The truth is that while there are several signs of a twin pregnancy, there is also tremendous overlap with the signs of singleton pregnancies. It is impossible to definitively know whether you are carrying twins (or multiple babies) by simply gauging how you feel or going off of what a home pregnancy test shows. In fact, only an ultrasound can confirm a twin or multiple pregnancy. That said, it can be exciting to wonder whether certain signs are subtle clues that you or a loved one may be carrying more than one baby....

A well-known Greek and Latin name, Silas means “wood” or “forest.” Sylvanus was the Roman god of the countryside and his name was originally bestowed on people who lived in wooded areas or who worked with wood. In the New Testament, St. Silas was a leading member of the early Christian community who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. How Popular Is the Name Silas? Silas is the No....

What Is Sole Physical Custody? Sole physical custody is an arrangement where the children live with one parent — called the primary custodial parent — more than 50% of the time. This generally allows the children to live in one residence or ‘home base,’ as opposed to going back and forth between two homes. However, in such cases, the non-custodial parent is often granted generous visitation time. The phrase “sole custody” is often used interchangeably with “sole physical custody....

How Often Should Bottles Be Sterilized? In the days before dishwashers and reliably safe water, manually sterilizing baby bottles, nipples, and pacifiers after every use was essential. This was the only way to protect bottle-fed infants from feeding-related illness. In today’s world, access to clean water and/or a dishwasher makes adequate bottle cleaning much less of a chore. This doesn’t mean sterilization isn’t necessary, though, according to Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC, founder of Best Milk LA, a private lactation consulting practice based in Los Angeles, and member of Verywell Family’s Review Board....

“When you first notice them, it’s a very visible sign that your body is changing in major ways and won’t ever really be the same. That can be kind of alarming,” Austrew states. She worried about how the marks would look after she gave birth, and says she fell into the trap of thinking she needed to make them disappear. Time has tempered her feelings, and she now has a different outlook on her stretch marks....

But bullying is a complex issue that is continuously evolving. As a result, many parents are shocked to learn that their view of bullying is often incomplete. Here are the top things that parents often do not realize about bullying. Sometimes It’s the Kids Your Child Calls ‘Friends’ Who Are the Meanest When parents think of bullies, they often envision stereotypes of bullies, including the loner who hates the world or the mean girl that picks on those without as much social clout....

Couvade Syndrome Couvade comes from the French word couvee meaning “to hatch.” It has come to mean a man having a “sympathetic pregnancy.” Yes, this means that your partner could start to vomit, gain weight, and have many of the “joys” associated with pregnancy. Generally, sympathetic pregnancy symptoms begin at the end of the first trimester and increases in severity until the third trimester. The only known cure for couvade is to birth....

To find the best rugs for kids’ rooms, we spoke with a few experts for insights into what qualities to look for. According to Dr. Karen Aronian, a former public school teacher and owner of Aronian Education Design LLC—a full service design firm serving to create purposeful learning spaces—rugs are essential because they can “transform rooms and invite play, creativity, and learning.” In addition to color and style, material, durability, and size are important factors to consider....

When shopping for card games for the kids in your life, you should consider the child’s age range, how difficult the instructions are to master, how long the games will last, and how much space you’ll need to play. To compile this list we took all those things into consideration, in addition to making sure to provide some suggestions that would be perfect for getting the whole family playing together....

Steve Coxon, PhD, professor of education and executive director at the Center for Access and Achievement at Maryville University, tells Verywell Family that there are many benefits of children and teens using robot toys. “In our research, we have found increases in spatial ability and creativity along with increases in coding skills and self-efficacy (belief in their ability to solve STEM challenges),” Coxon explains. “Importantly, children also learn to overcome failure through iterating improvements to their robot design and code to meet challenges set forth by their teachers or families....

Before adding to your cart, parents and caregivers, consider the construction of the mattress and materials. Some of them may offer a waterproof casing, and some are hypoallergenic. It’s also important to pick a mattress with the right amount of firmness for your child’s body and age, so they are supported comfortably as they continue to grow. When mattress shopping, a basic rule of thumb to remember is that a firmer mattress is ideal for toddlers, while softer options are better for big kids....

“Involving your kids in the kitchen early on helps with their fine and gross motor skills,” Ashley Shep, a chef and educator, tells Verywell Family, and that’s just the beginning of what they can learn. “Cooking involves science, math, reading, writing, problem-solving, and real-life skills that prepare your child for the future.” Getting in the kitchen as the junior chef can also cut back on picky eating while encouraging curiosity about nutritious food choices....

Keep in mind the schoolwork your children will be participating in and the supplies they will need. We carefully considered durability, design, ease of use, suitability, utility, and value when reviewing products. From marker boards to pencils to planners, here are the best homeschool supplies. Price at time of publication: $42 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $28 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $6 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $5 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $12 Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $36 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $19 Keep in mind the schoolwork your children will be participating in and the supplies they will need....

Consider other additional features, like two-way communication, especially if you’re wanting to talk to your child without having to enter the room. Plus, think about the camera’s picture, and how you plan to use it. Do you plan to take it on the road, or do you prefer to keep it at home? No matter where you decide to use a nanny camera, we carefully looked at audio and video quality, design, additional features, and value for each product on our list....

Iron deficiency can increase an infant’s risk of low birthweight, premature birth, low iron stores, and impaired cognitive and behavioral development. It is estimated that 18 percent of pregnant women are iron deficient, with the prevalence increasing as pregnancy progresses. Iron supplementation can be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. In order to recommend the best iron supplements for pregnancy, our prenatal dietitian combed through the latest research, interviewed other dietitians who specialize in nutrition during pregnancy, and used her own experience making recommendations to her clients....

Check the label to make sure the treatment you choose has active ingredients like permethrin or something more natural like mineral oil and tea tree oil to effectively treat lice. We carefully considered ingredients, preventative treatment options, value, and ease of use when reviewing products. If your child has lice or you just want prevention, here are the best lice treatments for kids to get you started. RID Lice Killing Shampoo tops our list because it’s been effectively treating lice for more than a decade....

According to breastfeeding consultant, Amanda DeWeese, MPH, CPH, IBCLC, it is important to use the right containers for breast milk. She tells Verywell Family, “Only breastmilk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers should be used to store breastmilk. Containers can be glass or plastic.” If you plan to buy a reusable option, make sure you consider its ease of cleaning. Ideally, it should be dishwasher-safe, but some containers may require handwashing (unless you opt for single-use)....

Because not all pumping bras are the same, you’ll want to do your research on which bra will work best for you and your lifestyle. Some are hands-free, feature an adjustable or removable panel, or are designed for those with a larger chest. Other important features to keep in mind are durability, ease of cleaning, soft and stretchy fabrics, types of closures (velcro, hook and loop, zipper), and if they can double as a nursing bra, too....

“Right now, we’re seeing girls who are struggling with eating disorders, depression, suicidality (thoughts, plans and attempts at suicide), social anxiety, and aggressive and destructive behavior, as well as body image, self-esteem, and relationship or friendship issues," Michael Roeske, PsyD, Executive Director of Newport Academy tells Verywell Family. “Self-help books and podcasts can be beneficial to help them discover new coping mechanisms and feel less alone in their struggles and thoughts....