According to the New York University (NYU) Child Study Center, around 400,000 infants are born prematurely---before the 37th week of gestation---every year. Pre-term infants are at a higher risk for developmental delays and illnesses such as...
Happy babies are a joy to their parents and, often, a marvel to friends and families. If you focus on your baby's happiness and contentment from his earliest days, you may discover that you can raise the happiest baby on the block by anticipating...
As your baby's brain develops, the neurons that relay information within the brain are in the process of forming their first connections. The more neuron connections made in your baby's brain, the better the brain will be able to process...
A red raised skin rash on your baby's scalp can be alarming for parents, especially if you don't know the cause. In most cases, the rash is a harmless condition called seborrheic dermatitis or cradle cap. Tinea capitis and eczema can also cause...
A raised bed is ideal for planting sugar baby watermelons, especially in moist climates, because watermelons prefer a drier soil. Raised beds drain much more easily than the ground and allow you to control a number of factors such as soil...
Rashes can occur from a number of different conditions in babies, but not all rashes itch. As with any illness in a baby, look at the big picture before calling the doctor, who will want to know if your baby is acting sick or has a fever, cough,...
One of the toughest parts of raising a baby is getting them to sleep through the night. Some babies are born and instantly become heavy sleepers, whereas other babies keep their parents up all night, every night. As babies get older, sleep...
Some babies like to sit in the car, and car rides have long been a solution to fussy babies. But some infants hate being in their infant seats so much that they cry and scream through the whole trip. Listening to a baby cry while driving can be an...
When you are having the sex talk with your teen, having all of the facts ready is very important. A lot of the talk about birth control will focus on statistics. You should present these facts in a way that is easily digestible for your teen. Some...
Deciding to have a baby is one of the most difficult and important decisions a person can make. Though having a baby can bring many joys and rewards, it also changes a person's life forever. While many men are cognizant of the benefits and...
Though you are likely to be intensely angry, sad and scared when you first find out, remember your teen is experiencing the same emotions. It is not the time to punish or lash out. Instead you need to discuss the available options, and do so with...
There are few sights cuter than a family of fluffy, yellow, newly hatched chicks; but if those chicks are yours, then you're reponsible for their care, feeding and environment. While some aspects of caring for baby chickens is simply common sense,...
Changing diapers is one of the less pleasant aspects of raising a baby. Disposable diapers are the most common type of diapers used in the U.S. Disposable diapers are made of a combination of paper, plastic and chemical polymers. However, the Real...
The first weeks as a new parent can be joyful, but they can also be riddled with anxiety. It is natural to be nervous about what to do during those first few weeks your baby is home, but things get easier over time. Knowing the basics about what...
In 2001, approximately 127,000 babies were placed for adoption in the United States, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The reasons that women give for choosing to give their babies up for adoption, as opposed to having an...
Placing a child up for adoption is not an easy decision for the birth parents. As difficult as adoption is to consider, it provides benefits for the child, birth parents and adoptive parents. Choosing adoption is an emotional process that can have...
Colds with congestion are miserable for anyone, but it can be especially difficult to watch a newborn go through the experience. While adults might take decongestant cold medications to deal with a cold, this option is not safe for infants....
A persistent fever in your baby might be worrisome. The most common cause of fever is infection, according to the Children's Hospital of Colorado. For infants and newborns, a fever can occur due to overdressing. Babies can't regulate their body...
Almost half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. An unexpected pregnancy forces a mother to make a choice when she does not want to parent a child. A woman has options available for an unplanned pregnancy, and choosing adoption...
Breastfed babies depend on their mother to provide them the vitamins, minerals and nutrients required to be healthy and to grow. The American Pregnancy Association, APA, encourages women who choose to breastfeed to increase their caloric intake by...
Smoking while pregnant is very detrimental to the health of the developing baby, according to the National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In its findings, the program cites the American Lung Association,...
If your sleeping baby starts crying as you carry her to her room or the moment you set her down in her crib, you're moving her too soon. Babies go through sleep stages just as adults do, although AskDrSears.com states that a baby's sleep cycle is...
Tobacco users begin their habits because the nicotine in cigarettes acts on the human brain to cause a pleasurable feeling. The harmful effects of cigarette smoking, however, extend far beyond a few moments of euphoria to produce the opposite...
Working parents often place their infants in child care centers or have a caretaker watch them. Hara Estroff Marano, a Psychology Today writer, reports that researchers have found effects on babies who are cared for by someone other than their...
Many elements in tobacco and cigarette smoke harm the human body, causing a wide variety of health problems. Cigarette smoking can cause disease in people who smoke, people who breathe the air around smokers and people who contact nicotine...
Coughing can interfere with your infant's sleep and make it difficult for her to eat or play. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against the use of any type of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine in children younger than four, so it...
Deciding what to give as a baby gift can be a tricky process, but you can start your search on the right track by focusing on baby gifts that are environmentally responsible. Environmentally friendly baby gifts reduce waste and encourage reuse, so...
According to the Guttmacher Institute, 750,000 women under the age of 20 became pregnant in 2006. Teen mothers face challenges beyond the normal pressures of the teenage years. A higher risk of poverty and domestic abuse is associated with teen...
If your newborn seems unhappy and irritated during feedings, she may be suffering from a gastric problem. Gastroesphageal reflux (GER) is a common gastric disorder in infants, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. In babies with GER, the child's...
