Posts

You don’t have to breastfeed in any particular position. You can breastfeed lying down, sitting up, or even standing. If you like a position that you have never seen or heard of before, that’s OK. As long as you and your baby are comfortable, and your baby can latch on and breastfeed well, you can nurse in any position that you choose. The 5 most common breastfeeding positions are: By using different holds, you will allow your baby to more effectively drain the different areas of your breasts....

Fortunately, there are many ways to stay occupied when you are waiting for your overdue baby—and even a few ways you might be able to jumpstart labor. What Is an Overdue Pregnancy? A full-term pregnancy typically lasts between 39 and 41 weeks. Babies born past 40 weeks or 280 days are considered “overdue.” While a late-term or post-term pregnancy does come with some risks, the length of pregnancy actually varies more widely than people may realize....

Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy There are so many things that you might think do not really have any bearing on whether or not you and your partner have a healthy baby. But more and more, research shows that what you do before you get pregnant or before you know you’re pregnant can have a huge effect on the health of your pregnancy and baby. Your Reproductive Health Both you and your partner should be sure to be seen by your primary care providers....

Meanwhile, a new study notes that impulsivity in food choices may also play a part. Published in Child Development, the study found that when children are not impulsive about their food, and instead make thoughtful decisions, they make healthier choices. About the Study Researchers based in the United Arab Emirates gathered 467 fifth- and sixth-graders to participate in the study. The selected students normally have a designated snack time during the school day....

Blisters on the breast can develop for many reasons. Some blisters are from breastfeeding, while others have nothing to do with breastfeeding at all. The common causes of breast blisters are: A blockage at the end of a milk ductAn allergic reactionA virusIrritation from rubbing or pressure against your skin If you get a blister on your breast or nipple, it can be painful and interfere with breastfeeding. Depending on the type of blister, you may even have to stop breastfeeding for a while....

These are the same sciences that children begin exploring in their kindergarten science studies. In first grade, they build on what they have learned in kindergarten. Your child will learn more than just scientific facts. He will also continue to build on the skills needed for scientific inquiry, such as making observations, organizing data, thinking analytically, and developing problem-solving skills. Here is what you can expect your child to learn by the end of first grade....

HarmonyMaterniT21 PlusVisabiliTPanaoramaVerifi Who Should Do It? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends genetic testing by either screening (NIPT) or diagnostic testing (amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling), for every pregnant woman. If your doctor recommends screening for you, don’t get worried. It’s not necessarily because he or she suspects something is wrong. Traditionally, these types of tests and screenings were recommended only for women who were over the age of thirty-five or who had a family history of a genetic disorder....

Here are the top six mistakes parents make when it comes to bullying in their child’s life. Missing the Warning Signs Be sure you are familiar with all the signs of bullying. These subtle signs include everything from frequent complaints about stomachaches and headaches as well as not wanting to do to school. Sometimes kids will allude to bullying without ever using the word. For instance, they may say there is a lot of “drama” at school or kids “mess” with them....

Considering that some couples may need up to three IVF cycles to get pregnant, plus the unfortunate fact that even high-tech IVF is no guarantee—it’s enough to make your head spin. How can you afford costs like these? But before you walk away from IVF, consider these seven tips for making the costs slightly more affordable. Read Your Insurance Plan Carefully You may be eligible for at least partial coverage of the cost for infertility treatments....

Characteristics Musical learning styled people enjoy school activities such as music performance and appreciation, band, choir, orchestra, and writing poetry or songs. The musically talented person enjoys being surrounded by music and can appreciate many different types of music and sounds. They may be avid collectors of music, join a band or choir, or enjoy playing one or more instruments. They may often be found humming or drumming out beats with their hands....

It’s no wonder that child therapists frequently use dolls when working with young children. Sit back and watch your child play in these ways and you’ll be opening a new window into how she feels and how her thinking is developing. Psychology aside, dolls and figures allow your child to create whatever world he wants at that moment—no batteries required. Choosing the Right Dolls and Figures for Your Toddler Toddlers love all sorts of dolls and figures....

It makes sense psychologically to develop a stronger bond with one of your children, particularly with the one that is most similar to you, says Paul Hokemeyer, LMFT, PhD, a marriage and family therapist practicing in California. “This is because parents are human,” says Dr. Hokemeyer, and we are drawn to others that affirm and support us. But just because it’s common, that doesn’t mean showing it is okay. Favoritism can cause lasting damage to kids....

While a school expulsion is an extremely serious matter, it does not permanently end your child’s access to education or most future opportunities. In order to have the best outcome, you will want to begin advocating for your child early in the expulsion process and continue to provide needed support. School Expulsion vs. Suspension If you have received a phone call from your child’s school about your child’s behavior, you will want to be clear if your child is facing expulsion or a suspension....

Whatever your birth plan might be right now, it could always change. That’s why it’s smart to arm yourself with information about epidurals, so if you do need or want one, you’ll be prepared. What Is an Epidural? An epidural is an injection of anesthesia into the base of your spinal column that numbs your body from your bellybutton to your upper legs. An epidural isn’t just a single injection with a needle....

Still, it can be difficult to decide if a Catholic school education is right for your child. Maybe you are concerned about sending your child to a religion-based school in the first place. Perhaps you are not sure if Catholic schools would provide the right kind of educational focus for your child. You might just be looking for more information about Catholic schools in general, and what a Catholic school education looks like....

You’re most likely to conceive just before or during ovulation, but you can get pregnant at any time during your menstrual cycle, even if you are having your period. This is one of the reasons that birth control methods like the “rhythm method” are not reliable in preventing pregnancy. Helpful facts to know include that while unprotected sex doesn’t lead to pregnancy every time, you can become pregnant if you have sex just one time if the timing is right....

Whatever your level of experience, interest, or postpartum goals, you may be wondering when you will be able to start, how to ease back in safely, and how to manage any challenges that come with postpartum exercise. When You Can Start Exercising After Pregnancy Previously, the guidelines were to wait for your six week postpartum check-up to get clearance from your doctor to resume exercise. However, ACOG cautions that if you had a C-section or any kind of complication during birth, you should ask your doctor or midwife about when you can safely resume exercise....

But many first-time parents find that after the first month of parenthood, it can actually get more difficult. This surprising truth is one reason many experts refer to a baby’s first three months of life as the “fourth trimester.” If months two, three, and beyond are tougher than you expected, you’re not alone. From going back to work to changing sleep schedules, there are many reasons you may feel parenting becomes increasingly difficult after an initial honeymoon period....

Implementing safe sleep practices is essential to protecting your baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other accidents. “Sleep-related deaths are a leading cause of death in children less than 1 year of age,” says Sarah Denny, MD, a pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University School of Medicine. “Providing a safe sleep environment is the most important thing caregivers can do to prevent these tragic deaths....