Labor: Six Signs You’ll Soon Be There
Just as every pregnancy is different, every delivery is unique. Some women get no clues that labor is around the corner, and then — wham!
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Infant Care
Long before you take your new baby home, you need to think about a crucial issue: Who will take care of her at times when
Preemie Development
Premature babies often start life behind the curve. They are generally smaller than full-term babies, and their bodies may be less developed. From the very
Breastfeeding Benefits
How does breastfeeding help me? No food is more perfect for babies than breast milk. Breast milk contains all the nutrients that a newborn needs
Packing for the Hospital
If you’ve ever packed at the last minute for an important trip, you know that you’re likely to leave behind the one thing you really
Breastfeeding Preparation
Everyone thinks that breastfeeding comes naturally. But for infants born prematurely or who are ill at birth, that often isn’t the case. Some babies, even
Preventing Premature Births
Every year in America, more than 500,000 babies are born too early. They enter the world weeks or even months ahead of schedule, and they’re
Breech Babies
Babies have two basic options at birth: They can come out the hard way, or the really, really hard way. Ninety-seven percent of babies enter
Premature Births on the Rise
If you saw Erinn and Rowan Cuddy a year after they were born, you would never guess they had had a rough start in life.
Circumcision
Male circumcision is perhaps the world’s oldest operation. It’s depicted on ancient Egyptian tombs, and it’s mentioned — commanded, actually — in the book of
Sleep Deprivation and New Parents
New parents are easy to spot: The bloodshot eyes and dazed expressions are an instant tip-off. Although the birth of a child is a joyous
Dad’s Role in the Delivery Room
Have you ever heard your dad talk about the day you were born? He may be able to describe the weather or the big story
Twins and Medical Complications
Looking at most newborn twins squirm contentedly in their cribs, you’d never guess that some were recently in peril. That’s because carrying multiples raises the
Dad’s Role in Home Birth
Josh Kraft and his wife originally planned to have their first baby in a hospital. But as the months went by, the idea seemed less
Birthmarks
Shortly after meeting their new baby, many parents will take a quick look for birthmarks. They may find a mole, a red splotch, or a
Bonding: It’s Not Always Instant
If you find that you’re not immediately overwhelmed with love with your newborn, don’t worry. Like any other emotional relationship, developing a connection with your
Port Wine Stains
Most birthmarks are harmless and easy to ignore. But if your baby is born with a port wine stain, you may want to take quick
Doulas: Delivering a Helping Hand
During 42 hours of painful labor, Julie McNitt of Amherst, New York, had two constant companions: Her husband and a professional labor assistant called a
Month 01 Social Development
In the first month of life, your baby’s social life revolves around you. She’s already familiar with your voice, which she could hear from inside
Depression During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of many changes not only for your body, but also for your mind. Your mood can swing from sunny to dark,