If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, or you’re breastfeeding a baby you just had, you may be wondering about birth control. Since you can get pregnant again even if you’re breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and your partner about your family planning options. There are many safe and effective forms of birth control available for breastfeeding mothers. The copper IUD, or intrauterine device, is one such option....
Did you know that that hormones and anxiety are related in certain ways, such that your hormones may have a relation to how anxious you feel? When hormone levels are too high or too low, this can influence neurotransmitters, resulting in problems such as increased anxiety. People who live with social anxiety disorder (SAD) may find that levels of certain hormones related to feelings of increased or decreased social anxiety....
Congratulations on the birth of your sweet grandchild. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, your first or your 10th grandchild, it’s a joyous occasion to welcome a new baby to the world. But if your grandchild is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions. Throughout the years, I’ve held hands with grandparents who are afraid their grandchild would not survive, and I’ve listened to NICU moms and dads explain the wonderful and awful things that their parents do during this experience....
Pandemic parenting hasn’t been easy. We’ve dealt with shutdowns, quarantines, and heightened fears about our children’s physical and emotional well-being. Now, with most children resuming normal activities—along with the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 circulating—many of us are having increased concerns about our children becoming infected with COVID-19. Thankfully, as has been the case throughout the pandemic, most children experience milder cases of COVID-19 than adults. As the Academy of American Pediatrics explains, this is still true even in light of the delta variant....
Have you ever experienced episodes of uncontrollable crying? It may feel like you’re crying for no reason, and you can’t seem to stop. If so, you might feel worried about why you are crying or feel unable to control it. While uncontrollable crying can be a symptom of some mental health disorders, it can also be a sign of an underlying neurological issue. As a result, the treatment options and coping strategies that you employ will differ depending on the cause....
Finally, after treatment with IVF, you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Here’s what to expect during the early stages of an IVF pregnancy. IVF Pregnancy Test When can you take a pregnancy test during an IVF treatment cycle? Your doctor will likely schedule a blood test 10 to 14 days after the egg retrieval. The blood test will detect and measure the hormone hCG, the “pregnancy hormone.” You should not take an early at-home pregnancy test during IVF treatment....
Parents frequently have questions regarding what foods they can introduce at what age to their baby. Starting to feed your baby solids is an exciting time but the process can also be confusing. But you don’t have to figure out what and when to feed your baby on your own. There are lots of resources available to you, from your pediatrician to baby food cookbooks to books such as “Your Baby’s First Year” from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)....
It’s always hard to see toddlers upset, but it’s even worse when they are so frustrated or angry that they start hitting themselves. Usually, toddlers will hit someone else when they are angry, but sometimes they turn their frustration on themselves. Although this type of outburst isn’t a common occurrence in children, when it does happen, it can be scary. However, that doesn’t mean it’s something to be overly concerned about....
It’s easy to fall into a relationship rut, especially if you don’t take time to carve out a little fun together. Looking for things to do as a couple to bring adventure and/or romance to your relationship can help strengthen your bond. In this article, explore ideas for fun activities to help you connect as a couple, share quality time, and create new memories together. Go On a Date The typical dinner-and-a-movie date night is always great, but sometimes you also need a spontaneous break from your routine....
Catecholamines are an important part of the body’s stress response, which can be vital in a fight-or-flight response to a perceived threat. They are produced in the adrenal glands, the brainstem, and the brain. In the brain they act as neurotransmitters. In the blood they circulate and act as hormones and are broken down after just a few minutes. They are then excreted in the urine. Simple Explanation They also activate an emotional response in the amygdala of the brain, such as fear of the threat....
A recent study has found that bilingualism has a positive effect on the brain’s structure. In researching exactly how bilingualism affects a child’s growing brain into adulthood, the study, published in Brain Structure and Function, examined the brains of participants aged 3 to 21 years old. Researchers explored whether the brains of those who speak multiple languages had more or less gray brain matter than those who only spoke one language....
Hazing has become a huge issue both in high school and at the college level. In fact, over a quarter of all college students involved in clubs, teams, and other organizations have experienced hazing at some point. Meanwhile, 47% of high school students have experienced hazing before they even enter college. The most common types of hazing that students experience involve binge drinking, verbal abuse, humiliation, isolation, and sleep deprivation....
There’s never a good time to come down with the flu, especially not when you’re breastfeeding. Having to nurse or pump at regular intervals while you are fighting off a virus can be exhausting. You might feel anxious about making your baby sick, and wonder whether antiviral medicine is safe to take while breastfeeding. If fact, if you do contract the flu while breastfeeding, it is recommended that you take Tamiflu (oseltamivir)....
Cup stacking (also called sport stacking) is a recognized sport, with competitions and tournaments held all over the world. Players compete to stack cups in specific patterns at top speed. But there are many more fun, physical activities you can try with the humble plastic cup. Cup Stacking Cups can be piled in pyramids of all sizes and shapes or made into walls or towers. You’re just limited by the number of cups in your stash....
This year’s holiday dinner guest list is a lot longer than that of 2020 and maybe even last year as well. The kids can’t wait to see their cousins who live across the country, and you are looking forward to reconnecting with your great Aunt Sue and hearing all her stories from when she was your age. It’ll be just like old times! Key Takeaways This holiday season, many families are looking forward to gathering together....
What can you expect when you attend a 12-step or Alcoholics Anonymous meeting? If you’ve never attended one, you likely have fears and reservations. Often, your only exposure is through what you’ve seen depicted in movies or television shows. What is the reality? Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Press Play for Advice On Addiction Recovery Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd, shares his experiences with Alcoholics Anonymous and how he committed to getting and staying sober....
Suicide is a very complicated topic and can be difficult to talk about, especially with our children. However, it’s important not to avoid it because when children are left with unanswered questions, they will look for those answers elsewhere and sometimes, in the wrong places. Children are also likely to bottle up emotions and make their own interpretations of what happened if someone doesn’t explain it. Care and Trigger Warning...
Kids with ADHD respond best to directions that are direct, simple, and clear. This helps to ensure success in following your instructions — and success leads to a whole raft of positive outcomes. Why Chatty Instructions Don’t Work for ADHD Kids Mom is washing dishes in the sink. The water is running and dishes are clinking. Her back is turned as she calls out, “Joe, finish eating your breakfast, and then brush your teeth and grab your backpack....
For decades, we’ve known that “positive thinking” can combat stress and negativity by helping us focus on what is working, by helping us to maintain a less dire view of what we are facing, and by enabling us to put things in perspective, among other things. Researchers and psychologists have broadened our understanding of how positive thinking can backfire if we are trying to force ourselves to deny feelings that we have, ignore potential dangers in a situation we face, or act in a way that feels false....
Every parent wants their child to stay motivated to learn, take advantage of opportunities, and try new and exciting things. But not all tweens are eager to leave their comfort zone, or may not be as daring as they were when they were just a few years younger. Below are a few fun ways you can motive your tween, and encourage your child to embrace opportunities. If your tween’s lack of motivation has you concerned, or if you think your child may benefit from a little encouragement to set goals and achieve them, there’s a lot you can do to help your growing tween....
