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There’s a lot about parenting that’s instinctive, but getting baby to form solid sleep habits isn’t something you automatically know how to do. And while you’re probably an expert now in safe sleep habits—like putting baby to sleep on their back and keeping their crib free of blankets, pillows and toys—it’s easy for parents to sometimes err when it comes to setting habits and routines to get baby to sleep. These are some of the biggest baby sleep mistakes many new parents make, according to sleep experts, and how to fix them....

When my son was six, my marriage went south — and I was terrified that the cooperative approach that my ex and I had taken to parenting would go out the window. I didn’t know many divorced couples, but those I did know were terrible co-parents — they just couldn’t seem to get on the same page for the sake of their kids. That’s because divorce itself is usually pretty rough on the whole family, says Tina B....

It’s time we had the talk. Sure, you know about where babies come from, but do you know how the whole thing actually works? We finally have a great visual to show you the ins and outs of embryogenesis — the process of of egg fertilization and fetal development. Seattle-based designer Eleanor Lutz created this blow-us-away GIF of the fertilization process, beginning with a depiction of a fertilized egg before it breaks down into a multi-celled organism....

Your labor and delivery might be well on its way to a makeover after a recent study by _The Cochrane Library _found that there’s no need to restrict women’s food and fluid intake during labor. In fact, the research actually supports women eating and drinking as they please while they wait for baby to arrive. Study co-author Gillian ML Gyte of the Department of Women and Children’s Heath at the University of Liverpool in the UK and a team of researchers pointed out that prior research has shown that though many women in labor don’t feel like eating, in many cultures the notion that women can eat and drink as they see fit during labor and delivery is actually the norm....

Clothes No need to worry that you don’t have a stash of little dresses or sporty tees ready to go, says Amy E. Goodman, lifestyle editor at Zulily.com: “I didn’t find out the gender during either of my pregnancies and learned that you don’t lose any time in preparations for baby.” The key, she says, is to stock up on basic onesies in gender-neutral colors—you’ll use these the most in the beginning and your newborn will be in these itty-bitty clothes for such a short while....

We get it. There is a lot going on with your body when you’re pregnant. And there’s even more going on after you’ve given birth. Sometimes the excitement (chaos?) is just so funny, so unbelievable, so exhausting, so precious, so freaking relatable that you just have to share it with the world. Enter the letter board, the of-the-moment version of the chalkboard…but without the chalk, chalk board dust or questionable penmanship skills....

It was early Tuesday morning when my fiance Eric and I walked into the OB’s office for the routine bi-monthly pregnancy checkup and ultrasound. We didn’t know the gender of our little peanut yet and we weren’t sure we wanted to find out that day. There are only a few surprises left in life, as they say. But being the Type A obsessive planner that I am, I wondered if leaving that major detail as a surprise would lead to my having a full-on meltdown....

It’s pretty common to start obsessing after just a month or two of trying to conceive without success. You’ve spent so many years terrified of getting pregnant — of course you’d assume it would happen within seconds of throwing out that last pill package. (Right?) And as you come to find out that’s not quite the case, it’s only natural to start jumping to conclusions. But, although it is actually harder to get knocked up than those high school sex ed classes would have you believe, you probably don’t have much to worry about....

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....

Interpreting the behavior of a 3 or 4 year old may often seem like a lost cause. But if you’re even slightly concerned your preschooler is exhibiting signs of depression, know that’s a legitimate problem for some young children. And there’s work being done to combat it. “Nobody believed preschoolers could get depressed,” Dr. Joan Luby, director of the Early Emotional Development Program at the Washington University School of Medicine, tells TIME....

We all know we shouldn’t compare ourselves to other moms. It’s not right to judge or stereotype. Yeah, yeah… yeah. We also know we all do it and it can sometimes even serve a useful purpose. Who among us hasn’t wanted to be a little more like that mom and a little less like that mom? Here are five of the most common mom types I’ve encountered: The By-the-Book Mom. This is generally but not always a first-time mom....

Finding prenatal healthcare that’s individualized to your needs can be difficult for anyone. But if you identify as LGTBQ+, finding an inclusive, affirming provider—someone who shows respect for you and your growing family and has knowledge about the physical and mental challenges you face—can feel extra daunting. Tel Viehmann Cunningfolk, CPM, a licensed and certified professional midwife and owner of Taproot Midwifery in Sacramento, California, notes the gamut of factors that many LGBTQ+ families are up against....

Sometimes it can feel like toddlers were specifically designed to test our limits and push our buttons. It can be a bit of a shock when even an easygoing baby transforms into an aggressive toddler, or one whose only words seem to be “no” and “mine.” Like everything else in parenting, there’s no roadmap when it comes to toddler discipline, but while figuring out what clicks with your kid and your parenting style is a trial-and-error process, understanding why little kids act out can help you to decide how to handle it....

By now, most experts agree that not everyone has a normal body temperature of 98.6. Some people tend to run a little warmer when they’re healthy; others tend to be a little cooler. If you have a good idea of your normal baseline temperature, it’s important to know this: It’s usually a little higher in pregnancy. There are a few factors that go into this temperature increase, but it can and does happen....

Snap as many pictures of baby’s adorable gummy grin while you still can. Those little teeth will crop up in the blink of an eye—and you’ll sure know when it happens. Teething can be pretty uncomfortable for babies, and they’ll express it the only way they know how—by fussing and crying and not sleeping. If baby is showing signs of fussiness, you may start wondering if the time for teething has arrived....

We do our best at The Bump to answer all your pregnancy and parenting questions, but sometimes, even we need a fresh perspective. So we called in our friends Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee from the Pump and Dump Show. We think it’s exactly what you need to hear. Q: “I’m having a hard time letting go now that I have some childcare/ help during the week. I feel guilty. What I should I do?...

Thermometers, pee sticks, apps that feel like they’re guessing—this is what women tracking their cycles have to work with. Enter Ava. This unassuming bracelet only needs to be worn while you sleep, and it detects your fertility window right from the beginning. WHAT WE LOVE Existing trackers either confirm ovulation after it happens or detect the tail end of your fertile window. Ava alerts you at the beginning, detecting an average of five fertile days It’s totally hassle-free: Just wear it while you sleep and sync it with the app in the morning You can track your sleep, stress levels and heart rate in addition to fertility data, making Ava useful even when you’re not trying to conceive...

From six months on, babies are no longer content to just lie and gaze at the same ol’ toys. For toys to keep them occupied (and entertained), they need to cater to your child’s growing mobility, independence and coordination. PlanToys sensory tumblers fit the bill, with stackable, rollable balls that will help hone their developing skills. What we love Soft fabric, a mirror, a rattle: Each tumbler offers a different sensory surprise inside Hand-eye coordination and stacking are two new skills typically developed at this age, and these tumblers help to boost both The tumblers are the perfect size for little hands to grab—but not little enough to pose a choking hazard PlanToys are about as eco-friendly, natural and sustainable as they come, making them good for baby and good for the environment...

Infants grow quickly — though baby will be tiny upon arrival, newborn sizes will soon be too small. Opt for slightly larger sizes, and don’t buy too much in advance. Once baby arrives, you’ll have a better idea of what sizes and styles work best. Choose soft and comfortable materials, fasteners that close easily, and finished seams. Check for snaps, buttons and tags that might scratch, and avoid zippers, which can pinch....

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....