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Does consuming your own placenta after childbirth deliver the benefits some celebrities claim?

Are you aware of the latest trend in childbirth? Several Hollywood celebrities have claimed recently that consuming their own placenta after the birth of their child was wildly beneficial to their health. Just how was it beneficial to their health? The claimed benefits include: improved iron levels, hormone levels, lactation, sleep, energy, reduced postpartum bleeding, and a reduction in the “postpartum blues,” a self-limiting form of depression. This practice has been observed in other mammals and human cultures, giving those who advocate this trend a reason to believe in such benefits.

What exactly is placentophagy?

Have you heard? The Nutrition Facts label is getting a facelift.

I’ve seen countless news articles and blog posts encouraging people to read the Nutrition Facts label to help make better food choices, and many even explain what to look for. But if you’re like me, it can still be confusing and overwhelming at times. I mean, the food labels were created over 20 years ago and haven’t been updated since, other than to add trans fats to the labels.

Like mother, like child: How mom’s activity level influences the little ones

One of the many memories I have as a child is going to the gym with my mom, and while she worked out, I got to hang out in childcare. And boy, I did not like it! Knowing this, my mom would often let me sit on the couch in the entryway where she could keep an eye on me while I colored or read books. The gym my mom was a member of was extremely family-oriented and my parents had become friends with the owner – hence, the only way I was able to weasel my way out of childcare, opting for the cozy leather couch instead. Even though I hated being there at the time and was so bored, I realize looking back that by doing this, my mom was setting a positive example for me and what living a healthy lifestyle looks like. Fast-forward to today, and one of my biggest passions in life is health and fitness – and I credit those many (dreaded) trips to the gym to instilling this passion in me at such a young age.

Helping Families Thrive Through Challenges: The Healthy Families Orange Program

“I probably wouldn’t have my kids with me,” Diane Johnson says with tears welling up in her eyes.

How technology helped Katie overcome her fear of needles

Written by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Arnold Palmer Hospital

How to help a child who may be experiencing abuse or neglect

As a social worker, I have become the “go to” person for many friends and family members. They will often present scenarios to me, ranging from how to help a loved one who may be a victim of domestic violence to what to do about the homeless family you see sleeping in their car to how to help a child who may be a victim of abuse or neglect. Some of these scenarios require a deeper analysis into the many factors at play, and there may not always be a straightforward answer to the problem. However, any time there is concern that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, there are specific steps that anyone can take to help provide for the wellbeing of that child.

A mother's journey through autism leads to helping other families with special needs

Shirliene Navarro is a family resource specialist at the Developmental Center for Infants and Children/Early Steps, a program offered by the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families. She is also mother to Marcello, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Shirliene has helped countless families who have children with special needs by offering support, education and advocacy, but it's her personal experience as the mother of a child with special needs that allows her to come alongside families in a truly unique way.

Newer tests may help you better understand your child’s food allergy

A severe food allergy is often a complex and confusing diagnosis. It’s also one of the most common medical issues, especially in children. Many parents of food-allergic kids remain somewhat perplexed about their child’s condition long after diagnosis. Will my child outgrow this allergy? What exactly is okay to feed to my child and what isn’t? Is this really a serious issue or can we relax a little? These questions often linger unanswered, and that’s not a good thing.

When bullying contributes to feelings of grief and loss in kids

Parents often struggle with the realization that their children feel grief and loss, and we struggle to know exactly how to support them through it. Just as it is important for adults to process their grief to promote healing, children need the same opportunities, along with guidance from the trusted adults in their lives to navigate grief in a positive and healthy way.

How to empower your teen to find reliable health information online

Written by Anne Rosebrock, Library Services Team