Social media sites such as Facebook can be a great way for kids to interact with each other. But it’s also important for parents to be aware of the negative effects and dangers of being on such sites. Social Media Safety Tips for Parents Here are some tips to keep in mind about how to keep kids safe on social media sites. Think of the Internet as a Big, Open Space You wouldn’t drop your child off at a big public place like a mall for the day and expect everyone he meets to treat him with kindness and protect his best interests, would you?...

In most cases, this discharge is normal and healthy. Some people worry that having it means that they have a vaginal infection, but most of the time, leukorrhea is completely harmless (and is even a sign that the vagina is healthy). Characteristics of Leukorrhea Usually, this kind of vaginal discharge is simply a normal byproduct of a healthy vagina. It is primarily composed of a mucus-like substance containing cells from your body....

Along with a metallic taste, you also may experience other taste changes. According to Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, who is board-certified in both obstetrics/gynecology as well as maternal-fetal medicine and serves as director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, pregnant patients often complain that their mouth tastes foul, rancid, salty, or burnt, she says. This metallic taste in your mouth will usually pass after the first trimester, but there are a few things you can do to help you get through it....

When cervical mucus problems stand in the way of getting pregnant, it’s medically referred to as hostile cervical mucus. Hostile cervical mucus can refer to severe vaginal dryness, vaginal secretions that are too acidic, or immunological problems.Learn more about what it means to have no or low levels of cervical mucus, what causes it, how it impacts fertility, and what you can do about it. Role of Cervical Mucus in Pregnancy Mild problems with cervical mucus may increase the time it takes to get pregnant, but won’t necessarily cause infertility....

In addition to being socially unacceptable, nose picking spreads germs. A 2018 study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that nose picking can spread the bacteria responsible for pneumonia. What’s more, nose picking can cause trauma to nasal passages, resulting in nosebleeds, infections, and hard-to-heal sores. If nose picking is not nipped in the bud in preschool, it may become a hard-to-break habit as your child gets older. Why Kids Pick Their Noses Nose picking is a pretty normal preschool habit and there are a few reasons why little ones engage in it....

A study published in The International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology found that when parents believe their child’s stuttering had naturally resolved without treatment, most cases had not actually resolved when assessed by an experienced speech-language pathologist. Although some cases of childhood stuttering will resolve without treatment, it is difficult to know from the onset which children will recover naturally versus which children won’t. For these reasons, speech-language pathologists recommend starting treatment as soon as possible if you notice your child is stuttering....

Peer support programs are counseling sessions where an older student meets with a younger student and offers a listening ear and problem-solving strategies. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan conducted a poll to assess the possible role of peer support for childhood mental health. According to the report, these peer support programs train students to be good listeners and identify the warning signs of suicide or other mental health concerns....

Or does “team” make you think of game-playing and competition? Jockeying for position and advantage, trash talking, or rivalries over leadership and playing time? Your dealings with the “team” that plans your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may reflect one or both of those visions, and there may be times you’ll wish you could load up on protective padding before heading in to be tackled again. Other times, you may feel that you and your teammates are actually on the same side, trying to score on behalf of your child and not against one another....

But you might not be prepared for how almost every one of your bodily systems changes and has a role to play when you become pregnant. Some of these changes may be more pronounced than others—and the intensity (and comfort) can vary considerably from one pregnant person to another. Still, even when the changes aren’t the most pleasant (hello, hemorrhoids and constipation!), it can be gratifying to know that your body knows exactly what to do to help guide your baby safely into the world....

Postpartum hemorrhoids can range from irritating to quite painful, but the good news is that for the most part, hemorrhoids aren’t serious. Most tend to go away in a few days or weeks with attentive home treatment, such as sitz baths and over-the-counter remedies. Hemorrhoid Types and Symptoms These swollen tissues appear in the rectal area and can vary from the size of a pea to that of a grape....

Before we can understand the role of probiotics in the body and decide whether we should give probiotic supplements to our kids, we need to take a step back and look at how the gastrointestinal (GI) system works and the ways gut health is affected by bacteria. Bacteria and Your Gut The human GI tract is inhabited by trillions of bacteria. In fact, our bodies contain more bacterial cells than human cells!...

Once you and your baby are ready, there are some standard tests that are done for nearly all babies, including those born at home. The following procedures are commonly done in the first few days of your baby’s life. APGAR Testing The APGAR is your baby’s first “test.” In most places, it is done without ever being noticed by the parents because it’s simply an evaluation of the way your baby looks and sounds....

Most teachers plan for parent-teacher conferences by creating a generic checklist of topics to cover for each child. Teachers know parents may have questions, and plan to give parents a chance to talk as well. Questions to Ask Teachers at Conferences Here is a list of several example questions to ask at a parent-teacher conference. Pick the questions that fit your family’s needs. School Curriculum and Learning What will my child be learning about this school year?...

But what happens when you are raising a baby during a global pandemic like coronavirus? Certainly no parent asked for this type of challenge, and it’s likely that you have many questions and concerns. Will my baby get the virus? How can I keep my baby safe during this time? Is social isolation bad for my baby? Is it harmful for my baby to be surrounded by people wearing masks?...

When Modification Are Needed Generally, a court will not consider altering a child custody arrangement that appears to be working for all involved parties. Primarily, a court’s concern is the best interests of the child, meaning that a court will not want to interrupt a child’s way of life and well-being for frivolous reasons. If Your Child is in Danger One of the main reasons why a court will consider a child custody modification if the child is in immediate danger in the current household....

But it is also important to remember that pregnancies are accompanied by weakened immune systems that can heighten the risk for infectious diseases. Certain infectious diseases pose a threat to a pregnancy and to a baby after they are born. This can include some common infections, like CMV, and some infections that are in the news, like Zika. CMV, in particular, is incredibly common. What Are High-Risk Infections During Pregnancy?...

This is often used as a breastfeeding position. It is also a great position for skin-to-skin contact. The comfort of this position depends on how long your arms are. A variation is to place the supporting hand between the baby’s legs for a more secure grip. You can also bounce your legs a bit for added help in gas relief. This is a great way for your baby to look around, and it gives you a free hand....

Pacifiers and babies seem sort of synonymous. If you picture a cute little baby, you may picture them waddling around in a diaper, sucking happily on a binky. But for some parents, deciding whether to use a pacifier might be confusing. How Pacifiers Work All babies are born with a strong desire to suck. In fact, one of your baby’s inborn reflexes is the “sucking reflex,” which means that anytime you place a nipple-shaped object in your baby’s mouth—whether it’s a breast nipple, a bottle nipple, a pacifier, or even a finger—your baby will likely begun sucking, without even thinking about it....