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Ever wish you could throw your child a bash that even the celebrity kids would envy? Well thanks to Solei Moon Frye, you’ll soon be able to. The actress and mom of two announced that she is writing a how-to party guide full of tips on how to throw affordable, stress-free, and kid-friendly get-togethers. The book, set to launch next fall, features kid-approved recipes, easy crafts and party ideas. “I love putting together parties for our family," Solei told People magazine....

What to Look for in Toddler Gloves and Mittens Easy to take on and off. Gloves or mittens need to be easy to get on when you’re rushing out the door. And it’s equally important that they’re easy to shuck off for snack time or bathroom breaks. Thumbless mitts are easier to slip on, but some kids don’t when their fingers feel restricted. Whatever option you choose, make sure they have a wide opening and a flexible fit....

There comes a moment in every father’s life when it finally hits you: You are someone else’s dad. This doesn’t necessarily happen when you find out you are going to have a baby, nor when the baby is born. It happened to me today. Today we got a crib. Until we saw this strange sleek birch piece of furniture assembled, somehow we didn’t realize we were really parents. Michelle said, “Now that I see that crib, it just hit me that we have a baby....

There are hundreds of reasons why we’re members of Facebook parenting groups. They’re places we gather to find empathy, support and valuable advice on everything from spousal issues to our kids’ sickness symptoms and procuring just the right baby carrier. But if you’re anything like me, there’s another reason why we troll the latest posts—one we loathe to admit: the occasional cat fights. These entertaining little rifts tend to circle around recurring themes: vaccination, politics and homeschooling....

Vacations can be a blast—but they can also wreak havoc on your child’s sleep schedule, especially if you’re switching time zones along the way. And parents can all agree, a jet lagged baby isn’t much fun. So how do you help your little one adjust to local time? Try these tips to help ease the transition. Decide Whether It’s Worth Adjusting Baby’s Schedule If you’re only taking a short trip one or two time zones away, it may be better to just keep your child on their normal sleep schedule and set meal times, naps and bedtime an hour earlier or later, depending on whether you headed east or west....

What is trichomoniasis during pregnancy? Trichomoniasis, commonly referred to as “trich,” is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. What are the signs of trichomoniasis during pregnancy? Some women experience no symptoms. Most, though, notice frothy yellowish-green vaginal discharge and irritation. Are there any tests for trichomoniasis during pregnancy? Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and pelvic examination. (Red sores can usually be seen on the cervix or inside the vagina of women infected with trich....

There are many reasons why mothers want to deliver vaginally after having a cesarean section with their first child. Maybe they feel a desire to deliver naturally; maybe they don’t want to go through the recovery process of major surgery again. Whatever the motivation, if you’ve decided to try for a VBAC—a vaginal birth after caesarean—a little due diligence along with a well-strategized VBAC birth plan will help everything go a little more smoothly....

Most formula makers do their very best to imitate breast milk (although many experts say formula’s still no substitute for the real thing). About 80 percent of the formulas sold today have proteins derived from cow’s milk. Others are made from soy and can be used for babies with an allergy to milk proteins. Read the ingredients label to make sure baby’s formula is fortified with iron (most are), since infants don’t usually have enough iron in their bloodstream to meet all their developmental needs, says Diane Bloomfield, MD, attending pediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, New York....

Depending on how you normally snooze through the night, you might have to rethink your favorite position while expecting. As you may already know, some pregnancy sleeping positions are better for baby than others. Plus, as your bump grows, you may find some of your go-tos increasingly uncomfortable. The good news? You likely won’t have to switch things up until you hit the second trimester and really start showing. Keep reading to learn more, straight from the experts, on what you need to know about each common pregnancy sleeping position and how to find ones that are comfortable and safe throughout those nine+ months....

This week, a woman flying from Boston to DC was told by a United Airlines employee to pump breastmilk in the airport’s pet relief area. “She said you can go to the bathroom. And I said the bathroom is not sanitary,” said the woman, Liz Meagher Cooper. “She said we also have a pet relief center. And I just looked at her. So, she said there haven’t been a lot of dogs in the airport today....

Newborn nail care? Diaper table distraction? Information for caregiver? See all newborn Q&As Tasmanian baby Baby’s starting to understand cause and effect, which means he loves grabbing, tasting, banging, shaking, and throwing. This makes it especially important to keep sharp objects, breakables, drinks, and your hair out of baby’s reach. He’s also learning to differentiate pastel colors. Keep exposing him to books and toys with wide ranges of hues to further expand his awareness of color....

Staying sane? Dealing with mom? Sleep inhibitors? See all baby Q&As Blue, green, or brown? Baby’s eye color is pretty much set by now, and her vision is almost fully developed. Her short-range vision is still strongest, but she now can also see objects across the room (and delights in going after them). She’s also mastered the pincer grip and is able to grasp items with her thumb and forefinger. We’ll say it one more time: Baby-proof....

As with any party, the best baby showers are those where the conversation is lively and time seems to fly. And nothing does that better than a few well-chosen baby shower games. We’ve rounded up our favorites, from co-ed baby shower games that all your guests will enjoy, to easy baby shower games you can pull off in a moment’s notice and even unique baby shower games that’ll impress even the most jaded of guests....

My 21-month-old daughter wants to help with everything. If she sees me sweeping, she immediately tries to snatch the broom, announcing, “I help!” And don’t get me started on emptying the dishwasher. When she sees the dishwasher door open, she will fly across the room and go straight for her sippy cups, matching the tops and bottoms and placing them on the counter near the cabinet where we keep them in....

As a new parent, you’re probably no stranger to fretting: Is baby eating enough? Is he getting enough sleep? Is he warm enough at night? But before you reach for those adorable baby blankets that seem oh-so-perfect for tucking baby in at night, learn when it’s safe—and when it’s not—for baby to sleep with a blanket. Here’s what you need to know. Are blankets safe for baby? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping the crib free of blankets, pillows, toys and other items until baby is 12 months old, as these can create a suffocation hazard and increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)....

Pregnancy is filled with ups, downs and many unknowns. It’s normal to wonder whether baby’s okay, especially when you don’t know exactly what’s going on in the womb. But once you enter your third trimester, there’s an easy, free, at-home technique you can use to monitor baby’s wellbeing: fetal kick counts. We tapped experts to break down everything you need to know about baby kick counts, including why they’re important, when and how to do them and when to call your doctor about decreased movement....

Worried about mixing up who’s drinking what and how much during each feeding? Place the bottles in the same position the babies are in (so if Suzy is to the left of Sammy, put the bottle on the left side of the table or counter behind her) when you put the bottle down to burp. You can also try marking the outside of the bottle with an initial or symbol. But don’t worry too much about exchanging cooties at this point — it’s part of life with newborn multiples and bound to happen at some point....

You’re not the only one with this problem…as evidenced by the stacks of barely worn maternity clothes in most secondhand stores. (A great place to find quality bargains, by the way.) The easiest place to start, though, is at home - in your husband’s closet. His clothes will be great for lounging around the house throughout your pregnancy, and his button-downs and blazers will probably work for the office well into your pregnancy....

Just when you thought the pain of childbirth was behind you, you’re faced with the prospect of your first poop after birth. We’re not going to lie—it might hurt. But probably not as much as you fear! And contrary to what anyone tells you, you won’t burst your stitches either. It’s normal to take a day or two (or three) to have a bowel movement, usually due to a combo of weak tummy muscles, soreness and just plain fear....

By the end of month nine, most moms-to-be are more than ready for baby to make an appearance. You’re uncomfortable, you can’t sleep and you haven’t seen your feet in weeks—no wonder you’re counting down the days until you deliver. But, for a number of reasons, hurrying the process along with natural ways to induce labor isn’t always the best idea. And it’s often not as easy or innocuous as you may think....