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I once heard a new mom explaining how she figured out the one thing that calmed her colicky infant was bouncing on an exercise ball. So, she did it — 24/7. When her husband got home from work they’d trade off, not even stopping to eat. Another mom once told me her 1-year-old doesn’t “allow” her to sit down when she’s holding her. And yet another said her 2-year-old made her get up and sit on the other side of the room because HE wanted her spot on the couch — and she did!...

It was 2013, and I watched, horrified, as a mother of two attempted to situate her kids at a table inside a popular Los Angeles eatery. Disheveled and a bit frantic, she bulldozed into the place pushing an enormous tandem stroller and wrestled her twin toddlers into side-by-side high chairs, each one taking his turn to whine as the other received his mother’s attention. Once both children were secure in their seats, the mother collapsed into her seat, produced a foam-covered iPad from her diaper bag and plopped it in front of her kids, and took an enormous breath....

Pregnancy is no walk in the park. Hormones and a growing baby prompt all sorts of symptoms, and some of them are far less pleasant than others. Plus, with so much on your mind, the stress can add up. But there are also lots of things about pregnancy that are pretty great! If you’re not reveling in them now, you may very well come to appreciate them in hindsight after baby is born....

When you’re trying to conceive (and certainly when you’re trying not to), the notion of being told you’re not pregnant when in fact you are can be utterly distressing. Can you get a false negative pregnancy test result? Yes, it’s possible. So how common are they, and what causes them? The truth is, having that second red line show up when it’s not supposed to isn’t likely—but it can certainly happen under certain circumstances....

If you have any type of nipple or breast pain, get help from a board certified lactation consultant as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your problem can become. “Milk blisters” are small painful blisters on the nipple. They are sometimes connected to a plugged milk duct. From the editors: In the meantime, try putting a hot wet compress on the blister before nursing or pumping. Then, if there’s still a plug or skin over the duct, rub it with a washcloth and try gentling scraping with clean fingernails....

What you describe sounds like an echogenic cardiac focus. On ultrasound, it looks like a bright spot in the muscle of one of the heart valves. In and of itself, it will not cause the baby any problems; it is not a heart defect and does appear to increase the baby’s risk of having a heart defect. It is a common finding in normal babies. But, it may very mildly increase the risk that the fetus has Down Syndrome....

And the Winner Is: Pink Stork Sometimes you want to sip something with flavor, especially when you’re pregnant and guzzling water regularly to stay hydrated. Tea is a centuries old beverage that can provide loads of health benefits thanks to nutrient-rich botanicals. Mom-founded, women owned and operated, Pink Stork offers a collection of blends that support fertility, ward off nausea, aid in constipation and even increase milk supply after baby arrives....

Coping with the clingies? Pacifier weaning? Nighttime separation anxiety? See all 6+ months Q&As Stuck on you It’s completely natural for baby to have separation anxiety at this age. Allow her a little time to warm up to family members, friends, and babysitters before you leave her with them. You can also foster her independence by letting her explore different (baby-proofed!) rooms in your home while you check in periodically — this will help her get used to not being by your side all the time....

As with any party, the best baby showers are those where the conversation is lively and time seems to fly. And nothing does that better than a few well-chosen baby shower games. We’ve rounded up our favorites, from co-ed baby shower games that all your guests will enjoy, to easy baby shower games you can pull off in a moment’s notice and even unique baby shower games that’ll impress even the most jaded of guests....

During cold and flu season, it’s tough enough keeping yourself from getting sick, let alone your brand-new baby (with a brand-new immune system). But it’s totally possible. We spoke with Alanna Levine, MD, a pediatrician at Orangetown Pediatric Associates in Tappan, New York, to give you six easy tips for keeping baby healthy: Watch Where You Take Them (At Least in the Beginning) We know you want to show off your new baby, but during the first two months, try not to take them anywhere where there will be crowds of people....

You want baby to live a long and happy life. And a few miles can make all the difference, according to a series of maps released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Virginia Commonwealth University. The nonprofit organization researched average life expectancies by neighborhood in a number of US cities. The title of the project, “Short Distances to Large Gaps in Health,” says it all; within each city, neighboring areas experience very different life expectancies — with gaps up to two decades....

Halloween party invites? Sorted. Games? Check. Decorations? Done. You’re well on your way to a devilishly delightful Halloween party. But there’s one thing you definitely can’t forget: the tasty Halloween treats! We’ve rounded up the most delicious (and sometimes actually nutritious!) Halloween food ideas, from spooky Halloween recipes to cute Halloween treats—and if you’re prepping for a kids’ classroom party, there are even some fun Halloween treat ideas for school. Halloween treat ideas in this article: Easy Halloween treats Healthy Halloween treats Cute Halloween treats Halloween treats for school...

You love watching your child grow and kissing her chubby little arms and belly. But, given that obesity is such a big problem in this country, it’s natural to wonder at some point if your fleshy toddler is overweight. Know this: It’s completely normal for toddlers to appear chubby. “Toddlers are short and compact, giving the appearance of a fat belly,” says Ashanti Woods, MD, a pediatrician at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center....

Celebratory meals, crazy travel plans and, of course, piles of presents—the holiday season can be a time of excess. Unfortunately, many parents find that their young children’s temper tantrums also kick into overdrive during this holly-jolly part of the year. There’s a lot happening, and just like you feel the pressure, your toddler does too. And while you have ways to manage the harried hecticness of it all (shopping, end-of-year work projects, squeezing in all the traditions!...

Welcoming a new baby into the world should be joyful and exciting. But not every birth goes as planned. It’s true that the best laid labor intentions can give way to emergencies and medical interventions. But, as a patient and a human being, you should know your rights and be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide consent. Of course, that doesn’t always happen. Some women walk away from high-intensity hospital situations—or even everyday prenatal appointments—feeling violated....

I was a guitarist my whole life, but stopped playing cold turkey when I decided to go to college rather than go the professional musician route. I would no longer be able to practice four to six hours a day and maintain my level of expertise, and I was very black and white. I either wanted to play at a professional level or not play at all. Due to this unfulfilled dream, I knew that when I had children, I wanted at least one of them to be musical....

Nope. Babies can breastfeed on any size breast — even those much larger than yours. It might be helpful, though, to employ a few tricks to make breastfeeding more comfortable for the two of you: •Find a nursing bra that fits and offers great support. Get fitted by a professional if you can. And if you can’t find a nursing bra in your size locally, don’t compromise. Instead, fire up your computer and do a little online shopping....

6 a.m. She wakes up. 6:20 a.m. She has her first bottle, 6-7 ounces. We play until around 7 a.m. when her big brother wakes up, then we go into his room and play a bit. 7:30 a.m. We all eat breakfast (she is mostly eating finger foods now and eats Cheerios and fruit). 8:30 a.m. I put her in the Jumperoo while I shower, and she naps. 10:15 a.m. She gets another 6-7 ounce bottle....

Whether you opt for pain meds or labor au naturel, giving birth is no walk in the park. But there are a few things you can do throughout pregnancy—especially in your second and third trimesters—that can make labor, delivery and postpartum recovery a bit easier on your body. From stocking up on supplies to making small lifestyle tweaks, the homestretch leading up to your due date is the time to be proactive about your personal comfort....

With baby’s arrival now in sight, you’re probably hyper-focused on last-minute nesting needs and prepping for childbirth. But don’t forget to brush up on the basics of how to care for a newborn! From what to do before you even leave the hospital to how much eating, sleeping and diaper-dirtying baby should be doing in those first few days, here’s what you need to know before bringing baby home. In this article: Preparing to head home Knowing the basics When to call the doctor...