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My parenting style was chosen for me. It was chosen on the days when my mother didn’t wake up from her drug- and alcohol-induced naps. It was chosen for me on the days when she was sober and mean. My decision to raise my child consciously was born of necessity. I did not want to continue a cycle of abuse and dependency. My husband and I spent three years trying for a baby and in that time had the opportunity to discuss what kind of life we wanted to create for our child....

Even if you choose to start out with a bassinet or a bedside sleeper, every baby eventually needs a crib. Here’s how to make sure baby sleeps safe and sound in his or hers, no matter when you introduce it. General bedtime safety Ventilation Make sure baby’s room is well-ventilated, adding a fan to the space if necessary. Evidence shows this helps prevent SIDS. Temperature Err on the side of a cooler room — this promotes better respiratory stimulation in baby....

When you’re pregnant, it’s only natural to assume you’ll experience some unusual aches and pains, especially around your growing belly. But leg pain can catch you off guard. Don’t panic if you experience this—it’s a common side effect. Still, there are a few things you should be aware of when it comes to leg pain during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know. In this article: What causes leg pain during pregnancy?...

New research concludes that receiving multiple vaccinations does not increase an infants risk of developing autism. Though, research (including an analysis made by the Institute of Medicine) has not found a causal relationship between vaccinations and the developmental disorder, one in every 10 parents still choose to delay or outright refuses to vaccinate their children according to the Center for Disease Control’s childhood immunization schedule. There is no evidence that supports delaying the doses of the 14 different vaccinations recommended in the U....

You’re in the home stretch! Baby’s arrival is around the corner—which means it’s time to wrap up the last of your pregnancy checklist to-dos. Here’s what you’ll want to tackle before it’s go time. Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 28-32 Babyproof the house Start fetal kick counts Create a birth plan Round out your pregnancy wardrobe with third trimester clothes, or rent some Enjoy your baby shower event! Send baby shower thank you notes for gifts (start one week after your shower)...

Time to move into ultra-sensual, ultra-seductive mode. First, try shifting the focus from when it will happen to the fun you get to have making it happen. Get yourselves in the mood. Use candles, music, lingerie, dirty talk, toys, role playing (not all at once) — whatever it takes to make sex sexy again. Save a few tricks for later so that every time you make love (even if it’s three times in one day) there’s a special edge that keeps it hot....

The most common cause of painful breastfeeding is a shallow latch, which causes your baby to compress your nipple against his or her hard palate. Feel the roof of your mouth with your tongue and notice that it’s softer farther back: That soft palate is the area in your baby’s mouth that some have nicknamed “the comfort zone.” If your nipple reaches this area during breastfeeding, there is no undue friction or pressure on it, making breastfeeding comfortable....

Think of your monthly cycle in two parts: B.O. (before ovulation) and A.O. (after ovulation). You’re most fertile two to three days B.O. and 12 to 24 hours A.O. But, since you can’t pinpoint exactly when ovulation occurs, it’s best to build in a little cushion. Sperm can live in your reproductive tract for three days, but your egg only lives 12 to 24 hours A.O. Ideally, then, sperm will be in place to greet the egg as it arrives....

I know it can be very confusing, but there is a simple explanation for the difference between your calculated weeks of pregnancy and how far along you are in your pregnancy according to conception date. The best way to explain this is with some basic info about the menstrual cycle. Pregnancy is calculated based on the average menstrual cycle, which lasts 28 days. The first day of menstrual bleeding marks the first day of the menstrual cycle....

A self proclaimed “firestarter” and “professional bar raiser”, Robin Arzón, Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, turned a traumatic experience into triumph. The athlete and mom-to-be is a total force—unapologetic yet inspirational in all things. She’s on a mission to change the way we think about physical fitness during pregnancy, launching a new pre and postnatal program that will help women prepare for one of the greatest physical feats of their lives....

I don’t condone lying. Honesty is always the best policy, right? Weeeell, I may have been fudging a few things lately… um… to our pediatrician. I know, I know, I’m a terrible mom. Or so I thought — until I talked to other moms who admitted to telling a few little white lies to their pediatricians too. Then I thought, why? Why did I feel that I couldn’t be honest with the one person I’ve elected to care for our child’s medical needs?...

Babies deserve to be celebrated—they’re little wonders of the world! Pay tribute to the uniqueness of the little one in your life with a personalized baby gift. Whether you’re a friend who wants to go above-and-beyond the options in the baby registry or a new parent looking for an extra-special first birthday present, custom baby gifts are the way to go. As with any present for kids, customized baby gifts should be age-appropriate and sweet....

Talking about constipation is usually considered TMI. But a study from Loyola University Medical Center shows that nearly three-quarters of women experience constipation at some point during pregnancy, so it’s definitely an issue worth addressing. So now that it’s out there, we can skip the awkwardness and jump right to solutions. Constipation can make you uncomfortable at best, and at worst can increase your risk of other complications such as hemorrhoids, perineal varicose veins and pelvic organ prolapse....

One thing’s for sure, babies need a ton of stuff. From big-ticket items like strollers to everyday baby essentials the list of must-haves can feel endless—and expensive. Renting, borrowing or buying used baby gear can be a good alternative for parents browsing on a budget. Many families sell gear their baby has outgrown, meaning there’s plenty of stuff up for grabs at bargain prices (if you know where to look!). Eager to save some cash, but don’t want to compromise on quality?...

If your burps and farts could rival that of a frat boy these days, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing one of the most annoying side effects of growing a tiny human: pregnancy gas. (And the worst part is, you don’t even get to use beer-guzzling as an excuse!) While pregnancy gas pain and increased frequency (like, all day, every day) are totally normal symptoms of pregnancy, that doesn’t make them pleasant to experience....

My husband and I met the new old-fashioned way: match.com. We were both 27 years old at the time—but for me, the clock was ticking fast. On paper, he seemed great: Height: 5’10” (taller than me)—check Ethnicity: Indian (similar to mine)—check Religion: Hindu (same as mine)—check Profession: Healthcare (career-driven)—check In person, though, he was not so “check check check.” He was shy and quiet—an introverted introvert, whereas I’m more of an extroverted introvert....

Attention moms-to-be: Research published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation noted that a new test that checks the level of placental protein could help doctors determine your risk for severely high blood pressure during your pregnancy. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, high blood pressure only affects six to eight percent of pregnant women in the US, but more and more instances of preeclampsia have raised the need for early intervention strategies....

International and domestic adoption appeal to different people for different reasons. Neither is inherently better than the other, although one or the other may be better for you. I hate the competition that sometimes surfaces between proponents of either domestic or international adoption, with each side attempting to scare prospective families away from the other choice. Anytime a family finds a child and a child finds a family, regardless if that child is from Beijing or Boston, the world is a better place....

I recommend against this in most cases. If breastfeeding is going well, then there shouldn’t be a problem with soreness and certainly not cracking. Soreness or nipple damage usually indicates that something is going wrong during feeding. If this happens to you, then it’s a good idea to seek help as soon as possible to correct the problem. The biggest problem with using over-the-counter creams and ointments is that they can create the kind of damage they are marketed to prevent....

It depends on your particular circumstance. Overweight and obese women do tend to have irregular periods, and infertility seen in these cases is usually due to ovulatory dysfunction. These menstrual irregularities are thought to be due to disturbances of hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary gonadotropin secretion (i.e. FSH and LH production), and to the hyperinsulinemia associated with obesity. Hyperinsulinemia has been associated with increased circulating androgens that in turn prevents ovulation from occurring “follicular arrest”, and can effect egg quality....