Have some patience, new mama. While some newborns sleep for a six-hour stretch in the first six to eight weeks, most won’t until they’re at least three months old. But there are some things you can do to help her learn to sleep better. First, keep a nightly bedtime routine (think: bath, jammies and lullaby). Teach her to fall asleep on her own by laying her in her crib while she’s tired but not yet asleep....
Just one more story. I want a cup of water. I’m not tired. I’m scared. It’s too dark. It’s not dark enough. Putting baby to bed was hard enough, but the needs, demands and fears of a toddler can draw bedtime out for hours, frustrating parents and caregivers and cutting into that precious block of toddler sleep that your little needs oh-so-badly. “Adequate sleep is essential for your child’s healthy development and behavior,” says Eboni Hollier, MD, a Houston-based pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine....
Pregnancy brings on a roller-coaster of intense emotions: sheer joy, mostly—but also sheer worry: There’s the stress of planning, the crazy body changes, the endless list of dos and dont’s—and, oh yeah, the fact that you’re growing a tiny human inside of you. “Being pregnant is obviously a high-stakes endeavor, and it’s pretty typical to be worried that something could go wrong,” says Emily Cohen-Moreira, a certified cooperative childbirth educator and doula in New York City....
We’d like to think breastfeeding in public is a judgement-free zone, but unfortunately, that’s not often the case. All breastfeeding moms have likely experienced the same moment of panic: You’ve finally gone back out into the world and suddenly baby is hungry. Have you ever wanted to feed baby by the public pool, in your airplane seat, or in a restaurant but felt too self-conscious? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to destigmatize breastfeeding in public so even those shy moms among us won’t be made to feel uncomfortable by negative side eye from onlookers or rude comments?...
Normally, a baby inherits 23 chromosomes from each parent, for a total of 46. But when the egg or sperm cell is developing, there could be errors, which can result in a fetus having 47 chromosomes instead of 46. That means instead of having 23 pairs of chromosomes, a baby has 22 pairs plus a set of three, which is known as trisomy (three copies of one chromosome). In most cases, babies with trisomy are miscarried very early in the first trimester....
New parents get lots of information thrown at them when it comes to baby sleep, but among the most important pieces of advice is about baby sleep positions. Is putting baby to sleep on their back really best, or can they sleep on their tummy? What happens if, despite your best efforts, you wake up in the middle of the night to find baby sleeping on their stomach? And when can babies sleep on their stomach safely?...
You look nine months pregnant. Someone told you that you’d deliver and look four months pregnant? If only. Your uterus has gone from about the size of an orange to the size of a watermelon throughout your pregnancy, and it doesn’t deflate quickly like a balloon. For most moms, it takes at least six weeks for it to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size. And according to Ryan C. McDonald, MD, assistant professor of ob-gyn at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, once it shrinks you could still have a pooch due to bloating, constipation, fluid retention and a stretched-out abdominal wall....
Bringing a newborn home is a joyous, stressful, life-changing event—so it’s no surprise that many couples find themselves running into relationship problems and arguing after having a baby. And if you find yourself in that boat, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s a roundup of some of the ways marriage changes after baby, and what you can do to keep your relationship strong. The change is unavoidable—and often unspeakable The change “If someone tells you that their marriage didn’t change, they’re not being honest with you....
You don’t need the voice of an angel to sing baby to sleep with lullabies. Regardless of your ability to hold a tune (or lack thereof), singing may just be the easiest way to soothe a child, not to mention a beautiful bonding experience between parent and baby. What’s more, the music may have some desirable pre-bedtime physical effects; a study found that lullabies can reduce a baby’s heart and respiration rates, setting the stage for a more restful night....
Pros • Soft, stretchy, breathable material • Cozy • Can nurse in it Cons • Baby must face inward • Tons of fabric to work with Bottomline The Boba Wrap is a comfortable, stylish wrap for babywearing enthusiasts. Rating: 3.5 stars Ready to register? Shop our catalog for the Boba Wrap Baby Carrier. Features Being new to the baby wrap concept, I had low expectations. I used a carrier with my first child and got used to a very structured, straitjacket-like contraption outfitted with straps and buckles....
Let’s get one thing straight: When it comes to childbirth, there’s no easy way to have a baby. But if you had a c-section, whether it was planned or unplanned, the postpartum period may prove even more challenging: After all, you’re not only caring for a newborn, but you’re also healing from abdominal surgery. C-section recovery feels different for every mom—and can even feel different from one birth to the next—but there are a few things you can expect to encounter while you recuperate....
Backing off on your workout now that you’re pregnant? Here, fitness expert, Christine Bullock, shares her insight on pre- and postnatal fitness, walking you through how to safely adjust your workout routine to still reap the maximum benefits. Before working out, consult with your doctor to confirm it’s safe for you to try these new moves. My main focus during pregnancy and after delivery is balance. As baby grows, it can really take a toll on mom’s body alignment and cause a shift in muscular and bone structure....
Does it sometimes feel as though your little one is just hopping from one cold to the next? It can be pretty par for the course among babies and toddlers—blame it on their still-developing immune systems. But with the introduction of the COVID-19 virus, many parents are struggling to understand which symptoms indicate a common cold and which are a sign they need to be tested for COVID. After all, there are a lot of overlapping symptoms between the two illnesses, and sniffles, a cough and a sore throat could theoretically point to either....
Check out this get-ready-to-get-pregnant guide to ensure that you’re as healthy as possible before trying to conceive. Three months before Check it out Schedule a preconception checkup for yourself and your partner. Address any health or lifestyle issues that might interfere with your ability to conceive or have a healthy pregnancy sooner rather than later. Clean out your cabinets Check your medicine cabinet for ingredients that could affect fertility or harm your baby-to-be....
September 30, 2010: Following reports of 24 separate injury cases, Fisher-Price, Inc. has announced a massive recall on 11 million infant and toddler toys across the U.S. and Canada. In seven instances, children suffered injuries on a Fisher-Price high chair that led them to need stitches, while at least six toddlers suffered genital bleeding after either sitting or falling on the plastic ignition key that protrudes from the Fisher-Price toddler tricycle....
What is food poisoning during pregnancy? When you eat contaminated food that makes you sick, that’s food poisoning (the food’s not actually, intentionally, poisoned!). It can be tough to figure out whether you’ve got food poisoning, some other illness or if it’s just morning sickness. You might also wonder if the food poisoning could affect your baby. What are the signs of food poisoning? Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. You might also notice a fever or feel weak....
What is high cholesterol during pregnancy? Also known as hypercholesterolemia, high blood cholesterol means you have too much cholesterol (you guessed it) in your blood. Cholesterol is a type of fat that your body needs to function, but too much can clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. What are the signs of high cholesterol during pregnancy? There aren’t really any outward signs that your cholesterol levels are higher than normal — you’ll pretty much feel the same as you would with “normal” levels....
Hiring a lawyer can be a tough decision — you want to make sure that the person you’re working with is professional, experienced and that you can afford them. Plus, you want someone who’ll clearly explain all of the ins and outs of the estate plan to you. First, ask around for recommendations, check your state or county bar association, or search for lawyers on the Internet. Then interview a few attorneys to get a feel for their practice: Ask them if they’ll provide you with a free initial consultation....
“If a child refuses to drink water, my first question is always, ‘What does he drink?’” says Michael Lee, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. “In most cases, it’s too much milk or lots of juice.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers should drink no more than three 8 oz. cups of milk a day. Most of the rest of their fluid intake should be water....
By the time many women are halfway through their pregnancy, everything is already sorted out: the name, the birth announcement card, even the first outfit. But when it comes to a birth plan, some expectant mothers remain unsure about whether they want a natural birth vs epidural—and that’s completely fine. In fact, many doctors don’t advise becoming attached to a specific plan before labor begins, since you may end up disappointed if the delivery veers from your original vision....
