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Many women look forward to that mom-to-be glow once they learn they’re having a baby. But the truth is, when it comes to your complexion, pregnancy may produce a mixed bag of conditions, thanks to shifting hormones. Sure, some women are downright radiant—but many end up with dry skin, a greasy sheen or acne flare-ups. Before you try your usual go-to beauty products to resolve those common pregnancy skin problems, read the label: Not all skin care products are deemed safe when you’re expecting, says Carl Thornfeldt, MD, dermatologist and founder of the skin care line Epionce....

Potty training isn’t just an achievement for kids—it represents a major parenting milestone too. And potty training at night is cause for a full, break-out-the-confetti-level celebration. You can save all that money you were spending on diapers and congratulate yourself for completing a major parenthood achievement. But if your kid isn’t there yet, don’t worry. Nighttime potty training can be a totally different beast than daytime training, and different kids are ready at different times so the key is not to stress it....

Before you invest in soundproofing drywall, consider this: Toddlers scream for real reasons. They scream when they’re hurt, when they’re frustrated, when they’re having a good time and when they want your attention. Sometimes, they scream just to see how loud they can go. So getting to the bottom of why will probably give you clues that will be useful in trying to figure out how to turn down the volume....

This post was written by Tracy Anderson, creator of the Tracy Anderson Method and the new DVD series Tracy Anderson: The Pregnancy Project. Although we struggle to make time for it, exercise is extremely important, especially when you’re expecting. Not only does it keep pregnancy weight gain in check, but it can help you deal with aches and pains and even make childbirth easier. New mom Tracy Anderson, creator of the Tracy Anderson Method, shares her tips on staying fit during those nine months....

Cervidil is a vaginal insert that contains a type of medication called a prostaglandin. It helps jumpstart labor by softening the cervix and preparing it for birth. That’s why it’s typically used in women who need to have labor induced but whose cervix is closed or hasn’t “ripened” yet. The insert is placed by your health care provider (it’s kind of like putting in a tampon!) and remains in place until your provider removes it....

“Nicky, wake your father up!” I holler down from the upstairs landing. “You have to leave for school in 20 minutes!” I know this communication is wasted breath, that I will be the one to march downstairs in five minutes’ time, enter my ex-husband’s side of our house, and gently (or not so gently) remind him that he needs to drive our 8-year-old son to school while I head out of the door to my own work day....

For moms who decide to (and are able to) breastfeed, there are loads of benefits to enjoy. It can help babies maintain a healthy weight, improve their brain development and, thanks to an ideal mix of antibodies, boost their immune system. And the upsides of breast milk don’t stop there! Beyond nourishing your child, breast milk can serve as a pretty handy home remedy for a number of issues. “Human milk is truly amazing....

Maxine Craig is a young mom and wife living with a life-threatening genetic condition called Cystic fibrosis. Only in recent history have people with CF lived into adulthood. Because of this, she always knew conception and pregnancy would be uncertain. Little did she know a pregnancy was just around the corner. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition I’ve dealt with my whole life. Hospitalizations due to lung infections weren’t uncommon. In fact, when I got pregnant, I was undergoing the most severe IV antibiotic treatment of my life....

Breastfeeding can be tougher than it sounds, especially if you don’t know what to expect. The best prep is to get educated: Take a breastfeeding class while you’re pregnant, read up on the subject wherever you can, and chat with any breastfeeding friends. There are tons of Web sites and blogs that focus on breastfeeding, too. Every baby is different, but if you know the basics, you’ll be more confident when baby actually has a go at your nipples....

Your first step: Don’t ignore the problem. If you do have the disease and leave it untreated, you and baby face a variety of risks and complications, including mental problems for baby, heart failure for you, and preterm birth. But the good news is, as long as the disease is properly treated, women with thyroid disease can have healthy babies. Thyroid tests aren’t a common part of prenatal diagnoses, so make sure to ask your doctor for a test if you have any symptoms of hyper or hypothyroidism....

While pot hasn’t been shown to hurt baby before (or even soon after) getting pregnant, it’s definitely a good idea to quit as soon as you decide to conceive. Smoking pot while pregnant can affect the function of the placenta and may result in low birth weight and fetal distress during labor. Moreover, newborn babies of pot-smoking moms may go into withdrawal upon delivery (suffering side effects like the jitters and a slow response to stimuli, to name a few)....

Fresh new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that though symptoms of autism may not be obvious until your child is a toddler, the disorder actually begins while baby’s still developing — in utero. According to the study, conducted by the Autism Center of Excellence at the University of California, San Diego, when researchers studied brain tissue taken from children who had died (that also had autism) they found patches of disorganization in the cortex, which revealed a thin sheet of cells critical for learning and memory....

Do you Need Postpartum Underwear? Types of Postpartum Underwear Postpartum mesh underwear: Mesh briefs are super-stretchy and designed to hold heavy-duty sanitary pads. The soft material and high-waisted cut won’t aggravate vaginal soreness or irritate a c-section incision. Typically, mesh underwear is disposable but some brands create styles that can be washed and worn multiple times. This type is freely available at the hospital when you give birth, so it’s worth stashing a few pairs in your bag to use at home....

What Is a Sleep Sack? Different Types of Sleep Sacks Swaddle-style sleep sacks: This design offers an easy-to-use alternative to classic swaddles, making them great for newborns. This type of wearable blanket constricts baby’s arms, which helps curb the moro reflex (also known as the startle reflex). However, as with regular swaddling, the use of sleep sacks that compress the arms, chest and body should stop once baby shows signs of starting to roll over....

Some women are eager to get back to their pre-baby exercise routines after giving birth, while it’s not a priority for others. Either way, it’s hard to deny the pressures that many women face practically the minute after that baby arrives. And one woman is fed up with the assumption that weight loss should be every new mom’s first and foremost concern. When Mel Rymill was given the go ahead to work out with a personal trainer after giving birth, she attended her session with a few goals in mind....

These days, convertible cribs are nearly a dime a dozen. Forget furniture lasting through the toddler years—with Babyletto’s new EERO, you can buy a crib that’ll serve your child well into her adult years. Which is handy, because with a bed this beautiful, she won’t ever want to give it up. WHAT WE LOVE The 4-in-1 crib can—you guessed it—transform into four different types of beds: crib, toddler, day bed and full-size bed....

Sometimes it can seem like everyone around you is pushing a stroller and lugging a diaper bag — especially if you’re trying to get pregnant but haven’t yet succeeded. It gets even harder when your circle of friends all seem to be busy fussing over their babies and limiting their social lives to mommy-and-me classes. You can approach this in one of two ways: Either avoid them altogether or have a frank discussion with those you are closest with....

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted several milestone celebrations, including baby showers. But many expectant couples have chosen to get creative around how to celebrate with loved ones—and the past few months have seen an uptick in drive-by and walk-by baby showers. While these showers can be a great way to celebrate the pregnancy in a socially distant and safe manner, there are some key things to keep in mind while planning....

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...

We can’t guarantee that every single stretch mark cream on the market is safe, but in general, if you found that stretch mark product on an OTC drugstore shelf, it’s probably just fine to use. “For the most part people making stretch mark creams are thinking of safety for pregnant women,” says Laura Riley, MD, ob-gyn, director of Labor and Delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of You & Your Baby: Pregnancy....