Since my son was born, I’ve always used a regular, over-the-shoulder diaper bag. But going out for the day with a toddler means bringing snacks, water, different kinds of wipes, toys, diapers, you name it—and my regular diaper bag just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I turned to the Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack. I never thought I would be a backpack diaper bag mom, but once I saw this 17-pocket design, I wanted to try it out....

Choosing to refrain from a potentially risky activity during pregnancy, such as hot yoga, is never a bad decision. However, for some women after a discussion with their obstetrical provider and making certain modifications may be able to consider continuing their hot yoga practice. If you have been practicing hot yoga regularly leading up to your pregnancy, it very well may be safe to continue. Understanding potential risks and following expert recommendations can help you make the best decision for yourself and your unborn child....

When you breastfeed in the side-lying position, you lie on your side and place your baby down alongside you on their side. You and your child will be facing each other belly to belly with your baby’s head at the level of your breast and their feet toward your feet. When to Breastfeed in the Side-Lying Position The side-lying breastfeeding position is an excellent choice whenever you want to feed your baby lying down....

Places to Get a Free Pregnancy Test Some obstetrics or family medicine practices offer free pregnancy tests to prospective new patients. Or consider these options. Local Health Department Many city or county health departments offer family planning services. This typically includes a free pregnancy test for those who cannot afford to pay. Some may offer it on a sliding scale if you do have some monetary resources. Faith-Based Crisis Pregnancy Center These faith-based services, usually run by churches, offer free pregnancy tests....

Hugs release oxytocin (often referred to as the “love hormone), and there’s even evidence suggesting that hugs can decrease blood pressure, reduce illness severity, and help people recover from interpersonal conflict. Ahead, we’ll take a closer look at the research on kids and hugging, connect with therapists who offer wisdom on the benefit, and share what to do if your child doesn’t like to be hugged. Why Are Hugs Important for Kids (and Parents)?...

Although your child shouldn’t be immune to discipline, it’s not always the best strategy. If they’re punished without truly understanding the problem with cheating, it’s less likely that they’ll stop cheating and more likely that they’ll just try harder not to get caught in the future. Listen to All Sides of the Story As a parent, it could be in your nature to go to bat for your child and take a stance against the teacher or student who accused your child of cheating....

There are benefits and downsides to filing pro se. For parents who want to file for child custody but who cannot afford a lawyer, filing pro se is a viable alternative. In addition, when you file without a lawyer, you learn a lot about the legal system, which can equip you to be your own best advocate. Still, seeking child custody is a stressful process, and navigating the legal system can require a steep learning curve....

People have a variety of different reasons for wanting to conceive quickly. Maybe you want to space your children a certain number of years apart. You might want to get pregnant because your partner is in the military, and you’d like to conceive before deployment. Or, you may just be eager to become a parent. Some couples will get pregnant after trying for a month or two. But, for most, it takes longer....

However, preterm babies may require special considerations. Parents should hold off on solid foods before their preemie is ready. When introducing solids to preemies, consider your baby’s corrected age rather than their actual age. When to Introduce Solids Most full term babies are ready to begin solid foods around 6 months of age, but if your baby is a preemie, the timing of when to introduce solids is important. You have to consider their delayed early gross motor skills, their nutritional requirements, organ immaturity, increased gut permeability, and increased risk of infections....

The bedtime routine often has its own special challenges. No matter how down pat a parent may think they have it, toddlers can get cranky and stubborn as they get more tired during the day. The result? Getting through the bedtime routine can be a struggle. One way to encourage your toddler’s compliance is to make the routine fun by visually reminding them of what the routine is as well as rewarding them when they follow the routine....

When Do Babies Start Smiling? Many proud parents will tell you that their newborns were smiling the day they came home from the hospital. Although they look adorable, these cute little smiles are probably just spontaneous reflexes. Babies will smile randomly, even when they are sleeping, until about one month of age. After that: Between 6 and 10 weeks of age: Babies will begin to smile at environmental stimulation. By 2 or 3 months old: Babies will likely be able to look at you and smile when they’re happy....

Either way, there are tactics you can implement to reduce the tantrums that can result from the green-eyed monster. Take steps to reduce jealousy between siblings and foster a healthy relationship between them. How to Help Your First-Born Child Adjust to a New Baby Your first-born child is used to being the baby of the house, so it shouldn’t come as a shock if he gets envious of the little one that seems to be stealing all of your attention....

Some babies seem to sleep like angels from the beginning and others, not so much. If you are one of the unlucky ones, know that you are not alone. Yes, it’s normal to be as ridiculously tired as you feel. Yes, it will pass. And yes, you will get through it. If you’re looking for ways to survive sleep deprivation—and maybe even find some ways to catch some extra shut-eye—we’ve got you covered....

It’s also common for kids to grow less vigilant on personal hygiene when they hit middle and high school, especially once they’re no longer under their parent’s watchful eye while grooming. Here’s a primer on which healthy hygiene habits to teach your teen and how to instill them into your child’s daily routine. Why Are Hygiene Habits Important? Hygiene is essentially how we keep our bodies clean. Cleanliness practices serve two basic functions....

If you were not trying to get pregnant, a positive test could be overwhelming for both of you. Here’s how you can support your partner if they think they are pregnant and plan to take a pregnancy test, as well as what to do if your role in your partner’s pregnancy is unclear. Taking a Home Pregnancy Test You can get a home pregnancy test at grocery stores, pharmacies, and most big box stores....

This parenting style utilizes “tough love” combined empathy to send a message that essentially says, “I know you don’t like the rules, but I’m going to enforce them anyway because it’s good for you, and I love you.” This article explains the principles and benefits of authoritative parenting and tough love. It also offers some examples of how to use this approach. What Is Authoritative Parenting? Authoritative parenting is often confused with authoritarian parenting....

If you had a dark line before and now you have a faint line, there could be several explanations for this, other than miscarriage. You may have consumed too much water prior to the test, or not enough. You may have accidentally used the test incorrectly, or something else in your urine may have interfered with the test. How a Pregnancy Test Works Home pregnancy tests are based on the detection of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your urine....

Published in the journal Blood Advances, a new study shows that one of every two pregnant women has low levels of iron. While the deficiency is concerning, experts note that supplements and diet can help treat low iron levels, helping parents have healthier pregnancies. The Study Researchers studied close to 45,000 pregnant women who had prenatal tests performed at laboratories in Ontario, Canada. They looked at the tests given between 2013 and 2018....

The Elf on a Shelf’s constant surveillance serves as a physical reminder to children that Santa will know if they’ve been good or bad this year. And while there’s a good chance you can use Santa—and his elf—to your advantage, it may not be the best discipline strategy. But, it can be a fun and lighthearted way to get your kids’ attention. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, you might find you’re able to keep your kids in line by saying, “You’d better be good because Santa’s watching....