“The secret is to highlight the bump as much as possible and to follow your own usual and natural style,” Gonzaga tells Verywell Family, adding that it’s also OK to be bold with your maternity clothing choices. “This is the unique time in a woman’s life when she should be more courageous style-wise, not less.” While style is certainly something to consider, to find a quality maternity bathing suit, you also want to pay attention to its materials, design, and fit....

“Gone are the days of hiding your bump, and now is the time to show it off!” Stitch Fix stylist Nicole Scudder tells Verywell Family. “There is no right or wrong time to start buying maternity clothes. If you are excited to add some maternity pieces to your closet, go for it.” With that in mind, we looked at all the online retailers of maternity clothing and evaluated their variety of fashionable products, size inclusivity, price range, return policies, and shipping rates to come up with this list....

Before making your selection, consider your child’s age and size to ensure you choose a sled that fits their weight and abilities. It’s also a good idea to factor in durability for the long haul. You may be able to find plastic sleds as low as $20, but they are less likely to survive more than a season. Conversely, heavier wooden toboggans with metal runners will often last a lifetime, but the price tag will reflect that....

Consider your child’s age as that will determine whether or not your child can use the alarm clock’s buttons independently or read the display screen. We considered dimensions, screen formats, age recommendations, power source, design, ease of use, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best alarm clocks for kids to help make their morning wakeup better. While this multi-purpose device is on the pricier end, it still has additional features, like various white sound options for better sleep....

You’ll want to make sure that not only is the book’s message a positive one, but that it is age-appropriate as well. We carefully considered material, age recommendations, book format, value, and message when reviewing products. Here are the best books for shy kids. “What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety” earned a top spot on our list because it’s a great resource for parents and kids alike....

Safety features, like a five-point harness, sturdy construction, and easy-to-understand installation are some of the most important factors when shopping for a car seat. You should also pay attention to the height and weight guidance to ensure you are getting a car seat that will suit your child now—and as they grow. We carefully considered these features, along with, design, material, ease of cleaning, comfort, and value when reviewing products....

According to pediatrician Heather Shafi, MD, there are a few safety steps that caregivers should keep in mind before reaching for a hiking carrier for their next adventure. They need to be aware of their airway, for example. “They need to be tightly snug to you, with a supported back and facing you, close enough to kiss, chin off of your chest, and in view at all times,” Dr. Shafi tells Verywell Family....

Look for a starting-preschool book that’s positive with a light mood and features some of your children’s favorite interests or characters. These combined can help quell your child’s anxieties about heading to preschool. We carefully considered age appropriateness, positive messages, engaging storylines, and book format when reviewing products. Here are our top picks for books about starting preschool. The pictures are bright, colorful, and cheerful, and the rhyming text is simple but gets the message across clearly—preschool is a great place to be and you are really going to like it here....

When choosing for educational toys, look for products that match your child’s developmental stage and skill level. Toys that are too challenging may be discouraging. Consider options that can be played both alone or with friends and family so your child will use the toy more frequently. When reviewing toys for learning letters and numbers, we considered age-appropriateness, educational value, entertainment value, and learning concepts. We also looked for a mix of structured games and toys that provide opportunities for open-ended play while learning letters and numbers....

“I didn’t even have a moment to process my new baby before being overwhelmed with intense cramps and intestinal discomfort,” Melinda Jameson, mom of two, and founder of SuperWAHM, shared. “In the weeks following, I faced major issues controlling my gas and I constantly felt like my stomach was going to explode—and I wasn’t even carrying a baby inside anymore.” Thankfully, whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe, there are things you can do to ease the discomfort of postpartum gas and bloating....

How to Prepare the Photo Scavenger Hunt How to Conduct the Photo Scavenger Hunt Tips for Successful Scavenger Hunts for Kids If you’re using mixed teams, consider assigning clues to both older kids and younger kids, so everyone can have fun. Make safety the number one goal. You can have a more expansive scavenger hunt by adding an adult or responsible teenager to each team and letting them roam freely. If you’re in an area with a lot of trees and brush, make sure kids wear long pants and can identify plants like poison ivy, sumac, and oak....

Factors Determining Anesthesia Given During C-Section The answer that you receive about the best fit for the type of c-section anesthesia will depend on a couple of factors, including, but not limited to: Your medical historyYour place of birthYour doctor’s preferenceWhether the delivery is an emergencyIf you will be expected to have a longer surgery, such as additional procedures, or a concern about scar tissue Once this information is gathered, you may also have a physical exam....

Most doctors and midwives say that the added rest and relaxation are alone beneficial. But there are also physical benefits of bed rest for some moms, including lowered blood pressure, less pressure on the cervix, and better blood flow to the baby. When Bed Rest Is Suggested While normal activity and exercise are usually fine in pregnancy, there are some situations when doctors may recommend bed rest to try to reduce the risk of preterm birth....

They may even want their pediatrician to talk their child out of it. Will their child get enough vitamins and calories being a vegan? Don’t kids have to eat meat to get enough protein and iron in their diet? Fortunately, since your pediatrician would likely have a hard time talking your teen out of these types of diet plans even if they tried, a vegetarian diet can be healthy for most kids....

Then scientists figured out the most common cause of rickets is a deficiency of vitamin D, the unsung hero of skeletal development. If calcium is the Batman of bone health, vitamin D is the Robin, vital for making sure the body absorbs enough calcium and other minerals key to keeping bones strong and healthy. The importance of vitamin D goes beyond just bone health. This hormone plays an essential role in multiple pathways of the body, including healthy immune system functioning....

Does Morning Sickness Only Happen in the Morning? Despite the name, you may experience morning sickness at any time of the day or night. However, many women do experience their worst nausea symptoms early in the morning, probably because their stomachs are empty. What Does It Feel Like? Some women have nausea and vomiting, while others experience only queasiness. None of these is pleasant. For some women, vomiting actually makes them feel better, while others find no relief after vomiting....

The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein. The vein’s job is to transport oxygen and nutrients from your placenta, to your baby. The arteries are responsible for transporting your baby’s waste material, which are eventually disposed of through your kidneys. The umbilical cord’s arteries and veins are surrounded by a gelatin-like substance called Wharton’s jelly, which cushions and protects the veins and arteries. Umbilical Cord Abnormalities For the most part, umbilical cords do not have issues, and do a great job of keeping your baby healthy during pregnancy....

The short answer is that the experience of childbirth is an emotional and physical journey like no other. Each person’s labor and delivery experience is unique, however, by and large, parents share a profound love for the baby at the end of that journey. This article provides an overview of the birthing process from the first signs of labor to the moment you’re holding your newborn in your arms. It also discusses the typical emotional and physical experiences associated with giving birth, the stages of labor, at-home births, pregnancy complications, and pain management....

Permissive parents are often loving, but they don’t enforce many rules, says Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, pediatrician, founder, and CEO of Modern Mommy Doc and The Modern Mamas Club App. “Permissive parenting (aka indulgent parenting) is a parenting style with low demands on self-control or maturity, but a high emphasis on nurturing,” she describes. “As a parent and a pediatrician, I would not recommend this parenting style.” Parents who practice this parenting style often employ a “hands-off” type of approach, explains Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and a program coordinator at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center....