If you are a new parent, you have probably already realized that your baby needs to sleep a lot. Parents of infants tend to complain quite a bit that they are sleep deprived because they are up all night long with their babies. While this is certainly a normal pattern for parents of newborns, there are some steps you can take to help your child sleep for longer periods of time without waking up constantly.
Read MoreDoes Bed Rest Really Work?
Bed rest during pregnancy–something that you, or someone you know, has most likely had to do. One of my best friends was on bed rest during two of her pregnancies–for five months each. She would complain, it would be hard, but would you do something different if it meant the life of your baby? Probably not.
So, I was very interested in an article that I read on LATimes.com saying that bed rest didn’t really help prevent preterm birth. And the most interesting part? That OB’s have known this since 2004. Read More
Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy
For women who have diabetes, pregnancy presents some difficult challenges that must be dealt with early on. Not only do women need to be concerned about their own health; they must be concerned about the health of their baby as well. Fortunately, there are a variety of steps pregnant women can take to ensure that they have a pregnancy that is free of problems.
Read MoreStarting Solid Foods: When and How
By Lisa Pecos
For several months following birth, breast milk (or formula) is the only food that your child needs. It is only a matter of time, however, before your child begins to develop cravings for solid food. As muscle coordination develops and the baby’s nutritional needs begin to change, the transition from an all-liquid diet to a mixed one becomes inevitable. Moving to solid foods is a big step, but the good news is that it usually comes naturally, so you will not have to force it.
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How to Foster Your Baby’s Learning in the First Year
By Jamell Andrews
Many young parents assume that there is not much happening in a baby’s mind during the first few months of life. This may be somewhat true when it comes to the first month, when the baby mostly just learns to use her senses, recognize her parents, and ask for things. After the first month, however, learning picks up at a tremendous pace, and parents who make good use of this time can greatly increase their chances of raising a smart child.
Read MoreHow to Lose Your Baby Weight
By Jamell Andrews
Most women would love to be able to get pregnant and have a baby without gaining a significant amount of weight, but it is just not possible. The American Pregnancy Association recommends a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds for normal-sized women, 28 to 40 pounds for underweight women, and 15 to 25 pounds for overweight women. Deviating too much from these recommendations (in either direction) can lead to health problems for both mother and baby.
Read MorePostpartum Depression: The Baby Blues Can Happen to Anyone
By Lisa Pecos
Pregnancy and the months following the birth of a baby can be emotionally turbulent times. For most women it is a time of joy and excitement, but it is not uncommon to feel some anxiety and fear. This comes from the basic fact that having a baby is a major life change, and change is always frightening. But for some new mothers, normal feelings of fear and anxiety can grow into something akin to clinical depression. This affliction, which is believed to affect between 5% and 25% of all new mothers, is known as postpartum depression.
Read MoreIron: Making Sure Your Baby Gets It
We’ve all heard that breast is best, but one of the drawbacks of exclusively breastfed babies is that they are at risk for iron deficiency. Although formula-fed babies get iron through fortified formula, breast milk does not contain adequate amounts. The LA Times reported that “Studies have shown that 4 percent of 6 month olds, and 12 percent of 12 month olds are iron deficient. Children between the ages of 1-3 years of age have rates of iron deficiency between 6-15 percent. Preterm infants, infants who are exclusively breastfed and infants who are at risk for developmental disabilities seem to be at higher risk to develop iron deficiency.”
So what’s the big deal? A lot, actually. Dr. Frank Greer, co-author of a Read More
What to Eat When Breastfeeding
By Lisa Pecos
During pregnancy, new moms have to worry about everything they put into their bodies. And while there are many ideas about what is best for a developing baby when it is in the womb, there is widespread agreement about the things that definitely should be avoided and what foods are healthy for the unborn child. But when it comes to post-birth health, the answers are not so clear-cut. The good news is that if you just eat healthy you should be fine, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind.
Read MoreIs Co-Sleeping With a Baby a Good Idea?
By Lisa Pecos
Co-sleeping is one of the most controversial issues in contemporary parenting, with some parents advocating it as a beneficial way to encourage parent-child bonding, and others arguing that it is not only unnecessary but dangerous. While there are no easy answers to this question, and both the benefits and the risks of co-sleeping are certainly real in many respects, most experts ultimately recommend moderation. Let us look more deeply at this issue and consider some of the main issues involved.
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