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You’ll know your baby is ready for solid foods when they can hold up their head, can sit unassisted, and have doubled their birth weight (or are around 13 pounds or more). Showing an interest in food is also key. Most babies are ready to start solid foods between the ages of four and six months. Check with their pediatrician if you’re unsure about your baby’s readiness. As you prepare for the milestone, you are likely wondering what supplies you need to make your baby’s first eating experiences smooth and enjoyable....

Family Pets and Your Preemie’s Health Problems As part of discharge planning, parents often ask about their pets. They wonder if the dogs and cats who are already a part of the family will increase their premature baby’s risk of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems as they grow. The answer is complicated, and scientists still aren’t exactly sure how pet ownership affects allergies and asthma. But there are many things you can do to safely keep your pet at home....

Of course, you can just go with Grandma but there are lots of other choices as well. Learn more about how to find the perfect grandmother name, including lots of possible options to get you started on finding the right name for your grandchild to call you. How to Choose a Grandmother Name Grandmothers today have more choices than ever when it comes to picking a name. They can stick with the traditional....

It’s normal to have odd sensations during pregnancy, and it’s normal to worry. Most of the time, you’re just experiencing the normal changes that occur when a new life is growing inside you. Tendons stretch, you become unusually tired, you may have intense mood swings … and you can chalk it up to impending motherhood. Symptoms of Concern Sometimes, however, things do go wrong. When that happens, it’s smart to take immediate action....

No one wants to deal with HFMD, but the good news is that it is not considered medically serious. Most children will get it at some point or another, and will fare well. Let’s take a look at what parents need to know about HFMD disease, including what symptoms to watch out for, what causes it, what treatment options are available, and what possible complications can arise. What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?...

What Is Prematurity? It is not what any parent wants. Ever. It is a frightening ride into unknown territory. It is being thrust into the hardest possible parenting struggle before you’ve even met your child. It means a birth surrounded by fear and uncertainty rather than excitement and celebration. It means NOT being together, parent and child. It means NOT holding your baby. It is feeling disconnected from the one person in the entire universe that you’ve been waiting to connect with....

The sky is the limit when it comes to what foods are best for pre-game and post-game fueling. So much depends on a child’s personal needs and preferences. You’ll want to follow your team’s snack policy, if it has one. Beyond that, the tips below will provide you with ideas. Pre-Game Sports Snacks Each athlete’s needs will vary a bit. Just like with adults, preferences also will vary, so it’s a great idea to start experimenting with what might make a kid feel best for practices and games while it’s still the off-season....

Heterotopic Pregnancy Heterotopic pregnancy is the existence of two simultaneous pregnancies with separate implantation sites. One pregnancy is a viable intrauterine pregnancy (occurring in the uterus) and the other of which is a non-viable ectopic pregnancy (occurring outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube). This type of pregnancy can be very dangerous and is made all the more difficult by the fact that most parents wish to keep the viable pregnancy while having to terminate the other....

While it’s unclear how this period of time will impact younger children in the long term, this age group has shown signs of both emotional distress and incredible resiliency. Changes to the Classroom The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended social distancing strategies in classrooms, mask-wearing for staff and children over 2, intensified cleaning and disinfection efforts, increased air ventilation, frequent hand-washing, modified drop-off and pick-up procedures, and daily health screenings....

Students enrolled in ESL classes at the K-12 level are also called ELLs or English Language Learners. ESL classes are also available for adults through various college and community programs. What ESL Programs Do Many schools will place children in an ESL program if their non-English speaking family recently immigrated to the United States or if a foreign exchange student needs extra help learning the language. But many ESL students enrolled in the U....

Take the Elf on the Shelf, for example. A staple in the homes of many families who celebrate Christmas, this little red-suited elf moves around the house during the holiday season and provides kids with a tangible connection to the mythical story of Santa Claus and his elves. Traditions like this one that use elements of fun and surprise can help teach children valuable skills, plus tie them to the holiday and the special time of year....

For all of these reasons, drugs and alcohol pose a significant threat to your teen’s health. How Common Are These Negative Outcomes? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States. As far as risky behavior goes: Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year.In 2010, there were approximately 189,000 emergency rooms visits by persons under age 21 for injuries and other conditions linked to alcohol....

Unlike gum and other gunk removal, no scissors, oil, ice, peanut butter, or chemical concoctions are necessary. Just follow these simple steps. What You’ll Need Wide-tooth combShampoo and conditionerShower cap (optional) Getting Play Dough Out of Hair Alternatives A thorough shampoo and conditioning should be all it takes to get play dough out of your child’s hair, but if it doesn’t produce the results you were hoping for, there are other options:...

As the parent or caregiver, the key is that you approach the situation with understanding, honesty, and compassion. While you don’t want to go into any gory details, it’s important to answer your child’s questions and acknowledge that everyone dies at some point. Most of the time, kids will eventually stop thinking and worrying about death. In the meantime, there are some practical things you can do to help them cope with and overcome their fear....

As a parent, it can be tough to know what to do in these situations. You don’t want to shut down your child’s feelings, but you also want to teach your child that sometimes life doesn’t go the way they want it to, and that’s OK. We reached out to mental health and behavioral health experts to help us understand how teaching our children the difference between equality and equity can help in these situations, and what steps we can take when our kids declare that something isn’t fair....

Playing with friends at a playdate isn’t just about having fun — although that certainly is important. Your preschooler’s first friendships and play dates will teach social skills — how to share, taking turns, and even some conflict resolution. To get the most out of your preschooler’s play dates, here are some guidelines: Listen Carefully When your child comes home from school or daycare, does he mention the same name over and over again?...

Elements of a Campfire Program A campfire program is a gathering of Scouts, troop leaders, and family members for fun and fellowship. Despite its name, it doesn’t have to take place at night, nor does it have to include an actual fire. Benefits There are numerous benefits to holding a campfire program. It gives every Scout the opportunity to participate in a group activity and potentially discovers a new interest or talent....

If you have never created your own plan for teaching at home, this can seem like an overwhelming and daunting task. But taking the time to personalize the curriculum you will be using for your kids this school year can make your homeschooling experience much more meaningful and individualized for your children. So, if you are planning to homeschool, here are some things to consider as you decide just what your kids will be learning this school year....

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. While it may sound early, starting at that age will start your baby on a path for great oral health and prevent a number of dental problems that can occur during childhood. The first visit gives parents a chance to become educated on how to properly care for their child’s teeth and gives children a chance to become comfortable with the dental environment at an early age....