Baby guides
Short, practical reading on sleep, feeding, pumping and the questions that come up in the first months. Every guide lists its sources, and none of them replaces your pediatrician.
Sleep
- Naps and wake windowsHow to use awake times as a starting guess, what short naps mean, and how nap transitions usually go.
- Safe sleepThe American Academy of Pediatrics' safe-sleep recommendations, and the sleep signs worth a call to your pediatrician.
- Settling and nightsBedtime routines, the settling approaches families use and what the research says about them, night waking, early mornings and clock changes.
- Sleep by ageWhat sleep usually looks like from the newborn weeks to age 3, and what tends to change at each stage.
Feeding
- Weaning or dropping pump sessionsHow to cut down nursing or pumping gradually, which lowers the chance of engorgement and mastitis.
- Blocked ducts and mastitisThe current advice for a tender lump or a red, hot breast, what to skip, and the signs that need a doctor.
- Low supplyHow to tell if supply is really low, common causes, what's worth trying, and when to see a lactation consultant.
- Medicines while breastfeedingMost medicines are fine while breastfeeding. Here's how to check one, and who to ask.
- EngorgementWhy breasts get hard and sore as milk comes in, what eases it, and when it could be something else.
- Gas and fussinessWays to help your baby swallow less air and pass gas, and when fussing needs a pediatrician.
- How much milk in a bottleTypical bottle amounts by age from the AAP, what's known for expressed breast milk, and responsive (paced) bottle feeding.
- How often babies feedHow many feeds a day is typical by age, how to read hunger and fullness, and when a sleepy newborn may need waking.
- Latch and positioningNursing positions to try, how to get a deep latch, the signs of a good one, and when to get help.
- Oversupply and fast letdownSigns you're making more milk than your baby needs, how to slow a fast letdown, and safe ways to bring supply down.
- Sore or cracked nipplesCommon causes of nipple pain, what helps cracks heal, and the signs of vasospasm and thrush.
- Supplementing and combination feedingAdding pumped milk or formula alongside nursing, protecting supply, and giving a bottle at your baby's pace.
- Tongue tieWhat tongue tie is, the signs, who can check it, and why feeding help comes before a snip.
- Cluster feedingWhat runs of close-together feeds look like, how to get through them, and when frequent feeding is worth a call.
- Milk coming inColostrum in the first days, when fuller milk usually arrives, what helps, and when to call.
Pumping
- Exclusive pumpingHow often to pump when every feed is pumped milk, how it changes as your baby grows, and dropping sessions safely.
- Flange sizingHow to find a flange that fits, and the signs one is too big or too small.
- Power pumpingWhat power pumping is, a sample hour, and what the evidence says.
- Pumping at workPlanning ahead, your rights at work, keeping supply up, and storing milk on the job.
- Pumping basicsHow often to pump, how long milk keeps, and how to keep pump parts clean.
- Storing breast milkHow long pumped milk keeps at room temperature, in the fridge and in the freezer, and how to thaw and warm it.
Diapers
- Diapers as a sign of enough milkHow many pee and poop diapers to expect in the first week, and the signs of dehydration that need a call.
- Potty readinessTypical ages and signs that your child may be ready for the potty, and how to keep it low pressure.
Starting solids
- Starting solid foodsWhen babies are usually ready for solids, how to start, allergens, and the foods and drinks to hold off on.
Health
- Fever: when to callThe temperatures and warning signs that mean calling your pediatrician or emergency services, by age. No treatment or dosing.
- Spit-up and refluxWhat normal spit-up looks like, what can ease it, and the signs that need a pediatrician.