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The best breast pumps boast portability and discretion. And they mean it, to a degree. But this one takes things to a whole new level. Created by a physician who was having trouble balancing pumping while working with patients, the Freemie collection cups slip right into your bra and beneath your shirt, helping you pump while going about your day. WHAT WE LOVE Portability doesn’t sacrifice function; the Freemie offers suction comparable to pumps like Medela, Ameda and Philps AVENT Each collection cup holds 8 oz....

No one is going to deny it: Parenting is hard work. You’re expected to know how to soothe a newborn baby, navigate the playground scene and handle a toddler tantrum with the calmness of the Dalai Lama. Raising kids is lifelong job that requires you to have a deep understanding of child development, the ability to react quickly and effectively and the patience to manage both your emotions and your child’s....

[ ] What is going to happen during the rest of my pregnancy? [ ] What kind of paid and unpaid leave is available? [ ] While I am on leave, is my job protected? [ ] What provisions are there for me to ease into coming back? [ ] What type of leave do I have to cover my doctor’s appointments? [ ] Is there less strenuous work available while I am pregnant?...

Baby might not be able to form coherent sentences, but there are some pretty advanced changes going on in his or her brain. This eye-opening CNN video gives you an overview of all the amazing things happening inside the brain as baby matures—even before birth. And that development is happening way earlier than you might have thought. Even at five weeks in utero, baby’s brain is starting to grow. By eight weeks, the structure of the brain and central nervous system is in place....

What is hepatitis in babies? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. There are three main types of hepatitis here in the US: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is the most common in babies and toddlers; it’s usually spread through infected food and drink. Hepatitis B and C are spread through blood and body fluids. Babies can contract hepatitis B and C from their moms during pregnancy and childbirth....

You may have put lots of thought—and money!—into planning baby’s wardrobe before they arrive. But the truth is babies don’t need a huge variety of outfits for the first few weeks of life. You’ll be too busy figuring each other out and just trying to get through the day (and night) to worry about perfectly matching tops, bottoms, socks and hats. (Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for adorable matching outfits later, when baby is a little older....

For most new parents, it’s the eternal question: How to get baby to sleep? When it comes to putting baby down to sleep—and helping baby stay asleep—it can feel like mission impossible sometimes, especially in those first few days, weeks or even months with your newborn. That’s because no two babies are exactly alike, and there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to how to get baby to sleep at night....

The following story, “I Am Not Sad About My Kids Growing Up” by Lyz Lenz was originally published on Boomdash. Last year, when my oldest child went to kindergarten, I sat in the parking lot on the first day of school and I didn’t cry. I thought about crying. A few other moms had cried in the classroom and in the hall as we left. I smiled, trying to register an emotional look on my face....

Look More Closely at Labels There are some chemicals your doc will tell you to completely avoid in skincare products, such as Accutane, tetracycline, topical salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. If you’re unsure about anything you use, check it with your OB. Some experts believe a chemical found in certain nail polishes, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), may be harmful to your fetus. You’ll also want to avoid formaldehyde and toluene. Luckily, there are major brands that don’t have those ingredients....

New moms are able to bond with their newborn from the moment of birth, thanks to a strong activation of amygdala, which regulates emotional reactions. This instant connection in moms, however, doesn’t mean that dads aren’t able to achieve the same level of emotional attachment to their babies. It just takes a little more work, according a recent study by scientists at Bar Ilan University in Israel. Researchers looked at the emotional responses of over 90 mothers and fathers to their babies....

If she’s falling asleep once she’s full and satisfied, that’s fine. However, if she is having trouble staying awake to eat for at least 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll need to try a few tactics to wake her. A baby falling asleep early in feedings can be a sign of a shallow latch, which causes a milk flow so slow that baby quickly loses interest. The solution is to latch baby on deeper....

Moms used to be advised against breastfeeding during pregnancy. People told them it increased the risk of miscarriage, increased the risk of preterm labor, and that the fetus might not receive enough nutrition. As it turns out, none of those things are true. In reality, these are the only known risks of breastfeeding during a low-risk pregnancy: Nipple Pain: Remember how sore they were when you were pregnant? Now someone will be sucking and tugging on them....

First things first, you’ll want to find out what kind of twins you’re having. Not only will that help you know what to expect, but it’ll also help ensure that you and your babies get the proper medical care. As Christina Han, MD, explains, if you ovulate two eggs and they’re both fertilized, the twins would be “dizygotic”—otherwise known as “fraternal,” because they’re genetically different. A twin that results from the division of a single embryo would be “monozygotic”, or “identical” (although it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll look identical)....

And the Winner Is: Evenflo Vented+ Glass Bottle Glass bottles may be heavier than their plastic counterparts, but they’re just as study, they’re environmentally friendly and they’re easier to clean—three pretty strong selling points, if you ask us. When it comes to glass bottles that are easy to hold and near impossible to break, Evenflo’s Vented+ bottles are prime picks. Now a two-time Best of Baby award winner, these bottles withstand the inevitable falls, come out of the wash looking utterly pristine and are sold at a very affordable price point....

One of the biggest roadblocks to becoming pregnant is often just that — a roadblock. Fallopian tubal blockage, actually. Most doctors do an X-Ray HSG to see if such blockage exists in a patient, but the process is often incredibly uncomfortable for women, which keeps a lot of patients from undergoing the procedure. Fertility specialists at UC San Diego, however, have a master plan to ease the discomfort: bubbles. A new ultrasound technique mixes saline and air bubbles and delivers the solution into the uterus via catheter....

Intended to offer peace of mind, non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) allow pregnant women to screen their fetuses for common genetic diseases. And the results can have some pretty serious consequences, sometimes prompting moms to abort their babies. While some tests are touted as 99 percent accurate, what does that actually mean? And what are they actually testing? The answers to those questions have been changing every few years. Susan Gross, MD, tells us that as of 2011, NIPTs were able to identify DNA pieces floating outside of cells in a mother’s blood stream....

As gross as this may sound, you can often tell if your toddler’s sniffles are something more serious by the color of the mucus. If it’s clear, have no fear; that usually signifies allergies. And if it’s cloudy, it’s probably a cold. If the mucus is yellow or green or worse, however, your child may have a sinus infection — and that’s when you should get your pediatrician involved. The doctor will want to do a physical evaluation, and possibly take an X-ray, to see if it’s necessary to prescribe some antibiotics....

Second to your pregnancy test being positive (yay!), discovering whether you’re having a boy or girl is, for many expectant parents, one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy. Of course, you don’t just want to know what doctors think baby’s sex is—you want accurate results. There are several different ways to learn baby’s sex, and the accuracy can vary depending on which method you use and when it’s conducted. Luckily, mistakes aren’t common....

What is chlamydia during pregnancy? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by bacteria. If you’ve got chlamydia, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your pregnancy. What are the signs of chlamydia during pregnancy? You might notice some vaginal discharge (which can be tricky to recognize during pregnancy) or pain when you pee. Often, though, women with chlamydia don’t experience any signs or symptoms. Are there any tests for chlamydia during pregnancy?...

Heading into the holidays with a new baby? If your little one is mobile, you might want to rethink some of your old decorations—all those sparkles and lights will entice baby to touch and play, as if they were toys in a toy store. Fortunately, there’s no need to play the Grinch; just inspect your home for potential dangers and take a few extra precautions. And if you’re visiting someone else’s home, remember to be extra vigilant of your child—not everyone’s home is baby-proofed, after all....