Posts

While the first trimester is the most common time for miscarriages, there are other reasons for cramps. Whether cramping signals a miscarriage depends on when it occurs, severity, and whether you’re experiencing other symptoms with it. Cramping in Early Pregnancy Having cramps in your lower abdominal area or lower back in early pregnancy (the first trimester) most likely signals one of three things: Ectopic pregnancy: Faintness and/or severe abdominal cramping may be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy....

Many people drink flavored water beverages as a healthier alternative to soft drinks and other highly sweetened beverages. But many parents wonder if flavored waters are good for kids. This article explains what is in flavored water products and what experts say about whether or not kids should consume them. Bottled Flavored Water There is a wide variety of flavored water, including carbonated flavored water; water with natural fruit extracts; and water with added sweeteners, vitamins, or caffeine....

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and for one year or more after the baby starts to eat solids. Even though your own milk offers benefits galore, sometimes a mother just can’t nurse or her let-down isn’t what she thought. Whether your milk supply is too low to feed your little one, you chose to supplement with formula, or your older baby/toddler just prefers the taste of “big kid” foods, traditional nursing isn’t always an option....

If you’re starting your baby with purees, it’s not always possible to make fresh baby food every time your baby is hungry. Families rely on baby food jars, cans, or pouches for feeding on-the-go, for convenience and/or because it’s what fits in their family budget. Commercial baby foods can be a healthful option, with many offering organic versions as well as options that don’t contain anything but the same foods you might cook at home....

The preschool environment is an opportunity for socialization beyond play dates and to build on the developmental skills that young children begin learning at home. It’s also an important step in preparing for kindergarten - when your child attends preschool, they will be spending more time away from home and slowly get used to the idea of spending less hours in the day with mom or dad. All childcare and early childhood learning centers have individual rules and requirements for enrollment....

In recent years, the name Karen has been adopted as a meme for entitled white women and has declined in popularity as a result. How Popular Is the Name Karen? The name Karen saw its reign of popularity between 1938 and 1979. It was during these four decades that the name consistently held a spot as one of the top 50 most popular names, remaining in the top 10 between 1951 and 1968....

Activity level. If your kitty runs and leaps and plays by the hour, he’ll need more food than if he’s a couch potato. Quality of food. The nutritional value and calories in cat foods and homemade diets vary. The more nutritionally dense the food, the less your kitty needs to eat. Hissss Dietary supplements might seem to be a good way to insure your cat’s proper nutrition, but excess minerals in the diet can cause serious problems, and overdoses of some vitamins, especially A and D, are toxic....

What’s more, The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa offer abundant inspiration for activities and celebrations that commemorate charity and unity and inspire personal growth in children of all ages. Here are five ideas that will help you get into the spirit and celebrate Kwanzaa as a family. How to Celebrate Kwanzaa The rich tradition of Kwanzaa offers numerous ways to celebrate and learn with your family. Light the Mishumaa SabaVolunteer as a familyDo Kwanzaa-themed arts and craftsAttend a local or virtual eventSupport Black-owned businesses...

The more familiar you are with the methods of dealing with pain and with the several natural and drug-induced methods of pain relief available (see Natural Pain Relief), the easier it will be for you to manage during labor and birth. To make decisions about pain relief, you will also need to understand the changes that take place in your body during the three different stages of labor . Early first stage In this phase, the cervix begins to dilate....

Effort: Fairly easy - some sewing required Materials: Black leotard or black hoodie Black or striped tights Red fabric (felt works best) Black felt (for dots) Headband Black pipe cleaners Pom poms (red or silver) Pillow stuffing Instructions: Make a large oval from the red fabric. Make a second oval, slightly smaller than the first. Stitch or hot glue the edges of the ovals together (leaving an opening for the stuffing), allow to dry....

What Foods Provide Selenium? Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries throughout the world. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the plant foods that are grown in that soil. Researchers know that soils in the high plains of northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have very high levels of selenium. Thus, people living in those regions generally have the highest selenium intakes in the United States....

Colleges in 38 states and Washington D.C. have made the requirement so far, and the list continues to grow. Princeton University addressed their vaccine requirements on their website: Princeton University will require all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled or otherwise present on campus during the 2021-22 academic year to receive, and to provide proof of having received, a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Princeton freshman Yende Mangum wasn’t fazed by the announcement....

About 40% of women who deliver singletons vaginally opt not to have epidural anesthesia. Some of these women planned for a natural birth while others have gone this route simply because there was no time for an epidural. Here’s an overview of what you need to know in order to prepare for a natural childbirth. Natural Birth Education When it comes to planning for your natural birth experience, comprehensive childbirth education provides the foundation, and there are a plethora of classes available....

Not Everyone Experiences Nesting Those who talk about nesting or a sudden burst of energy before labor relay tales of organizing baby clothes, painting rooms, and just generally having more energy after weeks of feeling really tired. Some people may experience this for several months before their babies are born, whereas others have this burst of energy just a few days before the baby is born. And then there are those who simply never experience nesting in pregnancy or labor at all....

What Neural Tube Defects Mean Neural tube defects are birth defects of varying severity that result from disruptions in the development of the neural tube, which is the early stage of development of the spinal cord and nervous system. The neural tube forms in very early pregnancy, right around the time you miss your first menstrual period. Neural tube defects can be open or closed, meaning that the defects may be uncovered or covered by skin....

The latest guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for head lice in children is pretty different than in the past. It is no longer considered protocol to keep kids at home until they are nit-free. Instead, parents are advised to send their kids to school while treating the lice at home. Along with advising parents to continue sending kids to school throughout their infestation, the AAP emphasizes the need to de-stigmatize head lice as being the product of poor hygiene....

Why Babies Need an Incubator We often think of incubators (and NICUs in general) as being just for premature babies. While many babies in the NICU are there because of premature birth, there are other reasons a baby might need an incubator. Breathing problems (caused by prematurity or by fluid or meconium in the lungs): A baby might need an incubator while they are treated for breathing issues. Gestational diabetes: Babies born to parents with gestational diabetes may need help with temperature regulation and breathing....