CMV, a common virus, can pass from the pregnant individual to their growing baby and cause issues, such as birth defects. “Although CMV is very common and rarely causes illness, the congenital form of the virus can be problematic,” says Sandra El Hajj, N-MD, a health professional specializing in preventive and global health. Anyone can become infected with CMV at any time, and it’s likely that you already have been....
Then, the final step most parents take is packing a bag so it’s ready to go on the day they go into labor. Since many people tend to overpack for this big event, we spoke with experts and first-time parents about what they brought, what they actually used, and what they wished they had packed (but didn’t) for their hospital delivery. Read on for tried-and-true childbirth packing tips. What the Hospital Provides Before you start packing, it’s important to know what hospitals typically provide at no cost to you....
During the warmer months, a dip in the pool can be a cool and refreshing respite for parents. But if you have an infant in tow, even one who isn’t quite ready to slip on floaties yet, it can be tempting to bring them into the shallow end and see what they think of the water. As long as you’re taking all the necessary safety precautions, taking your baby in the pool can be fun and a learning experience....
Babies under age 1 should not have any fruit juice in their diets at all. Upon turning 2, they should be limited to 4 ounces per day, with the rest of their recommended daily fruit coming from whole fruits. “[The first year of life] is a time for learning to eat table foods, and nutrition should come from breastmilk or formula,” notes Sarah Skovran, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist andACE-certified personal trainer with a private practice in Maine....
Gifted children aren’t better than other children; they are simply different with different needs. A good gifted program will meet those needs. But what happens if those needs aren’t met? Academic Problems Ideally, all children will be challenged appropriately. The work they get will be neither too hard nor too easy. If it is too hard or too easy, children will give up. In the first case, they will give up because of the stress; in the second, because of boredom....
Meeting with a trained professional doesn’t mean your child is crazy, nor does it mean you’re an incompetent parent. Sometimes, for one reason or another, kids just need a little extra support or a different type of discipline to perform at their best. Early intervention is often the key to successful treatment. Talking to a child behavior specialist may put your mind at ease, especially if there are no serious problems....
This highly visible national day takes place every year on August 11. But not every child identifies as a “son” or “daughter,” and not every parent identifies as a “mom” or “dad.” Some children or adolescents might be genderqueer, agender, non-binary, or gender fluid. With the pressure to conform (and to post glossy, edited, Instagram-ready photos) at such a fever pitch, what is a family to do if they don’t neatly fall into these highly socialized gender bounds?...
In fact, using guilt or a guilt trip is one of the least effective parenting strategies there is. Even though this tactic may work in the short term, and your child may do what you want, guilt-tripping kids can have lasting consequences like low self-esteem if you resort to it often enough. Here’s what you need to know about guilt trips, why they are ineffective parenting strategies, and what you can do instead....
If a baby born prematurely needs extra medical care and attention, they will most likely be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Stays in the NICU will vary depending on the baby’s condition and health needs, but one thing is for certain: Babies in the NICU need all the help and medical care they can get. And unfortunately, data has revealed that not all babies in the NICU have equitable care....
Benefits There are several benefits to using family for babysitting. Convenience Factor One of the most attractive pros of using family as a babysitter is the convenience. You want a babysitter you can rely on day or night and at the last minute. That person is usually a family member you don’t think twice about calling 30 minutes before you need to be somewhere, or at late at night when it’s impossible to find a sitter....
I recently spoke to A.J. Hamler, the author of many woodworking publications, including his most recent book, “Build It with Dad.” Although some of the projects are geared toward younger kids, many of them are appropriate for teens. Another of his books, “Birdhouses & More,” offers instructions for a variety of projects parents and teens could build together. I asked Hamler a few questions about how parents can get started on woodworking projects with their teens....
Zulresso is an injectable medication given intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider in a certified health facility. It is administered continuously over a total of 60 hours or 2.5 days. Your doctor must prescribe and acquire Zulresso for you from Sage Therapeutics, the manufacturer. Because Zulresso is a controlled substance, the federal government closely monitors its use. No generic form is currently available, so it is only available by the brand name, Zulresso....
White blood cells are a key part of the immune system. These disease-fighters circulate through the body to fight bacteria and viruses, working to slow or stop the illnesses that these germs can cause. So it’s important to eat nourishing foods, especially those with protein, vitamin B12, and folate, to help make sure your immune system has enough white blood cells to do its job. While no one food is a silver bullet for optimal immune system function, these have been studied for their potential positive effects, including increasing white blood cells and fighting inflammation (as antioxidants can)....
They Want Attention When parents talk on the phone, visit with friends or family, or are otherwise occupied, kids feel left out. Throwing a tantrum, whining, or hitting a sibling is a great way to attract attention. Even if it’s negative attention, kids still crave it. Ignoring negative behavior and praising positive behavior is one of the best ways to deal with attention-seeking behaviors. They’re Imitating Kids learn how to behave by watching others....
For example, the names Dana, Ashley, and Leslie were once mainly used for boys but are now increasingly common for girls. Names like Noah, Jodie, Kai, Charlie, Skylar, and Finely are all now frequently used for boys and girls. Plus, you can also pick any name you want for your child, regardless of the gender it is typically associated with. The important thing is to choose the name that you feel best suits your child....
Fertility issues that involve the female reproductive system are often difficult to treat, but many of those linked to male infertility respond well to changing health and lifestyle habits. For example, quitting smoking can increase sperm counts within 3 months (approximately how long it takes for new sperm to develop). Eat a well-balanced dietGet enough sleepLimit drinking alcoholMaintain a healthy weightSkip long soaks in hot tubs or bathsTrade in your briefs for boxersTreat underlying medical conditionsQuit smoking...
Your Baby’s Development at 33 Weeks At 33 weeks, a baby is over 11 3/4 inches (30.2 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of their buttocks (known as the crown-rump length), and baby’s height is almost 17 inches (42.9 centimeters) from the top of their head to their heel (crown-heel length). This week, the baby weighs a little more than 4 1/2 pounds (2,103 grams). Which Trimester?...
In fact, a report by Common Sense Media found that 75% of American teenagers have social media profiles. Social media is a daily part of life for the vast majority of teens. The Teen Brain and Social Media For many tweens and teens, social media can become almost addictive. In a study by researchers at the UCLA brain mapping center, they found that certain regions of teen brains became activated by “likes” on social media, sometimes causing them to want to use social media more....
Alnair Origin: ArabicMeaning: The bright oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alnare, Alnayr, AlynairPeak Popularity: The name Alnair is rare and not currently in the top 1000 baby names. Altair Origin: ArabicMeaning: FalconAlternative Spellings & Variations: Altare, Altayr, AlytairFamous Namesakes: Brazilian football player, Altair Gomes de Fiqeiredo; Mexican actress, Altair JaraboPeak Popularity: Altair has never reached the top 1000 baby name charts. Apus Origin: GreekMeaning: Ungrounded, without footing; Bird-of-Paradise constellationAlternative Spellings & Variations: Appus, ApysPeak Popularity: Apus is a rare name that has not yet been on the charts....
The trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that make up the human microbiome evolve throughout our lives, and research suggests we first come into contact with those microbes inside our mother’s womb. As we’re born and growing, the gut microbiome continues to diversify, and this diversity is highly beneficial to our health. “The gut microbiota is closely linked to the body’s immune and nervous systems and influences many aspects of health and well-being,” says Whitney Casares, MD, pediatrician and Gerber medical consultant....
