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Communication is huge when it comes to keeping tabs on your prenatal care. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and let your doctor know that you’d like to be involved in decision about your care — it’s your right as a patient. If you don’t understand something that a doctor has explained to you, ask for clarification. Before you agree to a test or treatment, ask your doc to explain exactly what it is and why it’s needed, and make sure she lets you know about the risks, benefits and other options....

Your doctor will use four measures to help evaluate your progress toward labor: Ripening is the softening of your cervix. The cervix must ripen before it can thin or open. Effacement is the thinning of the cervix. This is measured in percentage, with 0 percent meaning no thinning has occurred yet and 100 percent being as thin as you’ll get. Dilation is the opening of your cervix. This is measured in centimeters, from 0 to 10....

We know — you’re freaking out! Many new moms realize that breastfeeding can be harder than it’s cracked up to be, but don’t give up now. It does get easier. The first few days may be tough because your milk may not have come in, but it usually does within a couple days. You and baby may also have trouble getting the latch right, which can be painful and frustrating! Often, all it takes is a little bit of practice, but it’s also smart to call a pro — baby’s pediatrician, a lactation consultant or a postpartum doula or nurse — to help you both get the hang of it....

And the Winner Is: Coterie Diapers Thought all diapers were created equal? Think again. The best disposable diapers are free from harmful chemicals, gentle on sensitive skin and contain messes of the liquid and semi-solid variety. Coterie checks all of the above boxes, offering the gold-standard in diapering products. Granted, they’re pricier than other options on the market—but trust us, they’re worth every penny. The super-absorbent core sucks up liquid four times faster than their counterparts, so baby stays drier for longer....

When Can You Start Running with Baby? Do You Need a Double Jogging Stroller? What to Look for in a Double Jogging Stroller Five-point safety harness. Ensuring your kids are safely strapped in is vital, especially if you’re running downhill or over rough terrain. A five-point harness safely restrains your child at the shoulders and hips. Weight. Before you invest in a double jogging stroller, consider how much it weighs and if possible take it for a test spin....

This week, we’re in Las Vegas, y’all! Yup, you heard right: Vegas! We’re in town this year to get down and dirty and scope out the latest and greatest baby gear available to moms and moms-to-be at the ABC Kids Expo. All week long we’ll be reporting back on the newest, coolest must-haves for baby — from strollers and cribs to feeding gear and beyond! The best part? We’ll be live-streaming photos right here (score!...

The Stats: Name: Brenda Strong Occupation: Actress, fertility expert, and creator of the Strong Fertility Ball Yoga Method Children: One son, Zakery TB: What led you to the decision to breastfeed? BS: I had heard a story from my mom when I was a young girl. My mother had six children. And her first experience having my older sister was so radically different from her experience having the rest of us....

Twins tend to laugh, chat and have animated, babbly conversations with each other that would lead you to believe they’ve invented their own unique way of speaking. But the jury’s out on whether or not twins have a full language, known only to them. There’s a term — idioglossia — for a form of communication only twins can understand. But it’s actually fairly rare for them to develop their own complete language — in most cases it’s just repetitive babble....

Worried about the pain associated with delivering baby? Relax, mama! The latest study has found that there’s a way to actually make childbirth easier — and it’s easy to do! Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the European University of Madrid and the University of Granada have found that moderate-intensity exercise three times a week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy cuts the risk of high birth weight and C-section delivery in half....

You’ve probably become more patient since you started this whole parenthood thing. And you’re going to have to practice patience even more as your toddler learns to become more independent. For example, she tells you she can’t finish the puzzle she’s doing. Instead of jumping right in and telling her which piece goes where, you’re going to have to tell her you’ll help a little. Go ahead and help, but let her do a lot of it herself, and make sure she’s the one to finish the job....

Miscarriage is more common than you might think. According to experts, about 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies will result in a miscarriage. Still, many couples find it difficult to talk about pregnancy loss, and instead face their grief and frustration alone. Ultimately, this means less awareness around the topic, which can make it even more scary and confusing for those going through the experience. It’s not particularly light or uplifting, but some basic education around the often taboo topic of miscarriage can help you navigate this tricky terrain....

Could a desk and non-mom duties help your health? A new study says yes. Conducted by Adrianne Frech and Sarah Damaske, the study analyzed women who became mothers between 1978 and 1995. After adjusting for other influencers, such as prior health, prior employment, marital status and age at baby’s birth, the researchers concluded that moms who work full time are happier and healthier than moms who stay at home, work part time, or moms who find themselves repeatedly out of work....

The first year of baby’s life was all about feeding schedules and did-they-eat-enough worries, and then the excitement (and stress) of introducing of new foods, textures and flavors to your little one. That was the easy part. You’ve now entered the toddler years, when vocal, mobile and opinionated tots wield their new-found spunk against your best-laid healthy eating plans. “Parents often panic now because their toddler starts rejecting foods,” says Yamileth Cazorla-Lancaster, DO, a pediatrician in Yakima, Washington and host of the podcast Veggie Doctor Radio....

What are Good Toys for a 4-Month-Old? Support their head while being held Use their arms to swing at toys Bring their hands to their mouth Grip a toy when one is handed to them Push up onto their elbows and/or forearms while on their tummy What to Look for in Toys for 4-Month-Olds Curious children instinctively place objects in their mouths, so choose non-toxic toys that are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking....

Types of Baby Thermometers Multi-use thermometers. While a digital multi-use thermometer has the ability to take rectal, oral or armpit temperatures, you should designate it for one selected area of the body for hygiene purposes. According to the AAP, oral use isn’t recommended until a child is at least 4 years old. And, for accuracy’s sake, most pediatricians suggest taking rectal temps for babies and toddlers up to age 3. These thermometers typically take several seconds to record a temperature reading (making them one of the slower options), and they can be intimidating for parents to use—but when it comes to accuracy and affordability, these reign supreme....

Sure, you know the drill — you’ve read about it a thousand times and watched it on A Baby Story. Your doctor tells you to push, and you do — a lot — then your new (slightly slimy) baby is hoisted into your arms. But then what? We’ve got the next chapter of the birth experience — stuff even your best mom-friends haven’t spilled. Warning: Some of it’s a little, um, gross....

Nope, sorry. Pregnancy is _not _the time for weight loss, even in the early weeks. (And even if you’re dying to fit into that slinky black dress for your sister’s wedding!) During pregnancy, your body and baby need a steady stream of nutrients. That means you’ll actually need about 300 extra calories per day to supply the energy needed for baby’s growth and development. Women of average weight are advised to gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy....

Bunnies, chicks and decorated eggs take center stage in the standard roundup of Easter-themed kid crafts. But if you want to think outside the Easter basket, we’ve included some unique ideas as well—magic seeds, anyone? If you’re looking for some of the best Easter craft ideas out there, look no further. Easter Crafts for Toddlers Making crafts together is a great way to get your toddler interested in art from a young age....

Will she have a low IQ? Is disability inevitable? Is she going to survive? These are some of the questions swirling through moms’ minds if they’re at risk for delivering a preemie. While preterm labor is cause for concern, these questions are on their way to becoming antiquated. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, but delivery at 32 weeks is becoming more and more common. In the 1960s, this was certainly not the case; babies born under 3....

Pregnant women typically fall into two camps: Those who can’t get enough between the sheets, and those whose idea of a perfect evening right now is a peaceful night’s sleep — solo. If you’re in group A, you can thank the rising levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are helping to boost your desire for nonstop nookie. These (yup) sex hormones are responsible for increasing the amount of blood flow to the pelvic area and the amount of lubrication down there — both important ingredients for a satisfying romp....