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Even if you plan to breastfeed, you may need to bottle feed your preemie at times in the NICU. Bottle feeding allows NICU staff to know exactly how much milk a premature baby is taking in, and it allows nurses to fortify breast milk by adding extra calories. Tips for Effective Bottle Feeding Bottle feeding a preemie is very different from feeding a term infant. Unlike a baby born at term, a premature baby may be very sleepy at feeding times, may not be strong enough to drink enough milk to sustain growth, and may have a hard time swallowing and breathing at the same time....

Individual outcomes seem to be primarily determined by chance and genetic luck. However, one factor that does increase the likelihood of miscarriage is regular exposure to factors classified as teratogens, or agents that have been found to cause disruption in fetal development. Teratogens include toxic chemicals and radiation, certain viral and bacterial infections, or even cigarette smoke and alcohol. Exposure to teratogens during pregnancy can have drastically different effects from one pregnancy to another....

Just as you would with any medical diagnosis, the key is to find the kind of therapy that will a make a difference your child’s quality of life. But with so many different types of therapy from which to choose, how do you know what is right for your child? Read on to discover why therapy is important, what types of therapy are available for kids and teens, and how you can find the right therapist for your child....

Vitrification is sometimes referred to as “fast freezing.” In this process, water molecules are removed and replaced with a higher level of preserving solution before being placed in liquid nitrogen. Freezing occurs in milliseconds and can help prevent cell degradation during the thawing, fertilization, and transfer process. Vitrification has improved the success of cryopreservation. The old methods involved a slow freeze, while vitrification is extremely quick. What Is Vitrification? Generally speaking, vitrification is a method of transforming something into a glass-like substance....

If, like many people, you’re not sure what these next steps are, here’s a handy list of things to do when your pregnancy test is positive. Call Your Provider Call for a prenatal appointment as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed or you suspect you are pregnant. Some practitioners may not schedule the first appointment until after you have missed two periods, while others have you come in right away....

For those older than 35, the threshold moves down to six months of unprotected sex without a pregnancy to show for it. The threshold is also six months for those with a history of irregular menstrual cycles, known issues with their uterus or other reproductive organs, or a male partner with fertility issues. And if you’re 40 or older and want to get pregnant, it’s best not to wait on an assessment at all....

If you are considering trying a belly band, you likely have questions about which type of band to purchase, what the bands are commonly used for, how to use a belly band, and whether there are any circumstances where you shouldn’t use one. Here, we’ll address all those questions, along with expert tips for the safest and most effective ways to use them during pregnancy. What Is a Belly Band?...

But research shows that utilizing mindfulness during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond may actually reduce stress and lessen anxiety. And it may even lead to healthier newborns with fewer developmental issues as they grow up. Although research is still preliminary, it’s showing a great deal of promise. Plus mindfulness is easily accessible and inexpensive. Here’s everything you need to know about mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting. What Is Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting?...

While the American Academy of Pediatrics maintains waiting until 4 to 6 months to introduce solids foods, for most babies the common allergens no longer need to be limited. Below are more details on many common first foods. But remember, this is by no means an exhaustive list of all the possibilities for feeding an infant. As always, talk with your pediatrician about their insights on when your baby can start solids and what types of foods might be best to begin with....

Your mind is whirring with questions. How did this happen? What if I deliver early? How will I tell them apart? Do we need another crib, car seat, or a bigger car? Maybe even a bigger house? How will we ever afford college times two? Don’t worry, you will find the answers to all of these questions and more. Here’s what you need to do next. Connect With Parents of Twins and Multiples Take a deep breath....

If the district has made a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available to the child, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) does not require school districts to pay for the placement of children with disabilities in private special education programs because it is the parents’ personal decision to do so. Parent placement of children with disabilities in private schools is typically referred to as a unilateral placement decision. The IDEA specifies that school districts are not responsible for paying for private programs when parents have made a unilateral decision....

Call the station and schedule an appointment in advance, so that staff can be on hand to spend special time with the children. Of course, plans could change if a fire call takes them away from the station. Be sure to explain when they should “stay low and go” and when it would be appropriate to “stop, drop and roll.” Children should be encouraged to cover their faces when rolling....

Bullying is not something that goes away on its own and it’s not something kids can just “work out.” Even if you are not sure if your child is being bullied, your participation in the situation is crucial to a positive outcome. Here are 10 steps you can take to help your child overcome bullying. Even if you suspect your child is fine, never underestimate the power of bullying. Kids have taken drastic measures to escape the pain it causes including committing suicide without ever admitting the hurt they were feeling....

Reasons to Try Walking Games A long walk is a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress, and explore the outdoors. Walks and hikes are great opportunities for families to spend time together and be active. To help kids stay occupied and engaged during a walk, consider turning it into a fun game. Fitness challenges are another way to get the most out of your walk. By adding intervals, sprints, or inclines, you’ve transformed your evening stroll into a powerful workout....

Spending time as a family outdoors opens up a whole other world of benefits — namely the benefits of bonding and creating lifelong memories. If you’re looking for creative ways to spend time outside as a large family, start with this list of ideas. Break Out the Sidewalk Chalk Grab a bucket of sidewalk chalk and have at it on a quiet street, a local park, or even your very own driveway....

Rachel Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Ewe Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rachael Famous Namesakes: A number of actresses share this name, like Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, and Rachel Dratch. Peak Popularity: Rachel was a popular name in the 1980s and 1990s, cracking the top 10 in 1996. Ramona Origin: Spanish Meaning: Counsel protection Famous Namesakes: One of our favorite childhood characters in fiction is Ramona Quimby. Peak Popularity: Ramona’s biggest year was 1928....

Your Baby’s Development at 34 Weeks At 34 weeks, a baby is over 12 1/4 inches (31.1 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of their buttocks (known as the crown-rump length), and baby’s height is nearly 17 1/2 inches (44.2 centimeters) from the top of their head to their heel (crown-heel length). This week, baby weighs about 5 pounds (2,312 grams). Which Trimester? Third trimester How Many Weeks to Go?...

AuthoritarianAuthoritativePermissiveUninvolved Each style takes a different approach to raising children, offers different pros and cons, and can be identified by a number of different characteristics. People often want to know which parenting style they are using—and which is the best. The truth is that there is no one right way to parent, but the general parenting style that most experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend is an authoritative approach....

Popular Royal Baby Names for Girls Here are some of the most popular royal baby names, meanings, and famous namesakes for girls. Alexandra Origin: GreekMeaning: Defender of mankind/peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alessandra, Alixandra, AleksandraFamous Namesakes: Explorer Alexandra David-Neel and actor Alexandra PaulPeak Popularity: 1996Monarchy: Great Britain, Denmark, Russia, and Greece Alice Origin: English Meaning: From nobilityAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alaïs, Adalheidis, Adalheide, Adelheide, Alicia, Alisha, Alisa, Alissa, Alitha, AlitaFamous Namesakes: Authors Alice Hoffman, Alice Sebold, and Alice Walker; women’s suffragist Alice Paul Peak Popularity: The name became popular during the Victorian era after Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” was published in 1865....

Control Freak Parenting If you’re guilty of micromanaging your child’s activities, these are the consequences it can have on your child. You’ll Exhaust Your Children Parents who insist on having a high degree of control over their children often get them involved in many structured activities. From violin lessons to soccer practice, they believe their kids are gaining a competitive edge. But a 2011 study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that enrolling kids in extracurricular activities did not make them happier, healthier, or more successful....