Making The Cut. One dad decides whether to circumcise his newborn son Doctor or midwife? Natural or epidural? The decisions that confronted my pregnant wife were overwhelming. Still, she attacked them with aplomb, stacking baby books precariously on the nightstand and, in a stunning 14-question performance, cementing herself as the Lisa Simpson of the birthing class on the … [Read more...] about Circumcision: Is it the right decision?
The pregnancy-safe way to beat cold and flu
Pregnancy may guarantee you a seat on the bus, but it doesn’t grant you a free pass from germs. In fact, your developing baby puts your immune system into relaxation mode, making you more susceptible to everyday illnesses. This dip in resistance may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s crucial—if your body didn’t surrender to foreign bodies, it might actually reject your … [Read more...] about The pregnancy-safe way to beat cold and flu
Your first trimester questions – answered!
All right, moms-to-be, the doctor is in! Our OB, Dr. Stephen Weiss, answers your first trimester questions. Smoked out Q: I’ve been to a few parties this winter where I can smell smoke from a fire in the fireplace. I’ve read that breathing smoke can be harmful for a fetus. How seriously should I take that warning? A: Burning wood in the fireplace is generally safe during … [Read more...] about Your first trimester questions – answered!
How to handle mom’s unsolicited advice during pregnancy
Partly out of superstition, and partly because of Jewish tradition, Liz Gumbinner of Brooklyn, NY, asked her family not to give her baby gifts until the very end of her pregnancy. “When I was six weeks pregnant, and just two days after we’d announced it,” Gumbinner says, “My overexcited mother-in-law sent a onesie set.” There’s no getting around it: Becoming a parent changes … [Read more...] about How to handle mom’s unsolicited advice during pregnancy
The single mom’s guide to raising a baby
They say it takes a village to raise a child. This rings especially true for single moms. Here’s how to find the support you need to thrive in your vital new role: Unlike women getting ready to welcome home baby with a partner, single moms rely on extensive networks of friends and family to get ready for their new arrivals. And now that my daughter is 5, I realize there was … [Read more...] about The single mom’s guide to raising a baby