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The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified three key categories that may increase a woman’s risk of suffering a pregnancy-related heart attack. It is vital that women and their healthcare providers are aware of the modifiable risks, non-modifiable risks, and obstetric risks so that appropriate care is sought and provided. What the Study Shows Researchers reviewed information from hospital inpatient stays over a 12-year period, which included data from over 11 million women aged 18-55 years....

Alcohol and Breastfeeding Provided that you drink moderately and give your body time to metabolize the alcohol, you can enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage without worrying about harming your baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while avoiding alcohol is the safest option, consuming up to one standard drink per day is not known to have any adverse effects on infants. “Alcohol levels are usually highest in breast milk thirty to sixty minutes after an alcoholic beverage is consumed, and can be generally detected in breast milk for about two to three hours per drink after it is consumed,” says the CDC....

From mid-September to early December, the country documented 6,601 cases of scarlet fever, which is a substantial increase from 2,538 cases in the same time period during the last regional surge from 2017 to 2018. Scarlet fever can sometimes progress into a more serious illness called invasive group A strep (iGAS). In the U.K., cases of iGAS have been high this season as well and have resulted in 60 deaths, 13 of which were children under 18....

What Is Precipitous Labor? Precipitous labor, also called rapid labor, is defined as giving birth after less than three hours of regular contractions. Sometimes it’s also called precipitous labor if labor lasts anywhere under five hours. Although rapid labor might seem like a good thing, it can also carry risks and drawbacks. For instance, precipitous labor is often associated with higher preterm birth rates. About 7% of people who have had quick labors delivered preterm babies....

More than half of babies with reflux spit up, and most are considered “happy spitters.” These are babies who spit up breastmilk or formula with little effort or discomfort. In more serious cases, reflux can cause infants pain, affecting their quality of life. Babies who spit up and display symptoms of irritability are easily diagnosed with reflux, but others may not spit up at all. This is called silent reflux....

Causes of a Child’s Sore Throat It can help to uncover what might be causing your child’s sore throat if you first understand some of the medical terms related to sore throats, including: Tonsillitis: An inflammation or infection of the tonsils, which can be caused by strep and many viral infections. So while strep throat is a form of tonsillitis, so is mono and other viral infections.Pharyngitis: An inflammation or infection of the pharynx, the area of the mouth near the tonsils....

Build the Excitement for Leprechauns Leprechauns are mythical figures in Irish folklore. While they are best known for hiding a pot of at the end of the rainbow, they are also supposed to be very, very naughty, playing lots of tricks on unsuspecting humans. For some St. Patrick’s Day fun with your little one, try luring one of the wee ones to your home and see what happens next! These leprechaun visit ideas offer you a chance to bring a bit of magic to your preschooler....

Benefits of Well-Folded Baby Clothes A tidy baby dresser is a boon for your stress levels. “Keeping baby clothes neat and organized can be particularly helpful in two scenarios: when you are tight on space, and for those middle of the night, in the dark diaper changes,” says June Doran, a parenting and decluttering expert at This Simple Balance. “When you’re standing there, bleary-eyed and exhausted, with the mother of all blowouts on your hands, knowing exactly where you put the zippered pajamas filed neatly in the drawer might just save you from a complete and total meltdown....

Some parents don’t realize that the habits they allow or even encourage can lead to sleep problems. Once these habits have developed, it can be difficult to make changes. But it’s not impossible, and is certainly worth the effort. It will be easier for the child and the parents if ground rules and routines around sleep are set sooner to avoid problems later. Toddler Sleep Associations A sleep association is anything that a toddler or child connects with going to sleep....

Pros & Cons In an attempt to provide greater access to therapy resources for this age range, online therapy company BetterHelp created Teen Counseling, a subsidiary aimed at helping young adults and their parents navigate challenging times. Telehealth platforms such as Teen Counseling were developed to give young adults (and their parents) access to licensed therapists anytime, and anywhere. Whether you’re a teen seeking help or a parent searching for a way to help, Teen Counseling’s goal is to provide what is needed whenever it is convenient....

Bozhena Fisher, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a mother, tells Verywell Family that parents should pay attention to ingredients. “I recommend toothpaste that is more natural and has no artificial colors or flavors,” says Dr. Fisher. When it comes to cavity prevention, parents should look for toothpaste that contains fluoride. While there may be some confusion over whether or not fluoride is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarifies that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in almost all forms of water....

“I love gifts that can be useful—something that would help me in my job or my daily functions,” says Martha Horta-Granados, who teaches kids aged 6 to 12 years about socio-emotional education and human rights in a community center. She’s one of several teachers Verywell Family spoke to in order to help us determine the best gifts to buy our own children’s educators. While New York-based ESL teacher and tutor Vanessa Gordon emphasizes that practical gifts are always appreciated, she also underscores that personal, homemade offerings go a long way to show teachers you really care....

When researching the best winter hats for kids, we took comfort, material, and care instructions into consideration. We also spoke with board-certified pediatrician Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP; Rebekah Diamond, MD, a New York City-based hospital pediatrician and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University; and Jessica Madden, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University and the Medical Director of Aeroflow Breastpumps, to learn more about what makes a high-quality winter hat....

We researched dozens of gift options, keeping in mind the interests, needs, and latest trends for kids in this age group. Our top picks include the Literati Book Gift Box, the National Geographic Geodes Kit, and the Harry & David Cake Pop Gift Box. Here are the best gifts for an elementary school grad. The collection for soon-to-be middle schoolers is inspired by the road to wisdom, with titles that will inspire wonder and enlightenment....

When choosing a toy for a 4-year-old, think about their lifestyle, interests, and who they might be playing with. While it’s nice to challenge them with toys or gifts that they can age into, make sure that whatever you choose is also fun right out of the box. We carefully considered toy safety, design, material, ease of cleaning, value, and any age recommendations when reviewing products. Here are the best gifts for the 4-year-old girl in your life....

When choosing a pump, it’s important to consider “which features of the various pumps might suit your personal preferences as well as your pumping goals,” says lactation consultant Natalie Ward, IBCLC, BS. If you’re going back to work outside the home, for example, a quiet and portable option for pumping at the office is important. If you need to be able to multitask, a hands-free pump design is a must....

No one would argue that victims of bullying are subjected to stressful situations. Whether they are threatened, cyberbullied, or experience name-calling, these types of bullying have a lasting impact. And after prolonged exposure, victims of bullying can develop adverse reactions. Some victims of bullying will experience depression, eating disorders and even thoughts of suicide. But, they also can develop anxiety disorders. Anxiety Disorders Among Bullied Teens The top four anxiety disorders that victims of bullying can experience include post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder....