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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.

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.

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 […]

Cute child with a basket of organic vegetables

Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

If you’ve been following the conversation around plant-based diets for children, you may have noticed something significant happened in 2025. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — one of the world’s largest and most respected organizations of nutrition professionals — updated their position on vegetarian and vegan diets, and the change has sparked considerable discussion in the plant-based community. What does this change actually mean for families raising plant-based kids? Has the science changed, or just the messaging? And most importantly, what should parents take away from this shift? Let’s break down what happened and explore what this means for your family’s plant-based journey. Why do people choose to follow plant-based diets? There are several reasons why someone may choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, including religious reasons, health reasons, preferences or tolerances, environmental reasons and sustainability, and animal rights. There are also health benefits associated with plant-based […]

Pregnant woman sits in doctors office while a maternal fetal medicine specialist listens to her questions.

Why You Might Be Referred to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist

Discovering you’ve been referred to a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist can feel overwhelming at first, but understanding this pivotal step in your prenatal care journey can transform uncertainty into empowerment. Whether you’re facing a high-risk pregnancy, managing a chronic condition, or simply need specialized monitoring, an MFM specialist brings advanced expertise to support both you and your growing baby. Here’s what that referral means and what you can expect next. What is Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM)? Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are dual-board-certified obstetricians with advanced training in high-risk pregnancy, and many people also use the term high-risk obstetrician for MFM specialists. There’s an additional layer to the MFM meaning beyond just the acronym. The hyphen in maternal-fetal medicine represents medicine that treats maternal and fetal health as fundamentally linked. It’s an approach to care that recognizes you can’t truly focus on outcomes for the baby without also caring for the mother, and […]

Child patient pets a facility dog during her stay and recovery at Nemours hospital.

How Animal, Art, and Music Therapy Support Healing for Children

At just 18 months old, Carli was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, beginning a journey filled with uncertainty. Despite normal MRIs and no birth trauma, her mobility challenges grew more severe over time. By age 9, walking had become exhausting. After years of searching for answers, Carli’s family found hope at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, where Dr. Wade Shrader confirmed that surgery could improve her mobility and quality of life. In January 2025, Carli underwent a major procedure followed by months of rehabilitation. Recovery was tough, but Carli wasn’t alone. Enter Luna, Monk, Pumpkin, and Ali — therapy and facility dogs who became Carli’s companions, comforters, and cheerleaders during her recovery. Whether lying beside her during painful moments or walking with her after surgery, these furry friends brought smiles, strength, and healing. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is just one example of the holistic care Carli received. Music and art therapy, games […]

Measles disease. Health concept, Infectious, viral diseases. Vaccination of children against measles.

Measles: What Parents Need to Know About Recent Outbreaks

You’ve probably heard the news lately about measles outbreaks in the U.S. Although the disease was declared eliminated here in 2000, there have been increasing outbreaks across the country since 2024. In fact, 2025 saw more confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. than in any year since 1991. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have already reported more than 982 confirmed cases in just the first two months of 2026, with the most occurring in South Carolina and Utah. With cases on the rise, parents must understand measles and know what they need to do to prevent and spot it in their children. Vaccinations: The Best Protection Against Measles Measles is a highly contagious virus and it’s not just a rash and a fever. It can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5. The large majority of people who get measles are unvaccinated (so […]

A Touching Portrait of a Mother and Her Teenage Son Sharing a Warm Hug Outdoors, Highlighting Their Close and Loving Relationship.

The HPV Vaccine: Safety, Benefits, and Common Questions From Parents

Every year, 13 million Americans — including teenagers — contract HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly every sexually active person will get an HPV infection at some point in their life. Most infections clear up, but some persist and develop into cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent this, yet many parents remain uncertain about whether or not to vaccinate their children. For some, it’s fear of side effects. For others, it’s concerns about why it needs to be given so young, and even the implication of saying yes. If you’re a parent trying to make the best decision for your child, here are answers to the most common questions and concerns about the HPV vaccine. What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some strains of HPV cause warts, and […]

Little kids pretending to be a doctor. Shot of a cute little girl with a stethoscope examining her brother. Children playing doctors.

Creating Heart-Healthy Habits Starts in Childhood

You might think cholesterol and heart disease are only adult concerns, but research shows cardiovascular disease begins in childhood. Many teens have unhealthy cholesterol levels, meaning their good cholesterol is too low or their bad cholesterol is too high. And the risk increases dramatically with weight — with obese teens being affected at a rate of 43%. Since childhood obesity rates are significantly higher than in previous generations, more kids are developing abnormal cholesterol levels early. And obesity doesn’t just affect cholesterol — it increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Ready to make a real difference in your child’s heart health? Here are four simple habits you can start today. 1. Get Moving Every Day Being active at a young age can help lay the groundwork for being physically active as an adult. But how much exercise is recommended for children? Healthy kids should get […]

Mother and father are speaking with a genetic counselor about prenatal testing.

Prenatal Genetic Counseling: What Expecting Parents Should Know

Prenatal genetic counseling and preconception (the time period and care that happens prior to pregnancy) genetic counseling and testing offer ways to gain further information and education that can help patients and families make informed decisions about their pregnancy and for preconception planning. There are many testing options available nowadays with different benefits, risks, and limitations. This article lays the foundation for essential questions you may have, such as: However, it’s important to keep in mind that genetic counseling and genetic testing are voluntary — it’s your choice. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed in January 2026 that, “After pretest counseling, every patient has the right to pursue or decline prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing.” So, keep the communication open with your OB/GYN, or maternal-fetal medicine doctors, about the types of testing you’re comfortable with and what the information means (and what it doesn’t). […]

Child taking piece of sugar substitute with tongs in restaurant

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe for Kids? What Parents Should Know

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 2–18 consume about six teaspoons of sugar per day. According to most sources, kids in America are consuming at least three times that amount. Added sugar — the kind that’s put in sweetened drinks, flavored yogurts, and even healthy low-fat packaged foods to make them taste better — is also upping kids’ consumption, and there are more than 60 terms for added sugar approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One way many consumers try to lower their use of sugar, both regular and added, is to use artificial sweeteners (also called sugar substitutes). Regardless of intent, most Americans consume some form of an artificial sweeter daily. That’s because sugar substitutes are used in a variety of packaged products from pudding and candy to desserts and syrups. Reducing added sugar is a benefit of artificial sweeteners, but parents need […]

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