No matter how you decide to feed baby, one thing is for sure: Somebody will feel compelled to share their unsolicited opinion. But the reality is that fed is best, whether that means breastfeeding, formula feeding, combination feeding or exclusively pumping. There are pros and cons for each option, and they all come with weighty considerations. If you want to give baby breast milk but are unable to nurse (or simply choose not to!...
When should I start feeding baby solids? Baby will probably start giving you signs that she’s ready for solids at around six months. By now, she should be able to play an active part in the feeding process, but more importantly, the enzymes in her digestive track should be mature enough to break down more complex foods. Wondering how you can know for sure? Here are some general indicators that she’s ready to start eating with her big girl spoon: [ ] She’s sitting up (either assisted or unassisted) and holding her head up straight....
No! We recommend that you discontinue using Latisse during pregnancy. Latisse is a topical bimatoprost ophthalmic solution designed to lengthen and thicken your eyelashes. The Food and Drug Administration has assigned it a category C rating for use during pregnancy — which means that it’s caused adverse effects in animal studies but hasn’t been tested on humans. According to the manufacturer of Latisse, it “should be administered during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus....
Constipation is a common problem for pregnant women. During pregnancy, high levels of progesterone slow the movement of food through your digestive track, and as your bump grows, the pressure from your uterus onto your rectum only makes things worse. And yes, it can be made worse by the iron in your prenatal vitamins. If you suspect the iron levels in your vitamin are to blame, check the label—you probably don’t need more than 30 milligrams of iron a day, unless you’re anemic....
For most kids, playing teacher or doctor usually requires recruiting a stuffed animal classroom or little sibling patient. But these little girls got the chance to bring their imaginations to life, subbing in for actual professionals for the day. Meet Professor Gwyneth, who led a college class. “The dog’s brain can’t think as much as the human’s brain because there’s no high school for the dog,” she tells her students. What she lacks in accuracy she makes up for in confidence, which elicits a laugh from the undergrads....
Ever start counting down the hours to bedtime within 10 minutes of your child waking up? Get teary-eyed when you’re asked to play hide and seek for the umpteenth time—only to realize it may be your one opportunity to be alone all day? Do you occasionally spend way more time sitting on the toilet than actually necessary, and treat it as a temporary escape? The truth is, as much as we love our kids, being a parent isn’t always fun—in fact, it can be downright draining....
It may feel like just yesterday that you were changing baby’s first diaper, and in the blink of an eye you’ve reached the mother of all milestones: potty training! It may be difficult at times, but you can find comfort in the fact that all parents go through this. While the end goal is always the same—ditching those diapers, and ushering in the era of underpants—it’s not a one-size-fits-all process. Stressing over how to potty train your tot?...
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 8,000 Yu Wei drop-side cribs today owing to potential entrapment, suffocation, strangulation and falling hazards. The drop-side rails on the crib can malfunction or unexpectedly fall down or detach, creating a space in which a child can become trapped, causing strangulation or suffocation. Children also could fall out of the crib. There were nine incidents of the drop-side rails malfunctioning, including one incident in which a child received mild cuts on his arm....
That’s a really good question! Most pregnant women feel warmer than usual during pregnancy, because pregnancy ramps up your metabolism, producing heat. Your body might try to cool off by speeding up your breathing rate, sweating and producing greater blood flow to your arms and legs. In some women, those cooling efforts may go into overdrive — which could explain why you feel so chilly. If you’re constantly cold, though, it’s a good idea to consult your OB....
Fatherly is a publication for modern fathers looking to make the best of a good situation. A few weeks after my daughter’s birth, a woman asked to smell her head. My wife and I were a bit weirded out but didn’t see the harm in letting her have a whiff. Granted access, she bent down a few inches from my little girl’s head, breathed deeply, and then glowed with the satisfaction of a stoner who caught the scent of some grade-A kush....
“My dad told me once, ‘You’ll know within two days whether or not breastfeeding is going to work for you.’ He told me this while I was still pregnant—needless to say, my instinct told me this was bad advice.” Why it’s bad advice: Breastfeeding usually starts out tough and then gets easier as time goes on. “It can take several days to weeks to feel in balance with meeting the needs of your newborn,” says McLary....
And the Winner Is: Eufy SpaceView Baby Monitor No WiFi, no problem. This baby monitor doesn’t require an internet connection, which means the video and audio signal transmits exclusively to your monitor unit. In other words, it’s a completely private and secure connection—no hacking possible. Plus, if you’re traveling and are without WiFi, you don’t have to stress! It has a super-sharp display with high-quality night-vision technology so you can keep a watchful eye on baby around the clock; plus, the two-way microphone and large coverage range means more peace of mind for you....
And the Winner Is: Lovevery Keeping baby occupied is a tall task—especially as their interests develop and change as quickly as they do. Age-appropriate toys keep little mischief-makers busy and encourage them to master those all-important motor skills. But sourcing playthings to meet their ever-evolving needs can be harder than it sounds. That’s where Lovevery’s play kits come in. The bi-monthly boxes are filled with educational toys, accessories and resources curated to your child’s age and stage....
With Thanksgiving behind us and a slew of holiday parties ahead, you may already be cringing at the sight of a scale. It’s tempting to ignore your health and fitness for a few weeks and leave it to the New Year’s resolutions—but overeating and lack of exercise during the holiday season can leave you with several extra pounds to lose if you aren’t at least somewhat conscious. Not to worry. It’s totally possible to enjoy yourself without completely throwing caution to the wind with a few simple strategies to keep you on track....
Types of Baby Swings Swing. A baby swing is a padded seat suspended from a sturdy frame. It can move side to side, back to front or in a circular pattern, and mimics the feeling of being rocked in a caregiver’s arms. Baby swings tend to be larger than other options and are often powered by a battery or electricity. Rocker. An automated baby rocker is essentially a miniature version of an adult rocking chair....
While the on-your-back, epidural-numbed labor has long been the American standard, some women are opting for less conventional birth methods and pain control techniques—and even moving out of the hospital room. If that sounds intriguing to you, read on to learn more about alternative birthing venues and pain management methods that can help make the birthing experience you envision a reality. In this article: Alternative places to give birth Alternative birthing methods...
What is gas like for a baby? All of us have gas in one form or another, and we deal with it either publicly or privately in different ways. Babies, though, aren’t quite as used to handling the buildup of bubbles, and gas can make them pretty uncomfortable. What could be causing my baby’s gas? Most of the time, gas buildup is just a normal part of the digestive process. Think of it this way: When your baby is born, his gut is virtually a sterile place....
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....
Miscarriage is more common than you might think. According to experts, about 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies will result in a miscarriage. Still, many couples find it difficult to talk about pregnancy loss, and instead face their grief and frustration alone. Ultimately, this means less awareness around the topic, which can make it even more scary and confusing for those going through the experience. It’s not particularly light or uplifting, but some basic education around the often taboo topic of miscarriage can help you navigate this tricky terrain....
And the Winner Is: Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent Spray Insects bugging baby? Get those pesky mosquitos and gnats to leave your little one alone with the help of this trusty natural repellent from Babyganics. Formulated with a blend of plant and essential oils—citronella, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and geranium—it’s effective and safe when used appropriately on babies 6 months+. Free of harsh chemicals and DEET, it’s gentle on your lovebug’s sensitive skin, with a pleasant, but-not-cloying scent....
