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R-Rated Moments: Not in Front of the Baby!

Now that you have a newborn, you may have to censor some of your behavior.
Happy couple with baby Afternoon Delight

R-Rated Event: You thought your roommate was sound asleep when you and your partner decided to heat it up under the covers. Just as things start to get hot and heavy, you hear an epic cry. Busted! And it's not by your college roomie -- it's by your own baby. Don't worry, you don't have to sign your infant up for therapy. "Seeing or hearing sex at an early age is unlikely to have any lasting effects, but any loud noises or vigorous movements may seem scary to young children," says Jennifer Shu, M.D., Parents advisor and coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality.

Make it G-Rated: Some couples find it difficult to get comfortable with the idea of having sex with a baby in earshot, even if she's not sharing your bedroom. But don't give up too easily. When the baby is asleep, get creative about finding absolute privacy. You'll solve two problems at once: You won't get caught in the act, and you'll be able to relax and get your groove on because you won't be anxious about being seen or heard. Grab the monitor and head down the hall for a steamy shower scene, or initiate a round of Seven Minutes in Heaven. "Instead of thinking about it as trying to protect the baby, imagine that you're sneaking around. It's a good way to turn a tricky situation into a turn-on," suggests Kristen Chase, author of The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex. You can also use background noise to tone things down. The next time you're in the mood for sex, try downloading a white-noise app on your smartphone. The sound of crickets chirping can be your secret code for "meet me in the guest room."