First, make a plan. Before you start buying, figure out a budget, theme, and shopping list. This will help avoid impulsive purchases like that impossibly adorable toy chest that just doesn’t go. (And remember, we’re dealing with baby stuff now. Everything is impossibly adorable… time to toughen up.) And, start early. The sooner you begin working on the nursery, the more time you have to spread the costs over. As you plan, think about the future....
6 a.m. She wakes up every day at this time, regardless of whether it’s a weekday or a weekend. I generally already have her in bed with me from the previous night feeding, so I latch her on and she nurses for about half an hour. Then, she usually takes another nap. This lets me get up and get ready for the day. While I’m at work, she eats every 2-3 hours....
A comfortable rocker, a content newborn full after a breastfeeding session—and cracking, bleeding, sore nipples. What’s wrong with this picture? How could your breasts feel as if they’re on fire when everything around you is so calm? Read on for answers—and relief. In this article: What causes sore nipples How to treat sore nipples What Causes Sore Nipples? Breastfeeding should never be painful, whether you’re nursing a one-day-old or a 2-year-old....
And the Winner Is: Bravado Designs Finding the perfect bra even when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding is never an easy thing, but when you’re a new or expectant mom, the challenges multiply. Your breasts can dramatically change size and shape (and become achy and sensitive) throughout pregnancy and your breastfeeding journey. Plus, once baby is here, you may have to experiment to find the type of nursing bra you like best....
Full-time working moms go through a whole gamut of emotions—crying at your desk because you think baby loves the nanny more, dropping off a screaming toddler at day care and (after feeling horrible for a few minutes) running out the door and throwing a diaper in the air like Mary Tyler Moore tossed up her hat (if you haven’t seen reruns of the old show, it’s the “Hooray, I’m free!” toss)....
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammation of the esophagus due to an increased number of eosinophilics, or white blood cells. It is part of a group of conditions called Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs) that affect different parts of the digestive tract. EoE is the most common and affects the upper digestive tract, while the other disorders affect the stomach, small intestines and colon. The diagnosis is usually made after an endoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus lining shows abnormal levels of eosinophils....
We’ve always been told to brush our teeth three times a day. It’s one of those things that’s a no-brainer. But, when you’re talking about babies and their tiny teeth, it can get a little fuzzy. Since babies can’t do it on their own, you need to know the ABC’s of brushing in order to get baby crawling down the right path of dental hygiene. From when to start brushing baby’s teeth to all of the how-to’s and tips, brushing baby teeth is anything but child’s play....
As your due date approaches (usually by about 36 weeks), baby should naturally shift into a head-down position in your uterus to prepare for delivery. But in 3 to 4 percent of full-term pregnancies this doesn’t happen and baby is left in “breech presentation.” This means he or she is positioned right-side up (in terms of giving birth, that’s upside down!), with buttocks and/or feet positioned to come out first. Breech babies can be in three diffrent positions: the frank position (buttocks pointed toward the uterine opening with legs straight and feet near head), the footling position (one or both feet pointing down), or the complete breech position (settled cross-legged, with buttocks near the uterine opening)....
What’s a mom to do when your little one graduates from baby food to table food and you still have a pantry full of puree? Sure, you could donate it to a food bank or a parent with a young tot—or you could cook up some delicious dishes using that leftover baby food. Yep, you read that right: There are lots of tasty, adult-friendly recipes that use baby food as a (super-convenient) secret ingredient....
Imagine you could listen to baby’s heartbeat any time you’d like during pregnancy without making a trip to your OB’s office. An exciting proposition, isn’t it? That’s the appeal of an at-home fetal Doppler device—to let an expectant parent use a fetal heart monitor and connect to baby from the comfort of home. The problem is, in untrained hands, a baby Doppler can give you a false sense of security or set off needless alarms....
Take inspiration from citrusy neutral hues like yellow, orange, and lime. Incorporating actual fruit into the decor helps keep the costs down, while inviting lots of tasty, refreshing ideas! The Invite: A happy, bright yellow invitation, such as this one from Paper Style, is pure fun. Add sunshine-shaped confetti into the envelope for a cheery surprise. The Decor: For festive centerpieces, place brightly hued lemons, limes, and kumquats from the grocery store into tall clear vases or low bowls....
You imagine baby’s skin to be smooth, soft and to smell amazing. But in reality, it can be dry, flaky, sensitive and even have some funky discolorations—especially during the newborn period. Here’s the deal on how to care for baby’s skin, even when it’s not as perfect as you may have expected. Don’t go too crazy with the baths Sure, you take a shower every day, but baby really shouldn’t get a daily bath....
Many moms who have delivered their babies via cesarean section have a love-hate relationship with their c-section scar. “I don’t like having a scar, but when I see it I’m reminded that I brought four healthy children into the world,” says Megan C. in New York, who delivered each of her four children via c-section. “It’s like a badge of honor.” C-section scars are marks left on a mother’s belly following the surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions made in the abdomen and uterus; for some women, they may fade quietly over time....
Welcome to parenthood. You’re going to worry about your baby for the rest of your life. Literally. So you may as well get used to it now. The truth is, you can’t know that baby’s okay in there. You won’t know he’s okay with the babysitter either. Or at college. Yes, there is stuff that can go wrong. But, there’s a much better chance that everything will be just fine and you’re on your way to having a healthy little mini-me (or -he)....
Once baby hits age one, his digestive system is able to handle the proteins in cow’s milk, says Janelle Aby, MD, medical director of the Well Baby Nursery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Before that, they could cause an allergic reaction causing gastrointestinal bleeding. Baby should have whole milk until age two, since the fat it contains is important for development. Talk over cow’s milk vs. soy and other milks with baby’s doctor, if you’re interested in giving them to baby....
The Bump presents #MomBoss, a series dedicated to showing off all-star moms. We catch up with mompreneurs behind products we love, influencers who get real about motherhood and SAHMs who can multitask in their sleep. Pesky sponsored ads that constantly slip into your newsfeeds are the bane of everyone’s existence. It’s tempting to splurge on products touted by our favorite social influencers, but the truth is, it’s sometimes hard to discern honest online product reviews from sponsored posts and paid partnerships....
A photo of your newborn’s first day home. Pics from meeting the grandparents. Snapshots of the first steps, first foods, first haircut. We get it: You’re bursting with parental pride and want the world to see how amazing your little one is. But for your child’s safety, it’s important to stop and think before putting those photos online. That’s because you could be sharing more than a sweet snapshot of baby’s milestone....
What is lactose intolerance during pregnancy? People who are lactose intolerant lack lactase, the enzyme that normally digests a sugar called lactose. Since lactose is found in dairy products, eating them makes you feel sick. If you’re lactose intolerant, you’re probably wondering how to get the calcium you need during pregnancy without getting sick. What are the signs of lactose intolerance during pregnancy? The most common signs of lactose intolerance are abdominal pain, bloating, cramping and gas after ingesting dairy products....
It will take between four and six weeks for the incision to heal completely. Constipation can compound the pain, so drink lots of fluids, get up and walk when you can and pack in the fiber (all of these can help you do a number two). To further manage pain, use good posture, and hold your tummy when you cough, sneeze or laugh. If breastfeeding bothers the cut, use a support pillow to get baby off your abdomen....
Pilates is a non-impact workout that increases flexibility, strength and muscle tone, and is safe to practice during pregnancy. Because it focuses on your core, practicing Pilates on a regular basis can improve posture, alleviate backaches, and ultimately help with labor and delivery. Plus, it will boost your mood and energy levels. Choose a prenatal class if you can. Otherwise, let the instructor know you’re pregnant so she can help you modify or skip any risky moves....
