There are three different levels of nurseries. Level I: This nursery is also called a newborn or a well-baby nursery and is for healthy babies who don’t need any special monitoring, oxygen or an intravenous tube. Many babies born between 35 and 37 weeks will be able to go to a level I nursery. Not all hospitals have a level I nursery, though, so in these facilities healthy babies stay in a bassinet in the room with Mom....
Your toddler is grabbing toys from their sibling, whining and otherwise acting like a terror. While your instinct may be to call a time-out, a new alternative called “time-in” may be your best bet. What is a time-in, how does it work and can it be an effective parenting strategy? Here, what to know about this positive discipline technique. In this article: Time-ins versus time-outs: What’s the difference? Why use time-ins for kids?...
Creating a baby registry can be an overwhelming experience for first-time parents. With so many items out there, it’s hard to know what you really need for baby, and it seems like everyone has an opinion on which are the must-have essentials. But not all baby gear is created equal. In fact, from a doctor’s perspective, there are a few things you definitely don’t want to get. Here, we take a look at seven items to leave off your baby registry....
A recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) estimates that there are more than 3 million US women with one child that have a difficult time getting pregnant again — or even carrying another baby full-term. The NCHS also estimates that 800,000 women with a child are unable to conceive again after a year of trying. [Updated 11/13/2013] After getting pregnant once, most couples assume conception will go similarly the second time around....
Baby etiquette? When to start solids? TV okay for baby? See all newborn Q&As Showing a personality Baby’s hearing and vision are continuing to develop, and he’s starting to turn in your direction when you say his name. He’s also beginning to display emotions like amusement, anxiety, and boredom. Separation anxiety often kicks in around this time; baby may cry and reach for you when he’s handed to someone else. If this is the case, just alert friends and family before you see them, and give baby extra time to adjust to new people....
There’s something about being pregnant that brings out the crafty side of many moms-to-be. Chalk it up to the nesting instinct, or the fact that creating a baby makes other DIY projects seem laughably easy—either way, when you’re in full nursery-decorating mode, the desire to craft one-of-a-kind things can strike even the least creative of the bunch. Of course, having the right inspiration (and easy-to-follow instructions) go a long way in getting projects off the ground....
You know it’s important to play with baby—the right kind of play isn’t just fun, it’s also interesting, educational and a bonding experience. But figuring out how to interact with a scrunched-up newborn and how to happily occupy an unruly 14-month-old are their own unique challenges. That’s why we came up with this handy guide, covering activities for babies and toddlers from birth to age two. Just one thing to keep in mind before you read: Babies develop at different rates so if your baby doesn’t seem ready for a certain activity, try it again in a month or two....
Whether you’re a fan of chemical-free baby wipes (hello, WaterWipes with Soapberry) or a new mom hunting for budget baby wipes (love ya, Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes, a serious stash of baby wipes is a must-have for all parents. Honestly, you can never have too many. Not only do you need a wipe (or three) for each of the 320+ diaper changes a baby typically goes through in a single month, you’ll find yourself reaching for a baby wipe to clean up sticky ice cream hands, booger-y cheeks, baby food-smeared high chair trays and so much more....
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a class of drugs that make up a large percentage of antidepressants. You probably know them better by their brand names, like Prozac and Paxil. They work by blocking the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which in turn helps boost your mood. The majority of SSRIs are considered relatively safe during pregnancy. That said, it’s safest for your baby for you to go off the medication or minimize its use before getting pregnant....
You obsessively plug up all the electrical outlets and lock up the detergent and bleach, but one of the biggest dangers for babies is the everyday act of riding in your car. Why is car seat safety so important? Because motor vehicle crashes cause one out of every four accidental deaths for children (the most recently available stats show that in 2015, 663 children under the age of 13 were passengers killed in a car crash—and nearly one in three of those children weren’t even strapped in)....
If you’re planning to have a baby, the word “epidural” has probably come up more than a few times. While you likely have a decent idea that it’s supposed to help ease the pain of childbirth—and that there’s a needle involved—you might be a little fuzzy on the details of how it works exactly. And since people tend to have strong opinions about epidurals—is it really better than a medication-free birth?...
You’re super excited about pregnancy and becoming a parent, and then—out of nowhere—you suddenly start feeling a bit low. Don’t worry, Mama, this is totally normal. Pregnancy can be tough on your mood. As a reproductive psychiatrist (yes, that’s a thing!), I have the privilege of supporting many women during their pregnancies. A lot of factors, like hormonal shifts, sleep disturbances, transitioning to a new identity as a mom, relationship challenges and past depressive episodes, can really impact a woman’s mood during those rollercoaster nine+ months....
There’s nothing like a luxurious bath to unwind after a taxing day—and let’s face it, when you’re pregnant, pretty much every day is strenuous. But now that you’re expecting, do you have to bid goodbye to those baths? Not at all! (Sigh of relief.) Baths are safe, not to mention super-relaxing, when you’re pregnant—but you do need to watch the water temperature. Pregnant women shouldn’t let their core body temperature get higher than 102....
It’s just before 10 p.m. and you’re beside me softly snoring in your glow-in-the-dark dino PJs. You’re 5 and freshly into sleep after our bedtime routine: bath, brushing teeth, lotion, clean pajamas, last-call beverage (water only at this time, although that doesn’t stop you from asking for juice every single night), cuddles, two stories, two songs and then ZZZs. Today has been one of those easy days: no tantrums, and you ate most of your meals—WIN!...
One thing all babies can agree on is that sucking on something is awesome—in fact, newborns use this primary reflex as one of the best ways to find comfort. “Newborn babies cry a lot, and if you find something that’s soothing to them, that’s really nice,” says Genevieve Brauning, MD, a family medicine doctor with Novant Health South Park Family Physicians in Charlotte, North Carolina. “From a practical point of view, a pacifier is on the short list of things that can give everyone peace and quiet....
The easy answer is hormones. They get blamed — and rightfully so — for many of pregnancy’s discomforts. Especially in the first trimester, hormones like progesterone are rapidly increasing, causing numerous physical and psychological changes. But, hormones aren’t the only culprit. Whether the pregnancy was planned or not, whether it’s your first child or your fifth, having a baby is a life changing experience. People have normal anxieties and worries about the health of their unborn child, the pregnancy, finances and their ability to parent… to name a few....
Caveats Unlike ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), which is not approved for babies under six months old, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be given to babies as young as two months old to reduce teething pain and high fevers. You’ll need to give baby a dose of acetaminophen every four hours (and don’t exceed four doses within 24 hours), which is why some parents prefer ibuprofen once baby hits the six-month mark, since it’s given only every six hours....
It’s a late spring evening in Bend, Oregon, and the rain is pouring down. “I’m standing off to the side of the stage, watching The Decemberists play ‘O Valencia!,’” says Meredith Bocklet, 26. “I’m carrying a baby in a sling, she’s got giant headphones on, and I’m thinking, Wow. This is my life. You have a lot of those pinch-yourself moments.” Bocklet isn’t a groupie; she’s a nanny. Her first family was Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel from the band Mates of State....
Think you’ve got your fertility figured out? Think again! According to the latest study by Yale School of Medicine, researchers found that just about half of reproductive-aged women haven’t discussed their reproductive health with their doctor (or, at the very least, a medical care provider) and roughly 30 percent had only visited with their reproductive health provider less than once a year, or — shudder — never. The study, which was based on an online anonymized survey held in March of 2013 included 1,000 women between the ages of 18 and 40....
And the Winner Is: Mama Mio Lucky Legs Soreness in legs, calves and feet is common during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. Compression of certain nerves in your legs and your joints relaxing, plus an increase in your weight can all cause discomfort and restlessness. And foot and calf cramps almost always strike in the middle of the night—as if sleeping wasn’t challenging enough! Staying well hydrated is key, as is stretching and remaining active....
