Well, gals — for those of you creeping up on the big day, I applaud you. If you’re anything like I was, you’re probably spending hours online searching anything and everything under the sun about pregnancy, labor and how to care for a newborn. You’ve probably given up on trying to hide your internet research habits from the company you work for, because near the end, you stop caring and just want your damn baby already....
And the Winner is: Ubbi Diaper Pail Products that stand the test of time are not to be sniffed at—especially when it comes to the Ubbi Diaper Pail. The steel bin has an airtight seal that locks in odors and a sliding lid that minimizes air disruption—meaning you won’t be subjected to an overwhelming whiff of dirty diaper every time you open it. Better yet, it’s compatible with regular trash bags, so you won’t have to fork out cash for any add-ons....
There’s nothing less fun than throwing up, except maybe when it’s baby who’s the one suffering. Not only is she miserable, but you’re also probably worried sick, wondering what to do and how to care for her. As unpleasant as it is, witnessing a baby throwing up is something all parents go through—and more than just once. For the most part, baby vomiting isn’t a major cause for concern. Read on to learn the difference between baby spit-up and vomit and what to do for a baby throwing up....
Dads want to be, and are, spending more time with their kids. That’s the ultimate takeaway from this year’s annual Boston College Center for Work & Family report on new dads. Aptly titled The New Dad: A Portrait of Today’s Father, asked “white collar dads” about the logistics and challenges of working and parenting. For millennial dads, it’s family first. The 2011 BC survey called The New Dad: Caring, Committed and Conflicted — the data source for much of the new report — found that 94 percent of the 1,000 respondents agreed with the following statement: “If I were considering taking a new job, I would consider how much that job would interfere with my ability to care for my children....
The position of your cervix itself, or how it is aligned with your uterus, is a source of concern for some women trying to get pregnant. The good news is that the position of your cervix has very little to do with whether or not you’ll be changing diapers and cleaning bottles in the near future. Some women have a uterus that’s tipped slightly toward the back of the pelvis, which places the cervix in a more forward position....
A nice Brie. The lox on your bagel. A glass of Pinot. There’s already so much you have to give up when you’re pregnant—is it really necessary to lay off the latte too? Hang on to your mugs, ladies, you’re going to like this: The answer to “Can pregnant women drink coffee?”—and tea, for that matter—is: Yes! Yes, you can. In this article: How much caffeine can you have while pregnant?...
What pregnant woman wouldn’t enjoy putting up her (swollen) feet and relaxing by a roaring fire? But maybe you’re worried about breathing in all that smoke, or the carbon monoxide that comes with it. Like most things, sitting by the fire is okay as long as you’re being smart about it. Here’s the deal: As a mom-to-be, you’re bound to hear something that suggests that pretty much everything you might eat/drink/do should be off-limits to you....
There are prescription medications that have been used in the past and are still used in very rare circumstances, but they are generally not recommended since there are serious health risks associated with their use.The safest way to wean is to make it a gradual process, eliminating one daily feeding at a time, then waiting a few days for your body to adjust before eliminating the next one. There are a couple of natural ways to help decrease your milk supply as you slowly eliminate feedings:Mint: Peppermint oil helps to reduce milk supply....
“You’ll never sleep again.” Sound familiar? There’s a reason this cliche is often repeated at baby showers: In those first few months of parenting, before baby has an established sleep-wake cycle and needs to be fed only every few hours, sleep is fractured and confusing, with a long stretch just as likely to occur midafternoon as it is in the middle of the night. And that’s normal. But once baby is a few months old—after she’s dropped those middle-of-the-night feedings and has established a somewhat predictable sleep-wake cycle—sleep training her can help your whole family get some much-needed nighttime shut-eye....
We all change our minds sometimes. So if your partner got snipped and either or both of you have had second thoughts, you’re probably freaking out that you can never make a baby together. The good news: Most vasectomy reversals, which reconnect the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles into the semen, are fully successful. Vasectomy reversals can occur even if it’s been many years since the original surgery, but keep in mind that the longer it’s been since his boys were present and accounted for, the less successful the surgery will be....
The latest research carried out by more than 50 researchers at 25 different institutions found that baby boys are at higher risk for death and disability in preemie birth than baby girls. The studies, carried out in conjunction with World Prematurity Day (it’s Sunday!), noted that the disabilities preterm delivery puts baby boys at risk for includes learning problems, blindness, motor delays (such as cerebral palsy) and deafness. Published in Pediatric Research, the six medical papers show that boys are 14 percent more likely to be born preterm than baby girls are....
What to Look for in a Baby Eczema Cream Look for products with the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance. These products have been tested for sensitivity, irritation and toxicity and are free from ingredients on the Ecz-clusion List. (An ever-evolving list of ingredients that are known to aggravate eczema symptoms.) Thick formulas are best. The most effective baby eczema lotions are thick, almost greasy-feeling ointments or creams. According to the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the creamier the moisturizer, the better it will work to combat the symptoms of eczema....
And the Winner Is: Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft What We Love: The ergonomic design provides the optimal support for baby’s back, neck and head. The fitted fabric evenly seat distributes baby’s weight, and the bouncer has three different positions, so you can adjust it as your little one grows A lightweight, foldable frame makes this bouncer portable and travel-friendly The Bouncer Balance Soft can be used for newborns and up to the age of 2....
You might not realize it, but kids start observing and absorbing gender stereotypes from a surprisingly young age. Your 10-month-old likely can’t say “mama” or “dada” in context yet, but research shows your child’s brain is already gobbling up gender stereotypes and linking certain objects, like scarves or hammers, to women or men. Shocking, right? But it makes complete sense. Babies observe (and take in) everything, including the gender roles we parade on a daily basis....
Bring mom-to-be’s imagination alive with a nursery rhyme-themed baby shower. From the invitations to the favors, infuse the event with favorite Mother Goose-inspired details. Give the classic theme a modern twist by going coed (or _Jack-and-Jill _style). The Invite: We love these nostalgic cards by Goosey Press, featuring vintage silhouetted nursery rhyme graphics and a black-and-white gingham ribbon. Choose from pink, aquamarine, or chartreuse envelopes. $14.50 for set of 8, GooseyPress....
You’re swollen, you’re tired and everything hurts. Oh, the joys of pregnancy! For many mamas-to-be, a day doesn’t seem to go by without pregnancy aches and pains. Whether it’s pain in a specific area (hello, pelvic pressure!) or more general discomfort, chances are you’ll experience some of this during your nine month journey to motherhood. The good news? Body aches in pregnancy are usually a completely normal reaction to the changes your body is going through....
Consistency is key. “If you encourage your toddler to clean up on some days, but ignore the mess or do it yourself on others, your child won’t have a clear expectation of what you want her to do,” says Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution. “So set a plan and stick to it, keeping in mind that one day’s mess is usually manageable, but a mess that adds up day after day becomes insurmountable....
Oftentimes we’ll see Instagramable images of seemingly organized playrooms with large bins or baskets. Unfortunately, when it comes to play time, the baskets invite dumping as an activity, which can quickly turn into an endless loop of trying to keep the area tidy. As frustrating as this can be for mom or dad, it also hinders your child’s development. In Montessori we often speak of the idea of external order creating internal order....
The first 12 weeks after childbirth are chock-full of physical, mental and emotional changes. It’s intense, and—oh yeah—you’re also juggling the needs of a brand new helpless human being. Your body is healing from either a vaginal birth or c-section and your hormones are all over the place, meaning feelings of anxiety and sadness can emerge at any moment. It’s a lot to manage—but the fourth trimester is a marathon, not a race....
What is Lyme disease during pregnancy? Lyme disease is an infection that’s transmitted by a tick. What are the signs of Lyme disease? The most famous symptom of Lyme disease — a bull’s-eye type rash — doesn’t actually occur in every case of Lyme disease. (But if you notice a round rash, with a larger red ring around it, get it checked out by your doc ASAP.) Other symptoms of Lyme disease include fatigue, fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes....
