Many new parents may not know what is considered "normal" newborn behavior. Babies develop at different rates, but they still display many of the same behaviors. If your baby was born prematurely, don’t compare his or her development to that of full-term newborns. It is important to know what kind of behaviors to expect from your newborn, so that you can tell if there is a problem. Sleeping Newborn babies usually sleep 20 minutes to four hours at a time, and up to 20 hours a day. Their…

Bathing Necessities Give your baby a sponge bath every one to two days until the umbilical cord falls off. Choose a place that is safe, warm and free from drafts. Before starting, make sure you have the following supplies at hand: Baby shampoo Clean clothes Cotton balls Diaper Mild soap Soft washcloths Two towels Always hold or support your baby while bathing. Have your fingers under your baby’s armpit, with your thumb around your baby’s shoulder. Your other hand should…

During your baby’s first year, you will make many trips to the pediatrician’s office. Most of these visits are routine, but there may be times when your baby needs immediate medical attention. Questions about minor problems such as a small cough, occasional diarrhea and fussiness can usually wait until normal office hours, but if your baby is acting unusually do not hesitate to call your doctor immediately. Trust your instincts, because they are usually right. It is very important to get…

What Is Kangaroo Care? Kangaroo care is a method of holding a baby that involves skin-to-skin contact. The baby, who is naked except for a diaper and a piece of cloth covering his or her back, is placed in an upright position against a parent's bare chest. This snuggling of the infant inside the pouch of their parent's shirt, much like a kangaroo's pouch, led to the creation of the term "kangaroo care." What Are the Benefits of Kangaroo Care? There are many advantages of kangaroo care for…

Most teens who participate in sports are anxious to get in the game. For their safety, however, many schools require a sports physical, also called a pre-participation exam (PPE), before an athlete is cleared to play. In the United States, millions of athletes — including teens — undergo sports physicals before they can begin competing. Why Are Sports Physicals Necessary? Sports physicals are intended to determine if an athlete is healthy enough to participate in sports, and to…

You've had some time now to get used to the new addition to your family. Your baby should be eating every three to four hours and growing nicely. You do not need to worry about adding water or anything else to his or her diet of formula or breast milk. For now, these provide all of the nutrients a baby needs. Make sure you stay healthy too. Continue eating right and getting enough rest. Your baby's schedule might very well have days and nights backwards right now. Health Issues Some babies…

Adolescence is the period of developmental transition between childhood and adulthood, involving multiple physical, intellectual, personality and social developmental changes. The onset of puberty signals the beginning of adolescence, and puberty now occurs earlier, on average, than in the past. The end of this developmental period is tied more so to social and emotional factors and can be somewhat ambiguous. How Is Your Child Developing Physically? The adolescent growth spurt — an…

Diet Guidelines for Children An essential step to help your child, and your entire family, to stay in shape is to develop healthy eating habits. The eating habits your children pick up when they are young will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle when they are adults. One of the most important approaches to eating is cutting down on fat intake. Simple ways to accomplish this include eating: low-fat or nonfat dairy products poultry without skin and lean meats low-fat or fat-free breads…

Choosing a primary care physician (pediatrician or family doctor) for your baby is not easy. That is why it is very important to do proper research before your baby arrives. Be prepared to interview more than one doctor. Ask lots of questions, and make sure you feel very comfortable with the doctor you choose. Pediatricians Versus Family Doctors Pediatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in providing care for newborns, children and teenagers. Pediatricians provide well-care and…

After your baby is born, a doctor or nurse will perform a series of tests to determine your baby’s physical condition. A routine evaluation, called the Apgar test, is used to identify whether your baby needs urgent medical care. After delivery, your baby will also be given a vitamin K shot, eye drops and newborn screening tests. Your baby may also receive a hearing test and a hepatitis B vaccine. What Happens During an Apgar Test? During an Apgar test, your baby’s heart rate, breathing,…

You have worked hard to lose your excess body fat and developed new eating and exercise methods that now need to become habit. Once you have achieved a desired weight, a positive attitude is very important in your efforts to successfully manage it. To lose weight permanently, you must make a commitment to gradually adopt a healthier way of life. Maintaining your new weight will become easier over time once your choices become new habits. 13 Tips to Help Maintain Your New Weight Keeping your…

Why Should I Exercise? Exercise has many benefits. Exercise can help you: Maintain a healthy weight or help you reach your weight loss goals Reduce the likelihood of gaining weight as you age Maintain bone mass Lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels Reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis Reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep Maintain a higher level of cardiovascular fitness, mobility, strength,…

Simple Tips to Maintaining Healthy Digestion Your digestive tract is an important, but under-looked system in your body. Everything we eat gets digested, and it is through digestion that we absorb nutrients. Keeping our digestive tracts healthy is an important way to keep our bodies healthier longer. Follow these tips to keep your digestion running smoothly: Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Be adventurous, and eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in any form –…

Food Makes Us Feel Good Besides tasting great and nourishing the body, food also has an influence on appetite and moods. Research shows that certain foods affect powerful mood-modifying brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are made from the foods we eat, and are present in higher concentrations after meals than between them. Of the many neurotransmitters present in our bodies, only a few affect appetite: Serotonin: a chemical released after eating…

Depending on your preferences, you can choose to stop using tobacco through medicines containing nicotine or not containing nicotine. Both types of treatments have certain benefits and drawbacks. It is up to you and your doctor to determine which method is right for you. Nicotine Replacement Therapy Prior to using any smoking cessation product that contains nicotine, it is very important to stop smoking and stop using any other nicotine-containing products. Carefully read the labels of these…

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable diseases in the United States. Smoking accounts for about 440,000 deaths yearly. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also know as emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis, continually ranks among the leading causes of death in the United States. If these are not enough reasons to quit smoking, also know that smoking plays a role in all of the following diseases: Smoking-related diseases Lung cancer Heart disease, heart attacks, and…

Why Is It So Hard to Quit Smoking? If you smoke cigarettes, your family members and friends have probably voiced their concerns by saying something like, “Smoking is so bad for you, why do you do it?” People start smoking for different reasons. They might think it will help calm their nerves, make them look more mature or be an adventure. But it wasn’t the best choice and now they really do want to quit. So why is it so hard? It is hard to quit smoking because the nicotine in cigarettes,…

If you smoke, quitting is the most important step you can take to protect your lungs and overall health. It is NEVER too late to quit or experience the benefits related to quitting. When you quit smoking, you will: Prolong your life. Decrease your risk of disease (including lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers and other conditions). Reduce your risk of respiratory and anesthesia complications after an operation. Decrease the chance that…

Most people associate cigarette smoking and tobacco use with breathing problems and lung cancer. But smoking is also a major cause of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. No. 1 Cause of Preventable Disease and Death Smoking and tobacco use are significant risk factors for a variety of chronic disorders. According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 of the more…

If you smoke, quitting is the most important step you can take to protect your lungs. It is never too late to quit. Your body can show drastic improvements within minutes of your last cigarette. Your health can improve and you may feel more lively and energetic. Below is a list of certain health benefits you may receive after quitting smoking. A Timeline of Your Body After You Quit Smoking Once you quit smoking, your body will experience changes instantly, as well as long-term health…