We’ve already established that I was a grumpy pregnant person. To get through pregnancy and all the freaky symptoms no one warned you about is hard enough. Adding on the anxiety of the unknown makes it even harder. How will I handle sleep deprivation? (Not well). What kind of mother will I be? (Sort of a softie). What will happen to my alone time? (It disappears…for a while, but not forever)....
We know, parenting requires its fair share of sneakiness and little white lies. But if you have sons, that may be the case more often. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that while adults are more likely to be honest in front of kids in general, their rate of honesty was much higher in front of girls than boys. This gets to the root of some pretty deep cultural values....
Yes. In fact, some moms find that breastfeeding can help them better manage their diabetes postpartum, since they return to their pre-pregnant state more gradually. Plus, breastfeeding reduces baby’s chance of becoming diabetic in the future. There are special challenges for a breastfeeding mother with diabetes, so be sure to educate yourself as much as possible before baby arrives so you can nip any issues in the bud. Sometimes, the babies of diabetic moms are kept in a hospital nursery for observation for a few days following birth, which can make it tough to nurse frequently at the beginning....
Miscarriage is more common than you might think. According to experts, about 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies will result in a miscarriage. Still, many couples find it difficult to talk about pregnancy loss, and instead face their grief and frustration alone. Ultimately, this means less awareness around the topic, which can make it even more scary and confusing for those going through the experience. It’s not particularly light or uplifting, but some basic education around the often taboo topic of miscarriage can help you navigate this tricky terrain....
If you’ve just found out you’re expecting, congratulations! You’ll have tons of decisions to make over the next nine+ months, but one of the most important is whether you’ll opt for an ob-gyn or a midwife for your prenatal care and eventual delivery. Most women are pretty familiar with the type of care to expect at the OB’s office. But what is a midwife? What does a midwife do? And is a midwife a doctor?...
Like most women, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your period. It’s a nice reminder that you’re not pregnant (provided you’re not trying to conceive), but it’s also a total pain to deal with. Pregnancy gives you a much welcomed break from Aunt Flo’s visits, but clearly your period has to come back at some point. Here’s when you’ll likely get your first period after pregnancy, and what to expect when it finally does arrive....
Smoking Premature birth, low birth weight and even stillbirth all have been associated with a mom’s use of cigarettes. Secondhand smoke is risky as well. So ask your partner to kick the butts too. Cold cuts Say good-bye to turkey and Swiss on rye. Deli meats may contain bacteria called listeria, which can cause an illness that can lead to preterm labor and miscarriage. Cleaning the litter box Fluffy’s poop could contain a pesky parasite called toxoplasma....
How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables? How can I help my toddler feel less insecure? How do I wean my toddler off his pacifier? See all Q&As Let the good times roll Playtime is even more entertaining as you start seeing your tot’s personal interests shine through in her toy and game choices. But don’t jump to conclusions if little Jenny likes crashing toy trucks and little Joey digs your shiny pink heels....
“I use vinegar and baking soda for pretty much all my homemade cleaning supplies. Vinegar kills a lot of nasty things like viruses and bacteria.” — JustSomeChick “We go green by composting and really trying to not use plastic bags. I sometimes forget, so I should just keep some folded cloth bags inside my diaper bag.” — MoinMoin “I make my house naturally smell good by simmering a pot of orange rinds and cinnamon....
It’s a common enough scenario: You’re trying to get pregnant and think your period is late, only to experience a heavy flow a few days later. You may not realize it, but you might have just had what’s known as a chemical pregnancy, which is a very early miscarriage. Chemical pregnancy is actually quite prevalent and often goes unnoticed. But with the rise of early-detection pregnancy tests also comes the rise of an awareness of early loss—and having to grapple with it....
As a new parent, your spidey sense is in overdrive, watchful for anything that could possibly harm your little one. You’ve done an A+ job baby-proofing your home already, but perhaps there are some aspects of baby’s nursery that still have you worried—namely, baby’s crib. As a protective parent, those hard wooden crib slats can seem suspect. What if baby hits their head or gets a limb stuck through one of the slats?...
In 2008, Delta recalled more than 985,000 of its drop-side cribs with “Crib Trigger Lock and Safety Peg” hardware. The manufacturer and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission just reissued that recall again, because in 2009 a 7-month-old girl got trapped and suffocated between the crib’s detached drop-side and mattress. This secondhand crib was reassembled without the safety pegs, which caused the fatal situation when the rail came off the track....
It’s easy to assume your period is on its way when you have some cramping around that time of the month. But, as it turns out, that familiar discomfort could actually be an early sign of pregnancy. Even after you realize you’ve missed your period and see that exciting positive pregnancy test result, those early pregnancy cramps can continue for a while. Don’t panic—it’s a very normal part of those hormone-filled first few weeks....
While many women turn to pills and condoms as their go-to contraceptive, doctors think they should try a different option. On Thursday, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced its plans to recommend intrauterine devices (IUDs) to patients who want to use birth control. In its announcement, ACOG said it would revise its 2007 guidelines, which had instructed doctors to view IUDs as good options, but not stress them as a preference....
Pros • Easy to use • Swivel movements make getting in and out of bed or reaching baby very easy • A built-in light helps with night feedings and won’t disrupt baby (or your partner) • Mesh sides let you see baby and vice versa Cons • Heavy and not easy to move once assembled • Assembly directions are a little hard to follow Bottomline The Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is the closest you can come to co-sleeping with baby and a great, safe alternative to the typical stationary co-sleepers that don’t offer a range of helpful features....
Kate Carr knows a thing or two about health and safety. She’s held top positions at Malaria No More, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and worked in the Office of Public Engagement in the White House during the Clinton administration. But what she didn’t know before accepting her role as president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide was that everyday injuries could pose an even bigger threat than the diseases she was working to prevent....
A neural tube defect is when baby’s spine or skull isn’t formed properly, or when the spinal cord or part of the brain develops outside the body. Spina bifida is one type of neural tube defect. Every pregnancy is screened for neural tube defects, usually around the 20th week, either with a blood test or an ultrasound, so the defects are likely to be identified then. Taking folic acid in the weeks before and after conception is the only thing that’s been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects....
Headaches are very common during the first trimester, and stem from a variety of factors. Surging hormones, increased blood volume circulation, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, and caffeine withdrawal all can lead to a pounding head. Luckily, these headaches should recede during the second trimester as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels. If severe headaches do occur during the third trimester, talk to your doctor — this could be a sign of preeclampsia....
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that often has the symptoms of a mild illness, like swollen glands or a low-grade fever, and sometimes has no symptoms at all. But it’s a really scary thing to have during pregnancy. That’s because the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus — and it’s been associated with a number of problems including blindness and deafness at birth. The good news is that you can prevent getting CMV by avoiding bodily fluids of anyone who might be infected....
Your schedule is packed. You simply don’t have the time to exercise… case closed. Sound familiar? It’s time to drop that all-or-nothing attitude! Just a few minutes are all you’ll need. Research shows that any amount of movement will benefit your body. It’s okay to pepper mini-workouts throughout your day. So take five (or 10 or 15)! Got 5 minutes? Create a five-minute mix on your iPod, pull down the blinds, and dance ’til the music stops....
