As I turned 40, my biggest concern was whether I could still be a mom and whether I would be able to conceive a healthy child. All the information I read focused on the brutal way fertility is reduced from that age, the increased risks of having a baby with a health problem, and the…
To understand these concepts, it is useful to know what each of the terms means: Genetic: relating to genetics or the origin of things. Genetics is that part of biology that deals with heredity and what is related to it. Familial: occurring in a family. Hereditary: passing from parents to children. The term genetic cancer…
As a parent, you celebrate each milestone your child achieves — sitting up, crawling, taking first steps and saying their first word. But graduating to a front-facing car seat? That’s one such milestone that shouldn’t be rushed, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For years, parents have learned that keeping their child rear-facing in…
It’s a familiar situation for many parents: Your child is playing in the yard barefoot and comes in complaining that they stepped on something. You take a look at their foot. Sure enough, you see a tiny splinter. Should you grab the tweezers from the medicine cabinet, or take your child to urgent care to…
Kids are always on the move. And with all of the hustle and bustle, they could use some time to unplug and reset. If you’re looking for a way to help your child chill out, meditation might be the thing. So, how do you get started if you don’t have a little yogi or flower…
You can probably name all the main senses: sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. But do you know why they’re so vital and why they’re even more important for children as they grow? Sensory play focuses on activities that engage your child’s senses, helping them develop language skills and motor skills. It also helps with…
Babies spend a lot of time on their backs looking up at the ceiling — in their crib, in their car seat and in your arms. Flipping them over onto their stomachs not only gives them a different perspective, but also plays an important role in their development. Pediatrician Matthew Badgett, MD, explains the main…
At the start of the pandemic, we heard it all the time — “Kids are resilient. They’ll be OK.” But it’s been a few years and we’re still grappling with the realities of COVID-19. New variants, wearing masks, vaccination and the arguments about how relevant or irrelevant this all is. Our kids have been stuck…
Your teen seems sleepier and more tired than usual. (How’s that even possible, right?) They’re also complaining about a sore throat and their neck seems a bit swollen. Plus, their skin seems sort of yellow. The symptoms line up with mononucleosis, or “mono” for short. You may also know the contagious infection by a much…
While we’re running around like mad securing shovels, driveway salt, bread, milk and toilet paper, kids are just loving what winter is dishing out. And while we might worry about letting our kids play in the cold, there are some benefits to letting them frolic in the snow. “Even though it’s cold outside, it’s still…
After a fresh snowfall, you’ve probably got a few fun seasonal activities in mind (after you’ve dug out your car, that is). And if you live with little ones, there’s a good chance they’re going to ask to go sledding. Sledding can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with plenty of risks….