Up to 60 percent of birth mothers experience carpal tunnel while pregnant. The increased blood flow and fluid retention, common during pregnancy, increase your risk of developing this condition. What is the carpal tunnel? The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist, formed by bones and tissue. Tendons, blood vessels and nerves run through this narrow tunnel, and the limited space available can lead to problems. The median nerve runs from the neck, down the arm and to the hand and is responsible for feeling in the fingers. When the median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel, it can ..read more

A clogged duct is a common ailment experienced by breastfeeding mothers. For that reason, you might find a lot of conflicting advice about what to do to relieve a clogged milk duct. Before following any advice on how to clear a clogged milk duct, it helps to understand exactly what it is. Understanding plugged ducts Inside a lactating breast are clumps of alveoli lined with milk making cells. These alveoli are joined together to form lobules. These smaller structures, the lobules, join together to form lobes, from which small, thin ducts run towards the nipple, where breast milk is made availa ..read more

Toxic erythema of the newborn might sound like a worrying condition. In fact, erythema toxicum is a benign and harmless rash that occurs in newborn babies, usually within a few days of birth and it resolves within two weeks of life. Read on to find out more about erythema toxicum (newborn rash). Signs and symptoms of newborn rash Erythema toxicum, sometimes simply referred to as ‘newborn rash’, is a common rash that might appear on a baby’s skin soon after birth. The rash usually appears first on a baby’s face, then extends to the torso, arms and legs. It rarely occurs on the palms of the hand ..read more

Parents learn to understand their babies pretty quickly. Within days of the birth, you probably identified the cornerstones of your baby’s personality. You might have described your baby as easy, grumpy or sensitive, depending on the traits you noticed. Few parents realize that these early personality traits are characteristics of their baby’s early temperament that could hold vital clues to their child’s future personality. Your baby’s temperament refers to various biological patterns and individual differences that determine how the baby responds to the world. Temperament influences your bab ..read more

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe the impact on individuals exposed to alcohol in the womb. FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that cannot be cured. Individuals with FASD might have physical, developmental and neurophysical symptoms. Symptoms and severity can vary between individuals. Unfortunately, this condition is still widely unknown. As a result, many children living with FASD do not get the diagnoses and help they need. Early diagnosis can be life-changing for people living with FASD, so it’s essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of th ..read more

Is there anything better than sniffing the addictive scent of your newborn baby’s head as he sleeps on your chest? No. Having a newborn baby take a nap on you is truly one of the greatest pleasures known to mothers. While your little one is catching up on some much-needed sleep (hey, it’s not easy being a night owl), you can soak up the perfection of your new baby and enjoy some rest time yourself. Contact napping isn’t just for newborns; you can continue contact napping with babies as they grow. Sure, they’ll get heavier, and you might suffer from the occasional dead arm from the weight of yo ..read more

When you first discover you’re pregnant, it can feel a bit like going back to school; there’s so much to learn. The food you consume will affect your baby, so it’s crucial to make sure you’re eating pregnancy-safe foods and consuming safe drinks. You might be wondering whether it’s safe to drink alcohol during pregnancy or worrying about that glass of wine you enjoyed before discovering your pregnancy. You should avoid alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy could harm your baby. The more alcohol you drink, the greater the risk of harm to your baby ..read more

Hearing your baby’s heartbeat is a special experience that’s unlike anything else. It can make the pregnancy feel more real as you listen, in the midwife’s office, to the fast beating of your baby’s heart. Many pregnant women find listening to the rapid beat of their baby’s heart reassuring, and it’s seen as a good way to bond with your unborn child. Some women would like to have an at-home listening device, so they can allow their partner and children to hear the new baby’s heartbeat. A better option might be to ask your midwife to allow the whole family to come to your appointment, to listen ..read more

Your body will go through a lot of changes during pregnancy, so you’ll need to update your wardrobe with clothes specially designed for a growing belly. Even your underwear drawer will need a pregnancy glow-up. Your favourite pair of pre-pregnancy panties are unlikely to fit you as you approach your baby’s due date. Comfort is key during pregnancy, so you’ll want maternity pants that fit your ever-changing bump. Comfort doesn’t have to mean ugly, however, so don’t panic if you like sexy underwear; there are plenty of options out there for sexy maternity underwear in 2024. Keep reading to see o ..read more

Traditionally, school and home were seen as separate spheres. Parents left children’s education to the school and schools left the parenting to the parents. However, we know children do better in life if school and parents work together. The Epstein model is a framework schools can follow to boost effective parental involvement and engage the wider community in the education of their students. Who is Joyce Epstein? Joyce Epstein is Co-Director of the Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships. Epstein is known for her research into parental involvement in education to improve student ..read more