It’s Science

What went viral this week: What everyone gets wrong about maternity leave + phone shaming parents

Here are the stories you need to check out, mama. ?

Ara Katz wants kids to love their microbiomes

In a new kids’ book, the Seed co-founder helps kids explore the miraculous world of gut bacteria—and teaches them how to nourish these “invisible friends.”

Is your baby kicking a lot? Research explains the reason fetuses move so much

Those fetal kicks are strong enough to kick a soccer ball, mama.

Science confirms you are a different person after giving birth

Research tells us that a lot of change happens when we choose to have babies, and that a mother is not the same person she was before having children.

It’s Science: Chewing gum after a C-section can help you leave the hospital sooner

We'll take all the help we can get with that first postpartum poop.

It’s Science: *Not* having postpartum sex is a sign of a great relationship

The more supportive your partner is while you are pregnant, the less sex you might have postpartum.

Fatigue, hot flashes, insomnia—could it be perimenopause, or is it your thyroid?

35% of women between the ages of 35 and 52 are experiencing perimenopause—and 35% of them also have a thyroid condition. Learning the differences between the two is vital.

PFAS exposure may significantly affect male fertility

Recent studies have revealed that environmental toxins known as PFAS may lower sperm count and reduce sex drive in men. Here's what you need to know.

It’s science: Babysitting your grandkids helps you live longer

Science shows grandparents who watch their grandchildren add an average of five years to their lives.

It’s science: Cuddling your baby changes their DNA—for the better

TL;DR: parents should never worry that they're hugging a baby too much.

It’s science: Your kids are learning all the time—school or no school

The whole world is a classroom, and they learn from it every day (so don't stress about those worksheets).

It’s Science: Mama’s voice reduces pain in premature babies

New research shows that when mamas talk, babies are soothed.

This is what happens to a mother’s brain when her baby cries

Just as my son is biologically wired to be my personal alarm clock, I am biologically wired to hear him—even if I can still sleep through everything else.

It’s science: Giving experiences instead of toys boosts your kid’s intelligence & happiness

There's no need to stress about getting them everything on their wishlist. Spending time with your kids is far more valuable.

Mindfulness training helps kids sleep longer, study reveals

Yoga and breathwork at school helped kids sleep an average of 74 more minutes per night.

What science says about this viral breastmilk video

The colors are different, but maybe not for the reason you think.

It’s science: This is why many postpartum moms don’t feel like having sex

It's normal to have a low sex drive postpartum.

Should you have another baby shower if you’ve already had a baby (or two… or three)?

In short: yes! Every new baby deserves to be celebrated in some way.

*This* is why your child needs that last drink of water before bed

When your child asks for a drink of water before they go to sleep, there truly may be a biological or emotional motivation behind it.

It’s science: Early bedtimes—and the routines behind them—make *everyone* happier

Good sleep hygiene, particularly an earlier bedtime, can improve the quality of life for both kids and moms.