Also known as gender selection or gender swaying, there is a mixture of misinformation and (very little) science out there. Most advice is harmless, such as timing intercourse to certain points during ovulation. However, some methods can be harmful. For instance, sex selection diets can be dangerous, and some false gender swaying methods, such as douching, can cause vaginal infection and actually decrease the odds of you getting pregnant at all....

Study Findings Data continues to pour in, but a recent review of 77 studies highlights the way COVID-19 can affect both mothers and their unborn babies. According to the analysis, “Pregnant or recently pregnant women with COVID-19 seem to be at increased risk of requiring admission to an intensive care unit or invasive ventilation.” What’s more, COVID-infected mothers tend to have a slightly higher rate of preterm labor as well. While this may sound alarming, it’s important to note that COVID-19 is not the only disease that can hit pregnant women harder than their non-pregnant counterparts....

You have a premature infant who cannot yet breastfeed Your baby is unable to latch on to your breast You need to be separated from your breastfed child for a short period of time Your baby is not able to breastfeed or bottle-feed due to neurological issues Your baby decides to go on a nursing strike and refuses to take the breast You are weaning your baby and she refuses to take the bottle...

Paternal postnatal depression (PPND), or paternal perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PPMADs) are forms of depression or another mood disorder such as anxiety. These disorders are similar to what some moms experience after a new baby arrives. As many as one in four new fathers in the United States may experience major depression four weeks after the birth of a child. Up to 50 percent of men report paternal postnatal depression when their partner is struggling with postpartum depression, and an estimated 18 percent of men experience postpartum anxiety that warrants formal diagnosis and treatment....

As more families commit to living a greener lifestyle and seek more natural options, there is increased effort to choose a diaper product with the least environmental impact. However, parents of twins and multiples must also consider convenience and cost-effectiveness in choosing a diaper style. Diapers for Twins A parent of twins will change more than 5,000 diapers in the first year alone! That number increases exponentially for parents of triplets, quadruplets or more....

Scheduling a First or Second C-Section If this is your first or your second c-section, you will most likely be scheduled around the 39th week of gestation. While it is possible that you may go into early labor within this time frame, it is not considered a problem. In fact, some obstetricians actually prefer this. Delaying as long as possible provides your baby a longer gestation time and typically healthier birth....

Disadvantages of Breastfeeding Breastfeeding has many benefits, but there are some downsides too. Following are some of the disadvantages of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be painful.Breastfeeding can be stressful if you are modest.It can be difficult at the beginning.It requires healthy lifestyle choices.You have less freedom. Your partner can’t feed the baby. Benefits of Breastfeeding There are many benefits to breastfeeding for both mother and child. Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby....

Establish house rules that respect your teenager’s desire to be independent while also ensuring that they are behaving responsibly. Clearly outline what negative consequences will be in store when a rule is broken. Teenagers need discipline and the same five types of rules as younger children. When establishing house rules for your teen, establish stricter rules in the areas where your teenager still needs the most guidance. As your teenager proves they can follow the rules, allow for increased independence....

Rules for Teen Cell Phone Usage Without clear guidelines, many teens struggle to handle the responsibility of owning a smartphone. So it’s important to establish rules that will help your teen make healthy choices. No Cell Phone Use Before School Most teens don’t have much time to spare before school, and texting or surfing social media can waste a lot of precious minutes. So start the day off right by saying, “No phones in the morning....

Traveling with a baby or small toddler can test the patience of any parent—there’s a lot of gear needed to make sure that everyone stays safe and comfortable. Carrying around a heavy car seat doesn’t need to be an added frustration. My family tested the Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible car seat on a weekend trip with our nearly 3-year-old son, who sat in it for hours at a time while we drove....

Why After-School Activities Are Important Often, parents and guardians undervalue after-school activities for their disabled children. They may be more focused on their child’s academics, therapies, or medical procedures or feel that there just isn’t time or money to bother with extracurriculars. Some parents might be scared their children won’t have a positive experience. While these attitudes are understandable, there’s a good chance you’ll be robbing your child of opportunities that could make a major positive difference in their life....

First off, don’t panic. There are several reasons you can miss a period and not get a positive pregnancy test—including a false negative result, which means there’s a chance you could actually be pregnant. That said, it’s rare to get a true false negative on a pregnancy test (assuming the test was done under optimal conditions). Here are some of the more likely explanations: You are not pregnant, and your period is late for another reason (the most common explanation)....

Identifying Separation Anxiety You may be used to thinking of separation anxiety as a set of behaviors young toddlers commonly exhibit when separating from their primary caregiver. And if your kids have already ‘grown out’ of this crying-and-clinging stage, it can be frustrating to see separation anxiety pop back up in relation to parental visitation with your ex. Yet when families go through major changes, such as a move, new separation, or divorce, it’s common for parents to see some old patterns reappear, even for older kids....

Your kids need you right now and despite the life-altering and heartbreaking effects of your separation, this stage in your life does not have to break you. And it doesn’t have to break your children either. Here’s what you need to know about divorce during a pandemic. Take Care of Yourself Divorce isn’t the time to put your needs to the side. Everything you can do to help yourself heal and thrive is beneficial to your kids....