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Developmental milestones are a set of skills and behaviors that can be identified in babies and young children as they grow. If a child is meeting these milestones, their growth and development is likely on target. Developmental milestones generally fall into four categories: Physical: Movement and the use of large and small muscle groups (gross motor and fine motor skills, respectively) Social and emotional: How a child identifies and responds to their own and others’ feelings Cognitive: A child’s ability to learn new skills and understand increasingly abstract concepts Communication: Language acquisition, verbal skills, and the ability to understand spoken language It is important to remember that young children develop at their own unique pace and that there is a range of what is considered normal development....

Amniocentesis (or amnio) is a medical procedure used for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and other fetal medical conditions. The screening test is done using a long needle that’s inserted through the mother’s abdomen to collect a sample of amniotic fluid. It is often recommended for women who are over the age of 35 or who have risk factors for having a baby with a genetic condition. The procedure is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks gestation and carries some potential risks, including miscarriage....

What Is ASMR? ASMR is the term used to describe a tingling, calming sensation some people report experiencing in response to close personal attention or certain audio or visual stimuli. Not everyone experiences ASMR, but for those who do, they describe a pleasant tingling that starts at the top of their head and sometimes travels down the spine and limbs, accompanied by feelings of blissful relaxation and drowsiness. What Does ASMR Mean?...

In this day and age, it’s not uncommon for parents to believe they have to meet a set of high expectations in order to be good parents. For instance, you may feel pressured to create the perfect meal plan, schedule playdates with friends, plan educational activities every day, incorporate plenty of time for exercise, and so much more. But what happens when those expectations are unattainable or you fail to meet them after a day or two and you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious?...

As an adoptee, it’s only natural to wonder about your birth parents. Whether your curiosity began as a child or developed later in life, questions about your origin can linger in the back of your mind, compelling you to find answers. (And that’s okay!) If you’re an adult with the desire to find your birth parents, it’s important to consider all aspects of the process—both practical and emotional. The journey requires a determined yet delicate approach for the sake of all parties involved....

Babies need love and support from the moment they are born—both emotionally and physically. Newborn babies cannot hold their heads up on their own, so whoever is holding them must support their head until the neck muscles develop further. Exactly when babies can hold their head up varies between children, but it generally happens around 4 months of age. At birth, a baby’s head will flop backward if unsupported. Over the next several months, though, their muscles will develop and they will stretch and strengthen their necks until they can finally hold their heads up independently, sphinx-style, around 4 months old....

Constipation is difficulty having regular bowel movements (BMs). It is a common symptom of pregnancy. However, you do not necessarily have to suffer from constipation or irregular, hard bowel movements, and the pain associated with them when you’re pregnant. There are things you can do to keep things moving along and prevent constipation during pregnancy. Overview Some people who are pregnant will have constipation that develops after they get pregnant, which is typically related to the hormones of pregnancy (which can slow the digestive system down)....

The most popular baby names are, of course, great, but there are more than the top names! You may not meet many people named Emerson or Dallas, but that’s the point. You need a stand-out name for your stand-out little one. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique names the Social Security Administration has to offer. These names may rank pretty low on the popularity scale, but their originality and charm are off the charts....

New research published in JAMA Network Open highlights the tangible impact of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, two air pollutants that can impact the central nervous system and lead to both physical and mental health concerns. Key Takeaways A recent study indicates that young adults who were exposed to air pollution as children experience higher rates of mental health challenges at age 18 when compared to peers with less exposure.Air pollution—due to smog, acid rain, motor vehicles, and other causes—negatively affects the central nervous system, which could lead to these mental health concerns....

After childbirth, you might be looking forward to reincorporating any number of things you gave up during pregnancy. From raw sushi to retinol, a variety of formerly off-limits items might be on the table again. But if you’re breastfeeding, you’re likely to still feel the impulse to stop and mull over every possible outcome that may result from just about anything you do. The process of breastfeeding can be influenced by many variables....

A study led by Stanford University researchers has shown a link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) access before the age of 18 and positive mental health outcomes for certain transgender people. Key Takeaways Youth experiencing gender dysphoria have better long-term mental health outcomes if they start hormone replacement therapy before turning 18, study finds. Young trans people must overcome significant legal and structural barriers in order to access transition-related healthcare, but the mental health impacts can be life-changing....

Eleanor Maccoby is an eminent psychology who is perhaps best-known for her research on topics such as development, sex roles, and child social development. Her PhD was awarded for the work she did in BF Skinner’s learning lab at Harvard University. It was during her research and work at Harvard that her interest in child development was ignited. She went on to become a prominent figure who has had a lasting influence on the field of psychology....

When your blood clots, many of the proteins in your body, among them Factor V, work together to make that happen; Factor V Leiden is a genetic variation of Factor V that affects the blood-clotting process and makes a person more likely to form blood clots. Learn more about this genetic variation and what effect it may have on your pregnancy with this review. Copies of the Factor V Leiden Gene A person can have one copy of the Factor V Leiden gene and one normal copy (meaning the person is heterozygous), or a person can have two copies of the Factor V Leiden gene (the person is homozygous)....

The fight or flight response is a physiological response to a stimulus which our bodies consider dangerous or life-threatening. This response—also called the acute stress response—is familiar to most people as the intense feeling of anxiety, shaking, and fear that can occur when our bodies prepare for a possible emergency. First described in the 1920s, the fight or flight response is the first part of the involuntary general adaptation syndrome. In the fight or flight response, stimuli result in stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system....

If you’ve had recurrent miscarriages, your doctor may have recommended checking the homocysteine level in your blood. What exactly is homocysteine? How is homocysteine linked with miscarriage and other pregnancy problems? What Is Homocysteine? Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that is naturally found in the body. At normal levels, it is not harmful, but elevated levels have been found to be associated with miscarriage as well as heart disease....

After years of pandemic-related restrictions, travel is on the rise once more. If you’re planning an international trip with your family, everyone needs a passport—including kids and babies. Unlike domestic air travel, where children under 18 do not need any form of I.D. when accompanied by an adult, when you are traveling abroad, it’s a different story. “Any person, regardless of age, needs a valid passport to travel internationally,” says Sarah Huff, senior manager of customer & community and product expert at baby gear rental site BabyQuip....

Psychology is one of the most popular majors on college and university campuses all over the world, but that does not mean that you have to earn a degree in psychology to learn more about the human mind and behavior. Today, there are plenty of great ways to learn more about the human mind and behavior such as taking a college course, signing up for a free online class, or self-studying using online resources....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Friday Fix: Episode 90 Whether you lost your cool when a telemarketer called you at an inconvenient time or you sent a scathing email you wish you could take back, it’s likely that all of us have had times when our anger caused us to act in an irrational manner....

Let’s face it: Motherhood can be stressful. While the position brings with it some of the best perks you can imagine—the fun, the growth, and the love—it can also include a fair amount of work, frustration, and strain. Juggling your responsibilities as a mom along with the other duties you have can be challenging. Whether you’re also a spouse, employee, or volunteer in addition to being a mom, it can be hard to fit everything in....

Babies are adorable and tiny, but can also be very expensive. There is a lot of gear to buy, including a crib mattress. If you have access to a used one, you may wonder if it’s safe to use or if you should buy a new one. A crib mattress can cost several hundred dollars, so it’s very tempting to simply reuse your older child’s mattress for a new baby or purchase one secondhand....