Heidi Murkoff Quotes

Researchers have found that a woman’s brain-cell volume actually decreases during pregnancy (which could explain why you won’t remember what you just read about in that last paragraph). And — for reasons unknown — women pregnant with girls are more forgetful, on average, than those carrying boys (who would have guessed?). Fortunately, the pregnancy brain fog (similar to what many women experience premenstrually, only thicker) is only temporary. Your brain will plump back up a few months after delivery.

Once the mouth is open wide, move your baby closer. Do not move your breast toward the baby, and don’t push your baby’s head into your breast. And be sure not to stuff your nipple into your baby’s unwilling mouth — let your baby take the initiative. It might take a couple of attempts before your baby opens wide enough to latch on properly.

A must-have for any doctor you’re considering for your baby’s care: a residency in pediatrics or family medicine and board certification by either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

You Can’t Spoil a Newborn Worried about spoiling your newborn by always responding so quickly to those cries? Don’t be — it isn’t possible to spoil a baby in the first 6 months. Responding promptly to crying won’t make your baby more demanding — in fact, quite the opposite is true. The faster your newborn’s needs are met, the more likely he or she is to grow into a more secure, less demanding child.

Some lactation specialists suggest aiming your nipple toward your baby’s nose and then directing it down to the lower part of your baby’s upper lip to get him or her to open the mouth very wide. This prevents the lower lip from getting tucked in during nursing.

The following houseplants are poisonous, some in very small doses: Dumb cane, English ivy, foxglove, hyacinth bulbs (and leaves and flowers in quantity), hydrangea, iris rootstalk and rhizome, lily of the valley, philodendron, Jerusalem cherry. Outdoor plants that are poisonous include: Azalea, rhododendron, caladium, daffodil and narcissus bulbs, daphne, English ivy, foxglove, hyacinth bulbs (and leaves and flowers in quantity), hydrangea, iris rootstalk and rhizome, Japanese yew seeds and leaves, larkspur, laurel, lily of the valley, morning glory seeds, oleander, privet, rhubarb leaves, sweet peas (especially the “peas,” which are the seeds), tomato plant leaves, wisteria pods and seeds, yews. Holiday favorites holly and mistletoe, and to a lesser extent, poinsettia (which is irritating but not poisonous), are also on the danger list.

Tampoco tiene ocasión de degustar las primeras dosis de independencia entreteniéndose y sabiendo estar solo (capacidades esenciales para construir su autoestima). Finalmente, tampoco tiene ocasión de aprender otra lección que resultará valiosísima para su desarrollo como ser humano generoso: que las personas, incluso los padres, tienen derechos que hay que respetar. Como los bebés son por naturaleza y por necesidad egocéntricos, este concepto será difícil de asimilar al principio. Pero si ya lo introduce ahora, más adelante no tendrá un hijo que siempre anteponga sus propias necesidades a las de los demás; en otras palabras, un hijo malcriado.

Cracking the Crying Code Sure, crying is a baby’s only form of communication — but that doesn’t mean you’ll always know exactly what he or she is trying to say. Not to worry. This cheat sheet can help you figure out what those whimpers, wails, and shrieks really mean: “I’m hungry.” A short and low-pitched cry that rises and falls rhythmically and has a pleading quality to it (as in “Please, please feed me!”) usually means that baby’s in the market for a meal. The hunger cry is often preceded by hunger cues, such as lip smacking, rooting, or finger sucking. Catch on to the clues, and you can often avoid the tears. “I’m in pain.” This cry begins suddenly (usually in response to something unexpectedly painful — for instance, the jab of a needle at shot time) and is loud (as in ear-piercing), panicked, and long (with each wail lasting as long as a few seconds), leaving the baby breathless. It’s followed by a long pause (that’s baby catching his or her breath, saving up for another chorus) and then repeated, long, high-pitched shrieks. “I’m bored.” This cry starts out as coos (as baby tries to get a good interaction going), then turns into fussing (when the attention he or she is craving isn’t forthcoming), then builds to bursts of indignant crying (“Why are you ignoring me?”) alternating with whimpers (“C’mon, what’s a baby got to do to get a cuddle around here?”). The boredom cry stops as soon as baby is picked up or played with. “I’m overtired or uncomfortable.” A whiny, nasal, continuous cry that builds in intensity is usually baby’s signal that he or she has had enough (as in “Nap, please!” or “Clean diaper, pronto!” or “Can’t you see I’ve had it with this infant seat?”). “I’m sick.” This cry is often weak and nasal sounding, with a lower pitch than the “pain” or “overtired” cry — as though baby just doesn’t have the energy to pump up the volume. It’s often accompanied by other signs of illness and changes in the baby’s behavior (for example, listlessness, refusal t

Kids who know they’re cared for and cared about have fewer behavioral problems and stronger relationships.

If you can laugh, you’re less likely to cry.

Still unsure if you’ve bundled your little bundle just right? Don’t check his hands for confirmation. A baby’s hands and feet are usually cooler than the rest of his body, because of his immature circulatory system. You’ll get a more accurate reading of his comfort by checking the nape of his neck or his arms or trunk (whichever is easiest to reach under his clothing) with the back of your hand. Too cool? Add a layer. Too warm? Peel one off. If he seems extremely cold to the touch, or dangerously overheated, click here.

You know all that stuff they say about becoming a grandmother? How amazing it is … how much you’ll love it … how it’s all the best parts of being a parent — without the sleep deprivation? Well, they don’t tell you the half it. Becoming a grandmother, as I did on February 12, 2013, when Lennox entered the world, and minutes later, my welcoming arms, was life-changing, mind-blowing, heart-swelling … thrilling to the core. The heavens opened up. The earth moved. The love that washed over me as I held that sweet bundle for the first time was instantaneous, it was intense, it was unabashed … it hit me like a ton of bricks, and practically knocked me off my feet. I was smitten.

For Dads
Helping Ease Her Quease Morning sickness is one pregnancy symptom that definitely doesn’t live up to its name. It’s a 24/7 experience that can send your spouse running to the bathroom morning, noon, and night — and hugging the toilet far more than she’ll be hugging you. So take steps to help her feel better — or at least not worse. Lose the aftershave that she suddenly finds repulsive, and get your onion ring fix out of her sniffing range (thanks to her hormones, her sense of smell is supersized). Fill her gas tank so she doesn’t have to come nose-to-nozzle with the fumes at the pump. Fetch her foods that quell her queasies and don’t provoke another run to the toilet. Good choices include ginger ale, soothing smoothies, and crackers (but ask first — what spells r-e-l-i-e-f for one queasy woman spells v-o-m-i-t for another). Encourage her to eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones (spreading out the load and keeping her tummy filled may ease her nausea), but don’t chide her for her food choices (now’s not the time to nag her about eating her broccoli). Be there for support when she’s throwing up — hold back her hair, bring her some ice water, rub her back. And remember, no jokes. If you were throwing up for weeks, you wouldn’t find it amusing. Not surprisingly, neither does she.

First evidence of this is when a toddler points to things. Finger-pointing is code.

Getting your little one used to longer daytime naps may increase the chances for a better night’s sleep for you.