We all know how heartwarming it is to see yourself or your little one represented in media, whether it's in a Pixar movie or with a a Marvel superhero. Finding toys and activities that look like your little ones and their peers will make them feel like they belong while making sure you're raising a child who is antiracist and inclusive of those around them. We found a few dolls that celebrate Black hair specifically, so your little one can learn to style and appreciate their own hair. We even found interactive storybooks that reimagine classic Disney tales with a diverse twist. Shop these amazing toys, and make inclusivity the norm in your child's playroom.
- Additional reporting by Alessia Santoro
The AAP currently recommends people breastfeed exclusively for only six months, and then start introducing solids while continuing to nurse. The organization previously recommended people breastfeed their infants for one year or more, but the new guidelines make it clear that parents can (and should) breastfeed their infant up to and past age 2, if they want.
Why? Research says that breastfeeding for longer has more health benefits for mom and baby. The benefits for breastfed babies include decreased rates of lower respiratory infections, severe diarrhea, and ear infections, to name a few. And it's not just the baby who benefits from breastfeeding. Data show that mothers who breastfed appeared to have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and even diabetes compared to women who hadn't breastfed.
In the statement, Joan Younger Meek, MD, lead author of the new recommendations, says,"The health benefits are vast and can be viewed as a long-term investment not only in a child's development, but to public health as a whole."
But don't dismay if you don't make it that long. Even just a few days of breastfeeding your baby provides enormous benefit. If you breastfeed right after birth, along with your colostrum (the nutrient-dense milk your body produces first during pregnancy), your baby will receive important antibodies that help their digestive system work more easily. However, breastfeeding is a personal decision that is made depending on each individual woman's circumstance and perspective. It may not work out for everyone, and that's OK; you're not a better or worse parent for being able to (or not being able to) breastfeed your child.
The CDC's latest data found that roughly 84 percent of women in the US breastfed their child at some point, but only about 35 percent continued to do so up until the recommended 12-month mark. This means that the majority of infants are weaned long before their second birthdays.
The truth is, there are a lot of factors that dictate whether or not someone is able or willing to breastfeed for that long - and many of the barriers are built into our society. For that reason, in their guidelines, the AAP pushes for policies that protect breastfeeding, such as universal paid family leave; the right to breastfeed in public; insurance coverage for lactation support and breast pumps; on-site child care; universal workplace break time with a clean, private location for expressing milk; and the right to breastfeed in child care centers and lactation rooms in schools. These are "all essential to supporting families in sustaining breastfeeding," per the report.
Social stigma is also important to note as a reason people generally stop breastfeeding after a certain age. In fact, research shows that a parent's perception of social stigma while breastfeeding increases dramatically as the child gets older.
The new recommendations also acknowledge how implicit bias, structural bias, and structural racism continue to disproportionally impact some parents more than others, specifically those with low income (participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC]). "The AAP views breastfeeding as a public health imperative and also as an equity issue," says Lawrence Noble, MD, coauthor of the policy statement and technical report, in the statement. "Pediatricians and other medical professionals can help mothers meet their intended goals for breastfeeding and provide care that is inclusive, equitable, and culturally sensitive."
Notably, the policy also notes that gender-diverse parents may have difficulty accessing human milk "because of both social and biological constraints." The AAP suggests providers ask families what terms they use (such as "chestfeeding," which may be more accurate and inclusive).
The release of these recommendations coincides with the current baby formula shortage; however, Dr. Meek clarified to the New York Times that this research has been in the works for years and that it's completely unrelated to the shortage. That said, the timing only further highlights the need to improve the systematic and social support available for families. Dr. Meek emphasized that if there is to be a significant shift in breastfeeding practices, society will need to adapt, starting with paid leave, more support for breastfeeding in public, and support in the workplace. But first, it needs to be normalized in the medical community - specifically in pediatrics.
The AAP also advocates for hospitals to implement maternity care practices that improve breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. According to the Center for Disease Control's 2020 Breastfeeding Report Card, comprehensive hospital practices and policies that support breastfeeding reduce medically unnecessary formula supplementation, reduce disparities in breastfeeding, and help give infants the best start in life.
"Not everyone can breastfeed or continue breastfeeding for as long as desired for various reasons," Dr. Meek says in AAP's statement. "Families deserve nonjudgmental support, information and help to guide them in feeding their infant."
Knowing when to wean your baby will depend on your child, your doctor, and you. Typically, if you're producing less milk than the baby requires, your doctor may ask you to supplement with formula. And once solid foods are introduced to your baby's palate, they may not be as keen on nursing anymore. Your work responsibilities may increase, and you may not have the time to pump or nurse as regularly anymore. Whatever the circumstance, the decision of when to wean should be catered to what suits your family best, and you should feel confident about whatever choice you make.
- Additional reporting by Melanie Whyte
Ectopic pregnancies have also become a point of discussion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, since there's confusion around whether the treatment of ectopic pregnancies could be considered an abortion - and thus may be restricted - depending on a state's particular abortion laws. Here's everything you need to know about ectopic pregnancies.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most often, the egg latches on in the fallopian tubes (called a tubal pregnancy), a place where the embryo is not meant to grow. If the fertilized egg continues to grow in the fallopian tube, it can rupture, causing internal bleeding.
It's important to know that ectopic pregnancies are not viable, according to the Mayo Clinic. That means an ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally, and that fertilized egg will not survive or grow into a fetus. Ectopic pregnancies are considered a life-threatening condition, and because of it, they require emergency treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
An ectopic pregnancy is usually discovered within the first eight weeks of pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic - and if not that early, then most are found within the first trimester (aka three months). Because ectopic pregnancies generally happen so early in pregnancy, and because most people don't realize they're pregnant until five or six weeks in, on average, it's possible you could experience an ectopic pregnancy before you even know you're pregnant.
My friend's ectopic pregnancy symptoms included bleeding, then very intense cramping, and she also began to feel weak. These are the typical red-flag signs of ectopic pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. You may also feel shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement. If you experience extreme lightheadedness, fainting, or shock, that's a sign your fallopian tube may have ruptured, and you should seek medical treatment ASAP. In general, you should contact your doctor immediately if you're experiencing any abnormal symptoms during pregnancy.
While my friend was in pain, her husband made the wise move of calling her obstetrician. With a quick ultrasound, she was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. From there, she was given Methotrexate, a drug that stops cell growth and dissolves existing cells, meant to help her body absorb the pregnancy. That's most often given as treatment (via injection) in cases without unstable bleeding, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In my friend's case, her fallopian tube hadn't been affected by the ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy where a fallopian tube has ruptured or where it's at risk of rupture, you will likely need to undergo surgery to remove the pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In some cases where a fallopian tube has ruptured, the tube can be saved. However, in many cases, it must be removed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Obstetricians can't say with certainty. However, you might be at a higher risk for an ectopic pregnancy if you have had an STD, pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis, have already had an ectopic pregnancy, have had pelvic or abdominal surgery, are 35 or older, or smoke cigarettes, according to Planned Parenthood. The Mayo Clinic also notes that tubal pregnancies can happen if the fallopian tube is damaged by inflammation or misshapen, since it happens when a fertilized egg gets stuck on its way to the uterus.
If you get pregnant after you've been sterilized (i.e. you've had your "tubes tied" or tubal litigation) or while you have an IUD, it's more likely to be ectopic. However, since these two forms of contraception are very effective at preventing pregnancy overall (about 99.5 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it's unlikely, per Planned Parenthood.
If you've had an ectopic pregnancy, you have a higher risk of having another one, according to the Mayo Clinic - but that doesn't mean you'll never have a healthy pregnancy. My friend went through this tragic ectopic pregnancy, but she was persistent in wanting a family. After another year of trying to conceive, and with a little fertility treatment, she was able to get pregnant again and carry her baby full-term.
"Most [people] who have had an ectopic pregnancy can go on to have future successful pregnancies," according to the Cleveland Clinic. That said, you'll want to talk to your healthcare provider about what's best for your body and stay aware of the risks if you do become pregnant again.
-Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo
Maggie Nick, MSW, therapist and founder of Parenting with Perspectacles, tells POPSUGAR that while gentle parenting is often misconstrued as letting your kids walk all over you, "that's the biggest misconception." Many people think that because gentle parenting "advises against harsh discipline," kids will become entitled or spoiled. However, Nick says, that's simply not the case.
"Meeting kids' emotional needs helps them feel safe and secure, not entitled and spoiled," she says. "And punishments are terrible teachers. It is completely possible, and not that hard, to hold kids accountable for their behavior, teach them about the impact of their actions, while making them feel loved and supported."
If it sounds like your kids or future kids could benefit from gentle parenting, here's what you need to know about the method, what it looks like, and how to apply it in real life.
Gentle parenting - or gentler parenting, as Nick calls it - is an umbrella term for a parenting approach that aims "to recognize and meet the needs of children in a gentler, more respectful way without using traditional, authoritarian-style discipline and punishments," Nick says. The gentle-parenting framework at Parenting With Perspectacles, for instance, focuses on raising children "who feel seen and loved" and "teaching parents how to allow kids to have their big feelings while setting and holding strong boundaries." Through this framework, parents are taught how to maintain boundaries with their children without the use of traditional discipline methods (think: time out, a "naughty chair," spanking, "Go to your room!" etc.).
"There are so many benefits to gentle parenting," Nick says, including a deeper, more understanding relationship between you and your child - one that prioritizes their acceptance and value over judgment or punishment. Nick notes that children aren't the only ones to gain from the parenting style - here's a list of benefits she credits to gentle parenting:
Gentle parenting focuses primarily on acknowledging the existence of big feelings and letting them happen for the little ones in your life. Because of that, gentle parenting often requires some unlearning on the parents' part: "Most of us grew up bottling up our feelings," Nick says.
"When I learned that my child's meltdowns were the way they released stress and big feelings and not something I needed to manage, control, or shut down, it allowed me to feel less overwhelmed and less triggered."
Allowing your kid to blow up may feel triggering or like something that needs to be shut down. Why? "Because parts of us want to protect our kid from how our parent would have reacted to 'disrespectful' or 'dramatic' behavior," Nick says. She emphasizes how important it is to allow yourself time and space to learn and unlearn what it really means to gentle parent and to give yourself time to "build a tolerance for the big feelings we had to push down."
Once you do that, you can shift your perspective from the headspace of "I can't stand my child right now" to "My child needs my help right now."
"When I learned that my child's meltdowns were the way they released stress and big feelings and not something I needed to manage, control, or shut down, it allowed me to feel less overwhelmed and less triggered," Nick says. "Meltdowns went from the most overwhelming, triggering part of parenting to this profound opportunity to show my kid that I love all of them. Even when they are at what may feel like their "worst," I am not going anywhere, they are not letting me down or disappointing me, and they have nothing to be ashamed of."
Part of the perspective shift includes the way you respond to your child's big feelings, including the language you use to "discipline" them. When kids are struggling, Nick recommends using the Magic 9: "I see you. I've got you. I love you." Those nine words are meant to help your child feel safe, seen, secure and loved - even during the toughest or messiest moments. Instead of saying, "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed," she recommends saying, "I'm not going to let you do that. I see you struggling, I've got you. Yes, there may be a consequence, and yes, I love you."
"If we want our kids to be able to love themselves when they're struggling, then we have to show them that they deserve love when they're struggling," Nick says.
That being said, the parenting style you decide on should be the one that best fits your family's needs. If that's gentle parenting, great! But if it's not, that's OK, too. It's important that you choose a style and an approach that actually works for your family, and not just the one a confident-seeming stranger on TikTok is telling you to go with.
In the association's first update to its baby safe-sleep guidelines in five years, the AAP listed several new recommendations to lower the risk of sleep-related deaths, including from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. These new recommendations are related to creating a "safe sleep environment," per the AAP, which goes beyond bed sharing and cosleeping. The association also provided recommendations for baby sleep surface and bedding in order to create the safest sleep situation for an infant.
The AAP notes that the new guidelines are particularly crucial, given that approximately 3,500 infants die every year in the US from sleep-related infant deaths. While overall infant deaths declined from the 1990s to the 2000s, stark disparities persist between racial groups: from 2010 to 2013, the rate of sudden unexpected infant deaths among "Black and American Indian/Alaska Native infants" was "more than double and almost triple, respectively, that of white infants," the AAP said in a press statement. Making crucial changes to an infant's sleep situation can lower that risk and keep babies safer.
According to the AAP, cosleeping is defined as a parent and an infant sleeping in close proximity (on the same or different surfaces) "so as to be able to see, hear, and/or touch each other." Bed sharing, which can be considered a type of cosleeping, is when the infant sleeps on the same surface as another person.
Bed sharing is highly discouraged by the AAP. "The AAP understands and respects that many parents choose to routinely bed share for a variety of reasons, including facilitation of breastfeeding, cultural preferences, and belief that it is better and safer for their infant," the organization says. However, the AAP continues, evidence shows that bed sharing can't be recommended due to its association with SIDS - the organization cites a 2013 study of more than 1,400 SIDS cases that found that more than 22 percent of the deaths involved bed sharing. Notably, bed sharing is associated with other SIDS risk factors - such as soft bedding, head covering, and exposure to tobacco smoke (for infants of smokers) - and considered a risk factor in and of itself.
In lieu of bed sharing, the AAP recommends that "infants sleep in the parents' room, close to the parents' bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first [six] months." The AAP notes that this is the "safest place" for an infant to sleep, explaining that "having the infant close by their bedside in a crib or bassinet will allow parents to feed, comfort, and respond to their infant's needs." In addition, "there is evidence that sleeping in the parents' room but on a separate surface decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 [percent]," per the AAP.
For sleep, the AAP recommends placing an infant on a "firm, flat, noninclined sleep surface," such as a tight-fitting mattress covered by a fitted sheet in a safety-approved crib. In order to "reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment/wedging, and strangulation," no other bedding or soft objects should be on the sleep surface, the association notes.
Infants should also not sleep on surfaces inclined more than 10 degrees. A steeper incline allows babies to "more easily flex their trunk and lift their head," which allows them to roll onto their side or stomach and increases the risk for "muscle fatigue and potential suffocation." Products with a steeper incline include car seats, strollers, and infant slings - all places where babies inevitably fall asleep. When this happens, the AAP recommends moving the baby to a flat, firm surface to sleep.
Bed sharing will continue to be a hot topic among parents and caregivers, so - knowing that there is an increased risk of death for infants who share a bed and sleep on surfaces that aren't safety-approved for infant sleep - it's worth taking the AAP's new guidance into consideration. "It's essential for families and pediatricians to partner with each other, to build trust and have thoughtful conversations about how to keep children safe by lowering risks," Rebecca Carlin, MD, FAAP, coauthor of the AAP's statement and technical report, said in the statement. Make sure to talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions about your baby's sleep situation.
If you're on the hunt for some travel and on-the-go baby necessities, we found some of the best diaper bags; a lightweight stroller; and an ergonomic, convertible baby carrier. If your little on is starting to teethe, get them an innovative hand teether that they can wear on their wrist or hold. We even found a lovely play mat the promotes sensory play. You can find a few picks for yourself, too, including a nursing bra that can handle all your pumping needs, silicone nipples that help with breastfeeding challenges, and a comfy body pillow. Shop our top picks ahead.
- Additional reporting by Krista Jones
There is no easy way to be there for someone experiencing the loss of a father. What worked for my friend may not work for your loved one and it's important to respect their space, boundaries, and needs during this time. That may mean running over to their house to give them a shoulder to cry on or sending them a "thinking of you" text and letting them process the day solo. For my friend, having her support system take these actions above reminded her that she wasn't alone in this heartbreaking rite of passage. Inevitably, most of us will deal with the loss of a parent, but by having an empathetic community, there's a chance that some of the pain can be minimized, especially during difficult holidays like Father's Day.
First things first: this is a no-shame zone. The topic of rehoming dogs brings up incredibly strong emotions on both sides, but ultimately, it is a personal decision and one that you have to make for yourself, based on your circumstances. If you're unlucky enough to find yourself in this position, it's perfectly understandable to feel conflicted. Your dog is a part of your family as much as your child, and having to navigate a dog-biting situation is not ideal in any way, shape, or form. Fortunately, Charles Elmaraghy, MD, the chief of Nationwide Children's Hospital's otolaryngology department, who has performed countless dog-bite-related surgeries, has some advice for parents who are in this exact situation.
First, immediately separate the dog and the child and assess the wound. Did the bite break skin? Is there blood? Does your child need to go to the emergency room? Once you have a plan, double-check to ensure both your child and your pup are up to date on their vaccinations. "You have to really make sure the child is not in any more immediate danger," explains Dr. Elmaraghy.
Depending on the severity of the wound, don't be surprised if the child is skittish - or plain terrified - around dogs for the time being, or in the near future. "The child's going to be traumatized," warns Dr. Elmaraghy. "Because a dog bite can be painful and fairly severe." In general, until you can figure out why the bite happened and what you'll be doing to prevent it from happening again, keep the dog and the child away from each other.
This is an important question to answer, because it can make a big difference in how you proceed. Dr. Elmaraghy suggests taking a deeper look at what situation the pup was in when he or she lashed out. "You want to decide whether the incident was provoked or not provoked," he explains. "And that's a pretty important thing, because if the dog was unprovoked, the dog may be sick." Dr. Elmaraghy says that dogs rarely bite without reason; oftentimes a bite happens when they're ill or feeling threatened. "Dogs tend to be provoked into biting," he says. "It's not a thing that they randomly do. If your pet does bite your child, parents should be concerned. It may be a real, significant issue, and the dog may need to see the vet."
It happens. "Toddlers can't really discern how to be gentle with anyone or anything," Dr. Elmaraghy points out. "If you watch how a toddler interacts with their parents, sometimes they smack them in the face or they poke their fingers in their eyes and ears. They are exploring their world. And when they see a dog, that's just one more thing that they need to explore by poking and prodding. And a dog is not going to process that very well," he cautions. Even the gentlest dogs can be provoked. "Dogs are obviously very territorial and they perceive children more of a threat than I think people really understand," Dr. Elmaraghy says.
It's especially important for parents to keep their little ones away from the family dog while the pet is eating or sleeping, for safety. Boundaries are everything, whether your little one is old enough to be perceptive of them or not. Moreover, toddlers should always be supervised around dogs, regardless of your pup's disposition.
Again, except in the most extreme circumstances, this is almost always a personal choice. If the bite was not severe, and/or if you can clearly see that your child provoked the dog, and/or you find out your dog was ill and that's why they bit your child, you may choose to keep your dog and stick to some new strategies to ensure your child stays safe in the future. (You can always touch base with your vet to get some strategies specific to your dog and your situation, and get recommendations for a trainer or behavioralist.) But a decision to rehome a dog, as painful, scary, and disappointing as it can be, isn't always about not trusting or loving the dog - sometimes, a bite is a wake-up call to parents who realize they're not able to adequately care for the pet. "I think a parent has to make a realistic assessment," Dr. Elmaraghy said. "They need to ask themselves if can keep a child supervised while a dog is present. If they can't, the answer is pretty obvious."
While we can't go back in time, there are ways to prevent bites from happening. In addition to closely supervising your children whenever they're around your dog and making sure your dog is properly trained and up to date with their vet checkups, you may want to keep your dog safely in another part of your house when you are having play dates. "We tend to see injuries when there's a slumber party, for example, and the dog is overwhelmed by 10 kids trying to pet it," explains Dr. Elmaraghy.
But this all is also a good reminder that it's essential to put in due diligence before bringing a dog into your family in the first place, so you can avoid having to think about rehoming at all. "When looking for a pet, parents should consider a dog's breed and being careful about when you introduce dogs into a family," Dr. Elmaraghy adds. "When you just have a newborn baby, it's probably not the time for that. And as supportive as I am of adopting dogs, you probably don't want to go to the shelter and adopt a dog when you have toddlers, either." Being realistic about your family's needs and capacity before you add a furry friend to the mix is the best bet for everyone involved.
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