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The infant formula shortage has rattled parents across the nation, as families struggle to find the products they need to nourish their children. For Black women in particular, this crisis surfaces a deep history of systemic policy failures and racism that have impacted their abilities and available choices to feed their babies, leaving them at-risk during the current supply shortage. Longstanding systemic barriers to breastfeeding, such as the lack of a federal paid leave and the underfunding of lactation professionals in hospitals, have led to more and more Black moms opting out of breastfeeding altogether or discontinuing after a few weeks....

Great news on the first day of fall: Compared to other fruit, kids are really, really into apples. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics surveyed over 3,000 kids, determining that apples account for 19 percent of the total fruit they’re consuming. And this love of apples seems to get stronger with age; children between the ages of 6 and 11 are eating 8 percent more than kids 2 to 5 years old....

The Bump presents #MomBoss, a series dedicated to showing off all-star moms. We catch up with mompreneurs behind products we love, influencers who get real about motherhood and SAHMs who can multitask in their sleep. Nearly six years years ago, Akinah Rahmaan had a very different life. She had just welcomed her son into the world, and was returning from maternity leave to her position as VP of marketing at Def Jams Records....

Pacifiers can get a bad rap, right? Some warn against using them while you’re trying to establish a breastfeeding relationship. But new research suggests they could actually help with breastfeeding. In the study, researchers looked at the feeding habits of 2,249 infants born between June 2010 and August 2011. Before a certain date, pacifiers were given to all or most of the babies. After that, they were only given to those going through painful procedures and other special circumstances....

In some rare cases, moms report headaches that occur when their milk lets down. Experts think this might be related to the surge in ocytocin (a hormone). Some moms find that mild pain killers (like Tylenol or Advil) help and that the headaches become less severe or stop around two months postpartum. Other moms have problems with these “lactation headaches” until they wean. At some point, you might also get a headache when one or both of your breasts are becoming engorged....

This would probably be the WORST time to drop feedings or stop breastfeeding. It is very important to continually empty the affected breast to prevent serious complications, like infection or a breast abscess. Also remember that this is TEMPORARY. We know it stinks, but breastfeeding will be enjoyable again soon. Take measures (like these) to heal your breast, and prevent future bouts of mastitis by managing engorgement, feeding baby frequently, pumping when you are away from baby during feeding times, avoiding tight clothing or accessories that put pressure on your breasts, getting enough rest, and doing your best to keep your immune system going strong....

Even though you may not feel like doing much at all as your belly grows week after week, it’s important to keep moving throughout pregnancy, including in the awkward and uncomfortable last weeks. Third trimester exercises are some of the most important, helping to alleviate aches and pains while also prepping your body for labor. These exercises will open up the hips and pelvis, strengthening the muscles you’ll be using during childbirth....

From Clair Huxtable to Claire Dunphy, every TV mom has her own unique parenting style—and it’s never more on display than when a crisis hits. Whether she’s taking on a daughter’s court case or keeping the neighborhood safe from speeding cars, we plotted out our favorite clutch parenting moments on this handy chart. Worried she may not always be around, Parenthood’s cancer-stricken Kristina Braverman (Monica Potter) teaches son Max (Max Burkholder) some moves to help him get through his school dance....

Can you believe it’s been a full month since baby came home? Prep for your appointment by writing down any questions—big or small—so you remember to ask all of them. Once you get there, here’s how it will probably go down, says Preeti Parikh, MD. Questions the doctor will ask • How are things going? Are there any concerns, and is there anything new going on? • Are you breastfeeding or using formula?...

Your sun and stars? He’s now your baby’s daddy! But what kind of father will he be? Turns out, the Game of Thrones endearment is quite fitting: The sun and stars, and they way they were aligned at the time of your partner’s birth, can have quite the impact on his personality—at least if you believe in the power of the zodiac. And, really, who hasn’t peeked at the horoscopes at some point for a little guidance?...

We’ve always been told to brush our teeth three times a day. It’s one of those things that’s a no-brainer. But, when you’re talking about babies and their tiny teeth, it can get a little fuzzy. Since babies can’t do it on their own, you need to know the ABC’s of brushing in order to get baby crawling down the right path of dental hygiene. From when to start brushing baby’s teeth to all of the how-to’s and tips, brushing baby teeth is anything but child’s play....

You staged an epic pregnancy announcement, planned a unique gender reveal and had a Pintrest-worthy baby shower. The next major milestone you can get excited about is popping the big question on behalf of baby: Will you be my godparents? After you’ve thought long and hard about how to choose a godparent, the fun part comes next—a godparent proposal. It’s the latest trend taking millennial moms and dads by storm, and for good reason....

Myth #1: Doctors know everything that can be done with cord blood. Right now, umbilical cord blood is so popular because of its lifesaving potential — stem cells in the blood have helped treat childhood cancers, immune disorders and other genetic and blood disorders. But that may just be the tip of the iceberg, according to researchers. Research is actively being done to see whether or not cord blood can be used to regenerate tissues and to heal other conditions that currently have no cure....

About 11 hours ago, my son was born. His name is Lev. Lev Sonam Ehrlich. We had, of course, been warned that giving birth can be an ordeal, but Michelle was weirdly serene and the whole thing happened in a blur. The baby emerged after 30 minutes of pushing. He has a thick head of wavy golden hair. Lev means heart in Hebrew, and Sonam means merit or golden in Tibetan....

In 2015, Sarah Robinson was ready to return to her job as an ed-tech consultant after having her first child, Jack. Just as she was about to head out the door, Jack peed all over her. “It was such a frustrating, hilarious, I-might-break-down-and-cry kind of moment,” Robinson says. She immediately texted her two best friends, Hannah Hudson and Natalie Ralston, to vent—and to laugh. Right then, the moms agreed: There should be an emoji to describe the feeling....

Pregnancy is built up to be a treasured time in a woman’s life, and for many moms-to-be, the nine months leading up to giving birth is indeed a joyful, exciting period. But what if you feel anything but cheerful and glowing while expecting? That’s the reality for women who experience depression during pregnancy. “As a culture, we put a lot of pressure on women to be happy about the pregnancy, but for many women this is a time of tremendous stress, and it’s common to go through something like a grieving period as they prepare themselves for their new role as a mother,” says Erin Spahr, LCPC, a psychotherapist at the Baltimore Therapy Group in Towson, Maryland, and founder of the Perinatal Mood Disorders Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center....

It takes just 30 seconds to see why Monterey Zembik has become such a sensation. The 3 month old is the new face of Johnson’s baby wash, and her adorable slow motion commercial will have you begging for a bubble bath. Monterey is one of two babies representing Johnson’s “So Much More” campaign, which is running in seven global markets. Nearly 200 babies auditioned. While it’s not immediately evident that Monterey is biracial, mom Marla Brock thinks that has something to do with her appeal....

When it comes to childbirth, there are a lot of decisions to make, including who you want your healthcare provider to be, where you want to give birth and whether or not you want any pain medication. Wondering if you should forego the epidural and opt for a “natural” birth? Here’s what you need to know about the possible risks and benefits of unmedicated births, as well as some preparation tips, straight from the experts....

PREGNANCY SECRET #1: Bacne Even if you’ve never had problems with acne before, that can all change when you get pregnant. And if you thought pimples on your face were annoying, brace yourself: Back breakouts are common for moms-to-be. The good news is that this is just from hormones and won’t last forever. Talk to your doctor about potential acne cleansers. While most over-the-counter products by, say, Neutrogena or Clearasil, are fine, vitamin-A based treatments, such as Accutane, can cause birth defects....

Wondering how you can get baby on track for a healthy and fit lifestyle? The first solid foods he eats play a big part. No pressure. Interested in finding out exactly what American babies are eating, researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences looked at over 1,500 babies six months to 12 months old. “There is substantial research to suggest that if you consistently offer foods with a particular taste to infants, they will show a preference for these foods later in life,” lead author of the study Xiaozhong Wen, MBBS, PhD, says....