Blog Posts by TheBump.com

As a new mom breastfeeding twins, the first few months were rough for me. I definitely felt like a prisoner in my own body (and home) at times. Getting out of the house was hard enough, and I also felt pressure to get back home before the next feeding to avoid a scene. I have to say, my life change dramatically when I became comfortable nursing in public.

By Mercedes R. Donis for TheBump.com

Shutterstock / The BumpHere are some tips to help you nurse with ease on the go:

1. Nursing in public really is all about you and your baby.

You are attending to his needs and you shouldn't feel ashamed or embarrassed for doing so. Your attitude will color the experience, so try to keep it light. Relax and enjoy this time out in the world with your baby.

Top 10 reasons to breastfeed

2. Do some recon ahead of time.

Ask friends for recommendations or look around online for family friendly establishments like restaurants or play areas (but beware - there's a fair share of bad advice out there!).

Whether you're divorced and co-parenting with an ex, never married, or chose to be a single mom, one thing's for sure: Once you've crossed over to single mom status, life will never be the same again.

By Christine Coppa for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpAs a five-year veteran of the single mom gig, I've been on a constant emotional rollercoaster -- feeling like queen of the universe for potty-training my son in a month, panicking at 3 a.m., as I nurse his 104-degree fever, and even doing a happy dance after dropping him off at day care. I'm free, I think … even though I'm headed straight to work. Then there's the sinking guilt of raising my son without his father and the exhaustion of having to do it all. Being a single mom is pretty much as tough as it's cracked up to be, but that doesn't mean I don't love it.

You've got to work at having a social life
Office happy hours, a girlfriend's jewelry party and an impromptu date all take a backseat to your child (and so do dental appointments and

You know what never gets old? Being accosted by a complete stranger in the grocery store as you're trying to wheel your cart down the international foods aisle without the baby grabbing and smashing an expensive jar of kalamata olives on the floor.

"Ohhhh, just look at that little face!" these people squeal. "Enjoy every minute, because they grow up before you know it!"

By Abigail Green for TheBump.com

Veer / The BumpOK, I'm lying. This gets very old, very fast. As does the advice - no, demand - to focus on the present, be in the moment and appreciate the little things, because it all goes so fast. People especially love to say this to new moms.

I know they mean well, but I always wanted to tell these people, "Look, I get that your baby grew up overnight and is now graduating college and you're all sentimental about it, but mine is still an actual baby who gets up multiple times a night and demands attention and nourishment and diaper changes around the clock. So you'll excuse me

I share a lot of information about my kids online. Of course I think my kids are awesome, funny and adorable and being their mom is so much a part of who I've become that, naturally, I love talking about them. I post status updates, photos and funny quotes to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I blog about my kids on The Bump. I also started a Tumblr to both archive and showcase my son Cooper's amazing writing projects. And last week, I shared his first love note with all 480 of my Facebook friends.

Shutterstock / The BumpBy Lori Richmond for TheBump.com

His kindergarten classmate Janie (name changed to protect the child whose mother may not be an over-sharer) wrote him THE MOST AMAZING love note, ever. She told him everything she loved him more than. She drew pictures of them holding hands. She was so excited to give it to him. It was delightful, delicious and memorable and my knee-jerk reaction was, "OMG I totally have to post about this amazing thing on Facebook!" So, I did.

Are you

This may not be the list you expected to see…

I'm not going to tell you how or where your baby should sleep, what the best remedy is for a gassy babe, if or when you should try crying it out, or even the best baby products for your new child. Even though there are a lot of things I won't tell you, there are still 4 important new mom commandments you must follow in order to keep functioning as a new mom:

By Jayne @ The Naptime Organizer for TheBump.com

Veer / The Bump

1. Don't sit down.

No, really! When your child finally goes to sleep somewhere other than in your arms, do not sit down. With my first child, I often made the mistake of thinking, "I'll just watch TV and veg out for a few minutes of me time." Which was great, but then a half hour later my son was waking back up, and I hadn't peed, showered, or eaten anything - all of which I had intended to do during the nap. When your child falls asleep or you are able to put them down, immediately do the quick things you want

Whether you're getting ready to welcome baby in the world, preparing for a hot, steamy night of babymaking, or planning for a night full of fondue with your partner and your baby bump, this list of beautiful, love-inspired names pulled straight from Cupid's closet will help you commemorate this (bright!) red holiday! We've got a name for every romantic there is - we pulled from the classics, the colors, the presents and even the modern love movies! Happy Valentine's Day!

Thinkstock / The Bump


By Kylie McConville for TheBump.com





Beautiful baby names inspired by the winter chill!

Adara - means "beautiful" in Greek

Allie - inspired by The Notebook

Amorette - means "little love" in French

Anabelle - means "lovable" in Latin

Belle - means "beautiful" in French

Daisy

Dawson - inspired by the film, Titanic

Eloise - inspired by Heloise, famous for her love letters to Abelard in the 12th century

Jack - inspired by the film, Titanic

Jewel

Juliet - inspired by Shakespeare's

We all know the typical things you miss when you become a parent - sleep usually tops the list, spending time with friends, as well as time to do things you enjoyed before baby came along. Parents I know have said they miss being able to leave the house easily by themselves and others miss using the restroom without little voices calling to them; without fingers reaching underneath the door, or to be honest, without having your toddler sitting on your lap while you're in there doing your thing.

By Jayne @ the Naptime Organzier for TheBump.com

Thinkstock / The BumpI've found there are a few things I didn't quite expect to miss so much and it surprised me. There were five things that specifically topped my list:

1. Wearing clean clothes. I initially thought after the spit up phase that clean clothes were on the horizon again. Nope. Whether my toddler is wiping his hands messy on me, squirting me with one of those supposedly no spill straw cups, or spilling something - I'm still always messy. Especially

Wondering what being born during the year of the snake will mean for baby? Trust us, it's nothing bad. We've got details on everything from baby's personality traits to future careers. Here's what to expect.

By Kylie McConville for TheBump.com

Shutterstock / The BumpThe sign of the Snake is considered the most intuitive, introspective and refined of all the animal signs. Snakes are cunning, intelligent and wise. Snakes are attractive, with a calm, cool and collected temperament. Snakes are competitive and work hard, while staying modest (so don't expect baby to brag about getting straight A's in school!).

A social butterfly

There are several different types of snakes in Chinese astrology, and 2013 is the year of the water snake. Expect to have a Chatty Cathy (or Chatty, um, Kent?) -- water snakes are known for their ability to socialize and make new friends. While they're very proud of their personal achievements, snakes are also thoughtful and considerate of others.

What will your baby's future be like?

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