Babies Health

Saving a newborn’s cord blood is often seen as part of the stem cell research debate, but the benefits to the family can be numerous. The stem cells found in the umbilical cord would simply be...

Gastroschisis, which causes the intestines to protrude outside the belly, results from a weakness in the abdominal wall and must be repaired surgically. Gastroschisis is not normal. Although a...

Many women use birth control as a way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. One of the concerns about birth control is whether or not it will hurt the unborn child if it is taken during a pregnancy.

Birth can be an overwhelming experience. If you have difficulty pushing your baby's head out, your doctor may choose to assist your birth by using a vacuum. However, the assisted birth does come...

Seizures in a baby less than 28 days old can have many different causes, but several similarities exist. Seizures can often be short in duration and subtle in their appearance, making it difficult...

Infants born prematurely are likely to struggle with breathing and have problems fighting infection in the first few months of life, but with proper medical care, they can make full recoveries,...

When a baby is born there are many possible variations of skin coloring and birth marks. Birthmarks are generally not a cause for concern and many will fade as the infant grows older.

When a woman goes into labor, the birth is classified as premature, full term or post term. A delivery that occurs before 37 weeks gestation is considered premature.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every eight babies born in the United States is born premature. That amounts to over half a million babies born too early...

When pregnant, you hope for a healthy baby. You may feel as though your belly couldn't get any tighter and your baby couldn't get any bigger. Birth weights, however, vary despite how big you feel...

Weight gain is a reliable general marker for the health of newborns and infants, as well as a main concern for many new parents. Slow weight gain, or lack of weight gain, can indicate a number of...

Breastfeeding moms may not think birth control is a priority, but since you may ovulate before your first post-partum menstrual period, you should choose a birth control option at six week...

Since labor and giving birth are both part of the same, painful experience, many women opt to do one, the other or both in a tub of warm water. This is still an alternative method, but it's...

It is possible for women to get pregnant while on birth control pills, though it is a rare occurrence. The hormones in birth control pills are not believed to have any major effects on the fetus.

The number of multiple births has increased over the years. According to the University of Florida, babies born from a multiple birth have more than a 50 percent chance of having adverse health...

Your baby should develop and grow at a certain rate. Your healthcare professional, such as your midwife or doctor will keep track of fetal growth by measuring your abdomen, your weight and...

After time of birth, the next and more important statistic attached to a newborn's name is his birth weight. It is far more important than just giving a new father bragging rights. It will help...

Weight loss in newborns after birth is normal and expected. The medical staff will monitor the newborn's weight on a regular basis during the hospital stay after birth. In addition, the...

A birth certificate details all of the specifics of the birth of a child. Important information such as hospital name and location, name of parents, the doctor that delivered the baby, the time of...

Weight loss in infants within three to four days after birth is common and not a matter of concern. But since weight gain is a parameter for good health, babies must be monitored properly. The...

As a parent, you want your infant to be normal, especially in terms of weight. But what exactly is normal infant weight and how does it affect you and your baby? In order to understand normal...

Many factors influence whether an infant will have a low, high or normal birth weight. A baby born at full term usually weighs between 6 and 9 pounds and measures between 19 and 21 inches. (The...

Anything you take into your body during pregnancy can affect your baby. Using drugs like crystal methamphetamine, also known as meth or crack, is especially dangerous to both you and your babies'...

Healthy infants lose weight during the first few days after birth. Some may lose more or less than others. Significant infant weight loss is usually due to feeding issues, but can be a sign of...

When you welcome your newborn baby to the family, remember to enroll him in DEERS to ensure he will have insurance coverage under the Tricare health system. It is important to complete this...

Breast-fed newborn babies may lose up to 10 percent of their birth weight in the first week of life without cause for alarm or medical intervention; however if they lose more than 7 percent in the...

Many women decide, after a period of using birth control, that it is time to become pregnant. Each woman's body is different. The time it will take to become pregnant after going off birth control...

It has long been held that routine alcohol consumption and drug use during pregnancy creates excessive risks to fetal development and ongoing problems after the baby is born. The Surgeon General...

Prematurity is the leading cause of death among newborn babies. Infants who survive may live with chronic illnesses and face increased medical and educational costs. Because of these facts, the...

During the first month of the last trimester of pregnancy, the growing baby starts to resemble a newborn very closely in her proportions and is starting to prepare for birth. He will develop more...

The newborn stage, birth to one month, is a critical period for development. Children at this age begin to build trust with caregivers and their environment. It is important for parents to know...

Yeast infection in babies often occurs in the mouth as thrush or as a yeast diaper rash. Both conditions can have the same cause and may be hard to treat.

The bones of a newborn's skull are not fused together, giving it flexibility to pass through the birth canal. These bones grow together and fuse over time to form a stiff cranium that protects the...

The chance of a woman becoming pregnant while using hormonal birth control as directed is 1 to 2 percent. However, many women don't follow their birth control regimen perfectly. For example, if...

Hemangioma is the medical term for a birth mark that occurs at birth or shortly after birth. According to the National Institutes of Health, only 30 percent of hemangiomas appear at birth with the...

Heroin is a highly addictive, semi-synthetic opioid drug. Heroin is sometimes used illegally for recreational use because it produces intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Tolerance to...

Infants with Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) face a variety of challenges. Many risk factors have been identified for this condition. However, early intervention can counteract some of the...

If your spouse is considering having a natural childbirth then this is great news. Women’s bodies are especially created to bring forth life and it is truly an amazing quest that she wants to try...

A birthing plan is a plan that basically tells your physician or certified midwife what you would like to see happen during your birth experience. Although things can change during the birthing...

I’m not going to lie to you but natural childbirth used to scare the begeezers out of me. In fact, when I was in high school, I had to watch a movie in health class in order to pass the class and...

Babies develop according to their own timetable, reaching milestones at varying ages. The progression through these milestones occurs in a predictable sequence and within broad time frames. Babies...

If you are pregnant and hoping for a great natural birth, here are some tips to get you from start to finish with no drugs and lots of pride!

Anything that a pregnant woman ingests into her body travels to the baby by way of the blood stream. When a pregnant woman smokes, her body and lungs absorb the nearly 2,500 different chemicals...

The Apgar test is a quick way for doctors to figure out if the baby is healthy or needs extra medical care. Apgar tests are usually done twice: one minute after birth and again five minutes after...

Expectant mothers experience strong emotions about the upcoming addition to their family but when a pregnancy shows signs of ending in a premature birth, the emotions can be overwhelming....