Sure, brushing their teeth isn't many kids' favorite thing to do, and who can blame 'em? It doesn't exactly scream "fun." That is, unless they're using the right products. Thankfully, there are plenty of items that take everyday toothbrushes (and floss and mouth rinse) from boring to exciting with cool lights, pop-up features, and more. Still don't buy it? Click through to see what we mean.
Organic is healthier, right? That's why you and your kids should be eating organic. But is it really worth the added cost to feed your family organically? Though a study out last Fall suggested that, kids might not be healthier due to an organic diet one of the key doctors of the study, Dr. Joel Forman of the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center is convinced that developing brains are vulnerable to chemical exposure, and that eating organically can reduce their risk of coming in contact with pesticides.
I was lucky enough to hear Dr. Forman speak about the benefits of organic eating at the Mount Sinai Greening Our Children luncheon this week (I was a guest of The Honest Company, as Jessica Alba was being honored with the organization's Champion for Children Award). His reasoning, and easy tips for doing so, were enough to make me change my shopping habits. Keep reading for five reasons to ditch pesticide-ridden food and seven steps you can take to make healthier shopping choices.
We've all heard of swollen feet during pregnancy, and while it's a not-so-surprising side effect considering they're supporting all that extra weight, the Fred Flintstone-foot look many women sport during pregnancy can often be shocking. Case in point: Kim Kardashian's swollen, but still-rocking-stilletto feet have recently become internet fodder because they just look so crazy uncomfortable (seriously, Kim, put away the four-inch heels . . . for now, at least). But your feet are not the only body parts that can retain fluid while you're expecting. We've all seen a pregnant woman who looked so fluid-filled you kind of wanted to stick a pin in her to see if she'd pop (or maybe you were one of those women?), but water retention can hit less obvious places as well.
It's a condition that doesn't discriminate — both Kim and Jessica Simpson showed off swollen lips during their first pregnancies. Jessica worried it might have been the first stage of "pregnancy face," a side effect that Bethenny Frankel dealt with by massage and putting bags of frozen veggies on her face. "I’m a swollen beast. My face exploded . . . I look like a chipmunk,” she tweeted while expecting daughter Bryn. Keep reading for 8 less talked-about body parts that can make for an often uncomfortable, and sometimes unsightly, pregnancy and postpartum experience.
Slather on the lotion! If you thought the breast vs. bottle debate was polarizing, wait until you talk to fellow playground moms about sunscreen. Though lotions and sticks protect little ones' skin from cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, doctors advise new mamas to use physical barriers — SPF clothing, umbrellas, and shades — rather than lotions on babies younger than 6 months old.
Once tots reach the six-month mark, keep them protected from the sun without harming them in other ways. The Environmental Working Group just released its recommendations for the best sunscreens for tots — seeking out products that do not contain potential hormone disruptors. The group recommends staying away from spray-on lotions and powders, as well as those containing oxybenzone or vitamin A. Tops on their list are sunscreens using zinc or titanium for the best UVA/UVB protection without the use of such harmful chemicals. Click through to see 10 of their top picks (which includes many that can be found at your local drugstore — not just at specialty stores).
Spring-cleaning isn't all about getting rid of dust bunnies or old furniture. It's also a chance to shape up certain aspects of our lives — or our little ones' lives. This upcoming season, rethink your child's eating habits. We don't blame you if go-to, easy snacks and meals have made their way into their eating habits, but it's important to know there are healthy alternatives out there that are just as tasty.
Have a look at our suggestions — do you have any of your own?
If you've got a little one on the way, you know that staying fit is vital to a healthy pregnancy, and can even ease the pains of labor and delivery. Spring may very well be the most welcome season for a mom-to-be, as warmer weather makes outdoor workouts a whole lot more appealing. We've rounded up some of our favorite new finds in the world of maternity fitness apparel for Spring. Now all you need to do is get outside, and get moving!
Source: Thinkstock
As we all know (hopefully not from firsthand experience), this flu season has been especially rough, with the epidemic spreading across the entire country. If you're pregnant, the thought of being sick is especially daunting, and while vaccinations have been recommended for moms-to-be for more than five decades, a new study on the flu vaccine out of Norway sheds further light on the topic. According to TODAY Health, the study, released on Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the risk of fetal death was nearly twice as high for women who weren't vaccinated as it was for vaccinated mothers. Following the study's release, an obstetrics group reminded its members that while the flu epidemic may be waning, it's not too late for pregnant patients to get vaccinated.
Tell us, did your obstetrician give you a flu shot while you were pregnant?
Fans of NBC's The Biggest Loser are in for a surprise when the show kicks off its 14th season this Sunday, Jan. 6. For the first time in its eight-year history, the weight-loss competition will tackle the topic of childhood obesity, featuring a teen contestant between the ages of 13 and 17 on each of its three teams. While the kids will not be eligible for elimination as the rest of the show's participants are, their weight-loss progress will be documented on the show, casting a very public eye on their personal journeys.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 17 percent (12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese, with the epidemic nearly tripling since 1980. The Biggest Loser's celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has a personal connection to the plight of overweight kids: "As a former overweight teen, I know firsthand how dramatically weight issues can affect every aspect of a child's life. Having recently become a mother of two, I am more passionate than ever about helping empower children and families with the information and resources they need to live a healthier life."
What do you think? Is casting a public eye on the teen contestants' struggles with their weight a positive move in the fight against childhood obesity, or is putting the still-developing kids on the show too aggressive of an approach?
We already know that drinking orange juice is a great way for kids to get their daily dose of cold-fighting vitamin C. But with Winter on the horizon and germs in abundance, we're all about upping their intake of immunity-boosting goodness. Click through to learn about six fruits and veggies that are unexpectedly high in vitamin C and how to incorporate them into your family's repertoire.
American babies have access to great hospitals, educational and career opportunities, and a societal structure that allows them whatever kind of future they want to have . . . right? Not necessarily so.
A new study that asks what is the best country to be born in in 2013, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, reported results that just may surprise you — it surprised us. In a ranking of 80 countries across the globe, the US only ranked as No. 16. The indicators used to come to this conclusion include everything from geography and demography to policies and the state of the economy. American babies born in the coming year will inherit massive debt from the baby boomer generation, which accounts partially for our nation's mediocre ranking.
The top three places to be born? Switzerland, Australia, and Norway, where citizens report having the best quality of life. Nigeria came in last at No. 80. Click here to check out the rankings in their entirety, and tell us, do you agree that the US belongs in 16th place?
