When you are pregnant, your obstetrician will give you advice on which foods and beverages are safe to consume and which should be avoided. After your baby is born and you begin breastfeeding, the advice can sometimes seem less clear-cut or even...
New mothers might panic when shampooing or brushing their hair yields significant hair shedding. They might wonder if dietary inadequacies or breastfeeding caused the hair loss. While timing might appear to link hair loss and breastfeeding,...
Spit up happens. A little spit up after nursing in the baby's first year generally is nothing to worry about and probably will not faze your baby. About half of all babies experience infant acid reflux during the first three months after birth,...
Sometime during their first year, many happily breastfed babies suddenly start emphatically refusing to nurse. For mothers who have worked hard to establish the nursing relationship, or who have become used to easy breastfeeding, it can be...
After giving birth, new moms often face a host of physical complications that appear as their bodies return to normal. In addition to sore breasts and hot flashes, you might start to notice large clumps or strands of your hair coming out when you...
New mothers often return home from the hospital eager to start shedding pounds and regain their former body shape. Breastfeeding adds a new element to the situation since crash diets, diet pills and low-fat diets are not an option for nursing...
Breastfeeding provides a number of health benefits for babies, including furnishing antibodies that can protect him against infection and providing him with vital nutrients. Since newborns need to nurse as often as 10 to 12 times a day, it can...
Many parents get an unwelcome surprise when their newborn's weight drops after birth. Since newborns are so small already, any weight loss can cause parents to worry about their baby's health. Although your child's pediatrician remains the...
The Slim-Fast system uses meal-replacement shakes and bars to help participants shed pounds. Women following the Slim-Fast system typically consume a shake or meal replacement bar for breakfast and lunch, two healthy snacks and a low-calorie...
Although the amount of milk your baby consumes will usually vary from feeding to feeding, it can be helpful to know how much breast milk or formula an infant typically drinks at 3- to 4-months-old. Even those mothers that exclusively breastfeed...
After pregnancy, you might be surprised to learn that you have to continue watching what you eat and drink if you are breastfeeding. This is because the things you consume are passed to your baby through your breast milk. Ginger and honey tea is a...
Women in the process of weaning their babies or those who choose not to breastfeed often find that their breasts can leak milk for weeks, months or years. Due to serious health concerns relating to drugs once used for lactation suppression, Dr....
Women throughout the world use slings to carry their babies from place to place. Slings provide a hands-free way to carry your baby without the bother of a stroller or bulky infant carrier. Pediatrician and attachment parenting expert Dr. William...
A tickly throat may be caused by postnasal drip, sinusitis, irritation from dry air, the common cold or one of several other mild conditions. Occasionally, a persistent tickly or sore throat could indicate a serious health concern, and should be...
The amount of calories you need depends on five factors: your height, weight, age, activity level and weight loss/gain goals. Therefore, each individual has slightly different calorie requirements. To calculate your personal calorie plan, use...
There is a lot of conflicting advice regarding what to avoid eating while breastfeeding. According to the La Leche League, no foods are strictly off limits, but there are some guidelines to assist you in making the best choices for the nutrition...
Breast milk is the ideal nutrition for your baby during the first year of life. It contains the correct amount of ingredients needed for growth and development and is easy to digest. The antibodies contained in breast milk function as natural...
Incorporating wine into entrees and baked goods is a way to add a unique flavor that otherwise might not be possible. If you are a breastfeeding mother, including alcohol in your diet in any way may be concerning. Cooking with wine is very...
If you are a breastfeeding mother, you might have been given a lot of advice regarding foods to avoid to prevent gas in your baby. Infants with gas might cry a lot from gas pains in their tiny bellies and can be inconsolable, testing your patience...
Omega-3 fish oil is important for men and women, including pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women should include fish oil supplements in their diet, not only because omega-3 fatty acids are needed for human survival, but because during pregnancy,...
The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, causes AIDS. HIV multiplies inside CD4 cells, white blood cells that help the body fight infection. Eventually, HIV destroys the immune system leaving the infected individual susceptible to...
Don't forget Mom when buying gifts for a newborn or a baby shower. Late-night feedings, extra laundry and the needs of the rest of the family often push Mom's needs aside. Many new moms have trouble reconciling their new role with their identity,...
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of life, but sometimes that simply isn't possible. When your baby has a weak suck or poor latch, breastfeeding isn't only...
For women having trouble breastfeeding, the standard advice involves reducing distractions around mother and baby. Applying warm compresses to the breasts, taking a warm shower or massaging the breasts prior to nursing may also help. Yet some...
Neonatal jaundice, a common condition in newborns occurs when a baby accumulates too much bilirubin in his body. Parent's and caregivers will see a yellow discoloration in the baby's skin and the white part of his eyes. In physiologic jaundice,...
Hormone imbalances in women often occur during the premenstrual phase of their menstrual cycle and before and during menopause. Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can include nausea, mood swings and fatigue. Many women wish to avoid traditional...
Most over-the-counter cough syrups present no serious risk to you or your baby while breastfeeding. However, according to advice from the Food and Drug Administration, you should always speak to your doctor before taking cough syrup or medication...
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by such symptoms as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss. It occurs when the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and ulcerated and might be caused by both genetic and...
Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological condition that occurs when cells die and stop producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in movement and coordination. As a result, people with Parkinson's experience a number of...
