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.

Hispanic girl with orthodontic braces

How Poor Nutrition Affects Child Development

Nutrition dictates more than a person's body mass index. The nutrition a child receives during the first few years of life can affect her health for years to come. Balanced nutrition is important to child development because children need specific nutrients to thrive and grow.

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Pregnant women outdoors

Will Ginger Induce Labor?

By the end of pregnancy, you might be willing to try almost anything to get labor started. But before you start piling the ginger on all your food or downing gingerbread cookies, realize that the spice will not get labor started unless you were ready to go into labor anyway.

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vanilla pods

Is Vanilla Extract Harmful to Pregnant Women?

Vanilla extract lends a slightly sweet, but bold flavor to many desserts and baked goods. Because it contains alcohol, you might be wondering if it's safe to use while you're pregnant. If you eat foods that contain vanilla extract, you probably don't need to worry.

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Stevia - the plant sweeter than sugar

Is Stevia Safe for Pregnancy?

Stevia is an artificial sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It is sweeter than sugar, so less of it is needed to sweeten foods.

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Pregnant Woman Relaxing At Home

Is MSG Bad for Pregnant Women?

During pregnancy you have to be careful about what you eat, particularly if the foods have additives. While pregnant, your body and the fetus are more sensitive to foods.

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Closeup on housewife pouring water into glass

What to Eat & Drink During a Fasting Diet

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once taught that the diseases caused by overeating can be cured with fasting. The earliest treatment for diabetes at the turn of the 20th century, for example, quite literally starved patients for a few days.

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Pregnant Woman Applying Cream to Her Stomach

Topical Retinol & Pregnancy

Topical retinol is a form of vitamin A you may use to keep your skin clear of pimples and reduce the effects of aging and sun damage. While the product typically might not have any effects other than a little skin redness, if you’re pregnant, retinol may adversely affect your baby.

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My Toddler Is Vomiting After Swimming

As a parent, watching your child become ill after a fun activity such as swimming can lead to worry and anxiety. Most of the time, vomiting after swimming resolves within a few hours, although vomiting that persists can lead to complications such as dehydration.

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Mother holding feeding baby

Soy Formula & Constipation in Infants

Soy formula contains protein derived from soybeans. The link between soy formula and constipation is a much debated topic among parents and even pediatricians, according to Melvin Heyman, M.D., professor of pediatrics and chief of the division of pediatric gastroenterology at University of California, San Francisco.

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Is it OK to Eat Hummus When Pregnant?

During pregnancy, you must be cautious about the types of foods you eat, even if you've eaten them regularly without any problem before getting pregnant. Hummus, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, is a mild flavored, creamy textured soft paste often. used as a dip or spread.

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Sporty pregnant woman at home

Exercises During the First Trimester

Nurturing and protecting your growing bundle of joy during your first trimester doesn't mean staying inside and being afraid to move. Physical activity prepares your body for the marathon of pregnancy and labor.

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Is Vitex Safe in Pregnancy?

The medicinal herb vitex, also known by the common names chasteberry and monk's pepper, has been used for hundreds of years as a component of naturopathic medicine. For men, vitex has been used most commonly as an anaphrodisiac, or a product to reduce sex drive.

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Orange Juice

Can 1-Year-Olds Have Orange Juice?

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that it’s fine to give your 1-year-old orange juice, but stick to a serving a day. Even the pickiest toddler has a hard time resisting the sweet taste of orange juice, and it can provide your little one with a boost of essential vitamins and minerals.

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Pregnant woman standing on a scale

Triglycerides & Pregnancy

It is not uncommon to have a blood test during pregnancy, especially if your doctor suspects you are developing high triglycerides. Though it is normal during pregnancy for cholesterol to be elevated, high triglycerides can result in complications.

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Young pregnant woman eating junk food

Irritable Uterus From Spicy Food in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time full of do’s and don’ts, including food restrictions. If you love spicy food, the thought of giving it up for nine months might have you dreaming of pepper and onions.

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Pregnant woman exercising

Can You Exercise Your First Month of Pregnancy?

The first month of pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also brings many changes to your body. Often feeling fatigued and nauseated in the first month, many women do not want to give a thought to exercise.

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Parents in bed with sleeping baby

How to Get Rid of the Belly Bulge After a C-Section

During a C-Section, also known as a Cesarean section, the stomach muscles, or abdominals, of a pregnant woman are cut through to deliver a baby and sewn back up again. A few weeks of recovery are necessary to allow the stitches from your surgery to heal.

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The Best Multivitamin for Toddlers

If your pediatrician has recommended that your toddler take a multivitamin, then it is crucial for you to pick the best vitamin you can find. Part of choosing the best multivitamin will depend on your budget and your toddler’s taste buds.

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Multi-ethnic pregnant women looking at ultrasounds

Is Sucralose Bad for Pregnant Women?

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Unlike other artificial sweeteners sucralose does not leave any aftertaste and has a taste similar to actual sugar. Unlike regular sugar, sucralose contains almost no calories.

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German Bratwurst

Can Pregnant People Eat Brats?

Eating for two during pregnancy can mean making several changes to your diet. This is because while your immune system doesn't function as effectively udring pregnancy as it normally does. Bacteria that wouldn't typically affect you can cause unexpected illness when you're pregnant.

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