A typical evening for me Monday through Friday is pretty mundane. Come home from work. Get dressed in comfy clothes. Load washer/dryer, dishwasher. Relax. You get the point. However, I only half did most of my “chores.” Sure, I unloaded and loaded the washer, dryer and dishwasher, but I forgot to press “start” on at least two out of the three machines. Mind you, this has happened on more than one or two occasions....
Having two babies hungry and crying at the same time must be one of the most heart-wrenching aspects of caring for multiples. The easiest way to deal with this is by simultaneously breastfeeding your twins. It can take a little time for mom and both babies to master this, but once you figure it out, you’ll save time and tears (for everyone). The basic simultaneous feeding positions are: • Double clutch (football) hold • Combination clutch-cradle hold • Double cradle (or crisscross cradle) hold See how to perform these at Breastfeeding....
The uproar is scary to us, too! This basic breakdown explains the major issues. And — don’t forget to check out our non-medicinal cough and cold remedies. The Concern According to an FDA public health advisory released last Friday, cough and cold medications — even those marketed specifically towards infants and toddlers — have no proven effectiveness in young children, and can actually cause severe harm. The FDA started the review last March, after a group of doctors and public health officials filed a petition questioning the safety of such medications....
I recommend against this in most cases. If breastfeeding is going well, then thereshouldn’t be a problem with soreness and certainly not cracking. Soreness or nipple damage usually indicates that something is going wrong during feeding. If this happens to you, then it’s a good idea to seek help as soon as possible to correct the problem. The biggest problem with using over-the-counter creams and ointments is thatthey can create the kind of damage they are marketed to prevent....
In Germany, the answer is apparently Yes. On November 1, the German Parliament voted a law into place that gives parents the option of leaving the gender blank on baby’s birth certificate. So far, they are the only European country to do so. So, why is the German law important? The passage of the law means something big for activists here at home and abroad. It marks the beginning of the end of surgical practices that attempted to “normalize” intersex kids after birth....
Whether it’s Gerber brand or your own homemade recipe, baby food is a staple in your household. But did you ever wonder what parents did before Beaba cookers and those little jars of smashed sweet potatoes were at the ready? Baby food as we know it didn’t come on the scene until the 1920s. A big deal — and definitely another reason the roaring twenties were so roaring, at least if you were a parent....
Dads don’t always say and do the right things—especially when their partner is in the delivery room, about to give birth. So if you’re expecting, do you both a favor: Forward them this delivery room etiquette crib-sheet, then discuss. (Dads don’t have to agree with the rules. They just need to accept them.) It’s chock full of frank advice from moms who’ve endured, while in labor, all sorts of indignities and their partner’s clueless bungles—including bad jokes, snoring and whining....
Pregnancy comes with all sorts of not-so-fun symptoms and side effects. Pressure or pain in the vaginal area is just one more unpleasant thing to add to the list. But it makes sense: Your body is stretching in all sorts of ways to accommodate a rapidly expanding baby. The issue, then, becomes gauging whether you’re experiencing typical pain or something abnormal and worrisome. Is it run-of-the mill round ligament pain, or does the pressure signify a serious issue like preterm labor?...
By the time you reach the end of your second trimester, you’re probably used to being poked and prodded. Ultrasounds and blood draws are par for the pregnancy course. But there’s another upcoming appointment you’ve probably heard some mixed things about: the glucose test. As if pregnancy isn’t sweet enough, around week 24, you’ll have to chug a syrupy drink to measure your body’s response to sugar. Pass this preliminary glucose test, and you’re generally considered good to go....
Whether you’re hosting an intimate group for the mom-to-be or a big bash for a happy couple, choosing cute baby shower invitations is the first step to a successful baby shower. Unique baby shower invitations can set the tone for the party and give guests guidance as they find a thoughtful gift for a girl, boy, twins or a surprise. The best baby shower invitations for your event will work within your theme and budget....
And the Winner Is: Yumi One of the hardest things most adults do during the day? Figure out what to make for dinner. Add in baby’s meals, and food prep can quickly become a stressful affair. With dozens of fruit and vegetable purees to choose from, Yumi’s subscription service helps you help your little one discover new solids and exciting flavors. Each Yumi blend is made with real ingredients proven by science to foster baby’s nutritional development....
One of the most exciting experiences for expectant parents is setting up a nursery for baby—a place where you’ll enjoy countless snuggles and bedtime stories and where your little one will play, learn and (hopefully) spend hours in peaceful slumber. (We’re rooting for you.) But with so many design possibilities out there, where do you start? We’ve rounded up a ton of photos of beautiful baby girl nurseries for endless inspiration....
Moms in our community were weighing the pro’s and con’s of starting their maternity leave early — so moms-to-be, take note! Their helpful hints could help you decide whether or not you should try to make it until your last day, or head for the couch a few days earlier. Here’s what moms said: " I figured why hang around work when I could be resting and all that. I have been working because I did not want to use my paid sick leave too much before baby but I definitely think my cankles and back would have appreciated the time off....
Hoping to have a VBAC with baby number two? The latest study says that two-thirds of moms-to-be who attempt a natural delivery after having a c-section for their first births are successful. (Take that, science!) The research, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was conducted by the Office for Research and Clinical Audit (ORCA) was aimed at investigating which factors determined the uptake and success rates of vaginal deliveries following c-sections....
When I was pregnant with twins, my husband and I were trying to figure out what help we’d need when our babies came home. Other moms insisted that we needed a baby nurse who would take care of the twins in the nighttime. This person would teach me how to care for the babies and let me get more sleep at night, since I could stay in bed and pump breast milk while she gave the children a bottle....
In many families, both parents share responsibility for making meals — especially when both are working. In my family though, I handle the majority of our meals. When we got married, we divvied up the household tasks, and meals were one of the duties that I took on. My husband will help occasionally, but the meal planning and preparation are things that I own. It’s one of the reasons that I wanted to work part-time instead of full-time post-baby....
After thirty-five hours of labor—and three hours of pushing—my son was finally placed on my chest. Leading up to the delivery, I’d heard people talk about that movie-like moment, when the music swells and they finally meet their child. For me, when I held 8 lbs., 5 oz., of perfect-smelling, warm baby in my arms, it was a little different. It was like I’d been walking on an uneven floor, and suddenly everything shifted....
The look: Modern woodland nursery The inspiration: The design came from the desire to create a nursery that’s gender neutral and could work for a newborn, toddler and even a young child. I always build the design of a room around a piece that the client loves—it could be a large piece of furniture or a small piece of art, but something that she loves looking at and feel inspired by....
From the moment you find out you’re pregnant until the day you give birth, there will be plenty of milestone moments (baby’s first kick! Your first maternity bra!). There will also be many, many doctor visits, since keeping up with your prenatal testing schedule is crucial to the health of you and your growing baby. Fortunately, the vast majority of tests are quick and painless. Start by talking with your OB about a prenatal testing schedule that fits your needs....
There are times when I think my parents must have been pros at sleep training because there is nothing I like more than a nap on the couch! From a dad’s perspective, sleep training is the period when a baby stops falling asleep before being put down because they’re learning to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own — and it’s as important to baby as it is to parents! I have friends who admit to rocking their son to sleep every night and now that they’re sleep training, they’re ready to pull their hair out....
