Babinski reflex is one of the newborn reflexes present at birth. Primitive reflexes occur automatically as a response to stimuli. The presence of these reflexes is a crucial indicator of the health of the baby’s central nervous system (1). A doctor may check for newborn reflexes, including the Babinski reflex, at birth and subsequent checkups. Parents may also be able to test the presence of the Babinski reflex at home....

Seizures in babies are instantaneous, uncontrollable electrical brain abnormalities that cause alterations in their actions, movements, and consciousness. If you notice two or more seizures without a known cause and within a gap of 24 hours, it could be a sign of an epileptic episode. A seizure is mostly triggered by a head injury or a brain-related disorder and is common in infants and children. It may be difficult to identify a definite cause for seizures; however, it is best to contact a specialist to seek immediate medical care and avoid future risks of seizures....

Childbirth can be exhaustive, and you may wish to take a relaxing bath after the process. However, you need to seek your doctor’s permission before taking a bath after a C-section. If the incision from the surgery or vaginal area is submerged in water for a long time, you may catch an infection. Therefore, it is generally recommended not to scrub yourself vigorously while bathing. It is also advisable to keep your incision dry....

Boils on babies may resolve without interventions or simple home remedies. However, it is recommended to seek pediatric care if the boils are not cured within a few days. These are also called furuncles, an infection of hair follicles deep in the skin due to bacteria or fungi (1).Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative agent; usually, the infection may begin with scratches or insect bites on the skin. These are painful red nodules filled with pus (2)....

You may introduce cabbage for babies already eating solid foods such as rice porridge and vegetable purees. Cabbage, also called Brassica oleracea, is available in different varieties, such as with smooth or wrinkled leaves and green, red, white, and purple colors. This leafy vegetable is packed with micronutrients and bioactive compounds. They are also rich in flavonoids such as apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin (1). Fibers in cabbage also help to prevent constipation....

“How much castor oil to take to induce labor?” is a common concern for many women who consider taking castor oil near the due date. Ancient Egyptians used castor oil to induce labor. However, the safety and efficacy of castor oil use for labor induction lack definitive scientific evidence. Some women may get uterine contractions in fewer amounts. While a few may not see any difference even after taking more amounts....

According to studies, you are the most fertile about 12 to 14 days before your next menstrual cycle. But can you get pregnant on your period? This post will give you more information in this context. The period is when the uterine lining sheds itself due to the absence of an embryo to nurture. The ovulation period is your most fertile period of the month, which comes right before your menstrual cycle....

Tums is an over-the-counter antacid that is often used to relieve heartburn or indigestion. Even pregnant women take it as a go-to for heartburn, especially during the third trimester. But is it safe to have tums during pregnancy? Heartburn during pregnancy is fairly common. But it needs to be treated with proper advice from the doctor to avoid any underlying complications (1). Read on to know about the safety of using Tums while pregnant, the necessary precaution to take while having it, and its potential side effects....

Diarrhea while breastfeeding could develop in a few new mothers due to underlying conditions such as acute gastroenteritis or other causes. Although this is not a serious illness requiring cessation of breastfeeding, if you have diarrhea, you must maintain proper hygiene to prevent any risks of transferring any illnesses to your newborn. In addition, ensure proper hydration for maintaining a sufficient milk supply and preventing dehydration due to diarrhea. Mild diarrhea is usually resolved with the help of natural home remedies....

The fetus is surrounded by and cushioned in a clear, yellowish fluid in the womb known as amniotic fluid. Some women may experience leaking amniotic fluid during pregnancy, too much of which may be harmful. The amniotic fluid comprises hormones, immune cells, nutrients, and urine produced by the fetus. The fetus starts swallowing and excreting this protective fluid at around 20 weeks. The amniotic fluid helps fetal movement and growth....

A few women experience insomnia after pregnancy and may require medical intervention. Considering the importance of good sleep, your doctor may prescribe you to take Zolpidem or Ambien during breastfeeding. Zolpidem is a sedative sold under the name Ambien. It is used to treat short-term sleep issues in adults. However, if you’re asked to take Ambien during nursing, its sedative properties may concern you, and you may be worried that it may impact the wellness of your baby....

Loratadine, commonly known by the trade name — Claritin, is a OTC medicine that is used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of hay fever or other allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat. But is Loratadine on breast milk safe? It may help to know that while it helps relieve the symptoms mentioned above, it does not help manage hives or other skin allergies (1)....

Propranolol is a beta-blocker drug prescribed for the treatment of cardiac issues such as irregular heart rate and hypertension. Propranolol during pregnancy is seldom prescribed since beta-blockers may pose a risk to the developing fetus. The drug may be prescribed as a last resort when other medicines yield no results. You must consult your doctor before consuming propranolol or other beta-blockers to minimize possible side effects. Read on to know about the safety of using propranolol during pregnancy, the dosage instructions, side effects, and dosage precautions that should be kept in mind....

Electric blankets often reduce or even eliminate the requirement of a heater in the bedroom. These blankets can be used to either warm up the bed or keep you warm while you’re in it. However, you should be careful while using electric blankets during pregnancy since they may raise the core body temperature. Other heating devices, such as heating pads and heated water beds, should also be used with precaution during this time....

A delayed or missed period may make one wonder if they are pregnant. Some couples may consider having a home pregnancy test, such as a bleach home pregnancy test. You may consider such tests either as a preliminary test or because you have no access to home pregnancy test kits immediately. But is the test accurate? Read this post to learn about the bleach pregnancy test, its accuracy, procedure, and the necessary precautions to take while performing it....

Malnutrition in children is defined as an imbalance in nutrient intake and utilization. Statistics suggest that 155 million children under five had stunted growth, while 41 million were overweight or obese in 2016 (1) (2). Growth stunting results from inadequate energy and nutrient intake, whereas overweight or obesity results from excessive intake. Poor eating habits, nutritional malabsorption, and genetic predisposition are common causes of child malnutrition (3). Malnutrition also impacts a child’s growth, development, and general health....

Mother’s milk is the prime source of nutrition for an infant in the initial six months. If you are planning for your baby’s weaning diet, you may be keen on including vitamin-rich fruits like oranges for babies. However, as you continue to breastfeed, you may have to begin solid diets for your baby at this time. This way, you can have your baby explore new tastes and various food textures....

Learning the importance of personal hygiene for teens is essential to help them maintain good health. Personal hygiene is a set of practices used to keep one’s body clean, promote good health, and avoid disease (1). Children pay attention to basic personal hygiene routines until late childhood, such as coughing while covering their mouths and washing hands after meals. However, when they enter adolescence, this list expands to include certain new habits critical to the teen’s health and well-being....

Irrespective of whether it is your first pregnancy or second pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms are generally common across each pregnancy. But sometimes, there may be some early signs of second pregnancy before missed period that can cause you to feel nervous and anxious. Therefore, understanding the reason behind their occurrence is important. Read this post as we help you understand everything about the symptoms you experience in your second pregnancy, including ways to cope with them....

Dogs are the best companions for your little one as they inspire us to love unconditionally. Kids love dogs, and for most of them, it is their favorite animal. If you are wondering how to draw a dog for kids, this post is for you. Teaching your child the right way to draw a dog with some simple and easy steps is not a difficult task if you follow the step-by-step tutorial in this post....