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Having a fever is always a cause for some concern, but a fever during pregnancy can be especially unsettling. When you’re expecting, your immune system naturally changes to support baby’s development, which means you’re more susceptible to getting sick and your symptoms may linger for longer. Plus, you might wonder (and worry) about whether your fever will affect baby. Here, experts break down everything you need to know about fevers during pregnancy, including how to treat them to keep both you and baby healthy....

Do you have a mentor mom? Mentors are popular for students looking to get through college. They’re great for employees looking to turn a job into a career. They’re a benefit for people looking to lose a few pounds. But they can also be really helpful for moms too. Chances are that you aren’t the first person to face whatever parenting issue that you’re facing. As special as our children are, they aren’t as unique as we’d like to think....

Ilana Wiles, a working mom of two and the founder of new Instagram account @averageparentproblems, knows that parenting can feel like a never-ending struggle. From “getting out the door problems” to “restaurant problems” and the ever-popular “toy problems” (what parent hasn’t taken a LEGO to the foot?), Wiles has collected dozens of Instagram photos that show the real side of parenting. “Instagram is full of picture perfect moms dressing their kids in adorable clothes in their flawlessly decorated houses eating healthy homemade snacks,” Wiles told the Huffington Post....

When Can Baby Sleep With a Stuffed Animal? Tips for Choosing a Safe Stuffed Animal for Babies and Toddlers Check toys for loose parts: Plush toys with plastic eyes and long strings or ribbons can pose a choking hazard for young children. When possible, opt for stuffed animals with embroidered or heat-sealed eyes, and check to make sure that there are no loose parts before giving the toy to baby. It’s also important to check toys for loose parts or general wear and tear on a regular basis....

What to Look for in an Overnight Diaper Absorbency. Overnight diapers are designed to be far more absorbent. In fact, most overnight options promise to keep baby dry for up to 12 hours, and absorb 20 to 25 percent more liquid than their daytime counterparts. Of course, no diaper is fail-proof—but designs with a super-absorbent core can limit leaks. Fit. A properly fitted diaper will help baby stay dry all night long....

Taking on the role of parent is no easy task, so it’s normal to find yourself wondering if your partner will be a good father once baby arrives. Time will tell—but if you spot these signs in the meantime, chances are he’ll nail the whole dad thing. He’s in touch with his inner dork. If the guy can be an unapologetic goofball about Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Italian wines or fantasy football, that’s a sign he’ll one day get completely excited discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each Transformer or the complex friendship of Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia on My Little Pony....

“The first year of his life, I think he was always awake,” Adele Enersen recalls of her son Vincent, now three. “I think he slept 15 minutes once a week. Or at least it felt that way! Or remember that movie The Ring — the horror movie where the girl never slept? It was like that!” Enersen’s struggles reflect the life of many parents of newborns. But with a stroke of creativity that can only come from a sleep-deprived mom, Enerson decided to create an adorably exaggerated story of Vincent’s aversion to bedtime....

First take note that “at risk” is not the same as “has.” The next step is to determine whether or not your baby actually has Down syndrome. In most cases, that’s done with an amniocentesis, which involves the insertion of a large needle into the uterus to withdraw a small sample of amniotic fluid. The baby sheds cells into the amniotic fluid, so a lab professional can analyze the amniotic sample to see if your baby indeed has Down syndrome....

A playard has a simple job: to safely and securely silo off baby. So it shouldn’t be an IQ test—or a major workout—to set one up. Light and intuitive, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light is your answer. WHAT WE LOVE No extra parts to fasten on; this playard is good to go straight out of the travel bag Legs unfold automatically, making setup a one-motion job. The mattress keeps everything weighted down and stable...

Here’s another benefit to breastfeeding: It helps baby develop healthy bacteria in her gut! A new study in Genome Biology found that breastfed infants had more diverse microbes in their guts than infants who were formula-fed. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Diverse microbes? Bacteria? Isn’t that bad” It’s not. If baby has a wide range of bacteria in her gut, her immune system will be stronger. Experts say that although the microbes in breastfed babies’ guts were associated with a resistance to antibiotics, their immune systems were trained to cope by fighting off stomach bugs....

What are my baby’s bruises, anyway? It’s a natural process. Crawl. Cruise. Walk. Run. Fall down — a lot. It’s no wonder your baby or toddler has more than the occasional bruise to show for her forward motion. What could be causing my baby’s bruises? A bruise is a rupture of small blood vessels near the skin’s surface. When blood seeps into the soft tissue around it, it forms the black-and-blue mark (which later turns green or yellowish as the body works to reabsorb the cells)....

I’m in kind of a weird place right now and I think it’s a place all moms find themselves at some point. A huge majority of the women that I know and are friends with are stay-at-home moms (especially those with young children). But since I work outside of the home, I’m surrounded by many working moms and these women are more work-friends than anything. At times, it feels like two different worlds....

It may seem like a long time, but at a minimum you should probably hold off at least 12 months (and in some cases up to 18 months) before you add another member to your family. Pregnancy brings with it a host of physiological changes, from raging hormones to rising fluid levels. And because you also had surgery, you need time to heal and allow your body to recover from the blood loss that occurs during the procedure....

As a doula, I assist women in giving birth, providing physical, educational and emotional support before, during and after labor. About 80 percent of these births are in the hospital. It’s always such an honor and privilege to be welcomed into the birthing spaces of women and to witness the beauty that is childbirth. However, as a birth worker and as a Black woman who has birthed her own children, I also see how prevalent racism and prejudice still are within hospitals and among white health care providers....

The coronavirus pandemic has upended life as we knew it, affecting everything from our jobs to our social interactions and, yes, how moms-to-be receive prenatal care. But the extent to which COVID-19 has impacted the way doctors care for their pregnant patients varies, depending on the individual care provider, the pregnancy and the geographic area. Some experts say the outbreak has significantly altered the delivery of prenatal care, while others say it’s resulted in minor changes....

The Bump presents Where In the World Is The Bump, a series of summer travel guides featuring tips, favorite picks and insider know-how from local moms for families looking to visit their cities this season. From the best baby-friendly restaurants to preschooler-approved playgrounds, savvy packing lists and more, you’ll get all the honest, parent-proven advice you need to plan your trip. I’m Kristen, editor in chief of The Knot Worldwide (parent company of The Bump)....

Being a parent is arguably the toughest—and most rewarding—gig on the planet. Raising small humans is not for the faint of heart; it can fill your days with intense joy and immense challenges. LGBTQ+ parents know this truth all too well. In addition to the normal trials and tribulations all families face, they’re subject to outside stigma and judgment. But they choose to rise above the hate for the sake of love—and share their stories to inspire, educate and empower others....

It’s true, diabetes can affect fertility — in women and men. Here’s why: In women, there’s an association with diabetes and insulin-related causes of infertility like polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) and obesity. The hyperinsulinemia associated with PCOS and obesity is thought to increase functional androgen levels in these women which in turn can cause follicular arrest (i.e. anovulation) and can adversely affect egg quality. Sometimes, just by correcting the hyperinsulinemia associated with these conditions pregnancy can be achieved....

As a single mom with one child, I’ve found that people, with kids or without kids of their own, have always felt the need to make excuses on my behalf in different situations. Sometimes, they would blame being a single mom as the reason why I could not perform a task. It built a fury of angry fires deep into my soul like nothing else! I have always made a conscious effort not to use motherhood as an excuse for anything....

Time-outs can be an effective part of an overall discipline plan. Remember, the primary purpose of discipline is to teach good behavior. Merely setting your child on a step every time she misbehaves will not teach good behavior; you also have to model and discuss appropriate behavior with her. That said, time-outs work best when they’re used as a method to stop a specific misbehavior and to help a child learn how to calm herself and control her behavior....