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If you’ve had some doozies when it comes to weird pregnancy dreams, you’re in good company. According to most mamas, pregnancy dreams are on a whole new level, thanks to (yet again) your crazy hormones. From the super dirty to the super wacky, read on as Bumpies dish about the pregnancy dreams that left them either laughing or seriously weirded out. See how yours compare. “I just found out we are having twins yesterday, and last night I had a dream about when we found out....

Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that’s prescribed as an antidepressant. It’s not thought to affect fertility or compromise your ability to get pregnant, but the medication may carry some risks during pregnancy itself. A few years ago, the FDA issued a warning that women who take the medication during the first trimester were about 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have a baby with a heart defect....

This level of breastfeeding is in the normal range for this age. Most eight-month-old babies are just learning to eat solids, and mother’s milk is still their primary source of nutrition. Unlike bottle-fed babies, breastfed babies do not typically take larger feedings or feed fewer times per day as they get older. Plus, they enjoy breastfeeding as a source of comfort and consolation as well as food. If you feel the need to cut back on breastfeeding, you may choose to supplement with formula....

Experts have different opinions on this one. Some say you shouldn’t leave milk in the fridge for more than six hours before freezing, others say 24 to 48 hours, and still others say it’s fine to freeze milk that’s been refrigerated up to eight days, provided that baby is healthy and the milk is for home (not hospital) use. Bacteria doesn’t seem to be a big problem, since one study showed that milk left in the fridge for eight days actually contained less bacteria than freshly expressed milk....

It’s great that you’re continuing to offer your child the benefit of mama’s milk. Relax and rest assured that you can trust your (and baby’s) instincts. If given the opportunity, most kids will eat when they are hungry and drink when they are thirsty. Simply continue to offer healthy solids throughout the day and breastfeed when baby wants to breastfeed. The beauty of breastfeeding is that even if your kiddo is going through a picky eating stage, you’ll know he’s getting excellent nutrition from your milk....

Take sleep deprivation, and then add raging hormones, postpregnancy episiotomy pain and a new (complicated, crying) family member. How the heck are you going to get through baby’s first weeks? Hear how other new moms handled the newborn period. “It’s okay to cry. You’re going to be emotional; most moms are.” — Kristin B. “Shower and get dressed immediately before doing anything else. It makes a huge difference in the way you act and feel....

Panic is setting in for me. I’m in the home stretch and now starting to get a little fidgety knowing my sweet baby girl will be here in 10 weeks (here’s to hoping that I’m right on schedule with my due date!). So much to learn. So little time. Having a kid should come with a manual. Since finding out I was pregnant, I’ve immersed myself in absolutely everything I can get my hands on....

No one said being a parent would be easy. In fact, everyone – family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, little old ladies at the grocery store – reminded me that it was just the opposite, that being a mom would be the “hardest job I’d ever love.” So I knew there would be challenges and roadblocks, but I also knew that they would be overshadowed by the immeasurable joy and love and delight of my kids....

All those pee cups and needlesticks starting to blur together? This guide to the most common third trimester tests should help you keep things straight. You’ll definitely receive these screenings, and those marked optional should be discussed with your doctor. [ ] Urine Tests At every appointment, you’ll give a urine sample to be screened for glucose (elevated levels can be a sign of gestational diabetes) and protein (a possible indication of preeclampsia or a urinary tract infection)....

What is considered trouble sleeping for a baby? You might think it’s normal for a baby (and often a toddler) to have trouble sleeping from time to time. But the fact is, there are a number of health issues or concerns that might make it difficult for your baby to sleep. What could be causing my baby to have trouble sleeping? Anything from a stuffy nose to an ear infection, reflux or pain from teething can make it difficult for your baby to sleep soundly....

According to the results from a new study on medicine, researchers found that though Tylenol is safe for mom-to-be to use, the after-the-fact effects on baby’s development include poorer language skills and behavioral issues. The study, led by Ragnhild Eek Brandlistuen from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo in Norway, included 48,000 Norwegian children whose moms participated in a survey that examined their medication use at 17 weeks and 30 weeks pregnant....

What are urinary tract infections in babies? A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is also known as a bladder infection. Normally, the bladder is a sterile environment. But sometimes bacteria can migrate up the urethra into the bladder and multiply. (Bacteria love dark, wet environments!) When that happens, you have a urinary tract infection. Most UTIs are relatively harmless, but sometimes they can spread to the kidneys and cause problems. What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections in babies?...

Early labor is an exciting time—it means you’ll soon get to meet your little one! But the stages of labor can be a little confusing. How do you know when you’re in early labor, and what can you expect to happen? Here’s what to know about early labor, plus what to do when you’re actually in it. In this article: What is early labor? Early labor symptoms How long does early labor last?...

Types of Maternity Leggings Under-the-bump maternity leggings: These maternity leggings are low-waisted and rest just under your baby bump. Under-the-bump leggings have a super stretchy waistband that offers moms-to-be gentle support. This style is a good option earlier on in pregnancy, when your belly isn’t big enough to fill out an over-the-bump style. Over-the-bump maternity leggings: This style has a built-in panel that’ll stretch to accommodate your growing belly. Over-the-bump maternity leggings are super-versatile, as the belly panel can be folded down during early pregnancy (and postpartum) or pulled up for maximum support in the final trimester....

Of all the early childhood milestones, potty training is one of the most momentous—and frequently one of the most stressful. It can be hard to tell who is prouder of successful potty training—the parent or the child. There are countless methods out there, including many that promise three-day potty training. Sounds pretty amazing, right? But can you really get your kid out of diapers in a long weekend? Here, experts weigh in on how to potty train in three days....

Myth #1: I got a boob job, so I can’t breastfeed. Reality: Silicone implants aren’t harmful to baby. However, if the incision was through the areola, then you may have problems with milk supply. Myth #2: Eat for two while nursing. Reality: You only need about 200 to 500 extra calories a day. But you should be drinking extra water. Aim to drink nine glasses, instead of the usual eight, each day....

When it comes to parenting styles, the saying “different strokes for different folks” definitely applies. And while no two parents parent alike, certain child-rearing trends gain popularity with each generation of moms and dads. Authoritarian vs. absentee parenting styles? That’s so last generation. Here’s a guide to what today’s parenting styles look like, as illustrated through GIFs. Helicopter Parenting No doubt about it, it’s a dangerous, dog-eat-dog world out there. Kids could bump their heads on the playground, get their feelings hurt during a playdate, or—nightmares of nightmares—not get into the right daycare, which ruins their shot at a decent preschool, which means you can forget about a good middle school or competitive high school, which means a top college is a no-go, and basically their entire future is ruined....

Attention world: A male version of the Pill is in the works. Correction: Multiple male versions of the Pill are in the works. Two hormone-free options are already up for clinical trials. Gendarussa, an herbal male contraceptive, works by preventing sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg. Two rounds of human trials in Indonesia have turned up zero side effects so far. Eppin, created in the US, stops sperm from swimming towards eggs....

It’s understandable why some parents want to celebrate baby’s grand arrival with a commemorative tattoo. You’ve been through the works, and your body has done some pretty amazing things to bring new life into the world. A tattoo can serve as a confidence-boosting reminder of strength and a special gesture of your love. But first things first: Can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding? It’s a gray area, but suffice it to say that tattoos and breastfeeding don’t exactly go hand in hand....

Sorry, but there’s no magic sleep-inducing super food that helps every mom-to-be get her Zzz’s. Actually, it might not be _what _you’re eating but _how _you eat it that helps. For example, some mamas find that eating too much before bed is disruptive (and may aggravate heartburn), and others find that they need to have a small snack of crackers and milk before bed to ward off any nausea that could mess with their beauty rest....