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You can safely store breast milk in: •Glass or BPA-free plastic bottles with a one-piece, tight sealing lid •Thick plastic storage bags made especially for storing human milk For short-term storage, it may be okay to use: •Plastic bags used to line bottles (These should be double-bagged or placed in a larger freezer bag and aren’t recommended for long-term storage.) The benefit of breast milk storage bags is that the milk can be frozen flat, saving freezer space and making for quicker thawing....

Pros • Compact size with high-end features • Converts easily to a travel system with infant carrier or bassinet • Safe and smooth ride for baby • Fun color options • Very roomy storage basket Cons • Over time, stroller wheels become less smooth Bottom Line The UPPAbaby Cruz is a great all-purpose stroller that can be used from baby’s first day home through the toddler years. Rating: 4.5 Ready to register?...

You should definitely wash baby’s clothes, blankets and other washable items that will come in contact with their skin. It’s not necessary to do it before they’re born, but it’s a good idea to do it before they wear them. Why? Baby’s brand new birthday suit hasn’t toughened up yet! Their skin is sensitive and the finish that’s put on new clothes to make them look cute enough for you to snatch up can irritate baby’s virgin skin....

Cutting an entire mouthful of teeth is a long process — two to three years — and the experience of teething varies from child to child. Some babies are very sensitive teethers while others pop out tooth after tooth without any evidence of pain and suffering. For a sensitive teether, typically the most painful teething period lasts two to three days. During this time, make baby more comfortable. During the day, cool teething toys are helpful....

Some of us dream for months (and sometimes years) of that telltale plus sign. For others, pregnancy is a complete surprise. Either way, you’re definitely not alone if you find yourself wondering, “I got a positive pregnancy test—now what?” Finding out you’re pregnant is a life-changing moment that comes with its fair share of surging emotions: excitement, joy, relief, panic and maybe an extra dose of confusion over what to do next....

Charles Johnson IV is taking on the fight of his life. His late wife Kira Johnson tragically lost hers after a routine c-section at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2016. After delivering her second son, she bled internally for more than 10 hours before the medical staff took action. In the months that followed, Charles heard so many stories just like his, so many families who suffered similar, preventable tragedies. He decided something had to be done and publicly shared Kira’s story to raise awareness about the crisis....

And the Winner Is: Cradlewise Smart Crib Thought the Snoo was the only sleep innovation in the world of high-tech baby gear? Think again. A smart bassinet, crib and baby monitor rolled into one stylish package, the Cradlewise is a triple threat. This innovative device comes with a removable bassinet attachment, meaning you can use it from birth up to the time baby hits the 24-month mark. Ready for the real standout feature?...

Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn’t mean it’ll be second nature. Sometimes it takes time, practice and a whole lot of trial and error to get into a breastfeeding groove. Patience and persistence may be called for—right from day one. A healthy newborn’s instinct to breastfeed peaks about 20 to 30 minutes after they’re born, so you want to have baby right there next to you, ready to drink up your colostrum—that’s the nutrient-packed early milk you express after delivering....

Many moms who have delivered their babies via cesarean section have a love-hate relationship with their c-section scar. “I don’t like having a scar, but when I see it I’m reminded that I brought four healthy children into the world,” says Megan C. in New York, who delivered each of her four children via c-section. “It’s like a badge of honor.” C-section scars are marks left on a mother’s belly following the surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions made in the abdomen and uterus; for some women, they may fade quietly over time....

Stock up on baby clothes in a range of sizes. But don’t cut off the tags of all the newborn clothes yet, says Ali Wing, founder and CEO of baby store Giggle. “Babies come into this world in all shapes and sizes, so don’t buy everything under the sun before you meet your own son or daughter,” says Wing. While the size marked on the label make it seem like it’s based on baby’s age, it’s really based on size....

We know about the reports of more and more women putting motherhood on hold for their careers, but now a new report shows that fertility might be increasing for college graduates. According to a report in Journal of Population Economics, new data shows that 30 percent of women who graduated college did not have children, but by the 2000s, the rate of childless female college grads was 25 percent. Experts believe that the rate change shows a new trend....

That depends — were you prone to motion sickness before you got pregnant? If you were, then, yeah, you’re more likely than other pregnant women to feel really sick in a moving car, plane or train. But luckily, there are things you can do to prevent motion sickness — or at least cut down on it. What works is different for everyone, but go ahead and try these methods: Acupressure bracelets....

Many women do get pregnant while breastfeeding, so weaning isn’t necessary. But you’re right that breastfeeding can make it a bit tougher to conceive. It’s actually designed that way by nature to provide optimal spacing of children. Women in some cultures don’t have effective forms of contraception, and breastfeeding serves as a child-spacing method. In these populations, where moms breastfeed into the second year of baby’s life and beyond, babies are born an average of every two to three years....

This article is part of The Bump’s Reclaiming Your Power series featuring changemakers who are dedicated to supporting and preserving Black maternal health. These doctors and thought-leaders share their insights and advice to help guide and empower women of color who are planning or navigating pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different—but it’s also true that, regardless of what you’re going through, you’re not alone. Families of color can face many challenges along their path to parenthood, something Simmone Taitt, founder and CEO of the telehealth app Poppy Seed Health, has shared experience with....

You may have had a passing knowledge of pregnancy and what those nine+ months entail, thanks to high school biology. But now that you’re “in it,” you may suddenly realize that there’s a whole universe of nitty-gritty topics that you never knew about until now. Exhibit A: the placenta. This fascinating organ develops during pregnancy along with baby and plays a crucial role in keeping your little one healthy in the womb....

Swollen lymph nodes are typically a sign of infection, from a simple cold to something potentially more dangerous, such as chicken pox. It’s this range of possibility that can be especially nerve-wracking when you have swollen lymph nodes while pregnant. In this already stressful time, you can’t help but think about what might happen if those microbes affect your pregnancy. The good news is, in the vast majority of cases, there’s no need to worry....

Becoming a parent is a life-altering experience. It calls for learning new skills and navigating uncharted territory, and it doesn’t come with a manual. No wonder, then, that parenthood can leave you doubting your own capabilities and stressing over failure. This is known as impostor syndrome (also known as the impostor phenomenon). Here, we spoke to experts to understand what impostor syndrome is, why it happens, how it affects parents and what they can do to overcome it....

New research released by the University of Adelaide found that the risk of serious complications at birth (such as stillbirth, preterm delivery, low birth weight and neonatal death) are twice as likely for babies conceived through assisted reproductive methods (like IVF and ICSI). For the study, researchers in Australia compared the outcomes of more than 300,000 births is South Australia over a 17-year period, including more than 4,300 assisted reproduction births....

What to Look for in a Nipple Cream Consider the ingredients. Natural and organic options are always a good option, since baby may ingest traces of the product while breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using medical-grade lanolin products to soothe sore nipples. Stay away from creams that have hard-to-pronounce ingredients or (major red flag!) need to be wiped off before feeding—these likely contain artificial ingredients and aren’t safe for baby....

As the season turns from summer to autumn, the leaves begin to change color, the air becomes crisper and many begin to indulge all the coziness that comes with outdoor bonfires and knit sweaters. For many, autumn is a festive season—and if you’re expecting during this time, there’s all the more to celebrate. If you’re looking to throw a fall-theme baby shower, you’re in luck. From sunflower baby shower ideas to Halloween baby shower themes and more, there are lots of ways to make your event feel seasonal and memorable....