Posts by Kristin Smith
Preterm Labor Symptoms
When labor occurs between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, it’s called preterm labor. Being in labor means that the cervix is opening and can result in preterm birth. Babies born premature are at risk of health complications and may require extensive support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Sometimes, the signs of preterm…
Read MoreHow to Care for Your Premature Baby: What Parents Need to Know
With every 10 babies born in the US, one is born premature. Going into premature labor is a frightening experience for new parents. Sometimes, a medical condition requires pregnancy to be induced early. Other times, the cause of premature labor is unknown and parents are taken by surprise. Learning how to care for your premature…
Read MoreA Weekly Look at Premature Babies: Complications and Care
A baby born before 37 weeks gestation is considered premature. All premature babies are small and may require extra monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Premature babies may have trouble breathing, maintaining their body temperature, and/or eating on their own. Those most at risk of medical complications are babies born very early, while…
Read MoreDaylight Savings Time Sleep Survival Strategies
Oh, Daylight Savings Time. When the clocks get turned back your baby will hopefully be sleeping right through it. But when the sun rises on Sunday morning, those blissful pre-baby days of sleeping in an extra hour are now behind you. However, sleep deprivation isn’t a given, either. Read on for baby sleep survival strategies…
Read MoreSafe Sleep Practices for Babies: The ABC’s of Safe Sleep
Safe sleep practices for babies are essential in lowering infant mortality. With all the many things to learn about raising a new baby, safe sleep practices are among the most important. But sleep deprivation and the stressors of parenting can lead many new parents to feel uncertain and confused about how to keep their sleeping…
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
Learn About Safe Sleep Practices for Babies As a new parent, one of the most important topics to learn about is how to keep your sleeping baby safe. Newborns spend on average 14-17 hours a day sleeping, but those sleep periods are brief and can easily lead to sleep deprivation for parents. Knowing about safe…
Read MoreSigns of Miscarriage: How to Cope
If you’re reading this while experiencing potential signs of miscarriage, first take a long, slow breath. Not knowing how to cope with the physical and emotional pain of threatened miscarriage is completely valid. The best gift to give yourself is to stay in the present: try not to think too far ahead, and take this…
Read MoreBottle Feeding Your Baby 101
When researching everything you need to know about bottle feeding your baby, the topic can feel overwhelming. From which bottles to use, to breastmilk and formula storage, to how to clean your bottles – the seemingly simple act of bottle feeding your baby can bring up lots of questions. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. …
Read MoreA Day in the Life of a 24/7 Night Nurse
A day in the life of a 24/7 night nurse is full of beautiful, hard-earned moments. An hour before sunrise, the baby wakes for a feeding. The night nurse, resting on a daybed next to the bassinet, gets up to warm a bottle of breastmilk. She changes the baby’s diaper, feeds her, burps her, then…
Read MoreTop 5 Safety-Rated Infant Car Seats of 2021
An infant car seat is one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your little one. Infant car seats are typically used from birth until about one year of age. Used with a base that stays installed in your car, they conveniently click in and out so you can easily transport your baby. Most…
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