You’re past the annoying “So, when are you two going to try for a baby?” question — now come the tips on trying to conceive. We asked Bumpies to vent about the worst TTC advice they’ve ever heard — from the depressing (“Relax!”) to the weird (post-coital headstands) to the downright funny (“We’re supposed to do what with a turkey baster?). Read on for some of your most outrageous answers. “Just get drunk and you’ll get pregnant!...
Benefits of Compression Socks During Pregnancy When to Wear Compression Socks During Pregnancy What to Look for in Compression Socks for Pregnancy Best Compression Socks for Pregnancy Loren Ball, WHNP, is a women’s health nurse practitioner working in Labor and Delivery at Hoboken University Medical Center. She graduated from Boston College in 2016 and worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery for three years. She then earned her master’s from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 and has been practicing both inpatient and outpatient as a nurse practitioner for three years....
Before I got pregnant, you could say I was pretty undereducated about the birth options. I just figured I’d have an epidural and have a baby. I didn’t even realize that my own mother had had two natural (drug-free) births before my youngest sister was born via C-section. But once I saw that positive pregnancy test, I started reading up on what my options were and psyched myself up for a non-medicated, vaginal birth....
Is there a “safe” way to co-sleep with baby? We like what the DockATot has to offer: a portable, safe, independent sleeping space for baby that’s right next to you. WHAT WE LOVE The “docking station” is snug, comfy and firm, making it a safe and soothing sleep environment. Plus, it’s super versatile—it’s as good for cosleeping as it is for lounging and tummy time. Place baby on the bumper to work those neck muscles, and unclick the back buckle to let baby’s legs kick free It’s lightweight and portable (it even has a handle), making it easy to set baby up for naps and playtime anytime, anywhere DockATot is made from highly breathable, hypoallergenic materials....
It’s no secret that babies need a lot of food to fuel their growing bodies. If you’re breastfeeding, you’re probably paying close attention to your breast milk production—and may even be concerned about low milk supply. In fact—because all parents want to ensure their child’s health and growth—a common question among new moms is how to increase milk supply. The good news is, if you are struggling with production, there are plenty of ways to increase milk supply....
What’s a lump in a baby’s abdomen? Often newborns develop what’s known as an umbilical hernia, a fairly common condition that occurs soon after birth or in the first couple of months. You’ll see a noticeable bulge or soft swelling over the belly button (which is why it’s called “umbilical”), especially when your child sits up, cries or strains. In some cases, a lump in the abdomen for a baby or a toddler can indicate a more serious condition, like an underlying blood, kidney or liver problem....
Bed rest is fairly common, but know that if your doctor says you should stick to it, it really will be good for both you and baby (no matter how unfun the idea of it is!). An order of bed rest will come as a result of a specific diagnosis or condition. The most common are: Risk of preterm labor If you show signs of preterm labor, staying off your feet could help....
I found out I was pregnant with my second child in March of 2020, two weeks into the COVID-19 lockdown—and mere days after my husband and I decided to stop trying for a baby until the pandemic had passed, never guessing it would last longer than a couple months. (Too late!) What ensued was the hardest year of my life. We didn’t have childcare for 10 months. Trying to watch my toddler while working from home, all while pregnant, was exhausting....
And the Winner Is: Skip Hop Sit to Step High Chair We love gear that grows with your child, and the Skip Hop Sit to Step High Chair certainly fits the bill. It’s height-adjustable with three recline angles for infants and is suitable for use from 3 months to 3 years of age. Easy to wipe down, the five-point harness can be removed for a more thorough cleaning, and the wipe-down seat cover is machine-washable....
Thrush is one of those conditions most adults never hear about until they become a parent—and even then, it may not be on your radar until your pediatrician explains why baby’s mouth is sore and spotted with a thick, white coating. That’s because, while this infection doesn’t typically pop up in adults, it’s relatively common to see thrush in babies. So what is thrush in babies, exactly, and what does it look like?...
You spent nine+ months preparing for baby’s arrival, including stocking up on essential baby items, picking a baby name, creating a nursery and so much more. Thanks to all the planning, by the time your due date rolls around you probably feel prepared to bring your little one home. But are you ready for what happens to your body after childbirth? Because let’s be honest: If you gave birth vaginally, your vagina, perineum and rectum are going to need some serious TLC during your postpartum recovery....
Identical twins can run in families. False! It’s actually fraternal twins that can run in families. The reason why is because fraternal twins develop when a woman’s ovaries pop out more than one egg during her cycle, and the tendency to do that can, in fact, run in families. Identical twins, on the other hand, come from the same egg, and that spontaneous splitting is actually considered a random occurrence, and your genes probably have nothing to do with it....
Staying sane? Losing the baby weight? Milk blisters? See all baby Q&As Ready, set, go! Baby just keeps moving faster! Prepare yourself for some intense playtimes as baby scoots all around the house and puts anything he can get his hands on into his mouth. As long as you keep him in your eyesight whenever he’s on the loose, though, it’s fine to let him explore — after all, that’s the best way for him to learn!...
Pregnancy is an exciting journey. But it can also be a super-busy and stressful period of life. From managing doctor appointments to filling out paperwork for parental leave to facing some rather unpleasant symptoms, you may be left feeling like you need a break for yourself and your partner. Why not plan a vacation for just the two of you? That’s exactly what a babymoon is—a chance for you and your plus-one to get away together and reconnect before your family grows....
Hello, mama-to-be, and welcome to your summer pregnancy! With heat and high temps in the forecast, a summer pregnancy calls for summer maternity clothes. There are plenty of seasonal separates on the market, like ruched tees and tanks and stretchy side-panel shorts and skirts, but when the weather heats up you just can’t beat an easy, breezy maternity sundress. The best maternity summer dresses are made from breathable, natural fabrics that can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation....
Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn’t mean it’ll be second nature. Sometimes it takes time, practice and a whole lot of trial and error to get into a breastfeeding groove. Patience and persistence may be called for—right from day one. A healthy newborn’s instinct to breastfeed peaks about 20 to 30 minutes after they’re born, so you want to have baby right there next to you, ready to drink up your colostrum—that’s the nutrient-packed early milk you express after delivering....
Lightweight strollers aren’t just for theme parks and airports anymore. When you’re a parent on the go—whether that means juggling errands around town or traveling on planes, trains and automobiles—the last thing you need is a too-bulky stroller weighing you down. Fortunately, the world of lightweight strollers has come a long way from the flimsy and feature-less umbrella strollers of the past. Now, the best lightweight strollers are easy to push, easy to fold, and easy to tote around—while still being durable enough for everyday use....
Making a baby is generally fun — except if you need the help of some fertility drugs, whose side effects can range from generally mild to downright miserable. Side effects vary depending on the type of medicine you’re taking. Chlomiphene citrate, for example (best known by the drug names Clomid or serophene), is one of the most common medicines for stimulating ovulation, but its side effects can include hot flashes, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, depression, mood swings and ovarian cysts....
With the start of summer comes pool and beach season! But summer fun goes hand-in-hand with water safety. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death among children aged 1 to 4, and is also a leading cause of death among teens. Children can drown in just 1 to 2 inches of water and should always be in arms reach near any water. Here, we list our top tips to keep your kids safe this summer while they enjoy the water....
Hillary Frank’s first radio story was created using her parents’ cassette‐tape answering machine and a boom box. That was 1999. Frank, a grad student at the time, sent it off, and it was featured on NPR’s “This American Life.” Frank continued her career in public radio while producing her own stories on the side. But the 2010 birth of her daughter, Sasha, steered her in a slightly different direction. She started interviewing other moms—some personal connections, others complete strangers—for a podcast about parenthood from her home’s spare bedroom, dubbing the project “The Longest Shortest Time,” a name reflective of the early days that seem to go on forever but are over before you know it....
