Posts

Good news for moms-to-be taking antidepressants! A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in Advance concluded that infants born to moms who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) had similar weights, lengths and head circumferences to infants born to women who didn’t take antidepressants. Though infants whose mothers did take antidepressants were shorter at birth, the difference in size disappeared by two-weeks of age. Historically, maternal prenatal stress and depression have been linked to preterm birth and low infant birth weights, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease....

The best birth stories tug at your heart like nothing else can. This year was packed with plenty of amazing tales, all reminding us that parents and siblings can be superheroes and babies are truly a miracle. Here are the birth stories of 2017 that we’ll never forget. The OB Whose Water Broke While Delivering Her Patient’s Baby You hear plenty of birth stories where women have had their water break at work, but things get a little crazy when your work is delivering someone else’s baby....

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....

She’s a fan of design blogs and fashion mags, and plans to be a thoroughly modern mama. Skip the cutesy shower and go with a graphic invite, deliciously trendy desserts, and decorations as elegant as she is. The Invite: A classic palette of black-and-white is sure to please. We chose this chic invite from Paperspring that quietly announces the event while setting the modern tone with a single orchid. The Decor: Start with crisp white linens and build from there....

The coronavirus vaccines bring us hope that there’s finally a “light at the end of the tunnel” for the pandemic. Although there’s been a ton of information about the coronavirus vaccines in the news over the last few months, we still don’t have all the information about the effects of vaccination on pregnant women and their babies. No wonder, then, that moms and moms-to-be have questions about getting vaccinated against COVID....

Step away from the sippy cup — and nobody ends up overweight. At least, that’s what the latest recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The AAP is now suggesting that parents wean baby off his bottle on his first birthday to prevent his chance of becoming overweight. Letting baby’s bottle linger also increases his chances of getting more cavities and ear infections. So, you’d think that the next best thing (if he can’t have his bottle), would be to turn to his sippy, right?...

Scientific data One study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, followed women who were trying to get pregnant by having sex at the time in their monthly cycle when they were believed to be most fertile. Of the 346 women in the study, 310 conceived in the first year. The breakdown was like this: 38 percent were pregnant after 1 month. 68 percent were pregnant after 3 months. 81 percent were pregnant after 6 months....

Think back to your senior year in college — that’s the age some doctors say is ideal to have a baby from a purely biological point of view. But the reality is more and more women are well beyond their 10-year college reunion before even thinking about getting pregnant. The age of women having their first babies has steadily risen in the last 40 years, the biggest rise being in the 35- to 39-year-old age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control....

Let’s get this important issue straight. In an ideal world, you’re absolutely right, there should be compromise in the bedroom just as there should be a compromise in every other aspect of a relationship. But because we are living in the real world and this is a temporary situation, to force the issue of him not finding your pregnant belly attractive by insisting he meet your needs could be very damaging to your relationship....

Since getting your questions answered is the whole point of taking a maternity ward tour, planning them out beforehand is definitely a good idea. Here are a few to get you started: [ ] Can I preregister a couple of weeks before delivery? Can I do it online? (Getting the paperwork out of the way gives you one less thing to worry about.) [ ] When we arrive, do we need to check in at the front desk, or can we go straight to the maternity ward?...

There are several potential causes for increased headaches in pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones, drops in blood sugar, dehydration, stress/worry, and lack of sleep are all causes. You can even experience headaches from caffeine withdrawal if you were a big coffee or soda drinker before the pregnancy and stopped with the pregnancy. Women who suffer from migraines sometimes sometimes experience more with pregnancy, sometimes less. Some headaches are caused by normal vision changes....

When Can Babies Wear Sunscreen? How to Apply Baby Sunscreen DO apply a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to baby’s head. If they don’t have hair yet, make sure to cover the scalp with sunscreen. DO make sure babies cover up—and accessorize! When in the sun, little ones should wear breathable long-sleeved clothing, hats and even eye protection. (Yes, baby sunglasses! Those little eyes are sensitive.) DO reapply sunscreen every two hours or as soon as baby gets out of the water....

Studies show about 90 percent of expectant women have cravings, particularly in the first trimester. Experts aren’t sure why, but one theory is that your body is simply asking for what it needs. The boost in blood volume increases your need for sodium—hence, you crave pickles. Why the sudden change in food preferences? Blame it on raging hormones, which are messing with your senses of taste and smell. Hunger, restlessness and difficult emotions can intensify cravings, so make sure to eat breakfast, exercise regularly, and ask for support when you need it....

The Bump presents Where In the World Is The Bump, a series of summer travel guides featuring tips, favorite picks and insider know-how from local moms for families looking to visit their cities this season. From the best baby-friendly restaurants to preschooler-approved playgrounds, savvy packing lists and more, you’ll get all the honest, parent-proven advice you need to plan your trip. I’m Ashlee, deputy editor of The Bump and mama to Vera, my music-loving, food-throwing 1-year-old....

A scientist from Brown Medical School has found that the acoustics of baby’s cries might provide parents with clues about his health. Though in the past studies have shown that the cry of an infant can suggest his medical risks, Linda LaGasse found that if a baby is crying at a higher and more variable frequency than normal but at lower amplitude with shorter utterances, it might be because he has a respiratory problem or increased tension in his vocal tract....

Prepping for a newborn takes work! From choosing bottles to building changing tables, it’s hard to stock up on everything that is needed for taking care of a newborn. The Bumpies on the August 2014 Board in the The Bump Community share their tips on all of their newborn must haves: “I love the Lansinhoh Soothies gel pads. They were a real life-saver, seriously.” – PunkieNight “Swaddling blankets or actual swaddlers and the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD....

It’s a hot topic, it’s a pressing question, and it doesn’t have a clear-cut answer: When should you start sleep training? Some experts say sleep training can begin as early as birth. But it depends on the method. Experts like Richard Ferber of the Ferberization (cry-it-out) method recommend waiting until six months. The latest benchmark? Eight weeks. This one’s drawing mixed reviews from parents. “I was surprised to hear it suggested at 8 weeks....

It’s hardly shocking that some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions are also the most commonly broken. Personally, I’ve always treated my resolutions as projects to undertake. So “exercising” meant adopting a specific regimen and losing X number of pounds, “eating healthy” meant learning certain recipes or incorporating a new ingredient, and “more crafts” became “finish wedding scrapbook before babies are born.” I believed that seeing my resolutions this way is helpful as they are specific, measurable (and sometimes rewardable!...

It can be a little freaky when that cute little innie you’ve been sporting your whole life suddenly pops out like a thermometer in a Thanksgiving turkey. Usually this happens in the third trimester (and if it’s your first baby, it may not pop until the end of your pregnancy). Not every mom-to-be who had an innie gets an outtie, and sometimes it’s more like a flat navel. And the good news is, in almost every case it’ll be back to an innie after the baby comes and your belly shrinks back to normal (or close to it)....

These days there are so many possible paths to parenthood. If you and your fertility specialist decide that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the right way for you to conceive, your IVF treatment plan will probably be as unique as you are. Still, it’s normal to have all the questions as you venture into this uncharted territory. Ready to explore your options? From initial steps to IVF success rate, side effects and cost factors, we’re sharing the full lowdown on what you can expect during the IVF process, straight from fertility specialists in the know....