Pacifiers and babies seem sort of synonymous. If you picture a cute little baby, you may picture them waddling around in a diaper, sucking happily on a binky. But for some parents, deciding whether to use a pacifier might be confusing. How Pacifiers Work All babies are born with a strong desire to suck. In fact, one of your baby’s inborn reflexes is the “sucking reflex,” which means that anytime you place a nipple-shaped object in your baby’s mouth—whether it’s a breast nipple, a bottle nipple, a pacifier, or even a finger—your baby will likely begun sucking, without even thinking about it....

While there are benefits to letting multiples sleep together in the NICU, there may also be drawbacks to cobedding. Possible Benefits Although nurses, parents and case studies agree that there are benefits to letting multiples sleep together in the NICU, there aren’t enough large, well-designed scientific studies to prove any of the possible benefits for certain. Possible benefits of cobedding multiples include: Enhanced developmental care: Developmental care is easing the transition to life by providing care that mimics the womb as much as possible....

However, older cribs, and even newer ones, that have been misused or not maintained well can be a safety hazard. Recent changes in crib safety standards also make buying a used crib difficult now, because it’s illegal to sell some types of older cribs. Before buying a used baby crib, check it over carefully to be sure the budget savings are not at the cost of safety. Don’t Buy Used Crib Pieces Look at a used baby crib while it is set up, so you can check it over carefully....

Throughout the school year, it’s easy for parents and their seniors to get wrapped up in the process of filling out applications, visiting college campuses, doing college interviews and discussing college essay questions, that they forget to ask themselves the most critical question of all: Is my high school senior truly ready for college? Unfortunately, the majority of parents just assume that the logical next step after accepting a diploma is to attend college in the fall....

A well-known Greek and Latin name, Silas means “wood” or “forest.” Sylvanus was the Roman god of the countryside and his name was originally bestowed on people who lived in wooded areas or who worked with wood. In the New Testament, St. Silas was a leading member of the early Christian community who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. How Popular Is the Name Silas? Silas is the No....

Let’s back up for a moment and address one issue that seems to baffle some people: why singles choose to adopt kids. Single Adoptions: Pros and Cons Single men and women want to adopt a child for many of the same reasons that married people want to (wanting a child to love, wanting to give a child a family, not being able to get pregnant, and so on). But why, you might be wondering, don’t they wait until they’re married?...

The dubious six disciplinary techniques are: assigned reading caring for a younger sibling chores constructive criticism grounding removing privileges Assigned Reading I know parents who use reading as a consequence for misbehavior, and I’m dubious. Yes, it’s gentle, nonviolent, and educational, but I believe that reading, especially reading outside of school, should be fun, not linked in any way, shape or form to unpleasantness. Besides, it encourages children to change their behavior in order to avoid reading....

A Cache from the Cow The beef stews are both cosmopolitan and cozy. Some are perfect for parties, and others are favorites families in countries around the world have loved for generations. One key to the success of beef stews is browning the meat. The browning adds a distinctive flavor to the finished dishes and makes the beef more visually appealing. Porking Out One little piggy might have gone to market, but lots of little and big piggies end up in my slow cooker as stews each year, especially now that “the other white meat” has shed its bad rap as being fatty....

Effort: Quick and easy - no sewing required Materials: Large cardboard sheets Scissors Baby blue, white, and silver glitter spray paint and paint brush Elastic for armbands Baby blue, white, or silver shirt and pants Lots of glitter makeup and glitter hair spray Instructions: Cut snowflake shape out of cardboard. Make as large as you want. Poke 2 small holes on either side of snowflake and string a piece of elastic through....

Multi-Sport Programs These programs provide structure and support for a variety of athletic activities. A benefit of connecting with these programs is that your child will be able to choose from among different sports. Paralympics Paralympics provides competition for athletes with physical disabilities. The organization oversees 28 different sports activities, including team sports such as wheelchair basketball and individual sports such as archery. Special Olympics Special Olympics offers opportunities in a variety of sports for people with intellectual disabilities....

Your Family History Your mother and father, and grandmother and grandfather, and brothers and sisters—even your cousins!—all have something to say medically about the health of your child-to-be. If you are at risk for carrying a genetic disease that runs in your family or ethnic group (cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs, for example), there are things you can do before you get pregnant to decrease the likelihood of passing the gene on to your baby....

When your children behave, reward them by thanking them. When you see your children sharing, tell them that they should be proud of themselves. If you want to reduce the amount of arguing between two children, call attention to the time when they are not arguing. If your children have a negative attitude, reward anything positive. Do not give in to your children’s demands. Ignore your children when they try to get your attention in a negative way....

Symptoms of a Concussion If an athlete has a concussion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coaches, parents, or other students might notice that the injured player: Appears dazed or stunnedIs confused about assignmentForgets playsIs unsure of game, score, or opponentMoves clumsilyAnswers questions slowlyLoses consciousnessShows behavior or personality changesCan’t recall events prior to hitCan’t recall events after hit Or the athlete himself might report the following symptoms if he has a concussion, including a:...

Will my child still be interested in going to college? There are instances, Jacobson maintains, when the teenager wants a year off, but the parents fear that their son or daughter may never go on to college. In such cases, the parents and their son or daughter may want to draw up a plan. “If students can present a sequence of actions that they will pursue in the interim, I find parents are much less likely to balk at the suggestion....

Finding the Words To be honest, we must possess the courage to confront what we fear: rejection, disapproval, failure, and humiliation. Our kids need our help to develop that courage. Here are some questions designed to elicit some honest answers: The Words: “Why are people dishonest?” The Reason: We offer many reasons why we lie, cheat, deceive, and pretend. These rationalizations and justifications enable us to avoid facing our dishonest acts....

If you are embarking on the process of teaching your first teen to drive, or if you are trying for a first “successful” experience, then there are some things you should know about teaching your child to drive. What to Know and What to Expect As you begin the process of teaching your teen driver, you should be aware of the basic rules for success. Be careful with directions. Give your teen lots of notice when you want him to do something....

“Hormones fluctuate significantly during pregnancy, which can cause many changes in the skin. Some concerns include hyperpigmentation (including melasma), acne, dry skin, and stretch marks,” explains Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. You don’t have to toss out your entire arsenal of products when you’re pregnant, but there are definitely ingredients you want to avoid, says Dr. Yadav. The top two are retinol, either over-the-counter or prescription, and salicylic acid....