Newbies: New Moms, New Babies

Being a parent inevitably involves sacrifice. There's less money, less sleep, and less time for yourself. As a mother, finding time to care for yourself is essential but can seem like an impossible task. Not only may it seem impractical, but it may even feel selfish. How can you find the time and energy to help yourself so you can care for your children? How do you overcome the guilty feelings of putting yourself before the needs of others? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your baby's head is uniquely made to mold for birth and move to accommodate a growing and developing brain. So, what are those soft spots that most new parents are afraid to touch? Where can you find them? And what changes can you expect within your baby's first year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all want our children to do what we tell them to do. But even the most obedient children fall short sometimes. So, when is it time to discipline your child? What systems seem to work best? And how do you make this transition when your child is just now learning right from wrong?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adoption can happen through many avenues and under a variety of circumstances. Each baby’s adoption story is uniquely beautiful and uniquely challenging. How do you know if adoption is right for your family? What are some of the challenges you may face when adopting a newborn? How do you overcome obstacles that may come your way? In this episode, moms of adopted newborns share their personal experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You birthed your baby, and then you birthed your placenta. So, now what do you do with it? The hospital could whisk it away and discard it as hazardous material, or you could take it home with you... and perhaps eat it. What? It's true and moms all over the world (including some in our studio) are convinced it helped them after childbirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you go to the pediatrician, they take all sorts of measurements and track your baby's progress through infant growth charts. So, who created these charts and how are averages determined? Do breastfed babies grow any differently than formula-fed babies? And what does the term "failure to thrive" actually mean? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giving birth to your baby is usually pretty messy, right? So, it's only natural we would want to bathe our babies immediately. But could there be benefits to delaying that first bath? And when you do decide to bathe your new baby, how should you do it? Should you buy a special baby tub, or perhaps bathe with your baby? And what about those strange baths in the kitchen sink? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people think mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, must begin immediately after having your baby. But that's simply not true. Delayed postpartum depression can occur 18 months after birth or later depending on hormonal changes within the mother's body. So, would you know if you're experiencing delayed PPD or if something else is wrong? Today we're looking at the main symptoms that when left untreated, can even impact future pregnancies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's hard to walk through baby stores without feeling like you need absolutely everything on the shelves. But, when it comes to devices that restrain your baby, less is probably best. Today we're learning all about the concept of "container babies" and the potentially harmful effects it could have on your child's development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have a newborn, then you're no stranger to your little one's weird, jerky movements. Thankfully, those crazy moves are completely normal. In fact, these infant reflexes are designed to protect your baby and keep him safe. So, what can you expect as a new parent? What happens during the moro reflex, sucking reflex and the root reflex? Will your child always have them or will they eventually go away? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After you have your baby, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions. If you're not feeling completely elated shortly after the birth of your baby- don't worry, that can be completely normal. It's called the baby blues, and it's a temporary condition many women experience within the first few weeks of birth. So, what are the common symptoms and how do you know if your condition is more severe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most women, being pregnant means having a nice, long break from your monthly period. But what happens after your baby is born? What should you expect with those first few periods after pregnancy? Is it different depending on if you had a vaginal or c-section delivery? How will you know what's normal for your body? Today we’re exploring what to expect when "Aunt Flo" strolls back into town! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Babies are supposed to cry, it's how they communicate with us. But what do you do when your baby is crying constantly? Could your baby have colic? What exactly is colic and why does it happen? And what natural remedies can you use to help soothe your baby so you both can get some much-needed rest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your baby's birth weight is important. And for those first couple weeks of life, your primary goal as a new mom is to keep that birth weight from falling more than 10%. Why is it important to maintain that birth weight right after birth? Why is 10% the magic number? And what does it mean if your baby loses more than 10% of her initial weight? What are your options? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As your baby grows, so does his ability to sleep for longer periods of time. So, how does this impact the naps you have scheduled throughout the day? How much sleep does your baby really need, and how does this change along with their overall development? How do you drop naps throughout the day and still make sure your baby isn't cranky or wide awake when it's nighttime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices