Learn + Play

The 5 baby registry items I can’t live without

Dr. Holly Ruhl

A mobile walker.

Mobile

walkers usually look like a table on wheels that baby sits inside. Babes

who spend too much time cruising around in mobile walkers learn to crawl and

walk slower than other children.

Plus, walkers on wheels pose serious

dangers to your little one’s safety. In fact, the AAP has even

recommended a ban on mobile walkers.

Trust me, baby will be mobile before

you know it—and there’s no need to hurry things along!

A breastfeeding cover.

Good

news! It is 2016 and breastfeeding is something no mama needs to hide!

Breastfeeding covers only seem to get in the way. Plus, they don’t allow easy

A glider and ottoman.

glider may be a nice addition to baby’s nursery, but it is by no means a

necessity. You probably won’t use it as much as you think, especially if you

already have a go-to seat in the house.

Plus, in your sleep deprived state, you

may begin to rely a little too much on the glider as a means of rocking baby to

sleep, which

may hinder baby from learning to fall asleep independently at bedtime.

A comfy-cozy baby carrier.

you are wondering how you might care for your baby while doing laundry, washing

dishes, grocery shopping, or answering e-mails, you may want to invest in a

second set of arms. If those are out of stock, a baby carrier or wrap may be a

viable alternative.

Choose one that is comfortable for both you and your little

one. I love the ErgoBaby because it can support children up to 33 pounds while

evenly distributing the weight for maximum comfort (and snuggles)! Plus, the

new Ergo

360 offers four possible carrying positions, including an ergonomic

front-facing position.

For a newborn, I also like the Moby Wrap, which offers a womb-like experience

for your babe (but doesn’t feel quite as supportive or comfortable as baby gets

bigger).

So, what are the top 5 registry items I’ve discovered I could have lived without?

A fancy high chair.

Most

high chairs offer a cushy experience for baby. But, padding can make high chairs annoyingly difficult to clean.

Plus, a simple high chair that slides right up to the dining

table may encourage more interaction at mealtimes, facilitating

language development and healthy eating.

For an easy-to-clean (and dirt

cheap) solution, I love the Antilop chair

from IKEA.

Receiving blankets.

You

might be shocked at the number of these things you receive at your baby shower.

If you run out of uses, cut them into smaller squares and use them as wash

cloths for baby’s messy eating habits.

A straightjacket…err, swaddle.

Swaddles aren’t for every baby, just like coffee isn’t for

every new mama. Some babes might resist at the beginning, but many will

ultimately succumb to the magic of the swaddle.

Research shows that swaddling

your babe can improve

sleep quality and possibly reduce the risk of SIDS. Plus, swaddling soothes baby by

mimicking the close confines of the womb and prevents that pesky startle

reflex.

So, which swaddles are best for keeping your little Houdini bundled

up tight? If you have a true escape artist on your hands, I highly recommend

the Miracle

Blanket (otherwise known as the gift of sleep) and the Halo

SleepSack Swaddle.

With a few of these on your baby registry, you may just

get enough sleep in that first month with your newborn to write those baby

shower thank you cards.

I am the first to admit it: There are a few downsides of

pregnancy.

Peeing every 15 minutes, sleeping (or not sleeping) on your back,

and the insatiable craving for chocolate ?.

When these annoyances start

to get you down, spend a little time pondering one of the best upsides of

pregnancy—your baby registry!

It can be fun to create a dream list of every

possible gadget baby might need until college graduation. (And if you ask your

nearest baby boutique, they will tell you it’s completely necessary, too!)

Of course, there are a few things you really

need to ensure that baby is happy + healthy—and a few you don’t.

In my experience as both a SAHM and working mom, these are the top 5 baby registry items that I have found to be indispensable for keeping baby (and mama) calm and content.

A fun-ctional diaper bag.

Whether

it is a comfortable backpack

or a coveted designer

baby bag, you will want a convenient storage option for all of baby’s

on-the-go gear. There are countless options out there.

How do you begin your

search? First, make sure it is something your partner would be willing to

sport. I love the gender-neutral stripes and hidden bottle pockets on the Skip

Hop Duo in French Stripe.

Most importantly, opt for a moderate-size bag.

With a newborn, it doesn’t matter how oversized the bag, you will inevitably

fill it to the brim with baby “essentials”...you know, like four extra pairs of

baby socks, 7 pacifiers, and a baby swimsuit for any spontaneous November swimming

escapades. For a lighter option, I love the Ju-Ju-Be Be Light.

A high-quality video monitor.

Modern baby monitors are a far cry from the old one-way

walkie talkies of yesteryear. These days, some of the coolest monitors

offer 1080p streaming video on your Smartphone, among a plethora of other

features.

Especially for nervous new mamas, a video monitor will provide

reassurance whenever you think you hear baby making even the slightest peep…or (gasp)

not making enough noise.

It may even score you a few extra zzz’s if you don’t

need to leave your bed to check on baby.

A quality video monitor will provide different

benefits throughout infancy and childhood, including when baby is going through

a dreaded sleep regression, learning to stand in the crib, and transitioning to

a bed.

A top-notch stroller.

I’m not saying that you need to invest in the most expensive or prestigious

make. (But, if you are looking to cash in your IRA, Bugaboo is just the

beginning…There is even a new limited edition Mamas & Papas Urbo²

in rose gold!)

If you are looking for features to make your new life as a mama

just a little easier (without the blingy price tag), there are several fabulous

strollers I recommend. The Uppababy

Vista is reversible, comes with a bassinet, has a huge canopy and storage

basket, can be folded with the seat attached, and converts to a double—a true

selling point for cost-conscious mamas considering a second bundle of joy in

the future.

For lightweight options under $300, I like the Britax

B-Agile and Baby

Jogger City Mini.

This handy comparison

chart from BabyGearLab highlights the best features of this year’s

strollers to help you find the perfect wheels for your babe.

Dr. Holly Ruhl

Holly Ruhl, PhD is a Developmental Psychologist with a background in research and teaching. Her areas of expertise are promoting healthy attachment relationships between parents and children, as well as fostering healthy eating behaviors. She writes at The Freethinking Mama.

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What if moms acted more like CEOs?

My official title at home is Mom, but my unofficial title is CEO of Family Operations. Parenting is a team effort, sure, but I tend to take on the largest share of responsibility for keeping everything in the household afloat. It's theoretically possible to tackle the daily demands of motherhood, marriage and work as an army of one. It's also highly unpleasant. The key to preserving a shred of sanity? Learning to delegate.

Accepting or asking for help is something many moms, myself included, struggle with, but the most effective corporate CEOs do it every day without guilt or apology.

8 stylist-backed tips to keep your hair healthy + frizz-free this winter

Winter is here, mama, full of snow days, toasty fireplaces and yummy hot cocoa. But the colder temperatures can bring an onslaught of hair issues, like split ends and hair breakage. Your hair can actually accumulate a lot of damage in this season. Sure, most breakage is from the cold temperatures, but wool hats and scarves can also leave your strands pretty wrecked, too. Add in an itchy scalp that follows because of the lack of moisture in the air and you're in need of a little hair care.

So if you're making seasonal swaps with your skincare, home decor, and kid essentials, follow suit with your hair routine. That's why we asked Linsey Barbuto, artistic director and founder of Perlei salon, and Judy McGuinness, stylist at Mizu Licari Hair salon, for their top tips mamas can use to protect hair from the winter elements.

Here are their go-to tips for healthy, frizz-free, shiny locks:

1. Skip parabens + sulfates

We always make sure to protect our little ones from harsh ingredients, so why shouldn't we protect ourselves, too? When choosing a product to use on your hair, whether it be a shampoo or a styling product (a good go-to is Oribe shampoos and conditioners), always check the label, says Barbuto. If the product contains parabens (a preserve used to keep cosmetics fresh), sulfates (chemicals used as cleansing agents) or phthalates (chemicals used to soften solvents in cosmetics) stay away. Some studies have suggested that these ingredients are hormone disruptors, and many have been linked to cancer.

2. Create a washing routine

Not all hair is created equal so the overarching rule of washing your hair twice a week might work for some, but it can be damaging for others. To determine the right amount of washing for your mane, identify the type of hair you have. "Here's my rule—if you have curly and coily hair, wash it once a week; if it's frizzy, wash it every three to four days; if you have fine hair, opt for every other since it gets super oily," says Barbuto.

Editor pick: Eufora urgent repair shampoo

3. Avoid using a bath towel to dry your hair

Wrapping your hair tightly with a bath towel causes stress and damage to your hair. The friction can cause breakage, knots and eventually lead to split ends. But, if you've been using a towel, don't stress it—simply switch to an old t-shirt or a microfiber towel instead, says Barbuto. And, if you must use a bath towel, pat, don't rub your hair.

Editor pick: Aquis hair towel

4. Try a nourishing hair oil

Simply put, hair oils coat the outer cuticle of the hair shaft, leaving it protected from harsh winter elements. "I've played around with a few different brands, but end up going back to Oribe's gold lust oil to preserve my hair," says McGuinness. It's not too heavy, can be used on wet or dry hair, and prevents and helps to heal damaged ends."

Editor pick: Amika glass action universal elixir

5. Use a hair mask weekly

For busy moms, a shower can feel like an indulgence, so why not add in some hair love?

"Simply run a generous amount through your dry hair, focusing on the ends," says McGuinness. "Wait 5 minutes then hop in the shower and shampoo and conditioner as usual! I've found this to be the easiest way to treat my blonde ends, without feeling like I'm wasting time." McGuinness' pick? Jess & Lou's 5 minute resq hair therapy.

Editor pick: Briogeo don't despair, repair! deep conditioning mask

6. Back off on the heat

In the summer, it's much easier to just let your hair dry naturally, but there are a couple ways to get the benefits of no heat in the winter as well. "I like to take a shower at night and air dry my hair before bed. If necessary, in the morning I'll quickly run a large curling iron through my hair to give a little undone texture," says McGuinness. "Once you're happy with your style, apply dry shampoo to extend your style. Each day add in a bit more, massaging in with your fingers to absorb excess oil." Her current favorite is Dry Bar's detox dry shampoo—"a little goes a long way, and I don't have to wash my hair for at least two or three days," she says.

Editor pick: Cake Beauty the 'do gooder volumizing dry shampoo

7. Maintain haircuts

Even if you're growing your hair out, it's important to get a trim or dusting to remove split ends about every two months, says McGuinness. This keeps the split ends from traveling further up your hair shaft, leading to a bigger cut in the future.

8. Swap shampoo for a cleansing creme

Instead of using a shampoo, try a cleansing creme instead. "It doesn't have to be for every wash, but every time you choose to use a cleansing conditioner in place of regular shampoo, it adds much more moisture without stripping the hair at all," says McGinness. Try Oribe cleansing creme for medium to thick hair, and R+CO analog cleansing foam conditioner for fine to medium hair, says McGinness.

Editor pick: AG Hair texture cleansing cream

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Doctor-approved ways to help ease constipation in children

Parenthood has a way of making table talk out of otherwise taboo subjects. Case in point: You will likely keep a subconscious log of your child's bowel movements for several years—and for good reason. Although constipation is relatively common with up to 30% of children experiencing it, parents who understand the triggers and best treatment methods can help reduce discomfort and avoid recurrences.

When trying to find relief for constipation, the very first step should be determining the cause, says Dr. Latha Vrittamani, MD, a pediatrician with Stanford Children's Health. The challenge here is that there are multiple possibilities, including both physical and psychological triggers.

That said, the majority of pediatric constipation cases Dr. Vrittamani sees at her Bayside Medical Group practice are associated with three transitions: when an infant is starting solids, when a toddler is toilet training and when a child is starting school.

Unfortunately, as diets become more processed and lives become busier, research shows rates of constipation are increasing among the general population—and the issue can compound when a child begins to associate pain with going to the bathroom.

"When there is constipation, try to tackle it early because chronic constipation comes from not intervening at the right time," says Dr. Vrittamani.

Here is what parents should know about pediatric constipation so there can be peace at potty time once again:

Identifying constipation

For the most part, constipation is easy to identify: A child is uncomfortable while unable to pass a stool, experiences minutes of straining and pain while attempting a bowel movement, or goes three or fewer times per week with hard, dry stool. Other side effects may include a distended belly or, in more serious cases, vomiting, fever or bloody stool—which Dr. Vrittamani says are good cues to call a doctor.

Although some children are more prone to constipation due to genetic causes, dietary or psychological factors can be the difference between relatively easy bowel movements or chronic struggles. A smaller number of constipation cases may be related to other causes, such as spinal abnormalities, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other conditions diagnosable by a physician.

But there are some misconceptions about constipation that can throw off parents. It's common for breastfed newborns, for example, to go days between stools and they may even appear to strain in order to have a bowel movement because of immature abdominal toning. The difference in these cases is that the babies don't experience the more tell-tale signs of constipation, such as belly distention, irritability or hard stools. (It is best to trust your own gut if you're concerned or call your family pediatrician!)

Dietary causes + cures for constipation

More typically, constipation challenges coincide with the introduction of solid foods—especially as highly starchy, processed or dairy-rich foods enter the baby's diet. Some culprits may even be surprising, such as apples, sweet potatoes and bananas. Rather than banish these foods from the home altogether, Dr. Vrittamani suggests "mixing and matching" at mealtime with foods that can help keep the digestive system moving along.

A few good examples she points to include…

"P- fruits," such as prunes, plums, pears, peaches, papaya and pineapple
Avocado
Berries
Lentils
Flaxseed for babies over 8 months
Brussels sprouts or broccoli
Prune juice

If diversifying your child's diet isn't working or you're eager for a short-term solution, Dr. Vrittamani also suggests offering small amounts of a concentrated apple juice. Even in a small dose, the pectin naturally found in apple juice can help stimulate the digestive system—and the encouragement to drink extra fluid can help, too. In fact, limited fluid intake is a commonly overlooked cause that may contribute to constipation. But, thankfully, it is just as easily fixed by encouraging water consumption throughout the day. (A good reminder for us all!)

A few more remedies include…

Moving baby's legs in a bicycle motion or encouraging older kids to play.
Taking a baby's temperature rectally, which can loosen stools.
Giving your baby a warm bath.
For older children, drinking warm lemon water.
Offering a probiotic supplement or food, such as yogurt.

If the constipation persists, a physician such as those at Stanford Children's Health would be able to offer advice on the proper course of treatment. Dr. Vrittamani says this should always be done before drastic, potentially dangerous steps are taken.

Specifically, she would advise against…

Stimulating laxatives
Milk of magnesia
Changing a baby's formula preparation to include more water
Switching to a low-iron formula
Mineral oil for children under age 2

Common psychological triggers

Although dietary changes may benefit anyone struggling with constipation, the cause isn't always dietary in nature: Especially in situations like toilet training or going to school for the first time, a child may end up "holding it in" out of fear or anxiety. This can be avoided or minimized by reading a child's cues about how he or she is feeling before sending the child into uncomfortable new territory.

Looking at potty training, parents should look for readiness signs, such as vocalizations about wet diapers and an interest in using the potty that is encouraged with books and videos on the subject. "What is important is for us to realize that when parents do start toilet training they want to do it in a way that is non-threatening so the child is involved in it," says Dr. Vrittamani, adding parents should use "encouragement rather than punishment" and employ non-food rewards.

Like the rest of us, children are also beings of habit, so it can help to create a routine out of potty time. Dr. Vrittamani suggests encouraging a child to sit on a toilet after breakfast each day for no more than 10 minutes, but without distractions from books or videos.

For school-aged children, the same kinds of stress may contribute to constipation, which can be compounded by anxiety about cleaning themselves or having to tell a teacher when they need to go. "All of this becomes a self-esteem issue eventually," says Dr. Vrittamani, explaining parents should work with children before school on having bathroom confidence and independence.

Just as constipation triggers can vary from child to child, the right solution may require a bit of time and experimentation to pin down. But with these best practices in mind for a solid starting point, you can minimize the struggle—and hopefully prevent constipation from making a return to your home anytime soon.

This article was sponsored by Stanford Children's Health. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.

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All the celebrity babies born in 2020 (so far) 🎉

It's finally 2020. It's hard to believe but the old decade is over, the new one is here and it is bringing a lot of new life with it. The babies born this year are members of Generation Alpha and the world is waiting for them.

We're only a few days into the new year and there are already some new celebrity arrivals making headlines while making their new parents proud.

If your little one arrived (or is due to arrive) in 2020, they've got plenty of high profile company.

Here are all the celebrity babies born in 2020 (so far):

Ashley Graham is a mama! 🎉

A new chapter is unfolding for model and podcaster Ashley Graham, who just announced she and her husband Justin Ervin have met their baby.

The baby arrived Saturday, according to a post made on Graham's Instagram Stories.

"At 6:00pm on Saturday our lives changed for the better," reads the Story. "Thank you for all your love and support during this incredible time."

Graham previously announced that she and Ervin were expecting a son. They initially announced the pregnancy on their ninth wedding anniversary.

Congratulations to Ashley and Justin!

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden just welcomed a baby girl! 🎉

Cameron Diaz on Instagram: “❤️❤️❤️ @benjaminmadden”

Surprise! Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden are ringing in the New Year as first-time parents!

"Happy New Year from the Maddens!" reads a birth announcement posted to both Diaz and Madden's Instagram accounts. "We are so happy, blessed and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Raddix Madden. She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family."

Raddix Madden is the first child for Diaz, 47, and Madden, 40.

The couple say they won't be posting any pictures of their daughter on social media as they "feel a strong instinct to protect our little one's privacy."

Congratulations to the Maddens! 🎉

Dylan Dreyer of 'Today' is a mom of 2!

TODAY on Instagram: “That makes four! 💙 Congratulations are in order for @dylandreyernbc and @fishlense, who welcomed their second son on Jan. 2. 👶 Head to the…”

Today meteorologist Dylan Dreyer and her husband Brian Fichera, welcomed their second child, Oliver George Fichera, the first week of January 2020. Oliver joins his big brother Calvin to make the family a foursome.

Dreyer is still recovering from birth but her voice was on TV this week when she called into her show with an update on her new family. "I feel good," Dylan told her colleagues. "I just feel so happy and so blessed."

Caterina Scorsone of 'Grey's Anatomy' now has 3 girls!

Caterina Scorsone on Instagram: “Arwen is here! Our family wishes you a happy new year, a happy new decade and a happy heart made new by love in every exquisite moment. ❤️…”

Caterina Scorsone of Grey's Anatomy has so much to be thankful for in 2020: She's now a mom of three! The actress announced the birth of her daughter via Instagram, noting that her baby's name is Arwen.

Arwen joins big sisters Eliza, 7, and 3-year-old Paloma, who has Down syndrome. Speaking on The Motherly Podcast last year, Scorsone explained how Paloma's diagnosis made her "whole concept of what motherhood was had to shift."

It is likely shifting again, as any mama who has gone from two kids to three knows.

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