M+A Edit

Consider this dilemma: It's your first family outing and your baby wants to nurse...and while ordinarily, you'd make it work right there and then (whether you're comfortable doing it out in the open or would prefer to cover up, you do you, Mama!), you realize you've hit a bit of a snag. You're wearing a dress and, save for pulling the whole thing up around your neck, there's really no great way to get the baby to the breast.Dressing during the postpartum period can be a challenge, particularly for breastfeeding...

Is there a sweeter way to start the day than by sharing breakfast (plus a big coffee for mom) with your little ones? We tapped our favorite influential mamas to share the top spots in their city for ordering croissants, eggs, and everything in between with the kids. Let us know if any of your favorite spots made the list!   Leslie Bruce - Laguna Beach The bestselling author hails from the setting of everyone's favorite coming-of-age reality show, but her day-to-day is less about the 'drama, drama, drama' and...

As the son of two teachers, Jason Stoffer has always had a passion for education. He just may not have expected this to manifest in his current role as the founder of venture capital firm, Maveron. But Jason discovered another passion along the way. And now, it’s his love for brands that evoke emotion in their consumers that drives his day-to-day. For Jason, identifying worthwhile brands really comes to what the founder represents — and how well the audience will connect to the brand’s message. What does he look for...

Choosing a pediatrician, registering for newborn essentials, figuring out a birth plan — there's a lot to think about as you approach the end of your pregnancy. But here's something you may not be considering: your recovery. The postpartum period is tough on the body, and you'll need to have a few products on hand to help you through it. We enlisted a group of new moms who called out the essentials that saved them during the whirlwind that is the 'fourth trimester.' Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray ($12.99) File...

Here's the thing about stay-at-home parents: They rarely — if ever — catch a break. The responsibilities kick in the minute they wake up (or, rather, are woken up) and don't stop throughout the day. Stay-at-home parents have no time off or lunch breaks, they don't get to escape the craziness of the home by going to work, and they have a much harder time squeezing in adult interaction. In many cases, they're single-handedly responsible for keeping tiny humans safe, healthy and entertained. It's a lot of pressure. So how...

Welcome to Mom’s the Word! We know you’re busy, so we’ve distilled this week’s top headlines in motherhood into this quick recap. Here’s all the news you need to know now: Scour this list, especially if you're pregnant: A new recall affects products sold at stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's Kroger, Target and more national chains. Luckily, no illnesses have been reported yet, but if you have any of these foods on hand, you'll definitely want to toss them to be safe. That's going to be one funny baby:...

When you think of maternity photos, you probably envision a woman holding her beautiful bump under a long, floral-printed dress with a flower crown on her head. And while we love the gorgeous, ethereal vibe those photos carry, we have news for you: there's more than one maternity aesthetic for you to consider.Whether your style is classic, edgy, or more traditionally feminine, the perfect dress is out there for you. (If you're typically a jeans-and-leather-jacket kind of girl, go ahead and skip the dress all together.) The key is to...

It's a fact: people love to pepper pregnant women with questions. Lots of them. And while you can expect to be grilled at your doctor appointments, daily convos with friends, colleagues, and even strangers can start to feel like interviews, too. Some questions are fairly benign, while others can feel totally invasive. Looking for advice on how to handle them? We've got you. Read on for some of the most common questions and how to address—or, uh, deflect—them. How are you feeling? Expect this question from the day you announce...

You've probably heard friends or fellow pregnant women talking about hiring a doula to help them through labor, delivery and early motherhood. But if you're new to all this, you may be asking yourself: What exactly does a doula do? Doulas offer physical, emotional and informational support to couples as they prepare to enter parenthood, says Lindsey Tjernlund of Minnesota-based Hummingbird Doula. Doulas — who are trained and certified through organizations like DONA — are most commonly known for helping out during labor and delivery, but a doula's services aren't...

You've made it through pregnancy, given birth, mastered diaper changes and swaddling, and adjusted to life on way less sleep — but now you're heading for yet another challenge: the end of maternity leave. There's no right or wrong way to feel about returning to work. Maybe you're excited to get back to your routine, catch up with your co-workers, and finally have a reason to put on real pants again. Maybe you're devastated to be away from your baby and anxious about how you'll juggle all the responsibilities of...