BREASTFEEDING
Mom’s Photo of 295 Ounces of Milk for Breast Milk Donation
Breast milk donation is a real thing and it is a real gift to many babies. One mom has taken to Instagram in building awareness for breast milk donation. Ashley Clifford, mother of two, posted a photo of her daughter surrounded by 295 ounces of donor milk.
“When I found out I was pregnant with this baby, my DREAM was to not only be able to breastfeed her, but to be able to donate milk as well. […] This picture represents many sleepless nights, especially from the first couple weeks, 295 ounces of extra milk, five blocked ducts, and a 17.5 lb healthy, growing baby girl.” [Read more here.]
These Men Became Breastfeeders For One Long, Long Day
This one is good for a laugh, and to make a strong point. Men and breastfeeding do not mix, but for them to find that out for themselves is even better. Buzzfeed decided to drive that point home by making a special video.
“Breastfeeding is something most men don’t really understand (but have a lot of opinions about nonetheless). So we had two regular guys — Curly and Zach — give it a try so they could understand what it’s REALLY like.”
They took the “Mamabreast” developed by Laerdal, which is a breastfeeding and breastmilk expression simulator, and had two men wear it to experience the physical discomfort that comes with breastfeeding, along with the inconvenience it can bring about in your day.
PREGNANCY
Valentine’s Day themed pregnancy announcements
Announcing a pregnancy has become quite the event thanks to the social media. No longer do you simply decide how you will tell your family the news, but you plan how you will announce to your digital world of connections. Holidays are a fun time to do this and get a little creative. With Valentine’s Day coming on Tuesday, here are a few ideas for sharing the news of a growing family. Use one for yourself or share with a friend to do so! These ideas are cute for just sharing an announcement or can be printed to use in a photos shoot and here are more that people used as photos.
How To Do Kick Counts (And Why They’re So Critical)
Have you heard of fetal kick counting? Many mothers do this throughout their pregnancy starting as early as 13 weeks when flutters may first begin. This article describes what kicks feel like and why babies kick and how kick counting can help you monitor how your little one is doing in the womb.
“You’re counting baby’s kicks and movements to monitor how they’re doing. Tumbles, kicks, and punches all count; however, the little bumps from hiccups do not.”
Find out the best way to practice kick counting and know when you should be alarmed by activity or lack thereof. [Read detail here.]
MOTHERHOOD
16 Moms On The Special Thing Their Partner Did For Them The Day After Their Baby Was Born
Having the support of your partner through pregnancy is so imporant during those nine months, but equally important is the affirmation that they are 100% “in” and there for your after labor and delivery. At that point, you’ve been through the grand finale of your pregnancy, so feeling assured that you have someone at your side who is going to take care of both you and your new baby is a great feeling. These moms shared what it was their partner did the day after baby was born that they will never forget. [Read stories here.]
Norovirus: How to (Really) Protect Your Family
The worst part of someone in your home getting sick is the fact it likely means the rest of the house will end up with the bug also. And that is definitely the case with the Norovirus as it is nearly impossible to keep it from spreading. Take all precautions to keep your family members healthy by building up their immune systems to fight off what germs do come their way, because in the case of the Norovirus, just breathing the wrong air can be dangerous.
“The problem is that Norovirus is the most contagious virus we know of, according to the WSJ‘s reporting. It’s super easy to get it; one can become sick from person-to-person contact or via droplets from vomit in the air.[…] Rapid onset of symptoms is another characteristic of this truly savage bug.”
The bad news is, there is not a vaccine to protect against this virus. Your best defense is fueling your family well to keep their immune systems functioning at their best. [Read more here.]
INFANTS
The Newest Baby Travel Product: The Baby Dome
Going on a long vacation or just outside for a picnic, if a baby is in tow you have to consider exactly where the munchkin will sit or reside during your outing. Sometimes it ends up simply being his or her carseat–the biggest problem with this is the fact it weighs a ton and does not break down into a smaller size. There are options such as a pack-and-play, but it is large and a chore to tote along. A great product to consider is the Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome.
“This light — 13.8 pounds — and petite little portable dome folds into a flat package with a carrying handle, and takes the place of giant “travel” cribs and heavy play yards, both of which are serious overkill for infants.”
Read more here and see some other new travel products for parents.
15 Kids’ Rooms & Nurseries Cleverly Carved Out of Small Spaces
It can be easy to panic about space when preparing for your new baby. There is so much advised gear to acquire and then you need a place for it all. Not to mention setting up a safe and comfy nursery. It is not even that you feel you must do these things, but that you want to create a perfectly cozy place for your new addition to come home to. So what if your living situation does not accommodate for a large perfectly themed and decorated room to call a nursery. But you do not always need an entire room to create the atmosphere you desire.
“From seriously stylish nurseries built into tiny closets to creative ways for fitting three kids in one (small) room, here are 15 baby and kids’ rooms carved into unconventional spaces. It’s amazing what a can of paint and a little creativity can do.” [See ideas here.]
TODDLERS
Bad Habits to Watch for in Toddlers
If you thought the baby era was hard to figure out, just wait for the toddler years. There is a lot of “is this normal?” questioning in their growth, how they sleep or poop, what makes them cry, and more. The trouble with toddlers can often be determining the line between cute and funny and unhealthy development or bad habits forming. When should you be concerned that a certain habit could lead
“Distinguishing between regular childhood misbehavior and acts that could be cause for greater concern is best left to the experts, but parents can help by avoiding any alarmism and keeping a close eye on their children for any unusual or excessive acting out, says Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development.” [Read more here.]
Things That Become Difficult When You Have a Toddler and a Baby Bump
Regardless of whether or not the nine months of pregnancy treat you well or not, your second go-round is going to be harder than the first to some degree. Why? Now, on top of possible morning sickness, peeing constantly, discomfort and sleepless nights, you are also keeping up with another kid!
“I’ve been lucky enough to have two ‘normal’ pregnancies with no complications so far, and for that I am thankful. But, I will not lie, this second pregnancy has been much harder than my first. Maybe it’s because I just blocked out some of the less-glamorous aspects of being pregnant from my memory after the first time, or maybe it’s because I now have an energetic little toddler running around 24/7.”
This article highlights the things that become difficult to do with your toddler once pregnant. Some things never become easy again even after the pregnancy, because you’ll be balancing time between a toddler and a newborn. [Read more here.]
