While these reflexes may simply seem adorable, they have a much larger purpose. They’ve been imprinted onto our DNA because they help babies survive—and link us all to our human ancestry. In the past, having these reflexes or not might have meant the difference between surviving beyond infancy or not. Normal Newborn Reflexes Infant reflexes help your newborn transition to life outside the womb and learn what they need to do to survive....
While the chances of a food allergy are more likely if a family member has one, it’s tough to predict your child’s allergies. That’s why it’s important to understand what the most common allergies are in kids, what symptoms to look for, and what to do if your child develops a food allergy. What Are the Most Common Allergies in Kids? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about six different foods cause 90% of allergies in children....
With this type of bullying, kids socially reject, exclude, or ostracize other children. Relational aggression becomes more and more evident as kids get into middle school and junior high and can continue through adulthood. It’s even commonplace in the workplace among adults. Dealing with this kind of bullying can be a challenge for kids, especially as they may be suffering in silence. However, there are many ways parents can help kids who are being ostracized....
If your twins are not developmentally ready to train, you’ll encounter more resistance and frustration. Evaluate your twins individually to determine the right timing for them. Signs of readiness include showing an interest when others use the toilet, the ability to go for an extended length of time without wetting a diaper, hiding in a private place when they feel the urge to go, being uncomfortable with a soiled diaper, and wanting to wear “big kid” underwear....
When to Start Potty Training When you begin potty training depends more on the individual child than your child’s sex. But there are some factors to consider when it comes to when you actually begin toilet training. Overall, girls tend to show interest in toilet training earlier than boys. They also tend to complete the potty training process earlier than boys by about three months. That said, this is not a hard and fast rule....
First, know that it is usually not necessary to give your child a fever reducer. In most cases, fever is treated as a comfort measure. If your child’s fever is making them so uncomfortable that they are unable to stay hydrated or rest, then a fever reducer is recommended. Otherwise, the fever should be left alone. Treating a fever will not help your child get better any faster. If your child has a fever, but does not feel bad, then you don’t need to give her a fever reducer....
Make sure you get the right seat for your baby’s age and weight, that it fits in your vehicle, and that you use it every single time. Remember to check both your vehicle and your car seat owner’s manuals to make sure you’re installing and using your car seat correctly. The infant car seat can also double as a carrier. (Don’t place the car seat in the grocery cart—even if it clicks, it’s not designed for that and is very dangerous....
Who Conducts Learning Tests People who assess children for learning disabilities are usually experts in education, speech and language, audiology, or psychology. By conducting a series of tests, evaluations, and interviews, they work to understand what stands between your child and academic success. Findings from these evaluations may reveal any of a number of issues, ranging from hearing loss or low vision to difficulties with focus, use of language, or reading....
In a velamentous insertion, the umbilical cord inserts itself into the amniotic membrane rather than in the placenta. The baby’s blood vessels stretch along the membrane between the insertion point and the placenta. As such, the vessels are unprotected because the substance that typically surrounds them, Wharton’s jelly, is missing. The cause of velamentous cord insertion is unknown, and this abnormality is not the only one of its kind. There is also the possibility of a marginal insertion, in which the placement of the umbilical cord is less than 2 centimeters sideways of the placental margin, or edge of the placenta....
Reasons Parents Are Denied Child Custody The court’s primary concern is your child’s safety and well-being. Yet, being denied custody doesn’t necessarily mean that the judge determined that your home is unsuitable. In many cases, the courts favor granting physical custody to the parent who has been the child’s primary caregiver up to that point, or they conclude that traveling back and forth between two homes is not in the child’s best interests....
If you have a tween or teen, try to take their complaints of menstrual pain seriously and see what you can do to help. Luckily, there are a number of effective home remedies for cramps. While some discomfort is to be expected with periods, it can also point to a problem that requires medical attention. It’s important to know the difference between what is normal and what is not....
Why It’s Important Birth is a monumental, sometimes tough, transition. Going from being in the uterus to the outside world not only involves a tight squeeze but also requires a baby to move from dependency on their mom for their basic bodily needs to full independence. The Apgar score provides a way to quickly ascertain how a baby is doing and what (if any) extra medical care is needed. The test also provides doctors an accurate and helpful barometer of a newborn’s likelihood of survival....
According to the Children’s Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2018, approximately 678,000 children in the country were deemed victims of abuse or neglect, with about 60.8% of those suffering from neglect. Moreover, the bureau estimated that 1,770 children died in 2018 from abuse or neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) legally defines neglect as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to the child....
Emotional abuse can occur in conjunction with physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect and is one of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize. Often, it is subtle and insidious, slowly chipping away at the child’s self-esteem and sense of safety and belonging. Like other forms of abuse, emotional child abuse is about power and control. The perpetrator manipulates and controls the child by using words and actions that are emotionally hurtful and damaging....
The phrase “tiger parenting” was first introduced by author and law professor Amy Chua in her book, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom.” The novel reflects upon her strict upbringing that was based on tiger parenting strategies. Chua, who says the book was meant to be a memoir rather than a how-to guide, speaks about her experience implementing tiger parenting methods with her own daughters and her eventual transformation as a mother following her daughter’s rebellion....
The updated guidance says those who have received their single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot or both doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine don’t need to wear a face covering or adhere to social distancing during regular activities, except where they’re required to do so according to federal, state, local or tribal laws and regulations. To date, more than 137 million Americans are fully immunized against COVID-19. The relaxation of the masking requirement is further proof that life is going back to some level of normality....
So, how can you multitask and spend this precious time? Well, here are 10 things you can do while you’re breastfeeding. Interact With Your Baby It may seem like a no-brainer, but spend some time staring at your baby. Talk to them. Sing to them. Before you know it, they are going to be pulling off the breast and looking up at you, giving a quick smile, and going back to nursing....
Are Strawberries Safe for My Baby? Strawberries are safe for babies beginning around ages 4 to 6 months old when solids are typically introduced. That said, it’s better to rely on developmental achievements than age to gauge whether your child is ready for food. Can they sit up alone or with support? Control their head and neck? Bring objects to the mouth and open their mouth when food is offered? Swallow food?...
It is sometimes just too tiring and frustrating to continue answering the never-ending “why” questions. And sometimes, we just don’t know the answers to all those questions! Fortunately, parents can use certain strategies to have more effective dialogues with gifted children when the kids bombard them with questions. Don’t Brush Aside Questions Although it may be difficult to answer all the questions a gifted child might have, we really don’t want to stifle their curiosity by telling them to stop asking so many questions....
