Whether you’re a first-time parent, have multiple kids, or are just looking for the best baby gifts to bring to a shower, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with options. The SmartNoggin NogginStik Developmental Light-Up Rattle boasts stimulating entertainment and sensory learning for babies from birth up—but does it deliver? If you have questions about this product’s design, entertainment value, and primary features, you’ve come to the right place! I took this product home, had my 10-month-old son use it, and evaluated all its key features to see if it was worth buying....

Learning about families and neighborhoods is an essential part of social studies throughout the primary grades, even as children learn about other parts of the United States and the world. In the first grade, children learn more about families and how they live and work, in the United States and elsewhere; explore aspects of the economy such as jobs, transportation, stores and shops, income, spending, and saving; study the different cultures in their region; begin to learn the concepts of city, state, and nation; practice democratic processes such as making rules and decisions; learn inquiry skills such as becoming aware of a problem, knowing how to gain information, being able to organize and analyze information, and finding solutions....

Fortunately, by using simple childproofing measures, such as cabinet locks, doorknob covers, and gates for stairs, along with supervision, you can prevent many accidents and tragedies. Learn the best ways to childproof your living space to keep your little one safe. How to Childproof Your Home While all accidents can’t be avoided, doing your best to make your home safe will help to prevent many of them. There are many steps to follow in order to fully childproof your home, including the following:...

Because depression may be linked to the postpartum drop in hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone), your doctor may attempt to treat your depression medically by controlling the drop in hormone levels. This process involves getting shots to replace the hormones that drop so rapidly after delivery and then titrating (gradually decreasing) the dosage over several weeks. However, despite common belief, postpartum depression is not all due to hormones. New parents often have plenty of good reasons to be depressed....

More: An Age-by-Age Guide to Explaining the Death of a Pet to Children Nearly every American from a certain age can remember what they were doing when the horrific events of 9/11 happened. It was traumatic enough for the millions of Americans who watched, horrified and helpless, from their televisions, but for the people it directly affected—first responders, rescue workers, survivors, and their family members—it paints a completely different story....

Tipping is a part of the way things work—it’s also good manners. But it’s up to you to explain what tipping is and to teach your child when and how to tip. When Your Child Should Tip Tipping started as a way of rewarding good service. Tips were viewed as gifts to servants. Today, tips are a part of the way we pay for things. Different countries have different customs on tipping (in China, for example, it’s an insult to tip)....

What people think of them. Teens are very concerned that they “select” the right identity. They don’t want to be viewed in a negative light (as a “dork,” for example). Unfortunately, dorkhood may encompass many qualities you admire—like making good grades or playing the viola in the school orchestra. They may also seek peer approval by taking up habits like smoking or drinking. The stronger a teen’s self-esteem, the less prone she will be to tailoring her image to what she thinks her peers want her to be....

Menstruation is just one part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a series of hormonal and physical changes that prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, the body resets itself to prepare for another attempt at becoming pregnant. Too Early, Too Late or Just Right? Timing is everything to parents. Did she get her period too early? It is a problem that she hasn’t gotten it yet?...

There are tons of different laptops to choose from, so consider the operating system, storage capacity, and processing power to ensure your child can work efficiently. “The key to selecting tech for kids is to remember that it’s for kids. I always recommend that people look for tech that reduces frustration and boosts learning,” says Madeleine Mortimore, MEd. “If you ask them, kids will often have specific things they want their tech to do....

“The main goal of the pillow should be to provide adequate comfort and support during sleep,” JustAnswer physician DJ Basu, MD MPH, tells Verywell Family. “Properly designed pillows can prevent sleep apnea, acid reflux, and also can provide support for side sleeping. As the uterus grows with pregnancy, back sleeping should be avoided. After 16 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is heavy enough to exert pressure on the inferior vena cava (IVC), the major blood vessel located just right to the center of the abdominal cavity vertically....

Electrolytes are responsible for maintaining many normal bodily functions including hydration, proper functioning of nerves, muscles, and chemicals, and building and breaking down molecules in the body. The mechanisms that allow you to move, speak, and even digest food would be impossible without an appropriate balance of electrolytes. Electrolytes and fluids can typically come from a healthful diet, and supplements are not usually needed for children who are feeling well and eating and drinking regularly....

“With a double jogging stroller, size and weight are huge factors because they can be very big and heavy. So be sure that you consider whether you’ll be able to run while pushing the weight of your stroller, plus your two kids,” Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, Road Runner Club of America certified running coach, tells Verywell Family. “Also, think about whether you’ll be able to store it easily or get it into your car without any trouble....

Infants generally begin teething anywhere from 4 to 7 months of age. But the timeline for teething can also be incredibly variable and may even begin after a year of life—so don’t worry if you feel your little one isn’t sprouting teeth early enough. Teething is commonly associated with excessive drooling, discomfort, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and even, at times, a low-grade fever. Studies show that oral stimulation, such as teething biscuits or cold external pressure, can support symptom management....

Safety features, like a five-point harness, sturdy construction, and easy-to-understand installation are some of the most important factors when shopping for a car seat. You should also pay attention to the height and weight guidance to ensure you are getting a car seat that will suit your child now—and as they grow. We carefully considered these features, along with, design, material, ease of cleaning, comfort, and value when reviewing products....

When searching for the right bottle rack, consider how much counter space you’re willing to sacrifice, as some can be quite large. A bottle rack with adequate airflow and enough space and compartments to dry all of your bottles, sippy cups, and accessories is ideal. We carefully considered design, material, capacity, value, and functionality when reviewing products. Whether you need a large rack to accommodate several bottles or an option that will last through the sippy cup stage, these are the best bottle drying racks for your home....

Pregnancy is such a special and unique time of life. It changes your body, your daily experience, and your future. It can be very comforting and helpful to find information about pregnancy that can help you feel at ease, know what to expect, and plan for different stages of pregnancy accordingly. More: The Best Baby Name Books of 2020 There is a multitude of books on pregnancy out there to choose from, but very much like pregnancy itself, they are not one size fits all....

via GIPHY Fidget spinners can be a lot of fun when used correctly. What began as a little distracting toy has turned into the next big craze to replace Pokemon Go!. And just as the summer of 2016 saw distracted gamers walking off cliffs, into traffic, and into walls, the summer of 2017 is seeing trips to the E.R. due to the dangers of fidget spinners. Taken at face value, fidget spinners don’t rate too high on the potential danger scale....

The issue: Schools understand that parents are at different stages in terms of their understanding and acceptance of a child’s disability and their ability or willingness to work cooperatively with the school. The solution: Simply stated, parents of children with special needs have to be given the time to “tell their story.” Unless schools provide periodic opportunities for parents to let teachers and other professionals know something about what it’s really like to have “a kid like this,” teachers won’t get a picture of the whole child....