Why The Little Moments With Your Kids Matter

It’s one of the greatest paradoxes of parenting: Research shows that raising small children is associated with psychological stress and marital blahs—but at the same time, it’s also scientifically linked to heightened feelings of exquisite joy and fulfillment in life. So how is this possible? How can such an exasperating, exhausting, often overwhelming job with zero pay offer such spectacular rewards? The explanation may lie in a burgeoning area of research called “relational savoring” As a 2015 Personal Relationships journal article reports, by taking the time to notice the tender little moments you share with your child and relishing all the little details surrounding it, you enhance your emotional well being and overall life satisfaction....

January 22, 2023 · 11 min · 2200 words · James Mcardle

10 Surprising Pregnancy Symptoms No One Told You About

Some pregnancy symptoms you just expect, right? The morning sickness, the wacky food cravings, the big swollen ankles. But then there are the symptoms that take you by surprise—the ones that cute celebrities with their even cuter baby bumps don’t talk about during their red carpet interviews. We’ll talk you through some of the things no one else will warn you about and why they happen in pregnancy. You Might Sprout Facial Hair There’s a good chance you may experience an uptick in facial hair growth....

January 21, 2023 · 7 min · 1294 words · Peter Elliston

2020 Best Of Baby Winner For Top Nursing Clothes Brand

And the Winner Is: Teat and Cosset Are “nursing clothes” really necessary? We think so. Sure, you could just lift up your top to feed baby, but there’s something pretty fantastic about putting on a new outfit post-pregnancy that fits and flatters and makes you feel a little more confident to nurse in public. Teat and Cosset is on a mission to make mamas feel like their best selves, and we are here for it....

January 21, 2023 · 2 min · 297 words · Pamela Page

A Parents Guide To Surviving The Nicu

Having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a heart-wrenching, anxiety-inducing, exhausting experience no family wants to go through. And yet every day, whether because they’re born prematurely, underweight or with other health complications, babies enter this world needing additional intensive care—and parents find themselves visiting their newborns in the NICU instead of heading home together. While that fact may not lessen the blow, it does mean you’re not alone....

January 21, 2023 · 14 min · 2794 words · Sondra Kucera

Amy Anderson

In 2010, Amy Anderson was 20 weeks pregnant when her son Bryson died in utero, hours before a scheduled surgery to correct a lower urinary tract obstruction. Much to her own surprise and that of her doctor’s, Anderson’s milk started to come in days after the procedure. Rather than “pump and dump,” as moms in her situation are likely to do, Anderson found another way to cope with the terrible grief of losing Bryson: She decided to donate her milk to the closest nonprofit milk banks, OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank and Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast....

January 21, 2023 · 3 min · 430 words · Fred Salters

Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period

Can you get pregnant on your period? It’s a common question women ask, whether they’re hoping to have a baby or trying to avoid pregnancy altogether. The answer can be tricky, given how confusing the timing of ovulation can be. That said, we reached out to experts to find out once and for all whether getting pregnant on your period—or directly before or after it—is even a possibility, and how to figure out when you’re least and most fertile....

January 21, 2023 · 8 min · 1579 words · Pamela Hernandez

Exercise Dos And Don Ts During Pregnancy

For most women, exercise during pregnancy is not only safe, it’s highly recommended—especially if you’ve already been working out. But now that you’re expecting, there are some activities you should avoid—so clear your routine with your ob-gyn just to be sure. Here are a few basic dos and don’ts: DO… Dress comfortably If it’s easier to move around, injuries are less likely. Drink plenty of water Hydration is especially important once there’s a baby in your belly....

January 21, 2023 · 2 min · 249 words · Lucille Scott

Fertility Treatment Babies Are Getting Healthier Denmark Study Finds

Fertility technology improves by leaps and bounds every year. In 2014 alone, we saw the introduction of three-parent IVF and the first successful birth from a womb transplant. The bottom line? More people are able to become parents. And a new study found that over the last two decades, more and more of them are able to stay parents. The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction , found that the health of babies born from assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been improving for the last 20 years....

January 21, 2023 · 3 min · 464 words · Phillip Botha

Introducing Solids When To Start Baby Food

Starting solids is an exciting and important milestone in baby’s development—one that not only opens them up to a brand-new world of flavors and textures, but also puts them on the right path to growing healthy and strong. Here’s what you need to know about how and when to start baby food for a smooth transition. In this article: When to start baby food How to start baby on solids Best first foods for baby Introducing allergenic foods...

January 21, 2023 · 9 min · 1762 words · Geraldine Clay

Is Lubricant Safe While Pregnant

Lots of women insist that pregnancy makes them friskier than ever. (Others want no part of the act that “got them into this mess in the first place,” but we’re not talking about them here.) Still, it’s hard to feel your sexy best when your lady-parts are parched—and pregnancy-related hormonal changes can cause vaginal dryness in some women, explains Hilda Hutcherson, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and the author of What Your Mother Never Told You About S-e-x....

January 21, 2023 · 2 min · 251 words · Margaret Mcneal

Monochorionic Monoamniotic Twins

Some twins learn to share at a very young age. The majority of identical twins will share the same placenta but have separate amniotic sacs (monochorionic diamniotic), although a smaller percentage of identicals have their own of each one (dichorionic diamniotic). When there’s sharing involved, there’s a higher risk of complications, so you’ll likely be getting some extra attention from your doctor, and will almost definitely be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist....

January 21, 2023 · 1 min · 146 words · Jose Johnson

Nipple Cream Galactagogues And Other Things I Wish I Knew When I Chose To Breastfeed

This month will be a “celebration of the tata’s” for my little one and I. If you’re a Bumpie reader, you’re already aware that August is “National Breastfeeding Awareness” month. It’s also my (nearly) 10-month nurseaversary! As a breastfeeding and working Mom, I’m pretty darn proud of myself to reach this milestone. In the U.S., most women throw in the towel after a few months of nursing due to low supply issues, frustration with pumping, etc....

January 21, 2023 · 6 min · 1218 words · Margaret Lowe

Oligohydramnios What To Know About Low Amniotic Fluid

So, you had an ultrasound and learned that the amniotic fluid around baby is low. What does that mean? It’s an intricate answer. It depends how low the fluid volume is, how far along in pregnancy you are and what the possible cause of the low fluid may be. Amniotic fluid is essential for the normal growth, development and well-being of your baby, and identifying low amniotic fluid is an important part of prenatal care....

January 21, 2023 · 8 min · 1652 words · Jerilyn Kendall

The Uncomfortable Etiquette Of Asking About Breastfeeding

Meet Jessica Shortall, a working mom with a career dedicated to the intersection of business and doing good. As the former Director of Giving for TOMS Shoes, she literally circumnavigated the globe with a breast pump. Pre-order her upcoming book by Abrams, “Work. Pump. Repeat: The New Mom’s Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work,” out Sept. 8. Is it even okay to ask women if they’re breastfeeding anymore? Serious question....

January 21, 2023 · 3 min · 556 words · Florence James

This Dad Supports Breastfeeding Moms In A Hilarious Way

Moms are pretty good about supporting other moms when it comes to things like breastfeeding, but dads — not to mention kids — probably don’t quite understand your trials and tribulations. Enter Jason Greene. On his blog OneGoodDad , he really hits the nail on the head for breastfeeding awareness. And he gets his older kids involved too. “In honor of National Breastfeeding month, I made my kids eat their lunch under a blanket just like the old days of when they were infants,” he posts under a photo of the kids at the table....

January 21, 2023 · 2 min · 242 words · Delfina Flores

When Should I Stop Swaddling

Parents should stop swaddling their babies by three or four months. At this time, most full-term infants are acclimated to life outside of the womb and no longer crave the constriction of a swaddle. It’s also extremely important to give babies over four months old the freedom to move at night. When you stop swaddling baby, you’ll be astonished to see how much he travels around his crib during the night....

January 21, 2023 · 1 min · 172 words · Michael Watson

Why Family Meals Are My Secret To Raising Healthy Kids

When parenthood started barreling down on us over the bulge of my giant belly, my husband and I thought it would probably be good to talk about what we wanted our family rhythms and priorities to look like before I went into labor. As I was dilating to 8 cm, we slipped in our big question right before the buzzer: “How do we build a healthy family life where our children actually want to spend time with us and each other, even when they don’t have to?...

January 21, 2023 · 5 min · 887 words · James White

Why Moms Need To Shift Their Perspective On Asking For Help

Mental health is a critical component of maternal health. But with all the expectations society has for mothers, prioritizing self-care is often easier said than done. Many moms are responsible for their 9 to 5 jobs, caring for kiddos, managing the household, scheduling family activities, the list goes on. With so much to do at all times, it’s no wonder we need help—and a lot of it. Yet some women, burdened with the expectation to “do it all,” feel like they can’t reach out for help even when they really need it....

January 21, 2023 · 6 min · 1116 words · Paul Redding

10 Healthy Foods To Eat When Pregnant

There’s nothing like finding out you’re pregnant to encourage better eating habits. After all, your body is going through big changes, and both you and baby need a full dose of vitamins and nutrients to stay well and strong. But what counts as healthy food for pregnancy? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 of the best foods to eat when pregnant, and why. Eggs What it’s got: Whether you like them fried, scrambled, hard-boiled or served as an omelet, eggs are the gold standard for prenatal protein....

January 20, 2023 · 8 min · 1520 words · Theresa Hernandez

3 Ways To Have A Baby Friendly And Fun Fourth Of July

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but holidays just aren’t the same when you have a baby. Some holidays, that is. Especially ones involving beer and fireworks. Babies and pyrotechnics don’t mix. So you might find yourself, like I did, sitting home alone with a baby on Independence Day, while the rest of your family is out enjoying the fireworks. This one particular Fourth, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself as I sat there watching “The Lois Wilson Story: Love Is Not Enough,” a made-for-TV movie starring post-shoplifting Winona Ryder as the long-suffering wife of the guy who started Alcoholics Anonymous....

January 20, 2023 · 2 min · 391 words · Roberto Brown