Second to your pregnancy test being positive (yay!), discovering whether you’re having a boy or girl is, for many expectant parents, one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy. Of course, you don’t just want to know what doctors think baby’s sex is—you want accurate results. There are several different ways to learn baby’s sex, and the accuracy can vary depending on which method you use and when it’s conducted. Luckily, mistakes aren’t common....
Deciding to formula-feed before birth “Our baby isn’t here yet, but I will be formula feeding. It is both a personal choice for me and something I discussed with my husband. I’ve never felt the desire to breastfeed, and I’d even felt a sense of dread whenever I thought about it. Besides, our greatest concern is that the baby is fed and cared for, not where the meal comes from.” — Sarah B....
If there’s any one product that helps you live life with baby easily in tow, it’s a baby carrier. Babywearing can be pretty glorious once you’ve nailed down the best baby carrier for your baby’s age and your own needs. Will you be carrying a newborn or an older baby? Are you buying one so you can get around quickly for errand runs, or do you plan to carry your kid during trips where big gear just isn’t an option?...
And the Winner Is: Tubby Todd Bath Co. Even in the days of clean beauty, finding a skincare brand with a transparent ingredient list can be tricky. Thankfully, Tubby Todd takes its ingredients very seriously, using only natural and organic varieties that are free of toxins, parabens, sulfates and BPA. Their washes and lotions are fragranced with plant-based ingredients and are never overpowering, just the perfect hint of clean. Best of all, they’re extremely effective at cleaning up messy babies....
Meet Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee, the ladies behind The Bump Pump and Dump Validation Tour. These Denver-based moms are here to remind you that even on your worst parenting day, you’re doing a great job. And whether it’s via song at their parentally-incorrect live comedy shows or via blog post on The Bump, they’re guaranteed to make you laugh. “Mom Guilt” is a growing epidemic that plagues all of us Breeders....
“I would never do_ that_…" Whether that is to let baby sleep in his swing, give a toddler a time-out or hand over a germy iPhone to your teething baby to gnaw on (seriously, it’s the only thing that soothes her!), every parent ends up doing something they swore they would never do. So don’t get all high and mighty. “I know, I know.” When baby cries, you sympathize, so you say you know....
The time I found out I was, um, shooting blanks was the same time my wife, Julie, and I started looking into fertility treatments. That’s what most infertile men will be doing when they discover it. Going through those treatments is an experience many of them won’t talk about much, so I’d like to throw a few bits of info out there. It’s actually more common than you may think According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the reasons for infertility are pretty much an even split: one-third of the time it’s due to female problems and one-third of the time it’s due to male problems....
Thirty minutes of moderate exercise a day is always encouraged during pregnancy, but there are definitely some safety guidelines you should follow when keeping fit while pregnant—not to mention some activities you should skip altogether. Get the rundown on what not to do: Don’t exercise at all if you have… Heart or lung disease Incompetent cervix or cerclage Placenta previa Ruptured membranes Preeclampsia Multiples or another condition that puts you at risk for going into premature labor...
A congressional investigation report released last week found that baby food from four major baby food brands contain high levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. As pediatricians, we’ve been getting a ton of questions from concerned parents. Here are our answers to the top five questions about heavy metals in baby food that are on parents’ minds right now. How Do Heavy Metals Get in Foods? Metals are often found in water and soil, likely from pollution....
Even though they’re twins, your babies will likely have very different personalities, and you’ll soon get to know which one is “the quiet one” and which is “the bossy one,” or some combination of both. But in the early days, especially with identical twins, you may worry that the baby you’ve been calling Jake for the past few days was really the one you named Josh at birth. To minimize confusion, take a close look at both babies, because even identicals can have unique features, such as birthmarks or moles....
Ibuprofen, commonly known by the brand names Motrin and Advil, is a great pain reliever and fever reducer. But it’s best to stay away from it right now. Here’s why: While ibuprofen is actually pretty safe in the early parts of pregnancy, it can cause some serious problems for baby if you take it after 30 weeks or so. “Ibuprofen can actually cause an important passageway in the baby’s heart to close when taken in late pregnancy....
Watching baby grow and gain new skills is incredibly thrilling—and it happens fast. That first year is packed with moments when your infant masters a tricky movement and reaches exciting baby milestones. They actually smiled! They clapped their hands! They pulled themselves up! Can’t wait, right? So when will baby be able to do what? Every child hits baby milestones at their own pace—so don’t worry if yours doesn’t follow this guide to a tee—and there’s a big age range for when little ones meet these milestones....
Pros • Lightweight • Breathable and nontoxic • Beautiful, soft fabric • Sophisticated design Cons • Cover is hard to take off • Cover isn’t waterproof Bottom Line This beautiful mattress gives new parents the peace of mind that your little one is sleeping safely and comfortably. Rating: 5 stars As first-time parents, my husband and I did endless research into different baby gear—we put a lot of priority on finding products that were eco-friendly and safe to use....
No matter how fit you were before and even during pregnancy, postpartum exercise presents a unique set of challenges. Your body is still healing from delivery, and with a newborn in the house, you might be feeling more tired than ever. But finding time to fit in fitness is amazing for both your body and mind—it can be just what you need to get back to feeling like your pre-pregnancy self....
Bet you never thought you’d see that headline, huh? New research published in the American Physiological Society found that carbon monoxide therapy could offer women protection against preeclampsia during pregnancy. According to background studies, researchers found that when compared to healthy pregnant women, the breath of women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia actually contains significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide (CO). Those earliest studies helped inform the latest research — and the possibility that carbon monoxide, in pregnancy, could help prevent the scary pregnancy-related condition....
And the Winner Is: Green Goo Bugs Be Gone Outdoor hangs and camping trips? Awesome. Bug bites, not so much. The need to protect your little one from itchy welts is a no-brainer, but repelling bugs becomes even more important when insect-related diseases loom. Bugs Be Gone by Green Goo is committed to keeping pests at bay and your family safe. Their blend of herbs and essential oils is 100 percent all-natural and safe enough to spray directly onto skin....
Last week my husband went out of town for work (the nerve), and he took all sanity and order with him. Here’s a diary of how the week went, and what I learned about the parent I am and the parent I’m not (but need to be). Day one: I have this image it will be fun to do a sleepover with the kids in my bed. Fun! Ha! They party in my bed until I finally, after, like 17 warnings, kick them out at 10pm....
Ultrasound uses sound waves and echoes to create a moving image of your fetus and show what’s going on inside your womb. (Quick vocab lesson: Ultrasound is the procedure; sonogram is the image it creates.) Some doctors routinely perform first trimester ultrasounds between weeks 4 and 12 to confirm the fetus’ age. Or, your doctor might perform one in the first trimester only if there are signs of multiples, miscarriage or ectopic or molar pregnancy....
Breastfeeding isn’t always easy, but a lactation consultant can guide a new mom through the process. Lactation consultants can work in a hospital, clinic or pediatric office, or have their own private practice in which they visit moms in their homes. Lactation consultants help moms get comfortable about breastfeeding and prepare them for successful nursing by teaching them certain techniques, like how to position baby and how to know she’s latching on correctly....
You have countless decisions to make when expecting. Some of them are easy (paint the nursery green or yellow?), while others are more challenging. One of the more difficult choices many moms-to-be face is whether to have an amniocentesis (aka amnio). This prenatal test can reveal a world of information about baby’s health, but there are some potential amniocentesis side effects to be aware of. It’s not right (or necessary) for everyone, so you’ll want to do your diligence and talk to your doctor....
