Mongolian Spots
Mongolian spots — more properly called slate grey nevi — are very common birthmarks. They are flat and bluish-gray, almost bruise-like. You might be concerned if such a mark show up on your baby, but there’s often little reason to worry. Mongolian s…
Learn MoreStressed-Out Parents: How to Stay Sane
Parenthood is the hardest job you’ll ever have, and like any new job, it takes practice to get good at it. In the old days, we had our parents and aunts and uncles nearby to help us learn (and to help take care of the kids). Now we’re apt to live thou…
Learn MorePoisonproofing Your Home
If you have toddlers or small children, you may have already poison-proofed your house. If not, the sooner you get started, the better.Children between the ages of 1 and 6 years old are at the highest risk for poisoning because they are mobile, curiou…
Learn MoreFlying With a Toddler
We have great memories of our family trip to New Zealand, but the time when our one-and-a-half-year-old son started throwing a fit over Tahiti is not one of them. Flying with a toddler can be a trying experience, especially during a long trip. Even th…
Learn MorePlayground Safety
Spend an hour at a playground, and there’s a good chance that you’ll see a child in tears. As long as kids climb, play tag, and reenact superhero battles, a few bruises and scrapes will be part of the scene. But not all mishaps on the swings, slides, …
Learn MoreGetting the Lead Out
A few decades ago, Americans just weren’t that worried about lead. They breathed fumes from leaded gasoline and painted their houses with lead-based paint. Some even drank water from lead pipes and ate food from lead containers. Thanks to massive publ…
Learn MoreSunburns (Children)
What’s the best way to treat a sunburn?For starters, make sure your child drinks plenty of water; he’s probably dehydrated from being out in the sun. To soothe the sunburned area, apply a cold washcloth or let your child soak in a cool bath. (Adding b…
Learn MoreMonth 07 Cognitive Development
Until now, your baby has lived by the adage “out of sight, out of mind.” If he couldn’t see something, it didn’t exist. As far as he was concerned, you disappeared every time you walked out of the room. And if a ball happened to roll under the couch, …
Learn MoreMonth 01 Social Development
In the first month of life, your baby’s social life revolves around you. She’s already familiar with your voice, which she could hear from inside the womb. One of her first images is likely to be your face as she is brought to the breast (or bottle). …
Learn MoreMonth 04 Social Development
For the first couple of months, the relationship with your baby was a one-way street. You gave her love and attention, and she soaked it in. She could smile and cry, but she never really tried to connect with you or the other people in her life. Now, …
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