There have been modern developments in caring for babies who are born prematurely. However, in terms of fixing the problem of premature birth (preterm labour) there has not been very much improvement. It is not fully understood why some women break their waters or go into labour too early.
Read MoreCategory: Development
Healthy Parenting: Nutrition and Exercise During Pregnancy
Most adults can get away with not eating as well as they should or not exercising the optimal amount. But when it comes to pregnancy, all the things that you have heard about the importance of good health become much more urgent. As the cliché goes, you are eating for two now, and everything you do must be thought of in terms of how it will affect your baby’s development. Of course, it is not an emergency if you have an occasional dessert or miss a day of exercise, but pregnancy requires increased vigilance against bad habits.
Read MoreSymptoms of Teething and Tips to Alleviate Discomfort
Just when you think you’ve cracked it, sleeplessness once more is afflicting you and your child! As an infant begins to sleep through the entire night more consistently what is often experienced by the weary parents is that the child will start to teeth. Once more the exhausted parents are enduring sleepless or certainly sleep depraved nights.
Read MoreAvoiding Sibling Rivalry: How to Prepare Your Child for a New Arrival
All kids are different, and not every first child responds poorly to the arrival of a second one. In fact, some young children do not show any signs of sibling rivalry at all, instead welcoming new additions to the family with open arms. While some children are temperamentally predisposed to welcoming younger siblings, parents need to be prepared for problems to arise, and there are certain things you can do beforehand to make sure your firstborn adjusts well.
The 8 Most Common Reasons Babies Cry
We all know that babies cry, but many soon-to-be parents do not fully realize just how much crying they are going to be dealing with in the first months of the baby’s life. Newborns are helpless to do anything for themselves, and crying is their primary form of communication. It is how they express their wants and needs, and it is how they show that they are uncomfortable. In fact, babies cry for so many different reasons that it can be hard for parents to figure out what to do. At times, it may seem like the baby is crying for no reason at all.
Read MoreManaging Diabetes During Pregnancy
For women who have diabetes, pregnancy presents some difficult challenges that must be dealt with early on. Not only do women need to be concerned about their own health; they must be concerned about the health of their baby as well. Fortunately, there are a variety of steps pregnant women can take to ensure that they have a pregnancy that is free of problems.
Read MoreHow to Foster Your Baby’s Learning in the First Year
By Jamell Andrews
Many young parents assume that there is not much happening in a baby’s mind during the first few months of life. This may be somewhat true when it comes to the first month, when the baby mostly just learns to use her senses, recognize her parents, and ask for things. After the first month, however, learning picks up at a tremendous pace, and parents who make good use of this time can greatly increase their chances of raising a smart child.
Read MoreHow to Lose Your Baby Weight
By Jamell Andrews
Most women would love to be able to get pregnant and have a baby without gaining a significant amount of weight, but it is just not possible. The American Pregnancy Association recommends a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds for normal-sized women, 28 to 40 pounds for underweight women, and 15 to 25 pounds for overweight women. Deviating too much from these recommendations (in either direction) can lead to health problems for both mother and baby.
Read MorePostpartum Depression: The Baby Blues Can Happen to Anyone
By Lisa Pecos
Pregnancy and the months following the birth of a baby can be emotionally turbulent times. For most women it is a time of joy and excitement, but it is not uncommon to feel some anxiety and fear. This comes from the basic fact that having a baby is a major life change, and change is always frightening. But for some new mothers, normal feelings of fear and anxiety can grow into something akin to clinical depression. This affliction, which is believed to affect between 5% and 25% of all new mothers, is known as postpartum depression.
Read MoreIron: Making Sure Your Baby Gets It
We’ve all heard that breast is best, but one of the drawbacks of exclusively breastfed babies is that they are at risk for iron deficiency. Although formula-fed babies get iron through fortified formula, breast milk does not contain adequate amounts. The LA Times reported that “Studies have shown that 4 percent of 6 month olds, and 12 percent of 12 month olds are iron deficient. Children between the ages of 1-3 years of age have rates of iron deficiency between 6-15 percent. Preterm infants, infants who are exclusively breastfed and infants who are at risk for developmental disabilities seem to be at higher risk to develop iron deficiency.”
So what’s the big deal? A lot, actually. Dr. Frank Greer, co-author of a Read More