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As with any momentous occasion, it is easy to over-plan and even easier to set unrealistic expectations. Consequently, it is important that parents and their children go into the long weekend or break with their eyes wide open in order to avoid common mistakes. What You Need to Know Upfront Even though it has only been a few months since you dropped your teen off at college, they are coming back a different person....

Throughout pregnancy, as the different hormones fluctuate, women may find that they are sensitive to the smells of certain foods, actually to the point of nausea in some cases. Others may find that their once favorite food is no longer tolerated, or that a food that was always the least favorite is now top of the list. In general cravings like these are not harmful, and as long as one is eating a balanced diet, and staying moderate in the addition of calories to their diet, it should not be a problem....

They’re Not Ready Before the age of 18 months, most toddlers do not have control of urination and defecation to consciously delay it until they can get to the bathroom. If you catch your child at the right time and put them on the toilet, they will use it, but that doesn’t mean they are ready to get there in time on their own. Even older children may have trouble learning to use the toilet for a variety of reasons....

Clothing is avoided for most preemies because it may interfere with temperature regulation and access to any needed intravenous lines, says Karleen Sigvartsen, BSN, RNC-NIC, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Once these considerations are no longer an issue, preemies can typically start wearing soft, simple clothing. Learn more about when preemies can start wearing clothing, what type of clothing is best, and other guidelines to follow for their wardrobes....

One challenge right now is that compared to other viruses, COVID-19 is new and is still being studied extensively. Experts don’t know as much as they would like to. That being said, there are some things experts do know about COVID-19 and how it seems to affect pregnancy, breastfeeding, and newborns. Health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are offering updated guidelines and protocols regarding these questions....

The executive order explains the need for further federal aid, continuing, “In December, Congress bolstered food assistance programs and provided new funding for food banks and school and child care meals. But these measures alone will not solve the growing hunger crisis in America.” What Else Does the Order Provide? In addition to expanding SNAP, Biden also called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take additional steps to improve nutrition assistance offerings....

Symptoms When there is too much laxity in a joint, there can be instability and pain. Most of the pain is centered upfront in the pubic bone area, above the mons pubis (below pubic hair). Certain movements can be painful, including getting out of bed, getting into the bathtub or car, putting on pants, sitting for long stretches, or performing repetitive tasks. You may also note some swelling in the area of your pubic bone and experience waddling in the way you walk or notice that your legs don’t quite come together....

They Encourage Self-Expression Good parents allow children to be who they really are, regardless of how that reflects on the parents. This freedom of self-expression leads to higher self-esteem and stronger personality development. Self-expression is especially crucial during the tween years when a child is searching for their true identity. If a tween is not allowed to explore many possible selves, he may instead act how his parents or other influential people want him to, which may cause identity issues later on....

The safety risks to mother and baby can be greater with a cesarean than a vaginal delivery, which has led medical organizations such as the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to create guidance for safely reducing the number of first cesareans. Why would you need a scheduled cesarean section? What are the most common reasons for this to be decided even before labor begins?...

The most common fertility drug side effects are bloating, headache, breast tenderness, upset stomach, hot flashes, and mood swings. The most common fertility drug risks are conceiving a multiple pregnancy (like twins or triplets or more) and developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). These aren’t the only potential side effects and risks, just the most common ones. Fertility drugs can create miracles and are generally effective. Still, it’s important to know what can go wrong and how to possibly lower your chances of complications....

Social Learning Theory According to the social learning theory, people learn by watching others. For instance, the famous Bobo doll experiment demonstrated how kids imitate adult behavior. Researchers discovered that children treated a doll the same way the adults did. Children who watched an adult become aggressive with the doll became aggressive in their interactions as well. Meanwhile, children who watched adults treat the doll kindly imitated the kindness. When you’re sweeping the floor, you might notice your little one pretending to sweep too....

Plenty of parents have struggled with how to best teach their baby how to go to sleep. Like a lot of things in parenting, it’s a difficult balance to strike. On one hand, you know that babies sometimes just need you, but on the other hand, sometimes you need sleep too, and the baby isn’t getting into any kind of pattern. Sleep deprivation has very real, dangerous effects on both mothers and fathers, raising the risk of everything from postpartum depression to obesity....

Some people prefer to stay busy at work up until their due date, or have a financial obligation to remain working as long as possible. Others use their due date as a firm “end date.” And for still others, health concerns can render it too difficult or unsafe to continue working beyond a certain point. If you’d prefer to give yourself some lead time to relax and prepare for your new arrival, that’s OK too....

However, a new study provides further reassurance to pregnant people who are concerned about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. COVID-19 and Pregnancy Sherry Ross, MD, OB/GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, welcomes the study findings. “Pregnant women are already immune-suppressed, so getting COVID-19 during pregnancy can be dangerous, and even deadly,” she says. Pregnant people with COVID-19 are more at risk for preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), preterm labor, and more advanced COVID-19 respiratory and other complicating symptoms....