Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.
Most medical professionals will tell you to include some level of regular exercise in your daily routine when you're trying to conceive a child. Being physically fit prior to conception can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
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A yen for salt is one of the more common cravings of pregnancy. Parenting.com indicates that as many as 80 percent of pregnant women experience some cravings. As long as you check with your doctor first, you can indulge yourself. A little extra sodium probably will not hurt you or your baby.
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Plum juice contains essential vitamins, nutrients and dietary fiber that you and your baby need. Although there are similarities between the two juices, plum and prune juice have distinctly different tastes.
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The most common carbonated beverage is soda, but drinking too much during pregnancy may not be healthy. Most obstetricians recommend limiting your soda intake for your health and the health of your developing infant.
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During pregnancy, the body can become unusually sensitive to herbs, supplements, medicines and other compounds that might ordinarily be safe. Several medicinal herbs may increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirth and other serious pregnancy-related complications.
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The dietary decisions you make during pregnancy have a direct impact on how healthy you are while expecting, as well as influencing your baby's growth and development. Although certain foods aren't safe to eat during pregnancy, sauerkraut isn't one of them.
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Sweet or salty -- junk food can offer you a feeling of comfort or satisfaction. This may be the reason most women crave junk food during the first trimester of pregnancy. While junk food may be okay in moderation during pregnancy, it is not the best food for a pregnant woman to eat.
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Toddlers can be picky about food. Even a child who likes a wide variety of foods may decide he wants to eat one particular food, eggs for example, for days on end.
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When you're pregnant, the hormone progesterone plays an essential role in helping your baby grow. Most women have adequate progesterone levels without taking progesterone supplements.
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Some moms produce more breast milk than their baby needs, which is called hyperlactation. Hyperlactation can be uncomfortable for you, causing engorged breasts, plugged milk ducts and even mastitis. It can also lead to feeding problems for your baby and either low or high weight gain.
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A cone biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a cone-shaped sample of the cervix is removed for analysis.
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Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While you don't have to watch your diet as closely as when you were pregnant, you still need to pay attention to what you put in your mouth, as long as you're nursing your little one.
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Exercise is often considered a good thing when you’re pregnant. It not only helps reduce the many discomforts associated with pregnancy, such as bloating, fatigue, constipation, backaches and sleeplessness, but also goes a long way to improving mood, endurance and strength.
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Bikram yoga is a series of 26 hatha yoga postures developed by yogi Bikram Choudhury. It is designed to be performed in a room heated anywhere from 80 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
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A growing fetus depends on its mother's diet for all its nutritional needs. Having the best foods and drinks during pregnancy will reduce the risk of certain birth defects and increase the overall health of the baby. In general, pregnant women need about 300 extra calories per day.
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Breast-feeding mothers aren’t immune from pain. But if you’ve had a cesarean section or need to take pain medication for any reason, you may hesitate out of concern for its effect on your nursing infant. Both acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, and codeine are usually considered compatible.
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Pregnancy and nutrition go hand-in-hand. Not only do the foods that you eat affect you, they also affect your unborn baby. Whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables and fruits are the makings of a healthy diet for mommy and baby.
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Protein belongs to a class of nutrients called macronutrients. At 4 calories per gram, protein serves as a significant source of energy. The protein in your child’s diet also performs several other important functions.
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When you’re pregnant, you’re eating for two in a very real sense. Substances you ingest -- both good and bad -- can pass through the placenta to your baby.
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Breastfeeding mothers usually require additional calories above pre-pregnancy needs to maintain their own health and their milk production. Choosing nuts as a healthy protein source can provide needed protein and calories for nursing mothers, without the hassle of cooking or preparation that other foods require.
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