Mother and Child

Let's start with the good news. Kids are consuming less added sugar than they were in 2000. The bad news is that kids are still getting more sugar — 16 percent of total calories — than the 5 to 15 percent recommended by the Dietary Guidel...

Let's start with the good news. Kids are consuming...

I'm a relatively new grandma of two granddaughters — one is 18 months old and one is 3 months old. Their mom and dad are juggling careers, keeping up the home front, and creating a wonderful family. We're fortunate to live close to one another ...

I'm a relatively new grandma of two granddaughters...

At a recent picnic with my extended family, my 8-year-old child and a 12-year-old nephew were discussing the calorie content of a certain food. My mother commented to me that she didn't even know what a calorie was when she was their age let alone be...

At a recent picnic with my extended family, my 8-y...

While whole fruit is the best choice, certain types of fruit juice can be a healthy part of your child's diet. Recent studies have confirmed that drinking moderate amounts of 100 percent fruit juice doesn't affect a child's weight. However, fruit ju...

While whole fruit is the best choice, certain type...

Why is iron important for children? Iron is a nutrient that's essential to your child's growth and development. Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen. If your child's diet lacks iron, he...

Why is iron important for children? Iron is a nut...

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are the best way to help a child who has a cold feel better — right? Think again. Cough and cold medicines aren't recommended for children younger than age 2, and the jury is still out on whether cough ...

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are the ...

Mental illnesses are like many medical disorders that require ongoing treatment. Although much progress has been made in the treatment of adults with mental disorders, the treatment of children is not as well understood. Experts are still exploring w...

Mental illnesses are like many medical disorders t...

As with adults, mental illnesses in children are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms that suggest a particular disorder. However, this process can be especially challenging with children. Many behaviors that are seen as symptoms of mental disorders...

As with adults, mental illnesses in children are d...

When a tragedy — such as a natural disaster, mass shooting or terrorist attack — occurs, it can be hard to know how to talk to your child about what happened. What do you say? How much will he or she understand? Find out how to start the ...

When a tragedy — such as a natural disaster,...

What are some common types of learning disorders? A learning disorder is a disorder that affects a person's ability to acquire and use academic skills, such as reading and calculating. Learning disorders aren't the same as mental or physical disabil...

What are some common types of learning disorders? ...

Although some screen time can be educational, it's easy to go overboard. Consider this guide to children and TV, including what you can do to keep your child's screen time in check. The effects of too much screen time The American Academy of Pediat...

Although some screen time can be educational, it's...

My biggest challenge was to find the time and patience to breastfeed my two little girls. The evenings, when they wanted to feed constantly, were especially hard to cope with. Starting to breastfeed always takes time, but some weeks were really toug...

My biggest challenge was to find the time and pati...

Helen's story: a feeding cushion is your best friend Helen breastfeeding twinsBreastfeeding twins is perfectly possible, but it is quite a strain on your body, certainly at first. My boys were born by emergency caesarean section, which left me physi...

Helen's story: a feeding cushion is your best frie...

Most mums in England choose to breastfeed. It's a lovely way to care for your baby, and has many health benefits for you both. When it's going well, breastfeeding can help you to build a close relationship with your baby. However, breastfeeding isn'...

Most mums in England choose to breastfeed. It's a ...

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both you and your baby. It's a lovely way for you to feel close to each other. Best of all, though, your breastmilk gives your baby everything she needs to thrive for the first six months of her life. And once you...

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both you and y...

Does the caffeine I have get into my breastmilk? When you have a cup of coffee or eat chocolate, a small amount of caffeine will enter your bloodstream. Once it's in your blood, about one per cent of it will appear in your breastmilk. Some flavours ...

Does the caffeine I have get into my breastmilk? ...

The more often you express milk, the more you will produce. You'll probably find that short sessions, done often, give you the best results. Aim to express a minimum of six times in 24 hours. Try not to leave more than six hours between expressing s...

The more often you express milk, the more you will...

You can store your breastmilk to keep it fresh for your baby in a number of ways: - At room temperature (no more than 25 degrees C) for up to six hours. - In a cold box with ice packs for up to 24 hours. - In a fridge (at four degrees C or colder) f...

You can store your breastmilk to keep it fresh for...

It'll take a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll find it really useful. You can express your milk by gently and rhythmically pressing down on your breasts. There are probably as many ways of doing this as there are mums. The tri...

It'll take a bit of practice, but once you get the...