Baby

Kid Shopping

The 7 Best Bottles For Breastfed Babies

Breastfed babies don't only take their milk from the breast.

Breastfed babies don't only take their milk from the breast. While lactation consultants suggest waiting at least three weeks before introducing a bottle, breastfeeding mamas often abide by their own schedules. Finding a bottle that truly mimics the motion, flow, and feeling of the breast is often the hardest part of making the switch. We've put countless bottles to the test, and narrowed our list down to seven. Check out our picks for the most breast-like bottles on the market, and let us know which one you (or your children) prefer.

family life

A Great Reason to Clean a Pacifier With Spit

Ever use your own mouth to "clean" a fallen pacifier?

Ever use your own mouth to "clean" a fallen pacifier? It may have been a surprisingly smart move!

New research suggests that exposing your baby to the microbes in your saliva boosts her immunity and lowers her allergy risk. As The Huffington Post reportsvia Reuters, a small study in Sweden has found that this fallback "cleaning technique" lowers symptoms of asthma and eczema in young children. And although the researchers concede that other, untested factors could also be at play, allergy specialist Dr. Wilfried Karmaus says that parents at least have the go-ahead to rely on spit: "Parents should know that using their mouth to clean an infant's pacifier may be worth trying — and at the very least, shouldn't be harmful."

parenting

My Secret Fashion Weapon: Baby Clothes

An absolute delight of being a style-conscious mother of daughters is playing dress-up with your babies.

An absolute delight of being a style-conscious mother of daughters is playing dress-up with your babies. This is particularly fun if you're just not yet feeling yourself after shoving a human out of your body. Your clothes aren't fitting? No problem! It's a fashion show with your kid every day!

When I had my first daughter, I think I'd ranked all of her darling outfits and probably changed her clothes twice a day just to ensure that she wore everything at least once. I would dress her in complete outfits — shoes, hair bows, the works — even if we weren't going anywhere. 

On the days that I actually got dressed, I had this secret dilemma. How could I get dressed so as not to necessarily "match" Iris, but at least ensure that we weren't "clashing" in photos?

Keep reading.

Pregnancy

5 Unique Ways to Announce a Pregnancy

A positive pregnancy test makes expectant parents jump for joy — and they can't wait to share the news with their loved ones!
Creative Ways to Announce a Pregnancy

A positive pregnancy test makes expectant parents jump for joy — and they can't wait to share the news with their loved ones! While the news of a new baby is exciting enough, sometimes you want to surprise your friends and family with a creative announcement. Get inspired with these five unique ideas to share "the big news."

Source: Valerie Koop
Baby

7 Chic, Lightweight Nursing Covers For Spring and Summer

Everyone talks about the necessity of maternity clothes during pregnancy, but the challenge of putting together breastfeeding-friendly outfits after baby comes is an unexpected challenge to most new moms.

Everyone talks about the necessity of maternity clothes during pregnancy, but the challenge of putting together breastfeeding-friendly outfits after baby comes is an unexpected challenge to most new moms. Investing in a nursing cover makes feeding babe on the go or in the presence of company a whole lot easier, but many mamas are reluctant to sacrifice style for practicality. These seven chic, lightweight nursing covers are just the right weight for Spring and do double duty, offering incognito coverage without screaming, "I'm breastfeeding!"

Pregnancy

6 Ways to Ease Anxiety Over Childbirth

For many moms-to-be, the scariest thing about childbirth is the fear of the unknown.
Childbirth Anxiety

For many moms-to-be, the scariest thing about childbirth is the fear of the unknown. The experience can be terrifying, gratifying, humbling . . . but most likely, it'll encompass a whole range of emotions. Everyone who's birthed a baby has had her own unique experience, and talking to friends and family can be soothing to some and panic-inducing to others. Studies have found that stressing out about childbirth can actually make it last longer, so take a deep breath, and find out our top six tips for easing your anxiety about your upcoming arrival!

Source: Thinkstock
parenting

Breast-Pumping Moms Humiliated While Flying

Have you ever had to pump on an airplane or carry breast-pumping paraphernalia through security?

Have you ever had to pump on an airplane or carry breast-pumping paraphernalia through security? While moms have the right to do both and are even supposed to be provided with privacy when they pump on an airplane, it looks like some airline and TSA personnel are unaware — or not on board.

In one recent violation of regulations, an American Airlines flight attendant monitored mom Dawnella Brahos throughout her flight to prevent her from using the breast pump she was carrying. In another, a TSA worker in Hawaii told mom Amy Strand that she couldn't bring the cooler that came with her pump through security unless she was also carrying breast milk. In order to keep the cooler, which is expensive to replace, Strand resorted to pumping in the airport bathroom, in public.

Although both American Airlines and the TSA have apologized, Christian Science Monitor reporter David Clark Scott advises breastfeeding moms who are traveling to know their rights: "Moms and Dads," he writes, "bookmark the TSA page, and carry it with you on your phone. Just in case."

photography

Shutterbug: 10 Tips For Photographing Your Baby in the Hospital

Baby's here — now capture all the details of the day before you forget them!
Tips For Photographing Your Baby in the Hospital

Baby's here — now capture all the details of the day before you forget them! Though a delivering mama doesn't need another thing to worry about, ensuring that her lil one's arrival is photographed is often at the top on her list. I asked mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography (no relation), to provide us with her best hospital photography tips. She said:

"My husband, Ryan, was able to capture these special moments for us, but he warns of the challenge, 'Playing the role of photographer, husband, father, and in some cases, new father can present huge challenges while trying to capture lasting images of some of the most important moments of your life. Understand that while your emotions will be up and down like a roller coaster, you can still capture those precious moments. In my case, there were times I couldn't even see through the viewfinder due to the swelling of tears, but in between all of the excitement and chaos, you can click away. It is important that the photos not necessarily be perfect, but that they capture your viewpoint of seeing your baby for the first time.' If you are able to hire a professional, do so, because the two of you will be able to [better] focus on your new arrival."

Keep reading for her 10 must-take photo ops in the hospital.

Baby Showers

20 Shades of Baby: Inspiring Color Combos For Your Shower

Set the tone for a seriously chic baby shower with one of these inspiring color palettes.

Set the tone for a seriously chic baby shower with one of these inspiring color palettes. If equating pink with girls and blue with boys doesn't apply to you (or the mom-to-be you're celebrating), then go beyond the expected and check out 20 of our favorite color combos. There's an endless rainbow of options out there!