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Mother’s milk tea is an herbal tea meant to help increase a mother’s milk supply. Its main milk-boosting ingredient is fenugreek, along with fennel, anise, coriander and blessed thistle—herbs that have traditionally been used as galactagogues (aka milk-making aids). According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), studies suggest (but haven’t proven) that fenugreek may increase milk production in breastfeeding women, and some moms find that sipping a few cups of Mother’s Milk tea every day is an easy way to help their bodies make more milk....

Nipple confusion is the term some people use to describe the difficulty some babies have trying to breastfeed after being fed by a bottle. It happens in some babies and not others. Nipple confusion is most likely to happen in the first few weeks of life, and some say it is most likely when the mother has flat or inverted nipples because exposure to a firm, protruding bottle nipple changes a baby’s expectations....

Endometriosis is a pathologic condition often associate with pain and infertility. There are no laboratory tests available to diagnosis this condition, so it must be diagnosed surgically. Women with endometriosis who are struggling to get pregnant can undergo a structural study known as an HSG (hysterosalpingogram). This diagnostic test can be performed in as little as five minutes. The procedure is associated with cramping, but ibuprofen can be used to ease the pain....

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....

The short answer is yes. But there are a few considerations you should keep in mind. Hemorrhoids Steer clear of anal sex if you have hemorrhoids. That can make the experience painful and uncomfortable. Placenta previa If you’ve been diagnosed with placenta previa (where the placenta covers all or part of your cevix), anal sex may cause trauma to the placenta. Cleanliness Don’t allow your partner to move from the rectum into the vagina without cleaning up thoroughly first....

From board books to bath books to tales for tots, new parents will appreciate help in building a collection of books for baby to enjoy. In the invites, instruct guests to bring their childhood favorite and new classics. The Invite: This charming invitation from Tiny Prints is covered in books — a fun, visual way to let guests know the shower’s theme. Just be sure to request they bring along their favorite baby books to the shower....

Any kind of eating disorder can not only have an effect on your ability to get pregnant, but can also compromise the safety of your pregnancy if you are able to conceive. About half of all women who struggle with bulimia (and almost all who have anorexia) stop getting their periods. That’s because menstruation is affected by calorie intake, excessive exercise and even stress. And if you’re not getting your period, it’s a pretty big challenge to become pregnant....

Fever, sore throat and body aches are never fun, but it’s especially hard when it’s baby who’s suffering from the flu. Unfortunately, it happens more often than we’d like, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Here’s how to spot the telltale flu symptoms in babies, plus how to safely treat it and prevent your child from getting sick again. In this article: What is the flu? What causes flu in babies?...

Do you have an existing will? Great! But now that you’re expecting, it’s time to make some changes to your estate documents to prepare for baby and protect your little one’s future. It may not be fun to deal with, but you want to make sure baby is taken care of in the unlikely event that something happens to you. So where do you start? Your will should include every desire you have for your child, and how much money you’re gifting him or her to achieve those desires....

To keep your maiden name or not? It’s a decision that’s typically decided by the time you’ve reached the altar, or soon after. But modern mamas are changing with the times, and many are waiting until a baby comes along to make the switch. According to our poll across our community pages, one in five women who did not change their surnames after tying the knot did so once baby was in the picture....

What is polyhydramnios? Polyhydramnios occurs when there’s too much amniotic fluid around baby. What are the signs of polyhydramnios? If it’s a mild case, you might have few or no symptoms. If it’s a severe case, you may experience shortness of breath when you’re sitting or lying down, swelling in your lower abdomen and decreased urine production. Other signs include an enlarged uterus and trouble hearing baby’s heartbeat or feeling baby move....

And the Winner Is: OXO Tot Potty Chair Ditching the diapers is a huge step toward independence for your child. Want to help boost their self-sufficiency from day one of potty-training? Get the OXO Tot Potty Chair. It’s a pint-size toilet that’s short enough for your little one to clamber onto without any help. A high backrest offers your tot comfortable support while they settle in to get the job done, while the splatter shield and non-slip base prevent slips, spills and messes....

Searching for the best newborn baby clothes to add to your little one’s wardrobe? Whether you’re starting your registry, staring down a mountain of baby shower gifts or looking into the wide eyes of your days-old newborn (who, surprise, just spit up again!), chances are, you may have that nagging sense that you’re missing some infant-wear essentials. And you very well might be—with all the adorable stuff out there, it’s easy to miss the not-so-obvious but oh-so-necessary items....

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....

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy, but a lactation consultant can guide a new mom through the process. Lactation consultants can work in a hospital, clinic or pediatric office, or have their own private practice in which they visit moms in their homes. Lactation consultants help moms get comfortable about breastfeeding and prepare them for successful nursing by teaching them certain techniques, like how to position baby and how to know she’s latching on correctly....

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s not always easy. The truth is, there are several things that can pop up along your nursing journey, throwing up roadblocks on what might already be a pretty bumpy road. What is easy? Getting great advice from the experts that know breasts and babies best. We asked them for their best tips for how to handle the most common breastfeeding problems new moms face. Here’s what they said....

Denim is a timeless wardrobe staple. And whether you’re into slouchy styles or spray-on skinnies, a great pair of jeans can make or break your look. Unfortunately, denim is a fabric that doesn’t offer much give, meaning your favorite Levi’s will be one of the first things to go when your baby bump starts to show. Stressed at the thought of giving up jeans for the foreseeable future? Don’t sweat it!...

Lunch time is a highlight in any kid’s day: It’s a chance to hang out with friends or family and dig into some tasty food. But if there’s one universal truth about kids’ lunch, it’s this: While the sandwich is a tried-and-true staple, it can get real old, real quick. Looking to spice up your kid’s lunch, either at school or at home? The Bump food guru Karen Biton-Cohen whipped up 22 easy, fun—and healthy!...

Time alone with your partner can be scarce in the first weeks (and months) with baby. Newborns call for constant care, and when you’re up to your elbows in diapers, trying to figure out how to best feed baby and running on little to no sleep, date night probably won’t be as high on your list of priorities as a nap or a shower. Our advice? Soak up as many moments together as you can before welcoming the newest addition to your family....

While the general rule of thumb says that breastfeeding mamas need about 500 calories per day over their usual pre-pregnancy intake, the truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It can depend on your height, how active you are, how old your baby is and whether or not you’re exclusively breastfeeding. For example, a mom who’s exclusively nursing a breastfed five-month-old who’s going through a growth spurt will need significantly more calories than a mom who’s only breastfeeding her one-year-old at bedtime — and that’s assuming the moms share a similar size, shape and activity level....