New moms get bombarded with well-meaning advice, almost from the moment they announce their pregnancy. Some of it is great, such as take care of yourself, get prenatal exams, and eat nutritiously. Some of it, however, may be outdated. Science is ever-evolving, and what mothers did 40 years ago may not be the recommendations today. …
What to Look for When Your Newborn Is Sick
It’s the middle of the night, and your baby wakes up screaming. Or it’s the middle of the day, but something just feels off. What do you do? What do you look for? Red Flags for Newborns: No urinating in the first 24 hours or no bowel movement in the first 48 hours. Odor, drainage, …
Baby Shower Essentials
As soon as you start telling people about your pregnancy, somebody is going to want to give you a baby shower. That is a wonderful way to support you on this journey. There are a lot of fancy things you can buy or request from friends and family members for your baby, but here are …
Crib Safety for Your Baby
One of the important ABCs of safe sleep is putting your baby to sleep in a crib or on another hard surface. Here are a few tips to keep your crib a safe sleeping space for your precious baby: Make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib …
WHEN YOUR BABY CAN’T TELL NIGHT FROM DAY
Humans are diurnal creatures, which means we are healthiest when we are awake during daylight and asleep when it’s dark. Somehow, newborns don’t always get the message; their circadian rhythms are immature during the first few months of life. It may take two to four months for this to develop, and during that time, they are …
WAKE UP, SLEEPY HEAD! TIPS ON GETTING YOUR BABY TO WAKE UP AND EAT
It probably seems like the most ridiculous and counter-intuitive thing in the world to wake your sleeping baby so you can get him or her to…sleep, or to eat. And yet that may be exactly what’ needed. Here’s why: They grow up so fast: Newborns are growing at an amazing pace, which means they need …
Bonding with Your Baby Has Benefits for Everyone
We’ve all probably heard of the maternal bond, but did you know there are benefits far beyond just soaking up those first, sweet months? Babies who bond with their parents are more likely to grow into confident, resilient adults. For parents, bonding with your baby may alleviate stress and help you navigate the early, exhausting times …
Keeping Babies Healthy During A Cold and Flu Season Like No Other
Cold and flu season is always a struggle for babies and parents, with the average child having between six and twelve infections in their first year. But this year is anything but average, so how can you protect your little one for the next few months? The most important step new parents can take is …
SIDS: Actions Reduce Infant Risk
Whether you’re an expectant or experienced parent, grandparent, or caregiver, you’ve probably heard of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome… and it’s scary. Although the exact cause is unknown, every person in an infant’s life can take action to help keep them safe. Precaution begins even before birth, as studies show that a mother’s health …
The Period of PURPLE Crying and newborns
Becoming a baby’s caregiver is a joyful experience often accompanied by stress and worry. The first few months can be especially tense. There’s no shortage of stories from parents describing the moments their child became inconsolable, crying throughout the night seemingly without end. Moments like these can make caregivers feel helpless and like they’re bad …