Health & Parenting News & Features
- 9 Ways to Wean a Child off Thumb Sucking
Got a preschooler who won't stop thumb sucking or finger sucking? Find out what to do about it.
- Stanley Tucci on His Toughest Role Yet
Julie & Julia star Stanley Tucci talks about the loss of his wife, keeping children safe, his love of food, and his upcoming role in The Lovely Bones.
- How to Handle Parents Who Brag About Their Kids
Her children are math geniuses, gymnastic stars -- and did you know they started reading at 3? How to respond to mothers who brag too much.
- Teen Dating: What You Need to Know About "Hooking Up"
Sorry, parents. Going steady is a thing of the past. Here's our guide to what teens are doing -- and how you should talk to them about it.
- Supernanny Jo Frost's Top Three Tips for Parents
As her show kicks off its sixth season this year, television's favorite nanny reveals how losing her mother to breast cancer changed her own views on health.
- Diapering Baby the Healthy Way
Take some of the germy mess out of diaper changes with these quick changing tips from the pros.
- Keeping Baby Healthy: Protection From Germs at Home
It’s a germy world. To keep your baby healthy, it pays to know how tackle germs -- and to know when you don’t have to.
- Lessons in Cleaning House
Quick tips that encourage your child to help with cleaning the house
- How Can You Raise a Clean Teen?
Tips from experts on how to get your teenager to clean his room and help around the house.
- Is Your Teen's Bedroom a Health Hazard?
Tips from experts on how can you get your teen to keep his room clean, or at least a little less messy.
- Teen Hygiene Tips
As a parent, it’s your job to help your kids and explain the teen hygiene basics. But where do you start? Here are your teen hygiene answers.
- Anxiety, Stress, and Stomachaches
Find out why anxiety, stress, and excitement can cause stomachaches, nausea, and vomiting.
- Protecting Your Baby From Other People's Germs
How can you keep your baby healthy and get other people to keep their germs to themselves? Follow these tips.
- When Kids Are Sick: How to Prevent Germs from Spreading
Want to prevent viruses from spreading in your home? These quick tips from the pros may help.
- Healthy Habits That Fight Cold and Flu Viruses
Can a preschooler really learn ways to protect herself from cold and flu viruses? Here’s what the experts had to say.
- Ask the School Nurse: Parents' Top 9 Questions for Back to School
A school nurse answers parents' top 9 health questions about back-to-school.
- Mean Girls: Why Girls Bully and How to Stop Them
Researchers are gaining more and more insights into what drives girl bullies -- and why they so desperately need help.
- Fear of the Dark
WebMD explains why some kids are afraid of the dark, how parents can help, and ways to conquer fear of the dark.
- Nighttime Routines That Can Lead to Dry Nights
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, doesn’t have to ruin your and your child’s evenings. Try these routines for you and your child to help control the problem.
- Could Stress or Anxiety Be Causing Your Child’s Bedwetting?
Stress and anxiety may not cause a child to start wetting the bed, but it can make bedwetting worse. Find out what you can do as a parent to help.
- Children, Cleanliness, and Chores: Myths vs. Facts
Children should do chores. But which chores are reasonable for young children? And how can you get the kids to do chores without a fight? See these tips from WebMD.
- 20-Minute Home ‘Clean-Ups’ for a Healthier Family
Don’t be daunted by the mountain of clean-up tasks in your home. Try these 20-minute cleanups that make the most of your time -- and tackle areas in your house where germs, dust, and allergens lurk.
- The 9 Worst Summer Snacks and Treats for Kids
Experts describe summer-time snacks and treats for kids that are unhealthy and should be avoided, plus nine healthy snack alternatives.
- Grocery Shopping Tips to Feed Your Family Right
The secret to improving your family meals starts in the grocery store. WebMD turned to nationally known nutritionists for their top 8 tips for healthy grocery shopping.
- 5 Adoption Dos
What Mary-Louise Parker did right when she adopted her daughter.
- Mary-Louise Parker on Momhood and Marijuana
Weeds Actress Mary Louise Parker Talks About Blended Families, Acting, and Legalizing Pot.
- Are Your Children Spoiled?
Do you spoil your children? For all ages and a myriad of behavior problems, WebMD helps parents regain control.
- Parenting by Your Toddler's Personality Type
Experts share tips for parents on how to handle the different personality types of toddlers.
- TV’s Nancy O’Dell: Mother, Author, Health Advocate
Nancy O’Dell talks about her new book, her baby, and the loss of her mother to Lou Gehrig’s disease.
- 7 Secrets of Toddler Discipline
They don't call them the "terrible twos" for nothing. Here are discipline tactics that help make life easier for you and your toddler.
- Tackling Toddler Sleep Problems
WebMD explains common toddler sleep problems, how much sleep toddlers really need, and how to conquer bedtime with your toddler.
- The Crazy Things That Toddlers Do
Unlock the mysteries of toddler behavior. Plus, tips for coping with your toddler's crazy antics.
- The ABCs of Toddler Playdates
Playdates between toddlers can be valuable learning experiences for your little ones. Here’s how to make the most of your child’s social calendar.
- Relax, You're Being a Good Mom
Trying to be Supermom? Sometimes it can be overwhelming work. WebMD shares what good moms do that makes them special and provides tips for silencing the critics.
- No-Nonsense Napping Guide for Toddlers
Experts explain why toddlers need naps and share tips for getting toddlers to sleep.
- What and How Much to Feed Your Toddler
Experts explain how to provide toddlers with the nutritious food they need for their growing bodies.
- Solutions for Toddler Feeding Problems
WebMD asked three top feeding experts to help you solve the most exasperating toddler feeding problems.
- Buying Shoes for Toddlers
Who knew that buying shoes for toddlers was more than a simple trip to the local mall? Get the ins and out of buying the best toddler shoes for your little one.
- You Can Help Salma Hayek Save Kids’ Lives
Actor Salma Hayek talks to WebMD about her campaign to prevent neonatal tetanus in developing countries.
- Salma Hayek: Mom on a Mission
How Salma Hayek juggles acting, mothering, and saving children in West Africa
- Prevent Sibling Rivalry When Bringing Home Baby
How to prevent sibling rivalry when bringing home a new baby
- The Top 5 Mistakes Divorced Parents Make
WebMD spoke with family and divorce expert M. Gary Neuman, who gives exes pointers on how to split up without emotionally destroying their kids.
- Sleepy Teen? Here’s Why – and What You Can Do
How to help your tired teen.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus On Acting, Parenting, and Going Green
Julia Louis-Dreyfus balances working, mothering, and environmental activism
- When All Else Fails, Parent With Humor
Taking a lighter touch with parenting may get you the results you want, faster.
- Top Parenting Stories of 2008: Readers' Choice
Here are the top 10 most viewed parenting and children’s health stories of the year.
- Expert Q&A: Helping Your Child With Weight Loss
WebMD's expert provides tips for parents to encourage overweight children to exercise, eat healthy food, and achieve a healthy weight. Learn more from David S. Ludwig, MD, and WebMD.
- Jennie Garth’s Balancing Act
90210 Star Jennie Garth talks about acting, volunteerism, and parenting a child with JRA
- How Would You Help a Depressed Teen?
WebMD community members give advice to father worried about depressed teen.
- Dennis and Kimberly Quaid’s Mission
Reducing medical errors is the Quaids' focus after the accidental overdose their twins received.