Mother and Child

Acetaminophen (also sold under the brand name Tylenol) has a long history of safe use during pregnancy. The drug hasn't been well studied in pregnant women (few drugs have). But it has been widely used with few, if any, adverse effects. Healthcare pr...

Acetaminophen (also sold under the brand name Tyle...

It depends. Narcotics, such as codeine (paired with Tylenol), are generally safe. But most of the other medications used are problematic. Triptans (such as Imitrex or Maxalt) are out: Though they're probably safe, we don't have sufficient data on th...

It depends. Narcotics, such as codeine (paired wit...

One dose isn't likely to do your baby any harm, but ibuprofen (also sold under brand names such as Advil and Motrin) is generally not recommended during pregnancy, and you definitely shouldn't take it during the third trimester. Here's the scoop. Li...

One dose isn't likely to do your baby any harm, bu...

Some of the ingredients in cold medications are considered safe for pregnant women, but others should be avoided. Most cold medicines are multisymptom remedies that contain two or more drugs, although you can also buy these drugs individually. The d...

Some of the ingredients in cold medications are co...

In most cases, no. While it's highly unlikely that taking a single dose of aspirin in early or mid-pregnancy will have a harmful affect, the drug can cause problems for both you and your baby if you take it regularly in normal adult doses while you'r...

In most cases, no. While it's highly unlikely that...

Recent research is casting doubts on the safety of the drugs most commonly prescribed for depression — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and some closely related drugs. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (...

Recent research is casting doubts on the safety of...

It depends. Some antibiotics are safe to take throughout pregnancy, some pose known risks to a developing baby, and a host of others fall in between. When a drug falls into this last category, it's because there's not enough safety information avail...

It depends. Some antibiotics are safe to take thro...

Yes. In fact, if you're not eating fatty fish once or twice a week, taking a daily omega-3 supplement might be a good idea. Certain types of fish are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically DHA and EPA), which experts believe are important...

Yes. In fact, if you're not eating fatty fish once...

LASIK eye surgery during pregnancy is not advised. Perhaps the most important issue is that your prescription sometimes changes during pregnancy. This is thought to be due to hormonal alterations that make the body retain more fluid, causing a swelli...

LASIK eye surgery during pregnancy is not advised....

The benefits of good oral hygiene begin well before birth. Not only is it safe for expectant mothers to have their teeth cleaned, it's desirable and may protect the baby from harm. There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that periodontal (gum) ...

The benefits of good oral hygiene begin well befor...

What is the Tdap vaccine? The Tdap vaccine offers protection from three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It's the first booster designed to protect adults and adolescents from whooping cough, a very contagious di...

What is the Tdap vaccine? The Tdap vaccine offers ...

During the preschool years, kids go from toddlers who throw tantrums to kids who are more willing to cooperate and want to please their parents. They also want to do things themselves, but are willing to learn from mom and dad. This give-and-take cre...

During the preschool years, kids go from toddlers ...

A Personal Decision Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is one of the first decisions expectant parents will make. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA),...

A Personal Decision Choosing whether to breastfeed...

Cooking can help young kids learn and practice some basic math concepts and build language skills. And the experience of creating meals with you can help build their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits. It may take a litt...

Cooking can help young kids learn and practice som...

During your baby's first 3 months, breast milk or formula will provide all the nutrition needed. But as your infant develops physically and mentally, the feeding process will evolve. In general, babies move toward consuming more milk during each feed...

During your baby's first 3 months, breast milk or ...

How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you will make for your child. Take a closer look at these guidelines for breastfeeding and bottle feeding so you can make an informed decision. Breast or Bottle? Medical experts recommend brea...

How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition d...

The best drinks for preschoolers — and for kids of all ages — are milk and water. Whenever possible, discourage your kids from drinking soda and other sugary, calorie-dense drinks as thirst-quenchers because water or milk will do the job just as well...

The best drinks for preschoolers — and for kids of...

The kitchen can be a fascinating place for young children. They see grown-ups working briskly in there, watch the steam rise from pots on the stove, and smell what's on the menu that night. Even older kids might be intrigued by how baked goods and me...

The kitchen can be a fascinating place for young c...

You've survived 9 months of pregnancy. You've made it through the excitement of labor and delivery, and now you're ready to head home and begin life with your baby. Once home, though, you frantically realize you have no idea what you're doing!Brushin...

You've survived 9 months of pregnancy. You've made...

About Milk Allergy Almost all infants are fussy at times. But some are excessively fussy because they have an allergy to the protein in cow's milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas. A person of any age can have a milk allergy, but...

About Milk Allergy Almost all infants are fussy at...

Milk and other calcium-rich foods have always been a must-have in kids' diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. But most kids ages 9 to 18 don't get the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day. That's not ...

Milk and other calcium-rich foods have always been...