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So what are some good ways to celebrate Math Awareness Month? Read Some Math Books When most people think about math books, they think of books that discuss math concepts and maybe provide math problems to work out. Mathematically gifted kids will enjoy reading these books because they cleverly discuss math concepts. The book Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi is an example of such a book. Kids who are not so comfortable with math will find it much easier to learn these concepts....

By some translations, the name Astrid could also mean “God’s strength.” Astrid isn’t a very popular name in the United States but it’s gradually climbing its way up the charts through pop culture. You’ll come across characters named Astrid in television shows like “Fringe,” “The Office,” “Vikings,” and “The Tomorrow People.” You might also recognize the name from popular books like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “White Oleander.” How Popular is the Name Astrid?...

This information is key as hospitals navigate evolving protocols for how an infected parent can safely interact with their baby after giving birth. The Study Researchers studied over 2300 babies born to SARS-COV-2 positive mothers in Sweden, with observation taking place during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 until January 2021. They found that less than 1% of babies tested positive for the virus within their first 28 days of life....

Reasons for NICU Blood Transfusions In most cases, a blood transfusion is used to increase the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen to body tissues, including the brain and heart. Transfusion can be given as either packed red blood cells (PRBC) or as whole blood. Individual components of blood can also be transfused, such as to increase the number of platelets to help stop bleeding. In the NICU, babies may be given a red blood cell transfusion for several reasons....

Before you move your child to a booster seat, make sure they meet three important criteria. To sit safely in a booster seat, a child should be: At least 5 years oldAt least 40 poundsAble to sit in the booster without slouching, leaning over, or playing with the seat belt There are many convertible seats and combination seats that allow you to use harness straps up until your child is 40 pounds or more (many can be used until kids are up to 65 pounds or 49 inches tall)....

Here’s a quick answer: Yes, tighter underwear may reduce sperm count. That said, it’s unlikely to reduce sperm health enough to cause infertility. In healthy fertile men, even when briefs reduced sperm counts, vital sperm health measurements were still in the normal range. Why Might Tighter Underwear Harm Sperm Health? The concern with tight underwear in men is all about heat. Sperm cells are sensitive to rises in temperature. In fact, they are so sensitive to heat that your own body heat is a problem....

If you love to indulge in ceviche on a regular basis, it’s time to say goodbye for the next nine months. We reached out to experts who explain exactly why ceviche is risky for pregnant individuals and how it can affect your fetus if you do eat it while pregnant. Eating Ceviche During Pregnancy Ceviche can be a refreshing dish on a warm day. This Peruvian staple is popular in towns near water because there’s easy access to fresh fish....

But getting pregnant may change things. The joy of seeing a positive pregnancy test result may be tinged with a nagging sense of worry if you rely on antidepressants. You may wonder whether you can continue taking your medication now that you’re pregnant, and you may have concerns about going without it for a period of nine months. Antidepressants can cause birth defects if you take them when you are expecting....

If you’re the parent of a sick child, you’re most likely visiting many local pharmacies and stores only to find bare shelves and scarce supplies. You’re not alone. The so-called ’tripledemic’ of RSV, flu, and COVID-19 is creating a supply and demand issue for the popular brands Tylenol and Motrin, along with other pain relievers. You might be wondering what you can do when over-the-counter medication is hard to find....

It is also recommended that women who are trying to conceive or who are breastfeeding take prenatal vitamins as an insurance policy against the irregular diet. But what difficulties may occur due to these vitamins? Your Prenatal Vitamin Might Make You Nauseous Some women find that their churning stomachs are due to their vitamins rather than to morning sickness, or that their vitamins make morning sickness worse. You can try changing prenatal vitamin brands....

When to Use the Cross-Cradle Hold The cross-cradle hold for breastfeeding is an easy nursing position to learn. It is a great position when you are first starting out with breastfeeding because it allows you to easily view your nipple and your baby’s mouth. This position also works well for breastfeeding preemies, newborns, or babies who have trouble latching on to the breast. You also may want to use this position if your baby does not have strong sucking skills or is having trouble staying latched....

Many parents feel relieved to move past the “terrible twos” phase, and hope that their child will become a little easier to manage and less prone to meltdowns. But 3-year-olds can still be difficult to parent at times, as they learn to control their emotions and sort through their big feelings. So if you are finding this phase challenging, you are not alone. Let’s take a look at what developmental milestones to look forward to at 3-years-old, how to nurture your child and keep them safe, and when to be concerned about your child’s growth and development....

What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy? An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. More than 90% of ectopic pregnancies implant in the fallopian tube. For this reason, ectopic pregnancy is also sometimes referred to as a tubal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur in 1% to 2% of all pregnancies. When an ectopic pregnancy develops undetected for too long, it can become life-threatening for the pregnant person. The main risk is that the fallopian tube can rupture, which can cause severe internal bleeding....

Common Symptoms of Miscarriage The most common sign associated with miscarriage is bleeding (though it’s important to note that not all spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy is indicative of miscarriage). The initial bleeding associated with miscarriage can range from small amounts of brown blood to heavy bleeding with clots and tissue. Bleeding due to miscarriage is a result of progesterone levels precipitously dropping, after which the uterine lining begins to shed....

Some women end up with a separation in their abdominal muscles after childbirth which leaves bellies looking stretched out long after pregnancy. This stretching is known as diastasis recti or, colloquially, “mummy tummy." But it’s not just appearance that’s the concern here—diastasis recti can cause back pain, “mommy bladder,” and other discomforts. Many cases of diastasis recti are linked to uterine, rectal, and bladder prolapse. Let’s take a look at what diastasis recti is, how to know if you have it—and most importantly, how to treat it so you can live a strong and healthy life....

Researchers looked at almost 12,000 boys and girls ages 9 and 10. They analyzed certain disordered eating patterns such as binge eating, vomiting, over-exercising, and calorie restriction. They were looking to measure the associations between those behaviors and other factors, such as sex, BMI, and puberty. They were trying to figure out whether certain factors contributed more to disordered eating and whether sex played a role. The study found no difference in sex when it comes to the prevalence of eating disorders, indicating boys and girls faced the same risk....

“It’s important to note that ‘clean’ beauty is not a regulated term," says Krupa Koestline, Clean Cosmetic Chemist and Founder of KKT Consultants. “As of now, it’s largely up to brands and retailers to define what clean means to them.” Some people may want to switch to a completely natural, non-toxic, organic, “clean” beauty routine while pregnant. It may stem from a fear of a certain ingredient causing harm to their baby, and of course, wanting the very best for their unborn child....

On the spectrum of infant sleep theories, Sears is pretty much opposite the ideas of Dr. Ferber’s “cry it out” methods. He advocates “gentle methods” of encouraging babies to sleep through the night, rather than methods that might increase a baby’s stress and anxiety level. What Is Cosleeping? Not so many years ago, an incredulous look complete with jaw drop would greet the mother who had just admitted to co-sleeping with her baby....