Keep track of everything you want to remember about baby’s feedings — from what time it was, to how long she nursed on each side, to what kind of a mood she was in. Click the image below to download the pdf. Feeling a little lost at this whole breastfeeding thing? You’re not alone. If nobody’s warned you yet, we’ll let you in on a little secret: It isn’t always easy and no, it doesn’t always feel so natural....
There’s a list of pain meds that can be used during labor, and Demerol, a narcotic, is one of them. But before you start wondering if you should ask for it at the hospital, know that Demerol is a rare treatment for labor pain because it’s usually only given in specific circumstances. Since Demerol, which is administered intravenously, wears off relatively quickly—within two to four hours—it’s usually given to a mom-to-be who needs some short-term relief without the risk of slowing down her labor....
When I heard about SMILF—the new series on Showtime starring, written and directed by Frankie Shaw, who loosely bases the show on her experience as a single mom trying to break into the LA acting scene—I didn’t want to like it, especially after friends and family told me how much I would relate to it. Yes, I’m single and a mom (my daughter is 2 and her father isn’t in the picture), but I hate what the “single mom” descriptor connotes in our contemporary culture: someone frazzled, exhausted and barely holding it together....
No one said motherhood was a walk in the park, but dealing with cracked, blistered nipples? Seriously, ouch. When nursing and pumping starts to take a toll, thousands of moms have found salvation in this “miracle balm” (their words). It’s made of all-natural ingredients—which is why you’ll likely find little pearl-like bits in your balm. Plant butters solidify when cold, but those flecks quickly melt in your fingers for a smooth application....
We get it. You and your husband have been trying for months — or longer — to get pregnant, and you’re ovulating this week, so it should be prime baby-making time. Except that you’re achy, tired, cranky — and definitely coming down with the flu. You know that certain meds are off-limits for pregnant women, but what about those of us who aren’t quite there yet? Could your cold medication prevent you from getting pregnant?...
Recommendations for exercise during pregnancy are vague, and generally quite conservative so as to prevent any undue stress on the pregnancy or the expectant mom. The official medical position on the subject has been revised in recent years, however, to encourage more activity during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women get in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, which you could break down into 30-minute workouts five days a week, or shorter 10-minute sessions throughout each day....
What are HIV and AIDS during pregnancy? HIV — human immunodeficiency virus — is the virus that causes AIDS — acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS depletes the body’s immune system, making it tougher to fight off disease and infection. In the past, HIV infection was commonly considered a death sentence. Today, AIDS is considered a chronic, life-threatening illness. What are the signs of HIV and AIDS? The symptoms of HIV infection — diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, rashes, sore throat, swollen glands — are so subtle that many people miss them....
When you’re nursing, you’re super-concerned with everything you’re putting in your body, so you’re probably studying the packaging of medications to see what’s okay to take. But labels don’t necessarily tell the whole story, says Thomas W. Hale, RPh, PhD, a professor of pediatrics at Texas Tech University School of Medicine, executive director of the InfantRisk Center and author of Medications & Mother’s Milk: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology. “Package prescribing information is almost always wrong,” says Hale....
My daughter was about 6 weeks old when I was talking to a family friend about how things were going. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t going well. “I haven’t slept for more than an hour at a time in weeks,” I told her. “Today was the first time in three days that I showered. I ate only a granola bar yesterday. My c-section scar is still healing, I’ve been wearing adult diapers for over a month and it still feels like all my organs are going to fall out every time I stand up....
When you’re hunting for a lactation consultant, try to find one that uses “IBCLC” as part of her title — this means she’s been certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Your OB/GYN or pediatrician may have a good referral, and your local hospital may even have an IBCLC (or several) on staff. If not, check with your local La Leche League International — the organization keeps lists of IBCLCs in most regions....
Everyone says that life completely changes when you have kids, but until that first child is in your arms, it’s all so abstract. Yes, you know you’ll get less sleep and might not get out as much, but there’s really nothing that can prepare you for the all-consuming emotional and physical tug that is simultaneously exhausting and invigorating. Even as the initial baby fog wears off, there is something that permanently shifts, a changing of priorities and perspective....
First-year checkup? Standard growth? Use a teething tablet? See all baby Q&As She’s a big girl now! Baby now has an attention span of two to five minutes, which means she can enjoy both storytime and playtime for a bit longer than when she was an infant. Her muscles are growing too — expect her to start taking those first steps any day now. To-do: Take baby in for her well-child visit Ease baby’s transitions with caretakers Get expert answers to your questions...
1. They act judge-y. “Just saw a woman breastfeeding on the train, so gross!” she posts as her Facebook status. “Can’t she wait until she gets home?” You fume when you read this, of course, because you’re pretty sure that friend would rather see a sliver of breast skin than listen to a wailing baby for the duration of her train ride. Feel free to remind her of this in the comments section; you’re sure to get plenty of backup....
Every mom’s breastfeeding journey is different, but there’s a common thread throughout: It’s harder than you think, and everyone could use a little support. Even small gestures can go a long way—in fact, research shows breastfeeding support can help stave off postpartum depression and boost women’s breastfeeding success. So how can partners, friends, colleagues and even total strangers go about cheering on a breastfeeding mom? Here are 14 ideas to get you started....
And the Winner Is: Bumkins Silicone Chewtensils Watching baby discover the solids they do and don’t like is special—and observing them learn to grab finger foods and scoop purees is equally adorable. Of course, while adults use utensils without a second thought, it’s a skill that can be tricky for tiny hands. To that end, you’ll want a baby utensil set that’ll, not only, help them hone their coordination, but keep them safe while doing so....
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I don’t think it’s exaggerating much to say I’ve spent at least half my life as a mother in my car with sleeping children. From the colicky infant days when nothing else would soothe them besides a drive around town, to the not-quite-ready-to-drop-a-nap days when my cranky toddler and I both desperately needed for him to take a short rest, I’d say my car is Mommy’s little (expensive) helper. In all that time spent behind the wheel with tiny passengers, I’ve come up with a list of 5 essential items you should carry in your car or minivan at all times:...
That upset stomach or morning date with the toilet bowl is par for the course during pregnancy. About 50 percent of pregnant women experience both nausea and vomiting, and 25 percent experience just nausea. But when it comes to curbing the discomfort, it’s hard to know what’s safe for baby. Cue the official guidelines for treating pregnancy nausea and vomiting issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Published in 2015, it was the first time these guidelines had been updated since 2004....
So you’ve decided that adoption is the way you’re going to welcome a child into your family. Now, how exactly does this process work? There are so many questions to answer just to get started that it can feel overwhelming: Should you go through an agency or use an attorney? Would you consider fostering a child? Do you want an open relationship with the birth parents? How will you afford the fees?...
For some women, I only need to say one thing and they’ll think I’m crazy. That thing? I want ‘two under two’ — yes, that is two children, both under the age of two. They’d label me certifiably insane if they knew that I had secretly wanted ‘two under one’! But I did and still do. My husband and I want to have a large family — at least four kids....
