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Logitech Pro 9000 Webcam! Enter at pregnancy360.com or send a postcard with your name, address and email to: Pregnancy Magazine “Logitech Giveaway” 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400 South San Francisco, CA 94080 Vid™ and all related elements are trademarks of Logitech®. All Rights Reserved. No purchase is necessary to win and as a contestant you have not yet won. Entries should be received no later than midnight on January 31, 2010. 10 winners will be selected. 2 winners will be chosen on the last day of each month beginning in September 2009 and ending in January 2010. All winners will be notified by email (or regular mail). The odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received. The sponsor of the contest is Future US, Inc. (“Future US”), 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080. Future US cannot be responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries. The prize is one (1) Logitech Webcam Pro 9000, valued at $99.99. The prize is nontransferable and no substitutions will be allowed. Winners will be determined by a single random drawing of all valid entries and the decision of Future US shall be final. You may obtain the names of the winners by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the address above. This contest is open to residents of the United States only. Entrants must be at least 16 years of age. If a winner is a minor, the prize will be awarded in the name of the winner’s parent or legal guardian, who is solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes. If a winner is a minor, that winner must also provide a signed parental or guardian consent form, provided by the sponsor, within seven days of notification attempt. Failure of the minor to return the guardian consent form will result in forfeiture of the prize and the selection of an alternate winner, who will be chosen through a random drawing from the remaining eligible entries. Return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. The winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/release of liability/prize acceptance within seven days of receipt; failure to do so upon request will result in forfeiture of the prize. By acceptance of the prize, the winners agree to the use of their name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising, trade, or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. Future US is not responsible for any damages or expenses that winners might incur as a result of this contest or the receipt of any prize. Winners are responsible for paying any income taxes on the value of the prize received. Void in Vermont, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Once submitted, entrant names become property of Future US and Logitech.
Dec 2009 / Jan 2010
65 It’s time for some holiday ground rules
Before you’re forced to dead-bolt the door, find out how create a peaceful holiday for your new family. By Bonnie Siegler
56
70
Build a better baby
The new science of epigenetics: What does it mean, and how can it help your baby? By Doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen
Judy Reyes The beloved Scrubs star shares her major maternal fears and hopes for her baby’s future. Interview by Abigail Tuller Cover: model: Judy Reyes; photographer: Mark Madeo; stylist: Sarah Stanley; makeup: Davia Matson; hair: Julio Hernandez; clothes: Maternal America Cross Sheared Top in Dijon; Joe’s Jeans Cigarette Secret Fit Belly
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5 Pocket Slim Leg Maternity Jeans in Kennedy; Jennifer Fisher Jewelry Skinny Bangles in 14k Yellow Gold; 22” Jennifer Fisher Jewelry Caviar Ball Chain Stamped Medium Disc and Moon Charms in 14k Yellow Gold
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Relationships Avoiding the “compare and despair” baby blues. By Sasha Brown-Worsham
85 Dad is the new mom While writing his rules for a good son, this man turned himself into a better dad. By Walker Lamond
89
Nanny Stella What’s a baby nurse, and do you need one? By Nanny Stella of Nanny 911
53
92 Need to know Our expert ob/gyn, doula, and pediatrician answer your questions. Have a homey holiday.
must-haves 31 Staff picks Great finds we’d buy ourselves!
37
Styled by...The hottest trends, brought to you by top experts and stylists. This month: gifts for the whole family!
46 Be well Use our handy birth planner to help your big day go smoothly. By Emily Lovely
49 Let’s eat Don’t dread the drought—we’ve got nine delicious mocktails to whet your whistle. By Kate Gegan
53 A green life How to have a peaceful and green holiday. By Anna Getty, Eco Editor
96 There, I said it The former Playmate marvels at her evolution from party girl to mother. By Kendra Baskett
in every issue 10
Goodies Happy holidays! We’ve got three big giveaways.
12
Editor’s Letter You’re not going crazy. By Abigail Tuller
14 Our Extended Family 19 Mommy Blips News, trends, and factoids from the mommysphere.
24 Cradle Crib Notes Tips for making nursing feel natural. By TheCradle.com.
26 Mommywood Hot Moms Club guide to celebrity babies.
54
The digital mom Pro tips for creating home movies everyone will enjoy; plus the perfect digital video camera for every budget. By Leslie Ayers
word of mom 79 5 minutes with...Dr. Alan Greene The author of Feeding Baby
Green shares his favorite baby products and his opinions about today’s parents. By Bonnie Siegler
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34
He’s better than a bear!
49
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Goodies Enter to win the brand new, must-have book YOU: Having a Baby from bestselling authors and America’s doctors Mehmet Oz & Michael Roizen. Ten winners will be chosen! To enter, visit Pregnancy360.com or send a postcard with your name, address, and email to: Pregnancy magazine “YOU: Having a Baby giveaway” 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080 Entries must be received by 1/19/09. No purchase necessary. Void in Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and where prohibited by law. For complete contest rules, please visit Pregnancy360.com.
Win a ery Nurs on cti Colle
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nursery collection from Disney Baby! This gift includes: a 4-piece crib set, mobile, blanket, lamp, wall art and decals, diaper stacker, extra fitted sheet, and window valance. To enter, visit Pregnancy360.com or send a postcard with your name, address, and email to: Pregnancy magazine “A Bear Named Pooh giveaway” 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080 Entries must be received by 1/19/09. No purchase necessary. Void in Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and where prohibited by law. Please visit Pregnancy360.com for complete contest rules.
$400 value!
Jewels and Pinstripes, the specialists in celebrity and VIP gift bags, will give a Celebrity “BUMP” Bag to one Pregnancy reader! This Celebrity “BUMP” Bag has recently been gifted to Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi, and Indianapolis 500 and Dancing with the Stars winner Hélio Castroneves to celebrate their upcoming arrivals. The “BUMP” bag includes gifts from: Walkabye, Tiny Prints, Novena Maternal Skincare, Amy Michelle, Bloomers Baby, Posh Tots, Snuggle Me’z, Guardian Sleeper, Mabel’s Labels, Angel Dear, BornFree™, [bump] babies, Cardstore.com, Daniel Green, Tot-to-go, stride rite, WubbaNub™, WaterGeeks, Stay With Me Socks, and Pregnancy magazine. To enter, visit Pregnancy360.com or send a postcard with your name, address, and email to: Pregnancy magazine “BUMP Bag giveaway” 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080 Entries must be received by 1/19/09. No purchase necessary. Void in Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and where prohibited by law. For complete contest rules, please visit Pregnancy360.com.
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Editor’s Letter
You’re not going crazy
things I enjoy about pregnancy • getting a seat on the subway
Before I had my first son Mason, I’d relish those few days of the year when my husband, Robert, went out of town. Sure, I’d miss him, but I’d also see some chick flicks, eat half an English muffin with peanut butter for dinner, and shop for nothing in particular. You know, the usual single-girl stuff. But something happened when I was five months along. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be alone and I didn’t want Robert to travel anywhere. In fact, I barely even wanted him to leave the room without me, and I was suddenly struck by overwhelming feelings of insecurity and even jealousy. We were living in New York City—post 9/11, mind you—and I would occasionally feel physically vulnerable and afraid when I was out in public or commuting to work. For a fiercely independent girl such as myself, this was very disturbing. To this day, I’m baffled by how my intellect had absolutely no bearing on my emotions or my ability to see things as they really were. What I surmise is that my body was in a primeval “perpetuate the species” mode, guaranteeing my baby’s security by ensuring that the male provider would, well, provide. My body apparently didn’t get the memo that I’m the breadwinner in the family. I mention this in case anyone out there’s going through something similar. Although this is just one example, there are dozens of pregnancy side-effects that no one mentions to your face; like the fact that your pregnant body produces more methane than a heard of Holsteins. By the time I was finished having two boys, I would smugly sum up the pregnancy experience to innocent newbies in five words: “It’s all about the gas.” What? TMI? And then there’s the Bionic Woman side effects. For better or worse, I was able to smell the first blossoms of spring before they even appeared just as acutely as I could detect that the guy in IT seven cubes away forgot to floss. I also enjoyed the super strength of a pregnant nesting maniac—able to balance truckloads of boxes while balancing on one foot on a stepladder, but somehow could not manage to hold onto a pair of sunglasses without dropping them. So, no, you’re not going crazy! Whatever you’re experiencing, it’s probably normal. So, try to keep your sense of humor and know that—like the gas—it will pass.
• eating everything in sight • basking in the anticipation
Abigail Tuller Editor in Chief P.S. If do you think you’re going crazy, get in touch and tell me why! Please send your letter to editors@pregnancymagazine.com.
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1 OUT OF 10 BABIES NEEDS A NEONATAL ICU. 10 OUT OF 10 MOMS NEED TO PLAN AHEAD. Every expectant mom envisions a perfect delivery and a healthy baby, but complications can occur even with the most normal pregnancy. And immediately following delivery is no time to evaluate the best care for your newborn. At Texas Children’s, we want to help you get the facts and plan ahead – just in case the unexpected happens. Visit Texas Children’s Newborn Center online to learn more about neonatal intensive care and why every NICU is not the same. And, to discover the exceptional care and supportive environment provided by the center ranked 7th in the nation and 1st in Texas by U.S.News & World Report. .
Get the facts today. www.newborn.texaschildrens.org
©2009 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved.
Our Extended Family
We asked Dr. Stephen Weiss…
DEC 2009 / JAN 2010, Vol. 11, No. 1
What pregnancy myth do your patients ask about the most?
EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Abigail Tuller MANAGING EDITOR Clary Alward SENIOR EDITOR Kendra Smith EDITOR AT LARGE Ziba Kashef EDITORIAL INTERN Meghann Myers
“Patients often ask me: ‘Is a fast heart rate a boy and a slow one a girl?’ I tell them, no. Heart rate is no indication of the baby’s sex.“
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jon Phillips editors@pregnancymagazine.com ART ART DIRECTOR Tracie King ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jill Brunner PHOTOGRAPHERS Samantha Berg, Mark Madeo
The Advisory Board Maria Bailey
Paul Banas
Dr. William Camann
Award-winning author, radio talk-show host, and mom-marketing expert
Founder and editor of GreatDad.com and father of two
Director of Obstetric Anesthesia at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and co-author of Easy Labor
Dr. Lisa Dana
Kate Geagan, M.S., R.D.
SALES AND ADVERTISING PUBLISHER Charlotte Morgan NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Debbie Klett debbie@pregnancymagazine.com WEST COAST SALES DIRECTOR Brandie Rushing brandie@pregnancymagazine.com EAST COAST SALES DIRECTOR Summer Stowe summer@pregnancymagazine.com SALES AND MARKETING AD COORDINATOR Jose Urrutia jurrutia@futureus.com MARKETING COORDINATOR Allyson Kardel akardel@futureus.com PRODUCTION PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Richie Lesovoy SENIOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Lewis Lee PRINT ORDER COORDINATOR Linh Chau-Ward CONSUMER MARKETING DIRECTOR OF CONSUMER MARKETING Richard McCarthy DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MARKETING OPERATIONS Lisa Radler CIRCULATION MANAGER Stephanie Blake NEWSSTAND DIRECTOR Bill Shewey SR. ONLINE CONSUMER MARKETING MANAGER Jennifer A. Trinkner CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Mike Frassica FUTURE US, Inc. 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400 South San Francisco, CA 94080 futureus.com
Pediatrician at Golden Gate Pediatrics in San Francisco and mother of three
Award-winning dietician and author of Go Green, Get Lean
Anna Getty
Dr. Alan Greene
Nanny Stella
Holistic lifestyle expert and founder of Pregnancy Awareness Month
Pediatrician, author of Raising Baby Green, and founder of DrGreene.com
Celebrity family consultant, author, star of Nanny 911
PRESIDENT John Marcom VICE PRESIDENT/CFO John Sutton VICE PRESIDENT INTERNET DEVELOPMENT Tyson Daugherty GENERAL COUNSEL Charlotte Falla HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Nancy Durlester DuBois
Pregnancy (ISSN 1540-8485) is published 10 times a year by Future US, Inc, 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. Newsstand distribution is handled by Time Warner. Future US, Inc. also publishes Maximum PC, Mac|Life, PC Gamer, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Nintendo Power, Guitar World, and Revolver. Entire contents copyright 2009, Future US, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Future US, Inc., is not affiliated with the companies or products covered in Pregnancy. PRODUCED AND PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Future US, Inc. is part of Future PLC.
Dr. Stephen H. Weiss
Jill Wodnick, M.A.
Future US, Inc. produces carefully targeted special-interest magazines for people who share a passion. We aim to satisfy that passion by creating titles offering value for money, reliable information, and smart buying advice, and that are a pleasure to read. Today we publish more than 100 magazines in the US, UK, and Italy. More than 100 international editions of our magazines are also published in 31 other countries across the world. Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FNET). FUTURE PLC 30 Monmouth St., Bath, Avon, BA1 2BW, England thefuturenetwork.plc.uk Tel +44 1225 442244 CHIEF EXECUTIVE Stevie Spring GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR John Bowman
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Certified doula and prenatal yoga teacher; founder of jillwodnick.com
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The one book you need now that you’re reading for two. You’ve trusted them with your health. Now trust America’s Doctors with your baby’s health.
Congratulations! You’re embarking on the greatest adventure a human can ever take. And this new book from America’s most trusted doctors is the only one you need to give your baby every advantage for a bright future, with cutting-edge science and common-sense wisdom to help you:
• Understand the new science of epigenetics and how it can improve your baby’s ultimate health • Manage stress and sleep better • Make the best choices with food and physical activity • Stay organized with a month-bymonth pull-out calendar • Understand your delivery options
Also available as an audiobook and an eBook.
www.simonandschuster.com
Required for Life.
Iron is essential for you and your baby— before, during and after pregnancy. A low-dose supplement (only 20 mg/day, from the 20th week of pregnancy to delivery) is proven to reduce iron anemia and deficiency at delivery— without constipation.1 Supplementing with iron during pregnancy enhances energy, assists in proper placenta development, healthy fertility and optimum birth weight. Plus it gives your baby enough iron for a healthy start in life. • Clinically proven to normalize low iron levels2 • Naturopathic physician and midwife recommended • Formulated for maximum absorption • No preservatives, heavy metals, artificial additives or pesticides
Floradix® puts back the iron that pregnancy takes out. 1
“Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose supplements during pregnancy: a randomized trial” (2003), 78 Am J Clin Nutr: 145-153. “Evaluation of the Iron Study, Phase 1: Examination of the effectiveness of Floradix-Kräuterblut®-S-Saft (liquid) in women with a low ferritin level – a prospective, random, open intervention study” (November 6, 2002), Heidelberg Women’s University Clinic.
2
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Available in quality health food stores and natural pharmacies
Formulators of Floradix® Liquid Tonics
www.florahealth.com 1.800.446.2110
Mommy Blips
News, trends, and factoids
Nursing gets noticed—in a good way You’ve probably had it up to here with reminders from your doctor about breastfeeding’s benefits. Funny, then, that once you deliver your little one, the hospital will send you home with a free diaper bag—filled with formula samples! Cottonwood Kids wants to change that with its Healthy Baby Bounty Bag, above, which is already being distributed by 200 hospitals in 45 states. The bag features breastfeeding items by trusted brands including Lansinoh and Bravado Designs (for more info, go to cottonwoodkids.com). “It’s a mixed message that ultimately reduces breastfeeding rates and increases health risks for babies. Mothers across the country have decided that enough is enough,” says Erik Maurer, the company’s president. He’s not kidding about moms being fed up. Getting attention of late on the Momternet is BestforBabes.org, which aims to change breastfeeding’s image. The nonprofit venture offers loads of nursing
My most embarrassing pregnancy moment Pregnancy gives me a sweaty butt—I’m not in denial. But, one day, I wore light-colored pants and drank coffee sitting on a hard chair at Starbucks for an hour...recipe for sweat-soaked pant crack. After coffee I thought that if I sat in my car for a while with the AC on high, my butt would dry. Well, leather seats are not conducive to drying one’s sweaty bottom. So, I get the idea to park the car with the AC on high, turn around in my seat and pretend I’m doing something in the back while the vent is aimed at my bum. Only I’m huge, and it was a struggle. When I finally got turned around, my flip-flop got caught in my keys hanging from the ignition, and I couldn’t get it off. I bent backwards and stuck my arm through the steering wheel to try to release my shoe…and sat on the horn. It was horrible. A man came and knocked on the window, looking at me like I was insane. I finally got my foot free and just went in the darn store with sweaty pants. Kimberly Hoerner Keller, TX Thanks for sharing, Kimberly! Do you have an embarrassing moment from your pregnancy? Send it, as well as your photos, birth stories, pictures, and comments, to letters@pregnancymagazine.com. Please
resources, plus interviews with breastfeeding role models, like our
include your address, email, and phone number. Letters
May cover gal Kelly Rutherford.
will be edited for clarity.
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Mommy Blips
News, trends, and factoids
we DIGG it: ROBYN COLLAR, Baby Hawk At 25 years old, BabyHawk creator Robyn Collar found herself with a severely disabled child, a new infant demanding to be held, and no free hands to tend to them both—or any money to buy a baby carrier. So, she took matters into those already full hands and headed to a fabric store to make her own carrier. She settled on an Asian mei-tai style, which allows baby to be held securely on mom’s back, front, or side for ultimate versatility. After receiving compliments on the design from strangers on the street, she put one up for sale on eBay, then used those profits to make a few more. “In two months, I invested $40,” Collar says. After three months, she moved the operation to her own website, babyhawk.com, where moms can choose from a seemingly infinite number of colors, patterns, and fabrics for a truly
JackCards.com Tackle baby brain before it strikes by signing up
“This just sort of happened for
with this handy site,
me. If I can do it, anybody can.”
which lets you choose
custom carrier. In November, BabyHawk debuted its latest line, pictured at right. It was designed by tattoo artists from TLC’s Miami Ink as a nod to Collar’s own love of body art.
birthday cards for friends and family for the whole year—then mails them
—Meghann Meyers
to you, addressed and stamped, when you need them. The site lets you plug in contacts yourself or
of female drivers say that kids in the car are the biggest driving distraction out there. Texting while driving was only seen as a distraction by 4.2%
SOURCE: Leasetrader.com
import vcard files, and the choice of cards is great. You do remember how to sign your name, don’t you?
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Gentle as a mother’s touch
THE
#1 CHO IANS ICE OF PEDIATRIC IS AVAILABLE IN HE
©2009 P&G
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Mommy Blips
WE ED ASKOU Y
News, trends, and factoids
Wish we invented it!
How will you be decorating baby’s nursery?
35% 33% 19% Target is my best friend
I’m buying secondhand and getting hand-me-downs from friends and family.
I still need to figure out where the nursery will be!
13% I found everything at a local boutique that carries the chic brands. My baby is coming home in style! This soft, muslin burp cloth has snaps
Log on to Pregnancy360.com and share your opinion in this month’s poll.
that turn it into a bib—utterly ingenious. Aden + Anais Burpy Bib, $20, adenandanais.com
No woman should be photographed for weeks [after giving birth]… it’s inhumane. There I am holding my newborn baby, in my dressing gown, with my hair unwashed…it was awful. —Brothers & Sisters’ Rachel Griffiths on
Y
S TRUS TIP T ED
TO
The Jay Leno Show, of the media ambush when she was wheeled out of Cedars Sinai with daughter Clementine.
PROCRASTINATE AND SAVE
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On December 17, the last
This little machine-washable rattle is made of velour and satin, and its small size makes it an ideal traveling toy. Infants and toddlers needing tactile stimulation for sensory input find this
day to shop online and still
rattle soothing. They also encourage use of fine motor skills, while stimulating available vision
get delivery by Christmas
and promoting body awareness. $8, nabear.com
Eve, Freeshipping.org will hold its second annual Free Shipping Day. More
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than 500 online retailers will to join in, and all you have to do is log on after December 1 to find out which of your favorites will participate. —MM
Saving Cord Blood. Saving Lives
Limited Time Only RECEIVE AN $500 GRANT $500 Grant from NECBB’s parent company, New England Cryogenic Center, is available for a limited time, by online or telephone enrollment.
Questions about cord blood banking? As an expectant parent, you may have heard that the stem cells found in your baby’s umbilical cord blood can help treat over 80 chronic and acute diseases, and may treat many more in the future. No doubt you have a lot of questions and would like to learn more. Find answers online with NECBB or call us for more information. N England Cord Blood Bank, Inc. we’ve built a reputation as one of the most helpful resources At New for families considering umbilical cord blood banking. On our website you’ll find a great deal of helpful information, including a video tour and family testimonials that help give you a clearer understanding of the process and benefits.
Ask about our new longer term, no-interest payment plans, which make choosing to save your baby’s cord blood with us even easier.
New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc. 153 Needham Street Building #1 Newton, MA 02464
Cradle Crib Notes
Quick tips from TheCradle.com
All about the
boob
Yeah, it’s natural—that doesn’t mean nursing comes naturally! Here’s how to breastfeed like a pro with these insider secrets
YOUR DIET COUNTS What you feed yourself is what you feed your baby, so remember these tips: • Drink plenty of water and fill up on green, leafy veggies; calcium; and whole grains. • Continue taking your prenatal vitamin. • Avoid tummy-ache culprits such as chocol chocolate, broccoli, cow’s milk, caffeine, and acidic foods. • If you do imbibe, enjoy that glass of wine or beer after you’ve nursed—or at least an hour (per drink) before you breastfeed A new study shows that your baby’s again. That way you won’t have cry can encourage letdown, the flow of to “pump and dump.” milk from your breasts, before your baby even begins to nurse or you try to pump. AVOID THE OUCH If you’re going to be away from your If nursing’s taking a toll on your baby and need to start the process, nipples: why not record his cry? baby • Use lanolin after you nurse baby. • Invest in breast shells to keep your fr nipples from rubbing against your bra.
TIP: Trigger
milk with baby’s cry
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• Steer clear of sore nipples with the “deep latch technique.” For details, visit our friends at The Pump Station (pumpstation.com). • To solve the common problem of engorgement—full, hard breasts that won’t release milk—wash, dry, and refrigerate cabbage leaves (yes, cabbage leaves—they seem to work even better than ice packs!), then place them on the breasts for about 20 minutes.
UH-OH…MILK’S RUNNING LOW? How to pump up a low-milk supply: • Feed frequently: Baby should nurse 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. • Pump for 15 to 20 minutes after you nurse. This is especially important in the morning, when your milk supply is at its peak. • Drink tea with fenugreek, an herb that increases milk supply. For more info, read The Cradle’s Breastfeeding 101 at thecradle.com/breastfeeding101.
discovered the wonder of breastfeeding discovered Playtex® Drop-Ins® bottle, which mimics breastfeeding dad experiences the joy of feeding
baby and mom sleep
L V VE EVERY MOMENT ™
Playtex® Drop-Ins™ Liner System, the next best thing to you.
4:4 5 & .
Of all the miracles along your journey through motherhood, the Playtex® Drop-Ins® System might be the most reassuring. It’s the #1 liner bottle and is clinically shown to mimic breastfeeding. The Playtex® Drop-Ins® System promotes the natural feeding rhythm, and it’s the only bottle with the NaturaLatch™ nipple, which minimizes nipple confusion. A comfort to you both.
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Mommywood
Hot Moms Club guide to celebrity babies
Sarah Jane’s green day off Photographs By Lisa Franchot
Hot Moms Club met up with star of ABC’s Brothers and Sisters Sarah Jane Morris for a day of eco-friendly baby shopping in trendy Hollywood green boutique The Little Seed, owned by Soleil Moon Frye. Unlike her character, Julia, who experienced fertility and marriage issues with on-screen husband Balthazar Getty, Sarah Jane’s happily married to her college sweetheart, Ned Brower (drummer of the rock band Rooney). She’s enjoying her pregnancy and looks forward to the arrival of their baby boy in January. The radiant mom-to-be is a huge green advocate: “It’s so important to respect our earth,” Sarah Jane says. “Being eco-conscious is so much a part of my daily life, so extending that to my baby and the way I plan to parent is natural.” Sarah Jane does practice
Sarah Jane and Hot Moms Club’s Joy Bergin with her new Orbit Green: Organic FR, made from chemical-free fabric and all PVC-free materials.
I’m looking forward to getting to know this little person I’m growing inside
”
of me! I hope he has a beautiful, sunshine-y world to grow up in. what she preaches: She composts kitchen scraps, buys organic and vintage clothes whenever possible, uses eco-friendly cleaning products, and has an alternative-energy car that runs on recycled vegetable oil. So naturally, Sarah Jane wants to do everything she can to reduce her baby’s carbon butt-print. Laura Meyer, founder of TheUltimateGreenStore .com, stopped by with a Wendy Anne organic Moses
Sarah loves colorful, eco-friendly kids clothes.
basket of goodies and green tips for Sarah and her new baby. Laura recommended Sprite’s Baby Shower, which attaches to the faucet and filters the water for the baby’s bath. Her customers also love Dropps Laundry Detergent for washing baby clothes. We spent the afternoon looking and learning about the various eco-baby items and filling Sarah Jane’s registry with her favorites.
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Earth mamas know that babywearing is one of the best ways to bond with baby!
A Wendy Anne organic Moses basket from TheUltimateGreenStore.com.
©2009 Destination Maternity®. All rights reserved.
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Introducing MommySox If you’re suffering from tired, aching feet, we have just the answer for you: MommySox! MommySox is offering you 20% OFF your purchase. Just enter the code “PW20” at check out.
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Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Miller is giving her baby a head start on learning
In keeping with her champion spirit, the country’s most decorated gymnast and mom-to-be Shannon Miller is ensuring her son will have the best start possible by using the BabyPlus® Prenatal Education System®.
“Like any parent, we want our son to have every advantage and benefit we can give him. BabyPlus helps us do that.” BabyPlus® parents report their children:
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• Nurse well from an early age • Display an increased ability to self-soothe • Are more interactive and responsive • Enjoy strong early learning and school readiness
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Must-Haves
Staff picks
Tooling around Gear him up to go out and about with baby—it’ll help them bond and give you a break! We can’t think of a hipper way to be prepared
Cevan Metro Diaper Bag in Brown Vintage Biplane, $100, allenave.com
Scout by PPB Walkabout Carrier, $199, petuniapicklebottom.com (available in January)
p re g n a n c y 3 6 0.c o m
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Must-Haves
Staff picks
A little something for you Don’t forget to make your own list. Or just leave this page out where he can see it
“Pretty notepads make a perfect stockingstuffer for your favorite list-maker…you!” —Clary Alward, Managing Editor Linda & Hariett Notepads, $12 each, lindandharriett .com; Chloe In Style Scalloped Initial Notepads, $32 for 2, chloeinstyle.com
“Keep baby’s and your partner’s birthstones close to your heart.” —Abigail Tuller, Editor in Chief Luna & Stella Birthstone Necklace in Sterling Silver, from $120, lunaandstella.com
“Perfect for keeping dry when postpartum night sweats attack—and cute to boot.” —Tracie King, Art Director Cool Sets Wicking Strap Nightgown in Pink Dot, $54, coolsets.com
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“This robe is silky and indulgent. Makes me think of reading on a rainy Sunday.” —Kendra Smith, Senior Editor Little Giraffe Adult Luxe Cover-up in Cream, $198, at Nordstrom stores
An overwhelming selection of cribs. Perfect, if you want to be overwhelmed. We make registering easier. From strollers to car seats to nursery furniture we edit our selection down to the most trusted brands in a wide range of prices. So you get everything you need, without wasting time and money going round and round with everything you don’t. Register today in-store or at babydepot.com
15%OFF
Any Single Regularly Priced Baby Depot Item Valid through 2/07/10. One coupon per customer. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid toward prior purchases, gift cards or on layaway payments. Valid on Baby Depot merchandise only, other departments excluded. Cannot be combined with any other percentage or dollar off promotional offer, coupon or employee discount. Copies not accepted. Additional coupons not available in stores. Discount and/or the value of a promotional item or gift card is applied on a prorated basis to all qualifying items purchased; any applicable refunds will be given in the prorated amount. (Cashier – Scan Item; Ring MKDN%)
Must-Haves
Staff picks
Red, green, and baby all over Celebrate your little bundle this season with touches of bright and brilliant
Sparkling socks and shoes to adorn your tiny dancer. Pork Chop Kids Pork Chops in Silver Sparkle, $18, porkchopkids.com; Pediped Isabella in Red Patent, $31, tinysoles.com
Get baby in a holiday mood for family dinners—hold the snowmen and candy canes. Maisey Mae Bibs in Green and Nicholson, $13 each, maiseymae.com
Handmade in India of wool felt, this sillyand-sweet fair-trade toy comes with a story. Bholu Frederick the Elephant, $55, branchhome.com
Must-Haves
Staff picks
A chunky book of black-andwhite contemporary art, carefully chosen to stimulate baby’s development. Art for Baby, $14, amazon.com
Designed for babies, this neck warmer’s safer than a scarf and totally darling, too. Oeuf Neckie in Cool Green, $48, oeufnyc.com
For warm legs and happy feet, check out these pairs. Smaller by See Kai Run Vilma, $32, tinysoles.com; Pork Chop Kids Pork Chops in Red Dot, $18, porkchopkids.com
When a bottle guards against colic this well, you’ll want to keep it handy. We found something that does the trick! Weil Baby 5 oz. Tritan Nurser Bottle, $9, weilbaby.com; Dropper Stopper (Limited Edition 2009 Holiday Design), $12, dropperstopper.com
This silk-trimmed blankie is made with certified organic cotton, yet it’s machine-washable and dryer-safe. Robbie Adrian Velour Organic Nursery Blanket with Silk Ruffle, $118, robbieadrian.com p re g n a n c y 3 6 0.c o m
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Must-Haves
Styled by Ellie & Melissa, The Baby Planners
Made by moms Thank goodness for the moms out there willing to take a stand for a great idea. Imagine what you’ll think up…
Ellie & Melissa are founders of the nation’s #1 baby concierge and consulting company, TheBabyPlanners .com. You’ve seen them on Rachel Ray, Access Hollywood, and DisneyFamily.com.
“Sharon Oved started with nursing shawls, and now she also makes well-made cotton infant clothes as well as this smart swaddler—for babies who like their arms loose.” L’ovedbaby Arms-Free Swaddler in True Blue, $30, lovedbaby.com
“Friends Carolyn Gatzke and Diane Lechner develop safe and soothing nursery products. This is their safe answer to crib-bumper confusion.” Engage Environments Crib Cozies, $240, csnbaby.com
“Linda Byerline created this cloth-diaper design for her preemie daughter. Now her company is a worldwide industry leader…and one of the few still manufacturing in the U.S.” Happy Heinys Pocket Diaper in Sage, $18, amazon.com Continued on p. 38 p re g n a n c y 3 6 0.c o m
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Must-Haves
Styled by Ellie & Melissa, The Baby Planners
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“Designer and mom Cinda Brown creates children’s bedding that’s appealing to both kids and parents. Her designs are celeb faves.” Maddie Boo Erin Moses Basket, $180, walmart.com
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”Diane Truong, M.D., and JJ Levenstein, M.D., are a couple of mom docs whose baby and child skin-care products are a fabulous way to say welcome home.” Baby Silk Welcome Home, Baby! Gift Set, $115, mdmoms.com
3
”Lisa Williamson, Julie Jumonville, and Teresa ‘Dede’ Woodman are mompreneurs with a passion for addressing the needs of moms and babies. This helpful tool for when baby’s learning to walk could save your back.” UpSpring Baby Walking Wings in Pink, $25, upspringbaby.com
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”Dana Rubinstein and Tamar Rosenthal were worried new moms, uncomfortable with the residue left behind by traditional dish cleaners. Now their line of baby-safe household products puts us all at ease.” Dapple Toy & Surface Wipes, $8, giggle.com
5
”Frustrated with boring baby gifts, Jessica Misak began making her own personalized blankets with the sewing machine her grandma gave her.” Bubblecakes Baby Blanket in Flower Power, $45, bubblecakes.com
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ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Robert Sears One of America’s leading pediatricians answers a question on every expectant parent’s mind.
10:32 p.m. A family is born. 10:41 p.m. A future is protected.
Ask Dr. Sears Should I bank my baby’s cord blood? I strongly recommend cord blood banking to my patients. Using your own family’s cord blood has been shown to significantly improve medical outcomes compared to using cord blood from someone outside your family. One of the most compelling reasons to save cord blood stem cells is that new findings indicate you may be able to use them to treat conditions like brain injury and juvenile diabetes. And they have already been used to treat nearly 80 diseases, including leukemia and other cancers. As new treatments develop, having cord blood on hand will be invaluable. The decision to store my son’s cord blood was easy. Deciding which bank to trust took time and research. I feel confident recommending the bank I chose, Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®). Parents have only one chance with each child to bank his or her cord blood stem cells. The importance of banking is clear, but the financial commitment may deter some families. Thankfully, payment plans make the cost well within reach for most people. I believe cord blood banking is well worth the investment for a family’s future, and parents should strongly consider making use of this valuable service.
Saving your baby’s cord blood stem cells may offer a lifetime of protection. There is nothing more important than protecting your family. Although your child will never be immune from accidents or illness, you can still have the ultimate peace of mind: knowing you’ve done everything possible to protect your child. It begins with banking your baby’s cord blood stem cells. Cord blood is showing promise in the treatment of brain injury and juvenile diabetes. And for years has been used to treat nearly 80 serious diseases, saving many lives from leukemia and other cancers. Save your baby’s cord blood with Cord Blood Registry,® the #1 choice of Ob/Gyns and expectant families. Don’t miss your one chance. Call CBR® today for your free information kit
1-888-932-6830 And visit cordblood.com
Pediatrician Robert Sears, MD, FAAP, is a noted author, CBR medical advisor, and the father of three boys.
New uses for cord blood stem cells are being discovered rapidly; however, banking cord blood does not guarantee that the cells will provide a cure or be applicable for every situation. Ultimate use will be determined by the treating physician. Use in regenerative medicine is still considered experimental. Source for Ob/Gyn claim: Blind survey, GfK Market Measures, 4/07. © Cbr Systems, Inc. • 1009 • MA01654.02
Must-Haves
Styled by Shana King
Holiday highlights How to give your skin a sparkling boost, just when it needs it most If you’re pregnant, you already have glowing skin, so you’ll just want to add subtle touches of light to certain areas of the face. You can use either a liquid- or powder-based highlight product. If you regularly use powder, make sure to dust off any excess before you begin.
Place the highlight product along the top of the cheekbone and continue to apply around the outer corners of the eye. This enhances your cheekbones and reflects the light, giving you a soft, pretty glow. Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, $24, smashbox.com
Shana King is a makeup artist, co-founder of adesign brushes, and a first-time mom. She’s passionate about educating others in cosmetic application, emphasizing simplicity and fun in any beauty regimen.
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To instantly open up your eyes, use a light-colored eye shadow in white, gold, or cream. Apply a small amount to the tip of your makeup brush and gently press the shadow into the inner corner of your eyes. Cargo EyeLighter in White, $20, amazon.com; Sephora Eye Shadow in Wedding and French Gold, $12 each, sephora.com; adesign Eye 4 Brush, $18, adesignbrushes.com
2
To boost your body’s glow, too, blend a shimmer powder or a liquid highlighter into your body cream. Beauté de Maman Face & Body Cream, $25, beautedemaman.com
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When you take care of yourself, it means good things for both you and your baby.
A Be a
r Nam
ed Poo
h • 4-p
iece c r ib bed
d i n g c ol le c t io n an d acce ss
Sold exclusively at © Disney. Based on the "Winnie the Pooh" works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard.
o r i es
Must-Haves
Styled by Leslie Newton
Your bag of tricks
Designer Leslie Newton is the originator of the fashionable, functional diaper bag, made popular through her brand Timi & Leslie (timiandleslie.com). She’s a recent first-time mom and lives in Los Angeles.
A few power tools for when life gets busy beyond belief
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“This convertible diaper bag also doubles as my purse and laptop bag.” Timi & Leslie Charlie Convertible Baby Bag in Black, $150, ebags.com
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“These masks make me feel like I’ve been to the spa.” The Face Shop Fresh Fruit Mask Sheet in Lemon, Aloe, and Pomegranate, 2 for $5, walgreens.com
3
“I love big-framed sun glasses. They’re the stylish way to hide my tired eyes when my baby is up all night!” Merona Sunglasses in Tortoise, $15, target.com
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“I hate to iron. It takes too long and I’m too impatient. That’s why this fabric steamer is perfect—it works fast!” Conair Compact Fabric Steamer GS4, $31, target.com
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“These super stylish shoes are really comfortable for running errands around town, so I don’t have to sacrifice looks for comfort.” New Balance Cyprus Sneakers for Nine West, $89, ninewest.com /newbalance
6
“A planet-friendly foot cream that’s soothing and a great pick-me-up for moms who are out and about all day.” Bath Junkie Peppermint & Tea Tree Foot Lotion, $12, 888.883.3183
Top-name diapers and formula for him. Guaranteed unbeatable prices* for you. We’ve got you both covered.
The brands you love cost less at Walmart.
More baby products at walmart.com *Our stores will match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details. The “Spark” Design , Walmart and Save money. Live better. are marks and/or registered marks of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. © 2009 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Diaper rash is a major pain in the butt. (For your baby, too.)
BY
M O M S. F O R M O
MS .™
Lansinoh® Diaper Rash Ointment goes on white and rubs in clear for mess-free relief With its unique combination of three active ingredients, Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment is a triple threat against diaper rash. We start with the purest HPA® Lanolin, which creates a natural protective barrier to promote healing. Then we’ve added microfine zinc oxide to soothe and an emollient, dimethicone, for spreadability. All this in a silky, breathable formula that rubs in clear. Not only is it fragrance-free, it’s also hypoallergenic for your baby’s most sensitive parts. And, it’s from the makers of Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin, the #1 choice of moms for more than 20 years. ©2009 Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc. Use as directed.
Breastfeeding is an experience only a mom can truly understand. (Unfortunately, the same goes for sore nipples.)
BY
MS M O M S. F O R M O
Soothies® by Lansinoh® Gel Pads give you instant pain relief plus protection from irritating friction The first few days of nursing can be a pain… Soothies by Lansinoh Gel Pads instantly relieve the pain of sore, tender nipples so you can keep breastfeeding. The cooling gel pads create a powerful barrier between your sensitive nipples and your bra to ease friction, and you can even reuse them for up to 72 hours. And, they’re from the makers of Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin, the #1 choice of moms for more than 20 years. ©2009 Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc. Use as directed.
.™
Must-Haves
Be well
Lindsey Marla Photography
Plan the right way for the big day Not sure what to expect from labor? Prepare yourself with this birth plan advice and handy questionnaire By Emily Lovely Like Kegel exercises and reading the final chapters in that massive pregnancy manual beside your bed, writing a birth plan is worth the effort pre-delivery— and it can also help ease your anxiety about labor. Of course, you can’t control how your bundle of joy makes his grand entrance, so a birth plan isn’t actually a plan. Instead, think of it as a short list of requests for anyone helping to welcome your baby, including your partner. In a page or less, a birth plan typically includes your choices for pain management, your opinions about interventions, and details about who’s cutting the cord. Before penning your preferences, you’ll need to know your options, because much of your delivery will be dictated by where you give birth and who’s assisting you. For example, many hospitals require an IV and constant fetal monitoring, meaning you’re obliged to deliver in bed, stirrups and all, so it would be futile to write that you wish to labor in a bathtub or pacing the halls. Talk through potential scenarios in advance with your care provider, such as what
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might lead to a C-section, keeping in mind that birth plans are a new concept: Before presenting your written delivery desires, it’s best to get on the same page—literally! Birth plans may also include specifics such as who is welcome to witness the birth and if you’d like to see the baby crown. Busy nurses don’t have time to read three pages, so be succinct (one page or less), and emphasize what’s most important to you. It’s also important to stay flexible. A birth plan isn’t a contract, so feel free to say “yes” to an epidural even if you wrote “no pain medication,” and be prepared that your ob/gyn might suggest a procedure that isn’t on paper. You might need a plan B, and possibly even a plan C—as in, C-section. The priority is a healthy delivery! Ease your mind and get started on the next page. Emily Lovely recently welcomed her second baby using “birth plan C.” Prior to kids, Emily was a travel writer. Now her work appears in pregnancy and parenting magazines.
Must-Haves
What type of pain relief do you plan to use? Is your strategy, “I want an epidural ASAP!” or would you prefer to avoid drugs? If it’s the latter, what other pain management techniques will you use?
Who do you want to be there at the birth? Do you want your mom holding your hand, or just your husband and your doula in the room? If you already have kids, will they be there?
What type of atmosphere would you like to have? Do you prefer a high-energy room with upbeat music, or a quiet, softly lit setting?
What do you think about photos and videos of the birth? Do you wish to capture every moment from the first labor pain, or wait until your tyke is cleaned and content before the flashbulbs begin?
How would you like your baby monitored during labor? Many hospitals use constant electronic fetal monitoring via a big belt, but you may be able to request “intermittent” monitoring if you wish to escape the bed.
How would you like to stay hydrated during labor? Most laboring women are tethered to an IV, but if you’d like to sip water or juice you may be able to request just a more mobile hep lock—an IV part that allows it to be easily disconnected.
Does where you’re planning to deliver have any other policies that will affect your labor? For example, you may want to munch on a protein bar during your labor, but most hospitals limit your consumption to ice chips.
Do you want to see the baby crowning? Some mothers request to have a mirror positioned so they can see the baby’s head appear or even touch his noggin.
Who will cut the cord and when? Does daddy want to do the honors, and do you prefer to wait until the baby has taken her first breath to clamp the cord? Do you want to avoid an episiotomy or assisted birth? If your baby is being bashful, your provider may wish to do an episiotomy—an incision between the vagina and anus—to make room for baby, or use forceps or vacuum extraction. Ask about pros and cons of these procedures before you decide.
What do you want to happen immediately after the birth? After an uncomplicated delivery, the baby typically is placed on the mother’s chest. And if you’d like to breastfeed, you may want to start right away and request your baby not be given a bottle or pacifier, which may interfere with nursing.
How do you feel about having a C-section? Surgical deliveries are sometimes performed due to “failure to progress”—does pushing for five hours send you to the operating room, or does your doc schedule the OR only if baby is in distress? Is there additional information that might affect delivery? For example, you may wish to note if you are blind as a bat without your glasses or that you plan to bank your baby’s cord blood.
Be well
Automated Processing
Only $1,295
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The Cute Outfits Won’t Fit... The Stem Cells Will. NeoCellsTM gives you the best choice in quality, technology and value And NeoCellsTM uses the top automated processing systems for higher quality and quantity of collected stem cells, over manual collection methods NeoCells™ Setting the Standard in Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking CATEGORY
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Use of CPD liquid anticoagulant collection bag (no heparin content)
YES
Some NO
Sterile kit for c-sections
YES
Many YES
AXP AUTOMATED processing system by Thermogenesis/GE Healthcare*
YES, as well as the Sepax functionally closed bag specimen processing system
Most NO
IATA approved AND independent laboratory tested cord blood UmbiliCord™ collection kit**
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CLIA, CAP, FDA, AABB1, NY, NJ and CA
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*The AXP AutoXpress and Sepax Processing Systems are functionally closed bag stem cell processing systems operated under suggested processing methods contained in FDA and AABB guidelines. Research has shown higher total mononuclear cell recovery averages and higher yields for viable CD34+ cells using these systems. Mononucleated cell recovery rates of up to 97% are achievable vs. alternative manual methods which yield only 40%-80%. CD34+ cell recovery is up to 99.3%. **To insure safe transport of your newborn’s precious cord blood specimen, NeoCells pioneered the development and introduction of proprietary UmbiliCordTM Collection Kit Packaging as the only packaging certified by an independent laboratory to meet the UN 3373 Diagnostic Specimen transportation requirements as called for under applicable drop tests, vibration tests, internal pressure and temperature tests, as described in the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Dangerous Goods Regulation, 45 Edition, 2004, and Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Transportation. 1
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Must-Haves
Let’s eat
months of mocktails Celebrate right up to delivery with these amazing non-alcoholic drink recipes By Kate Geagan, M.S., R.D.
For some, saying bye-bye to booze is a cinch. But the prospect of 40 dry weeks can puzzling—even for the most devoted mom-to-be. Fortunately, with these alcoholfree recipes, you can keep hosting girls’ night in style. Despite what your friends may say about “the women in France,” alcohol when you’re expecting is definitely a no-no; it can cause a range of serious conditions known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. But you can prevent these birth defects by merely not drinking, so all leading health organizations still recommend women avoid alcohol completely during their pregnancies. Besides lifting the liquor, to be sure you’re treating your body (and baby) right, we’ve packed these beverages with healthy ingredients. Kate Geagan, M.S., R.D., is an award-winning dietician in Park City, UT, and author of Go Green, Get Lean: Trim Your Waistline with the Ultimate Low Carbon Footprint Diet.
Top mocktail munchies • Shelled pistachios warmed with curry. These nuts are packed with more than 30 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients important for both you and baby. • Air-popped popcorn with five-spice powder. Provides 3 grams of fiber and a serving of healthy whole grains. • Roasted, salted pumpkin seeds. Known as pepitas in Mexican cuisine, these flat, green seeds provide nearly a quarter of a day’s iron in a 1 oz. serving.
DECEMBER “I teach cocktail classes all around the country and the one thing I stress more than anything else is fresh ingredients. Squeezing lemons and limes, muddling fresh fruits and herbs; this makes any drink taste better—and better for you.” —Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, author of Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be
Hanukkah Bubbly Bubbala Sparkling concord grape juice ½ oz. lemon juice 1 tsp. granulated sugar 1 lemon wheel Pour sugar and lemon juice into a champagne flute. Fill with sparkling concord grape juice. Garnish with lemon wheel. ©2008, Natalie Bovis-Nelsen. Excerpted from PreggatinisTM: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be. Used with permission. TheLiquidMuse.com
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Must-Haves
Let’s eat
January
february
MarCH
april
Alyssa Gusenoff, a “mommy mixologist” and author of Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be, offers this tip for any budding mocktailista: “The key is trial and error with the flavors and ingredients you like best.”
You’ll be craving chocolate anyway, so why not sip some? The antioxidants in dark cocoa provide added benefit. For a vegan version, omit the skim milk.
Toast your second trimester with this easy bubbly, inspired by the 1930s classic from Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy.
This mocktail tastes (almost) like the real thing. If your blood pressure is normal and you crave a little salt around the rim, go for it.
Baby Bellini
Mama’s Margarita
6 oz. chilled sparkling cider
Margarita salt (optional)
2 oz. peach nectar
1½ oz. sweet and sour mix
lemon twist
½ oz. fresh orange juice
Nothing Fits Fizz 8 to 10 mint leaves 4 oz. mango juice 4 oz. club soda 2 lime wedges Muddle mint leaves with mango juice in a tall glass. Add a handful of ice, then club soda. Squeeze one lime wedge into the glass; garnish with the other. Recipe by Alyssa Gusenoff, Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be (Quirk, 2008) MocktailsForMomsToBe.com
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Chocolate Coconut Kiss ½ cup light coconut milk (for a richer taste, use regular coconut milk) 2 Tbsp. high-quality dark cocoa powder, plus extra for garnish ¼ cup skim milk ¼ tsp. almond extract Coconut ice cream, such as Coconut bliss (optional) Blend all ingredients with a few handfuls of ice until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour into a martini glass and dust with extra cocoa powder. Add a small scoop of coconut ice cream, if desired.
Pour cider and nectar into a champagne flute. Add lemon twist and serve.
½ oz. fresh lime juice limes Salt the rim of a margarita glass, if desired. Blend mix and both juices with a handful of ice until smooth. Pour into glass. Or, pour mix and both juices into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into glass, and add more ice and limes, if desired.
Must-Haves
Let’s eat
May
june
july
auGust
Add some zing to your spring with this traditional Indian drink. Mangoes are loaded with vitamins A and C and provide 3 grams of fiber, while yogurt packs immune-boosting probiotics.
Perfect for when your farmer’s market is bursting with seasonal organic berries, this brew will have everyone clamoring for a sip.
Pineapple and orange juices provide vitamin C, but the juice of the pomegranate has one of the highest antioxidant contents, ounce-for-ounce, of any drink.
Ginger helps soothe the stomach and fight nausea. Cranberry juice helps cut your risk of developing UTIs, and concord grape juice adds loads of antioxidants.
Strawberry Mint Mojito
Pomegranate Swizzle
Ginger Goddess
Mango Lassi
4 organic strawberries
2 oz. 100% pomegranate juice
2 oz. concord grape juice
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 lime wedges
1 oz. pineapple juice
½ cup nonfat milk
6 to 8 mint leaves
1 oz. fresh orange juice
2 oz. pure cranberry juice (not juice “cocktail)
1 cup chopped mango
2 tsp. raw sugar
1 oz. club soda or ginger ale
4 oz. ginger ale
2 tsp. sugar
1 cup club soda
Pineapple or orange slice for garnish
lemon or lime wedge
Pour the juices into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into a chilled highball glass, pour a splash of club soda or ginger ale on top, and garnish and add more ice as desired.
Pour both juices into your favorite glass. Add a handful of ice, then ginger ale. Squeeze in lemon or lime, and garnish with candied ginger.
Dash of ground cardamom, plus more for garnish Blend ingredients for 1 minute until combined and frothy. Pour into a tall glass and serve. Garnish with ground cardamom, if desired.
Quarter three of the berries. Squeeze lime into a highball glass. Add the quartered berries, mint, and sugar. Crush mixture with a muddler, then add a handful of ice. Add club soda and stir gently until sugar has dissolved. Garnish with remaining berry.
Candied ginger pieces
COMPRESSION GIRDLES & CORSETS CARES FOR THE COMFORT, WELLBEING AND AESTHETICS OF FUTURE MOMS
MATERNITY ABDOMINAL LUMBAR SUPPORT (PRENATAL)
IMPROVES POSTURE REDUCES PRESSURE ON BACK & LEGS REDUCES POSSIBILITY OF STRETCH MARKS EASY TO PUT ON/OFF WEAR OVER OR UNDER CLOTHES VELCRO HOOKS FOR EASY FASTENING & RELEASE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS RECOMMENDED
ABDOMINAL POST PARTUM CORSETS / GIRDLES
PROVIDES SUPPORT TO LOWER ABDOMINAL TISSUE AIDES IN FASTER HEALING PROCESS IMROVES POSTURE HELPS REDUCE SWELLING WITH SAFE COMPRESSION HELPS LOSE INCHES FASTER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS RECOMMENDED CONVENIENT FLAP WITH HOOKS DESIGN ALLOWS EASY ACCESS MICRO-POROUS FABRIC ALLOWS SKIN TO BREATHE STAYS IN PLACE AND OFFERS OVERALL SUPPORT AS YOU MOVE ABOUT
Must-Haves
A green life
Dreaming of a green holiday? Pregnancy is a great reason to slow down and be more eco-conscious this season By Anna Getty, Eco Editor
Every holiday season, the general population goes into a frenzy. We feel pressured to buy gifts for and see everyone we’ve ever met. We overeat, overspend, and generally feel pretty depleted once the New Year rolls around. The true meaning of the holidays—tradition, family, connection, giving— often seems lost in a blizzard of consumption and obligation. But you women who are pregnant in the winter have it good. Not only do you get to miss out on the heat, you also get a hall pass to skip the holiday craze. Really, you do! And you should. The holiday season is a perfect time for reflecting and slowing down. My first child was born a few weeks before Christmas. I recall asking myself what I really wanted. How did I hope to experience the holiday season? I’d just spent months greening my home and taking care of myself. Was I ready to throw it all away because of the guilt that comes with the season?
Salt-dough ornaments This is an excellent craft to do with children. When I first made these with my daughter, she kept asking me if we could eat them once we were finished. They’re definitely not for eating, but they look adorable hanging on the tree or anywhere around the house. 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup salt 1 cup water
It was important for me to continue taking care of myself, so that I could be a good mom, and it was important for me to stay on target with my then-newfound green philosophy: buying less, connecting with nature more, and respecting the grand dame of it all, Mother Earth. In I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas, I talk about the importance of creating tradition. You now have the opportunity, as you go into motherhood, to set the foundation for your family’s holiday traditions. Think about what’s meaningful to you, because that’s what will be meaningful to your children. Be an example now, as they will learn from you. Through our children we can rediscover the meanings of peace, love, and joy.
Preheat the oven to 250°. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the water and stir until the dough is well blended and no traces of flour remain. Knead the dough on a flat surface until smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes. Don’t let the dough get too rubbery. On a floured surface, use the rolling pin to roll out the dough until it’s about ¼ inch thick. With cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Use a toothpick to make a hole at the top of each ornament large enough for yarn or ribbon to fit through. Bake for 2 hours. When the ornaments are done baking, let them cool, slip a piece of yarn or ribbon through each hole, and knot. Excerpted from I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas, by Anna Getty. ©2009, Chronicle Books. Photograph by Ron Hamad.
Anna Getty is a holistic green lifestyle expert, author, and mom. I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is her first book.
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Must-Haves
The digital mom
Cue the baby!
high-end If you can spare no expense to capture baby, this 1.1-pound wonder can help you make high-definition movies to wow family for years to come, thanks to a powerful image sensor and multiple filming modes. Canon Vixia HF S10, $1,300, usa.canon.com
Make home movies your audiences will actually enjoy. Just try our five must-know tips to add professional flair and our camcorder picks for every price range By Leslie Ayers
No matter which side of the “do we film the birth?” debate you’re on, once your snuggle-bug actually enters the world, you’re going to want to capture him in moving pictures. But the difference between your audience—including your baby himself one day—truly enjoying or merely tolerating your video memories depends on your skill. These tips from the pros will add Hollywood flair to your cinematic endeavors. And to help you make award-winning family films, we picked the best digital camcorders for every price range.
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Ready, steady. Because most consumer camcorders are light enough to hold in your hand, that’s where the camera will be while you film. But even if you’re a brain surgeon, you’ll probably shake a little. So, if possible, use a tripod—or
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even a monopod if you need to pick up and move your camera to follow baby as he learns to crawl or walk. If you don’t have a tripod, steady the camera on a shoulder as you film, or use your other hand under the camera as extra support.
2
Light magic. As it is with still photography, good lighting—especially indoors—is another key to making beautiful home movies. Inside, try to film in a southfacing room with natural light coming in through a window when possible. When filming outdoors, be aware of the harshness of the light in the mid- to late afternoon. It’s often so bright that it washes out colors and details, and it can cast harsh shadows. The best times of day to film outside are very early morning or right before sunset.
Must-Haves
The digital mom
midrange This HD camcorder sports a small hard drive for storage rather than removable flash memory, which brings its price down and its weight up, but you won’t sacrifice much in the way of advanced features. (Shop around online and find it for as low as $650.) Canon Vixia HG20, $900, usa.canon.com
value/compact This pocketable powerhouse shoots in high-def, has image stabilization, and includes external mic support—yet weighs a mere 4.8 ounces! Kodak Zi8, $180, store.kodak.com
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Now hear this. The built-in microphone in virtually every consumer camcorder is a prime limitation. To catch every gurgle, coo, and that first “mama,” consider adding an external mic if your camcorder supports it—all the models we recommend do.
5 3
Picks and panning. When your baby moves, so will you—camera in hand. But be kind to your audience and keep your panning (moving sideways to follow the action) to an even, slow pace.
Level with me, baby. You’ll always have a better chance of catching all the sound and action if you get down to baby’s level while filming. Getting on the floor on your tummy in front of baby as he crawls toward you is a more dynamic angle than just holding the camera over him as he scoots away. If baby can see your face, you’re more apt to capture his sweetest, silliest, cutest faces.
Leslie Ayers has been writing about personal technology since 1997 and spends countless hours tailing 2-year-old daughter Marlo with a camcorder in hand.
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Yes, you can alter baby’s DNA for the greater good. Here’s how to start right now By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D. authors of YOU: Having a Baby: The Owner’s Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy Illustration by Aaron Bihari
T
here’s nothing quite like the emotional juxtaposition of pregnancy. On one hand, you’re thrilled, elated, and impatient for your baby’s first smile, babble, and hug. On the other hand, you may feel anxious about a million unknowns—about what’s going on inside your belly, about whether your little one is growing properly, about how you’re going to function on zippo sleep. As you balance these competing emotions, we have one word for you—relax! The most important thing to keep in mind is this: Most pregnancies turn out fine— most being defined as more than 99.5% for mom and more than 95% for babies delivered after 28 weeks. Absolutely fine. Women’s bodies are designed to carry
children safely and effectively. That doesn’t mean everything will be smooth sailing on this journey, but it does mean that the odds are greatly in your favor. If you can learn how to maximize your chances that nature runs the course it’s supposed to, then you increase those odds even further.
We’re here to help In our new book—and henceforth our new monthly column in Pregnancy—we’re here to help you explore the biology of pregnancy and give you the strategies and tips that will help you manage everything from conception to delivery (even from three months before to one month beyond). Of all the things we want you to learn, two of
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the most important involve topics that you may have never spent much time thinking about: epigenetics and your placenta. We’ll discuss the placenta next month; but we know you’re thinking, What on earth is epigenetics?
it’s not just two recipes, it’s hundreds, maybe thousands. Some on index cards, some in books, some on torn-up shreds of cocktail napkins. So what do you do with all these cranberry-mold recipes? Stuff each and every one of them in the kitchen drawer. Now it’s hard to sift through them, you don’t have access to many of them, and you really can’t find what you want. Unless—you knew there was an “unless” coming—you get them organized, say, by sticking hot pink notes on the recipes you really want to access quickly. You tag your favorite recipes, so you can quickly search, find, and put them into action. Genes are like recipes. They’re instructions to build something. Both mom and dad contribute a copy of their entire recipe book to their offspring, but for many genes, only one copy of each recipe will be
BaBy’s road map Epigenetics explores what makes us develop in certain ways—why some people thrive while others are prone to chronic diseases. Turns out, there are easy things you can do to help not just your baby’s development in utero, but his opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling adult life. Back in 10th grade biology, you were probably taught—as were we—that the unique combination of genes you received from your mom and dad were responsible for everything that followed—the color of your eyes, the size of your feet, your love of lasagna, your hatred for eight-legged creatures. To a certain extent, that’s true, but over the past few years we’ve discovered that classical genetics is only part of your baby’s picture. Consider identical twins. They get dealt exactly the same DNA, but they may develop different traits down the line: One may have allergies and the other may not, one may develop a particular disease and the other may not, one may be able to play the piano without ever learning how to read music, while the other can’t carry a tune. What accounts for these differences? Something in their environment— potentially as early as in utero—affected the expression of their genes differently. That something is called epigenetics.
sorting it out Here’s how it works: Let’s say that you and your partner each come to your relationship with a set of favorite family recipes. You may contribute a blueribbon chili recipe to the table, and your significant other may bring a killer lemon meringue pie. But
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used by the baby. Mom and dad have the same recipes (one for eye color, one for hair color, and so on), except they may have slightly different versions of those recipes; these are called alleles. For example, eye genes are either brown or blue or green, etc. For such genes, you express only the gene from your mom or dad—that is, only one copy is active, but not both. In some cases, neither copy will need to be expressed: Eye color only matters to eye cells; a liver cell doesn’t need either mom’s or dad’s eye-color gene to be cranking away. So how
A Convenient Alternative
Imagine
taking a childbirth class in the comfort of your home at your own pace!
The Gift of Motherhood eLearning childbirth class is perfect for parents on-the-go or: • Moms on bed rest • Couples who have time constraints or scheduling conflicts • Parents preparing for another child This web-based program offers animated illustrations, videos and interactive activities to guide you through childbirth, breastfeeding and babycare at your leisure.
Ask your hospital if they offer this eLearning tool or search online for participating hospitals using keywords: eLearning childbirth education.
serve as biological light switches in his development. On, off, on, off—you decide how your child’s genes are expressed, even as early as conception. You don’t have total control, though. We still don’t know how you can change your baby’s eye color or if he’ll go bald at age 35. But we do know how to influence some really important factors, such as your child’s weight and intelligence. does a cell turn off the 24,999 genes it doesn’t need and turn on the few it does? Every cell—and there are around 200 different types in the body—needs to know which few genes are relevant to it, and, of those genes, whether mom’s or dad’s will be expressed. As with the kitchen drawer full of recipes, the genes alone are useless unless there’s a way for your body to find what you need, when you need it.
You’ve got the powa! Your body puts biological Post-it notes, called epigenetic tags, on certain genes to determine which genetic recipes get used, but guess what? Actions
Four waYs to take action The environment that you provide for your offspring—through eating, drinking, smoking, or stressing—is what your child will program herself to expect of the world she’s entering. Here are some things you can do to positively influence the way your baby’s genes are expressed.
Add folate now. Your baby needs the nutrient folate because it has a direct effect on DNA. Folate is an essential ingredient for one of the building blocks of DNA, thiamine. Without folate, the fetus may substitute a less-effective backup building block called uracil, which can cause birth defects, primarily
The chemicals your baby is exposed to in utero serve as biological light switches in his development.
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you take during your pregnancy—through nutrition and other behaviors—can influence these processes and determine where the notes go and which genes will be expressed, ultimately affecting the health of your child. At any given time, only 4% of your genes are in this accessible state, while the rest can’t be actively used in the body. By determining which genes are turned off and which are turned on, epigenetics is what makes you unique. The way epigenetics works during pregnancy is that stressors in the mother’s environment cause a change in the gene expression patterns of the fetus. Translation: The chemicals your baby is exposed to in utero via the foods you eat, the paint fumes you may breathe in, and the cigarettes you don’t inhale
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spina bifida. Also, a lack of folate has been shown to increase childhood cancer rates by more than 60 percent. If you’re even thinking about getting pregnant or are newly pregnant, supplement your diet with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
Squash the radiation. To protect your baby from the toxic effects of radiation, you should avoid X-rays and other forms of radiation—like large doses of microwaves or extensive airline travel— during pregnancy. Radiation alters the DNA of cells as they replicate, which is why it’s used in cancer therapy (cancers reproduce faster than regular cells). Fetal cells reproduce the fastest and are the most susceptible to injury, which may lead to miscarriage or birth defects, or predispose your child to cancer
A189
When oral medication isn’t an option.
There are times when babies can’t—or won’t—take medication orally. That’s why doctors urge parents to keep FeverAll® suppositories on hand. FeverAll contains acetaminophen, the #1 recommended nonprescription ingredient for fever and pain relief in children. It’s easy to administer, and you can take care of fevers with an accurate dose. Find FeverAll at your local pharmacy—it’s the only brand of acetaminophen suppository. www.feverall.com
An alternate route to relief
Style later in life. And consider this: Flying for 30 hours results in the same radiation exposure as one chest X-ray. You don’t have to cancel all flights, but it’s worth thinking about whether each trip you are planning can wait.
See the dentist. You’re more likely to be thinking about your appointments with your ob/gyn than you are with your dentist. But you should get your teeth cared for and cavities filled six months before you become pregnant, ideally. While you’re pregnant, maintain your
schedule of regular checkups for dental health (but skip the X-rays). Try to wait to get any new cavities filled until after your baby is born, unless the procedure is absolutely necessary. Traditional fillings contain mercury, which release mercury vapor that you absorb; and even composite dental materials have been associated with releasing toxins called phthalates when they harden. Even though no conclusive studies link fillings to fetal-health abnormalities, one may surmise that these chemicals may be harmful to a developing fetus.
What’s going on in there? A week-by-week guide to the milestones in your baby’s in-utero development. These are based on clinical age; that’s two weeks from the first day of your last period.
6 weeks Heart is formed; circula-
12 we eks Taste buds develop and
tion is established. A big part of the lungs are formed, as well as the fingers, toes, and parts of the face, like the lips.
mature—go easy on the anchovies!
7 we eks Fetus can produce urine. Bubbles in the eye area collapse into cuplike structures.
9 we eks Immune system starts to develop, with the formation of B cells, a type of white blood cell that assists in fighting infection. Nostrils are formed. Baby is the size and shape of a kidney bean.
10 weeks Eyes move to the front
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of the face, and the eyelids form and fuse shut (they separate late in the second trimester). Fetus begins to squint, open its mouth, and make movements with its fingers and toes.
11 weeks The chin, eyelids, and arms can all sense touch.
14 we eks Immune system ramps up, with the formation of T cells. Lots of gut chemicals can be detected, including insulin from the pancreas. Baby starts to develop skin, hair, and nails. Swallowing begins. The entire surface of the body can sense touch. Fetus is about the size of an orange.
16 we eks External genitalia can be spotted. The 100 million neurons that form the primary visual cortex develop between now and 28 weeks. Respiration develops. Fetus is roughly the same size as a grapefruit.
20 we eks Ears stick out of the head. Downy hair covers the body. Fetus is 300 grams, or the weight of two iPods.
Comfort Trash those toxins: Stop smoking immediately and avoid second-hand smoke. And take a 40-week break from happy hour, or even longer if you’re nursing. Smoke, alcohol, or harsh chemical cleaners won’t do your baby—or you— any good during this delicate time. But you knew that already.
AND FINALLY Be positive. Your baby deserves all the good vibes you can muster up. He’s going to have a great life, thanks to the steps you’re taking!
25 we eks Fetus can respond to sounds. Be careful what you say, but do talk to him a lot.
26 we eks Ability to suck. Ability to hear sounds. Eyebrows and eyelashes detectable. Size: 630 grams, the weight of about three oranges. Almost half of babies that reach this age will survive if delivered.
Michael Roizen, M.D., is a professor of internal medicine and of anesthesiology, chief wellness officer, and chair of the Wellness Institute at The Cleveland Clinic. Mehmet Oz, M.D., is a professor and vice chairman of surgery, as well as director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York– Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center. Check your local listings for The Dr. Oz Show!
Reflexes like blinking and grasping are set, and the fetus actually settles into noticeable sleep patterns. Fetus is the size of the average Chihuahua.
36 weeks If it hasn’t already, baby begins the descent into the pelvis to prepare for delivery. Fingernails reach the end of the fingertips.
29 we eks Lungs with fluid in them
37 weeks Lungs are considered
begin to expand and compress, simulating breathing movement.
mature, and baby is not considered premature if delivered.
30 we eks Eyes can sense light,
38 weeks With formation of more fat, body becomes more rotund, less wrinkly. Fetus weighs the same as a lightweight laptop computer.
and the ability to smell begins. Fetus can suck and swallow. Plus, it can also hic-hic-hiccup and even breathe. Weigh about the same as one pineapple.
34 we eks Skin is red and crinkled. Fat starts to be deposited to round out fetus.
40 weeks Normal gestation period ends. All systems go!
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It’s time for some
holiday ground rules By Bonnie Siegler
A little tough love can help you actually enjoy this most wonderful time of the year. Here’s how to be real without being rude
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o Grandma Althea just invited you over for Thanksgiving week and Grandpa Jones wants to visit you—along with Grandma Jones—for Christmas and Santa’s first visit. Oh, and cousin Jen decided she’s coming for Hanukkah to help you get your nursery in order. Yes, it’s the holidays—when your already busy schedule becomes even busier, thanks to a mountain of holiday to-dos and the stress of face-time with family and friends. But setting the tone and making some rules for everyone can set you free to enjoy this special time. p re g n a n c y 3 6 0.c o m
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All-star advice for saving your sanity Nicole Sullivan, mom of Dashel, 2½ and Beckett, 2 months: “Between family and friends, I have 25 kids on my holiday list. I break it down into age groups and pick one gift for each age category, and buy all the same thing— usually online—to make it even easier for me. So for three age groups, I only need to think of three separate gifts. This helps me handle all the holiday stress better.”
Milla Jovovich, mom of Ever, 20 “First, remember to take care of yourself,” says Lyss Stern, co-author of If You Give A Mom A Martini… and founder of Divalysscious Moms (divamoms .com). “That means do not run around making yourself exhausted.” But if you are inclined to entertain during the holidays, Stern suggests taking a bath before or after your guests arrive or leave. “Just 15 minutes in the bath, and you’ll feel refreshed. I love adding a little lavender oil—it does wonders.” And never be afraid to ask for help. “Remember you are not Wonder Woman,” says Stern, who is mom to two young boys. “I was eight months pregnant with my first son, Jackson, during one Thanksgiving and was completely overwhelmed. For the next pregnancy, which was during the holidays, I made sure to tell my mom and sister that they were going to help cook, and I sent my husband on errands. Surround yourself with positive, helpful people.” That’s what Rachel Campos-Duffy, mom of five children ages 2 to 9 and author of Stay Home, Stay Happy, did when pregnant with her fourth child. “My friend Debbie is my ‘Mommy Mentor’—a mom who can anticipate my needs and struggles. She gave me the best Christmas gift ever. She came to my house bearing rolls of cellophane-wrapped cookie dough
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that she had made at home and brought to me, so I could enjoy the cookie experience with the kids, without the work. This Christmas, if someone offers to help, don’t be a martyr! Maybe it’s cookie dough, some help with gift wrapping, or an hour of babysitting. Find a Mommy Mentor to share, help, and encourage you through this amazing journey of pregnancy and motherhood.” Sharing in a plan with a friend is key, but having spousal support is allimportant to handling social and cultural expectations put upon new and expectant moms. “Cultural expectations are always there—from others and from within our own heads,” says Kristin Maschka, author of This Is Not How I Thought It Would Be: Remodeling Motherhood to Get the Lives We Want Today. “Trust me, grandparents have forgotten what’s it like to be new parents, so it’s important that you be very direct with family and friends, and think of it as an education about what the baby, the mom, and dad need to be at their best. So I communicate with my parents, and my husband does the same with his, as often as possible.” Mother of 8-year-old Kate, Maschka recalls her daughter’s first Christmas: “A family gathering went far too long, and I spent much of the evening hiding in a dark bedroom with my very over-tired
months: “Take time for simple pleasures during hectic times. Read a book for 5 to10 minutes; I’m going through the whole Patricia Cornwell series now. This is not the time to be uber-intelligent.”
Heidi Klum, mom of Leni, 5; Henry, 4; Johan, 3; Lou, 2 months: “I write things down so I don’t forget anyone or anything. It’s all about planning and thinking ahead.”
Courtney Thorne-Smith, mom of Jack, 20 months: “The best thing I do is not reach for quick fixes. So that means no sugar, which is especially difficult around holidays, and no coffee. But sipping on a cup of green tea—full of anti-oxidants and really mild—helps calm me down.”
Samantha Harris, mom of Josselyn, 22 months: “We flew to Minneapolis over the holidays to see family and it took its toll on me. Josselyn got sick on the way back, and I’d been running like crazy for my jobs so I ended up getting sick, too. I learned not to be a martyr and try to make everyone happy.”
Jo Dee Messina, mom of Noah, 10 months: “I know what it’s like to feel frustrated and helpless when drowning in debt. This is the first holidays with Noah and we won’t be going for broke.”
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The rules 2-month-old baby, both of us sobbing. I still have the photo that was taken right after we got out of the bedroom; it’s a constant reminder of how miserable I was that night. In hindsight, I wish I had given gentle ground rules before going, like saying ‘We can stay on Christmas day for two hours and then mom and baby will need rest, so what time would you like us?’ There are ways to be direct without being rude.” For Maschka, being frank also meant laying down a holiday gift-giving system. “For the first several years, because that’s when excitement takes over with everybody, we put a limit on the number of presents Kate could receive—two—but we said an unlimited amount of books could be given because you can always find room for another book, plus it’s educational. So we gave a place where grandparents and family could go overboard, but at the same time, it limited the overflow of competitive gift-giving.” Holiday bliss can be thwarted by well-meaning family members who put pressure on you for maximum face-time even before your baby’s born. This is a good time to establish precedent. “You are now in the driver’s seat,” says Stern, who sug-
Post these guidelines on your fridge • Don’t be afraid to say “no” • Set aside some “me time” for R&R • Seek support of positive people • Lay down holiday gift-giving laws • Dare to be a holiday guest • Find out schedules of holiday parties • Take care of you and baby first
cheer attending an office party. “If it’s an office potluck event,” Maschka says, “send some food along as your contribution with a vacation-type postcard of ‘Wish I could be there.’ That would also work if you’re out on maternity leave. But if you want to be at the party, again be direct and ask for an idea of the schedule
asked me if I could have Hanukkah “My mother-in-law the Saturday after I came home from the hospital. gests you lose the guilt when giving yourself priority. “You can make the decision as to who, when, what, and where you want to spend your holidays. If a certain time or holiday works best for you, then just let them know.” A lesson learned when her son was a mere eight hours old taught Stern to never be bullied again. “My mother-in-law asked me if I could have Hanukkah the Saturday after I came home from the hospital. Tears just welled up. I couldn’t believe she asked that question as the nurse was teaching me how to breastfeed!” Sterns recommends, “Knowing what I know now: Do not let anyone bully or pressure you into doing anything for the holidays.” Adds Campos-Duffy: “My cousin’s wife is Jewish and her family doesn’t mind giving up Christmas for Thanksgiving, so figure out if one family has a preference. It could actually be a very easy compromise. After my husband, Sean, and I traveled to our parents’ houses for many holidays, we decided we preferred for the kids to wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning. Now we have an open invitation for grandparents on either side to join our family.” Office-party politics can be as difficult as family well-wishers. With swollen feet and tired body, you might not feel the good
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because ‘Hey, I can only be on my feet for an hour or so.’ ” If you don’t feel up to merrymaking altogether, “Offer to contribute something that doesn’t require you to bake or cook,” CamposDuffy says. “Pregnant women often underestimate how much people are willing to help them out when they’re tired and uncomfortable in the weeks before they deliver. Ask for help.” Although the holidays usually strengthen family bonds, Stern acknowledges, “When it comes to family, saying no can feel impossible. Stay strong and remind yourself you need to take care of you and your baby first.” Yes, you can dare to just be a guest. “Volunteer for next year’s holiday and say you’ll be feeling more centered then.” Concludes Maschka: “Put your needs out there, and surround yourself with supportive people, not those who assume we can handle cultural expectations at this busy time in our lives. Believe me, everyone will learn how to adapt to your new family.” Bonnie Siegler has covered entertainment, general interests, and trends since 1995. Based in Southern California, she is an internationally known writer whose work has appeared in InStyle, Family Circle, and Good Housekeeping.
Here’s Judy! Makeup: Davia Matson; Hair: Julio Hernandez; Shot on location at Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica, California
As Judy Reyes’ much-loved role on Scrubs winds down, this outspoken actress shares how the upcoming birth of her baby daughter really has her thinking...
Interview by Abigail Tuller Photography by Mark Madeo • Styling by Sarah Stanley
On pregnancy fatigue: I’m not a napper, but I have been partying hard with the napping during this pregnancy. It’s been like the equivalent of clubbing for me. I’m like, “Ooh, I can’t wait until like 2:30 and I can sleep for Lauren Kiyomi Grosgrain Detail Buttoned Top in Ivory, $80, laurenkiyomi .com; A Pea In The Pod Nicole Richie No Belly Jersey Knit Must-have Basic Slim Leg Maternity Legging in Black, $58, apeainthepod.com; Jennifer Fisher Jewelry Skinny Bangles in 14k Yellow Gold, $385 each, jenniferfishernyc.com; Sigerson Morrison Silver Flats with Gold Trim, price upon request, sigersonmorrison.com
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On babies: I’ve never been a baby person; babies always scared the living #$*% out of me. I’ve always been afraid to drop them or hurt them. But now every little [baby] thing I see, I’m like, “Ooh my God!” I can’t stop. In other words, I drank the Kool-Aid.
The birth plan: We’re going to do it a little bit old school. We’re going to go to the hospital, take the pain-management class, and take the tour and a couple of other classes. We’re going to steer clear of over-planning ’cause we’ll scare ourselves.
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Life wishes for her daughter: I hope that she has perspective, a good sense of humor, patience, perseverance, and that she really just hangs in there to do what she’s passionate about. And has a dazzling smile like her mom!
On becoming a mother: I’ve been going to a lot of therapy! I just hope to combine the working-class ways of the daughter from an immigrant group in the Bronx and all those glorious benefits of someone who’s made an incredible life—without spoiling this kid. That’s the kind of serious deep #$*% that plagues a woman in her last trimester.
Life in Hollywood: So through all this L.A. beach, hippie, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie stuff I wonder, How do I balance this existence so that this child really understands? I guess you try to live by example and you don’t end up on a reality show.
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Lessons of pregnancy: As I feel this life growing and moving inside of me, all of a sudden everything else is not as important. There’s a level of perspective that is changing. It frightens me, but I’m getting ready for it…other than that, I don’t know #$*%.
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Word of Mom
5 minutes with…
Getting to know Dr. Greene The best-selling author and pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene shares about his own parenting mistakes and compares how today’s moms are measuring up
Today’s moms have it right…with their increased consciousness about the impact of the environment and foods upon kids. When you look at all the conditions that are increasing in kids today like allergies, asthma, autism, and ADHD—it’s not that our genes have changed, it’s the environment.
The best thing a mom can do is…expose her kids to real, great foods during pregnancy, during breastfeeding, and then as babies. Kids are built to learn their parents’ taste preferences. What you eat during pregnancy, they taste, remember, and form preferences for and the same happens during nursing. I explain the 21 food families in my new book Feeding Baby Green.
My three favorite baby products…The BPA-free plastics like the ones made by Born Free. Second, Seventh Generation has a lot of good cleaning products. As a pediatrician, we always tell parents to babyproof and lock up all the poisons like cleaning products. What’s better is not bringing the poisons in the home at all, because if used as directed, even the fumes are bad for you. The third is a wonderful, portable, little food mill by Kid Co. for only $10. Making baby food is so easy. Just take a little bit of whatever you’re eating and put it in the mill at the table; turn the crank two or three times and you’ve got baby food.
My mistakes as a parent…I hadn’t learned about organics yet and about the value of adding fresh flavors during the baby-food years. I also didn’t learn about BPA and plastics until the mid-90s.
I wanted to be a doctor…after going on a trip to Guatemala when I was about 15 and meeting a nurse who was doing amazing things for people. I was so wowed by her that I wanted to learn all I could about health. Before that, growing up in Bethesda, MD, I wanted to be a professional baseball player. The last book I read was…I’m in the middle of a bunch right now, but I’m almost done with The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. The last movie that made me laugh out loud was…Passing Strange. It’s a Spike Lee movie in limited release about a Broadway show. The nicest compliment I have received…has been from moms when they’ve said thank you for helping them feel more confident. I want for them to feel empowered, engaged, and able to do it! —Bonnie Siegler
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Word of Mom
Relationships
“Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll catch up.” Comparing babies can turn the most peaceful playdate into panic. Here’s how to diffuse the competition and move on By Sasha Brown-Worsham Until my daughter was 14 months, I congratulated my friend’s children as they hit their milestones—even as they grew faster, rocked on all fours, and eventually crawled long before my daughter did. I maintained my cool. That is, until my daughter—the chatty cherub—became the only one not yet walking. Then I started losing sleep, worrying constantly, and secretly wondering if she would need a special wagon attached to her behind, like the ones for injured dogs. And so I overcompensated: “Samara can say 50 words,” I would announce in an attempt to stave off the inevitable pity
that came with being mother to the only child still inching about on her hands and knees. Eventually, at month 15, my daughter decided to join the bipeds—and she never looked back. What was all that anxiety for?
Competition starts early I know I wasn’t alone; most parents have a milestone freak-out session sooner or later. Few among us can help but compare the non-clapping bundle on our lap to the baby on our left who is pat-a-cake-ing with ease. For some, it becomes a competition, says Jackie Camborde, p re g n a n c y 3 6 0.c o m
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things to say if your baby is ahead: “We’re really proud, but it’s nothing we did.” Sometimes it’s best to acknowledge that your child is advanced, but take no credit for it— because the reality is that’s probably just the truth. “Wow, I can’t believe how well your child does _____.” No condescension needed. All kids have different strengths, so find their child’s and point it out. a mother of two in Santa Fe, NM. At 11 months, one baby in her child’s playgroup started walking, while Camborde’s own daughter was not. “Her mother turned to me and said, ‘Don’t worry, Tia will catch up,’ in a very condescending tone,” Camborde remembers. She felt compelled to pull out her own big guns. “I asked my daughter where the Eiffel Tower is located and she replied, ‘In Paris, Fwance,’ ” says Camborde, who assured the other mother that, “one day her daughter would know world capitals, as well.” Alla Hadinger, a mother of one in Columbus, OH, agrees that playgroups can get ugly and make us even more insecure. “Everyone kept saying how their 2 year old knew the alphabet and counted,” Hadinger says. “I felt like my daughter would have issues in school and wouldn’t get into a good college. I know it’s ridiculous, but I felt like they were attacking my child.” Camborde agrees. “It’s the way some moms benchmark how well they’re doing, when in reality we all know it’s the kid and how he or she learns,” she says.
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Worrying over nothing? Most experts agree that all kids are different, but when it’s your kid that’s behind, those words offer cold comfort. “There was a mom in my mom’s group with a son who was one day younger than my son,” says Katherine Huang, a personal jewelry consultant and mother of one in Boston. “He’s huge—always above the 95th percentile in the weight and height categories—and was talking up a storm back when my son was only saying, ‘eh, eh, eh???’ and pointing at things,” says Huang, who comforted herself by touting her son’s physical strength and agility. “I kept telling myself, ‘Well, the other kid has to talk because if he ever got into trouble, he couldn’t actually physically extricate himself from the situation, he’d have to talk himself out of it,’ ” Huang says with a laugh. The concern, while normal, is also mostly unnecessary, according to Anatoly Belilovsky, M.D., a pediatrician in New York City. “Parents can be reassured that each child is unique and certain developmental milestones come at varying times,” Belilovsky says. “Constantly comparing your child to another will
Nothing—just leave it alone. Many parents are already feeling competitive enough. Let them draw their own conclusions.
3
things to say if your baby is behind: “Yeah, we’re hoping he decides to _____ soon.” Tell the truth, but don’t be defensive. “Well, all children develop differently. We’re not worried.” Sometimes it’s best to diffuse the pity, not with overcompensation, but with a simple statement of fact. Nothing at all. Less is more.
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Ones to watch Of course, there are some milestones that children must hit, Belilovsky says. “We mainly pay more attention to milestones that are ‘prerequisites’ to other activities,” he says. These include sitting unsupported, which happens at 5 to 7 months, and babbling consonant-vowel syllables essential for speech, which you’ll notice anywhere from 6 to 11 months. The earliest milestones are eye contact, tracking, and so-called “social smiling,” all forms of parental imitation essential for social development. These happen from 1 to 3 months. As you can see, there’s a wide range of “normal.” Such assurance does little to stifle the stress, however, says Jenny Cheifetz, a mom of two in Nashua, NH. “I thought it was so great that my son was walking and running before any of his friends or cousins,” Cheifetz says. “I felt I had bragging rights because my son got there first, but despite my son’s ‘advanced’ gross motor skills, he wasn’t talking until around 2, and not even that well at that point.” Although it stressed her out, it also helped her ease up when her second child— a daughter—walked much later than other kids. “Every child is on a different schedule,” Cheifetz says. “The good news is, they eventually do catch up.” Sasha Brown-Worsham is a mother of two from Boston who’s mystified by the fact that her daughter is reading at 2½ while her son is still not crawling at 14 months. Her work has also appeared in Parenting, Parents, and Runner’s World.
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Word of Mom
Dad is the new mom
Laying down the law In writing the rules for being a good son, this dad also came up with a manual for being a good father By Walker Lamond
I always knew what kind of man I wanted my son to be. He would be industrious, adventurous, honest, and cool. He’d keep his hair trim and his body in peak form, like a modern-day Teddy Roosevelt with a taste for the Ramones. In short, just like his old man. Or at least the man I always wanted to be. And how exactly would I, a first-time father and long-time son, pull off this Herculean feat in parenting? Would I be a father full of sage advice? No. The problem with advice is that the more freely it is given, the more likely it is to be ignored. And I just couldn’t bear to leave my son’s indoctrination into manhood to the rare nugget of fatherly wisdom. From first Look people dates to first jobs, there’s just too much in the eye ground to cover. No, something more drastic had to be when you thank done. So, long before I found the perfect them, especially wife and moved out of the one-bedroom waiters. apartment in New York, I decided to craftt fast the rules for my future son—hard-and-fast instructions on exactly how to become a “good man.” 6. When in doubt, wear a tie. 31. Let the ax do the work. Why wait until the mayhem of parenthood made me too soft, too hard, or just too tired to remember all the things I wanted to teach him? 98. Audition for a play. 124. Take the stairs. 289. If tempted to wear a cowboy hat, resist. From the sartorial to the practical—with a few surefire hangover cures thrown in for good measure—my rules would be a foolproof plan for the making of a modern gentleman. To paraphrase Robert Heinlein, my son would be able to dress a deer, set a bone, and plan an invasion while reciting a Kipling poem. And even when carpools, homework, curfews, bro-
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Word of Mom
Dad is the new mom
361 Never, under any circumstances, ask a woman if she is pregnant.
ken cars, and broken hearts brought me to the brink of surrender, the rules would always have my back. I realize that the firm hand of discipline all seems a bit old-fashioned and cruel. Didn’t I w want my son to like me? The answer, of course, is ye yes, but I also didn’t want to be a slacker dad, dressed like my kid in a matching T-shirt and sneakers at the playground. My son would know we weren’t equals. So he’d have rules—lots of them. And when it came to important questions like, “Do I have to wear a tie?” or “Should I post this picture online?”, he’d know exactly where I stand. Forget Free to Be You and Me, this was the “because I said so” school of parenting. Think a big, long list of rules might work in your household? Here are five tips for laying down the law.
1
Start early. Rules are obeyed relative to their perceived oldness. New rules rattled off in mid-tantrum are the most often ignored.
2
All rules should be written down, and, if possible, laminated, framed, or carved into a stone tablet.
3
Be specific. Broad rules beg for exceptions. Thank the bus driver, will be easier to follow than Be polite.
4
Be cool. Rules are not for just keeping a kid in line. They can be hints and secret shortcuts to a better life. Use your rules as an oppor-
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tunity to share your own life lessons—from your experience finding a job, a girlfriend, or a ticket to the ball game.
5
Not everything old is good, so cull the classics from the outdated. Passing down your father’s rules on car maintenance is good, but one antiquated rule of table etiquette could sink the whole endeavor. So will they work? Will my rules prove that father knows best? We’ll have to wait and see. Since writing them, I enjoyed an unforeseen side effect of my experiment in discipline. More suits found themselves in the rotation, and even more haircuts, thank-you notes, and exercise. Less television. Turns out I hadn’t just written rules for being a good son, I’d written a manual for being a good father. Make time for As luck would have it, I did find the perfect your mom on your wife. We did move out birthday. It’s of the one bedroom, and her special last year we had a boy. day, too. As soon as I saw him, I had the overwhelming feeling of ver he wanting to him to be whoever wants to be. Thank God I have the rules to keep him (and me) in line.
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Walker Lamond is the author of Rules for My Unborn Son, published by St. Martin’s Press. He and his family live in Washington, DC.
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Word of Mom
Nanny Stella
How about some help?
An overheard conversation between two moms: “I feel so rested after a good stretch of sleep last night.” “What? How is that so? You have a new baby just like me.” “I said I’m rested, not the baby nurse.” “Baby nurse? What’s a baby nurse? Do I need one?” Initially “baby nurses” were actually registered nurses who would work for you privately in your home. That’s not necessarily the case these days. The By Nanny Stella of Nanny 911 majority of baby nurses, myself
Photo courtesy of Trisha Brunner
A baby nurse can help you survive those first few weeks of all-nighters—that’s no nurse, that’s an angel of mercy!
included, are not registered nurses and should not technically call themselves baby nurses. The term “nurse” implies that they would be there to help you in a medical capacity, but they are not medical practitioners. Ideally, they’d call themselves postpartum caregivers or newborn-care specialists, and some are even doulas. Basically, it’s someone skilled and experienced in handling a baby from birth to 3 months. How do you know if a “specialist” is right for you? Well I hate to say this, but the first thing you have to figure out is if there’s enough money in the budget! Hiring someone doesn’t come cheap and nor should it, quite frankly. Especially since that someone is being entrusted with your most precious, priceless belonging: your child. Where I live in Los Angeles, the cost runs from $28 to $35 per hour, and $450 to $600 for 24 hours for a single child. Those ranges increase for multiples.
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Word of Mom
Nanny Stella
I RECOMMEND A NURSE IF… You have no hands-on experience with a newborn—and you have never even changed a diaper. If you didn’t take advantage of all the resources available at the hospital or in one of those parenting classes, then a baby nurse can teach you the art of newborn care, be it baby-basics, breast or bottle feeding, diaper changing, burping, bathing, or swaddling. You’re concerned about the birth. You don’t have a crystal ball, so you don’t know what kind of delivery or recovery you are going to have. I have seen real exhaustion from childbirth, when the adrenaline has slowed down and the hormones start changing rapidly. Postpartum fatigue and sleep deprivation can lay you flat. Even if you are breastfeeding, the baby nurse will get up with the baby and bring him to you. She will burp him and change him and soothe him if he is fussy while you go back to sleep. This gives you time to recuperate—a couple of weeks will hopefully see you feeling better. Your husband needs to gets his sleep and has to return to work quickly, but you don’t have immediate family flying in to help. He will take solace in knowing that he has left you in her capable hands.
This is not your first child and you need to spend time with your other children. When you need to get your older children bathed and in bed, she can be giving your newborn some TLC until you can be hands on again.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND A NURSE IF… You simply cannot afford it. Recruit your family and friends to come over and pitch in. People will want to come and visit. You may not feel up to it, but if they want to be there, take advantage of their presence. They will ask if there is anything you need and they will want to help. Your reply should be: “Yes, I would love it if you could watch the baby while I take a shower —or, better still—while I take a nap.” You do feel capable and confident. You read every book, attended every class, and you absolutely want to do the majority of caring yourself. You are adamant that you will sleep when the baby sleeps and that you don’t want someone you don’t know handling your baby. You feel guilty handing over your new baby to a stranger. You feel you should be doing it all. What on earth would your
Word of Mom
Nanny Stella
Your reply should be: ‘Yes, I would love it if you could watch the baby while I take a shower—or, better still— while I take a nap.’
”
mother or mother-in-law think if you hired an outsider? You have plenty of time to rest later (umm, not really). If you feel uncomfortable with a stranger living in your home, eating from your fridge, dining at your table, and sharing the bathroom. If so, then again ask your family and or friends to come over and pitch in. Or simply hire someone just for the evening shift so that you can get some much-needed zzz’s. If your partner is home on leave and you have planned to share the baby duties. In that case, a nurse may just be an unnecessary expense and make things more stressful, especially for dad, who wants to help take care of you and nurture his newborn. Instead, you may want to hire someone to come in and do some cooking, cleaning, and laundry to ensure that you and your
new family get to make the most of the time. Again call on those family, friends, and neighbors.
Whatever you decide The most important thing for a new mom is to know all the options available to her. There is help out there if you need it, whether it takes the form of a baby nurse, postpartum doula, lactation consultant, house cleaner, cook, or delivery boy—or even a kind neighbor with a pot of hot chicken soup. Enjoy, and take care. Nanny Stella, celebrity family consultant, author, and star of Nanny 911, is well-known for her no-nonsense approach in helping families. Her passion is children—all ages, sizes genders, and ethnic backgrounds.
Word of Mom
Need to know
Advice from Dr. Weiss
Do you have any tips for a mom who occasionally needs to bring her toddler along on prenatal appointments for baby #2? I can’t always arrange a babysitter. My 2 year old loves listening to the new baby’s heartbeat, and I think being familiar with the doctor and talking about the baby is good for him. I avoid bringing him if I know ahead of time that there’s going to be an internal exam.
A
As long as you, or someone you bring with you, can care for your child during your visit, there should be no problem. Exam rooms aren’t kid-safe, and include electrical equipment, sharp objects, and unsafe liquids. Because waiting times can be lengthy, bring adequate food, drink, and entertainment for your child. And because certain childhood illnesses can be more
dangerous in pregnant moms, never bring a sick child with you to the clinic. Stephen H. Weiss, M.D., is an assistant professor in the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
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Word of Mom
Need to know
Doula Jill says
My mother and sisters have all had long labors. I’m very concerned about being in labor for a long time.
A
Labor is the most anticipated event in a pregnancy, filled with various expectations, images, and needs. I want you to go deeper into your worries and ask, What does being in labor for a long time mean to me? Exploring why that is a trigger can assist you in processing your concerns. If the real reason behind your question is a concern about feeling out of control or losing privacy, then working with a doula can be valuable. Understanding the realistic process of your body in labor through emotional and physical support from a trained doula can help de-mystify labor itself. Labor is supposed to take a long time. Pre-labor symptoms, such as lower backaches, cramps, and loose stools, can last for days. This is the time to start listening to your body’s cues, but go on with your daily rhythm and routine. Early labor comes next, and it’s where many moms struggle with their expectations. It may take a full day for oxytocin, the
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hormone needed for contractions, to become regular. In that day, contractions literally flirt with you, sometimes appearing every 15 minutes, stopping when you stand up, returning when you’re in the bathroom. Connecting with your medical-care provider in early labor is important, but you may want to resist telling extended family and friends your symptoms when they first start. They may not understand that it’s normal to have inconsistent, erratic contractions at 1 to 2 centimeters and that your baby may not be born for another day.
Jill Wodnick, M.A., (jillwodnick.com) is a certified doula, prenatal yoga instructor, and owner of Montclair Maternity, a New Jersey childbirth education center.
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Word of Mom
Need to know
Ask Dr. Dana I had breast augmentation. I would like to nurse…do I need to worry?
A
No, you don’t need to worry. I’ve had many moms successfully nurse after breast augmentation, although you may need some extra support from a lactation consultant. I actually pay more attention to moms who’ve had breast reduction. I remember caring for a little one who was gaining birth weight very slowly. The mom was nursing every two to three hours, and her milk was in. She was nourished and rested. After our third visit she told me she’d had breast reduction. She did successfully nurse, but it was in conjunction with formula supplementation and pumping. So please remember to tell your pediatrician about your surgery. We don’t know unless you tell us.
I’m six months pr pregnant and I have a history of depression. I’m ha anti-depr on an anti-depressant. My ob/gyn is aware that I’m on this medication, but I wanted to check in with you about how it may affect the baby. I tried to wean off this med, but I really feel like I need to be on it.
A
First, it’s really important for you to know that you’re not alone. There are many women who have depression and, unfortunately, pregnancy doesn’t cure it. A mother’s health is so important to the health of the baby—and this includes mental health, not just physical wellbeing. You should continue to communicate with your ob/gyn and your psychiatrist about being on the safest medication and, ideally, at the lowest effective dose. After delivery, make sure you have plenty of support at home. Continue to talk with your psychiatrist and your ob/gyn about how you’re feeling to make sure that any early signs of postpartum depression are quickly addressed. Most of all, enjoy your pregnancy, and enjoy your baby! Lisa Dana, M.D., is a pediatrician at Golden Gate Pediatrics in San Francisco and a clinical faculty member at University of California, San Francisco. The advice provided in these columns is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions.
Word of Mom
There, I said it
From Playmate to playdate Last year I was a rough-and-tumble pinup girl, now I’m the mom next door! By Kendra Baskett
It’s crazy how pregnancy and motherhood changes you, and now I realize it’s all a part of maturing and growing up. But I didn’t expect all of it to come so naturally! What happens in Vegas: For example, before pregnancy, when I would think about Vegas the first thing that came to mind was parties at The Palms, but now all I think of are games and rides at Circus-Circus. Before pregnancy, when I would think about vacations I would think of Cabo or Cancun, now I think Disney cruises. When I used to think about parties, I would think tequila shots, but now parties are all about clowns, balloons, Astro Jumps, and barbecue! Easy does it: Amazingly, I am a lot more calm and peaceful now. Before becoming pregnant, I’d allow myself to get stressed out and angry over certain situations. Now I have found an inner peace and when I feel like I’m getting frustrated, I take a deep breath and think happy thoughts, because if I am stressed then baby is stressed. Careful now: I am also much more aware of dangerous situations, and I am a lot more cautious and careful. There was a time when I was fearless but with a baby on the way, I’ve grown to embrace some of these motherly instincts and I live much more cautiously.
Building the nest: I’ve never been into decorating or the holiday spirit, but surprisingly this is the first year that I am really excited about putting up a tree, lights, and wrapping gifts. We’ll have a special gift coming to us around that time, so I want him to enjoy his first Christmas with his family. My husband, Hank, and I have definitely been through a lot this last year, and we both know life isn’t easy. We know how to work together as a team and get through it all! We try to never take any of the moments that we have together for granted and we cherish every minute of life. Star of one of E! Network’s highest-rated series, Kendra, Baskett also starred on E!’s The Girls Next Door for five seasons and is currently working on her biography that will hit book stores soon.
Jsquared Photography
Watching my mouth: I have become more of a “lady.” I used to curse and not think anything of it, but now I am more aware of what I say and how I speak. As a wife and mom-to-be, I also try to look more ladylike nowadays. My style has
changed with my pregnancy, but I am still a huge tomboy. Pregnancy can’t change everything!
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