For parents

Question:

How do I manage high sugar levels and high blood pressure at 20 weeks pregnant?

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

I would urge to consult with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and the baby’s growth.  

In general, the recommendations by the NHS and other organizations are to: 

Question:

How does play decrease egocentric thinking? I read an article recently that dipped into this topic, but am trying to learn more about it for taking care of my niece and nephew.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

When we are born, we don’t have the ability to understand that others may have different feelings, thoughts or perspectives. Children think for example, if they like strawberries, everyone else must like strawberries. This is called egocentric thinking. Children think this way until they are around 6 or 7.  

Question:

What is shaken baby syndrome and can bouncing a baby cause shaken baby syndrome? Can my 3-year-old still get baby shake syndrome? 

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious brain injury that occurs when a parent or a caregiver violently shakes a baby. As the baby’s brain, neck, and skull are still immature, violent shaking can cause swelling, bruising, and bleeding in the brain. As a result, the brain can be permanently damaged, impairing the baby’s future development or even killing them. 

Question:

When do babies start teething? I feel like my baby is starting really early.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Most babies get their first tooth at around 6 months. But think that all babies are different, some babies are born with a tooth, others start teething before they are 4 months old, and others get their first tooth after their first birthday.  

The two top front teeth are usually the first to appear. The two top central teeth usually come next.  

The brain is the command center of our body. Yet, it is the only organ that is not fully developed by the time we are born.  

The Brain at Birth 

When a baby is born, his brain already has most of the hundred thousand million brain cells (neurons) that he will have as an adult. However, those neurons ^[1] are not yet connected to each other. During the baby’s life they will get connected to each other creating trillions of connections. 

Question:

What is parental alienation?

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Parental alienation is a mental condition in which a child allies strongly with one parent and refuses to have a relationship with the other parent. The alienated parent is rejected without any justifiable reason, such as physical or emotional abuse, or neglect.   

Question:

What are your thoughts on emancipation? My ex-best friend's daughter wants to explore this option for herself, but I don't know how to get emancipated without parental consent. She spends a lot of time living with me but I want to help her with longterm escape plans, legally & permanently. 

Question:

What is conscious co parenting, or do you have any tips on healthy co-parenting? I'm newly divorced and struggling with balancing the new type of relationship we now have.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Co-parenting can sometimes be difficult. Co-parenting between divorced parents can sometimes feel like an ordeal.

Question:

How to discipline a 3 year old - I don't want to be lax but he's also acting up so much lately.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

How to discipline our children is probably one of the trickiest things. Knowing when you are being too lax, or too strict is not always easy.  

Here are some important things for you to remember when disciplining your 3-year-old: 

Question:

Advice for anxiety in children under 10?

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease or fear. It is experienced as a mix of feelings, thoughts and physical sensations in our body.  

We all feel anxious at times. It is the emotion we are meant to feel when we are facing some situations. For example, it is ok and even good to feel anxious before an exam, because that anxiety will motivate us to revise. The problem is when the anxiety becomes too much, and it paralyses us and affects our everyday life.