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Chemical pregnancies are usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Other possible causes include exposure to toxic chemicals or structural problems of the cervix, placenta, or uterus. Many women who have a chemical pregnancy never even knew they were pregnant, as the bleeding from the pregnancy loss often occurs around the same time as their expected menstrual period. But since home pregnancy tests are now quite sensitive, some women find out that they’re pregnant very early—even before their expected period, making it possible for more chemical pregnancies to be discovered....

Time-outs are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and they’re used by up to 85% of parents. And yet, opinions abound about when time-outs are appropriate and how they should be carried out. The Right Age for Time-Outs Experts recommend not using the time-out discipline method until your child is around age 2 or 3. This is about the time when children will begin to recognize cause and effect and understand consequences....

Medications for Diarrhea In general, most experts recommend that parents not give their children anti-diarrheal medications when they have diarrhea. Even though medications such as Imodium and Kaopectate may be recommended for adults, these medications should not be used in children, and could even be dangerous. So is there any “treatment” besides making sure your child does not get dehydrated and using dietary measures? At this time, the only thing left to try—beyond pushing fluids to prevent them from becoming dehydrated—is providing them with the probiotic supplement acidophilus....

Researchers looked at a group of 12- to 24-year-olds participating in a large-scale study of tobacco and health, to identify the predictors of becoming a daily cigarette smoker over the course of four years. They found the risk of progressing to cigarettes was three times higher for those who used e-cigarettes, particularly among those under age 18. This likely will reverse the decline in cigarette smoking among U.S. adults, researchers concluded....

While they are safe, reports of injuries likely suggest that while you may not have to think twice and use the stairs, you should at least think about your child’s safety before letting him or her ride on an elevator or escalator. Escalator Dangers for Children There have been at least 77 reports of entrapment—when hands, feet, or shoes (mostly clogs and slide sandals) get trapped in the escalator—since 2006....

Make sure everyone understands that they need to pick up after themselves, tackle their chores without being asked, and to show respect to all the other family members. Oh, and keeping your hands and feet to yourself is a must. Be sure your child knows and understands the rules of their school. If you have questions about school rules, contact the school staff or guidance counselor for details. Curfews should be early on school nights....

Opportunities to explore math with your child pop up everywhere. Going to the grocery store, cooking dinner, or even watching the news together are some of the ways these opportunities present themselves. However, having your child help you in the kitchen not only offers the benefit of an extra pair of hands but also involves math. From measuring and sequencing to estimation and ​multiplication, the kitchen is a real-life school for kids of all ages....

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all babies aged 6 months and over receive the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination. Until then, you can protect your newborn from the flu by ensuring that anyone who comes into close contact with your baby receives their flu shot beforehand. “The flu vaccine is safe and effective at decreasing numbers of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths due to flu each year,” says Matthew Kronman, MD, MSCE, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington....

Both seasoned and new parents are well aware of the rapidly evolving stages of a tot under 12 months. Most parents crave the hands-free relief provided by an activity center, and it can be tough to find something to keep baby occupied that’s safe yet entertaining. With a wide range of play gyms, jumpers, and activity centers on the market, sorting through all the options to find an ideal solution can be challenging....

The majority of twins are fraternal twins (twins that are more like siblings born at the same time). Monozygotic twins, or identical twins, come from a single egg and sperm that splits into two after conception. Learn more about fraternal twinning, from how they form to how they relate to each other, as well as how they differ from identical twins. Odds of Conceiving Fraternal Twins Fraternal twins form in the same way that all humans do, by the union of sperm and egg....

How can parents tell if their child’s language development is advanced? A first step is to look at typical language developmental milestones. In other words, it’s key to understand how many words a child is expected to say at various ages, such as at 12 months, 16 months, 18 months, and older. A second step is to look at what advanced speech is. Learn more about gifted children and language development....

Monster Freeze Dance This is the perfect opportunity for kids to show off their silliest (or sickest) dance moves. Everyone dances while the music is playing. But as soon as the music stops, they all have to freeze like statues. Anyone caught moving while the music is off is out of the game until the next round (the next song). The last player still dancing is the winner. Snap Apple Instead of bobbing for apples in a bucket of water (which can really wreak havoc on costumes or face paint), have kids try to “snap” a bite from an apple hanging on a string....

Once a baby’s vision begins to develop, they love to look at faces, even their own. You’ve probably already introduced your baby to mirrors, but a mirror toy is something they can explore on their own. Here’s a simple play activity that your baby is bound to love. Baby Play With Mirrors Use these tips to help your baby safely play with mirrors: Development of Self-Awareness Believe it or not, your baby won’t realize that he’s looking at his own reflection until somewhere around 9 months of age....

Cow’s milk has become less popular as more families decide to lead dairy-free lifestyles, either because of personal preference (such as a vegan diet) or food allergies. The “old-school” way of parenting often included offering babies either breast milk or formula up until about the age of one year. After a child’s first birthday, whole cow’s milk was commonly introduced as the main drink for toddlers. Today, some babies may never have cow’s milk, as some babies have dairy-free formula right from infancy....

You’re not alone if you’ve considered removing your children from regular school in favor of homeschooling. When you think of the advantages of teaching your kids at home, you likely envision the freedom of making your own schedule, focusing on particular areas of interest, and going at your child’s pace. But does a home-based education offer a leg up for kids in terms of scholastic advancement? It depends. Here’s how educating at home stands up to public school for test results, GPA, college placement, and more....

There are many reasons why a premature baby might need a G-tube. Most preemies have trouble eating at first, but gain strength and coordination as they grow. By the time they leave the NICU, they are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding well. Other preemies have complex medical problems that make it hard for them to eat well. Some reasons why a preemie might need a G-tube include: Long-term ventilation: Babies who need to be on a ventilator for a long time won’t be able to eat until they have a tracheostomy....

Making a decision about treatment is best made between you and your healthcare providers. Still, the more you know about your options, the easier it will be to navigate this part of your journey. To help you make sense of what is available to you, we have outlined the treatment options for postpartum depression—psychotherapy, medication, alternative/complementary options, and lifestyle changes—in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is usually the first treatment option offered to people battling postpartum depression, especially for mild to moderate cases....

In fact, it’s not uncommon for older kids to experience a variety of sleep challenges like insomnia, sleep debt, and even sleep apnea. And because lack of sleep can impact everything from their academic success to their physical health, instilling healthy sleep habits becomes more important than ever for older kids. Not only will they need to establish healthy sleep practices now, but they also need to learn how to manage their sleep needs on their own, especially as they get closer to their college years and young adulthood....