When Kim Knoblauch gave birth to her first child in the US in 2006, the only maternity leave pay she received was a month’s worth of accrued vacation and sick time. And then when she was ready to return to work, she found her job no longer existed. Since her employer was a small company, it didn’t have to adhere to federal laws that require 12 weeks of job protection after the birth of a child....
First, take a deep breath and try not to stress. If you’ve tested positive for group B strep, you’re now armed with knowledge that can protect baby. When you go into labor, you’ll be put on an antibiotic drip (usually penicillin, unless you’re allergic) that flows down into your amniotic fluid, blood and birth canal to wipe out some of the bacteria that could be potentially harmful to baby. With the help of the antibiotic, baby should be just fine....
FIRST TRIMESTER See the OB: Once or twice You should gain: Three to five pounds (if you have an average BMI) Common symptoms: Nausea, fatigue, constipation, sore breasts More on your first trimester » Week 3: Tell your partner you’re pregnant. All about week 3 » Week 4: Treat yourself to some prenatal pampering, even if it’s just hours of trashy TV. All about week 4 » Week 5: Get a pregnancy journal, or start a blog....
Welcome to a whole new world of potential dangers and disasters. Once baby starts to crawl, generally around eight or nine months, safety takes on a new meaning. Start getting your home ready as soon as baby can sit up and pivot on her tummy. Remember, this guide is just a starter. Get down on all fours and crawl around your house to get a baby’s-eye view of the many dangerous temptations that lurk....
OK, let’s be honest… how many of you are sick of reading “Goodnight Moon” for the 800th time? We all know how important it is to read to our babies, but If you are like me and your child is still too young to understand,why not get some baby books that will give mom a giggle for a change? Here are some of my favorites: “Baby Mix Me a Drink” _ by Lisa Brown _In this simple board book, baby mixes cocktails for mommy, daddy, grandma,and a few others....
Adoption experts and therapists are divided about the advisability of continuing to pursue infertility treatment and adoption at the same time. Those that oppose pursuing both are concerned that you will consider adoption second best. They view continuing treatment as a red flag that you have not come to terms with your infertility losses and may have trouble bonding with your adopted child. The financial drainof pursuing both may also put undue stress on the family....
Searching for the best newborn baby clothes to add to your little one’s wardrobe? Whether you’re starting your registry, staring down a mountain of baby shower gifts or looking into the wide eyes of your days-old newborn (who, surprise, just spit up again!), chances are, you may have that nagging sense that you’re missing some infant-wear essentials. And you very well might be—with all the adorable stuff out there, it’s easy to miss the not-so-obvious but oh-so-necessary items....
The holidays have come and gone and suddenly the toy box won’t close, the playroom feels crowded and old favorites have now become castaways in favor of new stuff. It’s time for a toy purge. And there’s no better time than the new year to do a deep clean and kick off a system of organization. Here are our top tips for combatting kid clutter. Involve Your Children in the Purge Depending on their age, this could be the perfect moment to begin teaching prioritization and giving to those less fortunate....
_Want to end the Mommy Wars? We’ve created Moms for Moms Day with CTWorkingMoms.com in an effort to support, encourage and stand behind each other’s choices, judgments aside. Join moms (and moms-to-be!) by sharing your Mommy Truths with us. _ At the most black-and-white level, the phrase “Mommy Wars” calls to mind stay-at-home moms who think working parents are neglectful and selfish, versus working moms who see the stay-at-home crowd as unambitious and outdated....
Moms — I’m not talking about the cute, squishy, sweet little baby in your arms. I’m talking about the deflated mama kangaroo pouch, the flabby arms, the back fat, the residual swelling, the thinning hair, the super frizzy hair, the tired eyes, the leaky breasts, or the mama-sized diaper you’ve been wearing around for the past few weeks. Yep, we’re pretty hot, right? No matter how much you love your child, celebrate your pregnancy, and celebrate your new and amazing body after you have your child (because, wow!...
We know playtime with kids isn’t only fun, it’s important to encourage healthy child development. But research shows all playtime isn’t created equal—turns out, the type of toys your kids play with matters. And the simpler the toys are, the better. An article published by JAMA Pediatrics in 2015 found that toddlers who play with electronic toys–anything that produces lights, words and songs–show a decreased quality and quantity of language during playtime compared to toddlers who played with books or more traditional non-battery operated toys like blocks and shape sorters....
As a parent, we spend tons of time researching the best car seats and the latest car seat safety guidelines. But car seat safety is only a small part of the big picture when it comes to keeping kids safe in and around cars. There are lots of hidden hazards to be aware of—some obvious, others not so much. But it’s time to get educated: A new study by the Journal of Traffic Injury Prevention looked at data from 1990 to 2014 and found that while kids tend to be safer in traffic accidents now due to stringent car seat guidelines, the number of non-traffic fatalities (incidents that occur outside of driving situations, such as in parking lots and driveways) are still prevalent....
And the Winner Is: Yana Sleep Pillow Reader’s Favorites are among the best-selling items featured on The Bump. Each Favorite has been vetted by our editors and is a top-purchased product as readers browse our articles. We all know a restful night’s sleep is important. But during pregnancy, quality shut-eye can be difficult to get thanks to the aches, pains and persistent need to pee. Plus, experts recommend sleeping on your left side from the second trimester onward, which can present its own challenges....
“I was so depressed at having been trying for nearly a year that I started an online journal. I knew my husband was tired of me complaining, especially since he couldn’t do anything more to help the situation. Talking to my mom only led to her telling me to relax and that it ‘will happen eventually.’ I needed a way to vent my frustrations and fears without feeling judged. After realizing we couldn’t get fertility testing because of insurance costs, my husband and I sat down and had a long talk....
We all know the rule: Nothing is official until it’s on Facebook! So, how are you going to announce to the world that you are expecting an addition to the family? Our Bumpies on the 2nd Trimester board shared their some of their fun ways of announcing the news on the social network! Happy sharing! “So kinda corny, but I went and found a video on Youtube… It was an episode of I Love Lucy where Ricky finds out they are having a baby....
You’ve been waiting to hear “mama” and “dada,” but all your 9-month-old says is “goo-goo-ga-ga.” Could there be a speech delay? Don’t sweat it, baby is on the right track and probably won’t say those coveted words until her first birthday. Though just because she isn’t speaking real words doesn’t mean she isn’t communicating. In fact, babies as young as 2 months are crying and making cooing sounds because they are trying to tell you something....
If you’re feeling a little less tall after giving birth, you’re not imagining things. Having a baby doesn’t affect just the reading on your scale—it affects your posture too. For nine months, your bump adds more and more weight at the front of your body. Even after she’s born, that full-frontal poundage keeps growing as you carry your little one around. The result is a postural breakdown, possibly back pain and less core strength....
Pregnancy tends to put the kibosh on lots of things moms love, like turkey sandwiches, unpasteurized brie and that glass of pinot. But is eating sushi while pregnant also off-limits? Yes, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other leading medical authorities. That’s because uncooked fish is more likely to contain parasites and bacteria—including listeria—that can lead to infections and foodborne illnesses and potentially harm your growing baby....
You don’t really get to decide if labor is a marathon or a sprint. But what if you could? Researchers asked 40 pregnant woman if they would prefer a longer labor with relatively less pain, or a shorter labor with terrible pain. The general consensus: less pain, longer labor. The survey was distributed to women who came into the hospital to be induced, and were not yet experiencing painful contractions. They answered seven questions which pitted pain (on a scale of zero to 10) against hours of labor....
Pros • Compact when folded • Compatible with most infant car seat brands • Lightweight and easy to carry with the shoulder strap • Lasts from infanthood through toddlerhood Cons • Not ideal for very bumpy terrain • Sunshade doesn’t extend very far Bottom Line This stroller is one of my favorite baby products we have. It’s easy to use, versatile and lets us transport our car seat and stroller in one unit, so I don’t have to choose between safety and convenience....
