Length of Labor The length of labor is really out of your control. But we do know that babies actually help during the labor process. So a very long labor or very short labor may actually increase breastfeeding difficulty. This can be because of the exhaustion you and baby feel after birth, even for short labor because they can be quite hard. This is true even if no other interventions are used....
Before you can answer that question, it’s important to know what you might expect to pay to raise each child. And then, you might find some ways to cut your expenditures so you don’t have to worry too much about money. Average Cost of Raising a Child Since 1960, the USDA has been tracking the cost of raising a child. They analyze the average expenses by age and provide a comprehensive report that shows how much parents are paying on average to raise kids in different regions of the country....
While a mattress may just seem like, well, a mattress, there are specific safety considerations to keep in mind, as well as features that are worth looking (and budgeting) for. Safety Standards Because safety is central to choosing a crib and mattress, the dimensions of full-size cribs and mattresses have been standardized under federal regulations. That makes it easy to buy the two separately without worrying about fit. The aim of these regulations is to prevent accidental head entrapment and suffocation between the mattress and the crib sides....
One of the problems with waiting is the emotional toll it can take. This is particularly true if you are doing nothing but waiting. Staying busy between the contractions (or during them, if you’ve had medications like an epidural) can help you stay calm and centered. Tell Jokes This may sound really silly, but jokes can be just what the doctor or midwife ordered. Trading jokes can help a laboring mom relax, and smiling or laughing might even relieve pain....
At least one parent was employed in 89% of families with children in 2021, although mothers with young children remain less likely to be employed. For those who are working, 53% of mothers in one survey said they’d prefer at-home positions. We turned to the experts to learn more about working from home as a new parent, and how to make the transition go as smoothly as possible for everyone....
This sudden change is likely overwhelming to everyone. Having the kids home during the weekdays can turn everything upside down. You’ve probably been scrambling to figure out how to play the role of a work-at-home parent and a homeschool teacher all at once. Your kids may be feeling a bit confused and saddened by the situation, as well. At first, a few days off from school may have felt fun....
That said, most children, from toddlers to teens, may benefit from some help navigating these issues at one time or another. This is when parents can offer support and assist their children in developing effective relationship skills. However, it can be hard for parents to know when to step in, what support to offer, and when to stay out of their child’s fight. Learn more about how to teach your kids to manage disagreements with their friends....
There are a few approaches you could take when bringing up the topic of Pride. Perhaps it’s sparked by their questions about a friend’s two moms or dads. Or consider the iconic rainbow flag that’s been a symbol of the gay community since the 1970s—and is typically seen everywhere during Pride Month. It could be the perfect jumping-off point to start your discussion. “The only people who love rainbows more than the LGBTQ+ community are kids,” jokes Olin Winn-Ritzenberg, LMSW, Youth Leadership & Education Manager at The LGBT Community Center in New York City....
Knowing what the mind-body connection is can help children (from toddlers to teens) to better understand—and achieve—physical and emotional well-being. Learn how to teach your kids about the connection between how they think and feel emotionally and how they feel in their bodies. What Is the Mind-Body Connection? The mind-body connection describes the idea that how you think and feel is inextricably linked to how your body feels and functions....
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that half of all mental health conditions start by age 14.Unfortunately, so many of these cases go undetected and untreated. Acknowledging there’s an issue is the first step to feeling better. Asking for help is the second. That said, asking about therapy can feel overwhelming, but it is also very courageous. If you’re ready to take the next step and talk to your parents about treatment, you might be wondering how to start the conversation....
While Halloween poses a ton of fun opportunities, like any new experience, it could feel stressful too. Ahead, learn more about how and when to pick a costume, how to stay safe while out and about on Halloween night, how to manage the inevitable candy mountain that will invade your house, and how to keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy after the sugar-filled holiday. Making or Buying a Costume As far as costumes are concerned, think ahead....
If your child is getting ready to enter middle school, here’s a brief sampling of what you can expect. Less Motivation to Succeed In general, students’ intrinsic motivation toward school—their desire to do schoolwork for its own sake rather than for an external reward—has been found to decrease with age. Intrinsic motivation especially drops during transitions between schools, such as from elementary school to middle school. In other words, kids may get a great deal of pleasure from doing science projects in 4th grade but feel like they are doing a project “just to do it” in 5th or 6th grade....
Unexpected events can make you wonder if it’s OK to keep breastfeeding or if you have to wean. Here are some of the common issues that come up during breastfeeding and whether or not weaning is necessary. Reasons You Don’t Have to Wean Most mothers can make enough breast milk for their baby and breastfeed for as long as they choose. When issues come up, there is usually no need to stop breastfeeding....
Although many pregnant women take a multivitamin that contains DHA, it may not be enough. Researchers with the University of Kansas and the University of Cincinnati noted that increasing DHA intake to a dose of 1,000 milligrams (mg) can help lower the risk of early preterm birth. From a healthier diet to taking a supplement, increasing a pregnant woman’s DHA levels can positively impact her baby. Learning the Importance of DHA Between 2016 and 2020, participants took part in the randomized, double-blind study....
It’s easy for kids to get restless and bored indoors during the winter holidays—especially if it’s cold where you live and you’re staying at home. Sit-down family board games are often the go-to, but you can also mix things up and get creative. These holiday activities can be easily modified to suit your space and the holiday you’re celebrating, and are adaptable for kids of all ages and abilities. First, set up a wrapping station with paper, ribbons, scissors, and tape....
Many people drink flavored water beverages as a healthier alternative to soft drinks and other highly sweetened beverages. But many parents wonder if flavored waters are good for kids. This article explains what is in flavored water products and what experts say about whether or not kids should consume them. Bottled Flavored Water There is a wide variety of flavored water, including carbonated flavored water; water with natural fruit extracts; and water with added sweeteners, vitamins, or caffeine....
Jaundice is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). It’s easy to treat and rarely leads to other health problems. The major potential complication associated with jaundice in babies is a serious type of brain damage that’s a risk if the condition isn’t treated promptly and properly. What can make jaundice potentially tricky for premature babies—those born before 35 weeks of gestation—is that they may be susceptible to this complication at lower levels of excess bilirubin than full-term babies....
Here are a few of our favorite jump rope games to get kids moving and having fun! Scissor jumps: Land with one foot forward, then on the next jump switch feet.Cross jumps: Land with feet crossed like an X, then apart, then crossed again.Duckie: Land with heels apart, toes and knees pointed in; then on next jump, put heels together and toes and knees pointed out.Swing: Land on one foot and swing the opposite leg out to the side, then switch on next jump....
But, if you live in a country like the United States, you can breathe a sigh of relief. In developed countries, dying during childbirth or because of pregnancy is very rare, even if your pregnancy is high-risk. Here is what you need to know about the rate, causes, and prevention of maternal mortality. What Is Maternal Mortality? When a woman dies from anything having to do with pregnancy, it is called maternal mortality or maternal death....
