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The part that confuses many parents is that you don’t have to have your first postpartum period to get pregnant. You may ovulate two weeks before you even get your period, and so you may be fertile before you even realize it. And although many breastfeeding moms do experience a delay in their return to fertility, this is not always the case, Dr. Shirazian noted. All of this is why all postpartum parents should have an established and proactive birth control plan in place as soon as possible after their baby is born....

Postpartum Supplies for Bleeding Regardless of whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section, you will have some vaginal bleeding and discharge after birth known as lochia. This bleeding is how your body gets rid of the extra blood and tissue in your uterus. Taking care of yourself and your needs during this time period will increase your comfort level, promote healing, and prevent infection. Here are some things you need to have on hand to help you heal....

Add in a toddler’s drooling, thumb-sucking, or pacifier use and you have a recipe for pink, raw, and cracked skin around the mouth. The good news is you can help prevent chapped lips with a few easy tips. How to Prevent Toddler Chapped Lips Make sure that your toddler stays hydrated and drinks plenty of fluids. Use a humidifier at home and wipe your child’s lips gently throughout the day....

Whatever the circumstances of your family situation, the challenges in raising a daughter as a single parent are similar. There will be obstacles along the way, and you won’t always know the right answer, but that’s true of every parent. This advice can help smooth the path for yourself and your daughter. Don’t Go It Alone While you are completely capable of raising your daughter alone, never underestimate the importance of inviting a female mentor into your daughter’s life....

They Are Low-Risk Midwives generally only take care of low-risk patients. This means that your midwife has been trained to ensure that you do your best to stay healthy and low-risk throughout your pregnancy by guiding you in your choices towards healthy options. It also means that they are constantly watching to ensure you are within these healthy parameters (like a lifeguard, only stepping in when needed). Occasionally, a high-risk practice will have a midwife on staff to provide patient education....

Some experts suspect that teens today are delaying or reducing their sexual activity. Others believe that teens are becoming more educated about birth control methods and being more proactive about preventing pregnancy. That said, teen pregnancy does still happen. Although most parents would like to think their teen would never have unprotected sex, teen pregnancy can happen ​in any family. However, there are certain risk factors that make some teens more likely to become pregnant....

However, a new study published in JAMA Neurology has revealed that newer generation anti-seizure medications have a much lesser impact on the outcomes of children. Furthermore, evidence exists to suggest the addition of folic acid supplements can lower the risk of poor outcomes even further. Taking medication throughout pregnancy is often essential to prevent seizures, which can be even more harmful to both the mother and her unborn baby than the medications....

So it’s worth it to bundle kids up and out the door when it snows. To protect them from the elements: Kids should wear layers of lightweight clothes underneath a warm jacket, plus waterproof gloves or mittens, sturdy snow boots, and a hat that covers their ears. They should also wear sunscreen on exposed skin on their face. If they’re trekking to a friend’s yard or nearby park, have them bring extra mittens, and maybe even a travel mug of hot cocoa....

In truth, there are times when a specialist may be helpful in overcoming obstacles to a pregnancy and times when having one onboard may not make much of a difference. While you should always be under the care of a qualified doctor or midwife when pregnant, you need to focus on finding the appropriate care based on the type of loss you experienced. If You’ve Had One Miscarriage If you experienced a first-trimester miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy and have no other chronic health issues and no prior history of pregnancy loss, you probably don’t need a specialist....

This article has been updated with the latest information. It came just weeks after Pfizer and Moderna both applied for emergency use authorizations (EUA) for their boosters, which target the BA.4/BA.5 variants. Originally, Moderna’s bivalent booster was targeted for use in people 18 and older, while Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot was made available for people 12 and up. Tweens and teens were among the first children eligible for the updated booster. But those ages have since been expanded....

It’s also possible for an infection to pass to a baby in the womb or during labor and even during breastfeeding. The exact risk varies by the type of STI, adequate treatment availability, and how well controlled the condition is during the pregnancy, along with other factors. However, sexually transmitted infections can be managed to reduce or eliminate these risks. If you have an STI, or if you’re worried that you might, talk to a healthcare provider about treatment and prenatal care....

Teaching Responsibility Often Means Stepping Back During early and middle childhood, you probably needed to constantly remind your child about their obligations or else things wouldn’t get done. As a tween, though, your child has more autonomy, or the ability to take charge of many of their own responsibilities, like due dates for school projects and when they need to leave for sports practice (Granted, you still need to drive your child, but they now have the capability to remind you instead of the other way around....

“Kids in this age range begin to go through big physical changes and at various rates. Having them use a complex routine is also not ideal,” says dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar. “This is an age where face wash, moisturizer, and the importance of daily SPF should be instilled.” We carefully considered ingredients, age recommendations, skin types, and value when considering products. Here are the best face washes for tweens and teens, broken down by formula and skin concern....

“In a world where it’s impossible to avoid screens and video games, [gaming has] become a rite of passage,” says Lyndsey Garbi, MD, chief medical officer of Blueberry Pediatrics and pediatrician at Northwell Health in New York. “[Kids who play games] won’t be left out of understanding contemporary games and lingo. There are some games that can be educational and help with hand-eye coordination. Some video games help to spark creativity and special interests as well....

Factors like low-cost (or even better, free!) shipping and reliable delivery are some of the most important things to consider in your go-to diaper retailer. It’s also worth making sure they at least have your favorite brand of diapers, though they’ll be an even better place to shop if they carry a wide range of brands and sizes so you can easily order the right size when you need it....

“This is an important developmental time and one during which teens turn away from their families and start to pay more attention to their friends,” family psychologist Jennifer L. Hartstein, Psy.D., tells Verywell Family. “They tend to lean into their peer groups, connecting over things that they enjoy together, like hobbies, sports, etc.” At this age, kids’ brains are developing at different rates, and they’re starting to understand abstract thinking....

Always check the age recommendation on a toy for two reasons: safety and age-appropriateness. This will also make it more likely the toy will be engaging for the child. We carefully considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, educational benefit, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best toys for 6-year-olds. Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $6 Price at time of publication: $30 Tried and tested, the Etch A Sketch is still around for a reason....

More facilities than ever are offering parents a safe and affordable place for their children to be watched on short notice. In addition, they provide plenty of kid-centered fun for all ages. Overview As more and more busy families and single parents crave adult time or face a lack of available babysitters, drop-in childcare is gaining in popularity. Drop-in care centers provide convenience and fun, so much so that many children consider it a “kids night out....

If that sounds like a lot, remember that total water intake recommendations include all sources—drinking water, other beverages, and food. Some kids will get more or less water from food or other beverages. Checking the color of your child’s urine can be a more accurate way to see if they’re adequately hydrated. These recommendations can vary from child to child. If you’re concerned that your child might not be drinking enough water, here are some strategies that might help you encourage them to hydrate....