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.

Newborn baby boy on a blue blanket

What Is This White Stuff in My Newborn's Eyes?

Newborns can develop a number of condition that alarm new parents but have little or no medical significance. A whitish collection of mucous-looking material that accumulates in the corners of newborn eyes falls into this category.

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lovely baby take temperature with electronic thermometer

When Should I Take My Newborn to the ER?

Life with a newborn baby would be less stressful if babies came with an instruction manual. Many new parents don't know when to take a newborn to the emergency room -- or to the doctor's office, for that matter. When you have a sick baby, every symptom appears life-threatening to inexperienced parents.

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Small baby with mother on bed

The Rules for Taking a Baby's Armpit Temperature

When you are taking baby's temperature, you want to do it right. Taking an axillary temperature -- under the armpit -- is more time-consuming and often less accurate than taking a rectal temperature. For very young babies, the rectal method may be preferred for accuracy.

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Is Zinc Oxide Safe During Pregnancy?

Many sunscreens and diaper rash creams contain topical zinc oxide, a form of the mineral zinc. You can also find zinc oxide in oral over-the-counter supplements. Safety in pregnancy depends on the type of zinc oxide exposure and the dose.

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A caucasian older sister bottle feeds her little baby brother

Can Babies Get Diarrhea from Switching Brands of Formula?

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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Fresh sole served with potatoes

Can I Eat Sole While I Am Pregnant?

The warnings about limiting or avoiding certain types of fish when you're pregnant may have you wondering about sole, a type of flatfish related to flounder.

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Crying baby

Are Gas Drops Safe for a Newborn?

Simethicone drops -- an over-the-counter remedy used by some parents with colicky infants to reduce gas bubbles in the intestines -- are generally safe for use in newborns. While gas drops are generally safe, it is unclear whether they are effective in decreasing the symptoms of colic.

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It will be new start for our family

4 Weeks Pregnancy Signs

Full term pregnancy is measured as 40 weeks, but the first day of pregnancy is counted as the first day of the last menstrual period. This means that at four weeks of pregnancy, a woman is just due for her menstrual period.

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Parsley plants

Is Parsley Bad for Pregnant Women?

A sprig of parsley can liven up your dinner plate -- but you may hesitate to eat it if you're pregnant. While pregnant women should not take large quantities of parsley oil, the amount found in parsley leaves used as a food garnish will not cause any harm, according to Dr.

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Positive Pregnancy Test Close-Up on a Brown Wooden Table

Pregnancy Symptoms in Women With PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS, can have a major impact on your fertility. If you have PCOS, which affects between 4 and 12 percent of women, according to a February 2004 "Clinical Medicine and Research" article, you may have a difficult time getting pregnant.

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Close up of Arnica Flower

Why Is Arnica Bad for Pregnant Women?

Arnica montana, an herb that also known as wolf’s bane, leopard’s bane and mountain arnica, is not safe for anyone, including pregnant women, to take by mouth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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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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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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Breast-feeding & Tylenol With Codeine

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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Pregnant woman with doctor

Progesterone Injections to Maintain Pregnancy

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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Can You Eat Steak While Pregnant?

Pregnant women need to watch their dietary intake more carefully than they might have before getting pregnant. Anything you ingest has the potential to affect your baby. Steak, which is a good source of iron and protein, is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy as long as you cook it properly.

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Sizzling bacon in a pan on the stove being stirred

Can Pregnant Women Eat Nitrites?

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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Doctor and patient discussing medical record in the hospital

Can Diet Increase Sperm Motility?

If you're dealing with male infertility, assessing the contents of your dinner plate could possibly improve your semen analysis, including sperm motility. While diet isn't the entire story when it comes to fertility, what you eat could have an impact on sperm.

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