A nice Brie. The lox on your bagel. A glass of Pinot. There’s already so much you have to give up when you’re pregnant—is it really necessary to lay off the latte too? Hang on to your mugs, ladies, you’re going to like this: The answer to “Can pregnant women drink coffee?”—and tea, for that matter—is: Yes! Yes, you can. In this article: How much caffeine can you have while pregnant?...
Maybe it comes to you quickly, or maybe you mull options over for nine months—but once baby arrives, he or she is going to need a name. Not sure where to start? Sometimes, inspiration can be hiding in plain sight. Check out some tried-and-true ways to choose the perfect baby name. Go to The Movies Bumpie who did it: “My husband named our son Luke after Luke Skywalker from Star Wars....
Cutting baby’s nails can be a terrifying proposition for any new parent. Is it safe? How do you actually go about it? What if you accidentally cut baby’s finger? Since you can’t pay your pediatrician to trim those baby nails for you (we’ve tried), here’s what to keep in mind. In this article: Do you really need to cut baby’s nails? How to file baby’s nails How to cut baby’s nails What to do if you cut baby’s finger...
That plugged-up, stuffy, can’t-breathe sensation in the middle of your face? Yep, that’s nasal congestion. Some moms-to-be find they get it more when they’re expecting. Here’s why you might have a stuffy nose during pregnancy and when to go to the doctor. What Causes Nasal Congestion During Pregnancy? When you’re pregnant, your body produces more mucus (ahem, everywhere), so nasal congestion “is a really common pregnancy symptom,” says Sarah Prager, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington....
Be vocal “I’ll relax more with my second child. I wouldn’t let anyone hold my firstborn when I got home from the hospital and was so worried that someone would drop her, especially my grandparents. Also, if I want to hold my baby, I’ll speak up! I know people are excited about new babies, but I’ve carried him for nine months, so I need my moments—and I won’t be afraid to say so....
Could eating nuts during your pregnancy help protect your baby from developing allergies? A new study shows that just might be the case. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics on Monday by researchers from a number of hospitals and universities, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Children’s Cancer Center, “early allergen exposure increases the likelihood of tolerance, and thereby lowers the risk of childhood food allergy....
Not necessarily. It depends on your babies’ size and position. If they are both head-down, then you can deliver vaginally, and many twin moms do. There is a higher risk of complications, so you’ll need to be in a hospital and have a doctor skilled in twin deliveries. When you arrive, you’ll probably have an ultrasound to confirm that your babies are head-down and ready to go. Your labor will proceed much like a singleton mom’s, but when it’s time for delivery, you’ll probably be wheeled into an operating room instead of a regular delivery room....
Scrolling through funny parenting memes is not procrastinating. Honestly, it’s not! It’s relating to fellow parents and getting a well-deserved LOL in the middle of your long, hard day. Here, some of our favorite parenting memes of 2017 so far. You’re welcome. Funny Parenting Memes: The AM / PM Edition The AM Chant Heard Round the World See, kids, all mommies and daddies turn into raging monsters while waiting (and waiting, and still waiting) for you to locate and put on your flippin’ shoes....
We don’t need to tell you that moms lead busy lives. But sometimes, you need—and deserve—a break. The Mother Company spoke with pediatric and adolescent psychotherapist Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, for actionable ways you can be the best mom possible. Do your own work. Science shows that when we continue the work of self-understanding and personal insight, we are able to provide our children with secure attachment. Providing secure attachment to our children means helping them feel safe and secure, by providing predictable and sensitive care and tuning in to their internal, emotional worlds....
I don’t believe people are inherently a—holes, but they sure can be unintentional jerks, especially around new moms and moms-to-be. Even the most well-meaning individuals don’t always recognize how the things that come out of their mouth can sound, or how seemingly innocent questions or insensitive comments made in passing can have a greater impact than they might imagine. During my pregnancy, my dear friend referred to both me and his wife (who was also pregnant) as “pot bellied pigs....
Any time you visit your doctor — especially if you’re seeing your gynecologist, OB or a fertility expert — you can expect to be asked what type of medications, if any, you’re currently taking. That’s because virtually every type of prescription medication is classified according to its potential pregnancy and fertility risks. Category B drugs (things like acetaminophen) are generally thought to be safe in pregnancy. Category C meds carry a higher risk (“risk cannot be ruled out”), meaning there aren’t a lot of good studies on pregnant women with this medication, but usually the potential benefits may outweigh the potential risks....
For most of us moms, there was at least one moment after giving birth when we caught a glimpse in the mirror of our postpartum body in all its stretched-out, bulbous glory and felt a wave of shock. Most of us want our pre-pregnancy body back as quickly as possible, but dropping those pounds postpartum—especially losing weight while breastfeeding, when you’re hungry all the time—isn’t always an easy feat, nor should it be rushed....
Having a cold is never fun—especially not when you’re expecting. If you’re feeling under the weather, you might be wondering how to tackle it. Is cold medicine safe for pregnancy? Will a cold during pregnancy affect baby? We asked two experts for answers. Below, get a rundown of everything you need to know about having a cold while pregnant, from symptoms to look for to quick tips on how to find relief....
We totally get it. When your kindergartener won’t stop bouncing a ball in the living room, refuses to take the time-out you just ordered and talks back with impunity, it might take every ounce of self-control to keep yourself from spanking your child. While many US parents believe in the benefits of spanking, research suggests that the form of corporal discipline can have long-lasting negative effects. Here, we take a close look at the possible pros and cons of spanking children, as well as other strategies for disciplining your child....
I was always the girl who didn’t see herself as a mom. I never babysat as a teenager, I never wanted to hold other people’s babies and just didn’t seem to have that natural “mom” instinct that other women had. I was good at being a wedding photographer, educating photographers online and running my business—but I seemed to be missing that deep desire to be a mom that other women had....
A new government study shows that the percentage of married couples struggling to conceive has actually dropped slightly in more recent years. The research, released today, focused on married women. Researchers led by Anjani Chandra, a researcher at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, interviewed more than 12,000 women and 10,000 men, ages 15 to 44, from 2006 through 2010 and found that about six percent of married women under 45 failed to get pregnant after at least a year of trying (without contraceptives)....
When your body is tired and sore or your mind is racing with anxiety, there’s nothing quite like a massage to destress—and pregnancy can certainly prove taxing, both physically and mentally. But when you’re expecting, keeping yourself and baby safe is of course top priority. So can pregnant women get massages? The answer is a resounding yes. (Phew!) When performed properly, prenatal massage is not only safe, but it also comes with a myriad of benefits....
Constipation during pregnancy During pregnancy, elevated progesterone levels cause smooth muscle to relax, which slows the passage of food through your intestines. This increases water absorption from the bowel and results in constipation. Your rapidly growing uterus, which compresses your intestines and pushes displaces your stomach upward, also contributes to the problem. Although for the most part constipation is mere nuisance, in some cases it does lead to serious medical problems such as hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding and rectal fissures....
There is no reason why a mom that has had a c-section cannot breastfeedsuccessfully. The main issues that moms will encounter with regard to nursingtheir newborns usually revolve around the abdominal discomfort that many c-sections mom feel the first few days after delivery. The football hold is a favoriteposition to use when breastfeeding after a c-section because the weight of thebaby is off to the side on a supportive pillow and not directly over the mom’s newabdominal incision....
Even if your guy is super-pumped to be a Dad, chances are he’s a little freaked out too. Here are a few of the biggest new-daddy fears (and some things you both can do to ease the pressure). FEAR #1: “Will I do everything right?” —Andrew MOM TIP: Let him know that it’s okay to be clueless. “Any father can care for his child,” says psychotherapist Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching....
