M+A Edit

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...

There are two kinds of expectant parents: The ones who can't wait to learn the sex of their baby, and the ones who are equally curious...but choose to wait until delivery day to learn the big news. Of course, the line isn't always so clearly drawn: Maybe you're dying to know if it's a little boy or a girl, but your partner would love it to be a big surprise (or vice versa!). Maybe you're tempted to rip into that envelope you receive post-anatomy scan...but are also contemplating just letting...

Welcome to Mom’s the Word! We know you’re busy, so we’ve distilled this week’s top headlines in motherhood into this quick recap. Here’s all the news you need to know now: A royal feud? Kiera Knightley penned a powerful essay about the realities of childbirth — and in it, she mentioned Kate Middleton's glamorous postpartum look, which was captured soon after she welcomed her third child. But apparently, the Duchess was 'annoyed' by the mention... According to a new study, the worldwide C-Section rate has almost doubled since 2000. The...

There's really no other way to say it—miscarriages are brutal on every level. They usher in a devastating feeling of loss, but they can also be tough on the body. Pregnancy hormones often continue to float around the body after the pregnancy ends, which can mess with your mood. And in some cases, that hormonal shift may even trigger postpartum depression (PPD). We turned to Erica Hornthal, a Chicago-based clinical counselor, who weighed in on the ways PPD can present itself after a miscarriage and treatment options for those suffering....

Heading to Boston with your littles in tow? If so, you're in the right place. Jessica Klein, the lovely face behind Oh I Design, knows a thing or two about family-friendly activities and attractions around town...and she was kind enough to walk us through some of our favorites.Jessica is definitely qualified to speak to the mom-friendly vibe of the city: The Boston native and her daughter, Evie, are regularly out and about (need proof? Look no further than Jessica's Instagram feed) — and soon she'll have another addition to tote...

Pregnancy tends to get a bad reputation, and we're not here to sugarcoat it: Carrying a baby can be tough. Some people certainly have it harder than others, but let's not forget: It's a pretty magical experience, despite all its difficulties! Aside from the obvious upside (the beautiful baby in your belly!), there are quite a few things that are enjoyable during pregnancy. It's easy to forget it when you're dealing with a hard day, but it's important to not lose sight of those things...because at the end of the...

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...

Cara Lemieux was, by her own admission, 'the opposite of married' when she got pregnant with her first child. The pregnancy wasn't planned, but she found herself loving her role as a single mom — so much so that she decided to use a sperm donor to conceive a baby boy years later. Now, she's a successful mom of two who even gave a TEDx Talk inspired by her experience as a single mom. We caught up with Cara to hear what solo parenting has really been like, and here's...

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...