Why do the underarms darken?

According to LiveStrong, armpits darken for many reasons - things like shaving, certain deodorants and even bacterial infections can cause dark spots under your arms.

Unfortunately, the armpits aren't the only part of the body that are prone to discoloration - the neck, elbows and knees also are very susceptible. Cleaning and exfoliating these body parts are usually the first step to achieving a lightened and blemish free look, but if that doesn't work, there are some DIY tricks you can use to beautify your skin.

Lemon and cucumber

Lemon is astringent, clarifying and purifying. When mixed with cucumber it becomes even more powerful.

Simply crush a bit of cucumber into a pulp mixture, combine it with small amount of lemon juice and turmeric, and let the paste sit on the armpits for about 20 minutes. Repeat as necessary. But be careful not to use too much lemon juice; According to dermatologists, you can develop burns from the acid in the fruit which is not only painful, but can lead to further pigmentation.

Honey

Honey and other hydrating substances (like oils) can also work to soften and lighten your skin. Use on knees, underarms, elbows and your neck, taking care to exfoliate gently in the shower for best results.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is naturally healing and hydrating, so using the gel to exfoliate and moisturize your skin will help naturally lighten any dark areas. Although you can get a gel from the pharmacy, getting an aloe vera plant to have at home means instant aloe whenever you need it, plus you'll be able to decorate your home with the bright green plant.

To use, cut the leaf, remove the spines and apply the gel directly on your skin.

Sugar scrub

Sugar can act as a great exfoliant, especially when paired with a hydrating oil like olive or coconut. It's easy, fast, and very effective.

Prevention is better than a cure

Now that you know these tricks, you can use them at home every week, and get results that are inexpensive and effective. However, doing what you can to prevent dark spots in the first place is even more helpful.

Be sure to use an exfoliating sponge frequently, paying special attention to your neck, knees, underarms and elbows in the shower. It will remove excess dead skin, allowing the skin underneath to absorb lotion better. Additionally, give your skin a break - maybe finding an all natural deodorant can help.

What other tips and beauty tricks do you have for difficult areas on your skin? Let us know in the comments.

This article originally appeared on familias.com and has been adapted and translated with permission.

The post Do you have spots on your elbows, neck or armpits? With these super simple tips you can eliminate them forever appeared first on FamilyToday.

How would you feel if you gave birth to a child, then someone tried to tell you that you're actually not their mother? You would fight to make them understand that you are actually the mom, right? This is exactly what Lydia Fairchild did when she discovered something extremely unusual.

She carried her babies in her womb for nine months and gave birth to them, but that wasn't enough. The courts told Fairchild she wasn't actually the mother of her children, according to ABC. There was still one question though — who was the mother of those children?

It all started when Fairchild was 26-years-old, applying for public assistance in Washington and unemployed. In order to qualify, every person in her family needed a DNA test to prove they were related.

The surprising DNA results

Fairchild's boyfriend was definitely the father of her children, but the evidence showed that she wasn't the biological mother. How was it possible?

According to the same article, the Department of Social Services called Fairchild in for a conversation. What she thought would be a simple meeting turned into a full interrogation. They thought she had stolen the babies, but she knew it was all a mistake. She tried to make them understand that she was the mother and the DNA test was wrong, but they told her the test was 100 percent reliable.

Although Fairchild provided photos of the birth and birth certificates while doctors provided their testimonies, nothing was enough for the Judge who only trusted the blood samples that were tested over and over. Social services even warned Fairchild they could take her children away at any time.

She found hope through someone like her

Fairchild threw herself into a ruthless search for answers. She didn't want to lose her children, but lawyers she reached out to didn't want to fight the evidence from the DNA tests.

She finally found another woman with her same issue from Boston. Her name was Karen Keegan, and her DNA didn't match her children's either.

Keegan discovered this when she needed a kidney transplant and her two sons' DNA didn't match hers. But then she remembered she had part of her thyroid removed, so they tested that tissue that had been stored in a lab. Sure enough, the DNA was there and proved she was the biological mother.

Both women were their own twin

When Fairchild knew there was another woman like her in the world, she knew everything would clear up soon. Specialists explained that Fairchild and Keegan suffered from a rare disease called chimerism, and there are only 30 documented cases worldwide.

Pathologist Dr. Lynne Uhl explained that Keegan and Fairchild were their own twins, or chimeras. While they were in their respective wombs, two embryos were fused together to form one human. The women had their own blood and their twin's DNA tissue.

A happy ending

If Fairchild wouldn't have found Keegan, she might have lost her children forever. Now she can breathe easy and know she's a very rare, special case in the world of genetics.

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Hombre engendra 3 hijos con la gemela de su esposa sin que nadie sepa (ni siquiera él)" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post Man has three children with his girlfriend’s twin without anyone knowing (not even him) appeared first on FamilyToday.

The fear of child abduction always haunts us as parents. Abduction rates are high all over the world, and our children are the most precious treasures we have. We must take care of them where ever we are.

This year I started talking with my four-year-old daughter about safety. For example, I tell her that she doesn't need to kiss anyone if she doesn't want to, that she shouldn't accept anything from strangers if her mommy and daddy aren't with her, and she absolutely should not let anyone touch her.

When you read this story, you'll feel joy and sympathy for her children.

A savior concept

Jodie Norton is a mommy blogger who writes about her experiences in her blog called "Time Well Spent." In one of her posts, she writes about what happened to her children and how they managed to save themselves from a possible abduction by strangers using a few words their mom taught them.

Norton says in her blog that one morning she felt a deep and stabbing pain in her ovaries and had to rush to the doctor. As a mother of four children, she had to drive with them in the back seat, all while in tremendous pain.

When she got to the hospital, she left her two older children on the hospital sidewalk knowing that in about five minutes, a friend of hers would pick them up and take them to school. Norton hurried into the emergency room with her two younger children, thinking her older two would be fine while they waited for their ride.

Strangers lurking

Norton found out that her friend was about 40 minutes late, and in that time three people approached her two children and asked to be accompanied inside the hospital.

They asked the boys to help them look for a man who was in the bathroom and didn't want the doctors to take care of him. The strangers told the boys they needed their help to persuade the man to let the doctors help him.

"No thanks"

The children simply said "no thanks," no matter how many times the three people persisted. They later told their mother about their experience and even said that later they saw another man leave the hospital and get in the car with the other three people. They firmly said "no thanks," so the strangers had no choice but to give up.

A family rule that saved them

In addition to their refusal, the boys had learned a family rule that saved them from possible abduction. The boy told his mother after describing the incident, "Mama, I knew they were tricky people because they asked us for help. Adults don't ask for help from children." With this concept of "tricky people," the child knew the people speaking to him were dangerous.

Why not "stranger danger?"

Norton said the "tricky people" concept saved her children. Using the term "stranger danger" confuses children into thinking these people are aggressive, violent or frightening. And many times, people who approach children with kidnapping intentions appear friendly and try to build rapport with the child. If the child sympathizes with that person, they probably won't agree with the "stranger" preconception.

Using the "tricky people" concept will let the kids know that the person will want something more from them; that is precisely what parents should emphasize.

The "tricky person" concept came from Patty Fitzgerald, who shares it in her program "Safely Ever After." She advises parents to stop telling their children not to talk to strangers, because they'll have to do that eventually - so teach them what kind of strangers they are safe with.

One of the things this program encourages parents to teach children is that only "tricky people" ask for help from children. If a safe adult needs help, they will ask another adult - not a child.

Educate your children

As our children grow up, it's important that they learn to take care of themselves and stay safe in any emergency that might arise.

Let's hope we never have to face such a situation, but we need to teach our children of these potential dangers. Teach your children your home address, your phone number and teach them that their bodies are private, so they can say "no" if they're uncomfortable. It will protect them from potential dangers and increase their self-confidence.

This mother's trick fascinates me, and I want to start putting it into practice when I have safety talks with my daughter. How do you teach your children to be safe?

This article has been translated and adapted from the original "Estos niños se salvaron de ser secuestrados gracias a un truco que les enseñó su mamá (y que TODO padre debería enseñar a sus hijos)," which was originally published on familias.com.

The post These children were saved from being abducted thanks to a trick their mother taught them (and that EVERY parent should teach their children) appeared first on FamilyToday.

Body-shame is common in our society. We grow up with the idea that we have private or intimate areas, so when questions arise about those body parts, we're too modest or embarrassed to ask them.

Intimacy is a huge part of marriage, and you shouldn't feel uncomfortable if you have questions about what's going on. It's good to be informed - not only to achieve a healthy relationship, but to keep your body healthy.

For many women, sex is pleasurable. But for others, it can be a point of tension or frustration due to different physical and psychological factors.

No woman should have to wonder about her body, so we've compiled a list of questions and answers that many woman have, but have never asked. If you keep reading, you might find the answers you've been longing to know:

1. How do I avoid a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in women, and are often the focus of a visit to the gynecologist. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, signs of a UTI include "a strong urge to urinate that cannot be delayed ... As urine flows, a sharp pain or burning ... is felt in the urethra. The urge to urinate then returns minutes later." Other symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen, sides or back.

Specialists say that urinating before and after sexual intercourse can prevent this type of infection. Another way to prevent a UTI is to drink unsweetened cranberry juice or take cranberry pills.

2. Why is my intimate area so dry?

Good lubrication is crucial for good sex, so vaginal dryness can cause a lot of pain and frustration. There are many different reasons this happens, but according to Dr. Anna Cabeca, "The biggest factor for most women ... is the natural decline of hormone levels as we age, which result in physical changes to our feminine health."

Dr. Cabeca suggests using lubricant during intercourse, learning about your body, taking probiotics and doing kegel exercises to help with the dryness.

3. Why am I never in the mood?

There are so many reasons your libido might be low. The Clinic Sofia team of gynecologists explains, "Often a woman's physical health, mental well-being, experiences, lifestyle and current relationship affect her libido."

According to Dr. Ashley Hill, it's important that your partner knows how to satisfy your sexual needs. Communication is so important, and if you're experiencing a lower sex drive, you might need more foreplay or you might just need to show your partner what you want.

4. How can I get rid of bad smells?

Society makes us think that the intimate area should always smell fresh and clean. People even sell products promising to get rid of any bad odor. But, those products are often the cause of the bad smells.

Instead of using these products, Dr. Justine Shuey suggests, "If you're self-conscious about your odor, try drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables and cutting back on alcohol." But, you should see your doctor if the scent suddenly changes, starts producing discharge or gives off a fishy odor.

5. Is it sanitary to have sex on my period?

According to specialists, it's totally OK to have sex during your period. It is important, however, to practice safe sex because you're more prone to infections during this time. But, as long as you and your husband are OK with it, you're good to go. In fact, some women have an increased libido during this time, and sex can relieve cramps.

Always be sure to consult a professional about your questions and concerns, and don't be embarrassed. They have studied the human body so they can help us. What other questions do you have?

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Una ginecóloga responde a las 7 preguntas sexuales (que TODAS tenemos) que siempre quisiste saber y nunca lo hiciste por pudor" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post A gynecologist answers the 5 sexual questions we ALL have (that you always wanted to ask but never did) appeared first on FamilyToday.

Life is fragile. One moment it can be great, and the next your world can completely fall apart. Luckily, there are wonderful people in this world who are willing to give a helping hand to those in need.

Amanda and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for almost three years. Finally, they were able to conceive a child.

It was an exciting time for the family, as they had recently moved into a new house and were in the process of remodeling. Everything was in place for the baby to arrive. Things were perfect.

Then, Amanda's world fell apart

When Amanda was 36 weeks pregnant, her husband decided to leave her and their child. Now a single mom-to-be, she was scared and alone. In an interview she said, "The biggest thing was just the shock I guess because it wasn't really what we planned or what I planned. It's very difficult."

She also mentioned that they put a lot of money into the house and she wanted to raise her child there, but she was worried she wouldn't be able to afford the home.

An Australian radio showheard about Amanda's situation and they decided to help her out. They called Amanda to come on the show to talk about her new baby, but actually surprised the mother-to-be with something that changed her life.

The heartwarming video shows Amanda's shock and gratitude when she realized she was getting a big surprise.

A miracle for the new mom

During the interview, Amanda was instructed to look at the video screen behind her in the studio. To her amazement, her new home was on the television. The radio producers and other sponsoring companies had left all kinds of gifts throughout her house. A cameraman walked through Amanda's home and showed her all of her gifts while she was still on the radio show.

Amanda had been given a cleaning service for the next six months, a meal delivery service that would deliver food to her every day for the next three months, and thousands of dollars' worth of baby gear.

That wasn't all though. When the cameraman approached the oven, everyone was shocked when he revealed a stack of cash - $10,000 total - hiding inside. Amanda was crying by this point, and showed extreme gratitude (and surprise) at the generosity this radio program had shown her.

A good support system

I can't imagine the pain of being abandoned by a husband, especially just weeks from giving birth. Luckily, this new mom has many people to help her raise her baby and give the child the best life possible.

Share this if you were touched by this story!

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Su esposo la abandona dejándola embarazada; lo que ella luego encuentra en el horno la deja en COMPLETO shock" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post Her husband leaves her when she’s pregnant, but what she finds in the oven leaves her in COMPLETE shock appeared first on FamilyToday.

If you are a mother, you know very well that silence means trouble. If you don't hear your children, they must be getting into some sort of mischief. This is what a mother of two little boys thought when she went looking for her two supiciously quiet boys. Instead of mischief, she came upon a unique moment between brothers.

In the other room, she found her older son consoling and caressing his younger baby brother.

Even more tender is this special component: the baby, Thomas, has terminal cancer, and his older brother was calming him.

On her blog, tells how her younger son Thomas was diagnosed with cancer at 11 weeks old. Three weeks after that fatal diagnosis, the little one was still fighting.

The sweet boy was diagnosed with Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor (MRT). It is an extremely aggressive cancer which attacks the kidneys and central nervous system. It's usually found in children under two years of age.

A rainbow baby

Thomas came just months after Sheryl lost a pregnancy in 2015. He was her darling rainbow baby (a term used to refer to infants who arrive after a miscarriage).

On her blog, this mother details the sadness she felt when she learned that she would soon lose another child. "The irony of life has hit my family so hard and nothing makes sense," she wrote on March 4. " It feels like yesterday when I wrote about giving birth to our 'Rainbow Baby' Thomas and here I am writing about his impending death."

The photo that became viral

Just a few weeks before this family would lose their darling Thomas, Sheryl noticed that everything was very quiet in her home. She assumed her eldest son William was up to some mischief with his little brother. However, what she found warmed her heart.

Snuggling on the couch, William was comforting his little brother and whispering in his ear "Kuya (big brother) is here, everything is fine." You can see the tangible love between these brothers in the photo.

Sweet little Thomas passed away May 8. During his short life, he had a wonderful angel brother who looked after him and was his faithful protector. William knew that his brother wouldn't be on the earth for very long, and was always attentive to comfort him when he cried, and helped in whatever way he could.

Enduring an imminent loss

While Thomas was sick, Blanksby couldn't help but cry every time she looked at him. In her blog she writes "I can not even begin to describe the pain I feel whenever I look at his precious face. My heart breaks for every big smile he gives me because I know how much I'll miss him when he's gone, and when you think my Heart can not take it anymore, it breaks even more when he gives me his gaze suffering from pain."

Any mother's dream is to see all her children be healthy and happy. I can't imagine what it must feel like for a mother to know she soon won't be able to carry her son in her arms.

Friends of the family created a fundraising page on GoFundMe to help alleviate the financial suffering of their parents and to spend the best quality time with their children.

After the photo of the sweet brothers went viral, thousands of people rallied to support the grieving family. The GoFundMe account, which had an original goal of $20,000, ended up earning over $45,000 - more than double the original goal.

Though his family still aches with loss, Thomas "grew his angel wings" and is with God now, and the world is a bit better off after seeing the love between this beautiful baby and his older brother.

This article has been translated and adapted from the original "El silencio hizo que su madre fuera a ver si su hijo estaba haciendo una travesura; la imagen que capturó recorre el mundo llenándonos de lágrimas," which was originally published on familias.com.

The post The silence made his mother check to see if he was up to no good; the image she captured brought the world to tears appeared first on FamilyToday.

When Oksana Kobletskaya learned she was pregnant with her second child, her family was elated. Newsner reported that she and her husband Sergey already had a three-year-old girl and were eager to give her a baby brother. Oksana suspected from the beginning that she had more than one baby in her tummy. But she had no idea just how many babies were in there.

At 37, Oksana was hopeful that this was her second and final pregnancy. She and her husband had decided they only wanted to have two children. However, when she went to the ultrasound, Oksana got a huge surprise. The doctor told her that he saw not one or two, but five (or maybe even six) fetuses.

"I did not ever expect it," Oksana said. "In our families there are no cases of twins or a single case of this kind. When I saw the doctor's face, my heart stopped for a moment," he said, "Then I heard him mutter something like: You should get a big house by the sea."

A spectacular birth

At 30 weeks, Denis, Dariya, Vladislav, Oleksandra and David (3 boys and 2 girls) were welcomed into the world. A great medical team was waiting for them, with more than eight professionals.

"I was treated like porcelain," Oksana said. "They were extremely cautious."

All five of the little warriors were born happy and healthy.

I can't imagine the faces of this surpised couple when they heard that they were going to have five children. Truly, having children is a blessing and a wonderful thing ... but this mother must have been shocked by the tremendous news. But even though they came as a surprise, this loving mother and father have welcomed all five babies home with open arms. Their Instagram account has also attracted lots of attention, so you know these babies are also loved by thousands of followers.

Why is a quintuplet pregnancy so rare?

Particularly in the case of this couple, Kobletskaya's multiples come as a shock because her family has no previous history of twins or multiples. In fact, only one pregnancy at 52 million ends up as quintuplets. The Kobletskaya couple would never have imagined that they would conceive five children together.

Does history matter?

According to Baby Center, a family history of multiples in a single pregnancy increases your chances of having them.

According to the same source, women who have twins in their family are more likely to have them than women who have no family history of twins. If the father has a family history of twins, that greater probability will be transferred to his daughter.

Imagine going from a family of 3 to a family of 8!

Wouldn't you love to spend a day with the Kobletskayas? Their lives and schedules have certainly changed after bringing home their five little angels.

This article has been translated and adapted from the original "Ella esperaba mellizos pero entró en shock cuando el médico le dijo la verdad," which was originally published on familias.com.

The post She thought she was pregnant with twins, but was shocked when the doctor told her the truth appeared first on FamilyToday.

If you have kids, you know the struggle of getting them to keep their rooms clean all too well. It can become a constant, overwhelming battle.

I have two young children myself, and one of the most exhausting things about being a mom is trying to get my kids to clean up their toys, shoes and clothes. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. But to teach them the value of tidiness, I know I have to be a good example.

This mom had a different idea.

Don't feel like cleaning? No problem

Alice Velazquez had the genius (yet controversial) idea on how to teach her daughters to clean up after themselves. She was tired of constantly asking them to clean their rooms, so she came up with this solution.

Alice gathered everything in the rooms and put it all into trash bags. Then, she took pictures and posted them to Facebook.

She said in the post, "What do you do when you are DONE telling your teenage daughters to stop letting their room [look] like homeless people live there? You put everything (YES, EVERYTHING) into plastic bags and you sell it back to them for $25 a bag (and they have to earn the money doing chores).

Her post went viral. Many people disagreed with her decision, and according to The Doctors, one person actually threatened to call Child Protective Services on her. But, most people praised her for her clever idea. She said, "I had people contact me from Japan, from India, from France, from Italy," and the responses were a mix of praising the mom and accusing her of child abuse.

What can we learn?

We don't know for sure whether or not this tactic worked to keep the girls' room clean, but they should definitely think twice before letting the mess get too bad next time.

According to Mommypage, the daughters were able to buy back every bag.

This mom taught her daughters a valuable lesson. What she did wasn't child abuse, just a creative tactic used to teach the values of hard work, order and discipline.

Is it impossible to teach our children to clean?

It's not easy, but it's possible to teach your kids to keep a tidy space. Here are a few ways you can start teaching them now:

1. Lead by example

You can't expect your kids to be tidy if you're not. If they see you cleaning and organizing things every day, they're sure to follow in your footsteps.

2. Assign responsibilities

Your kids are never too young to start working in the home. From the time they start walking, you can teach them to put their toys away and start implementing good habits.

3. Explain the importance

I always explain to my children that if they don't keep their rooms clean, they won't be able to find their toys. Giving them a reason motivates your children to follow your rules.

4. Establish rules

Everyone in the family should help make the family rules when it comes to cleaning. Talk to your kids about how dirty laundry should be organized, where toys belong and how to leave the playroom after you're done playing in it.

By having some ground rules about how the house is to be kept, hopefully you won't have to resort to filling trash bags full of your child's belongings.

What do you think? Are you going to use this mom's technique or find your own way to handling a messy room?

_This article was adapted and translated from the original "Sus hijas se negaban a ordenar sus habitaciones, entonces esta madre tuvo una idea que es APROBADA por muchos especialistas y repudiada por otros" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post Her daughters refused to clean their rooms, so this mom came up with a controversial solution appeared first on FamilyToday.

One of the greatest events in a mother's life is to give birth, but witnessing a birth must also be very special. It makes it even more special when the baby being delivered is your little brother.

The photos of the girl pictured below in the delivery room went viral, and you can see why. The emotion and excitement are evident in her face. The little girl, Jacee, accompanied her pregnant mother Dede Carraway when she was about to give birth. Everyone knew Jacee would be there during the birth, but then the doctor asked her a question that shocked them all.

The doctor offered the experience of a lifetime

According to Huffington Post, Jacee was upset because she was too short to see what was going on during the birth. So, the doctor asked her if she would like to help him deliver the child.

According to a Facebook post from Love What Matters, the doctor said, "Jacee, why don't you suit up and come deliver the baby." She was so excited and nervous to be a part of this incredible experience.

The doctor then let Jacee deliver her baby brother (with some help, of course) and she had the honor of cutting the umbilical cord.

According to Today, her mom was a little nervous about letting her daughter deliver the baby. She said, "I couldn't believe it. I was like, what? Uh, no. Never in a million years, But the doctor said, 'I'm being serious. I'll guide her hands and everything.' So she got up in there and was suddenly in the middle of everything."

Jacee loved this experience, and is so excited to share it with her brother when he's old enough to understand.

Children show great strength

For most people, a delivery room does not seem like a suitable place for a young child. However, it's important to remember what lesson is being taught in delivery rooms. By allowing children to discover the miracle of life in person, the experience can be touching for the family and child.

My five year-old daughter asks to watch the video from when she was born, and I am so glad I have it recorded. She gets emotional when she sees it because she's happy we received her with so much love. The taboo about pregnancy and childbirth is in our minds - children can handle a lot more than we give them credit for.

Young Jacee has since decided she wants to be an obstetrician because she wants to help mothers bring children into the world. Undoubtedly, this experience has made a mark on the rest of her life.

Would you let your child witness a live birth?

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Niña de 12 años hace algo inesperado en la sala de partos luego de la inesperada pregunta del médico" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post 12-year-old girl does something extraordinary after the doctor asks her an unexpected question appeared first on FamilyToday.

You'll often hear expecting couples joking that once their child is born they'll never get a good night's rest again. It's true that some babies have a hard time adjusting to sleeping routines, waking up exhausted parents continuously through the night. But what would you do if your baby literally never slept more than two hours each night?

According to KYOUTV, a little girl from Canada can survive with around 90 minutes of sleep per night. It seems impossible, but her rare medical condition causes severe sleep disorders, among other symptoms.

An incomplete diagnosis

When sweet baby Ever was born, everything seemed fine at first. But then Ever began to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which happens when the stomach acids rise to the throat and make eating difficult.

Her parents, Robin Audette and Kirk Hisko, thought this was the reason why their little girl slept so little at night. However, when the medication began to take effect and baby Ever still did not sleep all night, they began to fear that something more serious was going on.

They knew something had to be wrong

Even though Ever barely slept, she was an energetic and happy child. But her parents couldn't brush away their concern when they noticed there were nights when their baby slept only an hour. Her worried parents were also concerned because their baby was missing milestones. They wondered if it was caused by her GERD or "if something else was going on," Audette said in a video interview.

The two brought their daughter from specialist to specialist before finally getting a proper diagnosis.

Angelman's Syndrome

By the time Ever's parents had an accurate diagnosis of her illness, she was already 2 years old. The medical condition that Ever suffers is called Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 12,000 to 20,000 live births. Characteristics of the disorder include developmental delay, lack of speech, sleep disorders, seizures, as well as walking and balance disorders.

Sleep-deprived but happy parents

Audette and Hisko were happy to finally get the whole truth about Ever, but they still find it very challenging to care for a daughter with such an irregular sleep schedule. They take turns staying up with her in shifts throughout the night.

"If we can get anywhere from four to six hours out of her in a night, we feel like we've done good," the parents said.

Even though both parents can get pretty sleepy during the day, Audette and Hisko assert that they feel happy to have their happy daughter in their lives.

Pay attention to these symptoms

Like Ever's parents, you can help diagnose your child if you feel something is wrong. Noticing certain symptoms may hint at this genetic disorder:

• Developmental delays, including no crawling or babbling at 6 to 12 months

• Intellectual disability

• No speech or minimal speech

• Difficulty walking, moving or balancing well

• Frequent smiling and laughter

• Happy, excitable personality

• Irregular sleeping patterns

There is no cure for Angelman syndrome, but there are certain treatments to alleviate the disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The next time you wake up at night because your baby is crying, think of parents whose children only sleep an hour at a time. Are you grateful your child sleeps more than a few hours?

_This article has been adapted and translated from the original "Bebé casi no dormía, sus padres deciden consultar a los médicos y descubren que se trataba de esta enfermedad" which was originally published on familias.com.

The post When their baby barely ever sleeps, these parents sense something is wrong and discover their child has this curious disease appeared first on FamilyToday.