Have a Talk With Your Toddler Sit down and discuss some key toilet issues. For example, tell them that everyone goes potty (even animals) and it’s a normal part of life. Talk with them about the toilet, a special place where they can potty, and let them try flushing themselves. Explain that they’re going to be wearing underwear instead of diapers, just like you. Plan a Trip to Purchase Potty Training Products Involve your toddler in purchasing underwear, a step stool, and a potty chair (if you decide to use one)....

That’s huge. The recommendations are so important for families looking to protect their little one as best they can, but it also changes things a little. Does this mean the age of parents lovingly planning the perfect nursery for their baby is over? How in the world do you share a room with a baby for an entire year? Is all your private time gone as a parent? Can you really make room-sharing work for you?...

Some of the symptoms that accompany childhood depression include irritability, social withdrawal, and low energy. Children with depression may also struggle to manage their behavior. Children with depression may require a slightly different approach to discipline. Here are seven tips for disciplining a depressed child. Work With Your Child’s Treatment Team If you suspect your child has depression, speak to his pediatrician or a mental health professional. Depression is treatable, but without appropriate intervention, it may get worse....

Concussion symptoms vary from child to child. Some experience sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises. Others have severe headaches, nausea, and mental fog. Current guidelines for most concussion patients involve physical and cognitive rest for the first few days, followed by a gradual introduction of activity after that. No parent enjoys telling their once active kid that they must slow down and wait it out. But the “stepwise” approach to returning to activity allows the brain to heal and prevents further injury during the recovery process....

Connect With Your Teen In parenting a troubled teen, it’s normal to be tempted to turn away from your teen as problems become more serious. But keeping a strong connection with your teen is important. Work on effective communication and strive to maintain the best relationship possible. Your relationship with a troubled teen won’t be perfect. But spending quality time together and showing your teen you care can go a long way toward helping your teen get better....

Of the things you talk about as a new parent, diapers are a big one—up there with how well the baby is sleeping and eating. Are they making their daily wet diaper count? Are they producing several outfit-ruining blowouts every day or not pooping enough? And who will change that dreaded blowout diaper? Are those red marks just irritation or a full-blown diaper rash? Before my daughter was born in October 2019, I never thought this would be the subject of at least 50 percent of my conversations with my husband, but here we are....

All these questions and more may run through your mind as you consider which choice to make. Despite the potential risks, allowing your teen to stay home alone can actually be an important step in their development. Not only will it give your teen a chance to prove that they are capable of taking care of themselves for a short time, it also helps prepare them for both the freedom and responsibility of college life....

What the Hospital Typically Provides for Your Newborn The hospital will likely supply nearly all your baby’s needs during your stay—and may even permit you to take unused items with you. These include: Simple t-shirts or onesiesHatsBlanketsDiapers Nursing and formula-feeding supplies Pacifiers If you intend on formula feeding, check with your hospital to see if they will provide the necessary supplies. Some hospitals are changing their policies regarding the availability of formula, bottles, and even pacifiers....

Occasionally, however, someone who might not be fit to be a teacher gets the credentials and a teaching position—or stays in the position long after their enthusiasm for the job is gone. When your child complains about a bad teacher, it’s natural to worry about how they are doing in school. You may wonder what they are learning, if they are feeling anxious or sad, and if they will be ready to move on to the next grade level....

When traveling with little ones, it seems like we have to bring everything we own with us: diapers, wipes, cream, bottles, a change of outfit, toys—you get the idea. And when you need something, the last thing you want to worry about is digging around a diaper bag, inevitably during a meltdown. When my husband and I came across the 14-pocket Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack, we knew we had to test it out during an upcoming vacation....

Combine these pressures and stresses with the increasing rates of anxiety and depression among teens, and it is not surprising that improving mental health has become a major concern for both parents and educators. More and more people are turning to mindfulness as a way to help teens to cope with the negative stressors and feelings in their lives. What Is Mindfulness? In the most simplified terms, mindfulness means paying full attention to something and not thinking about anything else in that moment....

Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour to spare, listening to motherhood-themed podcasts is a great way to find connection. solace, and practical strategies that really work—and to make yourself laugh. Below, we share some of the best podcasts to listen to as a new mom. For Breastfeeding Many new moms have questions about breastfeeding and feeding their baby. But when you’re trying to fit in a gazillion nursing sessions, the last thing you may have the energy for is reading or looking up answers on the internet....

How Diet Affects Breast Milk Mature breast milk contains water, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and over 20 different amino acids. Some of these are virtually guaranteed to be in breast milk regardless of your diet, as they are present in and drawn from the body if needed. Others, however, must come from the foods you eat. For example, even if you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, your breast milk will (in most cases) still have enough for your baby....

Encourage Tweens to Value Their Skills You can build self-esteem by emphasizing the importance of your tween’s talents. For example, say you and your family prize academics and disregard athletics. It just so happens, though, that your child is great at basketball but weak in the classroom. This can lead to a sense of low self-esteem because he or she is not good at “what matters.” So make athletics (or whatever the skill set is) count!...

It’s rarely easy to seek help for a mental health challenge, and you should be proud that you are addressing your mental health by considering taking an antidepressant. Thankfully, Zoloft is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. In fact, it’s generally the first antidepressant a healthcare provider recommends to a breastfeeding parent. “Of all the SSRI [serotonin reuptake inhibitor] medications, Zoloft has the most widely recognized safety profile for breastfeeding,” says Daniel Roshan, MD, a high-risk maternal-fetal OB-GYN in New York City....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently tracking a deadly outbreak of listeria linked specifically to deli meats and cheeses. Consequently, they are warning pregnant people—as well as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems—that they are at higher risk for severe illness. They recommend not eating meat and cheese directly from the deli counter, unless it has been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until it is “steaming hot....

So, you may want to reconsider this arrangement since it can pose serious and life-threatening risks to your child. If you do choose to co-sleep, note that it should not occur with infants less than one year of age. The following are precautions to take to ensure that your child is safe throughout the night. Consider Your Bed Choice Use a large mattress to provide ample room and comfort for everyone....