What happens to your pelvic floor after childbirth—and how to heal it words Gina Mayfield
DEPARTMENTS
CRIB NOTES
9 Doula 101
Considering a birth doula? Here’s what you need to know
13 Baby’s First Allergens
How to safely introduce common allergy foods to your little one
17 Sibling Rivalry & The Baby
Handling a jealous toddler and a new addition
20 Sound Advice / Ask an Expert
Getting baby to sleep through the night
23 By the Numbers / Mother’s Milk 10 facts about nursing, babies & breastmilk
REAL MOMS
25 Mom Next Door / Jenny Anchondo
Inside DFW host shares her long journey to becoming a mom of two
28 Briefs / Inside Mom Life
Our Mom Next Door’s must-haves and do’s
BABY STEPS
35 Child’s Play
23 Fun places to hang out with your baby & toddler
RESOURCES
46 Good to Know
Free resources for every new parent in DFW to have on hand
COLUMNS
6 First Words / Just a Phase
Nothing lasts forever—both a relief and a heartbreak when it comes to babies
➽ ABOVE // After childbirth, a healthy pelvic floor is vital for recovery and can help to prevent a myriad of issues.
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Just a Phase
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NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.
As a parent, this fact of life can feel both reassuring and crushing.
Those swollen feet and pregnancy pains will indeed subside. Eventually, your baby won’t need to be held every second of the day. And before you know it, that toddler won’t have a meltdown every time you leave the house. It’s just a phase and it will pass—what a relief.
But one day you might miss those kicks and wiggles, and think back wistfully to when that piece of your heart was still safe inside. One day you might long for the time when your little one was so tiny they fit right on your chest, or the days when you could calm their tears with a just song and a kiss. After all, it’s just a phase and it will pass—what a heartache.
In parenthood, the seasons are always changing, and especially quickly in these earliest years. Some mornings you’ll lift them out of their crib and swear they grew overnight. You’ll marvel at their first wobbly steps, then turn around and see them running at full speed. And so that’s why we publish this annual issue devoted to the first precious years—to help you make the most of a season that can somehow feel so long yet so fleeting. From birth to babyhood and the tricky toddler stage, this issue is packed with expert advice to guide you through this wonderful, wrenching, tiring, magical time.
So if right now you’re in the thick of diapers and messes and temper tantrums, remember, it’s just a phase. But so too is that baby bliss, so soak in the smell of their fuzzy head, and those sloppy, wet kisses.
After all, nothing lasts forever. And with a baby, that’s both a relief and a heartbreak.
Considering a birth doula? Here’s what you need to know
AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER + RACHAEL LINDLEY
OU CAN RESEARCH ALL YOUR OPTIONS and write out a detailed birth plan, but having a baby doesn’t always go as planned. Just ask Lainey Bries, a Grand Prairie mom who envisioned giving birth to her first child at home but ended up delivering in the hospital via emergency C-section.
The experience left her even more assured of her decision to use a birth doula, whom she calls “invaluable” during her pregnancy, labor and delivery. “Overall, they were just a very calm and supportive presence in a time that was not calm or peaceful,” she says.
Research shows that, like Bries, women who use a doula during childbirth often report a higher level of satisfaction with their birth experience compared to those who did not. Doula support is also linked to reduced C-sections and length of labor and increased breastfeeding success.
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So is a doula right for you? Here we dive into what you need to know before hiring one for your birth.
WHAT IS A DOULA?
A doula is a trained professional who provides support during pregnancy and childbirth, and sometimes during the postpartum period. They are meant to bring peace of mind to both the person giving birth and their partner without agenda or bias.
“Ultimately, a doula is a support person,” explains Lakin Vaughn, a birth doula and occupational therapist at Genesis PT & Wellness in Fort Worth. “We provide not only physical support, but mental, emotional and spiritual support during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum.”
Unlike a midwife or obstetrician, a doula is not a medical professional, but more of an advocate who works alongside doctors, midwives and nurses to make certain the wishes and birth plan of the mother are respected. “A doula does not do anything clinical whatsoever,” explains Bianke Prozesky, a doula and childbirth educator who owns The Birthing B, based in Richardson. “The support we provide is emotional, physical and informational. Imagine having a best friend with you at your birth doing everything they can to make it a great experience for you.”
If you opt to have a doula at your birth, you’ll discuss with them beforehand the kind of labor and delivery experience you envision. What kind of pain management do you want? How about birthing positions? A doula can help advocate for your wishes while you’re in labor.
They can also offer support when things don’t go as planned, and act as a liaison between you and the medical professionals. When Michelle Borunda, of Fort Worth, was induced and didn’t tolerate the medication well, she didn’t feel especially supported by the medical staff. “When my doula arrived, she helped us understand the timing and meaning behind everything. It felt like having an insider that helps guide you,” she says. Typically, the support begins well before labor day. Bries’ doula taught a private birthing class in the weeks leading up to birth and met Bries and her wife at the obstetric emergency room to provide support through some health concerns.
WHAT’S THE COST?
DOULA VS. MIDWIFE
Doulas and midwives are sometimes confused because they’re different from obstetricians and often associated with more holistic childbirth, but the two are very different. Midwives are licensed medical professionals who can provide prenatal care, medical support during pregnancy and labor and can deliver babies. Doulas, on the other hand, can’t deliver babies and cannot perform medical interventions.
The goal is that you feel prepared and empowered. “We provide help with pain management, education on all your options, overall knowledge of the labor process, helping with positioning to help labor progress, encouragement, advocating and empowering parents to achieve better birth outcomes and satisfaction,” says Vaughn. “I think that truly all women can benefit from a birth doula. I especially think they can be helpful for firsttime moms who haven’t navigated pregnancy or labor before. And speaking from my own experience, I think they can be helpful if your prior birth experience wasn’t what you’d hoped for.”
WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES A DOULA HAVE?
The state of Texas does not license, certify or regulate doulas, however many doulas choose to become certified for business purposes or to offer clients peace of mind. There are many different doula certification programs, each with their own requirements. Programs typically include classes, workshops and coursework in childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding. In some programs, students must attend a certain number of births or shadow a more experienced doula before completion.
Some of the most recognized doula certification programs include DONA International, International Childbirth Education Association, Childbirth International, Bebo
The cost a doula can vary widely depending on their experience, location and the services you choose. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, on average. Because they are not medical professionals, in most cases doulas are not covered by insurance, however some may accept HSA or FSA.
Many offer various packages including specific services during prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartum phases to make the pricing more palatable.
Mia, and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA).
HOW TO PICK A DOULA
If you think hiring a doula may be right for your birth, take your time to research and interview several to make sure you find the person who fits your needs, wants and personality.
“It’s important to meet and talk with a doula before moving forward to make sure you jive well and communicate effectively and ultimately feel comfortable with and supported by them,” says Vaughn. “It’s vital for you and your partner to feel comfortable and heard.”
Some questions you might want to ask include:
• The doula’s certification and experience; how many births have they attended?
• Their philosophy when it comes to childbirth—are they holistic or more medically based? Are they supportive of medicated and unmedicated births?
• Would they be open to supporting a cesarean birth?
• Do they only work at a certain location, hospital or birthing center?
• How many clients do they take on a month?
• What is included? Some packages include prenatal visits and support, birth support, and postpartum support.
Also consider if they specialize in other areas that could be helpful as you navigate pregnancy, birth and postpartum. For example, Vaughn says, “Someone who knows the pelvic floor and does body work can be especially helpful when prepping for birth and during labor for things like positioning and breathing.”
WHAT IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA?
Doula support doesn’t have to end at childbirth. Postpartum doulas are trained to offer physical, emotional and practical support to families following the birth of a baby. They can assist with the postpartum healing process, education on newborn care, lactation, recognition of postpartum depression, even meal prep and some house cleaning tasks.
“Our doula offered aftercare, and it was an invaluable experience,” says Borunda. “She taught me and my husband how exactly to take care of my postpartum body. From diapers to how much activity to take on in order to heal correctly.”
Some postpartum doulas can be contracted to take care of the baby at night so the parents can get much needed rest.
Birth and postpartum doulas have different training since postpartum doulas are knowledgeable in infant care. But there are many doulas who are trained in both.
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How to safely introduce common allergy foods to your little one
WORDS JENNIFER CASSEDAY-BLAIR
HERE ARE MANY FIRSTS PARENTS look forward to in the lives of their babies—those precious milestones like rolling over, their first tooth or learning to crawl and walk. But when it’s time to introduce potential food allergens for the first time, it’s easy to worry. Which foods should you start with and at what age? What are the signs of an allergy, and is my baby at a greater risk?
For many years, experts thought the best way to prevent serious food allergies like a peanut allergy was to avoid those products in the first years of life, but that’s no longer the case. In fact, studies show that introducing common allergens like peanuts, dairy, eggs and even fish early on actually lowers the chances of your baby developing food allergies, and waiting too long could increase their risk.
To help you navigate this process, we’ve teamed up with pediatric allergists and a certified nutritionist to give you expert tips and handy advice, making this journey as safe as possible.
crib notes / BABY
FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE
As many as 1 in 13 children has food allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There’s an upward trend, with a staggering 50% rise in childhood food allergies from 1997 to 2011, followed by another 50% surge from 2007 to 2021. Shockingly, the number of children with peanut or tree nut allergies has more than tripled between 1997 and 2008. Any food can potentially trigger an allergy, but these are the nine most common culprits:
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Sesame
• Fish
• Shellfish
WHY SOME BABIES ARE MORE AT RISK
Some children are more susceptible to allergic conditions. This genetic predisposition, known as atopy, significantly raises the likelihood of developing allergies. Dr. Drew Bird is the director of the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Health in Dallas and a professor and interim Chief of Allergy and Immunology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He says, “A child may be at a higher risk if there is a family history of allergies or if eczema develops in the first few months of life.”
The National Institutes of Health reports that just 12% of kids whose parents don’t have allergies will develop allergies themselves. However, if one parent has allergies, the risk jumps to 30–50%. With both parents affected,
it skyrockets to 60–80%. Birth order may play a role too. Being a second child or later, and having siblings, can slightly lower the risk of atopic dermatitis and food allergies.
Previously it was believed that pregnant women could shield their babies from developing allergies by avoiding certain foods, but nothing has been proven that steering clear of highly allergenic foods during pregnancy will reduce the risk of allergies in babies.
INTRODUCING COMMON ALLERGENS TO BABY
Bird wants parents to know that the main factor in food allergy prevention is diversifying baby’s diet early in life, making sure to include common allergens like egg and peanut between 4 and 6 months of age. “I suggest feeding an infant a safe form of peanut at least three times a week with a goal of six grams of peanut protein per week. Because peanut butter is sticky, dilute it with water or breastmilk for a soupy consistency. You can also take a hard-boiled egg, mash up the egg white and feed it to infants. Just make sure the foods are prepared so that there are no choking hazards,” Bird says.
If your baby has severe eczema, the advice may differ. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents of babies with persistent eczema that requires frequent prescription creams talk to their doctor about when and how to introduce peanuts. They may recommend testing first or having that first taste in a doctor’s office. There is no testing needed for babies with mild to moderate eczema.
Once solid foods are introduced, gradually add common allergens like dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish
after less allergenic foods are tolerated. Wait a few days between introducing new foods to monitor reactions accurately. Other helpful tips allergists recommend include:
• Make sure your infant is ready for solid foods. This will let you know the difference between an allergic reaction and a developmental problem.
• Don’t feed your baby a new allergen if they are sick because some symptoms of illness could mask their reaction.
• Give your baby only a small amount of the new food to minimize a potential reaction. Then you can slowly work up to larger servings.
• Choose single-ingredient foods as opposed to multiingredient options. This will help you pinpoint specific potential allergies.
• Keep an eye on your infant for at least two hours after feeding, as this is usually when allergic reactions occur.
• Introduce highly allergenic foods in the morning instead of the evening. This will allow plenty of time to keep watch for symptoms.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
Babies with allergies may experience a broad range of symptoms from itchy eyes and skin to life-threatening anaphylaxis. These can occur within minutes to an hour after they are exposed. Registered and licensed dietitian at Dallas Dietitian Nutritionist, Fatima Tai, says, “Anaphylaxis presents itself when a child can’t breathe, is wheezing or choking, and has hives and itching. It requires immediate medical attention, such as the use of an epinephrine pen.” Additional allergic reactions can include GI tract issues such as diarrhea or vomiting, nasal stuffiness, swollen eyes, lips, mouth, or throat, and dizziness.
Tai emphasizes the importance of parents understanding the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance.
“Food allergy is when your body does not accept the food and has a reaction that can cause itching and wheezing; food allergies can be life threatening as the body is rejecting that food. Food intolerance is milder and may only cause gut issues like bloating or cramping. Food intolerance is less severe,” Tai says.
To diagnose an allergy, your baby’s doctor may test the skin or blood, but sometimes a chal lenge test is needed. Supervised by an allergist, this test involves giving a minute amount of the allergen. Unlike skin or blood tests, which only show the likeli hood of a reaction, a challenge test can determine the severity of your baby’s allergy.
IF BABY IF ALLERGIC
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Dr. Nana Mireku is a pediatric allergist at TexasAllergyMD and the mother of two kids with food allergies. She says, “Keep allergic food on top shelves with red warning labels. When you are cooking, have separate utensils to prevent cross contamination. Have multiple sets of epinephrine auto-injectors on hand at home, in the car, and at school in case of an emergency. It’s also important to check to make sure the medicine hasn’t expired.”
Today, parents have more choices for how to help their babies fight allergens. Mireku says, “Avoidance is a legitimate treatment option, but I’d like to create awareness about two other treatments: Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Food Sublingual Immunotherapy (food allergy drops). These two treatments are my favorite as we are literally modifying the immune system so that these food allergic individuals can tolerate more of their allergic food. With OIT the goal is to be able to ingest the allergic food.”
There’s a silver lining for parents of children with allergies. Mireku says, “With certain allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, typically only 20% will ever outgrow these. The question most parents have is when. As for milk, egg, wheat, and soy allergies, 80% of children will outgrow them over time.”
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Sibling Rivalry & The Baby I
’VE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY ADULTS who have good relationships with their siblings. Did their parents do something special? Are they just compatible in a way my brother and I never were? Sibling rivalry worried me so much that when my husband and I decided to have kids, we planned to have three. That way if two of them didn’t get along, they would have at least one other option.
One night at bedtime, I was reading to my second daughter as she leaned into my pregnant belly. The baby kicked in response. Alice cut my belly a side eye, and then promptly jabbed it with an elbow. My heart sank. It’s beginning and she’s not here yet!
IT STARTS EARLY
“Sibling rivalry can begin before the younger sibling is even born,” says Sara Loftin, clinical therapist at Children’s Health in Dallas. Older siblings can “start to see those resources and that affection diminish. They think there’s just a set amount and that they need to claim whatever they can, even if they don’t consciously understand that.”
Especially at the toddler stage, the ego reigns supreme. Everything that comes between them and what they want is expendable—siblings included. But, Loftin says, even though it can be troubling to parents, it’s a natural response. “We definitely don’t need to pathologize the jealousy
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“SIBLING RIVALRY CAN BEGIN BEFORE THE YOUNGER SIBLING IS EVEN BORN.”
that all children have. It’s normal for them to feel jealous when there’s a new baby.”
Another way this anxiety can come out is with behavior regressions in sleep, thumb sucking, tantrums, or potty training even if they don’t have any other outward signs of jealousy toward the new addition. Smaller kids may become clingier. Older kids may act out at school or start overachieving to get more attention. Regressions can be extremely frustrating for parents, who might feel they did all this work and now it’s undone. The important thing to know is that they aren’t doing it on purpose, says Loftin. “I always say that behind every behavior is a need or feeling that needs to be expressed. And so what are they trying to communicate through this behavior?”
WHAT MAKES KIDS COMPETE?
When I asked Loftin if it was family structure or personality that caused sibling rivalry, she laughed and said, “Yes.” The amount of jealousy or competitiveness siblings feel toward one another can vary depending on whether the children are close in age, the same gender, whether the parents were competitive themselves, how rules are enforced in the home, and many other factors. “If the family tends toward individualism instead of valuing community, then family members, including children, can be more competitive, which of course we know leads to sibling rivalry,” Loftin says.
Research shows that boys as a whole are more competitive, and families with all girls or all boys are more competitive than families with a mix. Children spaced closer than four years apart may fight more. Some kids just get along better because they share personality traits or interests. It’s safe to say there are just as many reasons for any sibling set to shun each other as to like each other. So how can parents influence their relationship for good?
GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START
It all starts with communication and being understanding of the behavioral changes in your children that come with an addition to the family, says Anastasia Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker and founder and CEO at EmpathyHQ in North Richland Hills. “If we think about the fact that we as adults have all of this nervousness [with a new baby], kids are feeling that and much more, and they don’t have the words to be able to express that or the rational ability to work through or talk through those things.” She says nailing down a routine before the baby arrives that includes one-on-one time with the big brother or sister-to-be can help
them feel secure. This can be a special time together that you plan, or just making sure to swap nights doing bedtime with your partner regularly.
Talking about the new baby, the changes that will happen, what they can expect and how life will change can help ease the transition—and feelings of competitiveness. Explain they have a new role and what it might look like to a big brother or sister. Find little ways they can get involved in preparing for the upcoming changes.
Angie Bouley Nichols, a Mid-Cities mom of two, involved her older son in calling friends and family to give them the big news. “I let him call everyone and tell them he was going to be a big brother. He opened every single present at the baby shower and oohed and aahed over every little pink thing that came out. We read books to the baby in my belly and kept reading to her after she came like it was his big-brother job.”
Plano mom Angela Alloju gave her son extra space to meet his new sibling. “When I got home from the hospital, we also made sure that no one was holding the baby (he was asleep in his carrier) when our son first approached him and met him. We were told it’s better if you’re not holding the baby … so there’s no immediate sense of envy or threat to the older child’s existing bonds.” Letting the sibling hold the baby can also help them bond, says Loftin. “Baby actually releases pheromones that promote love and connection to whoever is holding the baby.”
Merlyn Romero, a North Dallas mom, says she involved her daughter in the experience as much as she could. “I bought her fake babies. Introduced her to baby cousins. Talked to her constantly about her being a big sister. Showed her videos of babies, took her to a few appointments to hear the baby’s heartbeat. She was ecstatic to see her sister come home.”
This bonding time before the baby comes can be crucial in laying a good foundation. “The most important thing is to foster an individual and positive relationship with each child. A lot of parenting books discuss research saying that children who have positive relationships with their parents have more positive relationships with each other and that your relationship with your child will act as a guide for them in all of their future relationships, including their siblings,” says Loftin.
FOSTERING THE CONNECTION
As kids grow older, parents can help reduce rivalry by being less involved in squabbles and tattling. “Teach your children negotiation skills
like sharing, trading, sweetening the deal and problem-solving. If a child is telling on the other one, see what is behind that and reflect on their experience, but don’t take sides. If there is a child who perceives that they’ve won or lost, that will only drive sibling rivalry,” says Loftin. “A lot of times they’ll even come up with a solution that we as parents haven’t even considered.” (Yep, yelling, “Work it out!” from the other room is a therapist-approved strategy for bringing your kids closer.)
PLENTY OF LOVE
As parents, our love only multiplies with each new addition to the family, but how many of us, upon learning we were expecting a second child, couldn’t comprehend how we would ever love another child as much as our first? Loftin has a great exercise to illustrate this to even small children. Light a candle and explain that this represents the love you have for your child. Then light another candle from that one to show how that love can grow and double, but that first flame still shines just as bright.
4 WAYS TO MINIMIZE SIBLING RIVALRY
1. Spend time independently with each child
2. Don’t try to make everything equal
3. Don’t make comparisons
4. Give unsolicited, childspecific praise
Finally, give your family some grace through the adjustment, says Taylor. The adjustment from one child to two can be just as hard as zero to one as we figure out how to prioritize two things that we could never choose between. The night I brought my second baby home from the hospital, my oldest walked into the house and threw up in the entry hall as the newborn wailed. I looked at them both and started crying, “I can’t do this!” That’s a natural response, says Taylor. “Sometimes we place these unrealistic expectations that we’re going to instantly know both of our children’s every want and need. And we’re balancing that older kiddo, and we have our hormones out of whack and we may be exhausted and not sleeping or eating our best. At the end of the day, it’s just having some grace and just trying different approaches to see what you can incorporate into your life as these things come up.”
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Q: “How do I get my baby to sleep through the night?” —Lauren, Dallas
A: New parents are often asked, “Is the baby sleeping through the night yet?” The crazy thing is that none of us sleep through the night! We wake up, go through multiple cycles, crest at the top of a sleep cycle and put ourselves back to sleep without even realizing it. So, I would pose this question: How do we build and maintain a solid sleep hygiene routine and sleep foundation?
No matter our child’s age, the most underutilized tool is sleep environment. Here are the optimal elements for a sleepconducive environment: Cool temperature. Have a temperature of 68–72 degrees. Dark room. Absence of light cues our body for sleep.
Sound machine and colored night lights. Use a sound machine to help replicate the womb and soften outside sounds. If older kids need a night light, or for night feedings for babies, utilize a red or orange night-light or feeding light, as those hues promote melatonin production.
Separate sleep space. Babies should use a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet until they outgrow it; a playard (such as the well-known Graco Pack ’n Play) and then a bed can be used for older kids. Swaddle or sleep sack. A swaddle will soften the Moro reflex (the startle reflex) Transition to a sleep sack when your baby starts to roll. No electronics. The blue light from these devices inhibits melatonin production.
For newborns, circadian sleep rhythms are highly immature and focus on sorting out day and night confusion. To help this process, keep the lights on and use a regular tone of voice during your baby’s awake time. When it is sleep time, bring down your voice, lower the lights and keep the house more quiet.
For guidance on when to lay your baby down, utilize age-appropriate wake windows (the period between when they wake until the next nap) in conjunction with sleep cues (such as yawning, staring into space, rubbing eyes). Newborns can handle 45–60 minutes of wake time before getting overtired, something that makes it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep longer. So, when your baby gets proper rest during the day, they’ll actually sleep better at night.
As we reach 6–8 weeks, babies can start to follow simple cues, which means it’s time to start consistently implementing a brief sleep routine. The routine could go something like this: sound machine, light on low, diaper change, swaddle, lights out, rock, and lay baby down drowsy but still aware. Sometimes your baby will go to sleep easily, and other times they will need more parental assistance (rocking, shush patting, etc.) to fall asleep.
You will notice bedtime moving earlier as your child gets closer to 4 months, which is also when circadian sleep rhythms are mature. At that point, or when you and your baby are ready to do parentalled sleep teaching, utilize your chosen sleep-teaching method. The method you choose is completely up to you. With families I work with, I go over different options based off age, what fits their family and the child’s personality and where the child is at from a sleep perspective.
Sleep will change as babies grow and develop. A solid sleep environment, sleep routine and age-appropriate schedule will help you through every stage. If you are running into a wall on the sleep front, I encourage you to reach out to a sleep consultant or specialist.
Have a parenting question you’d like our experts to answer? Message us on Instagram @dfwchildmag or email editorial@dfwchild.com
THE
1 TEASPOON
The amount of milk baby gets during each breastfeeding attempt during the first day; this increases on the second and third days and beyond
50
The number of states (along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) that have laws allowing people to breastfeed in public or private locations
84%
Of infants born in Texas are initially breastfed, slightly higher than the national average of 83%. The rate drops to 54% and 34% at 6 and 12 months, respectively
Mother’s Milk
10 facts about nursing, babies & breastmilk
IF NURSING (OR PUMPING FOR) YOUR LITTLE ONE has ever felt like a full-time job, you’re not wrong. Just take a look below at the hours a mom typically spends breastfeeding over the course of one year—it’s comparable to a 40-hour work week. But all that hard work comes with great benefits for you and baby. Take a look here to see some reasons why.
Breastfeeding not for you? We celebrate you too—after all, a fed baby is a happy baby.
4.3%
A woman’s decreased risk for breast cancer for every year of breastfeeding
Women who breastfeed for more than 12 months are about 10% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease
6 MONTHS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS RECOMMEND EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING INFANTS FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, WITH CONTINUED BREASTFEEDING UNTIL AGE 2 OR BEYOND
8 TO 12
The number of times a newborn will typically nurse in 24 hours
1,800
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS ) by up to
64%
170
The approximate calories in one cup of breastmilk
real moms.
TITLE
Host of Inside DFW on CW33 & No Gifts (Please) podcast LIVES IN Dallas
HAILS FROM Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
AGE 41
ALMA MATER
Studied journalism at University of Idaho
SPOUSE Heath Oakes
CHILDREN
Daughters Brighton, 7, Gemma, 8 months
WHERE TO CONNECT Instagram @jennyanchondo RÉSUMÉ
“We felt like she was meant to be a sibling,” Anchondo says of her older daughter, Brighton, and her journey to have her second, Gemma.
Southlake: 1360 North Kimball Ave Suite 100, Southlake, TX 76092
McKinney/Prosper: 1400 North Coit Rd Suite 405, McKinney, TX 75071
JENNY ANCHONDO IS STILL settling into life as a mom of two. The birth of her second daughter, Gemma, earlier this year wasn’t just the start of a new chapter, it marked the end of a painful period of loss and loneliness as she waded through infertility.
“I think I’m still coming out of it,” Anchondo says of the time and tears it took to complete her family. “I am a completely different person. I aged decades over the course of this fertility journey.”
And Anchondo, host of CW33’s Inside DFW and the podcast, No Gifts (Please), is an open book when it comes to that journey. It’s her duty, she says, to be honest and real. “What’s the point of being a known person if I’m only going to share something like my baby must-haves? she says. “I want to get to the meat of life.” And in this interview, she does.
HOW IS THE TRANSITION GOING FROM ONE KID TO TWO?
Everybody always says two is so much harder than one but I don’t think I prepared for that because we struggled for so long to have our second. I’ll be honest, it’s difficult.
that happened a little bit later for me. But once we had Brighton everything changed. I am in love with this role, I am in love with this title.
YOU HAD AN EASY TIME GETTING PREGNANT WITH BRIGHTON. BUT THEN WHEN YOU DECIDED TO TRY FOR A SECOND, THINGS WERE MUCH DIFFERENT?
where there are twoing them, how do you do it, who makes dinner, how do you grocery shop? Because each week something big falls through the cracks. I feel like, yes, I’m nailing it, I’ve got a nutritious dinner on the table 6 o’clock every night, but then I’ll completely forget about a parent thing I’m supposed to go to for school. Or I’m at all the school stuff, and then all of a sudden we're supposed to be starting first foods and our baby’s older than 6 months and hasn’t even tried anything. I’m still figuring it out.
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DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A MOM?
Actually, I really didn’t. I didn’t not want to be a mom, but I wasn’t somebody who played with babies and was this nurturer who everybody said, ‘Oh, Jenny, when are you going to be a mom?’ And I was a little embarrassed about that as a young woman, that I didn’t have this innate maternal instinct, mostly because I was very career focused. I was moving around a lot for my career, and I didn’t think that was good for a child, to be upended and moving all the time. I hadn’t met somebody I was interested in spending that rest of my life with. All of
I look back and cringe about how we were like, ‘Yeah, we just got married and had a baby, no big deal!’ Now I realize how hurtful that can be, but ignorance is bliss. I just thought if you were healthy, you could have a baby. I didn’t realize it was a process you could age out of. So when Brighton was about 2 ½ we said, ‘OK, let’s do it again!’ And I got pregnant, and I lost that baby at three/ four months. And then I got pregnant again, and lost that baby at three months as well. Then we were starting IVF, and I got pregnant again. It wasn’t an IVF baby, I just naturally got pregnant, so of course I thought, 'Wow, this is really meant to be'—we were starting IVF and we just naturally got pregnant on our own. And then I lost that baby too.
WHAT WERE THOSE YEARS LIKE FOR YOU?
It was very lonely because it’s not something that people talk about much. And also, I was working in a profession that’s not extremely family-friendly. To go back to work after having a miscarriage, especially when you’re getting past that third month, it’s like a birth. It’s a very deep process that changed me completely. Lonely, isolating, tough on a marriage, tough on relationships. You’re in a phase where you’re like, can I relate to other people? Is everyone living this great life and I’m here? Which of course isn’t the case, everyone has something, but it still felt so isolating.
THEN YOU STARTED IVF?
I actually started the first full IVF round on my 40th birthday. I was on a girl’s trip, and I remember thinking again, 'Wow, this is meant to be.' We pulled in all our resources to pay for it, did all the hormones, all the appointments, all the shots. Then we did the retrieval—they had gotten 14 eggs and many of them fertilized. And I’ll never forget getting the call that none of them were viable.
I WOULDN’T SAY MOTHERHOOD HAS TEMPERED MY GOALS, BUT IT’S SOFTENED THE EDGES OF THEM A LITTLE BIT.
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING. WHAT KEPT YOU GOING?
It was a complete gut punch. You’re like, how am I going to put one foot in front of the other? I think if I hadn’t already been a parent and known the gift of parenthood, I don’t know if I would have been able to keep going.
My husband and I went back and forth. We were like, do we do this again? Is it financially feasible to do this again? Does it make sense at my age? But ultimately, I was like we are going to do this again.
I interviewed every clinic in all of Dallas and then a few out of state. I just went kind of nuts on it, I made it my complete mission. My every waking moment outside of family and work was spent on researching. So we did the whole thing again—the medication, the priming, the shots, the treatment, the making of the embryos. We made three embryos, and one was genetically normal. And that was Gemma.
AFTER GOING THROUGH SO MUCH, HAVING GEMMA MUST HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN YOUR FIRST?
Totally. I still look over her crib and put my hand in front of her face to see if she’s breathing. I don’t think that’s uncommon, but I didn’t do that with
Brighton. I just had this buoyant view of it, but now I’m forever changed.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO SEE BRIGHTON AS A BIG SISTER?
It is the biggest joy of my life. It’s the best thing that has happened to me to see that relationship. She’s obsessed; she’s always been very maternal with her babydolls, she loves on them, speaks to them, and she does the same thing for Gemma.
She will also school me. ‘Mom, I don’t think you put her diaper on right,’ or ‘Mom, I think she needs you to pick her up.’ She is truly Gemma’s advocate. She doesn’t want Gemma to have to eat any vegetables, she doesn’t want her to have to go to bed on time (laughs). The two of them are going to be so tight.
WHAT’S BEEN MOST UNEXPECTED WHEN IT COMES TO MOTHERHOOD?
My total, untethered obses sion with my family. It is truly shocking to me. I miss them so much every day, deeply. I have always considered myself a career woman, a mover and a shaker. And I wouldn’t say motherhood has tempered my goals, but it’s softened the edges of them a little bit.
And my willingness to give up so many things to just lay on the ground with a baby spitting up on me or a toddler braiding my hair and putting makeup on me. Just feeling so fulfilled by that.
Board Certified obstetricians/gynecologists providing the highest quality of care
601 S. Main St. #101 Grapevine, TX 76051 817-416-7774 littleorangefishkids.com
Kelli Culpepper, MD, FACOG; Camille A Clark, MD, FACOG & Quynh Chi Dinh, MD, FACOG
Inside Mom Life
Jenny Anchondo shares her must-haves and do’s as a mom of two
INTERVIEW AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
1
TALKING PARENTING
Anchondo hosts a parenting podcast called No Gifts (Please) with her friend and fellow Emmy Award winning TV journalist Steve Noviello. Their unscripted look at life with kids is often inspired by what’s happening in real life. “It’s kind of selfish,” she jokes. “We interview these experts about all the things that are going on with our kids. When we were trying to come up with a good sleep schedule for Gemma I was like, ‘We need to interview a sleep specialist!’ And there I was taking notes.” New episodes launch on Tuesdays.
DANCE, BABY
Anchondo gets in a workout with Gemma in tow at Barre&Baby at The Dallas Conservatory. “The mom gets to do a dance class while you babywear, then woven throughout they do scarves with the babies, stretches, mobility. It’s really cute!”
2
The Dallas Conservatory // 7979 Inwood Rd., Suite 201, Dallas, 214/357-8888; thedallasconservatory.org
3
SWEET DREAMS
No doubt you’ve heard of the SNOO, a smart bassinet that responds to baby’s cries with white noise and motion. It has a cult-like following and hefty price tag. But is it really worth the hype? Anchondo says yes. “I think it saved our marriage,” she laughs.
And Anchondo notes that you don’t have to break the bank to buy one. She suggests renting one to make sure it’s right for your little one, and then shop for a used one (or certified pre-loved) if it’s tough on your wallet.
When she’s out on a shoot or interviewing a guest, Anchondo swears by the MomMed Wearable Breast Pump. “If I could shout it from the rooftops I would. You just pop it on, and one charge lasts the whole day. I would not have made it pumping this long without it.”
MomMed S21 Double Wearable Breast Pump // mommed.com; $119
5
MOMMY & ME
For some special BrightonMommy time, the pair loves a date at the American Girl Doll Café, where the food and coffee options appeal to a grown-up palate. Anchondo recommends the caprese salad. American Girl // 8052 Park Ln. N., Dallas, 877/247-5223; americangirl.com
Infant Ear Molding
+ Non-surgical ear molding corrects misshapen newborn ears + Painless and anesthesia free + No scarring and no incisions required + Treatment is covered by most insurance plans
Just what is your pelvic floor and how is it impacted by pregnancy? Here’s what you need to know—beyond Kegels
WORDS GINA MAYFIELD
DO
you often find yourself booking it to the Target restroom, hoping you’ll get there in time? Do you avoid a group exercise class you once loved for fear of a leak? Or, on a more serious note, are you experiencing marital problems rooted in a sex life that has become too painful to bear?
If you’ve had a baby, chances are you’re familiar with at least one of these symptoms. The National Institutes of Health recently reported that up to half of women in the U.S. experience pelvic floor disorders, but many of us moms don’t make caring for ourselves a priority until an issue seriously impacts our quality of life.
Many women just chalk up those things to the price of childbirth or simple aging, but it turns out there’s a lot you can do proactively to improve your health in this area. Beyond helping you control your bladder and bowels, strengthening your pelvic floor can help improve your sex life and even the intensity of your orgasms. (Yes, really!)
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PELVIC FLOOR?
The muscles and connective tissues that make up your pelvic floor hold your bladder, rectum and uterus in place, with openings for the urethra, vagina and anus. “We often describe the pelvic floor as a group of muscles that form a hammock at the base of your pelvis,” says Dr. Mira Pearce, a doctor of physical therapy at the Center of Pelvic Excellence (COPE) Physical Therapy & Wellness in Dallas and McKinney.
Those muscles work with other core muscles such as your abdomen, back and diaphragm as you do things like lift a child, or even cough or laugh—without doing things you don’t want to do, like leaking. “A healthy pelvic floor is crucial for controlling bladder and bowel functions, sexual health and providing core stability,” Pearce says. “When the pelvic floor is strong and functional, it contributes significantly to your overall well-being and quality of life.”
Those muscles should be powerful enough to stabilize your core, but flexible enough to relax. A healthy pelvic floor allows you to squeeze and control the passages that prevent waste from escaping your body, or to relax those same muscles to allow you to pee, poop or pass gas only when you choose to. Plus, they help with blood flow and vaginal contractions during sex, orgasm and even during a vaginal delivery.
WHAT ARE SIGNS OF PELVIC FLOOR ISSUES?
While age, genetics, obesity and even chronic constipation and other health conditions such as diabetes rank among the risk factors for pelvic floor disorders, many women start experiencing symptoms after having a baby,
especially those who had a vaginal delivery. Pregnancy and childbirth can stretch and strain the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes leading to weakness or injury. But after childbirth, a healthy pelvic floor is vital for recovery and can help to prevent a myriad of issues.
“During pregnancy, the pelvic floor undergoes significant stress as it supports the growing baby. A strong pelvic floor can better handle the increased pressure, reducing the risk of incontinence, pelvic pain, and other complications,” Pearce says.
Many new mamas will recognize the telltale signs and symptoms of what’s commonly referred to as incontinence. There’s stress incontinence, which is pee trickling out when you’re laughing with girlfriends, maybe taking a barre class, or while you’re coughing, sneezing or hefting a heavy object or even a child. This is a muscle problem, mostly caused by muscles stretching during pregnancy and labor to the point they’re too weak to close the urethra, the door to your bladder. So anytime there’s pressure on the bladder, urine leaks out.
There’s also urgency incontinence, when you’re not able to make it to the bathroom and feel you need to go frequently, which is a problem with your bladder. There’s also fecal incontinence that causes loss of control when it comes to passing gas or poop, often caused by damage to the anal sphincter muscles or nerves, sometimes caused by a bad tear or injury during childbirth. And in urinary retention, often seen in moms who had a catheter or epidural during delivery, your bladder doesn’t feel the urge to urinate, becomes too full, stretching the nerves, which leads to problems emptying your bladder.
Another condition is known as hypertonic pelvic floor in which the pelvic muscles continuously contract causing painful symptoms including difficulty with peeing, pooping and sexual activity. Pain with
GOTTA GO!
That frequent need to pee while pregnant can sometimes turn into an issue with bladder control. More than a third of pregnant women experience involuntary urine leakage in their second and third trimesters, and about one-third leak in the first three months after giving birth. Here’s more on why urinary incontinence is so common in pregnancy.
Hormonal changes: Pregnancy hormones—particularly an increase in progesterone—cause your joints and ligaments to loosen and relax. This allows your belly to grow, but also loosens the muscles that help you hold in pee.
Growing baby: As that baby—and uterus—grows, it puts pressure on the bladder.
Constipation: A common and unpleasant pregnancy symptom, this can put more pressure on your pelvic floor.
Childbirth: Giving birth, particularly vaginal delivery, stretches the pelvic floor muscles, leading to possible weakening, injury or even prolapse, which can all lead to bladder control issues.
sex is known as dyspareunia and could be caused injured tissues or muscles or even dryness brought on by hormones or breastfeeding. Plus, there are more serious cases such as those involving pelvic organ prolapse, when an organ, such as the uterus, cervix or rectum, in the pelvis slips down into–or even out of–the vagina and causes a bulge.
WHEN TO SEEK A SPECIALIST
For Janine, a mom who lives north of Dallas and preferred to use only her first name, urinary frequency and pain, like what’s associated with a urinary tract infection, led to months of specialists, misdiagnoses and medications. Finally, she sought the care of a women’s health nurse practitioner, Christina Hicks, who specializes in urogynecology at UT Southwestern (UTSW). “She was the first practitioner, after several others, who recommended pelvic floor therapy,” says Janine, who had been suffering with a hypertonic pelvic floor.
Because UTSW is a significant distance from her home, she began to research a local provider and discovered COPE. Hicks helped her choose Dr. Ijeoma Nwankpa, a doctor of physical therapy and the owner and founder of COPE, because she had all of the specializations needed.
“As someone who prides myself on being knowledgeable about women’s health, I’d never heard of a pelvic floor specialist before COPE,” Janine says. There, she learned her condition was quite common and treatable.
So how do you know if you could also benefit from professional help? “Whenever you feel like something is not right, you should seek evaluation,” says Dr. María FloriánRodríguez, a urogynecologist who runs the PETAL program at UTSW in Dallas. PETAL is an acronym for Pelvic Floor Evaluation and Treatment Around Labor and Delivery at the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Clinic.
“The PETAL program is aimed at pregnant and women who are up to one year postpartum
who are experiencing pelvic floor issues, such as urinary incontinence, or just want to learn more about their pelvic floor and what can they do to help prevent issues in the future,” Florián-Rodríguez says, noting that the care is personalized and judgement-free, and new moms often show up with their baby in tow.
But you don’t have to wait until after delivery to work on your pelvic health. Even during pregnancy there are things you can do to protect the pelvic floor. “Stretching and breathing exercises are helpful in learning how to coordinate the diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles to prepare for pushing during delivery. Yoga and perineal massage improve the flexibility of the pelvic floor and can help limit the risk of vaginal tears,” Florián-Rodríguez says.
Then after pregnancy, pelvic floor muscle exercises help with recovery of those muscles and can treat and help prevent the onset of pelvic floor disorders.
Whether or not your condition is rooted in pregnancy, labor and delivery, if you think you need care, you can start with your primary care physician or gynecologist, or a provider such as a urologist, urogynecology or OB-GYN with a certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). The important thing is to find a provider skilled in this particular area.
HEALING THE PELVIC FLOOR
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for pelvic floor disorders. “That may include exercises like Kegels, guided by biofeedback to ensure proper technique. We may also use tools like vaginal pessaries to support the pelvic organs or suggest lifestyle modifications to
KEGEL 101
Developed by gynecologist Arnold Kegel as a nonsurgical way to prevent women from leaking urine, Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor. You can do these exercises discreetly anytime you’re sitting or lying down.
Engage and contract your pelvic floor muscles for about 3 to 5 seconds, then relax. Not sure how? It might help to imagine you’re trying to prevent yourself from passing gas. Make sure you’re breathing freely and not holding your breath, and keeping your other muscles (abdominal, buttocks, legs) relaxed.
Experts suggest repeating the contact/relax cycle a few times to begin with, and working your way up, holding for a longer period about 30 times a day.
reduce strain on the pelvic floor,” Nwankpa says. “In some cases, surgery might be necessary, but our goal is to strengthen and rehabilitate the pelvic floor to restore function and improve quality of life without invasive procedures when possible.”
As for physical therapy, Florián-Rodríguez says, “Oftentimes, it involves internal work, which can be intimidating, but it is definitely helpful. The therapist might use other modalities like electrical stimulation, dry needling, and biofeedback as part of the exercises.”
Janine says her treatment plan has truly been a collaborative effort. “It consisted of a mix of pelvic floor work, at-home exercises and dry needling,” she says, noting that she’s an active participant in her healing and the maintenance of her condition.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
For most, healing the pelvic floor doesn’t have to be complicated. For urgency incontinence, behavior modifications can be as simple as limiting fluid intake to 2 liters a day, 8 ounces
“WHEN THE PELVIC FLOOR IS STRONG AND FUNCTIONAL, IT CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TO YOUR OVERALL WELLBEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE.”
of caffeine and being mindful of liquids after dinner. Good old-fashioned Kegel exercises— squeezing and relaxing pelvic muscles—can help build strength and regain control.
There are also plenty of medications available to help. Even when those don’t work, there are lots of other treatment options such as a weekly procedure called posterior tibial nerve stimulation that stimulates bladder control nerves, Botox to calm down the bladder, and even a treatment called sacral nerve stimulation that acts as a sort of bladder pacemaker.
Providers don’t treat stress incontinence with medication, but rather with muscle training, preferably with a physical therapist specially trained in pelvic floor health. Plus there are surgeries available to support the urethra through the injection of a bulking agent or filler or the support of a sling made from mesh or your own tissue.
For prolapse, there’s also a device called a vaginal pessary. Usually made of soft silicone, they’re often in the shape of a ring, disk or cube and support your organs. A healthcare provider can figure out the right size and type, put the pessary in place and test to make sure it’s functioning properly. Reconstructive minimally invasive surgery can secure things in place as well.
MAINTAINING PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH
Nwankpa says she sees a lot of patients who need rehabilitative help after childbirth. “Like the other muscles in your body, it is important to maintain the strength, length, and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles,” she says.
Again, Kegel exercises strengthen muscles to help with incontinence, as does deep breathing and core exercises. “We guide our patients through tailored exercise programs that fit their specific needs,” she says. “It’s also important to practice good posture, avoid heavy lifting without proper support, and manage your weight to reduce strain on the pelvic floor.”
Janine says her pelvic floor treatment has been life-changing. “Cautiously optimistic, I went in willing to give them a try as nothing else had worked. I have not only significantly healed my pelvic floor, I’m now working with them for maintenance and prenatal care.”
baby steps
Child’s Play
To challenge and delight your baby with new experiences, go for a play day at BB Piñata, which opened in summer 2024 in Dallas. ➽
➽ 23 FUN PLACES TO HANG OUT YOUR BABY & TODDLER
DURING A CHILD’S EARLIEST YEARS , it often happens that new parents—especially new mothers—spend a greater amount of time in the comfort and safety of home. But what if more destinations around DFW were friendlier to babies and toddlers? We sought out a few new and mainstay spots where they’re always welcome to stretch their legs and encouraged to expand their horizons.
Outdoor Gardens
RORY MEYERS CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE GARDEN
No place will ignite your baby’s senses quite like this gorgeous children’s garden, located at Dallas
Arboretum. Of the dozen playspaces here, head first to the First Adventure gallery, immediately to your left. This walled garden introduces science concepts to its youngest visitors through play in natural settings: caterpillar maze for exploration, a sandbox
for getting a little messy, and lots of structures for play, such as giant insects, a potting shed and a tree house. $3, plus general garden admission, always free for children under 2 years. // Dallas, 214/515-6500; dallasarboretum.org
WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH
baby steps / CHILD'S PLAY
FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN
You’ll want to explore as far as your toddlers’ little legs will carry them, because every garden here is glorious. Don’t miss feeding the koi fish in the Japanese Garden and climbing on the hollow logs along the Native Texas Boardwalk. Be sure to follow close behind them while maneuvering the up steps of the Rose Garden, but that view? Worth the climb. For stories and more nature fun next door at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), join monthly programs like the Bella’s Book and Nature Club for 18 months and up. Spots fills up quickly, so be sure to register in advance. // Fort Worth , 817/463-4160; fwbg.org
house, where free-flying butterflies live peaceful lives (no predators in sight) among the plants picked just for them. And littles are free to explore the winding path in search of the butterflies. Visit between 10am–5pm daily for a guaranteed sighting, but the best time to come is at noon for the butterfly releases. Then head out of doors for more playtime with the garden train set and children’s playscape. General admission: $12 adults; under 4 free. // Dallas, 214/428-7476; txdg.org
SHEILA & JODY GRANT CHILDREN’S PARK
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS AT FAIR PARK
No matter the weather outside, it’s a tropical paradise inside this two-story glass butterfly
In addition to the expansive lawns at Klyde Warren Park, located just steps away from the Dallas Arts District, this park also offers this special spot for littles to roam. This gated, 18,000-square-foot playground is built with mounds to climb, water features for splashing, a tree-top lookout, and
Indoor Playspaces
BB PIÑATA
even a climbing tower for older kids. And of course you’ll find spacious family restrooms with changing tables, outdoor sinks and long counters allow for an easy diaper change. It’s a great spot for everyday play, and even more so during special events, such as story readings and entertainers, happening all around the park.
// Dallas, 214/716-4500; klydewarrenpark.org
This newly debuted playspace in Oak Cliff is a hot spot for baby and toddler play. Bring your littles for the soft play areas, slide and a ball pit (and allyou-can-drink self-serve espresso and drip coffee for parents) that you can access with an all-day play pass: $18.99 on weekdays and $21.99 on weekends. Free for an accompanying adult and for a baby under 6 months with a paying sibling. For extra enrichment, come during the rotating special activities, including bilingual storytimes (typically on Wednesday mornings) and the Parents Night In (select Saturday nights) when couples are welcome to eat snacks and get crafty with portrait painting while staff entertains the littles.
// Dallas, 214/242-8553; bbpinata.com
CHEERLAND PLAY & PARTY
This cool new spot just had its grand opening
in summer 2024, and its play areas are not only super fun but also really pretty. You won’t be able to resist snapping photos of your kids as they slide down a light-up piano slide that spills out into a ball pit, and then feed the pastel-colored balls into tubes that shoot up and rain the balls down back onto them like raindrops. Quite possibly the cutest play area, though, is the Little Engineers area with toy cars on lifts so kids can play pretend as car mechanics. You’ve got to see it. Thankfully, two more locations are expected to open too in Little Elm and Melissa. $15.99 per child for 2 hours of play or $19.99 for all day. // McKinney, 469/678-5088; cheerlandusa.com
BUBBLES EAT & PLAY
Inside this family café at Fairview Town Center, parents can enjoy a coffee and food at dining tables right alongside play zones designed for little ones. Let them explore the sensory board wall, mini ball pit, toddler village and a preschooler village—and you can order from a healthy menu with lots of meal and snack options for picky eaters. Weekday play access is $11.99 per child and $13.99 on weekends. Want more activities? Check out the events calendar for workshops. // Fairview, 302/522-7648; thebubbles.space
PLAY STREET MUSEUM
No, these aren’t technically museums but rather indoor play places where toddlers and kids (1- to 8-year-olds) can enjoy imaginative play with props, costumes and sets. Think, a mini farm house or a mini town square. Each location has its own
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF CHEERLAND MCKINNEY; JACK PANZECA; KLYDE WARREN PARK
➽ CHEERLAND PLAY & PARTY
SHEILA & JODY GRANT
PARK
➽ TEXASDISCOVER Y SNEDRAG
family classes
At the Carter, connecting with art is easy at any age and it’s free!
Check out our monthly family events designed to encourage art exploration, inspire curiosity, and spark creativity for babies, toddlers, and beyond!
Itty-Bitty Art
(Up to 24 months)
Introduces babies to art using early learning techniques
Toddler Studio (2-3 year olds)
Teaches toddlers about art through play
Carter Playdates (3-5 year olds)
Includes hands-on activities and storytime
Presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth
JOIN THE FUN!
baby steps / CHILD'S PLAY
theme, and several more have sprouted up over the years, now with locations in Allen, Lake Highlands/ Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Mansfield, McKinney, Murphy, Plano and opening soon in North Fort Worth. To try it out, come for an open play time, or sign up online for even more options for special craft activities and themed events. // Multiple locations; playstreetmuseum.com
MOODY FAMILY
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Perot Museum of Nature & Science, an attraction of stunning architecture, is a destination all its own. You’ll definitely want to take the escalator up to see the views of downtown Dallas, but one of the biggest draws for young families is actually on the lower level. This children’s museum, designed for kids birth–5, has its own dino dig, as well as a mini farmers market and city skyline, all transformed into play form. General admission is $25 for adults; children under 2 free. // Dallas, 214/428-5555; perotmuseum.org
FORT WORTH
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
There’s so much to see and do inside the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (the DinoDig is
➽ MOODY FAMILY
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
a hit for all ages) but be sure to make it all the way down to this destination’s own Children’s Museum. Enter through the jaws of the giant gator head and explore all the play spaces, from the mini grocery store and the railcar to the space-themed playground with access just outside. When your little needs a diaper change, use the family restroom and nursing room. General admission includes all special exhibitions, including $16 for adults; children under 3 free. // Fort Worth, 817/255-9300; fwmuseum.org
NORTHPARK CENTER
For moms on the go, you’ll get your time’s worth at NorthPark Center, a luxury shopping center which is so much more than that. The Bookmarks children’s library (open Tuesday–Saturday) is a must-stop spot for its regular story times for infants and toddlers. When the weather is nice, head outdoors to the CenterPark Garden to let them run around on the grass and get some sunshine. But of course, no visit to NorthPark is complete without visiting the ducks and turtles wadding in the shallow indoor pond at Neiman Marcus Court and sliding down the adjacent sloped planters. // Dallas, 214/363-7441; northparkcenter.com
Animal Fun
TOYOTA CHILDREN’S RANCH & PETTING CORRAL
Fort Worth Zoo has been knocking it out of the park with newly renovated and expanded habitats, such as the Elephant Springs (they’ve got a waterfall,
y’all) and Predators of Asia & Africa, but we also love the zoo for its toddlerfriendly petting corral. There your littles can see and touch all sorts of farm animals, like fuzzy sheep, goats and mini donkeys. Another reason why it’s reader-favorite zoo? Safari Splash. This water playground, with a toddler play area too, opens every spring and summer to help young guests keep cool—since, you know, rolling around like the pigs in the mud isn’t an option.
General admission is $20 for adults; $16 for children 3–12; and free for children 2 and younger. // Fort Worth, 817/759-7555; fortworthzoo.org
LACERTE FAMILY
CHILDREN’S ZOO
Though babies cannot comprehend how rare and exotic many of the animals are inside Dallas Zoo, they can experience the thrill of petting and feeding them face to face. For a full-on animal experience here inside the children’s zoo, let them hold a cup of nectar or a birdseed stick, or pet the alpacas and goats in the barn, or crawl through the Underzone to see the naked mole rats. Tickets are from $22 for adults (or $8 on Tiger Tuesdays); children under 2 free every day. // Dallas, 469/554-7500; dallaszoo.com
CHILDREN’S AQUARIUM AT FAIR PARK
Originally opened in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial Exposition and remodeled again in 2021, this aquarium is a Dallas staple. Today you can see—all kids’ eye level—all sorts of fish, sharks, turtles
and cownose stingrays. In fact, guests can feed and touch the rays in the outdoor pavilion called Stingray Bay. We also love the coastal touch tank for your baby to touch horseshoe crabs, sea urchins or sea whelks with the help of a volunteer. // Dallas, 469/554-7340; childrensaquarium.com
Movie Theaters
SCREENPLAY!
Yes, we love streaming shows through our smart TVs, but we also miss going out to the movies. Now, it’s easier than ever to take your toddler with you to the cinema, thanks to these special movie screens. Two area B&B Theatres have an incredible playground with tubes and slides built into the side of the auditorium, plus a toddler area in front of the screen. Playtime opens 30 minutes before the show and is included with your movie ticket, no tickets needs for children under 3. // Red Oak, 469/373-7473; Wylie, 972/419-8505; bbtheatres. com/screenplay
➽ SCREENPLAY!
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CAMP CINEMARK
This kid-friendly movie theater feels like a trip to an overnight camp in the woods. This specially designed auditorium, located inside Cinemark Allen 16 and XD, is a smaller, camp-themed theater with bean bag chairs and cushy chaise lounges that are more comfortable than your average movie chairs—and easier for curling up with your kids. The string lights overhead dim when the movie begins but never go out, so if you’re breastfeeding, you can actually see. Come early to let them get their wiggles out before the show begins. When you book your movie tickets online, look for the screen labeled “Camp Cinemark”. Tickets are $12 for adults; $9 for children 1–11 years; under 1 free. // Allen, 214/383-9712; cinemark. com/camp-cinemark-allen
Indoor Waterparks
THE COVE AT LAKEFRONT
When your kids love splash time too much for the size of your bathtub, head to the pool. And this 42,000-square-foot waterpark is climate-controlled, open year-round. Toddlers are welcome anytime, of course, but especially during Toddler Time every Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9–11am. That’s when toddlers and their siblings get in for only $5 per person and have exclusive access to the Cove’s spray ground and the play structure in the Dock Play Pool. Tickets sold at the door, and your snacks from
home are welcome too. // Little Elm, 214/618-2047; thecoveatthelakefront.com
Art Museums
AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
This museum is one of our faves not only because it’s always free but also because it doesn’t skimp on the regularly scheduled programming for several age groups. Among them are Itty-Bitty Art, for babies up to 24 months on third Saturdays, and Toddler Studio, for 2- to 3-year-olds on first Saturdays. Each month has a new themed activity inspired by the exhibitions, so no two visits are the same. Admission is free, but you’ll need to sign up in advance for a spot in these programs, so be sure to go online and register once it opens at the start of each month. // Fort Worth, 817/7381933; cartermuseum.org
DALLAS CONTEMPORARY
specific works. Admission is always free, so is the complimentary coffee. Program spots are limited, so sign up online to RSVP.
// Dallas, 214/821-2522; dallascontemporary.org
DALLAS MUSEUM
OF ART
Texas Culture
FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS
For every toddler who loves breaking out the craft supplies and every parent who’d love to look at some elevated artworks not taped to the fridge, there’s the monthly Stroller Tours at the Dallas Contemporary. This noncollecting art museum in the Design District means there’s always something new and fashionable. On each second Wednesday on the month, a gallery educator guides parents and their toddlers or preschoolers up to age 5 through the current exhibitions on view and leads a story time or hands-on activity inspired by those
Even while its Center for Creative Connections remains closed, this local museum remains a reader favorite thanks to its extensive calendar of family programming specifically for the younger crowd and their caregivers, including Art Babies for up to 24-month-olds, Toddler Art for 2- to 3-year-olds and Arturo’s Art & Me for 3- to 5-year-olds. Check out upcoming dates and themes (often related to the special exhibitions on view) and register, then meet in the galleries for stories, songs and games. $10; $7 for DMA members. Don’t want to pay? Come during the Wee Wednesdays or other free activities and event. // Dallas, 214/922-1200; dma.org
Looking for something to do any day of the week? There’s nothing more unique to Texas than witness the twice-daily cattle drives down the Stockyards’ Exchange Avenue. The city-owned herd of Texas longhorns signifies more than 150 years of cattle herding history. Costumed drovers lead the herd through the brick-paved streets at 11:30am and 4pm every day except major holidays. And it’s completely free to watch. For more fun, trot down the street to the petting zoo. // Fort Worth, 800/433-5747; fortworth.com
Exercise Together
FIT4MOM
You’ve heard of Stroller Strides but that’s only one of several group workout programs under the FIT4MOM umbrella. Up your endorphins and stay close to your baby during Run Club, Stroller
Barre, or other classes for new and expecting moms. You’ll find franchises all over Dallas-Fort Worth and first class is free, so go online to search for the one in your neighborhood and try it out. And if you’re also in want of mom friends, check out the mom-centric social outings such as moms night out and book clubs as part of the Our Village program. // Multiple locations, 866/348-4666 (FIT4MOM); fit4mom.com
NANDA YOGA
This child-focused yoga studio nearby the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a breath of fresh air for moms. Nanda Yoga not only offers aerial classes for toddlers and older kids, but also mommy and me yoga for babies as young as 6 weeks. Sign up your crawling babies for Movers & Shakers, a half-hour class on Thursday mornings, for playful stretching, singing and breathing. Discount for siblings. // Fort Worth, 817/7524044; nandayogafw.com
➽THECOVE AT LAKEFRONT
➽ AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
Thank you for voting Texas Health Plano “Best Hospital to Have a Baby” in Collin County. From comprehensive care for normal and high-risk pregnancies to childbirth education classes and an advanced Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Texas Health Plano is honored to be recognized for our maternity services. We are dedicated to continually raising the bar on how we care for our maternity patients. So, for all your baby needs, remember to look no further than Texas Health Plano. Growing families deserve the best.
THE DIRECTORYBaby
to infant photography—at your fingertips so you can spend more time focusing on baby snuggles.
CHILD CARE
Celebree School
Multiple locations in Dallas 410/515-8750
celebree.com/dallas-tx
Why You’ll It: Celebree School provides safe, nurturing childcare with individualized learning for children, giving Dallas-Fort Worth parents peace of mind and children a strong foundation for growth. See ad on page 2.
Lightbridge Academy
Locations in Fate, Fort Worth, Irving and Plano 682/348-9544
lightbridgeacademy.com/fortworth-tx
Why You’ll It: As The Solution for Working Families®, you are supported with extended
hours, facial recognition, an eCommunication app and ParentView® internet monitoring. See ad on page 47.
Lumin Education
Multiple locations in Dallas 214/964-0500 lumineducation.org
Why You’ll It: Every pregnancy and every child are different! Our home-visiting programs are designed to support you wherever you are in your parenting journey. See ad on page 11.
Rigley Primrose Schools
Locations in Addison, Dallas, Frisco and Plano 469/791-9131 primroseschools.com
Why You’ll It: Balanced
Learning approach brings the best education of modern research and learning science to inspire curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion for lifelong love of learning. See ad on page 6.
Why You’ll It: DFWChild readers will love our pediatric dental practice for its airway-focused approach, enhancing children’s overall health and comfort while ensuring bright, healthy smiles for life. See ad on page 15.
Healthy Smiles
Children’s Dentistry
12398 FM 423, Ste. 1900 Frisco, TX 75033 214/436-4774
healthychildrenssmiles.com
Why You’ll It: I am a pediatric dentist who provides care for children from infancy to adolescence. My team embraces the diverse needs of our wonderful community. See ad on page 7.
DOULAS
Harmony Baby Concierge
501 S. Second Ave., Bldg. C Dallas, TX 75226
214/238-4364
harmonybabyconcierge.co
Why You’ll It: Harmony Baby
Concierge provides postpartum support and overnight newborn care during the most vulnerable and special time you’ll experience as a parent, the fourth trimester. See ad on page 37.
HOSPITALS
Baylor Scott & White Health
Locations in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Grapevine, Irving, McKinney, Rowlett and Waxahachie
844/279-3627
bswhealth.com/yourmoment
Why You’ll It: From the moment you enter our door to snuggling your new baby, BSWH is here to make your moment a safe, happy and healthy one. See ad on page 16.
Children’s HealthSM
Locations in Dallas and Plano
844/424-4537
childrens.com
Why You’ll It: Children’s HealthSM is the #1 pediatric hospital in North Texas and ranked in all 11 pediatric specialties. Our goal: making life better for children. See ad on page 3.
Children’s HealthSM PM Pediatric Urgent Care
Locations in Dallas, Flower Mound, McKinney, Prosper and Richardson
469/905-5437
pmpediatriccare.com
THE BABY DIRECTORY
Why You’ll It: From fractures to fevers, we provide convenient access to pediatric care from world-class pediatric experts. Open late 7 days a week, including holidays. See ad on page 34.
Cook Children’s Health Care System
Locations in Aledo, Allen, Arlington, Aubrey, Bedford, Burleson, Carrollton, Celina, Dallas, Denton, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, Granbury, Grapevine, Haslet, Highland Village, Hurst, Keller, Lake Worth, Lewisville, Little Elm, Mansfield, McKinney, Plano, Prosper, Richland Hills, Southlake, Stephenville, Trophy Club, Waxahachie and Willow Park
682/885-4111
cookchildrens.org
Why You’ll It: At Cook Children’s, we connect compassion with medical expertise, ensuring children in DFW receive the personalized treatment they deserve to be happy and healthy.
See ad on page 24.
Medical City Healthcare
Locations in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Plano, Las Colinas, Lewisville, McKinney and Weatherford
972/401-8750
medicalcityhealthcare.com
Why You’ll It: Medical City Healthcare has ten hospitals
offering high-quality, personalized labor, delivery and obstetrics services across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
See ad on page 8.
MIDWIVES
BirthPointe Women’s Health & Birth Center
7453 Las Colinas Blvd. Irving, TX 75063
972/215-6934
birthpointe.com
Why You’ll It: BirthPointe is a premier women’s health and birth center in DFW, featuring luxurious suites, expert midwives and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. See ad on page 21.
Texas Health Nurse Midwife Care
1300 W. Terrell Ave., Ste. 320 Fort Worth, TX 76104
817/562-6891
thpg.org/fwmidwives
Why You’ll It: We are dedicated to supporting each woman’s individual needs throughout every phase of life—emotionally, physically and spiritually.
See ad on page 12.
MOMMY & ME CLASSES
Amon Carter Museum of American Art 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817/738-1933
cartermuseum.org
Why You’ll It: The Carter offers unique opportunities for all families, from tips on how to help kids enjoy art to classes for all ages and events!
See ad on page 37.
NANNY + SITTING SERVICES
Baby Coming Home
Serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area 972/267-8766
babycominghome.com
Why You’ll It: Baby Coming Home offers families the services of highly experienced newborn care specialists, bringing to you sleep training and newborn care. See ad on page 21.
Babymoonconcierge.com
Serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area 682/429-4637
babymoonconcierge.com
Why You’ll It: Certified birth and postpartum doulas, newborn specialists providing birth support for new mothers, day or nighttime care, meal prep, sleep conditioning, light housekeeping and education. See ad on page 7.
PHYSICIANS
Dallas OBGYN, PA
Medical City Dallas 7777 Forest Ln.
Bldg. D, Ste. 550 Dallas, TX 75230 972/566-7009
dallasobgynpa.com
Why You’ll It: We are boardcertified physicians who provide the highest quality obstetrical care. We deliver our amazing babies at “The Best Place to Have a Baby.” See ad on page 27.
EarWell Centers of Excellence
Locations in Dallas and Southlake 214/540-1428
earwellcenters.com
Why You’ll It: Dr. Steve Byrd’s philosophy for the EarWell ear molding device was to prevent the psychosocial distress that children with abnormal ears experience throughout their lifetime. See ad on page 29.
Scottish Rite for Children
Locations in Dallas and Frisco 214/559-5000
scottishriteforchildren.org
Why You’ll It: Ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Scottish Rite provides world-class pediatric orthopedic care. See ad on page 22.
Why You’ll It: Driven by a deep commitment to our community, UT Southwestern Medical Center offers nationally ranked Ob/Gyn care throughout the Metroplex for families like yours. See ad on the back cover.
Wonderfully Made Wellness Sanctuary
Locations in Dallas and McKinney 469/631-0023
wmwsanctuary.com
Why You’ll It: We provide extended appointments with the provider. All patient communication is directly with your child’s nurse practitioner. No portals or waiting for a callback! See ad on page 10.
PRODUCTS
Bubs aussiebubs.com
Why You’ll It: Founded by a mom of three 17 years ago, we proudly offer clean label Australian made products without the additives commonly found in other formulas. See ad on page 4.
Holistic care to help families reach their infant
telehealth consults are available.
Frisco, TX 75033
214/687-9374
pediatricsplus.com
Why You’ll It: Parents will love Pediatrics Plus for our compassionate care, innovative therapies, and supportive environment that empower children to thrive and reach their full potential. See ad on page 21.
Serving Life Chiropractic
6565 Hillcrest Ave., Ste. 255 Dallas, TX 75205
214/543-2768
servinglifedallas.com
daniadamsbarryphotography.com I’m all about that
Fort Worth, TX 76126
817/810-0071
texasmilkbank.org
Why You’ll It: Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas is a nonprofit organization that connects mothers with extra breastmilk to fragile infants. Donated milk is screened and pasteurized. See ad on page 29.
Pediatrics Plus 6025 Sports Village Rd.
Why You’ll It: Support your baby’s health with gentle nervoussystem-based chiropractic care. Relieve colic, improve sleep and nurture healthy development naturally at Serving Life Chiropractic. See ad on page 11.
Synergy DMEPOS
866/203-9810
momwellcarekit.com
Why You’ll It: Covered by most insurances, MomWell is a patient’s one-stop shop to access all items needed throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods to help alleviate symptoms. See ad on page 10.
For more pregnancy, baby and toddler resources, visit our Best Places directory at dfwchild.com/directory
little orange fish
Dani Adams-Barry Photography
Good to Know
Free resources for every new parent in DFW to have on hand
COMPILED BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER
CAR SEAT INSTALLATION
Those car seats can be tricky. Thankfully, certified child passenger safety technicians are trained to ensure their proper installation. Technicians can also give tips on proper harnessing and fit to keep your baby safe. This public service is free of charge at Texas Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations (find a full list by city at dshs.texas.gov) and the following coalitions.
Safe Kids Greater Dallas: Free car seat inspections by appointment, from 8am–noon, at two locations, Children’s Health Dallas and Children’s Health Plano, along with occasional weekend events. // 214/456-2059, childrens.com
The Injury Prevention Collaborative: This program through Cook Children’s Hospital offers free car seat checks by appointment at locations in Collin and Tarrant counties, along with car seat assistance for families in need. // 682/885-2634, freecarseatcheck.org
DFW DIAPER BANKS
Families spend a whopping $1,080 on diapers a year on average. If times are tight and you need help diapering your little one, reach out to these local resources:
One in seven women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) within a year after giving birth. It’s different for everyone—feelings of sadness, anxiety and overwhelm are some signs, as well as feeling disconnected from your baby. It may happen right after birth but know that symptoms can emerge any time within the first 12 months after having a baby. Also know that there is help:
SUPPORT
SAFETY RECALLS
More than 100 children’s products were recalled last year, including toys, blankets and baby swings. You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission for real-time recalls on products you may use. Notices will inform you to either return the product for a refund or order a replacement part to make the product safe.
Postpartum Support International: Call and leave a confidential message or text “help” anytime and a volunteer will reach out to get you the support you need. This nonprofit also has a range of online support meetings. // 800/944-4773 (Spanish text line: 971/203-7773); postpartum.net
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free and confidential 24/7 support for anyone in a crisis. Call or chat online. // Dial 988; 988lifeline.org
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text this 24/7 free hotline that offers help for pregnant and new moms through support, resources and referrals. Counselors speak English and Spanish, and interpreter services are available in 60 languages. // 833/852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA); mchb.hrsa.gov
#1 hospital in DFW. Again.
The best place for you and your baby.
At UT Southwestern, we pride ourselves on delivering the best possible care for our patients, especially newborns and their families.
Our beautifully designed William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report It offers new moms spacious labor and delivery suites, chef-prepared meals, and the full spectrum of patient-centered services.
UT Southwestern has one of the largest Ob/Gyn departments in the nation, and we are devoted to helping women manage their health at each stage of life.
No matter how complex or common the condition, you can count on UT Southwestern to deliver the expert, compassionate care that has consistently made us No. 1 in North Texas.
Thomas Hyslop, M.D. Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Shivani Patel, M.D. Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
