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Should you be concerned when your toddler multiples say “love you” and it sounds like “lub ou”? Do your twins jabber to each other in a language that no one understands except them? Are your multiples’ communication skills worrying you? Overview As a parent, it is often difficult to discern when language skills are developing normally and when a child might need some outside help. Multiples tend to experience a higher rate of speech and language development delays....

Baby cereal is a common first food choice for many parents, particularly in the United States. Most often, this is rice cereal, though you might be wondering if this is the best and only option you have for your baby. While it is recommended that babies begin eating solid food around six months, and infant cereal is often the go-to option in this country, it may be best to diversify your baby’s diet for several reasons....

There is something quite magical about watching your baby explore your home—it makes you see everything in a new light. You might become particularly aware of dangers you’ve never noticed before, like sharp corners or uncovered outlets (and that’s where baby-proofing comes in). Something you might not have thought to look for, though, is lead paint, products, or fixtures. Lead is incredibly harmful, and it can be sometimes be found in homes built before 1978, certain water pipes, or toys, jewelry, and more....

If you are expecting a baby, something like life insurance is probably not exactly on your radar. After all, you’ve got a lot of immediate life changes to think about and lots of major events to plan for (like, ummmm, giving birth and welcoming a baby!). Not only that, but most of us don’t like to think about things like life insurance, because considering what might happen to our families if we die is an uncomfortable thought....

What Does Lilibet Mean? Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex welcomed the newest addition to their family on June 4, 2021: Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. The unique first name pays homage to Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth has held the nickname Lilibet since she was a child. It came about as a result of how the then-princess mispronounced her own name as a young girl. Lilibet originates from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means “God is my oath....

Recovery from an eating disorder is challenging. If you or a loved one has an eating disorder, you may be wondering: Can medication help? The answer is complicated. Unlike most other mental health disorders that can be treated successfully by medication, eating disorders have not been found to be as responsive to medicine. However, some medications may be helpful for treating eating disorders and other co-occurring illnesses. For eating disorders, food (and the normalization of eating patterns) is the primary medicine, along with therapy to help distorted thoughts (or unhelpful thoughts) surrounding food, weight, eating, and body image....

If your tween is getting ready to begin middle school, there are a few things both you and your child should know to make the most of the experience. Middle school is truly a transitional period for a child—elementary school is behind them, but high school is a few years off. Expect change during these middle school years and a fair share of challenges and opportunities. What Parents and Their Tweens Should Know About Middle School Below are a few middle school facts you should know and prepare for now....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is commonly treated with both medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Medications that target serotonin pathways in the brain, like antidepressants, are particularly effective in treating people with OCD—and if this doesn’t work, adding on an antipsychotic medication may be useful. Let’s take a look at the various medications used to treat OCD, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, that have been found to be effective in scientific studies. Antidepressant OCD Medications The most commonly prescribed antidepressant medication used to treat OCD is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)....

Prescription medication is one of the most common treatment options for panic disorder. Paxil (paroxetine) is one type of medication that is often used to treat panic disorder and other conditions. Background Information Paxil belongs to a category of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs first became available in the United States in the 1980s and have continued to remain popular ever since. Compared to other antidepressant medications available at the time, SSRIs were found to have fewer side effects while maintaining effectiveness and safety....

Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, rose root, or arctic root, is a plant from Siberia that grows well in dry and cold arctic climates. It is frequently used in Chinese medicine. The medicinal compounds of rhodiola rosea come from the root of the plant and have been used to help treat occasional stress, anxiety, mental and physical fatigue, and depressed mood. Uses of Rhodiola Rhodiola has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments....

Recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a long journey. A slipup while working through the stages of PTSD sometimes occurs, especially if your symptoms haven’t improved as you’d like or if there are additional issues at play, such as using drugs to cope. No matter where you are in the stages of PTSD or the PTSD recovery process, don’t judge yourself too harshly if you’ve slipped. Instead, learn how to get back on the right track....

As the weather heats up, you and your family might be spending more time in the car. From vacations and road trips to afternoon rides to the beach or pool to cool off, here are some important summer car seat safety tips to remember to keep your little ones safe as you travel and indulge in summer fun. General Tips for Summer Car Safety Whether you’re packing up the car for a road trip or just taking a trip down the road to hit a local park or the city pool, there are some general tips to keep in mind that will help keep your kids safe in the car....

Bikes offer a convenient way to get from place to place while getting in some exercise along the way and engaging with the outdoors. But due to their (often large) size, bikes can be difficult to store at home and even harder to carry on-the-go. Thankfully, folding bikes provide a clever way around this common problem. Folding bikes look a lot like their normal counterparts, but their ability to be compressed into a quarter of its original size makes them a space-saving dream....

The loss of something as fun and rewarding as recess might seem as though it would be a powerful motivator. The problem is that kids with ADHD who are active and impulsive need more opportunities for physical outlets, not fewer. Some teachers try to incorporate consequences by having students lose a portion of recess rather than the whole activity. So for a six-year-old, your child may lose the first five minutes of recess for an infraction....

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are at a greater risk of developing other forms of mental illness. One of the most common is major depressive disorder (MDD). In fact, research suggests that as many as two-thirds of people living with OCD will experience a major depressive episode sometime during the course of their illness. The causes can be varied, ranging from reactive stress to obsessive or compulsive behaviors to biochemical changes in the brain that can alter moods and behavior....

The benefits of physical exercise are long-known and far-reaching. A workout at the gym or a brisk walk can keep you sharp mentally, help you maintain a healthy weight, and build up muscle. Key Takeaways Immersive virtual reality exercise may help lower stress levels.Virtual reality exercise also has physical benefits and can help stroke patients work on building balance.Watching a workout is not a replacement for physical activity. But if you can’t physically work out, or mobility is an issue, you may still be able to get some of those exercise benefits....

During a twin pregnancy, terminology is used to classify and describe how the fetuses are situated in the uterus. With one baby (sometimes called a singleton), there is a single baby, enclosed in a single amniotic sac framed by a single chorion and supported by one placenta. But with twins, there can be a variety of combinations. There may be one or two placentas, one or two amniotic sacs, and one or two chorions....

The term “triggered” refers to the experience of having an emotional reaction to a disturbing topic (such as violence or the mention of suicide) in the media or a social setting. However, there is a difference between being triggered and being uncomfortable. Feeling triggered isn’t just about something rubbing you the wrong way. For someone with a history of trauma, being around anything that reminds them of a traumatic experience can make them feel like they’re experiencing the trauma all over again....

In most schools, refusing to do what the teacher says means automatic detention. And with zero tolerance policies on the rise, getting into any type of physical altercation is likely to lead to a suspension. But some school departments are recognizing that those punishments don’t necessarily change students’ behavior in the long run. Instead, the key to better behavior isn’t about punishment at all. Several school departments in Baltimore, Maryland replaced traditional discipline with meditation programs....

At 40 weeks pregnant, you’ve reached the milestone everyone’s been counting down to from the beginning. Hopefully, you’ll be welcoming your brand-new baby this week. Whether that happens or you find yourself overdue, the road ahead is a short one. Though those at this stage of pregnancy are often ready for their pregnancy to end, the feelings that come with the reality of “the big day” can take many by surprise....