Posts tagged: Ages + Stages

If you're pregnant, you've probably pictured yourself heading home from the hospital, sweet new babe and balloon in tow. So a curveball—like an unexpected (or even expected) stay in the NICU—is enough to shake even the toughest of mamas. Whether it's a preterm birth or health issue that's keeping your little in the hospital longer, know that there's a community of NICU moms who've been in your shoes (and want to give you a hug). We enlisted some of their best advice for new moms going through this tough time....

You've probably heard friends or fellow pregnant women talking about hiring a doula to help them through labor, delivery and early motherhood. But if you're new to all this, you may be asking yourself: What exactly does a doula do? Doulas offer physical, emotional and informational support to couples as they prepare to enter parenthood, says Lindsey Tjernlund of Minnesota-based Hummingbird Doula. Doulas — who are trained and certified through organizations like DONA — are most commonly known for helping out during labor and delivery, but a doula's services aren't...

It takes a village to raise a child. We've all heard the old saying, and it exists for a pretty good reason. Parenting is hard, and we all need some help from time to time, especially in those early days. If you're expecting and live far away from all your family members and in-laws, you're probably (and rightfully) nervous about how you'll make it work. But while parenting away from your family is tough, it's not impossible! Here are a few tips to help make the new mom thing feel...

Whether you're putting it on social media, sending it to family members, keeping it for yourself, or using it on newborn announcement cards, the first picture you take of your baby is incredibly special. And whatever your skill level is, there's really no way this shot won't be amazing. The sheer sentimental value of baby's first photo is pretty powerful, after all. But shooting immediately after you've delivered can be tricky without a game plan in place. Check out these tips to take that first shot to the next level—no...

Whether you do it after a month or a year of nursing, weaning a baby off breastmilk can be tough. The process of transitioning a baby from your own body's milk can be tricky to navigate — practically, physically, hormonally, emotionally and mentally.Every experience will look a little different, but we understand that moms who are about to wean may be looking for some guidance and advice. We turned to lactation consultant Lauren K. Olofsson for some, and here's what she had to say: 'My most important tip to moms...

Fact: Babies are expensive...just ask anyone who has ever looked at stroller prices and experienced serious sticker shock. Budgeting before a new baby's arrival — or, at the very least, reevaluating finances and spending habits — is crucial. But how exactly are you supposed to do that? The trickiest part of planning for the financial aspect of having a baby lies in the unknowns. If you're a first-time parent, it can be especially challenging to determine exactly how much you need to set aside for your new addition, and even...

'I'm so excited to swaddle my baby!' - said no expectant ever. We've all heard about how tricky it can be to master the art of the swaddle...and when you're a sleep-deprived new parent, the last thing you want is to be fumbling around with a blanket and a squirmy baby. But here's a pro tip for all the new and expectant parents out there: Swaddling doesn't have to suck. For one thing, it gets much easier over time, so your day one skills aren't indicative of what you can...

Want to know the truth about parenthood? We're all just figuring it out as we go...especially in the early days. You can read all the books, do all the prep work and lay all the plans, but when you actually bring that baby home? Well, you just might find you're fumbling with the day-to-day of it all. And that's ok (and totally normal)! Parenthood doesn't have to be perfect. And if you find yourself making rookie mistakes in those early days, just take a second, breathe and remind yourself that...

If you're expecting a baby, we can almost guarantee you've heard the following: 'sleep now because soon enough you won't sleep at all!' And chances are, you find this piece of unsolicited advice both scary and...well, not that helpful. But here's something that is helpful: Advice from Kelly Murray, Chicago-based sleep consultant, who was kind enough to answer all our most burning questions about infant sleep. Here's what she had to say! Monica + Andy: What exactly does it mean for an infant to sleep through the night? Is there...

Swaddling: It's one of those life skills that looks easy enough...that is, until you try it. The good news? Like so many things in life (and, let's be honest, parenthood), swaddling a newborn is all about practice— so don't think your baby can't nestle into a good swaddle just because your first few attempts don't go according to plan. The trick to mastering the swaddle is simple: It's all about taking it step-by-step. Because many of us simply see the finished product, it can be tough to grasp the actual...