ISSUES

Pregnancy

Counting Your Baby’s Kicks

Feeling your baby move for the first time is very exciting!  This can happen between 15-25 weeks for most pregnancies.  First kicks may feel like a flutter, then as baby grows bigger and stronger, you will feel a jab and then a kick. Your baby is learning to stretch and move his arms and legs. Read More

Pregnancy Fitness:  Your Best Moves Before Baby Arrives 

For some time now, it has been reported that exercise during pregnancy is not only safe in most cases, but beneficial. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) states that for uncomplicated pregnancies, regular physical activity does not cause miscarriage, poor fetal growth, muscle and bone injury, or premature birth, as was previously believed by both doctors and expectant people (and is still sometimes believed, though inaccurate). Read More.

5 Nutrition Tips to Reduce Risk During Pregnancy

Are you and your partner finding cooking healthy meals more challenging than ever before? As a professional doula and homeschooling mom of four boys, Esther McCant understands that supporting a pregnancy during a pandemic can come with anxiety that negatively impacts eating habits. Many parents make more emotional, unhealthy eating choices and habits during stressful times. (A doula is defined as a woman who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth.) Read More

Connecting and Bonding with your Baby Before Delivery

The moment you discover you’re pregnant is the beginning of your journey toward parenthood. If you’re like most parents-to-be, you may feel eager for your baby to arrive and anxious about all the changes ahead, particularly during these challenging times. Fortunately, these 9 months from conception to birth are a perfect time to emotionally prepare yourself and get to know your child-to-be in easy, fun ways that do not take a lot of time. Read More

Stress Relief and Resources for Pregnant Women

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how and where we receive our healthcare, and pregnant woman are no exception. We know how stressful pregnancy can be without throwing the threat of a crisis into the mix. If you find yourself feeling sad, hopeless, or notice you are no longer interested in activities that once brought you joy, for a period greater than 2 weeks, it is important you seek help. Read More

Caring For Your Baby

Guide to Feeding Your Baby

A healthy diet and nutrition is critical for a developing child. See how to feed your child from birth to 12 months. Read More

Breastfeeding

Caring for your baby during a national emergency can be stressful, and much is still unknown about COVID-19. However, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the United States Lactation Association (USLA) note that human milk contains the most complete form of nutrition for infants, and is particularly effective against infectious diseases because it strengthens the immune system by directly transferring antibodies from the mother. Mothers who become infected should discuss continuing to breastfeed with their healthcare provider, and follow safety precautions:  Read More

Coping with a Crying Baby During the COVID Pandemic

All babies cry, with most crying a lot from two weeks to two months of age. For many new parents, crying is one of the most stressful parts of coping with a newborn. Read More

Baby’s Health and Safety

Oral Care

Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
Source: American Dental Association. Read More

Babies’ Vision

From birth, babies begin exploring the world with their eyes. Even before they learn to reach and grab with their hands or crawl and sit-up, their eyes are providing information and stimulation important for their development. Read More

Your Kids Still Need Their Vaccines

Earlier advice to cancel all physician visits that weren’t critical has been updated: Please stay up-to-date on your child’s immunizations during the COVID pandemic! Experts across the nation are seeing drops in immunization rates of as much as 73 percent.  That means that nearly 3 in 4 children who are due for a vaccination aren’t getting it. Particularly following the measles outbreak last year, this is very bad news. Read More

Safe Sleep for Babies

Creating a safe sleep environment plays a very important role in your newborn’s mental and physical development. With sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) contributing to 206 newborn deaths in Florida in 2018, as well as accidental deaths from suffocation or strangulation, it is important that new parents understand good habits when putting down newborns for nap time. Read More

Why Babies Shouldn’t Wear Facemasks

Over the last several months, we’ve all learned how important it is to wash our hands frequently, and now we should be using a face covering or mask whenever we leave the safety of our home to help protect you and the people around you from COVID-19.  But many parents are wondering do my children need to wear a face mask too? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend that face masks and cloth coverings should not be placed on anyone younger than two years. Although these recommendations may change over time, and among different counties and local governments, we will do our best to present up to date information to reduce the confusion among different organizations. Read More

Childproofing Your Home

Any new parent quickly learns that a toddler is into everything and that it only takes a quick second for your child to get out of sight and be around something potentially dangerous. Emergency physicians treat children every day who are injured by something in their own home or someone else’s home. However, many childhood injuries that emergency physicians see daily are easy to avoid. The first step to prevention is to be aware of the hazards in your home, and knowing how to eliminate them. Read More

Summer Safety Tips for Newborns

It’s summer, and fresh air, moderate ultraviolet light and new experiences can have health benefits for babies. However, newborns need extra care and protection to enjoy the warm weather without the hazards of heat and sun exposure. Here are 5 summer safety tips for infants: Read More

Early Childhood & Social Emotional Development

Brain Matters

Parenting is considered one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Why is it that some children thrive, while others do not? Boost your parenting skills and learn 5 tips from a short clip of Brain Matters, the award winning film on the critical nature of the early years of life. Read More

Brain Matters: What Can You Do for your Baby to Ensure Their Success?

This year an important film was released entitled Brain Matters.  It is an eye-opening film about the science of the early years and what it takes for all children to get the best possible start in life. See a short clip of the film: Read More

Supporting Your Toddler’s Thinking Skills from 2-3 Years

While you often hear this stage called the “terrible two’s”, the period from age 2 to 3 is also an amazing time for your toddler’s skills and personality to continue to grow.  They may start to appreciate humor and jokes, and try to solve problems. Toddlers are also starting to know that others have thoughts and feelings that are different from their own. For example, your child may give you a hug when you are sad. Here are some ways to help your toddler’s thinking skills grow during this year. Read More

Play Promotes Healthy Development

As more families face social distancing, self-quarantine, and school and work closings as a result of COVID-19, it’s possible to feel stressed—not only about health issues, but also with the reality of suddenly being at home for a long time with energetic little ones. Read More

Race and Young Children – Overcoming Racial Bias

Children learn about racial differences and racial bias from an early age, and learn from their first teachers—their parents—how to deal with and react to these differences. The process of learning racial bias is a lot like learning a new language (e.g., a child raised bilingual vs. a child who starts learning Spanish in junior high). Brain development during the early years determines a rapid early learning period. Read More

Stress and Young Children During the Pandemic

This is a stressful time for adults with schools being canceled and children more often seeing their parents’ current struggles first hand.  It is no wonder they’re experiencing the effects of that stress, as well. “Kids of all ages are having a tough time,” said clinical and developmental psychologist Nancy S. Molitor, PhD. “Every adult has anxiety right now. And the children are feeling it.” Kids process stress and anxiety differently at different ages. How parents help children cope should be tailored to a child’s needs and age. Read More

MathforLittles I Early Math Activities for Two-and-Three Year-Olds 

When young children learn early math skills, it isn’t about equations and flashcards—it’s all about having fun while helping your little one’s brain grow. Take some time to browse the play activities below and try some with your 2-to-3 year-old. We’ve designed these games to focus on the six key skill areas of early math: Read More

Fatherhood

Father’s Health and Involvement

The value of fathers’ engagement with children from before they are born through adulthood cannot be overstated. The Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida provides the following information, and will work with fathers in helping them have closer and more productive relationships with their children: Read More

Dads Are More Than Babysitters 

The vast majority of Dads, across all demographic segments, are passionate about the positive role that fatherhood plays in their lives. They love being involved fathers, and want, and deserve more credit. Did you know that:

  • 90% of Dads say being a parent is their greatest joy.
  • 73% say their lives began when they became a dad.
  • 54% of dads say “I love you” more, 47% participate more in playtime and 47% read more to their children than they recall their own parents did.
  • 63% of dads agree that “Dads don’t get enough credit for their involvement in raising and caring for young children.” By the way, 64% of moms also agree with this statement, too. Read More.
Oh Baby, Post Partum (After Birth) Depression in Men is Real 

Becoming a parent is wonderful, but can be challenging. Sometimes when things are not as expected, there may be underlying causes that need better understanding. For example, sometime after your baby is born, you notice negative changes in your husband’s behavior. It could be paternal postpartum depression. And yes, it’s real. Read More.

Click on the logos below to go to each organization’s websites to find ways they can provide resources for you and your family:   

                  


                 


        


              


                  

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