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“Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be welcome additions to the microbiome that lives in our large and small intestine,” says Paul A. Rufo, MD, MMSc, Verywell Family medical review board member and assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. We have known for some time that there are enormous numbers of bacteria in our intestines. “Although we initially thought that these bacteria were simply along for the ride, recent data have demonstrated that the bacteria that live in our gut play a critical role in helping with digestion, absorption, and maintenance of a healthy immune system,” says Dr....

It’s understandable that this milestone often comes with a substantial dose of nerves—for the child and their parent. It brings new routines and faces, an unfamiliar environment, and a whole set of new expectations. Some children settle into kindergarten almost instantly, but it takes others a little longer—and that’s completely normal. If you treat your child with compassion and offer comfort and support when needed, you’ll help make the transition easier....

What Age Is Considered Safe for Kids to Stay Home Alone? KidsHealth.org notes that it’s not a good idea to leave kids younger than 10 at home alone. But the age at which a child is ready will vary, even for siblings. With a seemingly endless list of safety concerns, many conservative parents and caregivers will strongly argue that kids should never be left home alone. While sound advice, it may not always be practical....

Here’s the deal: Cheating is very common (whoa, hold on, I’m not asserting that it is okay). Lawrence Kutner, author of Your School-Age Child, cites surveys showing that up to 70% of all students admit to having cheated at least once in high school. That’s a lot of cheating. Why? Competition is fierce in this world, and kids understand very early in life that they are expected to achieve. Since they are still developing their sense of ethics, most kids see nothing wrong with the fastest path between two points, even if that path uses cheating....

When you first get to the NICU, it can definitely be overwhelming and a little confusing. It may help relieve some of the stress if you know and understand the role each person has in the care of your child. Of course, you can always ask your baby’s nurse to explain who each person is and what they do. But, for additional information or a quick list you can reference, here’s an overview of the members of your premature baby’s health care team....

Unfortunately, while some online communities are helpful and accepting of others’ differences, other parenting groups tend to be a pulpit for shaming those who don’t conform to the other member’s beliefs. Due to these ugly interactions, “23% of moms on social media say social media has had a negative impact on their emotional well-being [and] 49% of moms on social media say they have decided not to post, share, or comment on social media because they worried others would judge....

The Benefits Some people choose homeschooling simply because they are attracted to the lifestyle it allows, as well as the healthy family and socialization benefits. By participating in community life, homeschooled children feel comfortable with a wide variety of people. Without the social pressure from peers and age-segregated classrooms, kids feel more comfortable forming friendships. At our family baseball games, we see kids of all ages – siblings, friends, and newcomers – playing with each other and with adults in an unself-conscious way....

Not everyone experiences a hypersensitivity to smells during pregnancy, but an estimated two-thirds of people do. Here, we quiz the experts on why some people struggle with certain smells while expecting—along with a variety of ways to cope. Why Our Sense of Smell Changes During Pregnancy Whether it’s an odor that you’ve always found unpleasant or one that you formerly loved but now can’t stomach, smell hypersensitivity is common during pregnancy....

Both of these situations are upsetting, but be patient and ask for help if you need it. Talk to your pediatrician or lactation consultant for assistance and support. Most of the time you can find a solution and still breastfeed. Why Newborns Refuse to Breastfeed A new baby may have trouble learning to breastfeed. Here are some of the breastfeeding problems you may experience with a newborn. Poor or Inefficient Latch The way your baby’s mouth attaches to your breast when she’s breastfeeding is called the latch....

More: How Parents Can Help Teens Destress There are a few reasons why your child may not be taking proper care of themselves, so we’re here to guide you through the process of having a painless discussion. Difficulty Adjusting Some teens may be having a difficult transition, especially if they are going through puberty, with having to more regularly clean their bodies. Before entering the tween years, it’s not as big of a deal to skip a shower or bath, but once certain physical changes begin, it’s important they understand how to take care of themselves....

In the past few years, a popular new image of witches has arisen, and it’s a complete reversal from the wicked witch stereotype that we’re all familiar with. There’s the young sexy witch who uses witchcraft to gain control over her life and fight evil. For examples, see movies like The Craft, Practical Magic, and Simply Irresistible and TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Charmed....

Overview of Window Blind Injuries For a long time, the AAP has warned that window blind cords pose an injury risk to children. In fact, a press release from the AAP noted that window blind cords have been a “safety hazard” to children for more than 70 years. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), window blind cords are among the top five hidden hazards in US homes. To try to reduce the injury risk to children, there have been voluntary regulations placed on blind cords for window manufacturers for several years....

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