma.
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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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When newborns are feeding, they swallow a lot of air. If your newborn is not properly burped, painful gas and abdominal discomfort may occur. When you are breastfeeding, the timing of burping your newborn can be tricky, since you donβt know the number of ounces the baby is consuming.
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Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do to give your baby a great start in life and keep you healthy, too. But with so many food choices out there and so many nutrients to take in, many women find pregnancy nutrition to be perplexing.
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A nutrient-rich, well-rounded diet can help women have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. Your pregnancy diet should include a wide variety of foods from all the food groups, including vegetables.
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Your toddler may contract a gastrointestinal virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Most of the time, these viruses pass within a couple of days and can be treated at home. The most important consideration is to keep your toddler well-hydrated by offering clear fluids in small amounts for the duration of the illness.
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Breastfeeding establishes an intimate connection between mother and child. It's common for nursing mothers to worry about whether their diet affects the baby. If your child is consistently fussy a few hours after you eat certain foods, you may need to modify your diet. Talk to your physician first, though.
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Most mothers know that good nutrition is especially important during pregnancy. What women eat during pregnancy affects the physical and mental development of their child for years to come.
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