If you are giving birth in a hospital, it’s a good idea to have some information about what your stay will be like—how long to expect to stay in the hospital before going home, what care will be given to you and your baby, what issues and challenges might arise, and more. Here’s how to get the most out of the experience so that you have a smooth postpartum period....
There are a few strong indicators that it’s time: You’re having regular contractions: every four minutes, lasting one minute, happening for at least an hour; remember 411).Your water broke (check with your provider for their advice).You are experiencing bright red vaginal bleeding.You have symptoms of pre-eclampsia, such as dizziness, headache, or blurred vision. The stages of labor you’ll experience at home are early labor and the beginning of active labor....
For instance, children who live in a bilingual home may take a little longer to become fluent in either language (but in the long run may have significantly better verbal skills than their peers). Toddlers in a family with older siblings sometimes speak later because brothers and sisters “talk for them.” Research also shows that girls speak earlier than boys. Sometimes, though, speaking late or speech that is unclear can signal a developmental delay or a physical problem....
Preschool-aged children (considered to be in the 3 to 5 years of age group) need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep a day (this can include naps). If your child goes to bed too late, they might not be getting the sleep that they need, leading to a host of other issues, including irritability and sleepiness during the day. And chances are if your child is not sleeping enough, you aren’t either, which doesn’t help anyone....
Your Baby’s Development at 13 Weeks At 13 weeks, a baby is approximately 3 inches in length (7.5 centimeters). Which Trimester? First trimester How Many Weeks to Go? 27 weeks Baby Hair Hair follicles have already started developing, and soft, fine hair called lanugo is beginning to appear. By 20 weeks, lanugo will cover your baby’s body. The hair holds a substance called vernix on baby’s skin to coat and protect it from the amniotic fluid....
Your Baby’s Development at 24 Weeks At 24 weeks, a baby is about 8 1/4 inches (21.3 centimeters) from the top of the head to the bottom of the buttocks (known as the crown-rump length). A baby’s height is approximately 12 inches or 1 foot (30.4 centimeters) from the top of the head to the heel (crown-heel length). This week, a baby typically weighs 24 ounces or 1 1/2 pounds (665 grams)....
While ultrasounds can provide doctors and midwives with valuable insights into how a pregnancy is progressing, there are times when the results may either be misleading or inaccurate. An Incorrect Pregnancy Date An ultrasound technician, known as a sonographer, will look for certain features during the different stages of a pregnancy to determine if things are proceeding as they should. If the technician is unable to find that feature, it may be the sign of a problem....
“Parents are pushing the envelope in lots of ways in terms of choosing names that will be different,” says Pamela Redmond Satran, author of The Baby Name Bible. “They’re looking for names that their child won’t share with anyone else.” One of the most beautiful ways to give your child a unique name is to be inspired by nature. Many nature names are new and rare, while others have actually been used for centuries....
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with c-sections. The good news is that with a bit of planning you can reduce some of the associated risks. This is the case whether you wind up with a planned or unplanned c-section. Here is how to reduce some of the risks of a surgical birth: Wash Your Body Use antibacterial soap, as it can reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin incision area....
When you ask moms how they feel about pumping, many are not terribly excited and look at this as something they have to do, not as something that they want to do. While pumping breast milk does not have to be a pain or a chore, it may never be something you love. Here are some easy tips to increase the amount of milk, make pumping easier and generally help you in your pumping....
Refrains From Engaging in Conversation It’s not too much to expect for a sitter to greet parents, smile, and engage in some small talk. They should ask about the kids, wish you a good time, and converse long enough to make you feel comfortable. Be concerned if the sitter doesn’t do the same with the kids either; that bodes a major disconnect that could signal a strong lack of communication all-around....
Your Baby’s Development at 8 Weeks At 8 weeks, a baby is typically between 1/2 and 3/4 inch long (1.5 to 2 centimeters), about the size and shape of kidney bean. Some parents even nickname their baby “the little bean” around this time, especially after catching a glimpse of the baby on an early ultrasound. Which Trimester? First trimester How Many Weeks to Go? 32 weeks This week, your baby’s physical features are becoming more noticeable, body systems and organs are continuing to develop, and the baby is starting to look more and more like a little human....
As vaccination rates increase and life begins to return to normal, baby showers will likely follow suit. But during the pandemic, lots of creative baby shower options popped up. And these alternative baby showers are likely here to stay. They work whether you’re looking for safer options because you live in a high-risk area, want to include people from different geographical locations in your celebration, or just don’t love some of the classic baby shower elements....
The Advantages From the very beginning, my twin daughters have enjoyed each other’s company as playmates. I fondly remember them as six-month-olds, just learning to sit up on their own. They would sit on the floor, facing each other, with a box of baby toys between them. It was a joy to watch them as they passed the toys back and forth, gurgling and gnawing on the soft plastic. They not only entertained each other but us as well....
How Popular Is the Name Benjamin? The name Benjamin has been one of the top 100 boy names in the U.S. since 1968, and by 1974 reached the top 50. It continued to climb in popularity, breaking into the top 20 in 2009 and the top 10 in 2016. The latest statistics rank Benjamin as the No. 7 name for boys in America. Although the name Benjamin is typically used as a masculine name, it can certainly be used however you see fit, as sex doesn’t have to be a part of your name selection process....
These types of toys spark babies’ imaginations and help them build and practice new skills. Some push toys, such as doll strollers and lawnmowers, inspire pretend play too. Others add a lesson in cause and effect (say, if that lawnmower produces soap bubbles as your baby pushes it, or a puppy opens and closes its mouth as it rolls). There are all sorts of building blocks to share with your baby: Traditional wooden blocks, blocks that snap together, plastic blocks and blocks that make music....
Children with Down syndrome often have physical characteristics that can make breastfeeding a challenge. However, with patience and perseverance, many babies with this condition learn to breastfeed successfully. Benefits of Breastfeeding Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is one of the most common congenital abnormalities, affecting about one in every 700 U.S. births. It occurs when a baby receives an extra copy of chromosome 21 during development. This extra chromosome affects the development of the baby’s brain and body, resulting in physical and mental challenges....
Signs and Symptoms The most obvious sign of a retained placenta is your placenta not delivering within one hour after you give birth. In most cases, your doctor will notice if a piece of your placenta is missing. However, if this goes unnoticed, you may experience the following symptoms in the days and weeks after childbirth: FeverFoul-smelling vaginal dischargeDelayed onset of lactationPersistent, heavy bleeding with blood clotsSevere pelvic pain Effects on Production of Breast Milk While you’re pregnant, the placenta produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone....
The Breastfeeding C-Hold The C-Hold, also known as the palmer grasp, is the most common hand position that moms use to support the breast when latching the baby on to breastfeed. The steps for using the C-hold are: This hold gives you the ability to control the movement of your breast and direct your nipple toward your baby’s mouth. Whether you prefer a traditional latch or an asymmetrical latch, the C-hold will allow you to aim your nipple into the proper position so that the baby latches on correctly....
If you are a breastfeeding parent seeking to use emergency contraception, you might be unsure of what type is safe to take while nursing your little one. Plan B, one of the most popular and widely available emergency contraception options, might have been suggested to you as a possible option. Still, you may be unsure if Plan B is safe for your baby or if it will have a harmful effect on your breast milk or milk supply....
