Living with chronic hypertension (aka high blood pressure) can be a challenge, especially if you’re thinking about starting a family. The good news is that there’s really no reason you can’t get pregnant. The biggest hiccup, though, is if your partner is the one taking an antihypertensive medication, since it can affect how well and for how long he can maintain an erection and achieve ejaculation. But all your plumbing should continue to work fine....
Properly training a nanny is one of the most important things you can do to protect your children and ensure his or her best care. When working with a new nanny, it’s good to put together a booklet containing all important childcare and household information. In the binder there should be a few important documents for the nanny to read and be able to reference when you are not there. For example:...
As you count down to baby’s arrival, prepping the nursery and reading all the baby books, you’re bound to have moments of panic as you start to understand just how much your life is about to change. And not just at home—on the road too. Read on for the relatable moments when you realize it’s finally time to swap your car for a ride that’s better suited to your newest passenger....
“Be willing to accept help! It doesn’t have to be caring for the babies — help with laundry, grocery shopping and meal deliveries were all much appreciated when my babies were tiny.” — MuseumMaven “To get errands done and get one-on-one time, have your husband stay home with one twin while you run an errand with the other.” — Jen0204 “Buy a white noise machine. Since the babies are used to womb sounds, it helps them sleep for longer periods of time....
Nobody likes regrets, but when you’re a new mom or dad and every day presents a new challenge, you’re bound to face a few fumbles. Here, Bumpies sound off on some of the top things they wish they could change about their own parenting (cue Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”). And don’t be so hard on yourself — LO won’t remember any of these new-mom blips (yes, really). “I haven’t made baby books for any of my three kids....
As every new mother learns, getting your little one to sleep is really more of an art than a science. Want proof? Check out the 11 creative tricks below, straight from the mouths of some real (and well-rested) moms. Hey, don’t knock it til you try it! “Massaging her feet with lavender-scented lotion. It’s a new bedtime routine and it’s amazing.” —Katie M. “Rocking and singing ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift....
They’ve got words Remember when your baby mostly grunted and cooed? Cute, but not very practical. Now she can tell you that she likes apples and that she wants a hug. (Aw!) She may even be able to tell you what she did during the day, and that little storytelling voice is just so darn adorable. They’re little detectives Whenever I lose something, I ask my two-year-old where it is. A lot of times, she really knows....
A few nights ago during a heated husband-wife argument, my other half slipped in how I am not the adventurous, pre-child lifestyle-maintaining mom I once swore I’d be. This is true. Prior to having my daughter, I would talk extensively about how our life would move forward as normal with the simple insertion of a child. I envisioned dinners out with a quiet baby sleeping in a sling. I talked of routine date nights full of wine and dancing, and I assured our annual overseas vacations would continue without a hitch....
The neural tube is what eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. In the early days of pregnancy, the embryo is basically a ball of cells. That “ball” folds in on itself as the cells start to form different body parts. The inner cells form a tube-like structure that is called the neural tube. The neural tube typically closes — or forms a complete tube — by the fourth week of pregnancy....
Crawling may be the cutest milestone ever, and almost from birth, parents begin wondering, at what age do babies crawl? A belly lurch forward, a backward scramble—crawling is baby’s first attempt at moving around independently and a natural next step after rolling over and sitting upright. In our baby crawling guide below, we’ll answer all your top questions. In this article: What age do babies crawl? Signs baby is ready to crawl Types of baby crawls How do babies learn to crawl?...
The decision to swap out your little one’s crib for a big kid bed is not to be taken lightly. It’s a major upgrade; it means your kiddo is growing up and that they’re ready for a new level of independence. But if you’re questioning when to transition to a toddler bed, know that there’s no universal answer. The timing is crucial—make the upgrade too early and it can backfire; wait too long and your child may resist....
The latest study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that the smell of a newborn baby triggers a surge of dopamine for new moms, which is similar to the reward response that comes with satisfying a craving for food. But smelling a baby doesn’t make you want a snack — it makes you want one of your own. Study author Johannes Frasnelli, a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Montreal found that smells are part of a network of chemical communication signals between mom and baby that can be very intense....
Your core makes up some of the most important muscles in your body—and no, we’re not referring to “six-pack abs.” We’re talking about all the muscles that make up your midsection, including the rectus and transversus abdominis (front wall of the abdomen), quadratus lumborum (lower back muscles), spinal erectors and the obliques—and those are just the major muscle groups! Not only do these core muscles affect everyday habits such as posture and gait, but they also impact everyday activities, from how difficult it is to carry a bag of groceries to how much lower back pain your experience from a sedentary job....
And the Winner Is: Vitamin & Me You’ve likely read about the importance of a prenatal vitamin. It’s crucial to your health and the health of your developing baby; ob-gyns recommend you start taking a prenatal vitamin and DHA as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, or up to three months ahead of conception. But finding the right pill can be a bit daunting. Whether you started a supplement before trying to conceive or are adding it to your daily regime after a positive pregnancy test, Vitamin & Me has you covered....
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....
A lot of moms try to teach their kids good manners from a young age, making sure they say “thank you” when they’re given something—and that’s a great start! But every year, when Thanksgiving rolls around, we’re reminded of the importance of instilling our children with a deeper sense of gratitude, not just for the toys and treats they enjoy but also for the larger blessings in life. “Research shows that kids who are thankful for what they have tend to be less materialistic, less envious of others and less depressed,” says Olivia Bergeron, LCSW, a psychotherapist and founder of Mommy Groove Therapy & Parent Coaching in Brooklyn, New York....
Probably not — but it will give you diarrhea! That’s because castor oil is basically a laxative, and when ingested, it will typically trigger cramping in your bowels. This “home remedy” has been popular for decades or even longer as a way to bring on labor. The theory is that if you’re already on the verge of labor, and you stir your intestines up a bit with some cramping, you’ll start some contractions in the uterus, as well....
When you have a pregnancy question you don’t want to ask anyone else, you turn to The Bump, of course. But the other source you can trust in confidence? Your mom. The Daily Share posted a video of four first-time pregnant women talking candidly with their moms about pregnancy and parenthood. “Did you feel self-conscious when you were pregnant?” Three out of four moms said yes, recalling feeling enormous, swollen. “It’s not just my stomach that blew up,” says Cathy, recalling having swollen feet and needing her rings cut off....
It’s that time of year again, when stores start festooning their window displays and playing Christmas carols, reminding us that time is short and our holiday shopping lists are long. But something is different this time—you have a newborn in your arms! How’s a mom to manage all that gift-buying with a baby in tow? We break down (so you won’t) the best shopping tactics, whether you’re headed to the mall, meandering down Main Street or browsing the season’s best online deals....
Those first few months after having baby are usually filled with stress, sleepless nights, and lovely hormonal changes (yay!) that may or may not affect your skin and hair. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean they’ll never return to the way they were. But if you’re starting to notice some major postbaby changes, be aware that you’re not alone and prepare yourself for how to deal. Solving the skin problems While some moms find themselves saddled with oily skin, others wind up with dry and flakey postbaby skin....
