MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Jessica Madden is a pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation consultant, and mother of four, who has been taking care of newborns for more than 19 years now. She works as a neonatologist in the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded Primrose Newborn Care, a newborn medicine and “4th trimester” home-visiting and telemedicine practice, in 2018.
Dr. Madden is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is associated with the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. She was a Clinical Instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine.
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Genetic disorders in children are mild to severe health problems, which occur when a gene (or genes) fails to express itself properly. This may result from a change in the gene, shifting of a gene from one chromosome to another, a missing or extra chromosome, an insufficient or extra sex chromosome, or when a part…
Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey, but rearing a baby does bring some challenges. While you can follow your maternal instincts to navigate some issues, many will need guidance from an expert. So, here we bring you a list of breastfeeding apps for moms that you can scroll through over your phone, tablet, or iPad to…
Do you love munching nuts to satiate your hunger pangs in a healthy way while nursing your little one? Are you worried that nuts are potential allergens and may harm your breastfeeding infant? Well, if you can relate to any of the above situations reading this post is a good idea! You need to consume…
Asparagus is a nutritious and versatile spring vegetable that can be consumed either boiled, grilled, roasted, steamed, or sauteed. While it has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years as a wholesome and weight-loss vegetable, many new mothers may wonder if it is safe to eat asparagus while breastfeeding. Read this post…
Cognitive activities for infants can strengthen their ability to think, communicate, and analyze. A child’s cognitive development happens when they interact with their environment (1). Each interaction gives rise to new nerve connections in the brain. In infants, cognitive development is seen when they grow curious and reach out with their hands to touch and…
Are you breastfeeding? Do you find yourself browsing health charts and diet plans to ensure that your little one gets all the necessary nutrients? Do you wonder what fruits you should consume during this special phase? If you nodded along to these questions, read this post. Fruits are a good source of essential vitamins and…
Spirulina is an edible blue-green alga known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Many women consume spirulina while breastfeeding due to its high nutritional value and potential to increase breast milk volume. However, studies express a mixed opinion about its safety in lactating women. This superfood is available in different forms, and the safety mostly…
Children with an anxiety disorder may experience irrational nervousness and fear, affecting their daily functioning. Thus, anxiety activities for kids can help them cope with the situation and go about with their routines. Anxiety is a feeling of extreme nervousness or uneasiness about a situation or outcome, and all children experience anxiety at some point.…
Our body is home to many microorganisms, and not all are harmful to us. A few microorganisms, called probiotics, live in symbiosis with us and can be found lining our digestive tract, urogenital tracts, and mouth (1). This post talks about the benefits of probiotics for children you should know. Probiotics can be obtained from…
Babies start experiencing gas a few days or weeks after birth. It usually resolves by itself at six to seven months but may last for longer. A common cause of gassiness in babies is air swallowed while feeding or crying. For breastfed babies, the mother’s diet may also cause gassiness (1). In such cases, tummy…
Attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorderiXIllnesses that affect the functioning of the brain, impairing social, cognitive, and emotional abilities. in children. A few studies state that certain foods and nutrients may impact a child’s mood and self-control (1). A diet for kids with ADHD could consist of these food items and nutrients.…
Weight gain in kids is an important part of their development. A child is considered underweight if their BMI is below the fifth percentile when their weight is compared to their height. Being underweight during childhood might hinder their development rates. Thus, it is important to ensure that they get enough nutrients for their growth…
If you are lactating, you may have been advised to include fruit in your diet. However, there are certain misconceptions about certain fruits, for example consuming papaya while breastfeeding. It is actually one of the most important and healthy fruits to have while nursing. This nutritionally rich fruit is high in vitamins which, if taken…
Almonds are rich in many essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, vitamin, zinc, iron, and magnesium, providing optimum nutrition to the human body. Therefore, you might be thinking about whether or not you can consume almonds while breastfeeding. The delicious nuts make for an excellent snack to munch due to their crunchy texture and tasty flavor.…
There are numerous health benefits of milk for kids, including its high nutritional content. However, getting children to drink milk might be tiresome for some parents. You might have to run after your child with a glass of milk, or your child might come with all the excuses to avoid drinking milk. While trying to…
Newborn skin peeling is common and not always a cause for concern. The extremely sensitive skin of newborns goes through several changes in appearance and texture in the first few weeks after birth. In addition, many babies have dry patches of skin, which may lead to skin peeling or flaking. However, it is normal in…
Cow’s milk is the most commonly recommended beverage to give when babies wean from breast milk. Healthy babies older than one year can have whole cow’s milk as their primary beverage (1). But, if you are a vegan or your toddler has lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, then cow’s milk isn’t the suitable choice.…
Sleep deprivation and fatigue during breastfeeding are common complaints among mothers. These could be compounded by postpartum exhaustion, as your body uses energy to break down your food to make various breast milk components. In addition, sleepless nights and an inconsistent diet might make you more tired. However, this fatigue is not a long-term concern…
Taking your baby out for the first time is a special experience. But you need to ensure that your baby is safe and sound and away from possible hotspots of germs or infections. This is where strollers come into action. A baby stroller is an essential travel system for most would-be or new parents and a…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows Prozac for children only to manage major depressive disorders and OCD (1). However, in adults, this antidepressant is used to treat depression, bipolar disorderiXA mental illness characterized by intense mood swings and cycles of extreme mania and depression , obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)iXA mental health condition distinguished by…
White curds in baby poop or streaks and chunks in poop are not always a cause of concern. The undigested fat globules of breast milk may be passed along with the excretion of poop in breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies may also experience the same symptoms. Apart from poop discoloration, medical attention is suggested if your…
Physical development in children refers to their physical and motor development. Physical growth refers to the growth rate in height and weight, and motor development refers to the development of their bones, muscles, and ability to move and manipulate their environment (1). Each child develops at their own pace; nevertheless, it is essential to monitor…
Shrimp is one of the favorite seafoods for most people. But if you are wondering whether you can have shrimp when breastfeeding, continue reading to find the answer. Lactating mothers need to be extra careful about what they eat. Besides antibodies, the baby receives all its nutrients from you that get passed on through the…
Senna is known to be an FDA-approved over-the-counter laxativeiXA substance that encourages bowel movement. . But is it safe to consume senna while breastfeeding? When nursing your newborn baby, you should monitor your intake of food or medicines as it can directly affect your baby. Consulting your doctor is important before you start anything new.…
If you are a new parent who is looking for healthy drinks to include in your baby’s weaning diet routine, you may try grape juice for babies. With tons of suggestions and advice you receive regarding food and drinks for your baby, you may be perplexed about the right time and variety of juices to…
Gross motor activities for infants require them to use their largest and strongest core muscles such as the torso, legs, and arms (1). These activities are associated with improved physical activity and better cognitiveiXAbout or involving the processes of thinking, reasoning, understanding, and learning development, resulting in enhanced cardiorespiratory fitnessiX The cardiovascular system's ability to…
Fat is an important macronutrient in an infant's diet. Aside from being the major energy source in breast milk, fats and their metabolites aid in a baby’s brain development and growth. The amount of fat in human breast milk varies throughout the day (1). This alternation of breast milk fat levels is common and nothing…
Timely vaccination is essential to ensure babies develop sufficient immunity against potentially deadly diseases. Hence, it is important to know when specific vaccines should be administered; for example, some essential 2-month vaccines include polio and rotavirus vaccinations. Vaccines are developed after extensive research on their safety and efficacy for widespread use (1). Though vaccines are…
In the past few years, avocados have gained a lot of popularity as a superfood. Nursing mothers may always look for ideas to add nutrition-rich food to their diet. In addition, they may want to know if it would be a good idea to consume avocados while breastfeeding. They have a distinct taste and a…
A reflex is an involuntary reaction or movement to a stimulus. Grasping reflex in babies is an innate reflex that involves the involuntary actions of fingers (1). For instance, when you give them your finger or an object, they try to clench or grasp it. Most responses of newborns and infants are reflexive in nature.…