Posts

A new study may finally be getting to the root of what might cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The study, published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, found that nearly half of infants who died of SIDS shared a same specific brain abnormality. Researchers looked at 153 San Diego infants who underwent autopsy, and discovered that of the 83 cases classified as SIDS, 43 percent had an abnormal hippocampus. That’s the section of the brain responsible for functions like breathing and heart rate....

Are you convinced that your growing baby is destined to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Maria Sharapova? Then you’d better hope that your due date is during the autumn months, according to a new study conducted by the Centre for Sports and Exercise Science at Essex University. Kids between the ages of 10 and 16 were tested for physical strength, stamina and other factors, and the results were a little surprising....

Holding your precious newborn in your arms is the ultimate reward after a long and exhausting nine+ months of pregnancy. Nothing fills your mama heart with joy quite like watching those tiny eyelids flutter as you cradle your little love. (And those sleepy sounds give you all the warm and fuzzies!) You enjoy cuddling that snoozing cutie of yours—and they love it too. But let’s be honest: It’s not always a practical solution for naps and bedtime....

A common question among first time parents: When do babies start talking? Believe it or not, baby’s journey to two-way communication begins earlier than you might think. Here’s further proof that babies are pretty incredible: They start learning language even before birth! That’s because baby could hear you speaking while in the womb and got familiar with the rhythm and sounds of the language you spoke. In fact, studies show that babies whose moms read specific books to them while pregnant go on to prefer hearing those books once they’re born, as measured by an increase in their sucking motion....

Think you might be pregnant? Taking a pregnancy test is an obvious way to find out if you’re expecting—but when is the best time to take a pregnancy test? You’re looking to find out if your life is about to completely change, so it’s understandable to want to know as soon as possible. Gaining a better understanding of how today’s tests work will boost your chances of getting an accurate reading....

We hate to be the ones to break it to you, but the touted heart benefits of red wine still don’t make it ok for pregnant women. Resveratrol — the ingredient thought to prevent blood clots and damage to blood vessels — does much more harm than good to fetuses. According to a study by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), Resveratrol leads to developmental abnormalities in the fetal pancreas when taken during pregnancy....

Where to Buy Baby and Toddler Wedding Outfits Janie and Jack: For classic kids’ clothing with a modern twist, head straight to Janie and Jack. This brand has tons of beautiful party dresses for baby girls and preppy shirts and slacks for little boys. Better yet, the store has a special occasion section that’s chock-full of wedding-worthy clothes and accessories. Baby Beau and Belle: Want to go all out? Baby Beau and Belle—adored by celebrity moms Kylie Jenner and Eva Longoria—creates heirloom-quality baby dresses, rompers and toddler suits for weddings....

Sadly, I broke up with my ob-gyn this week. She was like an older sister minus the fighting and stealing my clothes. It was a tough decision, as you can imagine—we had a good run for over a decade. There was no botched medical advice or a front desk mishap. I left for a reason, though: We were in a long distance relationship. It was nearly a 45 minute drive to and from her office....

Let’s face it: Feeding a baby—either from breast or bottle—is not the most ergonomically-friendly activity. And since it happens multiple times a day, for months on end, it can quickly result in serious discomfort for both mom and baby. That’s why a quality nursing pillow, with just the right support, shape and size, can be a lifesaver. Hitting the mark on all three counts? The Nook Niche. What We Love...

What is cervical cancer during pregnancy? Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, the opening to the uterus. What are the signs of cervical cancer during pregnancy? Early cervical cancer often doesn’t have any noticeable signs or symptoms. Late symptoms include vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and pain during sex. Are there any tests for cervical cancer during pregnancy? Yep. A Pap smear screens for cancer and precancerous changes of the cervix....

If the grass is really greener on the other side, then that’s the side moms-to-be should want to be on. According to a new study from Oregon State University, mothers who live in neighborhoods with plenty of green vegetation (like trees and grass) are more likely to deliver at full term than mothers in less green urban areas. Their babies also tend to be born at higher weights. Lead study author Perry Hystad says this comes as a surprise....

A new statement just realized from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that even though moms and moms-to-be have been led to believe that raw milk is healthier and more nutritious — it’s actually not. Behind author Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, researchers found that between 1998 to 2009, more than 93 cases of disease outbreaks associated with raw-milk and raw-milk products and to date, raw-milk has caused 1,837 illnesses, 195 hospitalizations and two fatalities....

A new study published in Clinical Pediatrics found that more than 9,400 young children are injured falling off their high chairs — and even though high chairs are almost every parents go-to for feeding time seating, they might not be as safe as you think. For the study, researchers looked at children aged 3 and younger that were treated in emergency rooms in the US. They found that the most common type of injury associated with high chairs was a head injury, followed closely by bumps, bruises and cuts....

There are several ways to find basic information about adopting from a specific country. The first place to look for information on the process and advisability of adopting from any country is the US Department of State web page on country-specific information. This is by far the most reliable and complete source of basic information. Be wary of commercial sites if they’re trying to sell you something (like if you have to pay an application fee)....

The following story, “I Shouldn’t Have Brought My Toddler To Your Cocktail Party” by Alyssa Shelasky was originally published on Boomdash. Are you a “chill mom"? I’ve always identified as one. I like to think my lack of neurosis makes my daughter light-hearted and cool. Last night, however, it only made us jerks. Here’s what happened. I was co-hosting a cocktail party with some friends, and I could not get a sitter....

A new study from Sweden suggests that women experiencing severe morning sickness are at an increased risk for pregnancy complications, especially if she’s during her second trimester. Of the mothers who took part in the study, all were hospitalized for severe morning sickness ( hyperemesis gravidarum ) during the second trimester (between 12 and 21 weeks) of their pregnancy. Though this condition is very rare ( Kate Middleton was hospitalized for it), more than 1 million women have been hopsitalized for it....

For about the first six months, it’s normal for a baby’s eyes to drift and wander, especially when they’re tired or focusing on something very close. There’s also something called pseudoesotropia in babies, which is an optical illusion caused by their flat nasal bridge. Look at your baby’s nose, and then look at yours — yours is much bigger and more defined. (Why such flat noses? To make breastfeeding easier! Same goes for the chin....

It’s every new parent’s biggest fear: One moment, baby is sound asleep and the next, she’s not breathing. By definition, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has no known cause. It’s extremely rare, but a small percentage of babies do die in their sleep within the first year of life, without warning or explanation. The best way to decrease baby’s SIDS risk is to always keep her in a safe environment, especially while sleeping....

So what’s the deal with all the conflicting information out there on Kegels? It really depends on whom you ask. Our fitness expert says Kegel exercises can help make childbirth easier, but one of our pregnancy and childbirth experts says that’s not necessarily true. Well, neither expert is actually wrong. It’s just that there’s evidence on both sides that isn’t exactly conclusive, according to Laura Riley, MD, medical director of Labor and Delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston....

Midwife means “with woman.” Nurse-midwives offer health care to women, focusing particularly on normal pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, family planning and routine gynecological care. We emphasize the physical, emotional and social needs of patients. Teaching is an important aspect of each patient visit—we work hard to involve women and make them partners in their health care. We also concentrate on diet, nutrition, exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We believe that pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes, and try to avoid interventions unless indicated....