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In a word, yes. Go get your nails done. Or un-done. There are no known risks. However, health experts don’t recommend _constant _exposure to the chemicals involved in manicures (there’s acetone in the remover and toluene in the nail polish). So if you work in a nail salon and experience major headaches on a daily basis, you may be suffering from chronic exposure to toxins. And when toxins get in the bloodstream, it’s important to know you’re at risk for a miscarriage....

Yes, you should definitely be concerned. Ingesting lead paint or its dust can be extremely harmful, and small children — thanks to their tendency to put, oh, _anything _in their mouths – are especially at risk. Years ago, lead was added to paint to make it last longer. Paint made before World War II has the highest levels. In the 1950s, when experts started realizing the danger of lead, the amount in paint was reduced....

Every pregnancy and every labor is different, of course, but just because you’re having multiples doesn’t mean you’ll have double the pain. If it helps any, look at this way: You’re getting off a little easy — multiple babies for the price of just one labor! As for the actual delivery, the likelihood of having a c-section greatly increases with each additional baby, but many twins are born vaginally. In this scenario, you’re going to have to push twice — once for each baby — and there will likely be about 15 to 20 minutes in between the two births....

New research suggests that moms who took folic acid supplements before and during their pregnancies were about 40% less likely to give birth to a baby diagnosed with Autism. An increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, which affect one in 88 children, has sparked scientific research across the globe, with experts interested in learning the causes of autism, as well as ways to prevent the condition. The study, which included more than 85,000 children and was published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, consisted of doctors asking pregnant women to fill out a questionnaire that detailed their use of supplements both before and during the course of their pregnancies....

Teething can be really tough on babies (and parents). Like all tricky stages of development, it doesn’t last forever, but that’s little comfort at 2 a.m. as you scramble around in the dark trying to find a dropped teething toy for the eighth time that night. You may understandably be willing to try almost any solution for those sore gums that have kept baby awake and distressed for the third night in a row....

Your daughter, Harper, is turning two! Are you planning a birthday party? Yes. Very soon. It’s crazy that she’s going to be two. I feel like I just had her yesterday. Yeah, we’re [planning a party]. “Bird” was one of her very first words. So I was thinking about doing a pretty bird theme. “Owl” was another word that she really liked. That’s what I’m thinking. We’ll see! So let’s get honest....

Talk about turning heads. By placing a rear-facing baby car seat in the front of the vehicle, Volvo is introducing a new concept for car seat safety. The reasoning seems intuitive; it will be easier for parents to get baby in and out of the car and to keep an eye on him during the drive. But is it safe? Parents are used to guidelines that recommend keeping kids in the back seat until age 12....

Whoever came up with the phrase “sleep like a baby” clearly never slept anywhere near a newborn. Don’t let that tiny body fool you — infants can crank out a symphony of noises that can rouse even the heaviest of sleepers. Actually, it might be less like a symphony and more like a buzz saw. So what’s behind all the grunting, groaning and gurgling? “Newborn babies breathe through their noses, which allows them to eat and breathe at the same time,” explains Samar Bashour, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital....

When you’re gearing up for baby, there’s a lot to do. This handy month-by-month pregnancy checklist walks you through the key tasks for every stage of the journey, from TTC to your first month with baby. TTC Checklist Start taking prenatal vitamins Talk to relatives about your family medical history, including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders Get a preconception checkup Get a tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations See the dentist If you’re self-employed, apply for a private disability policy...

A Lifelong Bond: Christine Rush, 28 When Christine Rush was still in high school, she went to visit a friend in the hospital, who had just given birth to a baby. Only, this baby wasn’t hers — she had been a gestational surrogate for a Japanese family. “I just found the whole thing so cool. She had just given birth to someone else’s kid!” Christine recalls. “It really stuck with me and I thought it would be something I would really love to do one day....

Snacks for kids? Easy enough. Healthy snacks for kids? Admittedly, a little trickier. While feeding kids healthy snacks should be a priority, let’s face it, often it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to make wholesome, good-for-the-body treats. (And sometimes it’s just impossible to resist a bag of chips!) But guess what? Making healthy snacks—and getting your kids to eat them—can be done. All you need is a little inspiration and preparation....

Isn’t the thought of becoming a mom a bit overwhelming sometimes? I know that it was for me. While I was filled to the brim with excitement, there were still moments of panic when I felt like there was so much that I didn’t know. Luckily, there are lots of ways to connect with other moms — and with the help of technology there are even more ways to connect than ever before....

The big birth day may be months away, but with baby on the way, it’s never too soon to start planning for the future. The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently estimates the cost of raising a child to be $233,610, which includes food, housing, transportation, health care, clothing, child care, basic education and miscellaneous expenses. Notice what it doesn’t include? College savings. When it comes time for baby to leave the nest and head toward higher education, get ready for a hefty price tag of more than $215,000, according to SavingforCollege....

Getting back in shape after baby doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, exercising will make you feel good too—it’s been proven to help with postnatal depression. Here are six ways to bounce back. Start walking as soon as you can after giving birth (as long as your doctor gives you clearance). This will get your body moving and burning calories. Buy a fitness tracker and measure your daily activity then gradually start to increase your steps every week by 10 percent as you get stronger....

What is asthma during pregnancy? Asthma is a potentially serious lung disease. During an asthma attack, the airways become partially blocked, restricting the flow of air — and the circulation of oxygen — throughout the body. If you’ve got asthma, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your pregnancy. What are the signs of asthma during pregnancy? The most common signs and symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness....

The earlier you start saving for any big expense—a vacation, a car, a house—the better. And it’s no different when it comes to a college savings plan for your child. Even if the little bundle of joy is still chilling in the baby bump or just a twinkle in her parent’s eye, it’s never too soon to begin saving for baby’s future. And an education savings account can be just the way to save....

**Issue 1: It’s not just that you weren’t trying. You made every effort not to get pregnant. _“I got pregnant while religiously taking birth control.” — hockeymama79 * _How to deal: Give yourself permission to be upset about the pregnancy. It will be easier to get over it once you admit that to yourself. “Anger and shock could be something you’re feeling, and that’s perfectly fine to feel that way. Don’t feel guilty about your negative feelings,” says clinical psychologist Shoshana Bennett, PhD, who specializes in women’s health and postpartum depression....

Start Out Right You can begin your nanny search by asking friends and family for recommendations; by going online to caregiver listings websites, local message boards and college job boards; or by registering with a nanny placement agency. Katie Bugbee, executive editor at caregiver listings website Care.com, recommends that parents give themselves three months to find a nanny. It can take awhile to find someone you love. Plus, it’s not uncommon for there to be heated competition with other families, so the right one could get away, lengthening your search....

Some women can rattle off exactly which week of the month (first, second, third or fourth) they usually get their period. Others have absolutely no idea when or where their periods will strike. If you count yourself among the latter group, there’s a good chance you are someone with an irregular menstrual cycle. Most women with irregular periods have either very long cycles (45 to 60 days) or sometimes will skip their period every few months....

Moms and dads deserve a little break now and then—and if baby’s grandparents are around and willing to babysit, all the better! You get to duck out for some alone time, and Grandma and Grandpa get to bond with their grandchild. But just as with any babysitter, you of course want to make sure they’re clear on how to safely care for your child. It’s especially important to review some basic safety rules with older generations, since guidelines and recommendations around infant care have changed quite a bit over the years....