Maybe you heralded baby’s coming arrival with a baby shower—or maybe you decided to skip it. Either way, when your little one actually makes their entrance, it’s a whole new cause for celebration. One popular way to introduce family and friends to your child is with a sip and see party, an open-house style gathering where loved ones can come by to see the new baby and sip on some refreshments....
Before parenthood, your relationship with your partner probably looked somewhat different. You were likely used to having sex whenever and however you wanted, and found plenty of opportunities to spend time together outside of the bedroom too. But since baby’s big arrival, your schedule has changed a little, to say the least, and sex may have dropped a few notches on the priority list. Let’s be honest: What used to be passionate lovemaking sessions have now turned into five-minute quickies while baby naps in their crib, right?...
By the time you reach the end of your pregnancy, we’re guessing you’re more than ready to start your journey into parenthood. You’ve read plenty of baby books, attended birthing classes and know way too much about newborn poop. But there’s one thing you may not be ready for, and that’s for baby to take on a yellowish tint shortly after birth. While it can seem bizarre, there’s no need to panic: Baby likely has jaundice, a common newborn condition, affecting up to 60 percent of full term infants....
Can selling jewelry change the world? Maybe not, but it can certainly change the employment outlook for thousands of women looking for a great side hustle in between, say, packing the kids’ lunches and dropping them off at soccer practice. So thought Jessica Herrin, an entrepreneur who had previously founded the Wedding Channel, when she bumped into a cohort of bubblegum-pink-clad Mary Kay reps in a hotel elevator about a dozen years ago....
It’s thrilling to watch baby start to explore the world outside of the womb—especially as her newborn vision develops. During the first six months of life, she’ll begin to see the world in living color and with increasing depth and clarity, developing a whole new (and decidedly heart-melting!) level of curiosity. Newborn vision sharpens in gradual stages during the first few years of life, and as with other important aspects of growth and development, it changes and improves every day....
Pregnancy cravings have you wishing you could dive into some chocolate right about now? Or immerse yourself in all the strawberries you can handle? Art director Vaida Rasciute of Carrot Incorporations is bringing your fantasies to life. The Ireland-based stylist got especially creative while she was pregnant with her youngest. Rasciute posed in bathtubs full of food representing her strongest pregnancy cravings, from the sweet (chocolate) to the spicy (chili peppers)....
And the Winner Is: Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter Over the course of pregnancy, baby grows from roughly the size of a poppy seed to that of a watermelon—and, naturally, your body expands to accommodate. All that growth can leave your belly feeling dry, tight and dotted with stretch marks. Mama Mio’s omega-rich cream increases skin elasticity and moisture levels, which in turn helps to protect against stretch marks. Plus, it’s packed with natural plant-based active ingredients, so you can breathe easy and revel in the safe and soothing bliss of this belly butter (seriously, it was a saving grace in our pregnancies)....
Have someone install the car seat base It’s okay if you waited until the eleventh hour. Send your partner or someone else (who’s reliable!) to do the dirty work—and remind them to follow the instructions carefully. Some hospitals even check for a safe car seat before letting baby leave. Have a check-in with both doctors You won’t be discharged until your OB and baby’s pediatrician clear both of you. Ask for a breastfeeding tutorial Even if feedings seem to be going well, it’s worth it to have a lactation consultant or nurse watch you feed baby, to make sure the latch is correct and to answer any questions you have....
To date, millions and millions of babies have come into this world via in vitro fertilization (IVF), and recently, researchers have set out to document, define and understand the health effects and lasting influences the fertility treatment process has on a young child’s early development. In previous studies, scientists found a correlation between IVF procedures and neurological disorders, with a small (but still, significant) risk of intellectual disabilities in twins and triplets born through IVF....
And the Winner Is: Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump Pumping breast milk for baby can feel like a serious workout. Finding a private space, setting up your equipment and sitting through a session of squeezing, dripping and bottling is enough to make anyone break a sweat. And if you’re doing it between meetings, prepping meals or while on the go, well, we empathize and tip our hats to you....
A new study has the dirt on some unexpected pregnancy physiology; the womb isn’t so sterile after all. Previously, doctors were taught that the amniotic sac was a bacteria-free environment, protecting baby and his undeveloped immune system. They believed baby first comes into contact with bacteria during vaginal birth. But recent papers published in the journal Birth Defects Research Part C: Embryo Today reveal something different: small amounts of bacteria in the amniotic sac, placenta and even baby’s intestines....
It’s no secret that babies need a lot of food to fuel their growing bodies. If you’re breastfeeding, you’re probably paying close attention to your breast milk production—and may even be concerned about low milk supply. In fact—because all parents want to ensure their child’s health and growth—a common question among new moms is how to increase milk supply. The good news is, if you are struggling with production, there are plenty of ways to increase milk supply....
You’re right — it is normal for one or both of a newborn’s eyes to sometimes appear to wander, especially when they are fatigued. But, as a baby ages, this phenomenon should stop. By six months old, your baby’s eyes should line up and move together all the time. If they do not, this is called strabimus. If an eye deviates outward this is called exotropia, and if it deviates inward this is called esotropia....
Almost every part of your body changes during pregnancy, nails included. Thanks to increases in blood pressure and hormone levels, you may find them growing faster and longer than normal. The bad news is, can result in thin, weak nails that crack and peel. Our suggestion: Use this as an opportunity to pamper, pamper, pamper! Pay a visit to the salon and enjoy having those swollen feet buffed and shined. Make sure the salon is well-ventilated to avoid fumes (pregnant women are extra-sensitive)....
What are skin changes during pregnancy? You’ll know it when you see it — anything from acne to skin tags to darkening or a change in your skin’s texture. What causes skin changes during pregnancy? When you’re pregnant, your skin can darken because of melasma (aka chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy”). You might get tiny tears under your skin called stretch marks (up to 90 percent of women get them)....
And the Winner Is: Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle They don’t call it the fourth trimester for nothing: Getting used to life outside the womb can take some time for newborns. After all, they had a perfectly warm, cozy place to hang out in for nine+ months. So it makes sense, then, why so many babies enjoy the tight coziness of a swaddle. Not only do swaddles mimic the snug, soothing environment of your uterus, helping them relax and fall asleep, but they also tamp down infants’ startle reflex, helping little ones stay asleep....
If you’re just starting out, trying to conceive can be pretty overwhelming with so much to do to prep for pregnancy, tons to learn about your body, and of course reading up to do on what to expect once baby comes. But before you get too ahead of yourself, let’s make sure you know the basics. From temping to charting to knowing what questions to ask your doc, read on to learn more....
What are warts in babies? Warts are common skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Note: There are dozens of kinds of HPV — this isn’t the same HPV as the one that causes cervical cancer. Warts are often described as having a cauliflower-like appearance. That’s because they’re usually raised and bumpy, with a surface that’s somewhat rough and uneven. Warts can be a nuisance, but they’re harmless. What are the symptoms of warts in babies?...
Pregnancy comes with a slew of new terms and lingo to learn. And given that you probably don’t have a background in obstetrics, it’s understandable to have questions. One medical acronym that may come up early on in your pregnancy is hCG. It stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, and it can give you—and your doctor or midwife—some insight into how your pregnancy is progressing. But what is hCG exactly, and what can your hCG levels mean?...
Gonal-F is a brand name for a medication called gonadotropin. You probably know what “gonad” means from sex ed class — those are your reproductive organs. The suffix “tropin” means hormone. So basically, gonadotropins are hormones that help stimulate the product of your ovaries, and those are eggs. Gonal-F is a synthetic gonadotropin. (Believe it or not, there are some nonsynthetic forms, created from purified urine from postmenopausal women!) It’s used by fertility practices all over the world to stimulate production of follicles in the ovary, each of which contains one egg....
