Felicia’s maternity photo session was a great package deal. It turned into a birthing shoot as well. The mom-to-be was about halfway through her maternity shoot with Jessica Bender Photography when her water broke. “She looked at me with concern on her face and asked, ‘What does it feel like when your water breaks?’” Jessica Bender writes on her blog. “File that under questions I have never been asked during a photo session!...
No way. First, consider whether the lump could be a plugged duct. Treat it as a plugged duct for a week. If it doesn’t go away, have your doctor take a look (and don’t freak — most breast lumps are benign). You won’t need to stop breastfeeding for a mammogram, breast ultrasound, or even a biopsy. However, you’ll need to make sure all of the medical folks you deal with know you’re breastfeeding....
You’ll definitely need a car seat that is the right size for your baby, and since many premature babies weigh less than 5 lbs when they go home — and not every car seat is approved for a baby that small — you may have to do some research. Preemies are often not as long as full-term babies when they are ready to go home, so the shoulder harness must be adjustable so nothing larger than a finger can slip between your baby and the straps when buckled....
Ah, The Conversation. Try one of these subtle ways to start up the discussion… When: After you’ve seen other people’s kids, when your mate has spent some time with them (particularly if he’s good with children.) Say:“Where’d you learn those baby skills? I didn’t know you were such a natural with kids!” Follow-up:“Are you looking forward to starting our own family, or do you think we should wait a while?” When: There’s a baby reference on TV....
There are several names for a white spot on the nipple: nipple blister, milk blister,blocked nipple pore, or a milk bleb. The first type of milk bleb is caused when alittle piece of skin grows over a nipple pore and the milk collects under it causingthe milk to back up. Sometimes a milk bleb is formed when a tiny collection offat cells gather and stick together at the opening of the nipple pore and becomea hardened plug....
In new research published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that the reason a woman’s water breaks too soon (resulting in preterm labor) may be due to bacteria. Led by the Duke University School of Medicine, the study authors suggest that a certain bacteria found in moms-to-be may lead to a thinning of the membranes around the baby, causing them to tear earlier, and baby to be born sooner than expected....
Breastfeeding? Painful, at first. Figuring out a new daily routine? Overwhelming. Accepting the changes to your marriage and life? Difficult. Sleep deprivation? Killer. All these things, and more, have contributed to what has been the most challenging year of my life — my first year as a mother of twins. And yet, none of these things are what I would consider to be the hardest part of parenting. A few months ago, my mom came to visit....
Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling is also known as cordocentesis. It’s a specialized form of testing that can be used to determine if your baby carries certain genetic or blood defects. It’s only used in certain circumstances in which a woman and her doctor agree that the need for information outweighs the risks of the procedure, which include miscarriage, blood loss, infection and premature rupture of membranes. Usually, that’s when chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis test results are inconclusive....
Chances are, your newborn will start out sleeping in your room. Not only is it considered the safest place for baby—and an ideal way to build that parent-child bond—it’s also convenient to have him close by for all those late-night feedings. But at some point, you’re going to want to reclaim your space. Which brings us to the key question: When to move baby to his own room? Here, experts explain how to know when your child is ready for the big switch, plus tips for transitioning baby to the crib....
The search for the perfect baby name can be exciting—but it can also be long and arduous. In recent years, many parents have been seeking baby name inspiration in pop culture. In honor of the 94th Academy Awards this weekend, we’re looking to Hollywood icons for some ideas. Below, browse 20 baby names inspired by some of the biggest names in the American entertainment industry. 10 Baby Girl Names Inspired By Hollywood Actresses Audrey Arguably the most iconic Audrey in Hollywood is Audrey Hepburn....
The family car is, quite literally, your home away from home, complete with the mess and disarray you’ve come to expect as a parent. Your vehicle’s formerly pristine leather interior is now streaked with jelly (or is that marker?). Your once immaculate foot wells are now littered with an array of decapitated Goldfish crackers, half-drunk sippy cups and toys just waiting to be barfed on. While you might cringe in disbelief and disgust each time buckle your child in, know this: 1) You’re not alone; 2) this can be fixed; and 3) you can actually prevent this mess-on-wheel from occurring in the first place....
Eva Chen has been telling stories through fashion for years, previously as the editor in chief of Lucky Magazine and currently as the director of fashion partnerships at Instagram. She’s sharing her most personal story yet in her new book, I am Golden. The New York Times best-selling author reflects on her experience as a first-generation Chinese American with the hope of helping children celebrate their unique selves. We chatted with the author about I am Golden and her collaboration with Janie and Jack, the lessons she hopes to teach her three children and the best and worst parts of being pregnant....
A nighttime bedtime routine can lead to better-rested children and happier parents (we’re pretty sure those two results are related). The idea is that for the 30 minutes before you want her to go to sleep, you follow the exact same rituals in the exact same order: washing up, brushing teeth, book, whatever makes the most sense for you. There are two keys to implementing it: The first is to start by working around the time when your toddler usually falls asleep....
Those first weeks at home with a newborn are exhilarating, terrifying and wonderful. You did it! You’re parents! But life with a new baby also turns time into a three-hour loop: Feed, sleep, change, repeat. And in the monotony of it all, something other than sleep takes a back seat—spontaneity. But there’s hope! Even with a rigid newborn schedule, new parents can still have some fun. In fact, keeping the spark alive is never more important than now....
The Bump presents #MomBoss, a series dedicated to showing off all-star moms. We catch up with mompreneurs behind products we love, influencers who get real about motherhood and SAHMs who can multitask in their sleep. You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times—It takes a village. But what if you haven’t found your people yet. The truth is, motherhood can feel lonely, especially when you don’t have a mom tribe beside you....
Morning sickness: Consider it the first of many concessions you’ll make to your child in your journey as a mother. The swirly-head nausea and vomiting that often accompanies early pregnancy is far from fun—in fact, it can be downright debilitating. Unfortunately, for many expectant mothers, it’s par for the course. So when does morning sickness start—and more importantly, how can you find morning sickness relief? We’ve asked top doctors to dish on everything you need to know about morning sickness during pregnancy....
Pros • Dishwasher and microwave safe • Breast-like mound • Designed to reduce colic Cons • The bottle sometimes leaks Bottom Line The Philips Avent Natural Polypropylene Bottle is an easy-to-clean, easy-to-use update of a family favorite and is as close to the breast as anything I’ve used. Rating: 4 stars Image: Philips AventFeatures I found Philips Avent Natural Polypropylene Bottles to be a really nice update to the Avent line....
It’s not easy to quantify or qualify the inexplicable emotions of pregnancy. But funny charts can help. Melissa Small, an author and designer at The Bold Italic, created “Charts That Explain Why I’m Crying and Sweating” to trace the ups and downs of pregnancy. And we mean ups and downs. She duly noted that the causation of different activities isn’t what is used to be, either. Of course, moms-to-be are tired all the time....
Your pregnancy timeline is a little different from that of moms expecting singletons; you’ll likely be giving birth before 40 weeks. But you don’t want them to come too early since low birth weight is a concern. Twins should ideally be born at 38 weeks, triplets between 36 and 37 weeks, and quads at 36 weeks. While you can’t prevent preterm labor, you can lower the risk. Here’s how: • Start prenatal care ASAP and keep all of your OB appointments • Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight and eat enough calories derived from the nutrients recommended to you • Drink lots of water • Don’t smoke or use drugs • Call your doctor anytime you feel sick • Don’t stress Be vigilant for signs of preterm labor....
Hospital-grade pumps These are very high quality with automatic suction-and-release cycles. A hospital-grade breast pump is the best pump to use if you are trying to establish and maintain a milk supply for a baby that isn’t able to breastfeed. They are heavy and expensive (you can buy or rent), but they are very effective. No breast pump can effectively empty your breasts as good as baby, but these come closer than any other pump....
