More in Motherhood
25 Secrets of Happy Moms
We asked new mothers to share how they add more joy to every day -- even the really tough ones. Click through and smile!
New Parent Mistakes to Avoid
Being a parent is the hardest job you'll ever love. To make your first few months as goofproof and enjoyable as possible, follow our troubleshooting guide and avoid these 10 classic mistakes.
8 New Mom Stresses -- and How to Relieve Them
Joy, excitement, and unfathomable love? Those are the new-mom emotions you're prepared for. Identity crisis? Not so much. "The best example you probably have of what it means to be a mom is your own mother," says Gail Saltz, MD, a psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, in Manhattan. "And even if you had the greatest one in the world, there are bound to be things you don't want to do just like she did, which can leave you feeling guilty and anxious about the choices you're making as a parent." It can be a huge relief, then, to talk to other moms, Dr. Saltz adds. Aside from getting the understanding and sympathy you crave, you'll also see that you can make the transition from you to you-with-a-kid -- just like they did. What follows is expert advice and it-worked-for-me wisdom for eight common new-mom stresses.
5 Common New-Mom Challenges
Yes, your new baby rocks -- but your life as a new mom might be a little rocky. Here, we talked to experts about some of the big issues we're all pretty much guaranteed to face, including breastfeeding problems, work dilemmas, and losing the baby weight -- and got their best strategies for coping with each one.
Your New Body After Birth
During pregnancy, you got used to some pretty strange symptoms. Now that you've given birth, you may be dealing with even more.
Worst Baby Advice Ever
Real moms from the Parents.com community share the most un-helpful hints they've received when it comes to motherhood.
How to Bond with Baby
Bonding seems to happen one of two ways: you're instantly gaga for your baby; or you're a bit numb from labor, delivery, and the no-turning-back-now realization that you're finally a mom. You fumble through those early sleepless weeks and months of figuring each other out -- but that's okay. Bonding is a long, complicated process, and it unfolds a bit differently for every parent.
6 Milestones That Make a Mom
Just as your baby develops from an unbelievably tiny bundle into a full-fledged little person, hitting many momentous milestones along the way, so it goes for you. The only difference is, you don't find parental milestones in most parenting books.
7 New Mom Sleep-Saving Tips
It's understandable if the term "walking zombie" describes you during your new mom days. As you recover from pregnancy and childbirth, you're nurturing an infant who wakes up several times a night feeling hungry (or wet or colicky or disoriented) and needs you to be awake too. Luckily, this is temporary. Once your baby can sleep through the night, you can return to a regular sleep schedule. But most infants won't for least seven to eight weeks, often longer. The good news: You can almost always sneak in sleep. These sleep-saving moves will show you how.
The Anxious Parent
A psychologist explains why today's parents have less to worry about than they think.
6 New Mom Secrets
Women spend pregnancy eagerly awaiting a baby: the adorable dimples, the cute outfits, the serene moments of staring into each other's eyes. And yes, there are those joys -- along with some unexpected truths. Real moms who've been there and dealt with that speak up so you'll never have to say, "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
9 Ways Life is Better With Baby
While pregnant, you'll get lots of advice about how to function on no sleep and deal with babyhood's bummers. So once your little munchkin arrives you may be surprised by how many pleasures tag along for the ride. Consider all these benefits of being a new mommy and you'll be looking on the bright side, too!
10 Fun Things to Do with Your Baby
New motherhood is incredibly joyful, but face it: It can sometimes be downright boring for both of you. So check out these activities and let the good times begin.
How to Bond With Baby
Research shows that connecting with your little one helps make him happier and healthier. We share the sweetest, simplest ways to bond with your new baby.
Baby Development Tracker
Follow your baby's growth and learn about all of the milestones he'll reach in his first year! Plus, you'll find Health and Safety Information and Mom Must-Know Tips for each week.
