It’s every new parent’s biggest fear: One moment, baby is sound asleep and the next, she’s not breathing. By definition, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has no known cause. It’s extremely rare, but a small percentage of babies do die in their sleep within the first year of life, without warning or explanation. The best way to decrease baby’s SIDS risk is to always keep her in a safe environment, especially while sleeping....
Considering a home birth? Worried something could go wrong? While preparation is extremely important, new research shows that for women with low-risk pregnancies, a planned home birth may result in fewer interventions and better outcomes than hospital births. “Compared with women who planned to birth in hospital, women who planned to birth at home underwent fewer obstetrical interventions, were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth and were more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding at three and ten days after delivery,” says the authors of a new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal....
Before you start to supplement, see a lactation consultant to confirm you have the positioning right and your newborns are, in fact, sucking correctly. If your babies were born early, they may have difficulty latching on altogether because they may have a less developed suck reflex. The consultant will also weigh your babies before and after you feed them to determine the actual ounces they are taking in. Chances are you’re doing just fine and you and your baby just need a few more days to hit your groove....
Screaming? We’ve been there. Remember that, though highly annoying to us, even yelling is a learning experience for children. Babies and toddlers don’t have the ability to decipher where it is acceptable to yell and where it is not. They like to yell to hear their own voices and at times they like to scream to see the reaction that comes from their parents. Consider whether baby’s screaming is age-appropriate exploration or a form of expression, says parenting coach Tammy Gold....
How can I prevent a medical emergency with my toddler? How do you potty-train a toddler? Why does my toddler melt down at birthday parties? See all Q&As I’ll do that myself, thank you Your little rebel may be resisting every attempt you make at feeding, changing, getting him in the car seat, washing hands…just about anything. Toddlers this age like to feel like they’re in control, so offer lots of opportunities for him to “help” or make his own choices....
This is a sponsored blog post written by BABYBJÖRN , developers of the highest quality, safest and most innovative products for children up to three years old. You already know by now that baby requires tons of gear. From bouncers and swings to strollers and car seats, you’re probably overwhelmed by the number of items baby needs – and the number of choices available. One must-have, and as any new mom will tell you, something you’ll use almost immediately, is your baby carrier....
Shopping Tips for Maternity and Nursing Bras Comfort. This should be at the top of your nursing bra must-have list during the first four to six weeks after having baby, says Stephanie Nguyen, founder of Modern Milk and a certified lactation consultant. She recommends stretchy nursing bras to accommodate the breast changes moms experience during this time. “Look for nursing bras in soft fabrics,” Nguyen says. You’ll also want to pick a bra with thick back closures that have four or more hooks and wide, cushioned straps, plus a band that doesn’t ride up in the back....
There are few things as frustrating as working hard to prepare a delicious, nutritious meal, only to have your child refuse to eat it—especially when you know he’d like it if he’d just try a bite. When picky eaters constantly turn down food, it’s all too easy for mealtime to devolve into an all-out battle—or for you to reach for the chicken fingers yet again just to get your child to eat....
You’d think that in my mid-twenties I’d have already found my place in this world, whether through a career, a personal interest or just feeling like a complete and whole human being. But if I had any thought in my mind that I was complete before having my first child, I was completely wrong. Before the birth of my son, I was wife, sister, daughter, sales assistant and roller derby player....
Thinking about starting baby on solids? According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most moms are starting baby on solids too soon. A study published this morning survey over 1300 mothers and from the moms surveyed, the CDC concluded that 40 percent of moms admit to starting baby on solid foods before 4 months old. A startling 9 percent of moms admitted to starting baby on solids as early as 4 weeks after birth....
I got the dreaded call from daycare last week: My little one had spiked a fever, so I dropped what I was doing and rushed out to pick her up. Once I got my daughter home and comfortable, like any parent of a sick child, I set about getting organized—because believe it or not, that’s half the battle. Who’s going to stay home with them? When can you snag a doctor’s appointment?...
Some habits are hard to quit—and the pacifier (or binky or whatever your pet name is for it) is definitely one of the hardest for babies. Sure, it provides an endless source of comfort for your little one, but at a certain point he’s gotta learn to live without it. As with any breakup, there will be tears—baby will be missing his binky, you’ll be missing a good night’s sleep—but the good news is, you can both get through this!...
There’s no way to know for sure. Lots of factors go into predicting adult height and doctors can only really begin to accurately estimate how tall your child will be once he hits age 2. So just because your baby is a bit taller than you were at birth doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll sprout into a lanky model when she gets older. Nutrition of course plays an important role, but genetics is the biggest factor....
Some emotions are more difficult to deal with than others. It’s natural to feel sad and upset when leaving your child and returning to work. The question of whether to stay home or work is an important one, and can only be answered by the parent — every family’s situation is different, and there’s never a right or wrong. If you’re constantly doubting yourself and it is negatively affecting your home and professional life, it makes sense to reevaluate your situation....
There’s always been a lingering concern that your kids are going to give you a heart attack, but UT Southwestern Medical Center is taking a closer look at the link between childbirth and cardiovascular health in women. The Dallas Heart Study found that women who give birth to four or more children are more likely to suffer heart disease — or at least experience cardiovascular changes that can be indicative of heart disease — than moms with fewer kids....
And the Winner Is: Fridababy Electric NoseFrida The day is bound to come when baby gets a cold. Those tiny nasal passages will get good and clogged, and the only way to clear them is to somehow suction the snot out (kids usually don’t learn to blow their noses until age 2, we’re sorry to say). There are various methods you can try, including classic bulb syringes and Fridababy’s renown Snotsucker, which leverages your own lung power to remove the snot (don’t worry, there’s a filter so nothing actually gets in your mouth)....
And the Winner Is: Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump The right breast pump can change your life. There, we said it. If you’re on the hunt for one, look no further than the Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Pump. The freestyle model got a recent upgrade, making it even more compact, lightweight and efficient than ever before. It can be used just about anywhere thanks to a two-hour rechargeable battery....
And the Winner Is: Ilado You may feel an immediate connection with baby. Or it may take a little longer, perhaps until you feel baby’s first kicks, or even until you’re holding a swaddled bundle in your arms. It’s all okay! A maternity bell necklace can help strengthen your bond during pregnancy and offer reassurance once baby arrives. Inspired by a Mayan tradition, Ilado pregnancy necklaces emit a subtle tinkling noise, almost like a melody, when worn....
The following story, “The Kids’ Clothes I’ll Never Give Away (aka, The Keeper’s Box)” by Lauren Smith Brody was originally published on Boomdash. When you live in an apartment, you don’t get to have an attic for storage. You donate things seasonally and wonder if you should sell your coffee table. If you are lucky, you have one “extra” closet that overflows with things like the kids’ scooter helmets and the vacuum cleaner....
Your veins are working overtime right now thanks to your expanding uterus, increased blood volume, and crazy hormones. And, in the spots that are under the majority of the pressure, including your legs, vulva, and rectum (sorry) blood can accumulate. The result: swollen, or varicose, veins. So, that’s the bad news, but on the bright side, aside from some throbbing here and there, they’re pretty harmless and will probably disappear after delivery....
