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A History of Encouraging Varied, Balanced Eating The USDA has been publishing some type of nutrition guidelines for over 100 years. In 1992, it introduced the Food Guide Pyramid as a way to help people to make nutrient-informed food choices. The pyramid was divided into six horizontal sections and showed pictures of the foods in each group depicted. Alongside each illustration were suggested daily servings of each food. Since each person has different needs, appetite, and preferences, using these numbers only as a general guide was a good idea....

An “OK to Wake” clock is a product that aims to establish a healthy sleep schedule for your little one, letting them know via lights or sounds when it is an appropriate time to be awake. Many parents describe their “OK to Wake” clock as a game-changer for the entire family’s quality of sleep, while pediatric sleep experts agree that, if used correctly, they can be a useful sleep training tool....

Vaping While Pregnant That’s where electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, and vaping come in. The manufacturers have been purporting that this is a safer way to smoke and pregnant women seem to be believing the hype. A study unveiled at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Conference in May 2015 showed that about 40% of pregnant women believe that electronic cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes are still nicotine delivery systems that simply work differently than your regular cigarette....

Surveying about 15,000 adolescents who reported regular use of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or cannabis, researchers found that those vaping marijuana were about twice as likely to report respiratory symptoms like wheezing, compared to others who did not vape marijuana. Those who used the other substances or products did have some respiratory symptoms, mainly dry cough, but not to the degree of those using e-cig marijuana. Potential Lung Injury The type of symptoms reported with vaping marijuana are more indicative of future lung injury than occasional dry coughs or throat irritation, according to the study’s lead author, Carol Boyd, PhD, co-director of the Center for Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking & Health at the University of Michigan School of Nursing....

Meleen Chuang, MD, medical director of women’s health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, explains that a blighted ovum occurs when a gestational sac forms, but no embryo forms inside the sac. “This is not a viable pregnancy and can often be confused with a very early pregnancy with a fetus not yet developed, especially if the patient is uncertain of her last menstrual period,” she describes. However, the same risk factors that apply to other early pregnancy losses (EPL) also apply to blighted ova, says Dr....

The procedure is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks gestation and carries some potential risks, including miscarriage. However, the rate of complications is very low. Potential benefits of the procedure include the opportunity for parents to plan for a special needs child, to initiate in utero treatment (if applicable), and make a more educated decision about whether or not to continue a pregnancy. Why It’s Important The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends genetic screening be offered to all pregnant women, either via less invasive prenatal tests (like blood tests) or through more invasive tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS)....

From the outside, play therapy looks like it’s just about having fun with toys. However, research shows play therapy is effective in treating a variety of mental health issues and behavior disorders. Why It’s Used Children lack the cognitive and verbal skills to talk about some issues. Grief, for example, can be very complex and a child may have trouble putting their thoughts and feelings into words. Children often act out their feelings with toys....

Sittervising was coined by Susie Allison, MEd, a mother of 3, and blogger at Busy Toddler. “I came up with sittervising sitting on my couch one morning, enjoying a mostly warm cup of coffee and listening to my toddler play,” she says. “I joked to my husband that I was ‘sittervising’—mashing together sitting and supervising.” Soon after, Allison wrote an essay about the term on her blog and posted about it on social media....

Despite the risks, social media fuels the challenge. Teens dare one another to try it, and many of them share their videos in an attempt to gain a piece of viral fame. What Is the Duct Tape Challenge? The duct tape challenge involves teens wrapping someone up in duct tape. They might bind their hands and their feet. Or, they may tape a teen to a chair—or even the wall....

First, it may reduce your responsibility to try and teach your child how to do their work. Trying to take over as the homework monitor/teacher can be stressful. Hiring a tutor may reduce the arguing and the frustration everyone feels. A good tutor will know how to help your child connect the dots—so the material will make sense. They’ll help your child gain confidence in their skills and help them become more independent....

“If you encounter an unexpected sex scene or something that is not age-appropriate on television, remain calm and give a response your children can understand,” suggests Jaclyn Gulotta, PhD, LMHC, a psychologist and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. “Children will react to their parents’ responses and behaviors, so [you] should be aware of your body language at the moment.” If you have recently viewed something inappropriate with your child in the room and you are wondering how to handle it, read on....

Why Milk Has Been Traditionally Recommended for Toddlers Chances are, you also grew up only being offered cow’s milk. It used to be that pediatricians encouraged milk for young and growing bones, thanks to the calcium found within whole milk. Alternatives were only suggested if you had a milk allergy. But now there are options for people regardless of allergies, and your pediatrician might feel differently about whole milk. “Milk can be a healthy option for those who wish to give it to their children, but children over the age of one can be perfectly healthy just drinking water, or drinking milk alternatives,” says Joel Gator, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics in Studio City, Calif....

Big box and neighborhood drugstores like Target, RiteAid, CVS, and Walgreens are now paying attention to changing wants and needs of customers, particularly wellness. Wellness is a big business, with new brands looking to disrupt household names when treating the common colds, the flu, and more. These independent, alternative brands were traditionally only available at smaller retailers or online. Now, big box stores are expanding their offerings to include these new options....

However, some people get a vasectomy and then change their minds afterward. If you or your partner wants to get pregnant after having a vasectomy, there are some options that may be available. What Is a Vasectomy? A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that severs or blocks the vas deferens, which is the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra. When successful, a vasectomy blocks the sperm from reaching the area where it combines with the seminal fluid to create semen, which is eventually ejaculated....

Car seat safety becomes a top priority the second your baby exits those hospital doors. Rear-facing is a given for infants, but when it comes to toddlers, you might be wondering if you can switch them to a forward-facing seat. The answer depends on different factors, including the child’s height and weight. Here, we’ll take a look at when it is considered safe for your baby to face forward in the car seat, why it’s important not to make the switch too soon, and any safety precautions you should keep in mind....

Then you run a finger along their gums, and there it is: a tooth is working its way up to the surface. It breaks your heart when you realize your little one is crying from teething pain. You want to ease the discomfort, but you are not sure if your baby is old enough to take a painkiller. Motrin (ibuprofen) may help with teething pain, but it is only safe for babies who are over 6 months of age....

If you go into a nervous sweat thinking about your daycare hiking their price we have some ideas to calm your nerves. Here are five things you could do when and if your daycare declares they are raising their tuition. Review Your Budget Review your budget to determine if you truly can’t afford daycare’s pay increase. If you haven’t started cutting corners yet now is a good time to try it....

This simply means that their first set of teeth is about to start peeking through their gums. On average, this happens between the ages of 4 months and 1 year. Here are a couple of things you should know about how the teething process should go for you and your baby. When Will Your Baby Start Teething? Your baby is most likely to get their first tooth some time between 6 months old and their first birthday....

Many parents wonder when growth in puberty begins and what to expect in terms of changes and growth spurts. Other questions include how to know if your child isn’t growing properly and when will your child will be finished growing. Growth Timeline for Boys All kids have their own specific timeline when it comes to growth and physical maturation, and follow their own curve. That said, girls (children assigned female at birth) usually start and end puberty earlier than boys do by 1 to 2 years....

This article explains why it’s important to avoid sex when you are healing from a miscarriage and how to cope with a pregnancy loss. Sex After Miscarriage Generally, healthcare providers advise people to avoid placing things in the vagina—including tampons and having penetrative sex—following a miscarriage to prevent infection or getting pregnant too soon. Usually, when the bleeding stops, it is safe to resume having sex. Bleeding often stops within one to two weeks, but getting a healthcare provider’s go-ahead first is best....