As soon as you tell the world you’re expecting, practically everyone you know starts commenting on how wonderful you look. But maintaining that healthy glow during pregnancy doesn’t always come naturally.

For moms-to-be who see their dentist or frequent the salon or spa over the next nine months, it pays to know which treatments are safe during each trimester—and which are worth holding off until your baby is born. To find out how to care properly for your skin, hair and teeth while you’re expecting, read on to learn what the experts have to say.
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It's not just a night reserved for ghosts and goblins anymore. Now that you're a parent, Halloween has taken on new meaning: a chance to dress up your little one, take tons of darling photos and nibble on some sweet treats with your little pumpkin.

But before you get carried away by the spirit of the season, take a few minutes to consider what you can—and can't—do with a young baby or toddler to ensure a safe, happy Halloween for you and your family.

If you're lucky enough to have grown up with one or more of your grandparents,  then you know how special that relationship can be. An undeniably significant presence in modern families, today's grandparents aren't just a source of homemade cookies and copious hugs, but have taken on the roles of caregiver and  chauffeur and are involved in many other aspects of their grandbaby's day-to-day life.
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Co-sleeping or a crib. Disposable diapers or cloth. Bottle or breast. Once you become a new mom, you are suddenly confronted with a tremendous number of decisions on how to raise your baby, some of which will have more of an impact on your lifestyle than others. For those women who decide to nurse their newborns, it's a choice that's not only personal but one that involves commitment and determination.

If you're pregnant and trying to determine if breastfeeding is right for you, read on to learn more about the advantages, the challenges and how to get started—and stay focused.
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Close your eyes and take a deep breath. If you happen to be pregnant or if you recently had a baby, these simple acts can have some powerful, restorative effects on your body and overall well-being. And if you practice yoga, you know all too well how crucial it is to maintain your health—both for yourself and your new baby. For new mothers looking to incorporate yoga into their new lifestyle, here’s how to get started.
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In the day-to-day rat race that is parenting, sometimes it is Dear Old Dad who is the last to be remembered. To make up for all those times when he handled those late-night feedings like a champ, and surprised your daughter at her ballet recital, here are some ways to say "thanks" on his special day.
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Breakfast in bed, a homemade card and a day that's all about you. That's what Mother's Day means for most moms, right? But if you ask any mother what she's really pining for this May, her answer might surprise you (hint: a few hours of alone time doesn't hurt).

If your family is stumped over what to buy you this year, here are a few favorites for both first-time mothers and seasoned veterans. Now start dropping those hints…
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Shakespeare once asked "What's in a name?" For today's new parents, that can be a loaded question, and one that doesn't necessarily have a simple answer. While you may agonize over what color to paint their child's nursery or which stroller to buy, the choices of baby names are practically endless—and your final decision will be with your child for their entire life.

If you find yourself mulling over possible monikers for your baby-to-be, or are torn between traditional or trendy, read on to find what experts are saying about the latest happenings in the baby name game.
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One of the most underrated experiences of new motherhood can occur during the quietest of moments. Picture a freshly bathed, pajama-clad baby snuggled up in her mom or dad’s lap with a book in hand. Visualizing this scene is enough to calm even the most frenzied new parent.

“In the chaotic time of a newborn, this kind of closeness gives some quiet time for parents and their baby, not to mention some closeness,” says Carolyn Brodie, president for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and a professor of library science at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Experts agree that reading with your baby is not only a great way to bond with them, but that it helps boost language development and can even go so far as to cultivate a lifelong love of books.

If the idea of reading aloud to your newborn seems a bit daunting or even overambitious, here’s how to get started.
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We read about it in celebrity magazines and online, but never think it can happen to us. But when postpartum depression affects us or someone we love, it suddenly becomes personal—and real. For any woman who has been afflicted with this crippling, but curable illness, it can feel like the end of the world. But with the proper diagnosis and treatment, those who were once suffering from postpartum depression can move forward and resume their healthy, happy lifestyle.
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When Anna Korshin of Eaton's Neck, N.Y., was expecting her second child, she made a point of sitting down her 4-year-old daughter and talking about what she had been like as a newborn. "I told her stories of how she would scream for hours at night, how she hated her car seat and how her dad and I gave her the nickname 'the screaming tomato,'" she recalls. "My hope was that she wouldn't expect to have a chubby, happy baby right away and that instead, she was prepared…for the reality of a newborn."
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You've heard about it on TV, and you've seen some parents doing it with their baby in the park, at the playground or in the grocery store. Even your local library is offering a class about it next month. But is signing with your baby something worth checking out?

We talked to some baby sign language experts about the advantages and the challenges associated with learning this new language, as well as how and when to get started. Read on to find out if it's for you.
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Congratulations—times two! You’ve just learned that you’re expecting twins. That means double the smiles, double the cooing…and double the diapering, feeding and sleep deprivation.

Before you begin worrying that you won’t be able to handle a new baby’s demands—let alone two or more (!) newborns—take a deep breath and listen to the experts. We asked them about how to prepare for the arrival of multiples, the challenges they faced, the greatest misconception about mothering multiples and—bonus—the unexpected advantages. So, take a break from figuring out how to open and close that double stroller, and read on.
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Freshly sharpened pencils, yellow school buses and shiny red apples…the signs of kids heading back to school are everywhere. And while kindergarten may seem like a long way off for your little one, it's never too early to expose her to a world filled with learning and discovery.  To help you can make the most of your time together with your child, we explore a variety of classes for parents and babies, from storytime to stroller rides.
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You couldn’t be more thrilled at the prospect of your baby’s arrival. But, looking forward to the sleep deprivation and the sudden lack of time with your hubby? Not so much.

If you’re considering a getaway for just the two of you before those nine months are up, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how you can enjoy your couples-only time without breaking the bank.
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Planning on vacationing with your baby this summer? Whether you’ll be taking to the friendly skies or hitting the road, the experts say it pays to be prepared. Below we reveal what to pack (and what’s not worth lugging around), how to dress your little one and how to handle feeding on the go. Buckle up, ‘cause here we go…
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Sleep. It's one of those basic life necessities that we tend to take for granted…until we're suddenly missing it. As a new mom, chances are it's something you're probably not getting enough of these days—and something you envy in your ever-slumbering newborn.
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Move over, Rover. There's a new family member in the house, and she's vying to be your pet's new best friend. But before you leave the two of them alone to get better acquainted, it's important to make the necessary preparations for your pet, while creating a safe, harmonious environment for the entire family.
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Your baby is at a playful age: clapping hands, playing peek-a-boo and becoming more mobile. And now that the warmer weather is here and families are spending more time outdoors, it seems like the perfect time to present her with her first friend: one of the furry persuasion.

But before you head out to the animal shelter or pet store, it's important to consider which pets are ideal companions for young children and what precautions to take when adding an animal to your growing family.
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Spring is in the air. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and all around you, new life is taking shape. If you happen to be blessed with your own new arrival this coming season, it's the perfect excuse to get your home in order.

But if you're overwhelmed by the mere thought of figuring out what to buy—not to mention how you'll ever make enough room for all that new stuff—take a deep breath and find out what the experts have to say.
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It's the dead of winter and you're home alone with your baby. She seems crankier than usual, but then again, so do you. It's a long way off until spring, and you wonder how you'll make it through this seemingly endless string of days spent indoors with your little one.
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With the holiday season upon us and the New Year right around the corner, it's that time when we take stock of all that's happened in the past twelve months—and that includes your baby. From her first smile to her first step, there are plenty of moments at which to marvel and to record in her baby book. Here's what you can expect will happen to your new baby, developmentally speaking, in her first year—and what you can do if those milestones aren't being met.
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With the holidays right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about sending out cards to family and friends. What better way to say "Season's Greetings" than with a photo of the new addition to your family?
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Not long after your child’s arrival into the world, he’ll be going on his first appointment: a check-up with his pediatrician. Determining which doctor will best fit yours—and your child’s—needs is extremely important, considering he’ll be paying annual visits to this person for next eighteen years.
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Looks can be deceiving. As adorable and helpless as that precious bundle of joy may appear to be, she'll  soon be crawling, walking and exploring the world around her—and it's up to you to make it a safe place. Babyproofing your home will prevent any potential hazards from endangering your baby, and ultimately provide a secure environment well into the toddler years.
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You may have heard about it before, but until you become a parent, the term "swaddling" doesn't hold much meaning. But once you've endured your first round of sleepless nights and have an inconsolable baby on your hands, you're suddenly ready to learn more about the technique that sleep experts laud for its tremendous health benefits—and that will buy you some much-needed shuteye, too.
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It's a beautiful summer morning. The sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky and a warm breeze is beckoning you to the beach with your baby. But before you head outdoors, be sure you know how best to protect your little one from the elements so you can enjoy the sun safely.
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