There have been several small-scale studies that show that having a mother with hepatitis C does not increase a baby’s risk of picking up the virus and becoming infected. It would be nice if the studies were larger but that’s all we have for now. In general babies are protected from infection by breast milk, so even the very prudent Centers for Disease Control recommends that women who are carriers for hepatitis C can breastfeed....
Sorry, no should or shouldn’t here. The opinions are endless (google circumcision-you’ll see), but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it’s your call. Some things to consider: •Circumcised penises are easier to keep clean. •A circumcised boy has a 1 in 1,000 chance of getting a UTI. Left uncircumcised, his risk is 1 in 100. •STDs like syphilis, HPV and HIV are more common in uncircumcised men. But, teach your son about condoms and hygiene, and his risk goes way down (with or without foreskin)....
Since its 2006 debut, the rotavirus vaccine has prevented about 1.5 million health care visits for infants. (Cue victory air horns.) The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of children hospitalized for rotavirus-related diarrhea has decreased substantially, with an impressive 94 percent decrease in the 2009-2010 rotavirus season. The study was published in the July issue of Pediatrics. The RV vaccine protects children from rotavirus, the leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants....
We all think our kids are the greatest, right? You just might want to be careful with how much you let them know it. It’s kind of a lose-lose. Praise your children too much, or treat them as more deserving than others, and they become narcissistic. That’s the social learning theory. But if you withhold warmth altogether, your child is forced to put herself on a pedestal to find praise elsewhere, becoming narcissistic by means of the psychoanalytic theory....
Pros • Very quick to assemble and disassemble • Larger play space than other yards • Mesh sides make baby easy to see and provide airflow • Easy to clean Cons • Bottom is thin/unpadded • Has a hard metal frame (concern for bumps/injury) Bottom Line This large, easy-to-transport playard is best for babies that need more room to play—but you may need to add extra padding on the bottom and on the frame....
Parents-to-be have a laundry list of items to do before baby’s arrival. One of the biggest items on that list? Getting baby’s nursery in order. Whether you’re designing for a girl, boy or going gender-neutral, you might find inspiration in some of the top baby room looks for this year. Here, Elizabeth Rees, founder of wallpaper brand Chasing Paper and a mom of two, is sharing her predictions for the hottest nursery trends we can expect to see in 2023....
A speech delay can really worry you, but don’t get too stressed before you know what’s really going on. Hearing First off, start by making sure you child’s hearing is normal. His pediatrician has likely already tested for this, but it can’t hurt to bring it up with the doctor again, just in case. Taking his time Then try to observe how much your toddler seems to understand of what you’re saying....
Your toddler is funny, sweet, smart…and you just heard that he bit a classmate at school. Hearing that your toddler is a biter can be mortifying, and concerning, but experts say that biting is a completely normal developmental phase. Even though toddler biting is normal, that doesn’t mean it’s not serious, or that you don’t have to put rules in place—both at home and at school—to nip the behavior in the bud....
Hydration is a key part of health—in adulthood (especially during pregnancy) and in childhood. But what about infanthood? Can newborns drink water? It may surprise you to learn that the answer is actually no. For young babies, breast milk or formula serves as their source of hydration. Not only do infants not need water, but it may actually be dangerous for them if it’s given too soon. So when can babies have water?...
When my wife was pregnant with our first child, she had a stack of books on her bedside table all about what to expect, when to expect it, how to prep for motherhood, and other books to help inform her of the details and phases of pregnancy and what she may or may not be experiencing at that particular time in her trimester. I, on the other hand, had nothing on my bedside table until one day, a parenting book appeared that my wife had purchased for me....
You know you’ve had your moments of wondering—are all these sleepless nights, made-up lullabies and silly one-sided conversations really appreciated? Unlike your boss, baby doesn’t fill out performance evaluations, and unlike your partner, they’re certainly not ready to tell you those three little words just yet. But if you read between the lines, you’ll see some pretty strong signs that baby loves you and thinks you’re doing just fine. Sign #1: Eye Contact You know those moments when baby gazes deep into your eyes, kind of like they’re trying to see your soul?...
A baby bump is the marker of pregnancy, but alongside it comes another well-known bodily change: stretch marks. They’re incredibly common: Up to 90 percent of women experience stretch marks during pregnancy. Curious what causes them, where they might pop up and how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? We asked experts to explain why and when pregnancy stretch marks appear and whether it’s possible to avoid getting them. In this article: What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?...
Epidural or no? It’s a hard question for moms-to-be to grapple with, especially when they have no idea what the labor experience or contractions may feel like. But let’s get one thing straight: There is no shame in getting an epidural, which can help numb the pain of contractions and delivery. And contrary to popular belief, there’s no needle in your spine with an epidural, explains Chase White, MD, an ob-gyn at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia....
Life is all about the journey. But the path to parenthood might not be as smooth as you envisioned. If you need help conceiving, you may choose to start your fertility journey with intrauterine insemination (IUI). It’s a relatively less invasive and less expensive way than in vitro fertilization (IVF) to boost the chances of conception. Wondering if IUI is the right next step for you on the road to becoming a parent?...
To me, a parent’s best tool for creating healthy meals for their family is a grill. Almost anything can be made on a grill including pizza, fruits and even pound cake (yes really!). With only a short time left before the cold weather comes, this is an excellent time to take advantage of your grill and make a delicious family meal on it. I enjoy growing a lot of our own fruits and vegetables right in our backyard....
You’re not alone. As peanut and tree nut allergies continue to rise, more and more day cares, preschools and elementary schools are telling parents they need to leave the PB and J at home. So it can be tough to figure out what to pack in your child’s lunch box that will keep him happy and satisfied. If your kid is a true sandwich fanatic, try subbing in sunflower or soy butter or even flavored cream cheese for peanut butter....
And the Winner Is: mushie Silicone Baby Bib Mealtime with baby is bound to get messy. Between dribbled purees, dropped table foods and spilled drinks, your little one’s face, fingers, lap and entire outfit (not to mention the high chair and floor) are all at risk of becoming completely gunked up. Your saving grace? A bib that not only covers baby’s chest, but also effectively catches food on its way down....
More of a dramatic device from TV or the movies than something you come across in real life, couvade syndrome is also known as sympathetic pregnancy. Basically, it’s when your guy decides that as long as you’re suffering through morning sickness, the dry heaves, heartburn, back pain and other common pregnancy-related symptoms, he will too. (He just better not dare ask for help from you.) It’s not really recognized as a purely medical condition, and there’s debate whether it’s a physical or mental one at all....
The decision to swap out your little one’s crib for a big kid bed is not to be taken lightly. It’s a major upgrade; it means your kiddo is growing up and that they’re ready for a new level of independence. But if you’re questioning when to transition to a toddler bed, know that there’s no universal answer. The timing is crucial—make the upgrade too early and it can backfire; wait too long and your child may resist....
Whether you’re a mom-to-be searching for a sweet unisex coming home outfit for baby or a friend shopping for a baby shower gift, it can be tough to find brands that specialize in gender neutral baby clothes. They do exist! In fact, many retailers that you know and love have a whole category devoted to cute unisex baby clothes. Can’t face the prospect of hours of scrolling to learn where to buy gender neutral baby clothes?...
