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Soothe your baby’s scratchy skin with these expert tips and product picks.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

There’s something almost addictive about that silky soft baby skin; just one little tickle on those gorgeous newborn rolls makes you forget about all that crying, pooping and sleep-deprivation. But if you’ve ever had eczema–or any seasonal allergies or asthma–then your little one may get it too, turning those silky baby cheeks (and arms, shins and legs) all itchy and raw.

These cold winter months are the worst, says NYC dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, when the weather strips skin of its naturally moisturizing enzymes. Harsh soaps and chemical-heavy products can make the uncomfortable skin condition even worse, no matter what the weather.

“The single most important thing to do to help your baby’s skin is to moisturize,” says Dr. Mudgil, using mild, non-toxic products that are healthy for baby. And rather than skip the bath, skip the toweling off instead–slather baby up while she’s still nice and wet, and lock in those delicious drops of moisture all night long.

From eczema-soothing skin care products, like Weleda’s new Baby Derma White Mallow line, to organic cotton layette that’s like second-skin, here’s the best picks for helping baby stay silky and soft.

Weleda Baby Derma White Mallow Collection
This natural skincare brand was already our go-to for organic products for both mom and baby, but Weleda’s new 100% certified natural Baby Derma White Mallow collection now has our vote for eczema -- and the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. The recently launched White Mallow Diaper Rash cream is a great addition to the collection, which already included White Mallow Face Cream and White Mallow Body Lotion. Buy it here.

Seventh Generation Diapers
After you treat baby’s skin to some Weleda White Mallow love, opt for a chlorine-free diaper that’s free of fragrances, inks and petroleum-based lotions. A pioneer in all things clean and green, we’re obsessed with Seventh Generation’s new Touch of Cloth diapers, which are as comfy as cloth, but still convenient and disposable. Buy it here.

Crane smartDrop Humidifier
Moisture can come in many forms, and air is one of them. Give baby’s skin a little extra love by planting a humidifier in her nursery that does double duty for her skin while it’s clearing her congestion. This Crane smartDrop is not only easy on the eyes, it’s also super easy to use since it’s WiFi connected and can be controlled by an app. Buy it here.

Tane Organics Romper
During those first few months, baby’s often covered from head to toe, so it’s worth giving a little thought to what he’s covered in. Invest in some organic cotton, like this smartly designed romper from Tane Organic. It’s not only soft and luxurious, but also free from bleaches, dyes, softeners, flame-retardants and other gross stuff you wouldn’t want on your body, let alone your baby’s. Steer clear from wool too, which can often irritate sensitive skin. Buy it here.

Ecover Laundry Detergent
With optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances and too many chemicals to count, it’s no surprise that laundry detergent can be a biggie when it comes to skin irritation. Clean up your cleaning act by opting for a non-toxic and biodegradable version like this natural one from Ecover. Buy it here.

giggle Changing Pad
Your baby will spend an awful lot of time in the nude on your changing table during those first few months. Pick a natural changing pad cover that won’t add to her skin irritation like this extra soft giggle version made from pure, certified 100% organic sherpa cotton. Buy it here.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Bookmark these new mom must-haves before you change your mind.

Article & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Having a baby’s just about the most permanent thing you can do out there. But deep breaths, mama. That doesn’t mean you have to change your commitment-phobic ways. For the wishy-washy among us, we’ve rounded up 5 ways you can keep on flip-flopping through motherhood, in the best way possible.

1. Nursery Decor: Chasing Paper Removable Wallpaper If the thought of decorating your nursery is leaving you paralyzed in fear (of changing your mind, that is), try Chasing Paper’s removable wallpaper on for style. No need to decide between pink or green, hearts or unicorns, woodland cool or desert chic — now you can peel, stick and then remove to your heart’s content. We’re also pretty obsessed with the whimsical prints, including collections from some of our fave baby designers like June & January and Gingiber.

2. Baby Toys: Pley Rental Library
We know you want your babe to have the latest and greatest, but we also know that no matter how much space you’ve got, you don’t want it overrun with baby toys. Avoid having to decide which ball or blocks or singing books make the cut with a toy rental service like Pley. Just set your preferences, pick your plan and get toys delivered to your door on the regular. Send them back when baby’s bored and get a new array of toys that meet baby’s developmental stage.

3. Baby Activities: Kidpass Membership
There’s so many cool baby classes out there, but dang are they rough on the pocketbook! Still, how can you enroll in just one? What if your babe was destined to be a professional aerialist, if only you enrolled her in that baby acrobatics class? Or a world-class DJ, if only you had him spinning at 6 months? Kidpass lets you pay one monthly fee and hit up tons of different classes around town. Options include thousands of activities from arts & crafts classes to indoor playspaces, from sports to music lessons, from ballet to museums and zoos, and more.

4. Baby Clothes: Mac & Mia Clothing Boxes
If you’re spending way too many naptimes hemming and hawing over which bonnet would just make the perfect Instagram-worthy outfit for your baby, you’re gonna love Mac & Mia’s handpicked kids’ clothing boxes. Think LeTote for kids — a personal stylist chooses 6-8 items just for your little one, and you keep what you love and send back what you don’t. Which means less time wasted shopping and more naptime….for mama.

5. Mama’s Night Out: Sitter Babysitting App
After all that decision-making, mama, you deserve a night out. But as usual, you couldn’t quite decide what you wanted to do or where you wanted to go until the very last minute possible. Which didn’t leave you much time to find a babysitter. The Sitter app will help you find a babysitter on demand by sending out a request to all your sitters to figure out who’s available for your much-needed (but last-minute) jaunt. Sitter also helps you build a network of possible sitters through your friends, and books and pays those sitters right through the app.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

7 ways to create a soothing environment for baby.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

It is our job as parents to provide baby with a soothing environment, and we can easily achieve creating a serene space by utilizing Feng Shui. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese philosophy and art of understanding and harmonizing the energy surrounding us. The term literally means “wind-water” and aims to invite positive energy into a space, allowing it to organically flow. This is so important in the nursery because the energy your baby is surrounded by effects their mental, physical and social development .

One way to achieve this is by incorporating the nursery with a balance of the five Feng Shui elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The incorporation of these elements can be done with clutter clearing, colors, furniture placement, fresh air, soothing lighting, pleasing scents, and the introduction of auspicious objects. Of course, the most important consideration in creating a positive, peaceful nursery is filling it with your presence and love.

Here are 7 ways you can incorporate Feng Shui into baby’s living space.

1. Clutter-Clear. Clutter sucks our energy. If you don’t love it, or use it regularly- release it. We want all your belongings to make you feel good. Find a home for everything- this prevents the “random stuff” pile that stagnates energy. Do a “stuff sweep” at the end of every day. Turn on some music and return all belongings to their home. You’ll sleep better and wake up energized for the day ahead.
2. Carefully Choose Color Scheme. Skin tones are peaceful and provide a clean canvas for fun pops of color. If neutrals are too boring for you, select a soft tone of your favorite color. The most important consideration is that the colors in the space make you feel good.

Here’s a colorful breakdown:

• Soft yellows promote cheerfulness and a sense of connectedness.
• Light greens and blues represent nature and growth. Green inspires mental development while blue inspires calm. The two colors are beneficial to the child’s development throughout all stages of growth.
• Pink hues encourage curiosity and creativity.
• Red is very stimulating. Only bring it out during play-time.

3. Consider Furniture Placement. Wood is the best material for nursery furniture as it is the symbol of life and growth. It is also very grounding. Aim to avoid placing the crib flush against a wall (unless the wall is directly behind baby’s head) so the energy can circulate around baby. This also helps to prevent baby from accessing cords from blinds, or other hazards. Finally, have minimal furniture in the room to promote spaciousness and exploration.
4. Promote Good Air Quality. Fresh air is ideal. When the weather is nice, open the windows. If baby is mobile, place a guard in the window to prevent falls. Tabletop rock fountains (placed out of baby’s reach) can humidify and cleanse the air. Opt for a small palm—they are great air purifying houseplants.
5. Happy Lighting. Natural lighting is optimal. In the evening, it is best to have three sources of lighting at three different levels. For example, two small table top lamps and a secure floor lamp. When it’s bedtime, turn on a gentle night-light. (Pink Himalayan Salt Crystal lamps provide a nice glow and calming energy.) Steer clear of overhead and fluorescent lighting.
6. Utilize Essential Oils. Place an essential oil diffuser in the nursery with a mixture of lavender and chamomile essential oils when it’s bed-time (3 to 6 drops of each). Use peppermint, or another stimulating scent of choice, when it’s playtime. You can also mix a few drops of essential oil with carrier oil like Jojoba or coconut oil and massage it on the soles of baby’s feet. A few drops of orange essential oil will quell unpleasant odors coming from a diaper pail.
7. Incorporate Mirrors, Chimes, and Crystals. These three items promote a positive free flowing energy:

• Mirrors enhance natural light and baby’s social development. If it’s going to be on baby’s level make sure it is baby-safe.
• Windchimes hung near a window stimulate the positive energies in the nursery, along with baby’s curiosity.
• Hanging a small light refracting crystal in a window invites magic, kindness, and warmth into the nursery.

This article is by Bailey Gaddis, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

12 eco-friendly feeding products that are gentle to baby and the earth.

Article & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

It’s not easy being green, especially when there’s a baby in the house. Our little ones may be small, but they often end up leaving a big carbon footprint. At the dinner table, baby can have a big impact on Mother Nature, and it is up to us, parents and eco-friendly consumers, to lower the environmental cost of having a tiny mouth to feed.

So what’s a mama to do? Four words: when possible, avoid plastic. Plastic is light and cheap, and there’s a lot of it in the baby feeding aisle. It is also durable and doesn’t just go away. It ends up in landfills, invades natural habitats, and injures wildlife. Plastic isn’t too kind to baby either. It contains chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) – a plasticizer that is known to disrupt our hormone system and be linked to a long list of serious health problems. In 2012, the FDA banned the use of BPA in children’s food products. This move basically solidified a practice that many manufacturers had already adopted; and the regulation still doesn’t guarantee that we are in the clear. In fact, studies have shown that BPA substitutions aren’t automatically safer.

It’s a lot to take in, but not to worry. There are many eco-friendly products out there that can help you green up your parenting act. Here are 12 picks that we think will allow you to feed your baby, sans toxin, while doing some good for the planet.

PREP & CLEAN

1. Stokke: Tripp Trapp Chair Stokke‘s Tripp Trapp has been an all-time mommy favorite since its launch in 1972, and for good reasons. While it is on the expensive side, the high chair is highly adjustable and designed to grow with baby. Once he is done using it, you can convert it into an adult chair or a stool. The Tripp Trapp is made of beech wood and comes in a variety of colors. The brand uses only water-based, nontoxic paint and BPA-, phthalate-free materials. The Tripp Trapp baby set, which allows your littlest one to join the family table, is made of environmentally friendly plastic and is recyclable.

2. The Laundress: Dish Detergent How can such a small human being contribute to so much of the yuck piling up in the sink? Luckily, you don’t have to fight dirty dishes alone. The Laundress has a dish detergent that you can use when you hand wash dishes or in the dishwasher. It is soft on our skin but is tough on all the gunk caked on baby’s dinnerware. The soap is unscented and doesn’t have any artificial coloring or dyes. It doesn’t contain any petroleum, chlorine bleach, ammonia and more; and like all of The Laundress’ detergents, it is biodegradable.

3. Baby Brezza: Glass One Step Baby Food Maker Even if cooking isn’t really your thing, Baby Brezza makes it easier to bring wholesome, homemade baby food at the dinner table. The brand recently launched its Glass One Step Baby Food Maker, which can automatically blend the food after steaming. All you need to do is prep and place the food in the container, wait for the nifty machine to finish its deed, and serve. Plus, the mixing bowl is made of glass, which minimizes food contact with plastic.

4. Modern Twist: Bucket-Bib Here’s a bib that puts up a good fight against mealtime messes. Modern Twist bucket bib sustains tantrums and actually catches food that misses baby’s mouth. The brand uses food-grade silicone with no BPA, no PVC, no lead, no latex and no phthalates. All of Modern Twist’s products (bib included) are silky to touch, easy to clean, reusable and recyclable. The packaging, too, can be recycled, and the brand has a program to help you dispose of silicone properly.

5. Oxo: Mash Maker Baby Food Mill If you are on a tighter budget, Oxo offers an affordable and eco-friendly way to cook for baby. The Mash Maker can purée any grown-up food into a dinner for your wee one. Not so thrilled about plastic? The truth is, plastic is hard to avoid altogether since it’s everywhere on the market. But you can shop it and still be on the safe(r) side. Case and point: Oxo’s mash maker is made of Polypropylene (PP) and is free of BPA, phthalates and PVC, which makes it one of the safer plastics out there. Not to mention, it’s much more ecological than having to continuously stock up on pre-packaged food. For advice on plastics and plastic use, go here.

6. Boon: The Forb, Silicone Bottle Brush This is a flower like no other. It’s called Forb, and it is made of sturdy silicone to clean baby’s bottles (and nipples) without a scratch! This is important because harmful chemicals may leach more easily if the plastic is worn down. Boon‘s products are BPA, PVC and phthalate free. This is a small investment that will last you a long time, without mold or rust, and that can even get cleaned in the dishwasher.

FEED

1. Bamboo Studio: Kids Dinnerware Set Turn over a new leaf in green eating with the ever popular bamboo dishware. With Bamboo Studio Kids Dinnerware Set, baby can have his cake and eat it too without feeding the waste stream. The reusable kid line, which features all sorts of fun animals, is lightweight and sturdy all at once. Handcrafted from the sheath of the growing bamboo plant, bamboo tableware is biodegradable, making it one of the most sustainable options out there. Do we need to add that it is dishwasher safe?

2. Lollaland: Glass Baby Bottle Lollaland glass bottles have a certain je ne sais quoi that takes us back to our childhood. Maybe it’s the old-school birds looking like they were taken out of a Nintendo video game. Or maybe it’s the glass, breaking us free from a world of plastic. Made of premium quality glass, Lollaland baby bottles are gentle on both baby and earth. They do not leach toxins, are thermal-shock resistant (you can heat them, even when they are cold), and are recyclable. Lollaland’s nipples are made of durable, medical-grade silicone.

3. ThinkBaby: The Complete BPA-Free Feeding Set If baby has graduated to solid foods, it’s time to invest in some sturdy, eco-friendly dinnerware. ThinkBaby strives to create safe products while having the least possible impact on the environment. The complete feeding set is lined with medical-grade stainless steel and wrapped in polypropylene plastic. The set is also free of BPA, phthalate, lead, PVC, Melamine and more (review here the complete list of chemicals that ThinkBaby has shunned). Stainless steel itself can last a long time and is 100 percent recyclable. Most stainless steel products are made of about 60 percent recycled material.

4. Green Sprouts: Glass Sip & Straw Cup The Sip & Straw Cup has glass on the inside, and plastic on the outside. This means that whatever baby drinks never touches plastic, which in this case is made of polypropylene. The cup is free of PVC and BPA and is hypoallergenic. It has two drinking options: a straw and a spout that are both made of silicone. Green Sprouts strives to maximize the life cycle of its products while minimizing the impact they have on the environment. With that in mind, they try, when possible, to use resources that are renewable and recycled. Buying products that are made of recycled materials saves natural resources, energy, and water.

5. Beaba: First Stage Silicone Spoon When it comes to baby’s first munchies, you want an ergonomic spoon that will keep mealtime stress free for everyone. Enter Béaba’s First Stage Silicone Spoon, which happens to go easy on baby’s gums and on the environment. Béaba’s spoons are BPA, phthalate and PVC free and dishwasher safe. For the most part, silicone is recyclable, although you’ll likely need to go through a private recycling facility (like this one).

6. Comotomo: Silicone Bottle Comotomo may be a little bit of a splurge compared to other brands, but it’s worth it, especially if your little one is getting ready to transition from breast to bottles. The bottles and their extra-wide nipples are made of squeezable silicone that mimics mom’s skin, giving baby a close-to-nursing experience. What’s more, silicone – a synthetic material made of sand and oxygen – withstands heat without leaching harmful chemicals. Comotomo bottles do not break or crack and are safe in dishwasher, microwave and boiling water.

HONORABLE MENTION: MOMMY’S BOOBIES If you want to get baby off to a non-toxic, earth-friendly start, breast is best. For moms who can nurse, breast milk is the only food that provides baby all the nutrients he needs without having to worry about harmful chemicals. It also protects both mom and baby against a host of illnesses and diseases. Breastfeeding, which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends we do for at least the first six months of baby’s life, is also kind to the environment. It’s a renewable resource that doesn’t need to be packaged or transported. It saves energy and is virtually waste free. How is that for reducing your carbon footprint?

This article is by Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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Why to indulge (or steer clear) of this wellness trend during pregnancy.

Article & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

We’ve been hearing the buzz about activated charcoal for a little while now, but what about activated charcoal for pregnancy? While we’re excited about the prospects of this cutting-edge wellness trend — cleansing, toxin-removing, complexion-improving and more — when it comes to pregnancy, it’s not always best to be on the cutting edge.

“There are very few studies investigating the safety of charcoal use in pregnancy, and it hasn’t been assigned a FDA pregnancy category for safety,” says Cara Dolin, MD, OB/GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow at NYU Langone Medical Center. (Activated charcoal is basically common charcoal that’s been heated to help develop internal spaces to trap chemicals.)

But she continues, “Since charcoal isn’t systemically absorbed it probably doesn’t result in any significant exposure or harm to your baby if you eat or drink it. There is even less potential exposure if you use it in cosmetics or toothpaste.”

Below, we dig into the safety and effectiveness of activated charcoal for pregnancy, both on and in your body. And as with any health or wellness trend, talk to your doctor or midwife before giving it a try.

Digestive Cleanse
Product to Try: Dirty Lemon Raw Detox, which is made from a mixture of activated charcoal, pure, cold-pressed lemon juice, dandelion extract, ginger root extract, and filtered water. $65/1 weeks’ worth of juice.
What it does: Absorb and soak up toxins and other materials and pull them out through the digestive tract. The ginger and dandelion root can help with morning sickness or nausea, too.
What the experts say: “The source of the activated charcoal (in Dirty Lemon) is organic coconut shell, so you can feel safe and comfortable with its sourcing; along with the raw, cold pressed organic lemon juice,” says Dr. Laurie Brodsky, Naturopathic Doctor and expert for Dirty Lemon. “As with any cold pressed, unpasteurized juice, it is wise to be aware of the theoretical risks while pregnant, considering a weakened immune system against all kinds of foreign invaders. That being said, the dosage of charcoal is very low, yet highly therapeutic in the sense that in small, spread out dosages, you will still greatly benefit from its powerfully absorbing and cleansing mode of action.”
How to use it: “If pregnant and planning to use it as a simple, cleansing part of your routine, then it is best to drink it in small dosages (through a straw!) throughout the day to see how you feel. I usually recommend sipping the juice away from food, medications and supplements by at least a couple of hours, but depending on your diet and how often you eat/snack, that may vary,” says Brodsky. “As with all pregnancies, I suggest that you tune into your body to see how you feel physically upon sipping.”
Verdict: Sure, but with caution. Since charcoal binds to other substances in your stomach, it will decrease the absorption of your prenatal vitamin (or anything you eat around the time you take it), notes our OBGYN friend Dolin. Also, look out for unpleasant side effects, she says, such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and even possible bowel obstruction.

Teeth Whitening
Product to Try: Nature’s Way Activated Charcoal Capsules, $6.99
What it does: While activated charcoal won’t change the natural color of your teeth, it is said to help remove surface stains from coffee, tea, wine and even plaque. The fine powder is odorless, tasteless and safe to ingest.
How to use it: Pick up some activated charcoal tablets, then break them into a cup. Mix with a tiny bit of water to form a paste-like consistency. Dab it on your teeth then wait a few minutes and rinse. But don’t scrub!
What the experts say: “People don’t know how abrasive this stuff is and that it causes damage to the enamel if you brush with it. And there’s not enough information out there that convinces me that this really works. I haven’t seen anyone with major staining try it. I personally wouldn’t use it,” says Melissa Labbe, a registered dental hygienist at the Dr. Louis Spiegelman dental practice in New York. When it comes to pregnancy, she continues, “activated charcoal can have side effects when not used properly if ingested. Why take that chance of having problems during your pregnancy?”
Verdict: Probably not. The American Dental Association has not approved it as an official tooth whitener, and the effects are still iffy. Why bother?

Skin Detox
Product to Try: SoapBox Elements Black Body Wash, which is made from activated charcoal, coconut oil, olive oil, aloe, and essential oils $8.99
What it does: In this body wash, activated charcoal serves as a super-porous element that attracts toxins and purifies skin. Activated charcoal has been known to improve complexion and clear up acne, issues that can plague pregnancy skin.
What the experts say: “Activated Charcoal absorbs toxins and draws it out of your skin,” Ildi Pekar, facialist to lovely ladies like Miranda Kerr and supermodel Irina Shayk. “This, in turn, helps it to heal.”
How to use it: Scrub yourself down in the shower. Go ahead, give your belly a little extra massage. You deserve it.
Verdict: Yes!

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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10 ways to treat the modern mother’s tech dilemma.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Mamas: raise your hand if you routinely hold your newborn in one arm while refreshing your email with your other thumb or incessantly scrolling through WellRoundedNY’s Instagram feed. If you do, you may have experienced an occasional little twinge of pain at the base of your thumb.

But that twinge could be much worse: you could develop the carpal tunnel of new moms: de Quervain’s syndrome, also referred to as “Mommy Thumb.” Defined as a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist, it will probably hurt when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.

It is said to be brought on by repetitive motions that are all part of motherhood: picking the baby up, holding them with your thumb stretched out, breastfeeding and, sadly, performing all other tasks with your dominant hand when you’ve shifted holding the baby to the other side. This includes a new stressor of our modern day era: texting, emailing, scrolling on our smart phones. All initiated by the mighty thumb.

To prevent the condition from getting worse for you, here are 5 suggestions of how to change your daily routine, as well as 5 exercises that you can do at home, to strengthen your hands.

5 Ways to Change your Routine:

1. If you own a smart phone with a thumb print unlock system, make sure to add a second or more prints to avoid using the same thumb over and over again.
2. Whenever you are scrolling, refreshing and opening items on your smart phone, do it with your index finger. Put the phone down, unlock and use your index finger. It sounds like it’s not a big deal but it will save your thumb from agonizing pain.
3. Avoid the ‘L’ position of your thumb and index finger. Instead try keep the thumb close to the palm of your hand when performing any repetitive activity like picking up the baby, to create more of a cupping movement
4. Ice the base of your thumb regularly, as soon as symptoms occur.
5. Use your non-dominant hand for activities that aren’t potentially dangerous, such as brushing your teeth, reaching for items like your coffee cup, eating snacks that don’t require silverware and anytime you instinctively do a motion that is one-handed.

5 Exercises to Strengthen the Base of your Palm and Wrists:

1. Flexing the wrist with or without a weight. With your palm facing up, make a fist and flex your wrist towards you and down away from you. Once you feel comfortable doing this without a weight, you could add a can of beans/corn/chickpeas. Do 3 sets of 10, going through the motion slow and controlled.
2. Tie a kitchen towel to a door handle or secure in a different place that won’t move. Wrap one end of the towel around your hand and standing sideways pull the towel towards you until it is taught. Hold here for 30 seconds with your elbow tucked to your side. Do 3 sets.
3. Hold your hands out in front of you, like you would push into a wall. Slowly rotate your wrists clockwise and then counter clockwise. 2 sets of 10 in each direction.
4. Press your palms into one another like you are praying and extend your elbows out to the side. Now rotate your palms out as if pointing at something and back to the starting position. 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
5. After all these exercises and throughout the day, make sure to stretch your wrists. With the palm facing up, push your fingers down towards your wrist and until you feel a nice stretch in your forearm. Then reverse and keep your palm facing down while you push your fingers down and towards the wrist. You will feel a nice stretch on the outside of your forearm. Do 2 sets of 30 second holds in each direction.

I hope that you will never have to experience de Quervain’s syndrome or Mommy Thumb. Make sure to adjust repetitive motion as soon as you feel the slightest pain because once it develops into full-fledged tendinitis it is among the most painful conditions that I have witnessed in new mothers.

This article is by Roma van der Walt, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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And what lighting has to do with it.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Is it just us, or are all babies programmed to come out of the womb thinking nighttime is the right time to be awake? So as if we weren’t already sleep deprived enough, we spend whatever time we could be sleeping contemplating how to get baby to sleep — at night, that is, not during the day.

We’ll give you a hint: Baby’s confusion between day and night might have something to do with the lights in your house. “We are very light-sensitive creatures. When we look back before the invention of the electric light bulb, kids tended to sleep like a baby — all night long, soundly, profoundly without waking up, even if there was a loud noise,” says pediatrician Alan Greene, author of Asleep All Day, Up All Night. But now, “Sleeping like a baby often means waking up crying every couple of hours.” Darn you, Thomas Edison.

Before you go smashing all your lights out, you should know that not all bulbs are bad bulbs. In fact, some, like the Sleepy Baby® Biological LED Lamp, might even help. Unlike the melatonin-disrupting light found in typical bulbs and in all of your screens, the light from the Sleepy Baby bulb encourages melatonin production, promoting relaxation and helping establish your baby’s natural circadian rhythm. You know, one like you have. One that makes you sleep at night.

Below, Dr. Greene drills down on the importance of getting your light right, and offers a few more tips on getting your baby to drop the nighttime partying so you can all get some more sleep.

Why do so many newborns have their sleep cycles reversed during those first few weeks of life?
During the later part of pregnancy, each baby develops her own sleep/wakefulness rhythm. You can get a good idea of what this rhythm is by the baby’s activity patterns. Some babies will tend to be fairly quiet during the day — lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking motion as Mom moves about her daily activities. These same babies often begin doing gymnastics in Mom’s belly about the time things get quiet at night. Other babies tend to be active while Mom is active during the day and to be quieter at night. Whatever your baby’s pattern before birth, it is likely that she will continue the same rhythm in the period shortly after birth.

When can you expect a baby to start to recognize the difference between night and day?
In just a few weeks you will be looking back at this time with amazement. Was she ever really as small as those tiny clothes that she no longer fits into? She was always able to hold her head up, wasn’t she? Didn’t she always smile back at me? And even then, though you still won’t be sleeping through the night, the all-night play sessions will seem like a distant memory of a magical time before you knew just how wonderful being a parent really was.

Tell us about the role that light plays in helping a baby distinguish between night and day.
One of my favorite ways to help baby distinguish between night and day is to try to support the circadian rhythm, so named because it’s “circa dian,” or “about a day.” For most of us, it would be about a 25-hour rhythm where we have not only sleepiness and arousal that rise and fall, but also fluctuations in blood pressure, body temperature, and many hormones. It is a profound rhythm that we share with other living beings that is reset daily by certain cues from the environment. We are seasonal creatures. If we were in a cave and had none of these external cues, our circadian rhythm would eventually get completely off from other people in the external world. But for us that rhythm is reset by something called zeitgebers. Zeitgebers (which literally means “time giver” in German) are our friends. The more they are in line with each other and the more they are consistent, then the better, longer and deeper sleep we have. [And] the most profound zeitgeber is probably light.

But, as you said above, most of our light these days is provided by melatonin-suppressing light bulbs. And I obviously need light bulbs in my house! So what can I do?
One thing that we can do is try to keep the environment as dim as possible between sunset and sunrise. That can have a profound impact on sleep. When you’re camping, you tend to get very drowsy a couple of hours after sunset [because there are no artificial lights present]. That’s difficult in our modern, urban, digital life, but the more we can at least remove the wavelengths of light that trigger melatonin suppression, the easier it is to sleep.

There is a pigment in the retina, called melanopsin, which responds to a 475 nm signal, and suppresses melatonin or disorganizes it for the rest of the night. Eliminating that response from sunset to sunrise is a rather simple thing that can help people get drowsy earlier. There are now apps that will pull out the blue wavelength of light [found in traditional melatonin-suppressing light bulbs], which is about 475 nanometers (nm). You can also get light bulbs that pull out that wavelength of light in the evening or wear blue-blocker sunglasses to get rid of it. And pay attention to screens. Part of that means not viewing screens in the last hour or so before bed at least.

Are there other cues that can affect baby’s sleep?
Another strong zeitgeber is temperature. For most of the history of humanity, we experienced our evenings and nights as much cooler than daytime, but with central air and central heating we have compressed our temperature window in a very narrow range. Creating a cooler nighttime environment, 7 degrees cooler or more, helps with falling and staying asleep.

Is there anything we can do during the day to promote healthy baby sleep?
When actively trying to switch a new baby’s time clock, have bright lights on in the house during daylight hours. Keep up a steady stream of talking in normal conversational tones during the day. Play with baby’s feet often, and make eye contact whenever you can. As soon as the sun begins to go down, purposely avoid all of these things. When you feed her, try not to make eye contact with her. Speak only in whispers or sing-song tones. Sing lullabies. Have the lights dim in the house. And don’t stimulate her feet.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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Find out what your diet needs those first few weeks postpartum.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Pregnancy and birth certainly take a major toll on your body. In the first few weeks after delivery, think recovery nutrition – lean proteins, whole grains, fresh produce and of course hydration. If you are breastfeeding, your body is working hard to create and maintain that milk supply, which is why you need about 500 extra calories every day – that is more than what you needed during pregnancy!

Here’s a few things you should look out for in your postpartum diet, and what you need to add to your grocery list.

Calcium: During pregnancy the body draws calcium from mom’s bones to support the growth of the baby, and during breastfeeding the body continues to pull calcium from mom into the breast milk. Getting enough calcium is essential to preventing long-term bone loss and osteoporosis down the road.

How to Eat it: Think dairy, sesame, fish with small bones (sardines), legumes, tofu and fortified non-dairy milks.

B Vitamins: B vitamins like folate, biotin, B6 and B12 are involved in many of the body’s processes, and taking these in these vitamins can help boost your energy and ward off feelings of lows, and possibly depression. Plus, the B vitamin, biotin, plays a role in hair growth. The degree to which biotin helps to regenerate new hair is debatable, but it can’t hurt to boost your biotin since its deficiency has been linked to thinning, brittle hair.

Hormonal birth control can deplete B vitamin levels, so if you are re-starting the pill now is a good time to think about these vitamins.

How to Eat It: Add in whole grains, green leafy greens, nuts eggs and red meat.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression, low energy, bone problems and even weight gain. The best way to get in vitamin D is from the sun, but if you have a winter baby and exposure to those sunrays is limited, opt for foods high in vitamin D or a supplement.

How to Eat it: Focus on fortified dairy, egg yolks, cod and cod liver oil.

Iron: Your iron needs are higher when breastfeeding and menstruating, and, if you’ve lost a significant amount of blood during labor. Whether you are opting to nurse or it is that time of month, make sure your iron levels are in check because low levels can contribute to fatigue as well as dry, brittle nails and hair. While taking iron supplements will not prevent the natural hormonal changes that lead to postpartum hair shedding, being iron deficient will contribute to dry, dull hair, making the loss of those locks a little worse.

How to Eat it: Up the lentils, liver, shrimp, lamb, beef, fortified whole grains, spinach, molasses and nuts.

Omega 3’s: Healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties that can do wonders for the brain, skin and immune system. So, to continue that pregnancy glow, opt for more omega’s in your diet, especially since your body will be pulling in that DHA from your stores into the breast milk.

How to Eat it: Increase fatty fish (salmon, sardines cod), walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds.

This article is by Nicole Silber, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

6 birth experts weigh in on the importance of your “due date.”

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

When I got my first ultrasound, my doctor measured the peanut-shaped embryo growing inside of me and managed to gift me with the sweet, sweet sound of my baby’s heartbeat. I was five weeks along, maybe six, she said. After I told her the first day of my last period, she confirmed that I was in fact six weeks pregnant. I told her my menstrual cycles were much longer than the 28-day average and wondered if that fact changed anything. But her mind was set: my baby was to be born on October 29, 2014.

My pregnancy, as a nurse later told me, was “boring” — I was a healthy 29-year old woman; I didn’t have gestational diabetes; and my blood pressure remained steadily normal throughout the pregnancy. There was no reason to believe that I would need to fight for a chance to give birth naturally.

Yet a week before the big day, my doctor informed me that my cervix was not thinning. I was apparently nowhere close to going into labor, and I should schedule an induction to deliver on my due date. Why the rush, I asked? My son’s predicted birth day seemed to be more of an educated guess, and a pregnancy is usually considered late at the 41-week mark. In fact, many doctors are willing to wait until the 42^nd week to perform an induction. My OBGYN, on the other hand, regurgitated all the scary science she knew on stillbirths, C-sections and late labors. According to her, I was not an at-risk patient, but I could become one by holding on to the idea of a natural birth. That day (and again on my due date), I did not schedule an induction, and my son was born on November 1, 2014 — three days ‘late.’

As it turned out, my son’s tardiness wasn’t the exception, but the rule. Only 5 percent of women deliver on their actual due date, and doctors do recognize that due dates are anything but predictable. So why was I being forced into labor a week before the big day? What did my son and I really risk by waiting it out? And if due dates offer no guarantee, what do they really stand for? To help prepare for your baby’s big debut, we’ve asked the pros to give us their views on due dates. Here’s what they said:

The Midwife
Lauren Abrams, CNM, MSN — Clinical Director of Midwifery at Mount Sinai Hospital
“One of the most important things the midwife or doctor does at the first prenatal visit is to establish the due date. Having an accurate due date is crucial, because it allows us to offer prenatal tests at the appropriate time in pregnancy, and it tells us the safest time for the woman to give birth. Many of the tests we do during pregnancy need to be done during a specific time frame, so if the due date is not correct, the results of these tests may not be accurate.

In terms of labor, we know that a pregnancy is considered full term any time between 37 and 42 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, so this is the safest time period in which to give birth. For women who are having uncomplicated pregnancies, it’s always best to wait for labor to start on its own. Sometimes women ask us to induce the labor before the due date, because they are tired and uncomfortable, or wish to give birth on a certain date; however, for women who are having uncomplicated pregnancies, waiting for labor to start on its own is best, because it gives the woman the best chance of having an uncomplicated vaginal birth and a healthy baby. If labor has not started by 42 weeks, though, we will recommend induction, as we know that babies born after 42 weeks have a higher rate of complications.”

The Doula
Lindsey Bliss — Carriage House Birth Director & Birth Doula
“Due dates are only based on an averages. I wish we could all call it the due month instead. Two weeks before or after the due date is still considered term. I don’t know about you but I am not average, nor have I ever fallen within an average range for anything in my life. I’m on my sixth baby & not one of them came on their due date. There is this extreme pressure from our society for women to have delivered before or on their due date. This is such an unrealistic expectation. I can’t tell you how many unnecessary inductions are performed just because women are considered “LATE” when they go past 40 weeks. In a healthy pregnancy, I truly believe that labor will start when the baby is ready. I believe in our bodies innate wisdom to give birth.”

The OB/GYN
Cara Dolin, MD — OB/GYN, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow at NYU Langone Medical Center
“The due date is very important. It tells me how far along my patient is, what developmental milestones I expect to see on the ultrasound, what tests to perform and how to counsel patients. Many management decisions about the pregnancy are made based on the due date, this becomes especially important as a woman’s due date comes and goes with no sign of labor. There are risks to letting a pregnancy continue beyond the 40th week, including having a very large baby, needing forceps, a vacuum or cesarean delivery and even stillbirth. Because of these risks to both mother and baby, it is recommended that labor be induced before 43 weeks. Many providers will induce labor at 41 weeks. Ultimately, the decision to be induced is made between a woman and her physician or midwife based on the specific circumstances of her pregnancy.”

The Labor Nurse
Jeanne Faulkner — registered nurse and author of Common Sense Pregnancy
“The medical community has quit putting so much emphasis on delivering by the due date. That’s because too many inductions fail to lead to vaginal births and too many women end up with c-sections. Too many babies thought to be due or near due, are being delivered just a wee bit too early and ending up in the NICU with breathing problems. We know there’s a lot of finish work to be completed before a baby is ready to leave the womb and live life independently from its mother. We shouldn’t shortchange babies by unnecessarily delivering them early. Even the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees that mothers and babies know best (most of the time, anyway) about when baby should be born. Their most recent guidelines discourage doctors and mothers from scheduling inductions solely for due-date related reasons. If a healthy woman with a normal pregnancy is pressured by her doctor or midwife to have an induction or scheduled c-section, she should ask for more information. She needs to understand why her pregnancy or health falls under ACOG’s guidelines for appropriate induction. If she’s fine and her baby’s fine, then it’s probably also fine for labor to start on its own.”

The Acupuncturist
Aimee Raupp — Wellness & fertility expert, acupuncturist
“To me, due dates are approximations. They are calculated based on the first day of the last menstrual period, which is roughly two weeks before a woman ovulates and can even get pregnant. Plus, it can take from 2 to 9 days for the fertilized embryo to implant in the uterine wall. So I encourage my patients to think of their due date as a guesstimate. I remind them that babies come when they are ready: they can come early on their own, and they can come later than expected, which is often the case for first time pregnancies. If babies aren’t budging, there could be a reason that requires our patience and/or further medical intervention.

Acupuncture can really get the labor process going, and many women who are nearing or past their due date often come to me (or are referred to me by their doctors). From my experience, acupuncture usually works within one or two visits. When it doesn’t, I believe it means that baby just isn’t ready to come out.

Let’s not forget, too, that the very definition of a ‘full-term’ pregnancy varies from one country to the next. Here, ‘full term’ is technically 40 weeks and 6 days; in some European countries, ‘full term’ is now 41 weeks and 6 days. But I think that as long as there are no medical reasons — like high blood pressure, swelling, fever, low amniotic fluid, etc — and the woman is still comfortable, it is ok to go past the ‘full term’ mark. When and if the time comes, I rely on signs of early labor, like the baby’s low positioning and contractions, to do some treatment and encourage the progression of labor — but only once the woman hits 40 weeks, not before.”

The Pediatrician
Mona Amin, DO — pediatrician at Tribeca Pediatrics
“A due date does give us a lot of information about what to expect with a baby, especially if he or she is premature (born prior to 37 weeks). We always like to know if the baby ended up needing any support at delivery (i.e. oxygen support, antibiotics, or a stay in the NICU). And when seeing a family for their baby’s initial visit, knowing gestational age, along with any complications during pregnancy, gives us, pediatricians, an idea of the baby’s transition into the world and of the health outcomes to closely follow.

For those born post-term (after 40+ weeks), health outcomes are standard to those born term. Some findings with post-term babies include large babies (which can make vaginal deliveries more difficult and require close monitoring of sugar levels), as well as dry flaky skin from being in a water-like environment in mom for so long. The most important thing for these children is to have regular OB exams and fetal monitoring — to make sure that they continue to receive adequate nutrition and perfusion from the placenta.

Premature babies (especially those born before 32 weeks) can have many of their vital organs affected, as they are not fully developed. So they do require much more visits to their pediatrician and coordination with specialists. They are closely monitored for their breathing, nutrition and heat regulation. We understand that if you have a premature child, you will have many questions and concerns — and rest assure your NICU doctors and pediatrician are ready and willing to walk you through what to expect.”

This article is by Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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The postpartum app that every new mom needs.

Article & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

There’s something about pregnancy that makes people go out of their way to be nice, areweright? But then baby comes and, well, the sweetness subsides. Which is such a bummer because you’ve just gone through one of the hugest physical and emotional transformations a human can go through, AND you’ve got a brand new baby at home.

To throw salt in our postpartum wounds, a new mom’s care often stops 6 weeks after baby’s arrival; the U.S. has some of the lowest paid maternity leave rates; 1 in 3 women have undiagnosed postpartum depression; and there’s no standard protocal to track postpartum maternal health outcomes.

How ’bout a little postpartum love?

Maternal health advocate and midwife Rebecca Egbert’s got your back. Her new app, Little Mother’s Helper, and its companion deck of cards (yes, you heard us right), is an educational self-care kit for women from 6-weeks postpartum through the first year. It’s filled with nuggets of wisdom, advice, tips and encouragement to make your journey a little bit more manageable, and organized by different areas of health: body, mind, heart and soul. The app and (deck) covers topics like the physiology of sex postpartum, “boob issues” (mastitis, engorgement, etc.) and even finding your mom wife. The words are few but meaningful, and the illustrations are adorable.

“I see the postpartum period as a crucial time for extra attention, because there is little to no emphasis on care. You’re left to discover the information and what helps on you own,” says Egbert. “If we start to focus on this period now, systemically, we will largely impact and improve the health and wellbeing of future generations to come.”

Below, Egbert shares some of those valuable postpartum nuggets of wisdom to help a new mom’s body, mind, heart and soul.

Body: For the first 4 months postpartum, refrain from doing high-impact activities, such as: running, horseback riding, high-impact workout classes, jump-roping, heavy weightlifting, and sex if it’s painful (there are plenty of ways to be intimate). These activities put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor, increasing the risk of further weakness. This can lead to long-term or permanent incontinence and other issues. Consult a physical therapist, or trainer who specializes in postpartum recovery for exercise to help you retrain your pelvic muscle in early postpartum months.

Mind: Beyond receive professional care for maternal mental health issues, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, some things you can do everyday to help yourself follow:
● If your baby blues don’t go away within 2 weeks and symptoms intensify, get professional help.
● Get up each day and take a shower.
● Get out of the house and do something, even just one thing, just for you.
● Talk about your feelings and experiences with your partner, friends, and family.
● Allow yourself to do less.
● SLEEP when the baby sleeps! Get adequate rest.
● Be really clear with your partner about how they can help you with chores around the house.
● Eat enough food, drink enough water, take care to get good nutrition
● Make time to get outside and get your Vitamin D!
● Get acupuncture and massage to help your anxiety.

Heart: Being new parents has a steep learning curve. One way to strengthen your relationship is to delegate tasks and responsibilities equally during the first year. Delegate tasks so that you both know you’re in this together, such as chores, negotiating drop-off and pick-up committing to that schedule, and negotiate who does the grocery shopping, arranges childcare, etc. Delegating early will prevent resentment and stress resulting from unspoken feelings of inequality.

Soul: As you filter through the volumes of advice you’ll get, remember to allow your heart to guide you to do what’s best for you, your family, and your baby. Intuition can’t be measured; it goes beyond science and into the soul. The secret: Trust that quiet voice deep inside. Trusting and believing in yourself is key!

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.