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Less social media and gaming mean kids can spend more time interacting with friends and family, going outside, getting some exercise, or reading a book. Recently, studies have shown that setting limits on screen time can have a positive effect on kids’ physical, social, and behavioral well-being, and it can even improve their academic performance. How Excessive Screen Time Is Harmful Research has shown that kids spend more time using electronic media devices than they do on any other activity—an average of seven hours a day across all age groups....

Making a referral is the first important step in having your child assessed to diagnose a learning disability. Learn what you need to know to make a referral for your child. What Is a Referral? If you suspect your child is in need of special learning services, you can request an evaluation. This request is called a referral. Your referral lets school officials know that you are concerned and wish to have your child assessed by the Individual Education Program (IEP) team and/or school psychologist to determine if intervention is necessary....

As with all assisted reproductive technologies, it’s important to understand which situations the technology is best used for, the possible risks, the costs, and what to expect during treatment. While PGT-M and PGT-A are both genetic screening technologies used with IVF, they differ in why and how they are used. What Does PGT-M Mean? PGT-M stands for “preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders.” PGT-M is used when a specific genetic disease needs to be identified in the embryo....

The amount of weight that you’ll lose while you’re breastfeeding depends on many factors including: Activity levelEating habitsOverall healthPre-pregnancy weightWeight gain during pregnancy Calorie Burn and Weight Loss Breastfeeding will not initially help you lose any additional weight. Your initial weight loss reflects the weight of the baby, the placenta, amniotic fluid, and excess water which accounts for about 15 to 17 pounds in the first few weeks, all told....

Generally, the first appointment will take place around 8 weeks, although some practitioners like to wait until 10 to 12 weeks. This is usually your longest appointment because of the prenatal and medical history that is taken. You will be asked questions about your health, your medical history, your menstrual history, your lifestyle, and your family’s medical history. This is also a time to ask more questions. A lot of people want to know about nutrition, sexual relations, exercise, and so on....

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan was the first to implement the global gag rule, also known as the Mexico City Policy. The ruling prohibits legal abortion services, referrals, or advocacy for abortion law reform by foreign non-government agencies (NGOs) receiving global health assistance from the United States government. “This policy devastated underserved communities and impacted health care programs across 64 countries,” says Emma Corbett, director of communications at Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts....

We checked in with a diverse group of school principals from Georgia to Hawaii to see what their thoughts are as the new school year begins. They share what lessons they’ve learned and how they’re planning on bringing joy into the 2021-2022 school year. Jay Bland Do You Have a Different Mindset for the 2021–2022 School Year Than Before? This year we are hitting restart. We learned many valuable lessons during the pandemic, one of which is that students can learn anywhere and can be successful with a computer, a solid connection, and a teacher who cares....

Emotional Concerns The first concern is your mental health. You may have an even harder time dealing with your second loss than you did with your first one, given that you may understandably find no comfort in statistical reassurances (even though statistics remain in favor of your next pregnancy being normal). At this stage, in addition to feeling sad, you are probably deeply jaded and frustrated. The first time you miscarried, your doctor probably told you the odds were low that it would happen again....

Round ligament pain usually comes on suddenly when you change positions, cough, sneeze, or laugh, and typically goes away quickly. Other than causing discomfort, it is not harmful to you or the health of your baby. Symptoms Growing a baby takes a toll on your body, creating a range of surprising and often uncomfortable symptoms. Perhaps one of the most alarming symptoms, especially in your first pregnancy, is round ligament pain, which feels like a quick, sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen, groin, or hip area....

You look up at your real-life child, engrossed in their reading and in an instant the image of the toddler on your screen stretches longer, having aged 6 years. You can’t believe how grown up their face looks today! Your baby is no longer a baby, but an independent child with a mind of their own. School-age children thrive when their physical and emotional needs are met. Learning about their development and their nutritional, physical, social, and emotional requirements can help you parent them in the best way possible....

Understandably, parents have felt anxious about visiting doctor’s offices for well visits and immunizations. It makes sense: doctor’s offices are where sick people go, and we don’t want to potentially expose our children to COVID-19. At the same time, health check-ups and immunizations are a vital element in keeping our kids healthy—and should be considered essential. Sadly, doctors have seen a dramatic drop in immunization rates over the past few months as a result of COVID-19 fears....

Babies can sign before they are developmentally able to express themselves verbally. So BSL lets infants as young as 6 months ask for things like milk or a diaper change, reducing overall fussiness and enhancing the infant-caregiver bond. This article explains how to teach your baby sign language, the benefits of BSL, and which signs are most helpful as you begin. Types of Sign Language BSL is a specific form of sign language developed for use with preverbal infants....

Laying the groundwork can really start when your child begins to speak and use utensils. And as with much of parenting, this will take a while to catch on. What’s most important? Keeping things pressure-free and modeling the behaviors you want them to adopt. Table Manners for Little Kids Every meal can serve as an opportunity for kids to learn how to exercise proper etiquette. From using their utensils properly to waiting until everyone has been served, little kids can learn how to be respectful and practice table manners....

Why Schedule a Prenatal Visit to the Pediatrician? There’s a lot to gain from setting up a visit before your baby arrives. It allows you to fully concentrate on any questions and concerns, without the task of physically caring for a newborn. A prenatal appointment also allows the pediatrician to get a better picture of the whole family—including medical histories, mental health, lifestyle information, and any high-risk complications or medical conditions that may need more assistance....

Choose the right book for your little one by considering their interests, the book’s length and format, and how you think they will respond to the pictures and illustrations. Toddlers love repetition, so it also helps if you enjoy it, too! We carefully considered any age recommendations, illustrations, format, length, and value when reviewing products. Whether you’re looking for a sweet and sentimental bedtime story, an impressive gift, or just want to build your child’s book collection, here are our top picks for books for 2-year-olds....

For some parents, however, the number of animated movies a family watches can become monotonous. If you’re looking to switch it up for your family’s next movie night, try these non-animated, family-friendly movies. Clifford the Big Red Dog Why It’s a Winning Pick The animated series and book “Clifford the Big Red Dog” gets a live-action update in the 2021 release of this movie. It centers around Emily Elizabeth, a middle schooler living in New York City with her mother....

“Although it’s tempting to bring every possible baby care item with you in your diaper bag backpack, less is more,” explained Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, pediatrician, author of “The Working Mom Blueprint” and founder of Modern Mamas Club. “Too much weight on the back can cause strain in the shoulders, hips, and back itself. What’s more—heavy baby bag backpacks make traveling with a little one that much more difficult.” Consider a diaper bag backpack with a generous size to fit everything you need, like diapers, wipes, or your own items, without weighing you down....

This handy device allows you to suck out the snot from your baby’s nose when they’re not able to blow it yet. “It makes great sense to wipe our babies’ noses when the mucus rolls out but is it a good idea to stick a nozzle in their noses? Sometimes, but not always,” explains Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Lavin doesn’t advise using an aspirator if the mucus (wet or dry) isn’t bothering your little one....

There are lots of styles of baby carriers on the market, like wraps or backpack carriers. Consider how long you plan on using your carrier as the weight limits and specifications are an essential part of purchasing the right one. We carefully reviewed age, height, and weight recommendations, along with design, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby carriers for you and your little one....