The timeline Tooth development begins in the fifth month of pregnancy, but your baby’s pearly whites probably won’t make their first appearance until he’s at least 6 months old. Teeth often appear in symmetrical pairs, allowing your baby to maintain … Continue reading
Newborn necessities: The first week and beyond
While some parents attest to their baby wipes warmer being a total life-saver, others will tell you that theirs sat on the floor of the closet for two years before being donated to charity. Some babies shriek at the touch … Continue reading
Cleaning the post-circumcision area
the umbilical cord, your son’s penis will need to be kept clean and dry, although this is a little more difficult to do while he’s wearing a diaper! [tip:] Keep your son’s circumcised penis clean by gently washing it with … Continue reading
Milestone markers
Head Control By the time your baby is 1 month old, she will likely be able to lift her head briefly to look around, but it may take until she is 3 to 4 months to have control of her … Continue reading
Baby food recipes
Ingredient: Pumpkin Introduce: 6-8 months Prepare: Bake, boil or steam one sugar pumpkin until soft, then puree or mash with water (if he’s 8 months or older, add a dash of cinnamon); chill immediately. Benefit: Fills your baby with Vitamin … Continue reading
Making your own baby food
Making your own baby food isn’t as expensive or time-consuming as you may think, my friends! Cooking for your tot has come a long way in the past few years, and as our expert makes clear, anyone can do it. … Continue reading
Learning through play: 12 months and up
Now that you’re a mom, you have a great excuse to indulge in some extra playtime! After all, that’s how babies learn best. Make the most of your play and maximize your baby’s learning potential. Playing games isn’t all for … Continue reading
Learning through play: 6-12 months
Playing games isn’t all for fun—it’s also the best way for your baby to learn and develop social, cognitive and motor skills. Read on for playtime tips for babies of all ages as well as ways to expand your baby’s … Continue reading
Learning through play: 3-6 months
Playing games isn’t all for fun—it’s also the best way for your baby to learn and develop social, cognitive and motor skills. Read on for playtime tips for babies of all ages as well as ways to expand your baby’s … Continue reading
Learning through play: 0-3 months
Playing games isn’t all for fun—it’s also the best way for your baby to learn and develop social, cognitive and motor skills. Read on for playtime tips for babies of all ages, as well as ways to expand your baby’s … Continue reading
In search of the perfect pediatrician
I set out to find a doctor for my baby-in-waiting three weeks before my induction date. I was duly equipped with a list of compulsory questions designed to pinpoint the doctor who would be “just right” for my baby and … Continue reading
How to burp a baby
You wouldn’t think that something as simple as a burp would be a big deal. You feed baby, pat-pat-burp, and you’re done, right? Well, not always. Burping a baby can be a lot tougher than you might think, and the … Continue reading
No-brainer breastfeeding: A comprehensive guide for new moms
Breastfeeding has many benefits, but like most things worth doing, it can also have many challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed through their first birthdays; however, studies report that while 75 percent of new moms … Continue reading
How clean do you really need to be?
Housework seems to be a battle that I’m constantly losing. If I actually find the time to clean between working, playing and running back and forth to various events and lessons, my kids/dog/husband are wrecking one room while I’m scrubbing … Continue reading
Lacey’s breastfeeding experiences
“As a woman who has two children and had two entirely different nursing experiences, I know that there is more than one side to the breastfeeding story. When my oldest was born, I gave nursing an honest shot. For four … Continue reading
How can I know if my infant son may have hearing loss?
Many parents don’t realize that hearing loss is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 4 out of every 1,000 infants. Your baby’s hearing should be checked before you even take him home from the hospital, but if it wasn’t, … Continue reading
Fighting the cold
Diagnosis The common cold With any luck, your baby won’t have to battle more than a little sneezing and coughing, the effects of a common cold. The common cold is essentially a viral respiratory tract infection, characterized by a runny … Continue reading
Feeling your baby’s pain
About a week after my daughter was born I had my first official parental breakdown. Riley was born several weeks early and was receiving medicine through an IV, which had to be moved every couple of days. On this particular … Continue reading
How-to tips for new nursers
Start pronto Although your milk doesn’t arrive for three to five days after your baby, try breastfeeding as soon as you meet your bundle of joy. It’s a great bonding experience, and your body is producing colostrum that your baby … Continue reading
Diaper changing 101
The basics An easy to follow, step-by-step breakdown of how to change a diaper. Because sometimes, you just need the facts: Step 1 Grab your changing gear and find a clean, flat surface to change baby on. The floor works … Continue reading
How to pick the right breast pump for you
Being a milkmaid can be a pretty tough gig. While breastfeeding is fabulous and fun, even the most saintly mothers can find themselves seriously craving a break from the boob. When looking for a breast pump to meet your needs, … Continue reading
Checking in: A new mom’s guide to well-baby checkups
Get ready to spend a lot of time getting to know the newest 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
Bottle-feeding
You’ve probably heard all about the benefits of breastfeeding—it’s a wonderful opportunity for mom and baby to bond and breastmilk is an excellent source of nutrition and natural immunities. It’s true that breastmilk is the perfect food for your little … Continue reading
Basic baby boo-boo care
Boo-Boo: Cut or scrape Fix: If the wound is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean washcloth for about 10 minutes (tip: a red washcloth will disguise the blood to keep your baby calm). If the bleeding persists or if … Continue reading
Baby’s first bath
A few things to remember: For bath number one, you may only want to fill the tub a few inches to see how your baby reacts to the water. Make sure you allow her ample time to get accustomed to … Continue reading
Babies and sign language
Imagine a world in which your baby could simply tell you what she needs instead of forcing you to perform the “Want this?” dance into the wee hours of the morning. Thanks to the development of baby sign language, this … Continue reading
Breastfeeding gear we love
a good breast pump supportive nursing bras breast reminders (so you know which side you last fed on—it’s hard to remember on little sleep!) a nursing cover for feeding in public easy-access sleepwear milk storage bags bottles (so you can … Continue reading
Babyproofing 101
[tip:] To gain a baby’s perspective of your home, crawl around on all fours and see what catches your eye. Things like electrical cords, which you probably don’t notice on a daily basis, might be in prime pulling position for … Continue reading
Baby massage
When administered correctly, massaging your baby has limitless benefits. Aside from all of the fabulous physical perks your infant receives lies the most important side effect of all: the deep and lasting connection you foster with your child. Susan Norris, … Continue reading
Baby congestion: What to expect and how to help
On average, children experience six significant upper respiratory infections a year for their first 2 years of life—and although ensuring that your baby is well hydrated and well rested can help prevent some of those infections, she’ll inevitably get sick … Continue reading
Birth marks
Ever heard of cafe au lait or strawberry hemangioma? No, these aren’t the latest espresso varieties on the Starbucks menu—these names refer to some of the most perplexing things new parents have to decipher: birthmarks. Although birthmarks are as common … Continue reading
Breastfeeding FAQs for breasts that aren’t all-natural
Can I nurse… …after breast augmentation surgery? Monica Dickinson Cheung, RN, assistant nurse manager for perinatal services at Kaiser Hayward, advises, “Women with breast implants are often able to breastfeed their babies without a lot of problems. The procedure … Continue reading
The skinny on baby skin
As you ponder the ways in which you can make your new baby comfortable, the answers may only be skin deep. Just as every baby is different, so is every baby’s skin. For example, babies who were born prematurely will … Continue reading
All about baby poop
You’ve paid your diaper-duty dues and changed your sister’s baby, friends’ kids and those adorable twins you used to babysit … and although you probably remember how gross and awkward it was to change those diapers, it’s harder to recall … Continue reading








































