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Yep, it’s normal. Your toddler’s regressive behavior — suddenly wanting to be carried again or acting clingy after months of independence — might get on your nerves, but consider it a compliment. “You’ve done such a great job of creating a natural, healthy attachment with your older child that he’s feeling a bit ‘off’ due to the change in routine related to your pregnancy,” says Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Pediatrics Associates in Kansas City, Missouri....

Ready to hear the pitter-patter of those little feet on the floor? It’s one of the most anticipated milestones, and like most parents you’re probably waiting eagerly, wondering, when do babies start walking? And there’s good reason to applaud when baby’s first steps finally happen. “I think we forget how complicated walking really is,” says Natasha Burgert, MD, a private-practice pediatrician in Kansas City, Missouri, who blogs at KCKidsDoc.com. “Not only do baby’s leg muscles need to gain strength to carry his or her body weight, but walking also requires strong ankles, hips and core, and an increasingly mature sense of balance....

As with any party, the best baby showers are those where the conversation is lively and time seems to fly. And nothing does that better than a few well-chosen baby shower games. We’ve rounded up our favorites, from co-ed baby shower games that all your guests will enjoy, to easy baby shower games you can pull off in a moment’s notice and even unique baby shower games that’ll impress even the most jaded of guests....

When it comes to feeding your baby, trust in your decision for what’s best for you and your family. Some mothers nurse their infants, some offer formula and some combo-feed. Some moms choose not to breastfeed, and some—for a variety of possible reasons—simply can’t. At the end of the day, fed is best. Still, there are some powerful benefits of breastfeeding that are important to know about. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusively breastfeeding for six months, then gradually adding in solid foods while continuing to nurse through baby’s first year and beyond....

Could drinking tea (for two) help you mitigate the last stages of pregnancy and labor? Red raspberry leaf tea benefits are often associated with “womb wellness” and its therapeutic uses have been recorded as far back as the sixth century. Yet, the verdict on whether it really works as a pregnancy facilitator—particularly for its uterus toning benefits and as a labor catalyst—is still out. Midwives, ob-gyns and plenty of women have all sorts of opinions on whether drinking red raspberry leaf tea benefits the pregnancy....

A birthing chair isn’t typically used in a hospital — it’s more likely to be used for a home birth or at a birthing center. Birthing chairs allow women to be in the squatting position during labor, a position many women find can make delivery easier, thanks to gravity. “The squatting position helps the mom push the baby out more forcefully,” says Elise Harper, MD, an ob-gyn at Health Central OBGYN in Frisco, Texas....

Two hours. That’s all I was asking for, to go get my kid-induced gray hair colored (a hot new plum shade!) Two hours, out of a whole weekend. When my daughter heard I was leaving, she started bawling as if I was never going to come back, as if she hadn’t seen me in months. She’s SIX – separation anxiety? Really?! Mommy Guilt kicked into high gear, and I examined my grays to see how bad they really were....

Let me preface by iterating that I do not have an agenda of what type of adoption is best or even that adoption is the best option for those who are struggling to have a family. Creating a family is a very individual thing, and no choice is the best for everyone. Domestic adoption The problem with trying to give a general idea with domestic newborn adoption (also called birth parent relinquishment programs) is that the waiting time varies depending on how aggressive the prospective parents are in finding a pregnant woman who might be considering making an adoption plan....

What is considered an ear problem for a baby? Babies often broadcast an ear problem by crying when they lie down; toddlers frequently complain by pulling on or holding one ear. Or you may simply spot some smelly discharge coming from the ear itself. What could be causing my baby’s ear problem? Few children escape their early years without suffering through at least one ear infection, aka acute otitis media. By their first birthday, more than 60 percent of children will have had at least one middle ear infection....

“What about their real mother?” This is a question that many adoptive mothers hear on a regular basis when the subject of their child’s adoption is brought up. It’s normally never said in the context of hate or maliciousness, but as an adoptive mother I tend to cringe every time I hear it. Why? Because I am my children’s real mother. Yes, I did not give birth to my children but that doesn’t make me their “real” Mother....

2016 is looking bright for new moms. Although Pantone may urge us to choose the words “soft” or “soothing.” The color matching system announced its color of the year for 2016, selecting not one, but two colors for the first time ever. And they’re incredibly nursery-friendly. According to Pantone, the winning hues of Rose Quartz and Serenity (a soft shade of pink and a sort of periwinkle blue) “demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace....

After pregnancy, you’re probably eager to enjoy certain things from your pre-baby life—like eating sushi, sipping wine or fitting into your favorite pair of jeans. While your dinner menu options basically open up the moment you give birth, postpartum weight loss takes time and patience—after all, it took nine+ months to grow baby! Give your body time to recover, credit for pulling off an amazing feat, and grace as you transition into a new phase of life....

Both have benefits. CVSis done earlier, which means (hopefully) putting your worries to rest sooner, or alternatively, an earlier termination or more time to plan and prepare for your child’s condition. CVS results also come back quicker than amnio’s. It may be difficult to find an experienced provider to do the test, though, because fewer doctors perform CVS than amnio. But, if you’re at particular risk for neural tube defects, amnio is the clear choice — CVS won’t detect these....

Are all of those creams and ointments claiming to prevent or reduce pregnancy stretch marks actually just a waste of money? Dermatologists from the University of Michigan think so, explaining that they still need to get to the bottom of what causes stretch marks in the first place. A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that most topical treatments designed to improve the appearance of stretch marks aren’t actually evidence-based....

Here’s the bad news: Puffy feet and ankles are common both during pregnancy and when flying, so for some, traveling while pregnant could be the epitome of discomfort. When you’re pregnant, the circulation in your lower limbs is strained, which is what causes all the swelling in your feet in the first place. (This is also what helps bring on those dreaded varicose veins.) The longer you sit without moving, the worse it is for you....

It becomes instinctive. My fingers begin the movements before I even realize what’s happening. I navigate my way toward the Instagram icon, my brain seemingly on autopilot. I begin scrolling through the photos, one after the other, not even fully absorbing what’s in front of me. I think for many people, the consumption of social media is now just a part of their daily routine. And since I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon, we’re going to have to learn to live with it—for better or for worse....

Meet Dina DiMaggio, MD, and Anthony F. Porto MD, MPH, official spokespeople for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the co-authors of The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers. Each month, they’ll write about the latest AAP guidelines, studies and seasonal issues affecting babies and toddlers. Follow them on Instagram @pediatriciansguide. Winter’s not over yet! Getting through the bitter cold is challenging for everyone, but cold weather safety is particularly important for babies and toddlers....

Your airline experience is about to get a sky-high makeover. Etihad Airways , the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is now offering “Flying Nannies” to passengers on-board. The nannies are specifically trained to entertain children on long-haul flights. Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways’ Vice President of Guest Services, said, “The Flying Nanny will liaise with parents and use their experience and knowledge to make the travel experience easier. This includes helping serve children’s meals early in the flight and offering activities and challenges to help entertain and occupy younger guests....

Moms truly have superpowers. Not only can their bodies grow and give birth to babies, but they can continue to nourish an entire other human—and often even two. Whether they have twins or two young kids who haven’t yet weaned, tandem breastfeeding mamas know a thing or two about hard work and sacrifice. They also know how sweet the rewards can be. These stunning, emotionally charged photos of moms tandem feeding their babies capture each woman’s unique nursing journey and celebrate the awesome beauty of breastfeeding....

Starting solid foods is a big step in baby’s life. The way you introduce your little one to different foods can set the stage for an adventurous foodie or a perpetually picky eater down the line. If you want your child to eventually eat the same foods as you during dinnertime, the trick is to start them young. We’re clearing the air on common misconceptions so you know all the dos and don’ts to make for a seamless transition....