This is common for children in the first or second grade. Now that they are in “big kid’s school,” they feel a certain pressure to perform and make things perfect. As an adult, you can help by offering them crafts that are less free-form and more methodical in their approach. Silhouette cutting is one such skill. It is mostly a dying art but one that your child can master with a few tools and minimal oversight....

While this may be upsetting for new parents to consider, there are ways to improve outcomes and build resiliency in your children and yourself. What the Study Shows The small study coming out of Germany has determined that at 3 months of age, babies of depressed or anxious mothers had a greater stress response than babies with mothers who did not have anxiety or depression. All parents were asked to play with their babies, then cease all interaction but maintain eye contact for two minutes....

When you’re expecting multiples, you need an extra dose of protein to help build cells and support an increased plasma volume. You also need carbohydrates for energy, iron to prevent iron-deficiency anemia, calcium to make sure your growing babies and your own bones have all they need, and folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and anemia due to folate deficiency. So it’s helpful to choose foods rich in these nutrients whenever possible....

What Are Natural Killer Cells (NK Cells)? Natural killer cells (NK cells) are a type of lymphocyte, one of the types of white blood cells in our immune system. These cells are “fighters,” responsible for eliminating viral-infected cells and even cancer cells from our bodies. Function in the Immune System Our immune systems are broken down into two basic parts. The “innate immune system” or “cell-mediated immune system” works in a non-specific way, attacking anything foreign which enters our bodies regardless of what it is....

But in 2015, when she got pregnant with her first son, she realized that she was no longer actually passionate about what she was doing. “That bug was already in my head when I got pregnant—what is my purpose, what [can I do that] has a greater impact?” Ruch says. “When I had my son, as soon as I saw him, I just felt so clear. I finally felt the sense of confidence that I was looking for....

Doctors commonly prescribe antidepressants known as SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors to both non-pregnant and pregnant people in an effort to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. In general, most of these drugs are widely used and considered safe during pregnancy. But a recent study indicates that there may be increased risks to the fetus when SSRIs are used at medium and high doses during the third trimester of pregnancy....

Nicholas is often associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th century bishop. Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent during the time of the Roman Empire. He is known as the saint of children who gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. His legend forms the basis of the figure known as Santa Claus. Due to the renown of Saint Nicholas, the name is popular all over the world....

1. Open Crib Your baby will progress from the incubator or radiant warmer to an open crib based on their gestational age, weight, and ability to regulate their body temperature. The transition is usually gradual. Your baby may be returned to the warmer environment at the first sign of inability to maintain temperature. Maintaining body temperature involves calories and oxygen. The more energy your baby uses to keep warm, the less they will have for growing and healing....

Get to Know Your Newborn’s Breathing One of the best (and easiest) things that you can do is simply spend time with your baby and quietly listen to them breathe. Whether they are awake or asleep, make note of the different noises that they make. If you have a hospital birth, rooming-in can be advantageous when it comes to learning more about your new baby. If you have questions, a nurse will be readily available to help....

The primary purpose of sucking is feeding. When babies are sucking and swallowing breast milk or formula, they are gaining needed calories for growth and development. Sometimes, though, infants suck for non-nutritive purposes, using the breast or a pacifier simply for comfort. Learn more about why and when babies might use nutritive or non-nutritive sucking. The Sucking Reflex Rooting and sucking are primal reflexes. Fetuses practice sucking in the womb by swallowing amniotic....

Many of the hormones in breast milk have only recently been identified, and research is ongoing to determine what specifically these hormones and other components do for babies. It is believed that they offer significant health benefits, as research finds significant health advantages for breastfed babies. Infant formula is, of course, a safe alternative to breast milk—and formula-fed babies also thrive. That said, formula does not contain the same makeup of hormones, antibodies, or enzymes....

The test checks for abnormal cervical cells, which could mean cervical cancer. It’s a good idea to get regular Pap smears even when you’re not pregnant. Your doctor will likely recommend getting your first Pap test by age 21—or three years after first having sexual intercourse—and then every three years until age 29. What Happens During a Pap Smear During a Pap smear, you undress from the waist down and lie on your back on an examining table, where you will spread your legs and put your feet into stirrups....

A new study found that kids’ mental health is directly impacted by too much screen time, and not enough physical movement. The study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health notes that when kids spent more time engaged in physical activity, and less time on electronic devices, they had healthier mental wellbeing. Details of the Study Researchers from The University of Queensland conducted a large-scale international study. They culled three rounds of data from surveys for Health Behaviour in School-aged Children....

Learn about the unique nutritional needs of preemies and how the formula choices you make for them can give them the healthiest start possible. Although you should always be guided by a neonatologist or pediatrician, it’s important to understand why certain preemie formulas and feeding routines may be better than others—and when it may be time for a change. Preemie Formulas in the NICU For many babies born prematurely, feeding can be a challenge....

Reasons for Calling a Bully’s Parents The majority of the time, calling the bully’s parents will end badly for you and for your child. But there are the rare exceptions when contacting them can be beneficial. Gets the Issue Out in the Open When your child is being victimized by a bully, you naturally want to do what you can to bring an end to the bullying. And if you personally know the parents of the bully, you may feel like you are being deceptive if you do not address the issue directly with his parents....

The changes were rolled out over a few years to give schools and communities time to understand the guidelines and make changes as needed. That time, however, gave way not just to adaptations and adjustments, but interpretations and criticisms. The School Lunch Guidelines The 2010 guidelines are meant to provide a minimum standard of nutritious, healthful food that will provide enough calories without contributing to obesity. The changes from previous school lunch standards include requirements for school lunches such as:...

These two back-to-school occasions serve different purposes for both parents and administration. Each school event has its own purpose as well, so it’s worth talking a little bit about what the aims of the open house and the parent-teacher conferences are. Before you walk down those locker-laden hallways, know why you’re there and you’ll get the most out of the event. The School Open House For parents with fond memories of high-school romances, open house night can be a nostalgic evening....