Posts tagged: Baby + Kid's Health

Bouncing off the walls. It’s pretty much the only way to describe the frenetic energy you might notice in your kiddo after the second, or third, slice of cake at a birthday party. But get this: studies show that there’s actually no link between sugar and hyperactivity in kids, says Chicago-based registered dietician Amanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD. Surprised? You're not alone—most parents assume extra sugar provides kids a quick dose of kooky, but a number of double blind, placebo-controlled studies (the best kind) done over the years haven’t found...

Feeling wiped? Mom-of-three Anna Rodney hasn’t slept through the night since 2009—the year she started breastfeeding. (Her youngest, two years old, is still nursing and has yet to stop.) We caught up with the Founder of Chicago Family Doulas for an honest take on what it’s like to nurse a five-year-old (in public, to boot), how nursing on demand impacts her daily life, and why she's still making milk, nine years in. Can you take us through a timeline of your breastfeeding journey? I started breastfeeding in 2009 after my...

Most babies make it easy on you—they’ll fuss when they’re uncomfortable, says Payal Adhikari, MD, a pediatrician with Child & Adolescent Health Associates in Chicago. It’s normal for your baby's hands and feet to feel a little cold (or even look slightly purple those first few weeks of life as their circulation adjusts to working on its own) but the core of baby’s body (her stomach and back) should feel warm like yours does—not super hot or frigid cold. So what does that mean when it comes to getting dressed?...

Gearing up to give your little their first bite of real (pureed) food—or running into questions as you transition into bigger bites? Consider this your ultimate cheat sheet. Our go-to pediatrician Payal Adhikari, MD, with Child and Adolescent Health Associates in Chicago, is sharing her ten best tips for teaching your baby the art of a good chow. 4-6 months is a good time to start solids “I like to start closer to six months, or when your baby shows an interest in food and has good head and trunk...

You’ve probably heard about those naturally great sleepers—the baby who snoozes through the night at six weeks, or the six-month-old who exclusively takes two-hour naps. But for a good majority of parents, getting baby to sleep well takes work. (Sometimes, hours of it—at 3 a.m.) And that’s where sleep training comes into play: it’s the process of teaching baby to self-soothe, so he or she can fall asleep on their own, minus the song and dance (ie: 45 minutes of rocking and sneaking quietly out the door) from Mom or...

Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider on specific questions about your baby's health. When you brought your newborn baby home ,they probably slept, and slept, and slept. Hey, being born is hard work. But now they’re still sleeping frequently, and you may find yourself wondering: Is this normal? How much should a newborn sleep? Your baby’s health is our number one priroity, so be sure to contact your doctor for any questions. It’s absolutely normal if your baby spends most of the day asleep. That said,...

It's one of the first big decisions you'll make as a new mom: help that baby to latch, or pop open a tiny formula bottle? (For some women, there is no choice— their body or baby makes the decision.) But how exactly does nature's milk differ from the store-bought stuff, and what does it mean for you and your little? We spoke with family physician Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year (and a mom of three who fed her babies a...

If you're expecting a baby, we can almost guarantee you've heard the following: 'sleep now because soon enough you won't sleep at all!' And chances are, you find this piece of unsolicited advice both scary and...well, not that helpful. But here's something that is helpful: Advice from Kelly Murray, Chicago-based sleep consultant, who was kind enough to answer all our most burning questions about infant sleep. Here's what she had to say! Monica + Andy: What exactly does it mean for an infant to sleep through the night? Is there...

It’s never too early to introduce your littles to healthy habits! Maybe your kids are too young to join sports teams...and maybe you're not ready to leave them and head to your favorite pre-baby workout class. But even though it's tough to squeeze in physical activity, remember that there's no time like the present. That's why we'd suggest turning fitness into a fun family affair. It's truly a win/win: It allows you to introduce your kids to those healthy habits they'll keep with them forever, and it gives you a...

Between tablets, smartphones, endless TV programming and kid-friendly movies, you may find it really tough to keep your toddler away from screens — but here's the thing: You don't have to completely avoid them!We spoke to our go-to pediatrician, Dr. Payal Adhikari, to learn about how much screen time little ones should really be getting...and her thoughts might surprise you. Spoiler alert: The rules are not set in stone...and contrary to popular belief, they don't say you need to keep your kiddos far away from screens at all costs. Here's...