Jul 19, 2022

Most new parents and caregivers will reach for a pacifier at some point when it comes to settling an upset baby. While pacifiers go by many names, the goal is usually the same—to satisfy a baby’s natural need to suck and offer comfort to a fussing baby. Pacifiers are safe to use from birth and have shown some benefits for children, especially in the first six months of life. Long-term pacifier use, however, can come with complications. Here’s a look at how to introduce a pacifier to your baby, when and how to use it effectively, and signs it may be time to let it go.

Jun 28, 2022

There is no doubt that—in most cases—having an involved grandparent or grandparents is highly beneficial to children. The relationship between a child and grandparent is unique and special. It provides children with an added sense of safety and familial structure and can encourage independence through overnight sleepovers and other get togethers. In general, the greater grandparental involvement in a child’s life, the greater a child’s overall wellbeing.

Jun 21, 2022

In an ideal world, parents and caregivers wouldn’t have to help their child cope with the death of a loved one at a very young age. But while we may hope the hard conversations about life, death, and grief can wait until children are older, the reality is many parents will have to face this scenario during the preschool years—often with the passing of a grandparent or older relative. The death of a close friend or family member is stressful on both kids and grownups, and the best way to face it is head on and together. Here are some tips for helping your preschooler understand and cope with the death of someone they love.

Jun 7, 2022

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift following the winter wave of the Omicron variant, parents are faced with the task of easing their child back into pre-pandemic socialization skills.

May 31, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc in the lives of families with young children in many ways. Over the past two and a half years, childcare centers were closed, family members became sick, and restrictions changed daily, among other things. Though the United States is arguably through the worst of the pandemic, some families are still feeling the impact in surprising ways. One of those ways is the recent baby formula shortage happening across the country.

May 31, 2022

Constant media coverage of gun violence in American schools can make it difficult not to imagine a worst-case scenario at your child’s school, and the mental and emotional toll these horrific events take on both parents and students is immense. Parents and caregivers may wonder just how much they should discuss with their child in the wake of such tragedies.