Author Page for Darlene Oakley
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How to Manage a Cold During Pregnancy
How to Manage a Cold During Pregnancy
With all of the physical changes that come along with pregnancy, the last thing any of us wants to deal with is a cold, but because the immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, it is not uncommon to develop a cold or flu during this time. With so many things off limits it's hard to know what you can take and what you have to steer clear of so we came up with a list of safe at home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms and get you back to feeling good.
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Cognitive Development Milestones and At-Home Activities – 0 to 6 months
Cognitive Development Milestones and At-Home Activities – 0 to 6 months
The first six months of your baby's life are essential in their cognitive development. Within these months, your little one will start navigating the world around them through touch, learn to crawl, reach for toys, and recognize the sound of your voice. Learn more about these important developments, as well as some fun activities you can do to improve your child's cognitive development and strengthen your relationship.
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The Mystery of Birthmarks
The Mystery of Birthmarks
What is a Birthmark? A birthmark is a colored mark either on or under a baby’s skin that is present from birth, or appears shortly after birth. Depending on the kind it is, the birthmark can fade as a child grows older, stay the same, or grow larger, darker, and/or thicker. Most birthmarks are harmless [...]
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Your Baby’s Name – Your Baby’s Identity
Your Baby’s Name – Your Baby’s Identity
For many expectant parents, choosing a baby name can become an agonizing process, and more and more parents are choosing unique names to set their child apart. But is this for the best? Studies show maybe not. Unique names may end up holding your child back. In this article, we discuss some statistics on the long lasting impact your choice could have on your child's future.
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How to Make Quick and Healthy Meals on a Shoestring Budget
How to Make Quick and Healthy Meals on a Shoestring Budget
Finances are getting tighter and tighter for today’s families. Seems we have to do more with less. Trying to balance family needs and demands and what cash you have available is a constant struggle for many families. Once you’ve eliminated your rent/mortgage payment and any other pre-authorized monthly expenses, there usually isn’t much left over, [...]
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Balancing Safety and Risk-Taking in our Children
Balancing Safety and Risk-Taking in our Children
Are we protecting our children from too much? Today’s world is very different from the one that we grew up in or our parents and grandparents grew up in. Those families with children spread out over several years (10 or 15 years) can attest to the fact that the world their 15-year-old was born into [...]
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How to Treat a Child’s Sunburn
How to Treat a Child’s Sunburn
Many of us know the discomfort of a sunburn. The redness, the stinging, the uncomfortable night’s sleep. Some of us have even experienced the blisters of a second degree burn. As fastidious as many of us are about making sure to slather our children in sunscreen before they go outside, there may be times when [...]
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Sunscreen and Vitamin D Absorption
Sunscreen and Vitamin D Absorption
There has been a lot of debate over the last 10 years about whether or not sunscreen blocks the body’s ability to generate vitamin D from exposure to the sun. UVB rays, which are the type of ultra-violet rays that cause sunburns and which over exposure to over time can lead to skin cancer, also [...]
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Dealing with Allergic Reactions in Infants and Toddlers
Dealing with Allergic Reactions in Infants and Toddlers
Allergic reactions occur when a person’s immune system attacks an allergen. An allergic reaction can happen when a person touches, smells, eats or has a substance injected. This happens because the body mistakenly thinks this substance is dangerous to the body and releases chemicals called “histamines” to fend off this danger. The Centers for Disease [...]
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Nap Time: How to Know How Much Sleep Your Baby Needs
Nap Time: How to Know How Much Sleep Your Baby Needs
With all the changes to a family’s schedule when a baby arrives, when and how long a baby should sleep can be just as confusing as everything else. So how do you know how long is too long for your baby to be awake or asleep? Sleep time and Newborns Newborns have shorter sleep and [...]
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Growth Spurts: When Do They Happen?
Growth Spurts: When Do They Happen?
Ever find yourself saying, “It’s as if he grew overnight” or “She’s feeding all the time and just can’t seem to stop.” Well, he probably did grow overnight and there is a reason she’s feeding all the time. How many growth spurts will my baby have? During the first year, your baby will triple his [...]
