Parenting success relies on understanding developmental benchmarks, managing maternal health during and after pregnancy, and implementing effective behavioral strategies for toddlers and teenagers.
The development of the neck in babies is an important step in reaching all of the developmental milestones of infancy. A newborn starts out with very little control over his neck, leading him to resemble a rag doll at times and requiring parents to support his fragile head and neck until he begins to develop control.
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A gassy baby who is feeling pain and misery can keep everyone in the household awake. Treating the problem by easing baby's bloating makes for a happier baby who can settle down to sleep more easily.
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With the advent of the "Back to Sleep" campaign by the National Institutes of Health, the recommendation that babies be placed on their backs to sleep has significantly reduced the incidence of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome.
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At six weeks, some doctors perform a sonogram, also called an ultrasound, to determine the health or viability of the developing embryo. This is generally the earliest that anything is visible on an ultrasound, although at this point it will not look much like a baby, since development is still in the early stages.
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Newborn babies are experiencing everything for the first time, including their first touch from mom and dad. This early contact helps promote healthy psychological and physical development. Lack of physical contact can prevent normal development and can even lead to higher rates of illness or death in infants.
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If you notice a swimming sensation in your stomach, you might be wondering about the cause. There are plenty of things that can initiate this kind of feeling, with one of the most well-known being pregnancy.
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Noticing black gums on your child can be frightening, but there are many possible causes. In general, milk ingestion isnβt a direct cause of black gums, but it may contribute to periodontal disease that involves the gum line.
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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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A C-section is major abdominal surgery, and recovery takes far longer than after a vaginal delivery. While the pain might seem unbearable shortly after your surgery, it typically subsides gradually over the course of a few days and weeks.
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Headaches can strike at any time during your pregnancy, so even if you sailed through the first two trimester without any symptoms, you could develop an aching head late in your pregnancy.
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Pregnancy can be an exciting experience but also can cause plenty of unpleasant side effects. For some women, severe nausea and an inability to keep down food dampens the enthusiasm a mom-to-be normally feels.
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After you've been breastfeeding for six weeks, you and your baby have probably settled into a nursing routine that's comfortable for you both. You are likely seeing your baby's first smiles, and you might even catch him smiling while on the breast.
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Infant formula can be used as a baby's sole food or in conjunction with breast milk when a baby is young, or with solids for older babies. Infant formula should always be prepared as directed, which means not using any type of milk in place of the water typically used for reconstituting formula.
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If you've stopped breastfeeding but wish to start again, it can be a relief to know that relactation is possible. It isn't an easy process and could require a long time and a lot of work, but the joy of knowing that you are providing your baby with the healthiest food possible can make the extra effort well worth it.
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Breast-feeding isn't supposed to hurt, but sometimes a nursing mother develops painful blisters on her nipples. The appearance and treatment of these sores depends on the underlying cause, but they don't need to hamper the breast-feeding relationship.
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When your child is battling a fever-causing illness, you want him to get as much sleep as he needs. It can be difficult for a parent to go the whole night without knowing whether the child's fever has broken, but in general, ensuring a sound sleep is more important than monitoring his temperature.
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The moment when your baby's eyes first meet your own is one of the most heartwarming milestones of infancy. New parents who are eagerly awaiting the day when their baby makes eye contact often wonder when their baby will reach this level of development.
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Many parents know the proper method for heating up a baby bottle, but some are unsure of when and how to transition from a warm bottle to cold milk. What may be surprising to many parents is that there are no rules for when to stop warming up a baby bottle.
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Breastfeeding moms sometimes worry about the quality of their breast milk. Fortunately, the milk you make for your baby is almost always nutritionally ideal for your child. Even severely malnourished mothers produce great breast milk, because the body takes nutrients from the mother's own body to supply the baby.
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Whether you are feeding a baby formula or pumped breast milk from a bottle, you have plenty of choices to make among bottle nipples. One consideration when it comes to bottle feeding is when to start using a higher stage of nipple.
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