Posts

A recent study published in the journal Preventative Medicine revealed that women from states with more restrictive reproductive laws were more likely to give birth to low-weight babies, particularly if they were Black. This data is concerning, but is just one piece of the broader conversation surrounding the consequences of limiting access to maternal health services. Key Takeaways Restrictive reproduction policies make it difficult for women to obtain services that are often essential....

Possibly the most frequent question asked of new parents is: “Are you getting enough sleep?” Indeed, despite the fact that infants spend more hours asleep than they do awake, it can be difficult for parents to get them off to dreamland for long stretches of time, especially at night. While strategies like bouncing, singing, and feeding can come in handy for encouraging sleep, so can using a pacifier. But you might be wondering about the safety of a baby sleeping with a pacifier in their mouth, and whether there are any precautions to consider....

Oysters are one of those unique-tasting foods that you either love or hate. If you are an oyster enthusiast, you might wonder whether you can continue eating them now that you are pregnant. After all, there are many mixed messages about whether certain types of seafood are considered safe during pregnancy. The good news is that oysters are safe and considered very healthy for you to indulge in during pregnancy. “Oysters are a low-mercury, very nutrient-dense option for pregnancy,” says Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN, CLEC, author of “The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook,” founder of The Prenatal Nutrition Library, and owner of The Prenatal Nutritionist....

Daytrana (Methylphenidate transdermal) is a stimulant medication that is used for treating symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and teenagers between the age of six and 17. Daytrana comes in the form of a transdermal patch. A transdermal patch is a piece of material that gets placed on the skin which allows the medication to be absorbed into your body through the skin. This medication is typically used alongside other treatment options for ADHD, such as counseling and behavior therapy....

Many parents treasure the chance to get a sneak peek at their babies through ultrasounds screenings during pregnancy. They often delight in getting to see their little one in real-time, showing off new skills like kicking, waving, or sucking their thumb. Parents can witness their baby developing in the womb today more than ever, leading many to wonder just how much a baby can do while still in the womb. We know that babies can practice sucking while still in the womb and that they can swallow....

If your child is coughing, sneezing, and has a runny nose for several weeks, but doesn’t have a fever and otherwise seems well, do they just have a cold or could it be allergies? If you’re more likely to think allergies in the spring and cold during those back-to-school months, you might be wrong. Although most people think of spring as allergy season, depending on what your child’s allergic to, autumn can be just as bad....

Special education laws do not require that specific programs be provided for dyslexia or learning disabilities. Instead, it is required that research-based methods be used and that an individualized education program (IEP) is reasonably calculated to confer an educational benefit to a child. Obviously, if a child is dyslexic, a program designed to remediate dyslexia will offer the best chance of success—and fortunately, there are many research-based programs available for dyslexia....

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 190 Have you ever allowed someone to put you down? Have you tolerated broken promises over and over again? Have you put up with someone who treats you poorly?...

Many of us share a goal of wanting to be more active and fit. Staying in shape is often pushed aside by other responsibilities, such as spending quality time with your loved ones. Exercising together with your family is one way to meet your fitness goals without cutting down on family time. No worries if your toddler can’t keep up with your teenager or if you can’t lift quite as much as your partner....

Starting a family can happen in many different ways, including by using a surrogate or gestational carrier. These terms are often used interchangeably but are not, in fact, the same. If you are looking into the possibility of having another person carry your baby, it’s important to know what these types of surrogacy arrangements mean. Learn more about the difference between a gestational carrier and a surrogate. What Is a Surrogate?...

As early as your first prenatal appointment, your baby’s growth will be monitored. Every inch of your growing bundle of joy will be compared to other babies at the same stage of pregnancy—from the head circumference to leg bones, right down to the nasal bone. Key Takeaways A study performed in the UK found that babies that were designated as small for gestational age (SGA) during pregnancy had slightly lower IQs during childhood....

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy approach that can be used to help treat substance use disorders. CBT is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, and other mental disorders, but it has also been shown to be valuable in treating alcoholism and drug addiction. This is especially true when it’s part of an overall program of recovery. CBT helps people learn to better identify the negative and self-defeating thoughts and actions that can contribute to substance use....

Language development is unique to every child, however, children follow a typical pattern in how they gradually progress and master language skills. Believe it or not, communication starts right when a baby is born. At first, babies will communicate their needs and wants via cries. Their cries turn into coos, which will then turn into babbles. Eventually, young kids begin to use words and string those words together into sentences....

When asked what music is best for labor, most women and men will give you answers that entail soft selections, peaceful and calming music, or nature sounds. While these might be great for some women, they are not perfect for others. Picking Music for Labor and Birth During the childbirth classes that I teach about using music in labor, I ask everyone to play a really fun game. I’ve got a playlist on my smartphone that is entitled “Childbirth Class”....

The death of someone we love and the grief it triggers often proves to be life’s most difficult experience. It can take a toll on one’s emotional and physical health alike. Unfortunately, most employers expect workers to return to their jobs well before they feel ready to resume their “normal” activities. This article offers practical and healthy suggestions to help you cope with your grief when you return to your job, office, or workplace after the funeral, memorial or internment service of a loved one....

Having a baby can be both an exciting experience and a stressful one. With so many changes happening to your body, it’s perfectly normal to have some fears and anxiety about the entire experience, particularly when it comes to actually giving birth. Fortunately, your team of birthing medical professionals have seen just about everything that could possibly happen during labor and delivery, and will be there to assist you with any worries or concerns you may have....

If you’re overstressed and at risk for job burnout, you may feel that a major life overhaul is necessary for you to be able to enjoy your job and avoid burnout. Before making major changes, try some minor adjustments. They may help you enjoy your work and give you food for thought on whether major changes are truly necessary. Be Clear About Job Requirements It’s nearly impossible to do a good enough job at your work if you don’t know what the requirements are....

Anxiety is a normal part of life. In fact, a healthy dose of worry is even considered protective since it alerts us to danger. However, if you notice that a friend, family member, or loved one is overly worried about things like daily tasks, their family’s safety, or situations that others see as non-threatening, this healthy level of anxiety may have turned excessive. And while it might be difficult to watch a friend or family member experience anxiety, there are things you can do to help....

When someone with an addiction dies, the grieving process for those to close that person can be difficult. It can bring up feelings of intense guilt, hurt, anger, and regret as the loved one struggles to come to terms with what “could have been done” to prevent the death. Providing support to a grieving friend or family member can be almost as difficult. Knowing what to say—or, more importantly, what not to say—is not always easy and can often leave you at a loss for words....

Are you a perfectionist?​ Many people have traits of perfectionists and are even proud of them, but there are important differences between perfectionists and high achievers and being a high achiever is far better for your health and happiness. If you have perfectionistic tendencies, it’s vital to find strategies to get past them and move toward being a non-perfectionistic high achiever. Perfectionism can rob you of your peace of mind, enjoyment of life, and self-esteem....