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While most breastfeeding parents will not have lasting problems, those with flat nipples, inverted nipples, or very large nipples may find it harder to get their baby latched on to the breast properly, especially at first. Since a poor latch can lead to sore nipples and a decrease in milk supply, these tips for mastering a proper latch will help ensure your comfort and your baby’s healthy growth. Breastfeeding With Large Nipples Having large nipples won’t prevent you from breastfeeding successfully....

2 cups warm water 1 cup liquid dishwashing soap 1/4 cup glycerin 1 teaspoon sugar Funnel, straws, six-pack plastic beverage holders, or other unbreakable household objects Directions

Effort: Easy — no sewing required Materials: Big rectangular box Can of gray spray paint Paintbrushes Two jars of paint — one blue and one white Scissors Glue Instructions: Cut the bottom flaps off the box. Cut a hole for the head in the top of box, and holes in the sides for the arms. Spray paint the whole box. Use the flaps to make patterns for the buttons and the display....

People change, grow, develop new interests, or take career paths that lead them in a direction they never imagined. And while none of these are excuses for divorce, they are often part of the cause. According to the CDC, in 2020 (the latest year data is available), the average divorce rate was 5.1%, a rate that’s dropped steadily over the last twenty years. However, while the statistics indicate a steady decline in divorce rates in the past twenty years, marriage rates have also declined....

As charitable as blood donation is, you really need to hang on to all of your own blood during your pregnancy. Keeping your red blood cell count high is important for you and your unborn baby. Donating Blood During Pregnancy People who are pregnant are not eligible to donate blood. “They need all of their blood and iron to help them stay healthy during their pregnancy,” says Felice Gersh, MD, an award-winning OB/GYN specializing in all aspects of women’s health, and founder/director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, in Irvine, CA....

There are many as yet unproven theories about what causes the remaining recurrent miscarriage cases. One of them is that high levels of a hormone called prolactin may contribute to pregnancy loss. When a high blood prolactin concentration interferes with the function of the ovaries, secretion of estradiol, the main estrogen, decreases. What Is Prolactin? Prolactin is a hormone produced primarily by the anterior pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain....

Here is a scientific overview that explains what ovulation is and how likely it is for a woman to get pregnant if she’s not ovulating. What is Ovulation? A woman’s menstrual cycle is typically 28 days in length. Every female body is different and the length of your menstrual cycle can vary between months. Therefore, the timing of ovulation depends on your body’s reproductive system. It may be shorter or longer....

Perhaps you were in the middle of an intentional weight loss journey when you found out you were pregnant. Maybe a healthcare provider alerted you that you were considered overweight prior to pregnancy and you’re wondering if losing a little weight during pregnancy might be healthy for you or your baby. Or maybe you are unintentionally losing weight because of morning sickness or hyperemesis and are unsure how much of a problem this is....

Keep Communicating The two of you need to keep the channels of communication open more than ever. You will be each other’s safest place during this difficult time. Remember to do the following: A: Imagine if someone tells you there is a more than 90 percent chance that things will turn out well. That sounds pretty good. On the other hand, if someone tells you there is a 10 percent chance that things will turn out badly, that doesn’t sound too great....

Effort: Easy — some sewing required Materials: Black turtleneck and leggings (slimming and cat-like) Soft white material Red and white striped floppy top hat (you can buy this at a party store) White sneakers Black face paint Wide red ribbon White gloves Cat tail Needle and thread Instructions: Sew an oval-shaped piece of the white material onto the front of the black turtleneck. Sew the cat tail to the back of the leggings....

There’s a Limit to Limits! You can’t raise a resourceful child if your limits are too tight. Limits are vital and needed. Too many limits, though, can make a child feel crunched and, well, limited. How will you know if you are being reasonable, or if the limits you are setting are too extreme? Easy. Watch your child’s reactions: Resistance and grumbling are normal. No self-respecting child is going to let you know how much she craves limits....

You may have a hunch your child is ready to ditch the crib, but it’s important to understand what constitutes this change and make sure your child is truly ready for this transition. We break down the factors to consider as you prepare to make the switch from crib to bed for your growing child. When Should You Start Shopping for a Toddler Bed? The first step in shopping for a toddler bed is knowing when your child is ready for one....

Plenty of parents who grew up learning how to add and subtract with older teaching methods now look at their children’s Common Core homework with a sense of panic, or at least mild bewilderment. Rest assured, you have not forgotten how to do first-grade math. The concepts themselves haven’t changed (two plus two will always equal four, no matter which way it’s taught) — merely the method of explaining and presenting them has....

Why Breastfeeding Problems Are Readily Complicated by Low Milk Supply Breastfeeding difficulties can cause physical discomfort, exhaustion and frustration, as well as infant fussiness and poor infant growth. Furthermore, many breastfeeding problems readily become complicated by low milk supply. Often, complaints in breastfeeding women are linked to ineffective or infrequent emptying of milk. If milk is not removed from the breasts regularly, a chemical inhibitor in residual milk accumulates and decreases further milk production....

Composter Dry material like sawdust, Soil dead leaves, and dry grass Fresh kitchen scraps clippings(vegetable matter only) Shovel and/or grass clippings Directions

Level: Easy Time involved: One to two hours Materials: Newspaper Two 3-inch clay flowerpots Two 2-inch clay flowerpots Two 11/2-inch clay flowerpots Red, white, blue, and gold craft paints Paintbrushes Two wooden candleholders (You can find these packaged in bags in the wood section of craft stores.) Glue gun Clear acrylic finish spray Two red, white, or blue candles

Poured Wax Candles Don’t be afraid to try your hand at these lovely molded candles. They’re a lot easier to make than you might think, and they create a romantic atmosphere when lit for dinner. Prepare your mold by taping a wick with a metal tab onto the bottom of the mold. If you use a waxed wick (which is stiff), it should stand up in the middle of the mold....

DO: What do you say? Anything. If you are giving a party, always be ready with a store of anecdotes or comments about something in the news that will change the subject. If this tactic fails, propose a toast to something or somebody. Think of the party as an opportunity to bring together people who don’t know each other but who will probably enjoy meeting one another. Think of the party as an opportunity to bring together old friends who never seem to have enough time to visit with one another....