Parenting Terms Glossary
Easy-to-understand definitions for over 200 parenting, medical, and developmental terms you'll encounter on your parenting journey
The world of parenting comes with its own language—medical terms, developmental milestones, acronyms for government programs, and specialized vocabulary. This comprehensive glossary demystifies over 200 common terms you'll encounter at pediatrician visits, in parenting books, and while researching child development. Whether you're a first-time parent or expanding your family, this resource helps you understand the terminology and communicate confidently with healthcare providers.
A Terms
AAP
American Academy of Pediatrics - The leading professional organization of pediatricians in the United States, providing evidence-based guidelines for child health and development.
ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Typically diagnosed in childhood but can persist into adulthood.
Apgar Score
A quick assessment of a newborn's health performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, evaluating heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color on a scale of 0-10.
ASD
Autism Spectrum Disorder - A developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior. Symptoms range from mild to severe.
Attachment Parenting
A parenting philosophy emphasizing physical and emotional closeness through practices like babywearing, co-sleeping, and responsive feeding.
B Terms
Baby-Led Weaning
A method of introducing solid foods where babies self-feed with whole foods rather than being spoon-fed purees, typically starting around 6 months.
Bassinet
A small, portable bed designed for infants from birth to about 4-6 months, often placed bedside for easy nighttime access.
Bilirubin
A yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. High levels cause jaundice in newborns, which usually resolves on its own but may require phototherapy.
BMI
Body Mass Index - A measure of body fat based on height and weight. For children, BMI is plotted on age- and sex-specific growth charts to determine percentiles.
Bottle Refusal
When a breastfed baby refuses to take a bottle, common between 2-4 months. Requires patience and various strategies to overcome.
Braxton Hicks
Practice contractions that occur during pregnancy, typically in the third trimester. Unlike true labor, they're irregular and don't increase in intensity.
C Terms
CCDF
Child Care and Development Fund - Federal program providing childcare subsidies to low-income working families.
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Federal agency providing health information, including developmental milestones and vaccination schedules.
Colic
Excessive crying in otherwise healthy infants, typically defined as crying for more than 3 hours per day, 3+ days per week. Usually resolves by 3-4 months.
Colostrum
The first milk produced by breasts after birth, thick and yellow, packed with antibodies and nutrients essential for newborns.
Co-Sleeping
The practice of sleeping in close proximity to your baby, either bed-sharing or room-sharing. AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing.
Cradle Cap
Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, appearing as crusty, scaly patches on the scalp. Harmless and usually clears within the first year.
Cry It Out (CIO)
A sleep training method where parents allow babies to cry for specified periods before offering comfort, teaching self-soothing skills.
D Terms
Developmental Delay
When a child doesn't reach developmental milestones at expected ages. Can affect physical, cognitive, communication, or social-emotional development.
DHA
Docosahexaenoic Acid - An omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and eye development, added to most infant formulas.
Diaper Rash
Skin irritation in the diaper area caused by moisture, friction, or yeast. Preventable with frequent changes and barrier creams.
Doula
A trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth.
Dream Feed
Feeding a baby while they're still asleep, typically before parents go to bed, with the goal of extending their nighttime sleep.
Due Date
The estimated date of delivery, calculated as 40 weeks (280 days) from the first day of the last menstrual period using Naegele's rule.
E Terms
EBF
Exclusively Breastfed - When a baby receives only breast milk, no formula, water, or solid foods. Recommended for the first 6 months.
Engorgement
Painful swelling and fullness of breasts when they become overfull with milk, common in early breastfeeding or when missing feedings.
Elimination Communication
A practice of recognizing baby's elimination signals and offering a potty rather than relying solely on diapers.
ELBW
Extremely Low Birth Weight - Babies born weighing less than 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds), requiring specialized NICU care.
F Terms
Failure to Thrive
When a child's growth significantly lags behind peers, falling below growth chart percentiles. Requires medical evaluation for underlying causes.
Ferber Method
A sleep training approach involving progressively longer check-ins on a crying baby, teaching self-soothing while providing reassurance.
Fine Motor Skills
Small muscle movements like grasping, pinching, and using utensils. Develops through infancy and childhood.
Foremilk
The first milk released during a breastfeeding session, higher in volume and lower in fat than hindmilk.
FSA
Flexible Spending Account - Pre-tax benefit account that can cover dependent care expenses up to $5,000 annually.
G Terms
Gastroesophageal Reflux
When stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, causing spit-up. Common in infants; most outgrow it by 12-18 months.
Gross Motor Skills
Large muscle movements like rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, and running. Follow predictable developmental sequences.
Growth Percentile
A statistical comparison showing where a child's measurements (height, weight, head circumference) fall relative to peers. 50th percentile means average.
Growth Spurt
Periods of rapid physical growth where babies may eat and sleep more. Common around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
H Terms
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
A common viral illness causing fever and blisters in the mouth and on hands/feet. Typically mild and self-limiting.
Head Circumference
The measurement around a baby's head, tracked at well-visits to ensure proper brain growth. Should follow a steady growth curve.
Helicopter Parenting
Over-involved parenting style characterized by excessive hovering and intervention in children's activities and problems.
Hindmilk
The creamier, higher-fat milk released at the end of a breastfeeding session, important for baby's growth and satiety.
HFMD
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (see above).
I Terms
IUGR
Intrauterine Growth Restriction - When a fetus doesn't grow at the expected rate in the womb, requiring close monitoring.
Immunization Schedule
The CDC-recommended timeline for childhood vaccines, protecting against serious diseases from birth through adolescence.
Infant Formula
Manufactured feeding product designed to closely mimic breast milk's nutrition when breastfeeding isn't possible or chosen.
J Terms
Jaundice
Yellowing of skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin, common in newborns. Usually harmless but high levels require treatment with phototherapy.
L Terms
Lanugo
Fine, downy hair covering fetuses and sometimes present on newborns, especially preemies. Usually disappears before or shortly after birth.
Latch
How a baby attaches to the breast during breastfeeding. A good latch is crucial for effective feeding and preventing nipple pain.
Let-Down Reflex
The release of milk from milk ducts in response to baby's sucking or breast stimulation, often felt as tingling or fullness.
LMP
Last Menstrual Period - The first day of your last period before pregnancy, used to calculate due dates.
M Terms
Mastitis
Painful breast infection in breastfeeding mothers, causing redness, swelling, and flu-like symptoms. Requires antibiotics and continued nursing.
Meconium
Baby's first stool, thick and tar-like, passed within 24-48 hours after birth. Composed of materials ingested in the womb.
Milestones
Skills and behaviors most children achieve by certain ages, including motor, language, cognitive, and social-emotional developments.
Moro Reflex
Startle reflex in newborns where they suddenly extend arms and legs when startled, then pull them back in. Disappears around 4-6 months.
N Terms
Naegele's Rule
Method for calculating due date: add 7 days to the first day of the last period, subtract 3 months, and add 1 year.
NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Specialized hospital unit caring for premature or ill newborns requiring advanced medical support.
Nursing Strike
When a breastfeeding baby suddenly refuses the breast, often due to teething, illness, or schedule changes. Usually temporary.
O Terms
OAE
Otoacoustic Emissions - Newborn hearing screening test measuring sounds produced by the inner ear in response to clicks.
Object Permanence
Understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight, developing around 8-12 months. Foundation for peek-a-boo games.
P Terms
Pacifier
A nipple-shaped device for babies to suck on for comfort. AAP recommends for sleep to reduce SIDS risk but suggests weaning by age 2-4 to prevent dental issues.
Pediatrician
A doctor specializing in children's health from birth through adolescence, providing preventive care, treatment, and developmental monitoring.
Percentile
See 'Growth Percentile' - statistical ranking of a child's measurements compared to peers of the same age and sex.
Phototherapy
Treatment using special blue lights to break down excess bilirubin in babies with jaundice.
Plagiocephaly
Flat spot on a baby's head from lying in one position. Usually resolves with repositioning; severe cases may require a helmet.
PPD
Postpartum Depression - Severe, persistent sadness after childbirth affecting 10-15% of new mothers. Treatable with therapy and/or medication.
R Terms
Reflux
See 'Gastroesophageal Reflux' - stomach contents flowing back, causing spit-up. Most babies outgrow it.
Regression
Temporary loss of previously acquired skills or behaviors, common during developmental leaps or stressful periods.
REM Sleep
Rapid Eye Movement sleep - the dreaming stage. Babies spend more time in REM than adults, important for brain development.
Rooting Reflex
Newborn reflex where baby turns head toward touch on the cheek, helping find the breast for feeding. Present from birth.
S Terms
Separation Anxiety
Normal developmental phase (8-18 months) where babies become distressed when separated from primary caregivers.
SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under 1 year, usually during sleep. Risk reduced by back sleeping, firm mattress, and room-sharing.
Sleep Regression
Temporary disruption in sleep patterns, often around 4, 8, 12, and 18 months, coinciding with developmental milestones.
SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Federal food assistance for low-income families (formerly food stamps).
Solid Foods
Complementary foods introduced around 6 months alongside breast milk or formula, starting with iron-rich purees or baby-led weaning foods.
Swaddle
Wrapping technique that mimics the womb, helping newborns feel secure and sleep better. Stop when baby can roll over.
T Terms
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Federal cash assistance program for low-income families with children.
Teething
Process of baby teeth erupting through gums, typically starting around 6 months. Can cause drooling, irritability, and mild discomfort.
Thrush
Yeast infection in baby's mouth (or on mother's nipples), appearing as white patches. Requires antifungal treatment for both mother and baby.
Tummy Time
Supervised time babies spend on their stomachs while awake, strengthening neck, shoulder, and core muscles needed for rolling and crawling.
U Terms
Umbilical Cord
Lifeline connecting baby to placenta in the womb. After birth, the stump dries and falls off within 1-3 weeks.
Ultrasound
Imaging technique using sound waves to view the fetus during pregnancy, checking growth and development.
V Terms
Vernix
Waxy, cheese-like coating covering newborns, protecting skin in the womb. No need to wash off; it absorbs into skin.
Vitamin D
Essential nutrient for bone development. Breastfed babies need 400 IU daily supplementation; most formulas are fortified.
W Terms
WIC
Women, Infants, and Children - Federal nutrition program providing food, education, and healthcare referrals for low-income pregnant women and children under 5.
Well-Child Visit
Regular checkups with the pediatrician to monitor growth, development, and provide vaccinations. Scheduled frequently in first 2 years.
Wonder Weeks
Theory that babies go through predictable developmental leaps at specific weeks, often accompanied by fussiness.
Related Resources
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