Some babies love their baths from day one—others, not so much. If you have a suds session screamer, you’ll want to make washing up a quick affair on an as-needed basis. If your tiny guy loves to linger in the … Continue reading
Between Us
No one was around to see it, but that didn’t keep me from feeling a little self-conscious the first time my daughter and I curled up with a book together. She was just a newborn, far too young to understand … Continue reading
Perfect … just not picture-perfect
After nine long months of waiting to meet your bundle of joy, your fantasy bubble might burst as you are handed a bowlegged, acne-faced, pointy-headed infant. In fact, Hollywood’s portrayal of the porcelain-skinned, cooing baby right after delivery is so … Continue reading
Go, baby, go!
Your days of packing light and taking off without a second thought are over now that you have a baby in tow. Traveling with your little one definitely takes more preparation, but the payoffs are great adventures and wonderful memories … Continue reading
Foray into Fatherhood
Becoming a parent thrusts you into an unfamiliar, joyous and terrifying role. Here’s the story of my wife’s pregnancy, my son’s birthday, and everything I’ve learned along the way. Getting the word out “These people have no idea,” my wife … Continue reading
The new mom’s guide to well-baby visits
Get ready to spend a lot of time getting to know a new VIP in your life: your family’s pediatrician. Most doctors recommend a schedule of seven well-child visits during your baby’s first year of life to properly monitor growth … Continue reading
Nursing 911
Welcome to the world of nursing! If this is your first baby, you probably feel like you’re in uncharted territory, and for good reason. Breastfeeding may be “the most natural thing in the world” according to many a well-intentioned veteran … Continue reading
Step by step
Congratulations! You’re the proud parent of an adorable new human. Here’s what you can expect during the first exciting year. 0-1 month By the 30-day marker, your little one will likely be gazing into your eyes and responding to sounds. … Continue reading
A primer on first year ailments
It’s inevitable. Just like the many other “firsts” of your child’s life, the first time your little one gets sick will likely be a moment he’ll never remember and you’ll never forget. The best way to get through the initial … Continue reading
Companies that care
California Baby California Baby founder and developer Jessica Iclisoy talks about the inspiration behind her business. P&N: How did California Baby come to be? JI: California Baby was born out of necessity almost 20 years ago when I set out … Continue reading
A powerful touch
On pins and needles As she watches her husband bike up the drive with their three 22-month-old girls in tow, Hester Vermaak of Ithaca, New York, recalls a time when the ride was not so smooth. Vermaak’s premature triplets suffered … Continue reading
Motherhood at any age
20s: The raring-to-go mom The mom in her 20s is the woman most likely to be found giving horsey rides and turning cartwheels to “show them how it’s done.” Her energy, flexibility and youthful outlook make her a fun hands-on … Continue reading
Babymoon after birth
Parents are often so caught up in the flurry of sharing their new baby with family and friends that they neglect to have a “babymoon.” Now, we’re not talking about a last hurrah for parents-to-be prior to baby’s arrival. Rather, … Continue reading
The skinny on infant skin
As you ponder the ways in which you can make your new baby comfortable (and put your finicky mommy mind at ease), the answers may only be skin deep. Just as every baby is different, so too is every baby’s … Continue reading
The postpartum timeline
After nine months of wild emotions, massive body changes and strange pregnancy symptoms, you might be looking forward to things returning to normal once baby finally decides to make his entrance into the world. However, the first six weeks postpartum … Continue reading
Decoding organic
Between cultivating your compost pile, changing cloth diapers, and perfecting your recycling schedule, you may not have had time to research the basics of going organic. But there are some things you should know before you buy. Allow us to … Continue reading
A breastfeeding survival story
My sister-in-law, who nursed all six of her children, never told anyone to give up on breastfeeding … until I came along. Even with all her coaching and encouragement, I was so emotional and stressed that she said, “You know, … Continue reading
Day tripper
A lesson all new moms quickly learn: Sometimes a girl just has to get out of the house. And let’s be honest—no matter how much you enjoy shopping, you can hit the mall only so many times in a month. … Continue reading
Food allergies: A closer look
I have two babies: one born in the spring of 2007, and the other delivered late last summer. And somewhere in that three-year span, pediatric recommendations for avoiding food allergies and other allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic eczema, … Continue reading
Postbaby plastic surgery: Is it for you?
When the stork delivers your bundle of joy, he often includes a few unwanted bonus gifts: saggy skin, extra padding and a generally unpleasant southward slant. But never fear: You can outwit that tricky bird with a little nip and … Continue reading
Sense and sensibility
Studies show that a baby’s experiences in the first months of life significantly impact the development of his brain and that a child needs to feel safe, loved and confident about the world around him to reach maximum brain development … Continue reading
Habitat-healthy habits
Delicious produce, extended daylight hours and warm weather make summer one of the easiest seasons during which to make and keep eco-resolutions. Adopt one planet-conscious routine at a time until your baby steps add up to a great, green leap … Continue reading
Summer safety for babies
Moms of winter babies are most likely eager to emerge from their flu season-induced hibernation and enjoy the phenomenon of sunshine once again. Having a baby in tow requires some extra preparation and a much bigger beach bag, but it’s … Continue reading
The friend revolution
Motherhood transforms us in so many ways that we don’t always notice the changes occurring in our relationships until they’re firmly in place. This “friend revolution” is key to sanity—not just for new moms, but for all moms. But gaining … Continue reading
Perfect … just not picture perfect
After nine long months of waiting to meet your bundle of joy, your fantasy bubble might burst as you are handed a bowlegged, acne-faced, pointy-headed infant. In fact, Hollywood’s portrayal of the perfect, cooing baby right after delivery is so … Continue reading
Babywearing basics
You count down the days until you can cradle your long-awaited bundle of joy, and once he arrives you’d like to do nothing more than hold him around the clock. But as nice as it would be to ignore daily … Continue reading
Baby care: Umbilical cord stumps
What you need: rubbing alcohol (optional), cotton balls (optional) Baby’s cord will fall off on its own when it’s ready—usually somewhere between 10 and 14 days after birth—so all you really have to do is keep the area dry and … Continue reading
Baby care: Using a rectal thermometer
What you need: a thermometer designed for rectal use, a blanket or wet pad, petroleum jelly Lay your baby on a blanket or wet pad (accidents happen!) and hold his legs in the air, as if you’re changing his diaper. … Continue reading
Baby care: Swaddling your baby
What you need: a swaddling blanket Step 1: Spread a receiving blanket (regular blankets are usually too big and bulky) on the bed or floor and fold down one corner. Lay your baby on the blanket so that his head … Continue reading
Baby care: Warming baby’s bottle
What you need: a bottle, formula or breast milk, hot water Heat water in a pot on the stove, removing the pot from the burner once the water is hot (but before it’s boiling). Rest the bottle in the water … Continue reading
Baby care: Mastering the latch
What you need: nothing There are many benefits of breastfeeding, but one of my favorite perks was the lack of supplies it required. All I needed was my boobs and my baby, and we could make a meal happen. To … Continue reading
Baby care: Giving your baby a sponge bath
What you need: a flat surface, a towel, a basin of warm water, a washcloth Until baby’s cord falls off, all his baths will be of the sponge variety. Bathe baby on a flat surface (such as the changing table) … Continue reading
Baby care: Burping your baby
What you need: a burp cloth You should burp your baby every 2 ounces or so if you’re bottle-feeding, or when you swap breasts if you’re nursing. Prop baby on your shoulder, lay him across your legs, or hold him … Continue reading
Emotional overload
When I was expecting my first child, I was so gripped by the excitement of delivering my little guy and bringing him home that I gave little thought to what would come next. My body had already been through so … Continue reading
Trimming tiny toenails
What you need: made-for-baby nail trimmers or an emery board It’s often easiest to tend to your baby’s nails while he’s sleeping so he’s less likely to make any sudden movements. Using a pair of baby nail trimmers (some come … Continue reading
Buckling your infant in his car seat
Your baby should always ride in a rear-facing car seat (infant bucket seats are the most popular choice for newborns) in the backseat of your vehicle. Make sure your baby is within the recommended weight range for the seat you’ll … Continue reading
Breastfeeding: The first 72 hours
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally. Many breastfeeding moms will tell you that the first days are the hardest: You and your baby are both learning, and your body is adapting to its new demands. Establishing … Continue reading
Rash decision
Brush up on the causes and treatments of irritated baby rumps. Red, irritated skin on baby’s bottom is an unfortunate side effect of wearing diapers. No matter how diligent you are about whisking baby’s diaper away at the first sign … Continue reading
Simple ways to clean up your act
Saving the planet doesn’t have to be an all or nothing venture. There are dozens of small changes you can integrate into your daily routine that will leave you feeling like being good to Mother Nature has finally become second … Continue reading
Mothers Earth
Since the advent of Earth Day in April 1970 and its spread to international recognition in 1990, the movement to go green has become much more than a trend—it’s an ever-increasing shift toward a more sustainable way of life. And … Continue reading
If at first you don’t succeed …
As the saying goes, the best things in life don’t come easily—and we all know that parenting is one of them. In particular, curing common childhood discomforts and illnesses can be trickier than they first appear. When your primary remedies … Continue reading
What to expect when you’re no longer expecting
You did it! You waited nine long months to see your baby, and she’s finally here in your arms. Not only do you have an exciting future to look forward to, you also have a great war story to share … Continue reading
And baby makes four
For many parents expecting their second child, there’s a concern bigger than the pregnancy itself: the baby they already have at home. Whether a 1-year-old or a 7-year-old, the firstborn is likely the center of mom’s focus as she figures … Continue reading
Make time for mom
Before giving birth to my son, I thought I was a pretty busy person. After a week of mothering a newborn, however, I realized that my prebaby life had been luxuriously languid. From that final push on, there pretty much … Continue reading
Beat the freeze
Baby your bundle, bundle your baby It’s the foremost rule of winter care, for baby and baby’s mama: Bundle up. Common sense is a valuable asset when it comes to dressing your little one, and many of the same tricks … Continue reading
Your baby’s first 24 hours
During the first hours of life, your new baby is going through a number of processes and screenings. Here is what’s happening behind the scenes. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Now that the hard part is over (or … Continue reading
Weight time: Understanding how much baby needs to eat
Reading cues While underfeeding your newborn is an obvious concern, overfeeding can put her at risk for being overweight later in life, so it’s important to establish healthy eating patterns right away. Joseph Kahn, MD, Chairman of the Department of … Continue reading
Facebook frenzy
Family and friends may as well give up on that anxiously anticipated phone call from the hospital—baby’s arrival is likely to be announced via status update long before the new parents start dialing. And don’t expect today’s mom to keep … Continue reading
Bedtime for baby
Sleep. At first it seems so easy, the way your newborn conks out at the breast, or sleeps soundly despite the jagged angle his neck has formed in his car seat. How is it that just months later, sleep can … Continue reading

























































