Articles by Dan Brennan
DTaP and Tdap Vaccines
DTaP is a vaccine that helps children younger than age 7 develop immunity against three deadly diseases caused by bacteria: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. It's highly contagious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. Tetanus, or lockjaw, is caused by a bacterium often found in soil.
Teething - What You Should Know
Do you ever wonder what the world looks like through a newborn’s eyes? We simulate how an infant’s vision evolves from 2 weeks to 12 months.73 SPEAKER: Wondering how babies see the world? Every infant's sight develops at a different rate. But here's a general timeline. Most newborns can spot things that are right beside them with their side vision. Their central vision isn't strong yet. Within two weeks, some babies notice light and dark shapes.
Whooping Cough: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that affects your respiratory tract, especially your nose and throat. It causes long stretches of severe coughs that sometimes end with a whooping sound. It spreads easily, but vaccines such as DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) for infants and children and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for older children and adults can help prevent it.
Is My New Baby Eating Enough?
No matter how prepared you think you are, you’ll still have questions once your newborn arrives. One of the most common worries new parents have? Whether their little one is eating the right amount. Every baby is unique, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when it’s time for a feeding. Newborn to 2 months: During their first month, babies need to eat 8-12 times each day. That’s about once every 2-3 hours.
What Is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the common term used when describing the unexplained and sudden death of a baby generally younger than 1 year old, where there is no known cause of death. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, claims the lives of nearly 1,400 babies a year in the U.S. Placing infants on their back to sleep, with nothing else in their crib, is one way to prevent SIDS. (Photo Credit: Cavan RF/Getty Images) New parents do everything they can to keep their babies healthy.
Your Son at 12: Milestones
Your son won’t technically be a teenager for another year, but 12 is when the big transitions begin. That's why kids this age are called preteens or tweens. Their world is getting bigger on every level: physical, mental, emotional and social. Buckle up, things may get bumpy. Why is a man’s voice coming out of your baby’s mouth? Because their voice is deepening. They’ll also start growing facial and pubic hair. At 12, puberty could be in full swing. For some, it starts earlier.
Your Son at 17: Milestones
At age 17, your son is about to start the last stage of their adolescence, that phase between childhood and adulthood. But they are still growing -- literally. Males keep getting taller into their early 20s. Here are some other things you can expect as your teen crosses the final threshold into manhood. Your son is still changing physically, but chances are their voice is as deep as it’s going to get and they've already sprouted hair on their face. Mentally, 17 is a crossover age for boys.
Your Son at 14: Milestones
If you have a 14-year-old boy around the house, you already know that they have changed almost overnight in some ways that seem huge. Other changes might be more subtle. All boys are different, and all reach certain points in their development at different ages. But at age 14, it’s a safe bet that your son’s rapidly emerging sense of self is going to astonish you and, at the same time, introduce new challenges into your relationship.
Treatments for Constipation in Children
Has your child ever come out of the bathroom in tears, saying, “Mommy, it hurts when I poop?” The likely cause is constipation, a very common problem in children. How can you tell if your child is constipated? Besides the obvious painful bowel movements, look for these typical signs: Stomach pain and bloating Bleeding with bowel movements Soiling accidents Sometimes a constipated child might actually appear to have diarrhea, which can be confusing.
Glass vs. Plastic Baby Bottles
Decades ago, the only baby bottles you could buy were made of glass. But glass was heavy and breakable. So, when plastic bottles came along that were lighter and shatter-proof, the glass bottle became almost obsolete. But reports that a type of plastic found in baby bottles might cause potentially harmful changes in developing babies left parents wondering if perhaps old-fashioned glass wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Your Child at 8: Milestones
Many parents can’t help but wonder if their children are growing and developing at the right pace. Sometimes common milestones can be a helpful tool. But remember that all children are different and special. Milestones are meant to be guidelines, not strict rules. If you have specific questions about how your child is hitting a certain milestone associated with being 8 years old, you should consult your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician.
Your Son at 15: Milestones
That little boy with the skinned knees and funny grin isn’t little anymore. It may be hard to believe, but your son is 15. They are probably in their first or second year of high school. A 15-year-old is an adolescent -- no longer a child, but not yet an adult either. It’s a time of physical changes, but it’s also a time of big intellectual, social, and emotional development. While it differs a lot from boy to boy, there are common milestones to look for.
Your Daughter at 11: Milestones
At age 11, your daughter may already be going through a growth spurt and starting puberty. If not, you probably don’t have long to wait. Hang on -- things are changing rapidly. They’re likely to stand somewhere between 4 and 5 feet tall at this age. Their weight will probably be somewhere between 70 and 100 pounds. But at this age, your daughter has likely entered puberty and is at the peak of a growth spurt. They might grow as much as 4 inches a year during this time.
Milestones for Your Baby's First Year
Your baby will grow and change rapidly during their first year. Every child is different, and your little one will reach development milestones at their own pace. There are some typical age ranges, though, when some of the most exciting advances happen. Watch -- and enjoy -- as your baby moves into each new phase. Around 1 month after your baby is born, they'll still have jerky arm and leg movements and not much neck control.
Why Is My Child Throwing Up With No Fever?
Throwing up is no fun for kids. But it can worry you, too. A kid who's vomiting but doesn't have a fever could be dealing with any number of things. Knowing what else to look for can help you narrow down the reasons for your child's upset stomach—and get them the treatment they need. There are a number of reasons your child could be throwing up with no fever from the stomach flu to a concussion. Photo Credit: E+ / Getty Images This isn't the same as influenza (the flu).
Your Child at 9: Milestones
Your 9-year-old is a good example of the old saying “still waters run deep.” There’s more going on inside their head than you might realize. And it’s an age when they’ll get a lot done in so many ways. Your 9-year-old might seem to drift off like they are “in a daze” or “in another world.” But the world they are in is a new and interesting one. They begin to understand about being liked and seeking approval. They also will start to show they know right from wrong and understand rules.
Your Daughter at 14: Milestones
Hormone levels, emotional issues, social pressures -- at this age, your daughter is going through lots of changes, some easy to see and some not. Puberty in girls starts between ages 8 and 13 and ends around age 14 or 15. Breasts start to develop first, followed by hair growth under the arms and in the pubic area. They probably will have their first period about 2 years after their breasts start to grow, but every girl is different.
Your Child at 3: Milestones
At around age 3, children’s imaginations and language skills seem to get supercharged. They’re figuring out all kinds of words, making up stories and play activities, and learning to build relationships. Mixed in with all this fun, they’re also trying to learn right from wrong and how to manage their feelings, which can sometimes overwhelm them. Milestones can help you steer through all this change.
Your Daughter at 13: Milestones
As your daughter enters their teen years, they have got a lot of changes in store, both physical and emotional. Here’s a look at where your 13-year-old is in the growing-up process and what you can do to help. If your daughter would rather text than talk, don’t be surprised. Girls hitting the teen years may communicate less -- with you at least. But they will let you know their opinion. At 13, girls are more aware about what they should say in certain situations.
Your Child at 18 Months: Milestones
Your baby is now 18 months old. How the time flies! What milestones should they have experienced at this age? Your child should be able to: Walk by themselves Possibly walk up steps or run Squat to pick up a toy Pull toys while they are walking Your child may try to climb out of their crib at this age. If so, put a bell on the crib so you can know when they are doing it and make sure the area in their bedroom is safe and free of items they could fall or stumble upon.
Children and Colds
Is your child sneezing, coughing, and complaining about a sore throat? There's not a parent on the planet who hasn't been there. Find out how to keep those cold symptoms in check and prevent your kid from getting sick the next time. More than 200 different viruses can cause this infection, but the rhinovirus is the most common culprit. Antibiotics, which fight bacteria, won't treat your child's cold because a cold is a viral illness. Viral illness cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Are There Benefits of Behavior Charts for Children?
A behavior chart is a type of reward system for keeping track of a kid's actions and choices that you like. It is one way to reinforce the good behavior a child displays and encourage patterns that you want the child to continue. This approach can help your child feel empowered and act as a positive reminder to behave in a certain way. First, decide on the behavior that you plan to encourage with the chart.
COVID Vaccine Booster: Everything You Need to Know
Most people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus are relatively well-protected from serious illness and death from COVID-19. But even highly effective vaccines often become less so over time. Getting another jab of the vaccine several months after the first round, called a “booster shot,” can help supercharge the vaccine’s effectiveness. The CDC recommends booster shots for fully vaccinated people. The timing depends on which vaccine you receive at first. Pfizer-BioNTech.
The Ultimate All Sports Pass: Support Local Student Athletes & Punch Your Ticket to Every Game | Sports | Noozhawk
For sports enthusiasts in Santa Barbara, the excitement of local high school and college games are unmatched. From the spirited cheers at football games and girls flag football to the intense rivalries on the basketball court, the energy is palpable. But what if there were a way to experience it all with just one pass—a golden ticket to every thrilling moment? Enter the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table’s (SBART) ultimate Game Pass.
Is Your Baby a Picky Eater?
If your baby loves carrot puree one day but pushes it away the next, or if you find yourself begging your little one to eat, you're not alone. Between 20% to 50% of kids are described by their parents as picky eaters. Why do babies turn into picky eaters? What are the signs? And what can you do about it? The symptoms of a picky eater can seem pretty obvious: Your baby may push away the spoon or turn their head from it.
Infant Nutrition: The First 6 Months
Your baby is about to go through an amazing growth spurt. Expect your baby to double his or her birth weight by about age 5 -6 months and triple their birth weight by a year of age. To grow that much, they need a lot of nutrients -- more than at any other time in their life. Experts say breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies during the first 6 months, but formula can be a good alternative. Some of the nutrients babies need to grow and stay healthy include: Calcium.
Baby Skin Care: Tips for Your Newborn
Your newborn is home now, and you're settling into a daily routine. Keeping your baby warm and nourished is tops on your list. Baby skin care is just as important. Newborn skin is delicate -- and so is the baby's immune system. While there are several normal newborn rashes, chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. However, there's much you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.
10 Fun Games for a Baby’s First Year
Fun baby games that can boost your child's skills and development don't need to be complicated. In fact, they shouldn't be. You may even find that many of the best games you can play with your child to help them learn about the world around them are what you already do naturally. To help you and your baby get the most out of playtime, make sure that you recognize signs your little one is sending that indicate when it's time to play.
Why Won’t Baby Eat?
Baby feeding issues can range from a sudden spray of spit-up to a smear of carrots in the hair to a refusal to eat. Whether they are humorous or downright scary, there's a way to handle them. First, relax. Although feeding hurdles are frustrating, if your baby is growing and developing normally, there's usually no reason to worry. Refusing Food Babies refuse food for many reasons: They may be full, tired, distracted, or sick. Perhaps baby's feeding schedule just isn't your feeding schedule.
What Baby Skin Care Products Does Your Newborn Need?
Newborn baby skin care is a delicate matter and most infants have sensitive skin. You'll want to use the mildest cleansers and the smallest bit of lotion. But when dry skin, eczema, and diaper rash appear, it's time to treat those problems. Talk to your pediatrician about when to start using those products. Your newborn may respond better to dye-free, fragrance-free baby skin care products. If there's a newborn in your family, here are a few tips before you start shopping: Read labels carefully.
How Well Can Newborn Babies See?
Babies are born with a full visual capacity to see objects and colors. However, newborns cannot see very far -- only objects that are 8-15 inches away. Newborns prefer to look at faces over other shapes and objects and at round shapes with light and dark borders (such as your adoring eyes). Just after birth, a baby sees only in black and white, with shades of gray. As the months go by, they will slowly start to develop their color vision at around 4 months.
When Your Baby Has a Cold
Little noses get a lot of colds. Babies can catch eight or more during their first year alone, especially if they are in daycare or have siblings who bring home germs from school. Though these sniffles and sneezes in babies are rarely serious, they're tough on parents, too -- and one of the biggest reasons for pediatrician visits. When you know how to help your child feel better and when to call the doctor, you can feel more confident until the cold is over.
Colic in Babies
Some people find it helps to hold a crying baby with colic across your forearm with pressure on their tummy. Other ways to soothe them include massage, rocking, a warm bath, or car ride. (Photo Credit: Credit: E+/Getty Images) Colic is when an infant who isn’t sick or hungry cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. The condition is a bit of a mystery, but experts agree on a few things: Colicky babies are usually fussier in the evenings.
What’s Zapping Your Energy?
Sure, we all get draggy from time to time. A sleepless night here and there, a stressful day at the office, or one too many doughnuts can take their toll. But when you're constantly feeling drained, it might be time to look at what's bringing you down. Check out these energy zappers and see how many apply to you. Sugar provides quick energy, but after picking you up, it drops you hard and leaves you looking for more, says Debi Silber, MS, RD, president of Lifestyle Fitness Inc. in New York.
Finding Time for Original
Women today have been told we have it all -- careers, families, kids, community involvement, and relationships. But all too often, having it all leaves us with no time or strength left for ourselves. Recent research has shown that women today are less happy than they have been over the past 40 years. There are many theories about why, but lack of free time can be a major reason.
9 Childhood Illnesses: Get the Facts
As a parent, you've probably handled enough ear infections, colds, and stomach bugs to feel like an expert. But here are nine other illnesses you should know about. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an infection of the airways. It usually isn’t serious, but if your child is under 2, or has a heart or lung disease or a weak immune system, it can inflame the lungs and cause pneumonia. "It's the most common viral respiratory infection that causes hospitalization in young babies," says Kathryn M.
What Is Croup? What Causes It?
Croup is an illness that babies and young children get. It irritates their upper airways and causes them to swell. As the airway around and below the vocal cords becomes narrow, your child will find it hard to breathe. Their breathing will be noisy or raspy and they’ll have a cough that sounds a lot like the high-pitched bark of a seal. Their voice may also sound hoarse. Crying can make their symptoms worse.
Unlocking Education: The Rise of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
Must Read Blog March 21, 2024 As the notion of “school” and “good education” continue to evolve, the flow of money from state governments is also undergoing a potentially significant transition. The spotlight is on the ascent of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which allocate a portion of state funds designated for a child’s public school education into a specialized account controlled by parents. Last year alone, more than 92,000 students participated in ESA programs nationwide.
Children and Coughs From Colds and the Flu
When your child coughs, their body is doing its job. A cough is a reflex that clears fluid from the throat and chest. It happens when nerve endings in those airways get irritated. It’s one of the most common symptoms of colds and other viruses, including the flu. But if it’s caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t make it stop. Viral infections have to run their course. Ask yourself some questions: Does your child have other symptoms?
What Every Parent Should Know
As children grow and their bodies change, it's not always easy for parents to tell if a child falls within a healthy weight range. Body mass index, or BMI, is a way of describing height and weight in one number that can help tell if someone's weight is healthy. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend BMI screenings for all kids ages 2 and older. Here's what you need to know about checking on your child's BMI and what to do once you know it. BMI estimates how much body fat you have.
Age-Appropriate Chores for Children Original
Doing chores is a tradition in many families. Chores help kids learn responsibility, and sharing chores gives you help around the house. Not sure your kids will go for it? Take heart! There are ways to make chores a little bit, well, less of a chore for everyone. Parenting expert Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love and Logic website, says we all need to feel needed and to know that we're making a contribution -- even kids.
Baby Development Stages: The First Year
From helpless newborn to active toddler: It takes just 12 short months for your baby to undergo this incredible transformation. Babies grow and change at an astounding pace, and every month brings new and exciting developments. New moms and dads often wonder what to expect next and how to know if their baby’s development is on target. Instead of focusing too much on developmental milestones, however, it’s important to remember that babies all develop at their own pace.
Know When to Hold 'Em Original
Ask any 15-year-old if they know any spoiled kids, and they'll rattle off a slew of examples (maybe with a hint of envy): one friend whose parents gave her a $2,000 shopping spree, another who got a new car at 16 ... you get the picture. But if you're the parent of a newborn, don't sweat it, at least not yet. You can't spoil a baby. Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say.
What to Do When Your Baby Has Gas
Babies can be pretty gassy. It's common for them to pass gas 13-21 times each day! Why so much? Infants have plenty of chances to swallow air, like when they: Eat, whether food comes from a breast or bottle Suck a pacifier Cry When air gets trapped in your baby's belly, you may notice that they: Burp Get fussy Are bloated Cry Fart Have a hard tummy Sometimes, gassy babies might seem like they're seriously uncomfortable or in pain. How can you know if there's another problem?
Wegovy for Obesity in Kids?
To understand whether Wegovy should be used as part of the solution for childhood obesity, you first have to understand the problem. That’s not always easy, even for a doctor, says Megan Kelsey, MD, medical director of lifestyle medicine and adolescent bariatric surgery at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Kelsey admits that early in her career she didn’t fully understand the complexities of childhood obesity, writing it off to personal choices that could be reversed with willpower and exercise.
Cured Comedy Presents Jason Allen
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Types of Hypoallergenic Formulas
Choosing the right formula can feel daunting for any parent, but when your baby has severe allergies, intolerance issues, or GI conditions, you’ll need to make your choice very carefully. About 80% of the formulas on the market are made with cow’s milk. All babies under 1 lack the ability to digest cow’s milk properly, which is why formula companies alter the milk proteins in their products in a way that makes the formula safe for babies to have.
Allergy or Intolerance: Understanding the Difference in Infants
In your baby’s first year of life, you’re figuring out what makes them tick – and what doesn’t. These early months and years are when kids are likely to show signs they have a food allergy or intolerance, because their immune and digestive systems are still developing. Although both cause health issues for your baby, a food allergy and a food intolerance aren’t the same thing. It’s important to know the difference so you know how to approach feeding your baby.
Feeding Baby: How to Avoid Food Allergies
Starting to feed a baby solid foods is an exciting milestone for parents. However, it comes with a lot of questions and concerns, especially about food allergies. What foods are most likely to cause allergies in babies? How do you avoid them? Emerging research has shown that introducing multiple foods together is safe, and may help the immune system have a lower risk of developing food allergies, but more studies are needed. Check with your doctor for what’s best for your baby.
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