One of the most exciting things about new parenthood is watching your baby grow and change. Seeing those daily developments, and being able to witness your baby’s ever-growing skillset can produce so many celebratory firsts at this age. And you are enjoying every second of it; even as you mourn just how fast it is all going by.

But a lot of the times, parents also wonder how their baby’s development stacks up against other little ones. It’s easy to do. You have friends with babies around the same age, or you spend some time observing the other little ones at your child’s daycare, and you start to notice that there are some differences in skills—likely some areas where your baby seems to be ahead, and others where he or she may seem to not have caught up just yet.

This comparing can leave you wondering where your baby should be, but one thing to keep in mind at this age is that many of the standard milestones have a pretty wide range for “normal,” and even if your baby seems to fall at the end of that range, there is likely nothing at all to worry about.

Still, what milestones should you expect to see in the coming months?

Well for starters, by 4 months old, your baby should have come near to doubling his or her birth weight. If that weight gain hasn’t occurred just yet, your pediatrician is probably monitoring the situation and working with you to ensure your little one is getting the nutrition he or she needs.

You’ve also probably noticed that your baby is using his or her hands more often these days, picking up and moving toys, shaking rattles, and grabbing at just about anything within reach—including your hair! Around this age, babies put plenty of those items straight into their mouths, so it’s important to keep anything too small or dangerous out of reach.

By this 4^th month, your baby should have good head control when being held and when doing tummy time. He or she should also be kicking and pushing with their feet. And in the next few months, if it hasn’t happened yet, they will start rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy.

One of the best milestones around this age is sleep. Hopefully by now, your little one is sleeping for stretches of seven to eight hours at night. If you aren’t yet enjoying those restful periods, you should be soon. And your baby should be sleeping for 14 to 16 hours a day total, with their two daytime naps included.

Over the next few months, your baby will begin responding to his or her name, searching for and finding partially hidden objects, and sitting up with support, and eventually on his or her own!

If you ever have any concerns about where your baby is on milestone development, you can always consult with your pediatrician. But don’t get too caught up in comparing your baby to others around the same age. These milestones will all come fast and furious before you know it!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Hopefully up to now, you haven’t had to worry too much about your baby running a fever. But as you enter the coming months, with your baby likely being more exposed to other children his or her age, and with teething on the horizon; there are probably a few fevers in your future.

No one likes to see their baby sick, and it can be especially heartbreaking that first time, when you feel a little helpless and aren’t entirely sure what’s wrong. Being able to appropriately assess your baby’s symptoms so that you can decide whether or not to call the doctor is important in keeping calm and dealing with the situation.

But how do you best take your baby’s temperature? And what kind of thermometer should you use?

The good news is, you have lots of options. And while an anal thermometer is considered best for infants under 3 months of age, there is no real “best” after that point. It’s just a matter of deciding what you are most comfortable with. No matter what type you use, be sure to let the doctor know how the temperature was taken (is it a rectal temp? was it taken under the arm instead? etc.)

The old-school glass thermometers that your mom used to put under your tongue (or likely up your rectum when you were a baby) are of course still available, but not every parent is especially comfortable with using them, and getting an accurate reading can be a bit tricky if you don’t really know what you’re doing.

Thankfully, we have digital options today that can be a little more user friendly. Not only do they tend to work faster, but they can also give you a reading that is hard to misinterpret. Plenty of parents seem to prefer the digital thermometers that take a child’s temperature in their ear—this can be easier than trying to get them to keep the thermometer in their mouth.

As a general rule,

• In children a temperature of over 37.5C (99.5F) is a fever
• For babies younger than 3 months old, any fever over 38C (100.4F) warrants a call to the doctor
• Ages 3 to 6 months old, a temperature of 39C (102F) or above, call a doctor.

If your little one is older than six months, low fevers aren’t usually anything to be too concerned about, especially if there are no other symptoms. A low fever is anything under 39C (102F), while a moderate fever is 39C (102F) to 40C (104F), and a high fever is anything over 40C (104F).

While a fever isn’t considered dangerous until it reaches over 41C (106F), calling your doctor for anything over 39C (102F) is probably a good idea—particularly if there are other symptoms you are concerned about as well, such as persistent vomiting, refusal to feed, floppiness or drowsiness. Anything over 40C (104F) should result in an immediate trip to urgent care.

Of course, you should always feel free to call your doctor whenever you have any concerns at all. So even if your baby is running a 38C (101F) temperature, if you’re worried, go ahead and pick up the phone!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Everyone knows that the first few months of new parenthood can be challenging. Your entire world has just been turned upside down, and as much as you may have hoped and prayed for this change, you’re still getting less sleep, less time for yourself, and less time for your relationship.

It’s okay to admit that parts of that are hard.

What people may not necessarily realize, though, is that some of those things can be even more challenging with adoption.

Typically, when you are caring for an infant you brought home through adoption, it means that you fought even harder and longer for this chance to become a parent than your peers who are also tackling the newborn days. Adoption doesn’t happen easily, and if you are here now, it is because you battled to get here.

You think of that battle every time you look at this little one you already love so much. But you also probably think of the complications. The fact that maybe your adoption isn’t finalized yet, which can always create a fear of minds being changed and your baby being ripped away from you. Even if, legally, that isn’t likely to happen at this point… it is a normal fear to have.

Then there are the complications of navigating an open adoption; a dynamic most adoptions have shifted towards in recent years, but one which isn’t necessarily clearly defined. There are no set rules for what an open adoption looks like, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a path that works best for all parties involved.

Perhaps mostly, though, is the fear that you might not be making the right choices along the way. You want to do what is best for your baby; of course you do! But you also may be struggling with a bit of jealousy on your end when it comes to that other family. It’s hard to acknowledge that someone else got to carry your baby for 9 months, and that they may have a connection with your little one that will forever be different from your own.

None of these challenges or struggles makes you any less-than as a parent. But they can be difficult to navigate through, especially when you feel a bit alone in the challenges you are facing; none of your other friends in the new baby stage are up against quite the same things you are.

That’s why it can be so important in these early months to connect with other adoptive parents. There are amazing support groups online for parents of transracial adoption, and countless blogs and pages dedicated specifically to providing information and support to parents through adoption.

You are not alone in navigating this path. And your love for your baby will be the shining light that continues to guide you through!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

When you first announced you were pregnant, the gifts probably started flowing in. Perfect little onesies. The cutest little sleepwear. Newborn and 0-3 month outfits that made you swoon in delight.

You had more clothes gifted to you for those early months than your baby was even able to wear before growing out of them.

But now, you’re surveying your stockpile and realizing that you probably need to start making some actual purchases. The problem is, how do you know what you need? And how do you keep from breaking the bank on those purchases?

It’s no secret that new babies can be expensive, and their clothes are perhaps one of the least talked about expenses there are. Everyone knows about the bottles and the formula, but people forget about the cost of keeping those little ones from being naked.

There are two main issues with buying baby clothes to consider. The first is that you have no idea how long your baby will be in any set size, and the second is that you find yourself wanting to buy everything!

It’s just all so adorable!

Try to temper that desire, though, and follow these tips for keeping your baby clothed and your bank account in the black:

1. Consignment (second-hand) Stores: There are so many cute consignment (second-hand) stores for kids clothes these days, and the beauty is that because all babies grow out of their clothes quickly, most of what you will find will probably have only been worn a handful of times before you buy it. Shopping consignment means you’ll get like-new quality for half the price.
2. Size Up: Your baby is growing fast, and those growth spurts can literally happen overnight. Your best bet? Buy clothes that are a size or two large, and then plan on rolling sleeves and leg bottoms for a little while. You’ll get much longer outfit wears if you’re willing to let your little one rock the baggy look for a few weeks.
3. Know What You Need: Never go aimlessly shopping for baby clothes. If you do, you’re bound to walk out with a dozen adorable dresses in the middle of winter, or a cute themed outfit months away from Christmas. Instead, have a list and stick to it.
4. Splurge on One Thing: For the most part, dressing your baby in onesies and sleep gowns is still probably going to be the easiest, most comfortable option for all. But it doesn’t hurt to have one truly precious outfit in the closet, just in case a photo-worthy event comes up. You don’t want to go overboard on clothes your baby will probably never wear, but… one occasion outfit can be worth the splurge!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Breastfeeding is a pretty amazing thing and leaves you in awe of just how incredible your body is. Well, it does until your baby bites you for the first time, then all of a sudden it’s not quite the warm and fuzzy bonding experience you were hoping for. Some moms choose to give up breastfeeding when their baby bites, but this isn’t necessary. There are things you can do to gently teach your baby not to bite your nipples.

The important thing to bear in mind is that biting is a temporary stage. Just because your baby has bitten once does not mean that he will bite during feeds forever more. Some babies only ever bite once, others may trial it for a few days and for other babies it may take a few weeks until the behaviour dies down, this will all depend on your baby.

Biting often accompanies teething and is simply a way of your baby relieving some of the discomfort he feels on his gums. Unfortunately, this then passes the discomfort onto you which is certainly not ideal. So what can you do to stop your baby biting during breastfeeds?

How to stop your baby biting when breastfeeding

1. Recognize teething signs

Your baby may be using feeds as a way of reducing discomfort caused by teething, unfortunately this may mean he’s like to gum down or bite your nipples. Ouch. If you think your baby may be teething, try offering a teething toy for him to bite instead of offering a feed.

2. Look out for signs of boredom

Some babies bite at the end of a feed simply because they are bored (and, clearly, ungrateful). Babies can’t feed and bite at the same time, so a break in feeding could be a warning that a bite may be around the corner. If you think your baby may be done, immediately remove him from the breast.

3. Give your baby attention

Some babies bite for attention during feeds. Try to resist the urge to look at your phone or watch TV and instead focus your attention on your baby during feeds. It may just be that he wants to look into your eyes for a little while and doesn’t know a better way of getting your attention.

4. Remove baby from the breast

If the baby bites, you should stop the feed. You can do this without saying anything or you can say something to gently let him know that the feed is over. Scolding your baby won’t work because he’s too young to understand, so silence or gentle explanation is the best way forward.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Remember when you used to grab your phone, purse and keys and leave the house without a second thought? Those were the days, eh? These days, you’re lucky if you make it out of the house at all. On the occasions you do, it feels like you’ve brought most of the house contents with you, stuffed into your surprisingly heavy diaper bag. If you’re a new parent wondering how you can get out of the house a little easier, try these seven easy steps to freedom:

1. Get everyone dressed

This will take approximately three hours from the moment you wake up. You will spend three minutes in the shower, and most of this time will be spent running out of the shower because you think you can hear the baby crying. It’s the shower playing tricks on you. You’re not crazy. About an hour will be spent frantically searching for a top that isn’t covered in baby puke. You’ll find one, eventually, but it won’t necessarily fit very well. Nevermind, it will have to do. Now you just need to get the baby dressed, but which adorable tiny outfit should you choose?

2. Pack the diaper bag

Once you’re both dressed, it’s time to pack the diaper bag. You’ll need to take at least eight clean diapers out with you just in case. You can never predict when a poo explosion will occur. Maybe it’s best to just take a whole pack of diapers just in case? And a change of clothes for the baby, and some toys that you already know she’ll never play with. And some baby wipes, some water for you (breastfeeding is thirsty work) and a hat for the baby (you never quite tell when it’s going to suddenly drop below 0 these days. Thanks, climate change). Once the diaper bag is so full you can barely lift it, you’re almost ready to go.

3. Find all the things

Now you just need to find all your things. Purse, check. Keys, check. Phone… Where’s your phone? Now you’ll need to spend at least 30 minutes searching every nook and cranny in the house to see where you’ve left your phone. Thanks to baby brain, that phone really could be anyway. It was in the salad drawer last week, and the diaper bin the week before. After 30 minutes of searching, you’ll decide to call it to try and follow the vibrations (only a crazy new mom would have a ringtone that might wake her new baby). Oh great, it’s engaged. Oh wait, that’s because you’re trying to ring your phone from your phone. Ha, it’s been in your hand this whole time. Oh, baby brain…

4. Walk to the door

You’ve done it. You’re both dressed and ready to get. The diaper bag is packed and you have all of your belongings. You can almost taste freedom. Reach for that door handle…

5. Game over

Before your fingers touched the door handle, the baby is awake and crying. Loudly. She’s hungry. It’s time for a feed. You were so close to being on time too. Better text your friend and say you’ll be late…

Half an hour on the sofa and your baby is fed and back asleep. The only problem is that now she’s pooped. You’d better head back upstairs and change that stinky diaper.

Ok, the clean diaper is on, the baby is fed and so far, you’re only 45 minutes late. It’s not great but it’s certainly not your record. Now you just need to clip the baby into the car seat and off you go…

6. Back to square one

Ah, of course, she threw up in the car seat. Always the way, isn’t it? And now there’s a lovely little puddle of sick on the adorable outfit you picked out. Better run upstairs and choose something different for her to wear. And, of course, now that she’s changed, she’s hungry again. After throwing up most of her lunch, it’s no wonder she’s hungry again. Better quickly feed her before you set off. After all, you’re only an hour and a half late so far.

7. Go go go!

Right, the baby is asleep, fed and changed. Now you’d better run out of the house super fast before something bad happens and you have to start this whole ordeal again. I wonder if your friends will still be waiting for you…

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Whether or not to piece your baby’s ears is a personal decision, one that may be deeply routed in cultural norms and personal preferences. We’re not here to convince you one way or the other, but rather to inform you of the various pros and cons so that you can make the decision that is right for you and your family.

So you have a little girl and you’re thinking about piercing her ears! So fun! But maybe you’ve found yourself wondering whether or not baby piercing is something you should do now, or if it might be better to wait until she’s old enough to have a say.

Get ready, because this is just one of the many parenting decisions yet to come that will be met with all kinds of opinions if you start asking for advice on what to do. Heck, even if you don’t ask for advice, people are likely to weigh in!

Ultimately, the decision is yours alone to make. In many Latino cultures, as well as India and Arabic countries, baby ear piercing is simply a given; it’s what you do. And even if it’s not cultural for you, you may find yourself leaning towards those cute little baby ear studs. Before you opt to pierce (or not to pierce) though, let’s equip you with some of the pros and cons to consider.

Piercing Pros

• It can be easier to keep newly pierced ears clean if your baby is still too small to mess with her accessories.
• There is no denying there is something precious about little pierced ears.
• There is little risk to baby piercing.
• Your baby won’t remember the pain of getting her ears pierced like she may if you wait.

Piercing Cons

• Your baby may grow to wish she didn’t have her ears pierced at all.
• There is something to be said for waiting until a child is old enough to experience the excitement of making this “big girl” step.
• Earrings may be more likely to snag and pull on little ones who are still in the crawling and exploration stages.
• Lost earrings could become a potential choking hazard.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) official statement on baby piercing is that the risk factor is low. Even still, they recommend waiting until your child is old enough to assist in taking care of those piercings themselves.

Like most Mommy War topics, this is a decision only you can make. You know your values, and your family’s values, as well as the culture your child is going to be growing up in. So make the decision that feels right to you, and then don’t allow outside forces to sway you in that decision.

If you do decide to go with piercing, though, be sure to let your pediatrician know—especially if your baby is still fairly young. The risk is low, but they may be able to equip you with knowledge about what to be aware of, and it’s possible they can even make recommendations about where to go for sterile piercings.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2015. All rights reserved.

After nine months of pregnancy and giving birth, it’s amazing what your body can do. But that same body may look a bit different than you remember. Although it’s normal to want to return to your pre-pregnancy shape, losing the baby weight and getting back in shape takes time.

Seeing images of fit and shapely celebrities who recently had a baby may make you feel that you should be back to your pre-baby self quickly. But don’t feel as if you have to snap back into shape immediately. Putting that type of pressure on yourself will possibly lead to frustration. After all, it took about 40 weeks to gain your baby weight, so don’t expect to lose it at lightning speed.

Keep in mind, most doctors don’t recommend dieting for the first six weeks. Your body needs the right amount of nutrients to recover from delivery and establish a good supply of breastmilk.

Once your doctor gives you the green light, a sensible approach to weight loss, which includes eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise is your best bet.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Avoid crash diets and restricting calories too much, which can interfere with your milk supply and leave you feeling fatigued. Instead, setting reasonable goals to get back in shape can help you stay motivated. For example, most experts recommend a weight loss goal of about half a pound to a pound and half a week.

Your chances of achieving a steady and gradual weight loss are best if you stick to a healthy diet. Include plenty of fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy in your diet, as well as lean protein. Remember, breastfeeding can also help you lose weight since it can require an extra 500 calories a day.

It’s important to understand, everyone sheds pregnancy weight at a different rate. If you were already pretty fit before pregnancy, getting back into shape may be easier than if you were a couch potato. How fast you snap back also depends on how much weight you gained during pregnancy.

Postpartum Exercise

Finding the time to exercise can be a challenge for a new mom, especially if you will be working outside the home. But it’s worth the effort.

Exercise can be a great way to help you get fit, relax and improve mood. Consider joining an exercise class for new moms or incorporate your baby into your workout. Go for a walk with your baby in the stroller or pop in an exercise DVD while your little one naps. Even little bursts of physical activity a few times a day can add up.

Postpartum Fit Tips

• Always get your doctor’s approval before starting a postpartum exercise routine.
• Add a little weight training. It can speed up metabolism.
• Try to sit down and enjoy your meals. Rushing through your meals can leave you feeling unsatisfied and reaching for too many snacks.
• Drink plenty of water. Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger.
• Make fitness a priority. Being at your best helps you be a better mommy.
• Try to remain positive and patient. Although you may not be able to fit into your jeans as soon as you like, you have a beautiful baby who does not care what the scale says. Enjoy this time, keep working towards your fitness goals and cut yourself a little slack.

Written by Mary Ann DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.