The only way to accurately gauge what your baby is taking while breastfeeding is to use a specially designed scale. These scales (such as the Medela BabyWeigh scale) are accurate to within +/- 0.1 ounces and are available for rent in most areas. By performing a “test weigh” with one of these scales before and after each feeding, you can accurately measure the amount of milk your baby is taking at each feed....
Orange juice is not commonly a source of problems for the breastfed baby, but there’s one way to find out for sure: Try eliminating the juice from your diet for a week or so. If you notice a change in your baby, try adding the orange juice back into your diet. If the problem comes back, you’ll know to avoid orange juice in the future. If OJ isn’t the offender, here are some other things that could cause spit ups and/or fussiness: Gastrointestinal illness: Only a doctor can diagnose this....
When it comes to selecting prenatal care, should you find an OB or stick with your longtime family practice physician? Would a doula be helpful, or is a midwife all you need? Each type of prenatal provider offers various types of expertise, and deciding on the best person or people to guide you through pregnancy and childbirth often requires that you ask yourself still more questions. For instance: Do you want a home birth or do you prefer a hospital?...
The exact routine depends on your hospital’s specific procedures, but odds are good that it will go something like this: First, you’ll check in. (If you pre-registered, this will only take a second.) Next, you’ll either have the dilation of your cervix checked in a triage room (to make sure you’re really in active labor), or you’ll be taken to your labor or birthing room and admitted — you’ll be having a baby today!...
I always assumed I’d exclusively breastfeed my son Eli “on demand,” as they say—meaning whenever he wanted, around the clock. But once he arrived, that “on demand” part was really hard to deal with. So I did the exact thing you’re not supposed to do: I started nursing my newborn on a schedule. Whether you already have a baby or you’ve got one on the way, you’re probably familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that babies be exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months of life, and on demand during the newborn phase....
Toddlers can be demanding and unrelenting, and if you have one, you know they’re also kind of strange. Doorknob licking and barking like a dog are commonplace. But these freaky behaviors do pass. “The vast majority of strange toddler behaviors are short-lived phases,” says Heather Wittenberg, PsyD, psychologist and author of Let’s Get This Potty Started! The BabyShrink’s Guide to Potty Training Your Toddler. Here, she breaks down seven bizzare but common toddler behavoirs you might encounter and what might be behind it all....
In general, overweight women—those with a Body Mass Index of 25 to 29.9—should aim to gain between 15 and 25 pounds during pregnancy. Obese women—those with a BMI of 30 or higher—should aim for 11 to 20 pounds, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists. “A plus-size pregnancy is a higher-risk pregnancy, so following weight-gain guidelines is that much more vital,” says Margaret Wertheim, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Madison, Wisconsin....
Overnight leaks — they kind of suck. Besides soaking the sheets, pajamas and even socks with pee, overcapacity diapers give baby a cold, soggy wake-up call. Though you can’t prevent leaks completely, there are ways you can cut down on them. “The biggest mistake parents make is using diapers that are too small,” says Satya Narisety, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Rutgers University. “During the day, follow the weight range and stage that matches up with your baby....
For most brand-new parents, bath time is less about cleanliness and more about getting through it. How the heck are you supposed to keep a wet, wiggly baby in place? Skip Hop’s comfy mesh support can help. WHAT WE LOVE The mesh sling cradles baby for the first three months of bathing and can be adjusted to help babies 3 to 6 months learn to sit upright Once baby can sit on his or her own, you can take out the sling altogether, using the tub through 25 pounds...
Have you noticed dry, flaky or scaly patches on baby’s head? It may be a case of cradle cap. Don’t worry—this common skin condition isn’t harmful to baby, but you’re probably eager to restore her scalp to that sweet, silky softness all the same. Here, find everything you need to know, including what causes it and how to get rid of cradle cap. In this article: What is cradle cap? What causes cradle cap?...
It’s no secret that babies need a lot of food to fuel their growing bodies. If you’re breastfeeding, you’re probably paying close attention to your breast milk production—and may even be concerned about low milk supply. In fact—because all parents want to ensure their child’s health and growth—a common question among new moms is how to increase milk supply. The good news is, if you are struggling with production, there are plenty of ways to increase milk supply....
Ah, vacations—a time to relax and make happy memories. But when it comes to traveling with kids, the experience isn’t exactly stress-free. From figuring out what to pack (and how to carry it) to how to entertain your little ones in a confined space for the next several hours, embarking on a trip with kids can definitely bring on the headaches. Which is why we turned to Jessica Alba—actress, founder of The Honest Company and mom of three—to get her tried-and-true tricks for how to enjoy smooth travels with your little ones and make the most of your time together as a family....
Rhiannon Logsdon isn’t your average child portrait photographer. She doesn’t just take pictures of the kids; she helps bring their imaginations to life. A mom of four herself, Logsdon knows a thing or two about getting inside the head of a child. She starts shoots by asking about what they like and instructing them to act out their daydreams and pretend adventures. And some Photoshop magic does the rest. “I usually don’t have to ask many questions,” she says....
No doubt you’re aware that the placenta plays an important role in your pregnancy. Among other things, the organ sends oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby and takes away waste. But sometimes, things can go wrong with the positioning of the placenta, a condition known as placenta previa—and that can have big implications for your pregnancy. Along with the umbilical cord, the placenta is baby’s lifeline in the womb, so it’s normal to feel alarmed if your OB alerts you to a potential problem....
What’s more frightening than a scary ghost or skeleton costume? The chemicals found in most Halloween makeup kits. That’s the key takeaway from a press conference held by US Senator Charles Schumer yesterday. Makeup palettes from major companies such as Wet N’ Wild, Fun World and Rubie’s Costume Company often contain harmful chemicals including lead, nickel, chromium and cobalt. “These toxic ingredients can make a child sick, but they’re never listed on the package,” said Schumer....
Back in 2015, a silly but sexy Christmas sweater found on the Etsy shop YourSassyGrandma made the viral rounds. It showcased all that an ugly holiday sweater should: sparkle, kitsch, appliqué-like designs and, of course, good ol’ Rudolph—played by your bare breast. That’s right, this sweater featured a tinsel-edged, peek-a-boo cut-out to pop your boob through. While Rudolph’s antlers were sewn onto the sweater, you had to stick the provided red-nose pastie and deer googly eyes onto your naked breast to complete the festive look....
If your mattress and car seats are lined with garbage bags and you never leave the house without an extra pair of pants, we’re going to safely assume you’re preparing for that big moment when your water breaks at the end of pregnancy. But if you’re concerned about your water breaking in a sudden gush or uncontrollable flow, you’ve probably been watching too many movies! Although that’s often how it’s depicted on screen, in reality, it’s pretty unlikely that your labor will kick off with a dramatic whoosh of fluid....
I had my kids in my early thirties, which I considered a perfect age at the time. I had traveled the world, sewn my wild oats and established myself in my career before “settling down” and making a family. Little did I know that life was about to spin out of control for a few years, rather than “settle down.” Even at that age, I felt exhausted for that first year and a half and wondered if I had waited too long....
Thought the world of car seats was complex? Booster seats are a whole other beast—and you probably have a list of questions. When are they safe for children to use? What type of booster seat do you need? How do you install them? From navigating the various requirements and regulations to picking the right option for your kiddo, choosing a booster seat comes with a lot of information to digest. Feeling overwhelmed already?...
From having too much sex to not having sex often enough, we asked experts to spill some of the most common mistakes their patients make when first trying to conceive a baby. Are you guilty of any of these? Find out—and learn some easy fixes that could help get you back on track for trying to conceive. Not Knowing When You Really Ovulate If you can remember back to 5th grade sex ed, many women have a 28-day cycle, which means for them, ovulation generally happens on day 14....
