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Cold and Flu Tactics That Don’t Work
Chicken soup? Check. Lots of rest? Double check. You have a plan when someone in your house comes down with a cold or flu. Some of the things you do are the same that your mother did for you. That’s because most remedies have withstood the test of time. But since upper respiratory infection...
27 Jan 2012
Read moreGet the Job Done Right
When it was time to clean the windows, Amy Walker's 6-year-old son, Richard, begged to use the spray bottle. At first, she resisted. Walker, of Sanibel Island, Fla., didn't want Richard to accidentally get a face full of chemicals. But then his enthusiasm sparked an idea: "I filled ...
12 Jan 2012
Read more10 Unique Ways to Beat the Boredom Blues
All kids love free, unstructured play -- until they run out of ideas and complain, “There’s nothing to do!” But there’s no reason for you (or them) to sing the “I’m bored” blues when you’ve got hours of amusement at your fingertips. Try these ideas ...
27 Dec 2011
Read moreStay-happy Tricks for Sick Kids
Keeping your child healthy is probably the most important job you have as a parent. But as every mom knows, it often requires asking your little one to do some of her least favorite things, like getting a shot or swallowing a spoonful of medicine. And that can make your life, well, challenging. B...
13 Dec 2011
Read moreBattling Over Bedtimes? Not Anymore
When it's time to brush their teeth and go to bed, many kids go into meltdown mode. They refuse to put on pajamas, plead for "just one more story" and get up at least 10 times after they’re put to bed. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National S...
12 Dec 2011
Read morePregnant Pause: Calming Your Concerns
You're pregnant. Congratulations! Whether you've wanted a baby for years, or got pregnant the first try, the news that you're actually carrying a child brings a flood of emotions, including: elated ("I've waited for this for years!"), triumphant ("We did it!"),...
07 Dec 2011
Read more6 Signs Your Child Is Gifted
Maybe a teacher has said something, or a grandparent. Maybe you’ve just thought it yourself: My child is so smart and talented … could he be gifted? What you may not know is that for children to achieve that status, they must meet a very specific and uncommon set of criteria. &nb...
28 Nov 2011
Read moreHow to Bring out Your Kids’ Best Behavior
If you're the parent of a perfect child -- one that never whines, argues, lies or misbehaves -- this article isn't for you. But if your child is guilty of any (or all) of the above, don’t despair. He’s just doing what most kids do. So how do you go about changing his negative ...
25 Nov 2011
Read morePut an End to Split Ends
Whether you’re wearing your hair loose and tousled, sleek and smooth or in an updo, nothing ruins the look of your hairstyle like split ends. It’s the equivalent of donning a gorgeous designer dress with a hem that’s unraveling. The Science of Split Ends Split ...
18 Nov 2011
Read morePregnancy at 20, 30, 40
You know from recent headlines that it's possible for women as old as 60 to become pregnant. But for the time being, most of us are choosing to embark on the journey of parenthood much earlier. Even still, pregnancy at 20 is different from pregnancy at 40. Here's a look at the challe...
17 Nov 2011
Read moreCarrying Twins
The chances of a pregnant woman having twins or a multiple birth have never been higher. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about one in every 35 babies born is a multiple (twin, triplet, or more). The incidence of twin has risen 52 percent since 1980 and the number of t...
16 Nov 2011
Read moreThe Importance of a Preconception Checkup
Why should you head to your obstetrician's office as soon as you plan to become pregnant? "Most women don't even realize they're pregnant until after the first crucial weeks have passed, when the baby's organs have started to form," says Nancy Eriksen, M.D., associ...
15 Nov 2011
Read moreHow to Raise a Foodie
What’s the best way to get your child to eat something other than pasta and chicken fingers, you ask? Don’t try. Most parents wish their kids were more adventurous with the foods they eat at home, restaurants or other people’s homes. But the harder you push, the more re...
11 Nov 2011
Read morePregnancy Etiquette
Who knows what it is about a pregnancy that seems to give some people license to be as inconsiderate and impolite as they want. But strangers, and even well meaning acquaintances, will probe and touch upon areas that should be off-limits to anyone. Columnist Peggy Post, great granddaugh...
10 Nov 2011
Read morePreventing Back Pain During Pregnancy
Even as you celebrate your new curves, you may complain about the aches and pains that accompany your pregnancy. Back pain probably tops the list of a pregnant woman's gripes. "It's often caused by a shifting of the center of gravity, and by the weight of the uterus on the pelvi...
09 Nov 2011
Read moreHow Much Weight Should You Gain?
There are many things you can do to prepare for the delivery of a healthy baby. One of the most important things is eating right to gain the extra weight you'll need to support another life. How much? During your first office visit, your doctor probably will tell you how much...
08 Nov 2011
Read moreHow to Handle Sibling Rivalry
The arguing, teasing and endless competition between your kids may drive you nuts, but a bit of sibling rivalry is actually good for them, according to new research conducted by the University of Cambridge. The 2011 study showed that interaction between siblings -- even when it’s negative -...
04 Nov 2011
Read moreThe Weird World of Pregnancy
Surging hormones and a growing body trigger some intense physical changes during pregnancy. While some of these alterations will seem almost alien to you, rest assured that most of them are normal and will go away after delivering your baby. Here, a roundup of common physical symptoms you might e...
03 Nov 2011
Read moreIs Competition Hurting Your Kids?
Kids face more competition than ever, and that’s not always a bad thing. Competing at something they’re passionate about helps build self-esteem, motivation and persistence. The problems come when the only thing they’re passionate about is winning. Overly competitive kids of...
28 Oct 2011
Read more9 PM Blackout
It hit me about two months ago that evenings in front of the TV, video games, and computer at my house had finally gotten out of control. So I came up with an idea: The kids would have to turn off all screens at 9 p.m. and keep them off ‘til bedtime. (To stave off a full-blown revolt, I&rsq...
27 Oct 2011
Read moreThe Healing Power of Touch
Whether it’s a gentle squeeze or big hug, we all know that a parent’s touch can be comforting. But science shows that it can actually do wonders for your health too. “Touch can calm the stress response and lower blood pressure,” says James Nicolai, physician and medic...
25 Oct 2011
Read moreThink Yourself Thin
Maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t just depend on what you eat or how much you exercise. How you think can make a big difference as well. Indeed, people who are naturally slender or who have successfully lost weight and kept it off often think differently than those who constantly strugg...
21 Oct 2011
Read moreBoosting Baby's Brain Power in Utero
The young woman sits in the chair, reading aloud from The Cat in the Hat. Soft classical music plays in the background as she rocks gently back and forth, looking tenderly at her lap. A classic maternal scene... except there's no baby. But she's not crazy. The baby-to-be is still inside h...
20 Oct 2011
Read more8 Ways to Help a Shy Child
Being a shy child isn’t easy -- and for many parents, neither is raising one. You want your child to be happy and make friends, and when you see her hang back, your tendency is to push her into social situations. But pushing won’t give her the skills to control her shyness, accor...
18 Oct 2011
Read moreEmotional and Physical Comfort for Expectant Moms
Pregnancy can be a beautiful and magical time; the beginning of a remarkable journey. It can also, however, be a restless and uncomfortable time, especially during the third trimester. A recent survey of nearly 500 pregnant women conducted by The BlueSuitMom Website and Nestl&...
17 Oct 2011
Read moreIs Your Lunch Safe to Eat?
The crackers in your cupboard are stamped “Best before September 1, 2010.” The “Sell by” date on the cheese at the supermarket is tomorrow. There’s a yogurt in your fridge with today’s date on it and an opened jar of mustard that’s been there since t...
16 Oct 2011
Read moreStop Achy Feet Now
Achy feet are a more common problem than you’d think. As a teenager, I experienced excruciating pain in my ankles, to the point where I could barely walk. X-rays revealed that I had degenerative arthritis in my ankles -- at the age of 16! Forced to retire from competitive gymnastics so...
15 Oct 2011
Read moreThe Truth About Night Terrors
The night Rosemarie Ciccarello of Dobb's Ferry, N.Y., heard screams coming from her daughter Lizzie's bedroom, her hair stood on end. "It was really eerie," says Ciccarello, who rushed to find Lizzie yelling "Mommy" in panic. But when she entered the room, Lizzie was n...
14 Oct 2011
Read moreImmune-boosting Foods You’ll Love
You’ve heard it before: The best offence is good defence. During cold and flu season, nutrition plays a major role in how well your immune system can fight off sniffles and coughs. The better you eat, the stronger your immune power. On the other hand, the more nutrient deficiencies...
13 Oct 2011
Read morePut the Brakes on TV
It's no secret that most kids watch too much television. For years, developmental psychologists and pediatricians have sounded the alarm that excessive tube time contributes to an array of modern childhood problems -- from obesity to a failure to develop new interests. The good news is: ...
12 Oct 2011
Read moreHow to (Finally!) Agree About Money
When it comes to love, opposites attract -- and that goes for your financial styles, too. “It’s extremely common for couples to have different spending and saving habits,” explains Matt Bell, author of Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Ma...
11 Oct 2011
Read moreManaging Morning Sickness
In the midst of all the joyous feelings about your pregnancy, you also may be feeling a bit queasy. Nausea or vomiting is called morning sickness, but it can happen at any time of the day or night. Some women experience an occasional episode, some never have morning sickness at all, and othe...
10 Oct 2011
Read moreMom Buried in Toy Landslide
When your kids' organizational system consists of cramming every toy, book and article of clothing they own into the closet, a clutter avalanche is just waiting to happen. It may be easier and faster to take care of it yourself, but that doesn’t help your kids learn responsibility and g...
07 Oct 2011
Read moreTime for Bed!
It seems like the right time for your toddler to make the switch from the crib to a big-kid bed. But like toilet teaching and starting preschool, the transition has the potential to be stressful -- for you and your child. Involving him in the process will help you both sleep more peacefully....
05 Oct 2011
Read moreThe Serious Hazards of Soda
Americans guzzle an average of 50 gallons of sugary soda each year -- a task made all the easier considering the average soda sold in the U.S. has more than doubled in size since the 1950s, from an average 6.5 ounces to 16.2 ounces today. What's more, each 20-ounce soda -- the size found...
04 Oct 2011
Read moreVaginal Birth After Cesarean? Deciding If It's Right For You
Your first child wound up being delivered via cesarean section. Now you're pregnant again and trying to decide whether to attempt a vaginal birth. Why consider a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)? If you're successful -- 60 to 80 percent of women who attempt VBAC are -- you'll have ...
28 Sep 2011
Read moreI Want a Baby! Is It Too Late?
Your marriage is humming along, your work life is under control and now you want a baby, or possibly a second or third child. But you're over 35. What are odds of conceiving? There's no one answer to that question because women differ biologically, says Miriam Greene, M.D., assistan...
26 Sep 2011
Read moreFeel Happier (Just Change Your Shirt)
It’s true: Changing the colors you wear can actually change your mood -- and how others feel about you. When I was first trying to learn about color, there wasn’t much research out there. So I decided to do the studies myself and fill the obvious gap. At the Center for Color ...
21 Sep 2011
Read moreBrush Your Way to Better Sex
Preventing cavities isn’t the only reason to take care of your teeth. According to a recent survey, 50 percent of people report that a white, healthy smile is the first thing that attracts them to someone. If your teeth look good, it sends the message that you’re taking good care...
20 Sep 2011
Read more7 Shocking Weight-loss Myths
More than half of Americans are overweight, and most people who diet regain what they’ve lost -- fueling a belief that it’s nearly impossible to lose weight permanently. But this simply isn't true! To prove it, two researchers decided to investigate the fraction of folks who ...
19 Sep 2011
Read moreMusical Suggestions for Children
So let's say purple dinosaur burnout is in full effect. You've already written out of your will the person who gave your kids a copy of "Barney's Favorites," and you're going to scream if you have to hear that I-Love-You song one more time. What to do? Sho...
16 Sep 2011
Read moreBaby Holiday Toy Guide
Holidays are approaching quickly. And while the best gift of all is, of course, your new baby, you probably won't be able to resist wrapping up a few toys to entertain and enthrall her during the next few months. Here are a six fun toy suggestions -- a combination of classic and n...
15 Sep 2011
Read moreStart A Family Tradition Now!
An easy, yet very special way to bond with your baby is to establish a family tradition that will last your lifetimes. "Children raised with meaningful traditions seem to have a sense of spirituality and a strong relationship with their families," says Mimi Doe, author of Busy But Bala...
14 Sep 2011
Read moreTeething Truths and Myths
Got a fussy baby on your hands? Can't sleep, doesn't want to eat, is running a low-grade fever -- must be teething, right? Maybe not. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry spokesperson Michael J. Hanna, D.M.D., says that several of the symptoms associated with teething sim...
13 Sep 2011
Read moreBalancing Work, Leisure and Love After Having a Baby
Naturally, nothing matches your love for your baby. But when you've totally given up on romance, work is a nightmare, and your personal interests seem like distant memories, it's time for a balance check. Time management is a major issue for new mothers, observes Maryann Troi...
12 Sep 2011
Read moreThe Power Of Lullabies
Visit any music store and you'll find an impressive selection of lullaby CDs -- from Mozart to Mediterranean music-designed to lull your baby to sleep. While these CDs can certainly soothe your infant, don't overlook the power of your own voice to comfort her. Singing lullabies...
09 Sep 2011
Read moreHybrid Fruit: The New Super-food
Plumcots? Broccoflower? No, these foods aren’t from a cartoon funny farm. They’re hybrid fruits and vegetables, and they’re all the rage these days as plant specialists crossbreed plums with apricots, broccoli with cauliflower, and much more to produce hybrid super-foods. ...
08 Sep 2011
Read moreThe Umbilical Cord Remnant
Even though your infant's umbilical cord looks sore and painful, rest assured that he isn't bothered by it. But to prevent infection, you'll want to keep the area clean and dry. Below you'll find a few caring for the cord tips: Fold the waistband of your baby&#...
07 Sep 2011
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