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As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect baby’s health and set them up for future success, both developmentally and financially. One option you’ll likely hear about shortly after baby arrives—bundled with formula samples and paperwork from your pediatrician’s office—is child life insurance. Depending on your family’s life and financial goals, a baby life insurance policy can provide reassurance for your family and an upside for baby’s future, but it may not be the right choice for everyone....

As a parent, it’s natural to feel those mama bear instincts kick in when you sense your child is in danger or needs your protection. After all, it’s our job to protect them and set them up for success. But there comes a point when kids need to learn to handle things on their own—and if we don’t back off, we’re in danger of becoming one of those always-ready-to-swoop-in parents you’ve likely seen at the park, on a playdate or at a kids’ birthday party, commonly known as “helicopter parents....

You may have had a passing knowledge of pregnancy and what those nine+ months entail, thanks to high school biology. But now that you’re “in it,” you may suddenly realize that there’s a whole universe of nitty-gritty topics that you never knew about until now. Exhibit A: the placenta. This fascinating organ develops during pregnancy along with baby and plays a crucial role in keeping your little one healthy in the womb....

Parenthood is chock-full of surprises—that’s what makes it exciting! And there’s much about your unborn baby’s future that’s unknown: The color of their eyes, whether they’ll have your dimples or your partner’s smile, what their first words or favorite foods will be. When it comes to your child’s health, however, surprises aren’t as welcome. But thanks to a relatively new screening method known as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), doctors now have a better idea of what the future holds for baby’s wellbeing....

Being baby’s 24/7 on-demand food source is a big job. And when you’re experiencing sore, cracked nipples from breastfeeding, you need quick relief that’s 100 percent safe for baby. The mom go-to: Lansinoh HPA Lanolin. WHAT WE LOVE No preservatives or additives here; this ointment is made from refined lanolin, a fatty substance naturally found in sheep’s wool Completely baby-safe, you don’t need to wipe yourself off before nursing A pea-sized amount is all you need to apply after each time you breastfeed to keep skin moisturized...

The Bump: Congrats on your pregnancy. You look gorgeous! Do you know what size fruit your baby is? At The Bump, that’s code for how many weeks pregnant you are. Busy Philipps: I know! I have The Bump app, and I don’t think I’m a fruit anymore. I think I’m a vegetable now. [Flips through _The Bump _magazine.] Yep, my baby’s the size of a squash! TB: How has the second pregnancy been compared with your first?...

I think my husband masturbates sometimes. Should he stop while we’re trying to conceive? Frequent masturbation around your fertile period can temporarily reduce your partner’s sperm count. But occasional masturbation is not a concern. Suggest that your husband abstain from masturbating during your fertile period when you’ll be having regular sex together. But for the rest of the month it’s not a problem. If I get my period regularly does that mean I’m ovulating and fertile?...

While you’re probably aware that your diet affects your baby’s development in utero and your newborn’s health, many pregnant women still make eating errors—mainly because they don’t know any better. “Most women I see tend not to be aware of all the nutritional requirements of pregnancy,” maintains Kelli Hughes, R.D., a clinical nutritionist at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. “But they’ll happily do what is recommended once they know what to do....

Many sunscreen bottles tell you not to use the product on babies under 6 months, since their skin is so thin and delicate. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, says it’s okay to put a little sunscreen on your infant if you have to. Before you slather it on, though, there’s a few things you’ll want to consider. Stay Out Of Direct And Indirect Sunlight Because of the risk of sunburn and heatstroke, the AAP says babies younger than 6 months should avoid both direct and indirect sunlight between 10 a....

Where to Buy Maternity Lingerie ASOS: ASOS is a one-stop shop for all sorts of on-trend maternity wear, including maternity lingerie. You’ll find everything from silky nighties to lace maternity bras. Check out the ASOS Maternity line for cute, affordable intimates. Nordstrom: Whether you’re looking for a staple nursing bra or a sexy chemise, odds are you’ll find what you want at Nordstrom. The retailer’s site carries a range of styles from popular lingerie brands such as Cake Maternity and Cache Coeur....

Baby’s been up two times already tonight, and there she goes again. You consider letting her cry it out, but then you wonder, “Will she be scarred forever?” A new study from the AAP says no — that letting baby cry every now and then won’t hurt her emotionally or ruin your relationship with her. After a 2005 Infant Sleep Study suggested the cry-it-out method wouldn’t benefit children, a second study was conducted to see how sleep interventions — or lack thereof — affect children’s emotions and behaviors in the long run....

When I moved to Munich 10 years ago with my then German boyfriend, little did I know I would end up starting my family in Germany—with a French man. My now boyfriend, a software engineer, came to Munich for work and planned to stay only one year. We met during his first three months here while playing in an orchestra. He plays clarinet and I play violin. Six years later, we’re both still in Munich and now have a family!...

You hate: that it’s time-consuming Taking time away from work to pump seems annoying — especially when you know you’re going to want to rush out the door at the end of the day to go home and see baby. You’ve got a limited amount of time to get everything done that you need. “The women that seem to have it the worst are school teachers, nurses, flight attendants and other people that don’t really get breaks,” says Jennifer Ritchie, a board-certified lactation consultant and the author of_ I Make Milk…What’s Your Superpower?...

We’re totally obsessed with _Mad Men _over here. We love the salacious storylines, the retro fashion and of course, dreamy Jon Hamm. But it really did suck to be a woman back then. We recapped the worst parenting moments on Mad Men, but what was it _really _like to be a mom back then? Do we need to cut Betty Draper some slack on her parenting skills? If you were a mom in the 1960s, here’s what would be the norm for you: Childbirth would shorter Childbirth took two hours less in the ‘60s than it does in 2012....

When you imagined yourself with a baby in your belly, you might have pictured yourself sporting an adorable bump, glowing skin or thicker hair—not fighting back the urge to scratch your lady parts in public. Unfortunately, pregnancy and yeast infections are kind of like gin and tonic—they often show up together. The good news? Yeast infections are usually just a nuisance and not something that can harm your baby, and it’s also safe to treat them to ease your discomfort....

Kids under age five can choke on food and small objects. Believe it or not, a lot of the choking prevention advice for babies still holds for children up to 4 to 7 years old! Baby should sit up while eating, and be supervised at all times. Don’t hurry your child when eating—allow plenty of time for meals. Only put a small amount of food on the tray at a time....

Never saying the word “no” “I can’t stand it when kids say ‘no’ or ‘mine’ over and over. So I never said that word to my son. I found other ways to word things. And he didn’t tell me no until he was three!” —TarynD Banishing the word “no” from your vocab can definitely be a tall order, but according to Tammy Gold, parenting expert and founder of Gold Parent Coaching, it definitely has its merits — to a point....

When you’re breastfeeding , you may never realize that what you’re doing is helping your baby’s gut. No, really! According to a new study from the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen, breastfeeding encourages the growth of a helpful lactic acid bacteria in baby’s gut flora, aiding the crucial development of his immune system. “We have become increasingly aware of how crucially important a healthy gut microbial population is for a well-functioning immune system,” says Tine Rask Licht, research manager at the National Food Institute....

Starting out on your pregnancy journey? Congrats! You’ve got 40 weeks ahead of you filled with excitement, anticipation and a probably a dash of anxiety. You’re bound to have questions and concerns as your body and baby undergo major changes, so finding an ob-gyn to guide you through pregnancy and deliver your little one on the big day is an all-important task. Knowing the right questions to put to prospective doctors will help you narrow your search and select the right one for you....

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....