Childrens Health and Parenting - Family

Expert advice on insect repellants, sun protection, and water.

A study shows that kids consume more candy when they play food-themed video games.

What parents need to know.

While many of us give our pups a treat from the table every now and then, these foods should always be off limits.

Why victims of child abuse can find themselves struggling with mental health issues decades later.

Scientists have discovered why a protein causes allergic reactions to cat dander. Their research promises to pave a path to prevention for many cat allergy sufferers.

Snowy terrain brings wintertime fun for "kids" of all ages. Preschoolers as well as retirees can partake in skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, which are very safe activities when done correctly. Avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room by taking these precautions.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized from flu-related complications. Why take that chance? Get immunized to protect yourself from this life-threatening illness.

More and more families are choosing to homeschool their kids. Here's what you need to know about this type of education and how to get started, if interested.

Follow this handy guide so you're fully prepared when minor injuries and illnesses strike.

Did you know all those arguments and disagreements can actually provide opportunity for growth? Here's why.

He craves more independence, but you aren't ready to give up control. Unfortunately, this kind of interference on your part can endanger your child's development, among other things.

Some popular plants pose a health threat to your kids and pets. Here's how to keep your family safe.

These actions have serious consequences, including death. Here are the crucial facts.

The jury's still out, but it may pay to limit screen time for young tykes. Learn more.

Recognizing the signs sooner than later can help kids thrive in school.

The U.S. is facing a shortage of primary care physicians. Could your health care end up being affected?

The U.S. is facing a shortage of primary care physicians. Could your health care end up being affected?

The most common birth defect in the U.S., spina bifida can be permanently disabling. But it's also highly preventable. Here's what you need to know.

Here's what you need to know about this inflammatory lung disease, from causes and symptoms to treatments and prevention tips.

While changes to family structure require adjustment for everyone involved, these guidelines can help blended families work out their growing pains and live together successfully.

Does your doctor's appearance affect your impression of his medical skills?

Learn the benefits of determining heightened risk for diabetes in young people, and one way to get screened.

By understanding the science behind chromosomal disorders, researchers have a better chance of preventing certain genetic disorders. Here's a cheat sheet for the rest of us.

Genetic mutations are associated with many conditions including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and cancer. As scientists continue to understand the nature of gene mutations, they'll learn how to prevent and treat these types of diseases.

The dairy industry wants to add aspartame (a sugar substitute) to milk so that kids will drink more of the calcium-rich beverage. But can milk that's artificially sweetened still be called milk? Learn more about the current dairy debate.

You'll hear lots of advice if you're pregnant or a new mom, but not all of it is correct. We'll help you sort the facts from the folklore.

This communication tool can help your family unit thrive. Here's how to organize a successful session.

From the school yard to cyberspace, here's how recognize bullying in all its forms and how to teach your child the best ways to respond.

Have you changed your eating habits to shed some pounds but find the numbers on the scale are going up?

It happens to everyone... and it hurts! Here's what to do when you or a loved one gets a paper cut.

Learn the science behind this phenomenon.

When the dreaded day comes that you have to say goodbye, having a plan in place can help ease the burden of your loss.

Good news from the CDC: Children appear to be slimming down. And healthy meals at home are playing a big role. Read on as experts weigh in on what foods to include, and exclude, from the grocery list.

In a country where obesity is a growing problem, so is the issue of poor nutrition. What are some of the most common nutritonal deficiencies, and how can you ensure your child's getting enough of what she needs?

Understanding how the appointment will go can help alleviate any worries for you and her.

Will serving food on melamine plates make your family sick? It's possible. Read on for potential dangers of this budget-friendly tableware.

The first three years of life are vital for language development, and the sooner intervention begins, the better the chances of normal speech later.

You don't have to be be an extreme couponer to shop smart. Read on for tips on how to score great deals all year 'round.

If your child has a sore throat and an achy head, and appears excessively tired, it's time to make an appointment with your pediatrician.

If meningitis strikes in your community or at your child's school, you'll want to know these tips by heart.

Emotional support and opportunities for achievement are important for children with this learning disorder. Here's how you can help.

Abby Braithwaite speaks about the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome and helps to dispel the stigmas.

When you decide to breastfeed, everyone has an opinion. But you can manage intrusions and unsolicited advice without losing your cool.

While most individuals with Down syndrome enjoy happy, fulfilling lives, much misinformation surrounds this genetic condition.

If your child has a food allergy, her risk of suffering a reaction may increase as she gets older. Here's why.

Expecting a new addition to the family? These tips will help ensure your newest bundle of joy doesn t send your firstborn into a tailspin.

Good step-parenting requires patience, maturity, and high levels of teamwork.

Hormone-free meat from humanely-raised animals has surprising benefits.

What are the key health risks you need to be aware of after a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy?

In the wake of Sandy, be aware of the psychological impact such a disaster can bring.

You see generics and store brands at your supermarket and you may wonder if those products measure up. Here's the scoop.

It's so hard to give up your furry family member due to serious allergies. Make sure your pet goes to the right home.

Researchers have found that pets, often the cause of bothersome allergy symptoms, can play a vital role in preventing childhood asthma.

If you drive or ride in a car, read this. And share it with those you love.

Being there for your kids and grandkids is likely high on your list of priorities. Here's how to do it.

"Neighborhood Olympics" is just one of our fun suggestions for keeping kids active.

As kids grow and change, so, too, do their physical and emotional needs. Here's a look at children's health by the numbers.

Copper, aluminum, ceramic, and more. It's time to take a closer look at the pots and pans you're using each day.

Is raw dairy a cure-all or a danger to be avoided? When it comes to this heated debate, both sides are passionate.

Dealing with a vegetarian in a household of carnivores can be challenging, but rest assured, everyone can co-exist peacefully.

For students, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can present a host of unique challenges and opportunities.

Learn important strategies to help your child flourish in the classroom and beyond.

Allergens can attack almost anywhere, including your own home. Follow these tips to reduce your risk.

With these six easy tips, you can transform your refrigerator and your health.

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenge, but these tips can make it easier.

How sick is too sick for work? Follow our cold and flu guidelines.

Millions of women and girls are affected by ADHD, but they're rarely diagnosed. Learn how to spot the symptoms.

Care for your child with confidence with these 10 tips.

Keeping cool on hot summer days isn't only a matter a comfort—it's vital for good health and even survival.

These friendly bacteria can do wonders for your digestive system. Learn how your body can start reaping the benefits.

Understand your choices for better decision-making.

Approximately two-thirds of adults watch TV in the hour before they go to bed. If you have ongoing sleep problems, ask yourself if you're one of them.

So you're ready to adopt a pet? Before you open your home to a furry friend, find out exactly what you need to have in place.

Your pet is an important member of your family. But along with the happiness your furry friend brings is great deal of responsibility, on your part, to keep your cat or dog in tip-top shape.

While some disobedience is a normal part of a child's development, overly troubling behavior is not. Watch out for these signs.

Balancing office and home life can create conflicts between demands and stress from both sides. But there may also be healthy benefits to working outside the home.

Here are recommendations that will keep your child's brown bag from spoiling, and possibly making her sick.

A study conducted at the University of Hawaii's animal science department of 106 pet owners found that almost a third experienced grief that lasted six months or more after their pet's death. Twelve percent reported that their grief caused major disruptions in their lives.

Here are tips for working through grief in a healthy way when it involves an entire community.

Strong parenting and emotional well-being are closely connected. Dr. Gerald Newmark, author of the book "How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children," offers his top child-rearing strategies.

When you have food allergies, organizing your kitchen and other food storage areas isn't just convenient it's essential.

One study found that support groups improved cancer survivors' mood, pain, symptom control, and social functioning. Here's what to consider in order to find a support group that works for you.

Everyone copes with loss in his or her own way. If you've lost a child, you can find a multitude of organizations, books, blogs, and support groups to help you. Behind them all, you'll find parents who have also suffered the same loss.

If you're living with a sleepwalker, here's what you should know before your child takes his next nighttime stroll.

BPA is used in the production of some hard plastics and the plastic-like linings of many metal cans used to package foods and beverages. Since BPA leaches out of the plastic and into the contents of the can when exposed to heat, there is wide concern about its toxic effect.

Why should you make your own baby food? Let's see, it's generally more nutritious, less costly, and it takes hardly any effort to get started.

You're wheezing, coughing, and short of breath, but could it really be asthma? Learn how doctors go about diagnosing this chronic condition.

Should you throw out a container of yogurt if you notice that the date on the package is a few days beyond the date you're planning on eating it? Well, it all depends on these factors.

The importance of sleep can't be over stated. But in our 24/7 society, many children have trouble drifting off. Melatonin works as a sleep-aid for many adults, so is it a good option for kids, too?

Experts warn that our national eating habits come at a price. Here, a guide to healthy eating on the go.

What precautions should you consider when it comes to these radiation risks?

The evidence is overwhelming that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps prevent cancer. Cruciferous vegetables, in particular, deliver compounds that help prevent the transformation of normal cells into cancer.

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey.

While it's true that as kids get older you have less influence on them as parents, don't discount your role in modeling good (and bad) behavior. While what you say to them may sometimes fall on deaf ears, what you do will certainly be noticed.

What to expect when you're expecting your little one to get out of diapers and onto the potty.

It's never fun when your child has to stay home sick, but here are some interesting findings about when it might be better to build up immunity. And a cheat sheet for when they need to be home.

All-you-can-eat buffets. Unlimited soda refills. Burgers the size of ball fields. When it comes to food, America serves it up. It's no wonder one-third of our children and two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. Here's what you need to know to help your family eat better.

Does he like to arrange toys by size or color or count the same object over and over again? Some children like order and find routines comforting. But when these behaviors start interfering with daily life, there may be reason to worry.

Eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables can feel a bit daunting, especially for busy families on the go. The good news is that it's a lot easier than you might imagine.

While seven out of 10 children are improperly restrained, using child safety seats the right way could reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 through 4.

Parenting certainly has challenges. So when a parent has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, it adds another whole dimension to the family dynamics.

While a high percentage of U.S. parents admit to regularly spanking their children, this practice is actually illegal in 24 countries. What's in the best interest of kids?

The news that your child has cancer can be overwhelming. Here's where to start.

When one of your children is critically ill, his sibling may need some extra love and attention, too.

Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of the old, is turning up more often than ever before in younger people, but there is some good news.

If your teenager seems depressed, the problem could be in the bedroom.

8 tips to help your teens get their Z's.

Playing hide and seek isn't just fun for young children, it's good for their brains. Though toddlers develop cognitively at a faster pace than infants, brain development is an ongoing process that begins before birth.

We may be outraged when we hear about stepparents falling in love with their stepchildren, but it s more important to see the lessons in these tales for all of us.

We asked parents of children with asthma to give us their best asthma-care tips. From freezing your pillows to sharing a written action plan with your school, moms responded with creative, take-charge solutions.

Congenital cardiovascular defects, ranging from mild to severe, occur in about one percent of all live births, or approximately eight out of every 1,000 births, and are the most common congenital malformation in newborns.

Contact lenses may seem harmless, but many children today end up in the emergency room because they don't perform important maintenance steps.

Fall can come with pleasures like football, apple picking, or going back to school. But it can also mean asthma symptoms so severe that hospitals report record-high ER visits in September.

Puberty often surprises parents and young girls and can be exciting at times, but what if it comes to 2nd and 3rd graders?

It can be hard to determine if your child is attempting to delay lights out during bed time or if she is in serious pain. Read on to see when you should worry about your child's aches and pain.

It can be difficult to deal with a child with ADHD. And although stimulants cannot cure ADHD, they can certainly help control behavior. But are these stimulants actually harming your child?

Bittersweet about your kids going back to school after a long summer? Helping them stay healthy and safe for school will ease the transition.

Babies fall, toddlers trip over whatever is in their way, preschoolers climb where they shouldn't, and older kids fall off bikes. Despite attempts to keep them safe, accidents still happen. Thankfully, most head injuries are minor. Here is how you can assess the injury and keep your little one sound.

Recent findings by the US Environmental Protection Agency found that air inside the home may be more polluted than outdoor air, because of toxins contained in common cleaning solutions.

Does your child panic when he gets a splinter? The good news is that you don't have to have a surgeon's steady hands to remove one. You just need to know what techniques will be the most successful for the situation at hand (or foot).

New Harvard Study shows a potential link between pesticide exposure in children and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but more research is still needed.

Learn when to be alarmed about your child's misbehavior and if it can be linked to a mental health illness.

The first step to reducing vacation stress is to expect it--but you can do damage control if you plan wisely.

If you re committed to sticking to a healthy diet, don t let the current economic climate throw you off course. There are plenty of ways to watch your waistline, health, and budget at the same time.

Help your kids enjoy the year's spookiest night without sacrificing nutrition.

Most toddlers are naturally on the move. Use these exercises to get the most out of their desire to run, climb, and balance.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) youth face distinct challenges both in school and out. It is important for parents and educators to understand the high levels of stress that LGBT youth feel and to be able to recognize warning signs associated with that stress.

Have you or a loved one survived a life-threatening disease? Are you currently struggling with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, or other health-related condition? Have you gone to extraordinary lengths to help someone in a health crisis? If so, we want to hear from you!

No two families are exactly alike, but most fit into one of these parenting styles.

A family history may make a person more likely to commit suicide. Find out what increases and decreases the risks.

A look at pregnancy and neonatal lupus. Get information and tips on how to have a healthier pregnancy.

Study shows that bullying is a predictor of psychotic symptoms in adolescence and of long-term mental health problems.

Learn how immunizations work and why it's so important to vaccinate your child.

Does your child have difficulty sitting for long periods of time and paying attention at school and in other settings?

Timing is everything.

The symptoms are sometimes hard to decipher between.

Summer camp can still be fun for your child with JRA. Try these tips.

It's summertime and the living is easy. But this hottest of seasons can bring with it special health risks, including food poisoning and insect-borne diseases.

Read on for five tips on how to manage your career and motherhood--while still leaving some time for yourself.

See what the studies are showing.

No parent wants to take chances when it comes to their child's health. Find out whether you should dismiss your doctor and start shopping around.

In 2008 at least six infants in China died and 300,000 other babies became ill after drinking milk that contained melamine. Traces of the chemical were found in infant formula, milk powder and soy products exported from China.

An Olympic medalist's story gives hope to parents and children impacted by ADHD.

Children learn what they live. Here are tips on how to teach your children well.

Many of those who think they have a food allergy are, in fact, really suffering from a food intolerance or sensitivity, which can sometimes look very similar to food allergies but actually occurs in a different way.

Getting quality shut-eye may benefit you more than you ever thought.

Learn how to ensure a prosperous future for your child.

Stress and asthma...is there a connection?

Sweet tooth or addiction? Find out for yourself.

Give your loved ones a head start on their New Years resolutions by offering gifts that will help keep them fit and healthy all year round.

You might not have known it when you were young, but according to health experts, Mom was right all along.

Gruesome accidents and injuries run rampant on Independence Day. Find out how to keep your family safe.

Caring for a child with autism can be stressful, but these tips may help you keep perspective.

Follow these guidelines to help protect your children--and ensure your own peace of mind.

These potential health hazards can cause a perfect summer day to turn tragic.

Snacking at the movies may not be as innocent as it seems.

Here are a few of the most common myths concerning food, and the truths or fictions behind them. What you read will surprise you.

The best present you can give Dad is the gift of health. Get inspired with these unique ideas.

Summer beach vacations may be an American tradition, but take heed--some of the country's most popular destinations may be hazardous to your health.

Find out how you can protect your teen or pre-teen against infection.

A highly contagious childhood illness, chicken pox can make your child uncomfortable for about a week. Here, some ways to ease the itching.

For many parents, sending their children to camp is a nerve-wracking experience. Follow our guide to help keep your kids safe.

Will getting the flu shot prevent you from getting sick? Find out here.

Wasps, honeybees, and yellow jackets are some of the more notorious stinging pests, and they result in approximately 100 deaths per year.

Thinking of relocating with your children? Steer clear of these cities.

Barack Obama said that as president, he'd make big changes to health care. Will it help your family?

Could your teenager contract meningitis at camp, in the classroom, or at the college dorm? Here, what you can do to reduce your child's risks.

Babies grow and develop faster in the first year of their lives than during any other time. What to expect during those initial 12 months.

When children are introduced to the water at a young age, it sets the stage for them to become confident swimmers.

Do your infant's cries mean she's tired, hungry, sick, or just fussy? Here's how to decipher her needs.

Babies' skin is especially sensitive to the sun's harsh rays. Here are ways you can protect your little one.

Everyone worries from time to time, but too much worrying can affect your health. Here, 10 ways to stop stressing.

How important is weight in determining good health?

Your baby's brain development depends on early sensory experiences.

There are many simple ways that parents can help kids get their weight under control.

Plan ahead to properly transition your baby from breast milk to formula.

Foster your baby's curiosity now to improve her intelligence and creativity as she grows.

The first weeks after your baby is born can be exhausting. Find out how to take care of your baby and yourself.

Bonding before birth is important for both mom and baby. Here's why.

Babies need to practice crawling, reaching, and grabbing to improve control over their movements.

Follow these steps to help protect your baby and to give you peace of mind.

Want to soothe your pinkeye symptoms, or stop conjunctivitis before it starts? Check out our survival guide.

To keep your family out of harm's way, follow these simple guidelines.

The demand for organic food continues to grow every year. But is it worth the extra green?

With a little patience and a few smart strategies, you can help boost your child's self-esteem.

According to experts, most Americans aren't washing their hands the right way. Learn how to clean up your act.

Follow these steps to make the holiday season easier for you and a loved one who lives far away.

No matter how far away you live, these strategies can help you improve the time spent with an aging loved one.

According to some researchers, a four-legged friend can add years to your life.

What's under that bow? Find out if the gifts you're giving this year are naughty or nice.