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A case of the sniffles and sore throat is pretty run-of-the-mill for kids—but while these mild symptoms may not send up a red flag, they can actually be early signs of a viral infection known as fifth disease. Colloquially called “slapped cheek” (named for the facial rash that accompanies it), the virus usually isn’t cause for concern—in healthy children, it rarely leads to severe symptoms or problems. But for pregnant women and other vulnerable patients, it can be a different story....

For some brand new parents, the second most important arrival (after baby, of course) is a simple cardboard box. “Baby boxes” containing newborn basics like gender-neutral clothes, winter gear, diapers and bath supplies have been mailed out to new parents by the Finnish government for over 75 years. Now, the business is taking off — just ask the three creators of Finnish Baby Box, which exports to countries around the world....

Eight months pregnant with my second child, I waddled into a nearby nail salon, desperate for a little pampering. “Mission accomplished,” I thought, as I sat and let my nails dry after a deluxe mani-pedi. I was feeling satisfied with myself when the woman sitting next to me sparked up a conversation. “Is this your first child?,” she asked. “No, my second,” I happily replied. Without a moment’s hesitation, she followed up: “Same fathers?...

You’re not even out the door for work and the wailing has started. Or maybe the crying begins as you creep out of baby’s nursery after putting them down for a nap. Or perhaps you’ve only been out of your little one’s sight for a brief moment—say, to go to the bathroom. Whatever the trigger, if your absence causes your child to become hysterical, you may be dealing with separation anxiety....

Cravings are one of the most stereotyped symptoms of pregnancy. According to this study, the foods you indulge in during pregnancy can have big consequences for you and baby. Australian researchers found that if mother rats consumed junk food while they were pregnant and nursing, the babies had resulting changes to their brain chemistry, leaving them more susceptible to a junk food addiction later in life. After my first trimester morning sickness, my cravings ranged from broccoli (very garlicky and stir-fried) to raspberries (even better with frozen custard!...

Itchy skin is something we all experience at one point or another, but it’s especially common during pregnancy. Why? Your skin is slowly being stretched to accommodate your growing belly, and that can make you all kinds of itchy. But while most pregnancy-related itchiness can simply be chalked up to your stretching skin, there are a few health conditions that can be behind it too. So how can you tell if it’s just another pregnancy symptom, or something that calls for a trip to the doctor?...

So you’re getting a little nervous about becoming a parent… no surprise there. After all, you’re embarking on basically the biggest adventure known to man. Not to add to the pressure or anything. But seriously — ignoring the fear isn’t the way to deal with it. In face, that will only make it worse. A better idea is to talk about it with your mate. Start by figuring out what your concerns really are....

Features to Consider When Buying Baby Bottles Size. In general, you’ll find bottles ranging in size from two to 10 ounces. Two-ounce bottles are tiny, but they’re also pretty pricey and often sold individually. These are often considered specialty bottles to be used for premature babies. For full-term babies, many popular brands offer a four or five-ounce starter bottle, and then a larger bottle, ranging from eight to 10 ounces for older babies....

What to Look for in a Diaper Bag Pockets. The key to an organized diaper bag? Pockets—and lots of them. Having special compartments for diapers, wet wipes or soiled clothes is a life-saver when you’re changing baby on the move. Moreover, an insulated bottle pocket ensures baby’s milk is kept at the perfect temperature. Other purpose-built pockets that are sure to come in handy are security pockets (for your cards and keys) and a padded sleeve for storing a laptop or tablet....

At your child’s 18-month checkup, his pediatrician will likely take all the usual measurements — height, weight and head circumference — to make sure he’s growing on the right track. As long as your child appears to be growing along a steady curve, everything’s just fine. If not, the doctor may ask you questions about your child’s nutrition and eating habits to be sure there aren’t any causes for concern. She’ll also do the usual physical exam, checking baby head to toe to see that his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitals — and everything else — look healthy....

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....

Breastfeeding? You’ll want to read this. And even if you’re still pregnant, guess what? You can start to battle sagging, soreness and stretch marks before baby even arrives. (Woo hoo!) Sian Sutherland , co-founder of Mama Mio skincare products, offers some boob-soothing advice. Perk those pecs – a safe exercise for all 3 trimesters There are major muscles beneath your boobs (although they have a lot more coverage these days), and keeping them firm and fit can have a big impact on perkiness....

Sure, you’ve heard the benefits of breastfeeding. But have you ever thought about how what you eat while breastfeeding can affect baby? Certain nutrient-packed foods can help keep your body and your milk supply nice and healthy, while other foods can lower your milk production and impact baby’s digestive system. We’re here to help you get to the bottom of all your breastfeeding diet concerns, from the best foods to eat while breastfeeding to the best vitamins to supplement your meals, plus which foods to avoid or limit while breastfeeding and why....

During pregnancy, you likely got used to seeing your OB or midwife fairly often, especially as you neared your due date. Consistent visits are a standard part of prenatal care to ensure everything is progressing smoothly and that you and baby are healthy. So what happens now that baby is born? In the past, prenatal care has been far more thorough than postpartum care, but in recent years experts have called for a change....

Thinking about making a baby? The most popular months to deliver are July, August, and September, so if you want to join the throngs of summertime mommies next year, fall’s the time to get busy. Many woman can get pregnant without a word of advice, but if you’re eager to speed things along, here are a few tips. Re-learn the female anatomy If you paid attention in biology class, you can skip this one....

When hiring a sitter, spell out your expectations from the get-go. “Never leave it up to the sitter to assume that you need certain things handled a certain way,” says Adrienne Kallweit, founder of SeekingSitters, a national babysitting referral company. That means laying out some ground rules right from the start. These might include basics on what to feed baby, nap schedules and guidelines for other daily tasks. But that also means spelling out terms for your sitter herself....

There are so many moments in life that have you reaching for your phone, but only a select few end up being Instagram-worthy. Apparently great minds think alike, because several distinct trends surfaced on the social media platform this year—from the super cute to the super silly, plus a few things in between. Let’s take a scroll down memory lane, shall we? Image: Michele Lovetri Letter Boards If you thought letter boards were so last year, think again....

AMH, or by its full name, Anti-Mullerian Hormone, is a hormone that’s produced by small follicles in the ovaries. It’s not something you’d tend to spend a lot of time thinking about, unless you’re debating trying IVF, in which case AMH’s importance goes up substantially. Fertility doctors use a blood test to measure your levels of AMH as a way to help determine your ovarian reserve — or approximately how many eggs you have to work with....

It’s true that newborns can’t do much for themselves—but luckily, babies are born with certain innate reflexes that help support their growth and ensure their survival. Some newborn reflexes are ones you might have heard of, like the startle reflex, sucking reflex and grasp reflex. Infants are also born with what’s called the rooting reflex, which is crucial in helping them feed during those first few months. Keep reading to learn about the rooting reflex in babies, when it starts and how it supports baby’s development....

It’s no wonder parents get a bit stressed trying to capture baby’s first holiday on camera. Time is fleeting with little ones, and they have only one “first”—whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or another holiday that’s important to your family. That’s a lot of pressure, and those picture-perfect moments can seem few and far between. It’s important to remember, though, that the magic usually happens during unplanned moments. You’ll probably get some drool or other body fluids on the outfit you’ve hand-picked for the shoot....