Yes, tons of exclusively pumping moms are able to supply all of their baby’s needs with pumped breast milk. Breastfeeding is a perfect supply-and-demand relationship and to keep it up, self-discipline is the key. If your breasts are drained completely and often, your body will continue to produce more milk. Pumping or breastfeeding often (every two to three hours) is especially important in baby’s first few weeks of life, so that your milk supply is well established....
Try not to stress. Thousands of moms have gone down this path before you, and chances are good that baby will learn to take your milk just fine while you’re away. To make the transition go more smoothly, it’s probably a good idea to start getting her used to a bottle two or three weeks before you head back. Substitute a bottle of expressed milk for a feeding once or twice a day to get her familiar with it....
Most important: No matter how much you prepare and discuss and analyze, things don’t always go as planned. But, whatever happens, know that you’ll learn to love whatever family you end up with. That said, here are a few things to think about as you consider another addition. The Only Child Stat: 17 percent of couples have just one. Pro: Easier on the wallet (and easier to indulge just one child), and more one-on-one time....
Throughout pregnancy it’s important to avoid overheating and dehydration. Pregnant or not, it’s crucial to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. But you don’t need to hibernate inside throughout your pregnancy. Go ahead and enjoy the outdoors while heeding a few precautions. Whether you’re lying out in the sun or exercising outdoors, it’s important to avoid becoming overheated and dehydrated. Avoid being out in the heat for extended periods of time, especially during the hottest part of the day....
Quick – what’s your favorite food of all time? I’m willing to bet many of you (and your kids) would answer like me, macaroni and cheese. When I was a kid, I was all about the basic boxed Kraft version. In junior high in fact, my friend and I would make a box and then share it right out of the pan with wooden spoons (hmm, the start of my food issues?...
There really is no innovator like a desperate parent. From simple why-didn’t-I-think-of-that tricks to serious game-changer tips, we’ve rounded up the best parenting hacks from around the Web. They’re dreamt up by moms and dads, for moms and dads, so you know they’ve gotta be good. In this article: Best parenting hacks of 2018 Best parenting hacks of 2017 Best Parenting Hacks of 2018 From teething tips to sunburn soothing solutions, scroll the best parenting hacks of the year....
Newborns are off-the-charts adorable, but they don’t seem to have a lot to offer in the personality department. But just like a flower, your baby’s personality will start to slowly unfold and blossom as they grow. In this article: When does a child’s personality start to show? Temperament vs. personality How you can help your child’s personality develop When Does a Child’s Personality Start to Show? “You’ll have a sense of a child’s temperament basically from birth,” says Vanessa Lapointe, PhD, a registered child psychologist and author of Parenting Right from the Start: Laying a Healthy Foundation in the Baby and Toddler Years....
Sex is never something you want to feel uncomfortable (that kind of defeats the whole point, right?), but it’s understandable to be worried about experiencing painful sex during pregnancy, particularly if you never had painful sex before you got pregnant. It’s not necessarily a sign of a problem—in fact, pain during sex while pregnant isn’t usually a cause for concern unless it’s accompanied by certain other symptoms—but whether it’s happening in your first, second or third trimester, painful sex still isn’t something you want to write off....
Pros · Easy to use and set up · Easy to clean · Unique drainage system lets dirty water flow out and fresh water in · Built-in temperature gauge ensures water is always safe for baby Cons · Large/hard to store · Newborns may need extra padding Bottom Line Thanks to smart features like a dirty water drain and a color-coded digital thermometer, the 4moms tub will help even the most nervous parents dive right into bath time....
Remember what’s good about your situation “I loved being a single mother because I knew the buck stopped with me: No arguing or negotiating with another parent. It helped me have a very focused relationship with my son,” says Joanna B.* Why it’s good advice: Wallowing or worrying that you’re not doing a good job will just stress everyone out. You might be alone in this parenting thing, but so what?...
What is varicella during pregnancy? Varicella, aka chicken pox or shingles, is a highly contagious virus that can be especially serious for pregnant women. What are the signs of varicella during pregnancy? As with many viral infections, the first sign of varicella is a fever accompanied by body aches and a headache. Next up is the telltale rash, which usually appears as small, itchy reddish spots or pimples. Are there any tests for varicella during pregnancy?...
Kyle Larson is a professional stock car racing driver competing full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He’s also a full-time dad to Owen, 2. During the NASCAR season, our team travels all over the country. I’m lucky enough to bring my family with me most weekends. My girlfriend, Katelyn, and our 2-year-old son Owen travel to almost every race with me and I love having them there. We stay in a motorhome at the racetrack and it becomes a home away from home for drivers and their families from February to November....
What is multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy? Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. Over time, the body attacks the brain and spinal cord, which makes it difficult for nerve signals to travel effectively from the brain to the muscles. People with MS experience a gradual decline in their physical movement and thinking. What are the signs of MS? Early symptoms include blurred vision, problems with muscle movement and numbness or tingling in the legs....
If you’re getting ready to grow your family and learning more about conception, you’ll want to get familiar with ovulation. Exactly when you ovulate varies for each woman, but luckily there are ways to recognize the signs of ovulation and time sex accordingly to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Even if you’re not trying to conceive yet, it’s still important to have a good grasp on ovulation signs. Not only can they help you better understand your menstrual cycle, but they can also help you identify any abnormal ovulation symptoms down the road....
In general, a hungry baby will let you know. Watch for rooting (an open mouth that seems to be constantly searching for a breast), sucking (on fingers, on your shoulder, at the air), and fussing or crying. Crying is considered a “late” sign of hunger, so ideally, you’ll learn baby’s earlier cues over time. But if she does start to wail and you aren’t positive it’s a “hunger cry,” use the process of elimination: If nothing seems to soothe her besides nursing, there’s a pretty good chance she needs to eat....
As with most viral infections, you were probably infected several days before you developed any symptoms and you were most infectious during that “incubation period.” Help protect the baby now by continuing to breastfeed. Since mothers and babies are in such close contact, chances are you have already passed the infection to the baby. But by providing the baby with immune factors in the milk, chances are the baby will not get sick but actually become immune....
What an exciting time to write my first guest post for The Bump! Today I’m officially 36 weeks pregnant with twins. I have so many different emotions regarding my pregnancy and feel so happy to share my experiences with you. My name is Mercedes and I am a housewife/homemaker/future first-time-stay-at-home mom/whatever else you’d like to call it! My husband and I have been married for just over a year, and we have been living as expats since last June....
Call it the power of Disney. According to the most recent Social Security Administration data for 2014, Elsa snagged a spot on the top 500 baby names in the United States. Think it’s not such a big deal? This is the first time since 1917 (!) that the name has made the cut, reporting in at number 286. Clearly the braid-sporting heroine of 2013’s Frozen has had a serious impact on new parents....
And the Winner Is: Cybex Sirona S 360 Convertible Car Seat Putting your child in a car seat is crucial—but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Unlike an infant car seat, which you can load baby into before placing in the car, a convertible car seat stays put, requiring you to perfect yoga-like moves just to get your little one properly secured in their seat. The designers at Cybex took note, and came up with a genius solution: the first-ever convertible car seat in the US to feature a rotating car seat with load leg technology....
Someone asked me recently if there was anything I wish I knew before I had kids. It’s pretty hard these days to NOT be aware of all that awaits you during pregnancy, birth and what comes after: It’s all chronicled for us in the tabloids, blogs and Instagram, right? But there WERE a few things about having a baby that I didn’t see coming. I narrowed it down to three:...
