M+A Edit

'Tis the season for good luck, leprechauns and rainbows! We tapped Katie Baumgartner of Make to Celebrate to come up with some festive activities to help your little celebrate St. Paddy's Day—take a look at her colorful suggestions.1. Make Leprechaun BinocularsThis one's super easy to do at home—simply glue or tape two paper rolls together, and use little scissors to make a slit in each one to add a string. Your child can use paint sticks (these Kwik Stix are a teacher favorite because they dry super fast!) to decorate...

You’ve heard it before—maternity and paternity policies in the United States are the pits compared to the rest of the world. But this chart from the Pew Research Center, below, spells out just how far we’re lagging behind other developed countries: Ready to move to Estonia—where parents can expect a year and a half of paid leave? Or how about Japan, Norway, or Austria, where new parents can take a year of paid leave as well? If you need a refresher on US paid leave policy, the gist is that—surprise—we...

The epidural’s more popular than ever for pain relief during delivery (71 percent of all expecting mamas get one!) but what should you know before opting in—or out—of that go-to numbing med? Read on. It’s Ok (And Even Advised) to Get It Early To administer an epidural, doctors insert a tiny tube into your lower back, and you’ve got to sit super still for it. (Yep—hard to do when contractions are coming in fast.) So while you may have planned to tough out contractions for as long as possible before...

Feeling wiped? Mom-of-three Anna Rodney hasn’t slept through the night since 2009—the year she started breastfeeding. (Her youngest, two years old, is still nursing and has yet to stop.) We caught up with the Founder of Chicago Family Doulas for an honest take on what it’s like to nurse a five-year-old (in public, to boot), how nursing on demand impacts her daily life, and why she's still making milk, nine years in. Can you take us through a timeline of your breastfeeding journey? I started breastfeeding in 2009 after my...

Designer, tastemaker, blogger, mom—Wit & Delight founder Kate Arends has had a transformative few years nurturing her St. Paul-based studio and global social following, not to mention two (very adorable) tots at home. We chatted with Arends about everything from designing with cozy corners in mind (she's a fan of Interior Define x Monica + Andy's new line of high-quality kids furniture) to her status as an 'accidental' influencer, and how you can find confidence in your work.How has your design aesthetic evolved now that you have two toddlers running...

Photo credit: Ali Stone for Nurturelife 29-weeks pregnant with lucky #3 (a boy!), Monica + Andy's Director of Events and Brand Experiences Sam Berngard is the perfect mama to kick off our new series on bump style. (She's had a minute to practice!) Sam's maternity formula: a mix of distressed jeans, fun prints, cozy jumpers, and a silk headband to tie it all together—plus a hot pink mani. Check out her week of style inspo (whether you're bumping or not!) ahead. 'Nothing I have on in this pic is maternity,...

We teach our littles how to clap their hands, hold a spoon, and roll a ball—but is there a lesson more monumental than the art of kindness? Sensitivity and empathy can be learned from an early age through actions both big and small, says Barbara Grant, a developmental specialist and Founder of Nudge and Cradle in Washington DC. 'What's most helpful is to be intentional as you talk about, teach, and model these ideas.' (Research shows infants as young as eight-months-old can display precursors to empathy, like showing concern if...

Postpartum doulas—caregivers trained to ‘mother the mother’ after birth— are becoming a popular solution to those frenzied first few weeks with a newborn. Wondering if they’re worth the investment? Read on. Postpartum traditions around the globe tend to be remarkably more mom-friendly than they are in the US—new moms in Latin American culture, for example, spend the first 40 days after birth healing and resting while her female family members feed and bathe her, clean the house, and take care of the child. In the US, moms often feel the...

From its preppy boutiques to vibrant row houses and study-friendly cafes, Georgetown gives off a sophisticated vibe, but this historic neighborhood happens to be super kid friendly—so long as you know the right places to look! We tapped M+A friends Crystal Bowyer, President and CEO of the National Children's Museum, and Hilary Eldridge, Partner at Achilles PR, to show us around their favorite kid-friendly spots.Crystal's PicksCrystal Bowyer and her son Preston, 4-years-old @crystalbowyerPizza Paradiso This place is our son's favorite family fun night. The pizza is great—even to my Chicagoan...

“I tell women that whole ‘you can have it all’ — mmm, nope. Not at the same time — that’s a lie. It’s not always enough to lean in, because that s--- doesn’t work.” Michelle Obama’s super candid take on the work/life struggle during her recent book tour resonated deep with employed mamas across the country—perfect balance is, womp womp, a pipe dream. But as more and more high-achieving women search for mom/job harmony, flexible work schedules seem to be a step in the right direction. Whether it’s the option...