When you’re trying to conceive (and certainly when you’re trying not to), the notion of being told you’re not pregnant when in fact you are can be utterly distressing. Can you get a false negative pregnancy test result? Yes, it’s possible. So how common are they, and what causes them? The truth is, having that second red line show up when it’s not supposed to isn’t likely—but it can certainly happen under certain circumstances....
The comment: “I’ve never let my baby have even a drop of formula. It’s horrible!” Why it shouldn’t get to you: Formula may not be as perfect as breast milk, but it isn’t rat poison. In the US, baby formula is regulated by the FDA to be made from ingredients safe for baby. Many of us had it as babies (and that was before they added DHA!) and we turned out okay....
There are probably no good two things that go together like motherhood and antibacterial soap. Seriously! Moms (and dads and grandparents and babysitters) use the germ-killer to take care of just about everything in the home and in the kitchen. In the past, we never had to think twice about using it on our hands after holding on to a staircase in a public place, or giving our kids’ hands a quick rinse after an afternoon at the park....
What are mouth sores in babies? Occasionally, but not often, your baby may develop red or purple sores or a cluster of sores along his lips. Or he may have small, open (and sometimes painful) sores inside his lips, cheek, gums or tongue. What could be causing my baby’s mouth sores? Sores on the outer edge of the lips that are red or purple can be caused by the herpes simplex virus and can be passed onto baby through something as innocent as an infected relative’s gentle kiss....
There are two basic ways to adopt from foster care. You can adopt a child who is currently available for adoption because his parents’ rights have already been terminated. There are about 115,000 children in this boat, about evenly divided between black and white, and boys and girls. Their average age is 8.6 years, but about 31 percent are under five. Many of the younger kids are part of a sibling group....
And the Winner Is: Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup Your baby is growing up (sniffle). Time to say bye-bye to bottles and hello to a traditional cup. But before you hand your wee one a tumbler full of water—and practically beg for a wet onesie—try introducing a transitional trainer option. With a dentist-recommended spoutless design, the Munchkin Miracle 360 cup is easy to grip, intuitive to drink from and an absolute breeze to clean....
And the Winner Is: True Botanical Calm Pure Radiance Oil Pregnancy can do a number on your complexion thanks to constantly shifting hormones. Sometimes achieving that talked about pregnancy glow takes a little bit of effort. Since your skin absorbs about 60 percent of what you put on it, you’ll want to be extra careful about the products you use when you’re expecting. True Botanicals is a clean beauty and skincare company with a passion for creating products that are good for you and the planet....
The minute you have a baby, you become a magnet for other moms. Whether you’re pushing your stroller through the park, waiting to see the pediatrician, huffing through a mommy-and-me boot camp class or meeting up for a playgroup, you’ll find yourself surrounded by (and chatted up by) other mothers. Inevitably, there will be a few standouts. Here are our tips on how to handle each one (which won’t always be so easy)....
We probably all know someone who’s struggled with infertility, and if you think it seems like it’s more common than it used to be, you’d be right. “It is a little harder for people to conceive now,” says Shahin Ghadir, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and founding partner of Southern California Reproductive Center. But why? Waiting longer to start The trend is for people to wait longer to have kids than they did in the past — and that can make things more challenging....
The big birth day may be months away, but with baby on the way, it’s never too soon to start planning for the future. The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently estimates the cost of raising a child to be $233,610, which includes food, housing, transportation, health care, clothing, child care, basic education and miscellaneous expenses. Notice what it doesn’t include? College savings. When it comes time for baby to leave the nest and head toward higher education, get ready for a hefty price tag of more than $215,000, according to SavingforCollege....
When it comes to pregnancy, it can seem like everyone you meet has an opinion on what’s best, from what you should eat to where you should deliver. With so many voices chiming in, it’s hard to cut through the noise. So we went right to the source of useful, accurate, must-know advice: ob-gyns who guide countless women through pregnancy every day. If they could each offer just one top tip for moms-to-be, what would it be?...
Something called the “precious baby” phenomenon has parents-to-be worried that their doctors may be giving different couples conflicting advice, all according to how they conceived. An international study of 37-year-old moms-to-be recently showed that 45 percent of their doctors recommended an amniocentesis for mom if baby was conceived naturally — and only 19 percent of doctors suggested the procedure to women who had used assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in order to conceive....
Whether you’re looking for a restaurant with changing tables or a fun new playground, this family-friendly app has you covered wherever you go. WHAT WE LOVE These aren’t your average search filters: You can search based on changing table availability, play opportunities or whether or not a spot is good for nursing While reviews of family-friendly attractions in over 200 cities are extremely thorough, parents can suggests edits or updates as they see fit, as well as leave their own reviews...
One of the first things you’ll learn about pregnancy and parenthood is that there are very few definitive rules. Just because your friend felt her baby kick at 17 weeks doesn’t mean you will too. And if TUMS cured your sister’s pregnancy heartburn—well, there’s no guarantee it’ll help curb yours. But there’s one thing that’s pretty much universal for excited moms-to-be: They want to stay as healthy as possible for themselves and their growing families....
Here are a handful of home remedies that will help you soothe your sick child during cold and flu season. Your young child has a bad cold and you’re struggling to make her more comfortable — you go to the medicine cabinet to find something to provide relief but quickly realize you have nothing appropriate to give her, given her age Studies have taught us that, for children under age seven, cough medications provide no benefit and for those under age four, the risks can outweigh the benefits....
Irish baby names are super-popular around the world—and for good reason. Ireland, nicknamed the land of saints and scholars, may be small, but it’s had a huge cultural impact on art, literature and music throughout the ages. And as people of Irish descent are scattered across the globe, Irish baby names have made a pretty big impact too. Although English is the primary language spoken in Ireland, many traditional baby names originate from the native Irish (also known as Gaelic) language, which is still widely used to this day and continues to influence naming traditions....
What is milk protein intolerance? “Milk protein intolerance is a condition where the gut of younger children, specifically infants, is sensitive to milk proteins,” says Mark Moss, MD, a pediatric allergist at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. “The result is often an injury to the gut that causes symptoms ranging from diarrhea to more frequent stools to blood in the stools.” The blood in the stools may or may not be visible to the naked eye but can contribute to anemia, or low red blood cell counts....
After pregnancy, you’re probably eager to enjoy certain things from your pre-baby life—like eating sushi, sipping wine or fitting into your favorite pair of jeans. While your dinner menu options basically open up the moment you give birth, postpartum weight loss takes time and patience—after all, it took nine+ months to grow baby! Give your body time to recover, credit for pulling off an amazing feat, and grace as you transition into a new phase of life....
If an herbal treatment — even in tea form — has an effect, it should be considered a drug. Just because it comes from a plant or another natural source, does not mean it cannot have negative effects on the user. A drug is a drug whether humans or nature makes it, and no drug is totally free of negative side effects. However, almost all drugs are safe while breastfeeding. The real question is: Which is safer, breastfeeding with a tiny amount of drug in your milk (and it is almost always tiny) or giving your baby formula?...
You’re smart to want to get your weight closer to its ideal before you get busy TTC. If you’re overweight when you get pregnant, it ups your chances of dangerous pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. And if you don’t have healthy food and fitness habits pre-conception, you’re more likely to pack on too many pounds once you’re eating for two — and have a hell of a time shedding the post-baby flab....
