Blog Posts by TheBump.com

We bet you didn't know these 5 things about Jessica Alba.

By Elena Donovan Mauer for TheBump.com

Justin Coit / The BumpWhen a popular baby detergent gave her a rash, Jessica Alba didn't ignore it. She got passionate about it -- and started The Honest Company, a line of nontoxic, eco-friendly products. Now, the actress-turned-businesswoman has added a new credit to her résumé: author. Her book, The Honest Life, is packed full of Jessica's healthy and green secrets, from fashion and beauty to cleaning and planning baby's nursery. She's also got these surprises up her sleeve.

She sometimes struggles at things (yes, really!)
Doesn't it seem like everything would come easily to Jessica? Not so! "Writing a book for the first time was challenging-and it wasn't just because I was trying to juggle everything I'm doing," she says. "Because the book includes all the natural-living tips and tricks that I've learned over the years, I found it difficult to hone in on the most relevant content." Her savior? Her husband,

By Paula Miranda for TheBump.com

Veer / The BumpI was never the type of girl that dreamed of the day that I would be married or have children. Instead I dreamed of the day that I would be recognized for other accomplishments in my career. While I listened to my friends share the names of their future children, I was busy thinking of what countries I would travel to first or what I would say to the President when I first met him.

As time went on and I grew up, I learned an important lesson about life: you can plan all you want but nothing is certain.

More from The Bump: 10 things no one warned you about pregnancy

As a young twenty-something I got pregnant. The pregnancy I had never planned for myself was here, and with it came severe morning sickness. I was sick all day, every day. I tried everything I could think of or read about to feel better but nothing worked. I was a hermit. What felt like eternity finally ended one month before I had my daughter. It was a brief moment of bliss. I felt like

By Paula Miranda for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpOne of the most important qualities I wanted to make sure my now teenager daughter and I had with each other while she was growing up were honesty and trust. I raised her with manners and morals - important values I think that all children should have. And now, raising a teen and a toddler, I've realized that these life lessons are important for my little one to learn, too. In fact, they're a good life lessons for us all.

When times get tough and my tot and I are in the middle of a temper tantrum stare down, here are the most important things I always try to remind myself of:

1. Lead by example. If you want you toddler to be and act a certain way, make sure your actions are consistent with that, too. Get down to their level and look them in the eyes. When you do this you communicate better with them and let them see through action you respect them. If they turn their eyes away, direct them to look into your eyes so they understand what your

By Abigail Green for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpWe all know we shouldn't compare ourselves to other moms. It's not right to judge or stereotype. Yeah, yeah… yeah. We also know we all do it and it can sometimes even serve a useful purpose. Who among us hasn't wanted to be a little more like that mom and a little less like that mom?

Here are five of the most common mom types I've encountered:

1. The By-the-Book Mom. This is generally but not always a first-time mom. She knows the recommended amount of sleep, food, dirty diapers and infant Tylenol a baby should have according to his age and weight. She knows exactly when the first teeth should appear and in what order. She can recognize cradle cap, RSV and Fifth Disease on sight. This mom is a font of useful knowledge, but should never be a substitute for your pediatrician. Also, she tends towards anxiety. Wonder why?

"Holy Crap! I'm a Mom!"

2. The Go-With-the-Flow Mom. This mom is the polar opposite of the By-the-Book Mom. She is very attuned to her

By Kylie McConville for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpA shocking new study completed by Swedish researchers and published in the journal Pediatrics found that parents who pick up a dropped pacifier and suck it clean may be helping their infants become better germ fighters.

A shocking new study completed by Swedish researchers and published in the journal Pediatrics found that parents who pick up a dropped pacifier and suck it clean may be helping their infants become better germ fighters.

Crazy new mom confessions!

Crazy, right? We didn't believe it at first either! But you can't ignore the research. Here's what they found:

Researchers in Sweden studied 184 infants at the age of four months old. Scientists collected saliva samples from each infant to determine which times of bacteria resided in baby's guts. At six months old, parents were asked to report on whether their infants used pacifiers and how moms and dads cleaned them. At ages 18 and 36 months old, researchers checked back in with parents

By Abigail Green for TheBump.com

Getty / The BumpGrandma and Grandpa. Nana and Pop. Ya-Ya and Goo-Ga. Whatever you call them, grandparents can be a wonderful addition to your child's life. I was lucky enough to have two sets of them when I was growing up. One grandmother taught me how to do my nails and sew. It's not her fault neither skill quite caught on with me. One grandfather tried to teach me to sail and fish. Again, never really got the hang of either. Worms? Gross.

Even so, I think grandparents are great. But there's no denying there can be, um, a slight communication gap between the generations sometimes.

Here are the top five lies grandparents tell and what they really mean:

1.What grandparents say: We'd love to come visit you and the baby.
What they mean: Who cares about YOU? When are we going to get our hands on that BABY already?!

25 reasons babies rock

2. What grandparents say: Is there anything you need?
What they mean: We want to bring the baby a present, but organic cotton burp

By Lori Richmond for TheBump.com

Shutterstock / The BumpIt's very hard to put into words how, as mothers, we react to tragic events - especially those involving the senseless deaths of children. Lately I've been thinking about how these tragedies, in their unfortunate frequency, have begun to shape me as a mother.

Last October, in New York City, little Lulu and Leo Krim were the victims of a trusted nanny who brutally murdered them for no apparent reason. Their mother, Marina, was returning home, as she would on any other day, and found this gruesome scene in her apartment. I still remember the heart-pounding moment I read the news story, frantically wracking my brain to think about what I was doing at the exact moment Marina got home. My heart stopped and I felt my face flushing. I had just bid good night to my own nanny and was a enjoying cupcake surprise party with my kids - because it was my birthday. Thinking of these two dramatically opposite events happening, simultaneously, in the same city, was too

By Paula Miranda for TheBump.com

Photo: Getty / The BumpMotherhood is something most women aspire to. It is a rite of passage - almost what I imagine being in a sorority is like. Everyone always has amazing stories of how becoming a mommy changes them. These conversations are romanticized most of the time when overheard at baby showers. If you have ever eavesdropped a one on one confessional in the corner table at a crowded restaurant you can appreciate what I am about to share.

Since I became a mom, my life has changed for the better and for worse. It just depends on the subject matter. Here are the top eight things no one warned me about before becoming a mom.

1. You'll feel lonely - but not in the way you think. I actually feel lonely when I sit on the toilet without anyone tugging at my legs or calling my name.

The craziest things tired moms did

2. Say farewell to grooming yourself! Seriously. I used to get a weekly manicure, pedicure and even a wax. Now I get one monthly - if I can find