M+A Edit

One of the best parts about being pregnant today? Choice! There are hundreds (and hundreds) of products out there meant to support mamas with a growing belly and make life a little easier. But which items are worthy of that must-buy status? We asked a group of Monica + Andy team members — all of whom have been through pregnancies recently — to share their favorites. AG Secret Fit Belly Farrah Skinny Ankle Maternity Jeans ($198)'I really could not live without my AG maternity jeans - I wear them for...

Want to know the truth about parenthood? We're all just figuring it out as we go...especially in the early days. You can read all the books, do all the prep work and lay all the plans, but when you actually bring that baby home? Well, you just might find you're fumbling with the day-to-day of it all. And that's ok (and totally normal)! Parenthood doesn't have to be perfect. And if you find yourself making rookie mistakes in those early days, just take a second, breathe and remind yourself that...

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: It's a girl! Jessica Simpson is pregnant with her third baby — she and husband Eric Johnson already have two kids. The singer-turned-designer announced the happy news on Instagram, saying her family 'couldn’t be happier to announce this precious blessing of life.' We all know about the benefits of implementing a bedtime for your little ones. But new research...

If you're playing for team green — which essentially means you're choosing not to find out your baby's gender until he or she is born — you're in for a majorly fun moment after you deliver. But there's something else you're in for, at least until your babe arrives: The tricky task of decorating a nursery that's fit for a baby boy or a baby girl. #TeamGreen members aren't the only ones who love a gender-neutral look (it's trending!), and parents who want to prep for boy-girl twins or an...

Can you imagine conceiving, carrying and birthing a baby who will be raised by someone else? Surrogacy—an amazing trend helping mamas who might not otherwise have been able to bring their own biological kids into the world— is getting more attention, but how does the process work?We spoke with surrogate who held nothing back—from questions about how she became pregnant to potential attachment issues with the child, here's what she had to say.What led you to surrogacy?When I was having my own babies, I was pregnant with twins. I lost...

It all started with a screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Rosie O’Neill and her now husband saw the classic on a date, and she found herself wondering: why had candy — a thing that used to feel magical — lost its luster?This led Rosie, who had been working as the director of marketing at Mattel, to dream a sweet dream: She broke away from her role to start Sugarfina, the luxury candy brand best known for its beautifully packaged champagne-flavored gummy bears. Today, Sugarfina products are sold...

Let's talk infertility — today's post was written by an M+A staffer who is currently pregnant after undergoing fertility treatment. We won't tell you all scientific stuff — your doctor is there for that. But we'll share some of the lesser-known facts about conceiving after infertility in the hopes that it may prepare you if you're going through it yourself. Infertility is a big, scary word — and the experience of it is every bit as scary, stressful and painful as the term suggests. But here's the most important thing...

If you're facing impending parenthood, you're likely weighing a lot of tricky choices. From 'which stroller is best for my family?' to 'home birth or hospital birth?', there's a LOT to think about before your family expands...and while pregnancy can feel like a long process, the end comes at you faster than you'd think!One of the biggest questions expectant parents deal with is the whole issue of childcare...you can choose between enrolling your little one in daycare or hiring a nanny...or you (or your partner!) could opt to stay home...

Pregnancy can do a real number on your body — and it goes beyond the obvious effects, like causing you to sport a baby bump or skip your periods. The truth is, there are certain pregnancy symptoms you may not recognize as part of the territory until you're in the thick of them...and by that time, you may be nervous that they signal something bad. But rest easy: Weird, wacky (and occasionally TMI) side effects are normal more often than not. Of course, you should always speak to your OB-GYN...

If you're expecting a baby, we can almost guarantee you've heard the following: 'sleep now because soon enough you won't sleep at all!' And chances are, you find this piece of unsolicited advice both scary and...well, not that helpful. But here's something that is helpful: Advice from Kelly Murray, Chicago-based sleep consultant, who was kind enough to answer all our most burning questions about infant sleep. Here's what she had to say! Monica + Andy: What exactly does it mean for an infant to sleep through the night? Is there...