The bond between you and your pet is special. You know their favorite games, how they like to be pet and how they interact with other animals–but will you know how they’ll respond to baby? A newborn brings a ton of change into the home, and your pet will definitely pick up on that. Plus, as babies get older and learn to grasp and pull, they’re not always gentle. Here, some top tips from experts to help your pet and baby cohabitate peacefully....
Think maternity style is all flowy dresses, stretchy pants and empire-waist tops? Think again. There’s a revolution happening in one of fashion’s sleepiest corners, and the result is figure-skimming fabrics and bump-baring cuts that are sophisticated, sleek and downright sexy. And whether you credit celebrities for making pregnancy a style statement or forward-thinking designers who don’t make you trade your sense of self for that adorable baby bump, feel good knowing that your maternity wardrobe can be anything but boring....
The sign of the Snake is considered the most intuitive, introspective and refined of all the animal signs. Snakes are cunning, intelligent and wise. Snakes are attractive, with a calm, cool and collected temperament. Snakes are competitive and work hard, while staying modest (so don’t expect baby to brag about getting straight A’s in school!). A social butterfly There are several different types of snakes in Chinese astrology, and 2013 is the year of the water snake....
So you’re interested in baby schedules. Well, you’re on the right track. After all, getting into a groove—you know, a rhythm of events that happen each day at around the same time—can be good for you and baby. “Babies come into the world as a blank slate, and they depend on you to teach them routine,” says Nina Vaid Raoji, RN, MSN, APN, author of Raising Baby: A Pocket Guide to Baby’s First Year....
I spent much of my pregnancy imagining what my daughter would look like, whether she’d favor me or my husband or perhaps a blend of us both. I’d lie in bed for hours talking to her, mostly babbling, but also practicing the many hard conversations I would need to have with her one day—about how to love herself and others deeply and relentlessly, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard....
Yes, it’s fairly common for boys to be born with undescended testicles, especially if the baby is premature. Testicles usually descend into the scrotum at seven to eight months’ gestation, so 30 percent of premature baby boys have an undescended testicle. Also, 4 percent of babies who were born at full-term have one. The majority of these descend in the first three months of life, so by six months of age, only about 0....
Because I’m a pediatrician and a mother, many people say to me, “it must be much easier for you to be a parent because you know everything about kids.” This is partially true in that, yes, if my children are sick I’m able to care for them with ease, and know the difference between a minor cold and an emergency. But, emotionally, I am like every other mom. I worry about being a good mom and whether I’m doing the right things to make sure my kids grow up not only physically healthy but also emotionally well-adjusted....
One of the most important qualities I wanted to make sure my now teenager daughter and I had with each other while she was growing up were honesty and trust. I raised her with manners and morals — important values I think that all children should have. And now, raising a teen and a toddler, I’ve realized that these life lessons are important for my little one to learn, too. In fact, they’re a good life lessons for us all....
You imagine baby’s skin to be smooth, soft and to smell amazing. But in reality, it can be dry, flaky, sensitive and even have some funky discolorations—especially during the newborn period. Here’s the deal on how to care for baby’s skin, even when it’s not as perfect as you may have expected. Don’t go too crazy with the baths Sure, you take a shower every day, but baby really shouldn’t get a daily bath....
When it comes to feeding your baby, trust in your decision for what’s best for you and your family. Some mothers nurse their infants, some offer formula and some combo-feed. Some moms choose not to breastfeed, and some—for a variety of possible reasons—simply can’t. At the end of the day, fed is best. Still, there are some powerful benefits of breastfeeding that are important to know about. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusively breastfeeding for six months, then gradually adding in solid foods while continuing to nurse through baby’s first year and beyond....
Popular birthing methods like Lamaze or The Bradley Method have their own breathing techniques, but most practitioners don’t actually preach a strict breathing pattern (a la the “hee hee, hoo hoo, ha ha” school of thought). That’s because by the time labor pains start, breathing techniques a mom-to-be learns in childbirth class tend to go out the window. Instead, many childbirth experts recommend tuning in to your own natural breathing rhythms....
I’ve never been a great planner. I didn’t spend much time planning either my wedding or my divorce. (Though on the bright side, both got done quickly.) When my husband and I decided to split last year, I didn’t have any idea what to tell my six-year-old daughter, so I just sort of blurted out it out: “Daddy’s not going to be living here anymore, but you’ll get to see him a lot....
New moms: Meet your new best friend, one that you’ll seriously want by your side. All. The. Time. If you and baby hit the road without it, we’re guessing you’ll slam on the brakes and make a U turn, just so you can head back home and retrieve it. We’re talking about your diaper bag, of course. Consider it a security blanket for parents, or a mom purse on steroids. Whatever life with a tot throws your way—from incomprehensible freakouts to sudden hunger pangs to, yes, poopy diapers—a well-packed pouch that slings over your shoulders (and clips easily onto the stroller) can make messy situations disappear....
Ever wondered whether all those headlines warning against eating fish during your pregnancy were really worth believing? The latest study published in Environmental Health Perspective found that it’s time those guidelines for pregnant women be reviewed. The large concern revolving around the negative effects of mercury on fetal development have caused medical professionals to warn against their consumption by expectant women during their pregnancies. Those facts, however, are about to change....
With winter storm Juno barreling into the northeast, we’ve seen the same question pop up in our Community again and again: is it safe to shovel snow while pregnant? Bumpies seem to have come to a consensus: you can but probably shouldn’t. And we couldn’t agree more. During the first and second trimesters, it’s like any other physical activity. How much you can do depends on your pre-pregnancy fitness ability. (But you will want to be careful of your footing; if it’s especially icy, stay indoors....
New research appearing in the American Journal of Human Biology suggests that a woman’s reproductive functions may be tied to her immune status. While previous studies have found this same immune and reproductive association in men, this is the first time the association has been found in females. Beginning by speaking of animals in general, Kathryn Clancy, anthropology professor at the University of Illinois who led the research, said that first and foremost, “an animals energetic resources must be carefully allocated....
Actually, this sounds like a growth spurt. Once in a while, baby will hit a period of sudden growth and will nurse more frequently for about 24 to 48 hours. The time frame for this first growth spurt often coincides with your breasts becoming softer as your body gets used to breastfeeding. Baby also tends to be a little fussier than usual. This confusing combination causes some women to worry that their milk supply is decreasing....
You can. Generally doctors recommend waiting five half-lives before restarting breastfeeding, which, given the long half-lives that many chemotherapy drugs have, may not be easy. A half-life is the length of time it takes for a drug to be eliminated from the body. Thus, a drug with a half-life of one hour (very short) would be 98 percent eliminated from the body in five hours. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) has a half-life of 24 to 36 hours, so to be safe, you would have to wait at least five days, maybe one week, before resuming breastfeeding....
Talk to a health care professional before taking fenugreek (or any other herbal remedy). She can help you formulate a plan for treatment and will make sure fenugreek is safe for you. (It shouldn’t be combined with certain drugs, and it shouldn’t be taken by diabetics.) The usual dosage is about 1200 to 2400 mg, taken three times each day, and you may see an increase in your production within 24 to 72 hours of taking the herb....
Are there home remedies for my toddler’s colds? Which table manners can my toddler learn? How do I teach my toddler better social skills? See all Q&As Mommy’s little helper Many, but not all, tots will have now ventured past “dada” and “mama” to form a growing vocabulary that includes words that get them excited, like “dog,” “juice,” and — if you’re still breastfeeding — “boobies.” (Be warned.) And even if Junior isn’t talkative, his language reception is great by now, making him a fabulous sidekick....
