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Baby
The health risks of smoking are well established, both for smokers and the people who are routinely exposed to their secondhand smoke, including infants. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are extremely toxic and can...
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Baby
Premature infants are at risk for a variety of lung problems and diseases, in part because infants can survive birth at earlier ages than ever before. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, infants today “consistently” survive birth at...
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Baby
Your baby’s first eye exam will likely occur before your baby even leaves the hospital, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). During these screenings, the doctor will be looking for signs that your baby’s eyes...
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Baby
Even as medicine is getting better at helping premature infants survive and thrive, these early arrivals often have initial challenges, one of which is called anemia of prematurity. Premature infants are those born at less than 37 weeks gestation....
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Health
Clubfoot is a common foot deformity among infants; it is usually identified right after birth. The term “clubfoot” refers to the way the foot is positioned at a sharp angle to the leg, resembling the head of a golf club, and can be due to a range...
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Baby
From your diet to feeding issues, there are lots of reasons your baby might experience gas. Here are the top ten things you should know about infant gas (and a word of advice: don’t skip #9!).
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Baby
The most common fungal infections in infants are yeast diaper rash, thrush, and ringworm (which, despite its name, is actually caused by a fungus, not a worm). Athlete’s foot is another fungal infection that is sometimes seen in older...
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Toddler
If you’re struggling with a hard-headed toddler who won’t eat what’s best or a preschooler who is on a peanut butter jag, you might worry that your child’s diet is deficient and think you should provide vitamin supplements or a multivitamin....
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Baby
There is almost nothing cuter than the site of an infant or toddler taking their first few steps. Their wide stance and tendency to fall onto their diapered bottoms while flashing a big “I did it” grin is amazing! If you watch closely, you’ll...
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Health
A common cold in an infant can be worrisome enough, but when your baby starts wheezing, even the most experienced parent can have serious concerns. However, up to 50 percent of infants will have an episode of wheezing before their first birthday....
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Baby
Red blood cells (RBCs) share a similar mission in adults and children: to carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. However, a newborn baby’s RBCs have a shorter lifespan than an adult’s, which can contribute to anemia. Anemia is a condition...
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Toddler
The American Academy of Pediatrics just got serious about fruit juice. In their updated recommendations released May 22, 2017, the AAP has some serious new advice about fruit juice for babies and young children. Here are the highlights, some of...
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Health
RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus. This is an extremely common virus in both children and adults. Nearly all children have had at least one experience with RSV by their second birthday, and most people continue to remain susceptible to...
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Baby
Teething is no fun—just ask your baby. During teething, baby teeth (which are quite sharp) erupt through the tender tissues of the gums. Teething can start in newborns as early as 4 months old, but usually begins around 6-7 months of age. Teething...
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Baby
Parents, you are nearing the finish line that marks the end of infancy. Soon you will have a toddler on your hands. This is an exciting transition that will affect all aspects of your child’s life. By now, many 11-month-old babies are eating...
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Health
When your baby drinks breast milk or formula, an enzyme in their body breaks down a natural sugar in the milk called lactose. If there is an insufficient amount of this enzyme (called lactate), the intestines cannot digest it and your baby may act...
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Health
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been worrying parents of young infants for decades. This infection has long been characterized as dangerous and even deadly. It can cause severe breathing difficulty and is one of the most common causes for...
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Baby
Your baby’s first steps are one of the most exciting milestones. For most children, walking is a natural skill — babies are born hardwired with the urge to walk, although the urge is stronger in some babies than in others. The National Center...
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Toddler
Long known as the “bone vitamin” for its role in helping to form strong bones, a steady stream of new research is uncovering benefits of vitamin D in the growing body. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), getting...
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Baby
Sooner or later, most parents will ask this question: “How can I treat my infant’s gas?” This extremely common condition affects almost all newborns and infants at some point. Newborns and young infants eat every few hours, and their stomachs and...
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Baby
Parents, you are nearing the finish line that marks the end of infancy. Soon you will have a toddler on your hands. This is an exciting transition that will affect all aspects of your child’s life. By now, many 11-month-old babies are eating...
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Baby
As parents, we worry about fevers when our children get sick. Many people fear fever, but remember: it’s the body’s way of fighting infection. A healthy immune system raises the body’s temperature on purpose. A fever is any...
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Baby
All new parents should obtain CPR certification, if possible. Infant CPR classes are generally inexpensive, and depending on where you live, you can find a convenient one through a local hospital, the American Red Cross, or your healthcare...
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Baby
Parents anxiously await the moment their baby takes that first wobbly step. This step — halting, uncertain, and likely followed by a short fall back to a sitting position — signals a new era in your house. It will only be weeks before your baby is...
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Baby
How do you know if your child has a fever? Feeling your child may give you an idea but is not a good way to determine how high the fever is. If you really want to know if your child has a fever, be sure to use a thermometer. How does a parent know...
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Baby
Torticollis is a condition that causes your baby’s head to tilt to one side while rotating to the opposite side. If you have noticed that your baby has difficulty turning the neck to one side or your baby holds the head in a tilted position,...
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Health
Your baby’s cough isn’t getting any better. In fact, it sounds worse — wetter and full of gunk — especially at night. You begin to question, is it pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection inside the lungs. Babies with pneumonia have difficulty...
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Baby
As soon as your newborn starts feeding, he or she will start making gas. Experts estimate that a normal baby could pass gas up to 20 times a day. Gas is formed as a natural byproduct of digestion and may also result from inhaling air while feeding,...
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Blog
We know infants exposed to solid foods prior to 4 months have an increased risk for chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, eczema, celiac disease, and wheezing. In the last 10-15 years, much has been learned in terms of infant and child...
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Baby
In the United States, 2-3 out of every 1,000 babies are born with a hearing deficit, according to the National Institutes of Health. Fortunately, all newborns are screened at birth for hearing loss, which helps identify babies that need early...
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Health
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, medications, and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common infections causing liver inflammation is Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a virus...
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Pregnancy
At some point after your baby is born, your doctor or midwife will place two clamps on the umbilical cord. He or she (or your partner, if they want to) will then use scissors to cut between the clamps and separate your baby from the placenta. If...
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Baby
Gas in your baby’s digestive tract can cause a firm tummy and an uncomfortable baby. One of the ways you can help to relieve some of the built-up gas is through an infant massage. Not only does a massage help you bond with your baby, it also can...
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Parenting
Parental stress affects children of all ages. In fact, studies have shown that parents’ stress can put children at risk for behavioral, emotional, and learning problems, as well as health issues such as asthma. One recent study demonstrated that...
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Baby
Infant formulas are designed for the first year of life in infants who are not breastfeeding exclusively. After the first year, infants can be weaned to whole cow’s milk or a non-dairy substitute. All infant formulas are regulated by the Food and...
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Pregnancy
Mothers have many choices when it comes to creating a birth plan, and some of them are quite controversial among the medical community. Water births — also called immersion births — have long been viewed as problematic for a variety of reasons, but...
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Parenting
Americans live in a culture that openly worships the young and beautiful — but which came first, the culture or the worship? New research is suggesting that, in fact, people begin to discriminate based on physical appearance when they’re still...
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Baby
Shaken baby syndrome, also called abusive head trauma, is an injury to the brain that happens when a baby or young child is shaken or thrown. Shaking an infant or child, even for just a few seconds, can lead to serious injury and should never be...
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Baby
If you aren’t thinking about teeth, you likely will be soon. Although teething can start as early as four months of age, or as late as 12 months of age, most babies start teething around six months. During teething, your baby’s new teeth will...
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Baby
Using an infant car seat correctly can protect your baby on every trip you take together, whether it’s baby’s first road trip, or just around the block. But many parents don’t install car seats correctly and this can put your child at risk. Every...
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Baby
Your 7 month, 1 week old baby is likely discovering one of the great joys of childhood: toys. At this age, your baby can likely transfer objects from one hand to the other, sit without the support of his or her hands, and find objects that are...
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Baby
Before your baby is even born, there are a few steps you can take when setting up your nursery to make sure your baby is safe when changing diapers. By setting up your nursery with safety and convenience in mind, those middle-of-the-night diaper...
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Baby
In a new study published in the October 2014 issue of Pediatrics, researchers examined data on infant deaths from 24 states and came to a startling conclusion: putting your baby to sleep on the sofa dramatically raises the risk of sudden infant...
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Parenting
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released its long-awaited update on electronic media use (sometimes called “screen time”) and children. The report, entitled “Media and Young Minds,” seeks to answer the question of whether...
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Baby
Sleep is the brain’s primary activity in early development. It promotes mental and physical growth. The sleep and wake cycles of babies are often irregular because it can take time to develop circadian rhythms. By six months of age, most infants...
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Baby
Your 10 month old baby is likely into everything these days, and by bedtime, you likely have quite a mess on your hands. At this age, it can be quite a challenge to keep your little one clean and presentable. Here are a few tips to help along the...
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Baby
Although they aren’t visible, babies are born with 20 almost fully formed teeth. Baby teeth, or primary teeth, are hidden in an infant’s jawbone at birth (which explains why your baby is all gums at first). Primary teeth typically begin to...
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Baby
Nitrates are a broad class of chemicals and salts derived from nitric acid. They are easily dissolved in water; sodium nitrate is commonly used as a food preservative or to “cure” foods such as bacon and other preserved meats. Other...
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Baby
To your 8-month-old, anything can be a toy. From the discarded water bottle to the wooden spoon, if it makes noise, is colorful, or is an object your baby can pick up or pick at, he or she will likely do it. So it’s a good idea to focus on what...
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Baby
Good oral care starts at the beginning of your infant’s life, long before your baby’s first teeth break through his or her gums. Babies have unique oral health needs that must be met to ensure the healthy development of primary teeth. So what...
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Baby
Of all the congenital deformities affecting infants, abnormalities of the fingers and toes are among the most common. Congenital abnormalities of the fingers account for approximately 10% of all deformities. These are due to malformations that...
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Baby
It’s a fact of life: all babies have gas. For some babies, passing gas poses no problem and they hardly seem to experience any discomfort. For others, gas can cause discomfort and result in symptoms including fussiness, a hard belly, squirming, and...
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Baby
It may sound silly but if you’ve never had a baby before, not knowing how to burp a baby is pretty common. One of the most common methods is when you put the baby up on your shoulder, support the bottom and the head, cup your hand, and pat....
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Baby
Newborn babies are works in progress. For those first few months, they are rapidly developing and changing as they adjust to life outside the womb. When babies are born, the seven separate bones in their heads haven’t yet fused together to form the...
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Baby
At eight months of age, the words that best describe your baby are “curious” and “energetic.” Your little one is on the move and exploring everything, from new foods to every nook and cranny of your home. Your little one is also starting to...
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Baby
Many parents eagerly look forward to seeing their baby crawl across the floor — only to realize somewhere around this time that actual crawling might never happen. The truth is, not every baby crawls before learning to walk. Some are content to...
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Health
Have you ever wondered if your baby or young child can hear you? In the United States, 2-3 out of every 1,000 infants are born with a hearing deficit, according to the National Institutes of Health. Hearing loss in an infant or young child can lead...
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Baby
While your 8-month-2-week-old baby may not be walking yet, he or she is hopefully making great strides forward when it comes to eating, playing, and developing. It’s hard work growing up! The new world of screen time In 2015, the American Academy...
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Baby
Frequency of bowel movements can be added to the long list of things we never dreamed we’d worry about before becoming parents. And yet, from the first day of our baby’s life, we are concerned with their poop, whether it’s the color, issues...
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Health
There are a number of reasons your child might suffer from hearing loss, whether risk factors for hearing loss are present or not. If you suspect your child has a hearing loss, you should visit a pediatrician or hearing specialist, who can...
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Baby
You may find your child’s pediatrician or your own doctor asking you to complete an ACEs checklist at a routine visit. ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences checklists, are quickly becoming an important part of a general health and wellness exam...
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Baby
As your baby crawls, cruises, and walks toward toddlerhood, you can expect to start seeing more bumps and bruises. You can minimize this by thoroughly babyproofing your house, but no matter how safe your home, it seems growing children still find...
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Baby
It can be alarming to see that your baby’s head has suddenly gone a bit flat, especially on the back, but don’t worry: in the vast majority of cases, this is nothing to worry about. Newborn skulls are much softer than an adult’s head as the bones...
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Baby
It can be unnerving to hear an infant cry. As your baby’s caretaker, it’s normal to feel responsible and even inadequate when your baby is crying and you don’t understand why. However, until your baby learns to talk, crying is his or her first (and...
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Baby
Parents and caregivers often worry about the frequency and amount of stool that their baby is producing. In the first couple months of life, a breastfed baby may stool after every feed. Formula fed babies tend to stool less often but still have...
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Baby
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 500,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Of these tiny patients, about half will be diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. In ROP, the blood vessels in the...
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Toddler
Over the past few years, a wealth of research has uncovered the many benefits of vitamin D for adults, ranging from improving bone health to boosting the immune system and protecting against a variety of diseases. But is vitamin D safe—or even...
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Health
You might have noticed your pediatrician looking closely at your infant’s eyes while holding a machine like this called an ophthalmoscope. The purpose of this is to look for a red reflex in your baby or toddler’s eye. The red reflex is the same red...
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Health
Fevers can be downright scary, as your baby can feel like he or she is “burning up” while acting miserable. But rest assured, most fevers in babies over 3 months of age are nothing to worry about. A fever is simply your baby’s immune system trying...
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Health
Thrush is a common infection of the mouth found in babies and young toddlers, as well as on the nipples of nursing mothers. Thrush appears as sticky white patches that line the mouth, inner lips, and gums. In nursing moms, thrush may appear as...
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Baby
Fans of natural products (and happy babies) often have high hopes for amber teething necklaces. These necklaces and bracelets are made from amber, a luminous yellow-gold substance that artisans shape into beads. Necklace makers say that when your...
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Baby
There has been much attention regarding milk allergies in infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breast milk over formula because true allergies to breast milk are extremely rare. However, not all families are able to...
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Health
Nail disorders are common among infants and children. Usually these are simply a cosmetic problem and no need for concern. Here are a few of the most commonly seen disorders: 1. Beau’s lines. These appear as indentations that run across the nails....
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Baby
Long before your baby learns to recognize speech, there is music. In fact, a recent study showed that infants as young as 10 months old are already beginning to develop short-term memory for music and melody. Babies in this study consistently...
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Baby
Milk bottle caries—or baby bottle tooth decay—is tooth decay that occurs in infants and young children. Milk bottle caries typically affect children between 1-2 years old. Although other teeth can be affected, the upper front teeth are the most...
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Baby
Car or motion sickness in infants and children can quickly turn an everyday car ride into an unfortunate one. While motion sickness can affect people of all ages, children ages 2-12 are more likely to experience carsickness, according to the...