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Giving birth is grueling. No matter how quick or “easy” your labor was, it was also probably pretty painful. Between postpartum headaches, uterine contractions, pain from a cesarean section or vaginal birth, and sore, cracked nipples while breastfeeding, it’s no wonder new parents go searching for some pain relief. You may be wondering if Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) is safe for a breastfeeding parent. The answer is yes. When taken in the proper dosage, very little medicine is passed to the baby through milk, and studies have shown that parents taking Advil does not cause an adverse risk in the infant....

Cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as cannabis, is a plant that contains over 60 compounds known as cannabinoids. Among these compounds is cannabidiol (CBD) which, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), doesn’t produce psychoactive effects. CBD has become a widely used product over the past several years. The FDA has only approved it in one product to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or tuberous sclerosis complex in patients one year or older....

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 95 When Simone Biles opted out of several Olympic events, my inbox was flooded with messages from readers and listeners who wanted to know whether quitting for mental health reasons was a good idea....

The fear of knees, or genuphobia, is relatively rare. Like most phobias, genuphobia varies widely in severity. Some people are afraid only of seeing uncovered knees in person, while others are afraid of bare knees even on film. People with this phobia may be afraid of all knees or only their own. Some people are actually scared of kneeling. Causes of Genuphobia Genuphobia is often, but not always, triggered by a negative experience....

Going back to work after a pregnancy loss can be tough. While some people may appreciate the distraction of being back on their job, others feel like they’re being forced into a “normal” life they’re not ready for yet. In fact, research shows that the most common coping mechanisms people use when processing a miscarriage are avoiding or talking about their loss, meaning going back to work may feel welcome for some, but not for others....

What Are the Holiday Blues? The holidays are usually viewed as a time of happiness and rejoicing. But for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Holiday Blues Feelings of sadness that last throughout the holiday season—especially during the months of November and December—are often referred to as the holiday blues or holiday depression. Even people who love the holidays can experience the blues during this busy season....

Having a best friend, playing with other children, and going to birthday parties are routine activities for most kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that “making friends is one of the most important missions of middle childhood—a social skill that will endure throughout their lives.” Friendships help kids develop emotionally and morally and boost social skills. Not only do kids learn how to communicate with others, but healthy friendships can be instrumental in helping them learn to control their emotions and express their feelings constructively....

If you have experienced a natural disaster (such as a tornado or hurricane), it is very important to learn ways of coping with the impact these events can have. Natural disasters have the potential to produce high levels of stress, anxiety, and anger in those who are affected. They are considered to be traumatic events and can potentially trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors. Unlike other traumatic events, natural disasters can result in tremendous destruction of property and financial loss, which further contributes to stress levels and disrupts coping efforts....

If you are a school teacher, coach or group leader, you will invariably come across situations where you have an ADHD child to supervise and teach. Group situations can present many challenges for children with ADHD. If behaviors are not addressed properly, the group experience may quickly deteriorate and become a negative one for this child and the other children within the group. Children with ADHD want to succeed, make friends, and do well in group situations, though they often have a difficult time doing so....

Breathing exercises offer an extremely simple, effective, and convenient way to relieve stress and reverse your stress response, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress. There are definite benefits of breathing exercises. While simple diaphragmic breathing can provide relaxation and stress relief, there are several different types of breathing exercises to try, each with its own twist. Here are several breathing exercises, some of which are commonly recommended, some of which are unique, and all of which can each offer help in managing stress....

Interview anxiety is very common (even if you know you are well-qualified for a job). Meeting strangers in a position of authority; talking about yourself; being evaluated and judged on your appearance, demeanor, and ability to sell yourself—these are all triggers for nerves and stress. However, there are strategies you can use to help alleviate anxiety before an interview. And they work for both in-person and video-call interviews. How to Relax Before an Interview In the days and hours leading up to an interview, take proactive steps to prepare yourself and manage stress....

While most people agree that lies are damaging, destructive, and downright wrong, there are times when people tell what they think are harmless lies as a way to prevent further harm. If you’ve ever told a child that Santa Claus was on his way in his sleigh or that you loved the weird socks that your aunt sent as a gift, you lied. But you can let yourself off the hook....

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and children are no exception. Suddenly, and without warning, COVID-19 turned their lives upside down in March of 2020. Daycares and schools closed their doors. Their day-to-day routines were upended. And their connection to the outside world was cut short. Even though many things have begun to reopen and return to normal, things still aren’t the same—especially for kids. With the vaccine still out of reach for younger children, masks, distancing, and limited interactions are a “new normal” that kids continue to contend with....

Mary Ainsworth was a developmental psychologist perhaps best known for her Strange Situation assessment and contributions to the area of attachment theory. Ainsworth elaborated on Bowlby’s research on attachment and developed an approach to observing a child’s attachment to a caregiver. Based on her research, she identified three major styles of attachment that children have to their parents or caregivers. In a 2002 review ranking the most eminent psychologists of the twentieth century, Ainsworth was listed as the 97th most influential psychologist, based on the frequency of journal citation, introductory psychology textbook citation, and survey response....

Shortly after the mass shooting in Buffalo last month, news outlets reported that the accused, 18-year-old Peyton Gendron, had written a 180-page manifesto that primarily focused on mass immigration and the so-called “great replacement” theory, and promoted far-right and anti-semitic ideologies. Key Takeaways A number of young male mass shooters are thought to have been radicalized online through forums and social media platforms.The accused Buffalo shooter adopted extremist views after visiting websites associated with racism and white nationalism....

The discussion of personality traits and types is a common feature of internet discourse—whether that’s the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the True Color Test, or another format. However, recent research led by two UK-based academics has dug deeper into a newer personality type: the dark empath. It’s a story of YouTube, media, and society’s deep fascination with how people can be classified when it comes to their behavior. Key Takeaway It is incorrect, in the view of researchers, to view dark empaths as the most dangerous personality type....

Not long ago, Segways and hoverboards seemed like futuristic oddities, something available only in the movies. Now, you’re liable to spot them when going around your block or at your local park. There are even child-size versions available of these popular high-tech products. And kids are enthusiastically lining up to get them. Segway’s line of Ninebot KickScooters and related products are designed to be a safe, clean mode of transportation that benefits the environment....

What Is Stuttering? Stuttering, also known as childhood-onset fluency disorder, is a type of speech disorder characterized by dysfluent or stammering speech. Dysfluency involves interruptions in the flow of speech. People who stutter may repeat words and syllables. They may also have an uneven rate of speech marked by frequent halts or hesitations. Stuttering is common in kids between the ages of 2 and 6 and often goes away on its own....

The stages of labor are often thought to be a mystery. In all honesty, labor and birth are a mystery in many ways. Each woman will have a different labor experience, and yet many parts are the same. Below you will find a crash course in the stages of labor, what each does, the parameters of each, and some average events of each stage. Remember, however, that very few women will follow this to the letter; there will be some variation....

It is normal to worry about having the right amount of pain relief before having any surgery. When that surgery is scheduled in advance, such as a planned cesarean, it gives you plenty of time to ponder, think, and worry about whether or not everything will work out for you in regards to pain management. The good news is that there are many types of pain relief that can be used today for birthing people, even those having a scheduled cesarean....