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In fact, a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation discovered that children ages 8 to 18 spend more than 7.5 hours a day, seven days a week interacting with various forms of media including everything from television, music, and movies to computers, video games, and social media. And, when considering the fact that kids use more than one of these forms of media at a time, the study found that many kids are logging nearly 11 hours of media each day....

While avoidance has long been the go-to strategy doctors and parents have used to manage a child’s peanut allergy, a new study has found that “microdosing” toddlers and preschoolers with small amounts of peanut can significantly reduce the risk of a life-threatening reaction. The treatment, known as oral immunotherapy, can reduce the impact that managing a peanut allergy can have on a child’s quality of life—but it may not be right for everyone....

Signs and Symptoms of a Miscarriage Signs of a miscarriage can include spotting or vaginal bleeding frequently, but not always, accompanied by abdominal cramping similar to menstrual cramps. It’s important to note that spotting and bleeding in early pregnancy is common, and often benign. While bleeding is not necessarily a sign of a miscarriage, it is important to have it checked out if it does happen. Generally speaking, if the bleeding is light and last for only a day or two, it is probably not a problem....

Listening to classical music may boost some skills, and has other benefits and appeals. But a permanent enhancement of intellectual ability is unlikely (and not backed by evidence). The Mozart Effect The belief was sparked by a 1993 study led by Frances Rauscher, PhD, in which researchers played a Mozart piano sonata to a small group of college students and then asked them to complete a spatial reasoning test. They then compared these results to scores of spatial reasoning tests taken after listening to 10 minutes of a relaxation tape or silence....

In the Old Testament’s book of Genesis, Noah was chosen by God as the only righteous man of his time. He was told to gather animals “two by two” from every species and build the Ark, which allowed him, his family, and the animals to survive the Great Flood meant to punish the world. After the flood, he received the sign of the rainbow as a covenant from God that the entire Earth would not be destroyed again by a flood again....

Practice Buy a combination lock for your child, and make it a summer project to learn how to work it successfully. Locks are easy to carry around and bring out whenever there’s an idle moment, in the car, in a restaurant while waiting for your meal, in doctor or therapist waiting rooms. The more your child turns that tumbler and gets used to the way a lock works, the more likely he or she will be to use one without difficulty at school....

The Bill of Rights is a wonderful way for parents to understand what it is they can ask for and expect during their NICU stay. This list of 10 important considerations is also something that NICU staff should appreciate and try to honor when caring for the parents of their NICU patients. In a moment, we’ll take a look at each of the 10 statements in the NICU Parent’s Bill of Rights....

Giving Parental Input on the IEP A parent input statement allows you to share your most pressing concerns with your child’s IEP team. It’s a great way to document your child’s strengths and struggles at school and at home. It is your chance to tell the team who your child is beyond their test scores and performance in school. In some cases, parental input is initially completed by the case manager based on the statements you made at the IEP meeting....

Rest assured, while it’s natural to worry, in many cases, you don’t need to do anything very differently. Instead, do your best to enjoy your pregnancy knowing that the odds are that you will be able to carry to term. When there are differences in your prenatal care, they will usually entail having a bit more monitoring by your doctor. Plus, you may experience more stress over whether everything will go well....

As it turned out, it just wasn’t long enough. Trying to go back to work did a number on my physical and mental health, and I knew deep down that I needed to be home with my toddler. Not only that, but my entire income went to our nanny, so staying in my job just wasn’t making sense. I now work part-time from home as a writer and journalist, and it was the best decision I could have made....

What Is Pruritic Folliculitis of Pregnancy? The rash consists of several small red bumps (called papules) that may or may not be filled with pus (called pustules). In fact, the condition resembles acne, but the main difference is that there are no bacteria present in the bumps—in other words, the pustules are sterile. These bumps are usually on the shoulders, upper back, arms, chest, and abdomen, and may be very itchy....

All About the Alphabet The ABC’s are the first step to learning how to read and will likely be one of the first skills your child nails down. Help them along by singing the song as often as possible (even if you get sick of it). Reading Readiness Armed with the basics of the alphabet, your kindergartener is now ready to read books. It’s okay if there are very few words in them....

What are some of the reasons not to pursue fertility treatment or in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Let’s take a look at some of the arguments against fertility treatment if you are unsure of your next steps, or if you simply are looking for reasons to help your loved ones understand the decision you have made. Choosing Not to Pursue Fertility Treatments One of the options for fertility treatment is not undergoing treatment....

The other meaning is derived from the Old English words rye and leah, meaning wood, clearing or meadow. The surname O’Reilly was once also used to indicate someone who lives near a rye field or meadow. The surname eventually became a common Irish first name for boys, and its spelling was altered to Riley as it was adopted around the world. In more recent times the name has morphed into a unisex option in the United States, sometimes with variations in spelling for its feminine forms....

Breastfeeding While Taking Birth Control Pills With Progestin Birth control pills that use only progestin are often called “mini-pills.” They can be very effective as long as you take the pills at the same time each day or night. These pills are considered safe to take while nursing. Some of the progestin does cross over into breast milk, but no harmful effects have been seen. Some mothers see an increase in their milk supply while using this method, while most see no difference, and a few will see a decrease....

Do head lice spread disease? Do they cause injury? Do they fly about the room and land on everything in sight? Do the nits somehow pass from child to child like live bugs? In a word: No. So, why are children being excluded from school merely for having a few louse eggs stuck to their hair shafts? As much as enforced school absence is an inconvenience for children in regular education, it’s a disaster for children with special needs, who miss out on needed school-provided therapies, react badly to the change of routine, may have life-threatening reactions to pesticide shampoos, and are neurologically unable to sit still for nit-picking....

If you are wondering if peeing after sex is okay or not, you are far from alone. Lots of people who are trying to conceive have that same question! We reached out to experts to help us find the answer, and to understand if there are any after-sex practices that can help—or harm—your chances of getting pregnant. Should You Pee After Sex If You’re Trying to Conceive? According to Monica Grover, DO, OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer at VSPOT, the idea that peeing after sex could affect your ability to get pregnant is basically a myth....

If your toddler is suddenly struggling with all things sleep-related, you may be at a loss for what is happening. Unless your toddler is ill or has another medical condition, what you’re likely experiencing is a sleep regression, especially if they are between 18 months and 2 years old. Here, we’ll walk you through what a sleep regression is and what it isn’t. You also will find information on the signs of sleep regression and when to reach out to your pediatrician....