Nemours Blog Posts | Expert Tips on Child Health & Wellness

MATERNAL FETAL HEALTH 4 min read

How Doctors Balance Care for Mom and Baby

Hearing that your healthy pregnancy is now considered high-risk can feel like the ground shifting beneath your feet. That moment when everything you imagined about this chapter of your life suddenly looks more complicated, and far more uncertain, than you expected. However, complex pregnancies are exactly what maternal-fetal medicine specialists — or MFMs — are trained for, and the care that surrounds your family in those moments is more thoughtful and more coordinated than you realize. In fact, it’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of families navigate this experience every year. So even when the stress is high, you aren’t going through it alone. Here are some things to know about the coordination and expertise that’s taking place within your maternal fetal health (MFH) care team to treat, support, and make decisions for both mother and baby. What should families understand about the decision-making process? One of the most remarkable […]

Closeup of little girl putting fluoride toothpaste on a toothbrush.

DENTAL HEALTH

Fluoride for Kids: Benefits, Safety, and Guidelines for Parents

Every parent wants their child to grow up with a healthy smile, and fluoride plays a crucial role in making that happen. This natural mineral has transformed children’s dental health over the past eight decades, dramatically reducing cavities and preventing painful tooth decay. While fluoride works throughout life, it’s particularly valuable during childhood when teeth are developing and most vulnerable to decay. Understanding how fluoride works, where it comes from, and how to use it safely empowers parents to make informed decisions about their children’s oral health. Here’s what you need to know. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and soil. Trace amounts of fluoride are found naturally in some foods. Fluoride is also found in toothpastes, mouth rinses, and supplements prescribed by dentists or doctors. Fluoride mainly supports dental health. The good news is that children absorb fluoride efficiently, as their teeth and bones […]

Mother and daughter sit together on a bed holding hands as they have a supportive conversation.

12-18 YEARS: TEEN

PCOS Is Now Called PMOS: What You Need to Know

Parents with teen daughters often describe the same experience: their daughter receives a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and suddenly a constellation of symptoms — irregular periods, persistent acne, unexpected weight changes — finally has a name. There’s relief in that moment, but still some confusion. And now, you may start hearing a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This new name is far more than a simple rebranding, however. It signals a profound evolution in how clinicians understand what’s actually happening in the bodies of millions of girls and women living with this condition. For parents especially, the new name can help make sense of symptoms that may have felt disconnected from one another. Whether your daughter has already received a PCOS diagnosis or you’re still searching for answers, here’s what this change means, and what you need to know. Why is PCOS now called PMOS? For […]

Close up of a girl holding her stomach indicating indigestion.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

The Benefits of a Low FODMAP Diet: A Guide to Better Digestive Health

Does this story sound familiar? Your child just ate lunch and is going about their day when symptoms suddenly hit. They feel bloated and gassy, their stomach starts to cramp, and they may even experience diarrhea or constipation. You see how these symptoms disrupt their day, but nothing you’ve tried seems to help. For many children and teens with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other dietary sensitivities, certain carbohydrates can cause more trouble than they’re worth. The low FODMAP diet for beginners can help calm this digestive discomfort by identifying which foods may trigger symptoms. Learn how to help your child feel more comfortable and confident around food. What are FODMAPs? In 2005, researchers in the Department of Gastroenterology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia identified a group of short-chain carbohydrates found in food that are either poorly absorbed in the small intestine or impossible to digest. The team named […]

A woman smiles as she discusses her feeling with a doctor.

MATERNAL FETAL HEALTH

Maternal Mental Health After a Fetal Diagnosis: Finding Stability Amid Uncertainty

When expectant parents receive news of a fetal diagnosis or structural difference during pregnancy, the experience can feel overwhelming. The journey that once seemed straightforward suddenly becomes filled with medical appointments, difficult decisions, and sometimes significant uncertainty. The impact of a fetal diagnosis on maternal mental health is profound. What many parents don’t realize is that while their emotional responses are an individual reaction to a challenging new time for their family, these emotional responses can simply be part of the drastic deviation from the expected, or they can be signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders — which are more prevalent in expectant parents facing care in a fetal center. In addition to having an informed awareness of risk factors for perinatal mental health disorders, recognizing the unique emotional challenges families face is a centerpiece of a fetal center’s collaborative care. Mental health screening is a stepping […]

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Eczema in Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Symptoms, Triggers, and Care

Eczema (EG-zeh-muh), also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects babies and young children, often improving naturally as children grow. However, it can sometimes persist into adolescence and adulthood. Eczema symptoms typically begin before a child reaches 1 year old, and up to 25% of children are affected. For parents, eczema often shows up as dry, itchy, or irritated skin that can be uncomfortable — and sometimes frustrating — to manage. The good news is that with the right care, most children’s symptoms can be well controlled. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidance for managing eczema in 2025, emphasizing proactive care, mental health impacts, and emerging therapies. Below, we answer common questions parents have about caring for a child with eczema and what these new recommendations mean for families. What causes eczema in children? Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic, […]

Little boy in glasses and suspenders looking up as if he is pondering something.

SCHOOL & FAMILY

How to Choose the Best Childcare for You and Your Family

Choosing childcare can feel a bit like starting a big adventure, one filled with new places, new faces, and lots of big decisions. The good news? Your pediatrics team is here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow roadmap to help you find the best childcare fit for your family. Exploring Different Types of Childcare Options When it comes to choosing a child or infant care provider, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right fit for your family depends on factors such as cost, location, classroom size, accommodations, and specialized services. Childcare options may be run by schools, universities, churches, independent providers, employers, hospitals, and the military. There are also specialized childcare centers for children with medical or developmental needs. Here’s an overview of the types of settings where childcare is provided: Family Childcare Homes Smaller home-based settings run by 1–2 caregivers. This is […]

Postpartum mom working out at home by performing a squat exercise.

At-Home Workout for Postpartum Moms

Staying active during pregnancy? That’s a goal many expecting moms embrace. But what about after your baby arrives? Between the physical changes your body is experiencing and the around-the-clock demands of a newborn, finding the time and energy to hit the gym can feel impossible. Yet this is exactly when movement matters. Moving your body — even for just a 10-minute exercise at home — can speed healing, improve your mood, increase energy, and reduce stress. That’s why we’ve designed a quick, full-body workout that requires no equipment, can be done entirely at home, and is gentle enough that baby can snooze right through it. When to Start: At Home Workouts for Moms According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), if you had a healthy pregnancy and a typical vaginal delivery, you should be able to start exercising again even just a few days after your baby is born. If you have a cesarean birth or […]

Photo showing close-up, elevated view of arch of chopped multi-coloured fruits and vegetables. Rainbow of chopped red, orange and yellow bell peppers, green peas, red onion and a blueberry.

NUTRITION

Eat the Rainbow: Your Guide to Colorful Nutrition

We know eating fruits and veggies can provide tons of health benefits and are an important part of a balanced diet. But why is it so important to “eat the rainbow?” Fruits and veggies are dense in phytochemicals and micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — that our bodies need to function properly and grow, but not all fruits and vegetables are equal. Depending on the color, different nutrients may be more abundant in some fruits and veggies than in others. Let’s explore how eating the rainbow can provide our bodies with different nutrients and what they can do for us! What is a fruit – and what is a vegetable? Fruits are the parts of plants that contain seeds, such as apples, berries, oranges, and melons. Surprisingly, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and avocados are also fruits. They all have seeds and develop from flowers. Healthy fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, […]

Pregnant woman writing in her notebook while lying on hospital bed in fetal center while journaling.

MATERNAL FETAL HEALTH

What to Expect During an Extended Stay at a Fetal Care Center

When you’re told that you or your baby needs extended monitoring during a pregnancy complicated by a congenital anomaly or fetal diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming. This is especially true when you are cared for within a fetal center. Perhaps you came in for a routine appointment, or maybe something unexpected happened that brought you to the hospital. Either way, the news that you’ll need to stay longer can stir up a whirlwind of emotions — worry, frustration, loneliness, and uncertainty about what lies ahead. If you’re reading this, you may be facing this reality as an expectant parent within a fetal center right now, or perhaps you want to be prepared just in case. In a fetal center, the need for extended monitoring varies greatly, but it’s a precaution that helps ensure both you and your baby receive the specialized care you need, and there are ways to make […]

Happy little girl blowing pollen from a flower outside in spring.

Spring Allergy Season Is Starting Early: What Parents Can Do

Spring 2026 is shaping up to be a tough allergy season based on January and February’s roller coaster temperature shifts from early warmth to sudden cold snaps, which set the stage for intense pollen production in some areas. And with tree pollen arriving weeks ahead of schedule and pollen counts predicted to spike rapidly across the East Coast, parents need to plan ahead to minimize seasonal allergy suffering. The good news? You don’t have to wait for the sniffles and sneezes to start. The best way to care for allergies in kids is to track what’s happening outside, get ready for pollen season inside, and see the doctor (if needed) to manage allergies early. By taking action before the pollen bomb hits in March and April, you can help your children breathe easier and enjoy spring the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. When is allergy season? In the United […]