Some women are ready to plunge into another pregnancy while they still have one or more children in diapers, others don't even want to think about seeing the pregnancy test come back positive again until their youngest child hops on the school bus for kindergarten! Here are some factors to consider when you're trying to decide whether you're ready to have another baby.

Feeling a little stressed? Struggling to keep all the balls in the air? Here are some of the "sanity savers" that I learned from master jugglers -- women who were balancing work and family -- tips for staying sane when you're struggling to juggle your working life with the rest of your life.

"Our twins are one year old, but they are still waking up a lot at night, and it usually falls to me to deal with them. What can I do before I go out of my mind with sleep deprivation?"

What every working mother needs is a fairy godmother -- someone who will arrive on the scene, wave her magic wand, and make all the work and family related-chaos disappear. Since your chances are pretty much next to zilch, you're going to have to settle for the next best thing: a recipe for sanity!

You've bought your kids toboggans, hockey sticks, and cross-country skis. You've signed them up for indoor soccer, swimming lessons, and gymnastics classes. You've told them all about the benefits of physical fitness. In fact, you've done everything possible to encourage your kids to put down the TV remote and get physically active. Or have you?

Your toddler hasn't shown any interest in playing with other children. In fact, you've noticed that he'd rather play quietly with his blocks in the corner than join in any group activities. Should you be concerned? Read on for the answer and a list of important milestones to watch for on the play front.

It's a subject that pregnancy books tend to gloss over and prenatal classes frequently choose to ignore -- the possibility that you might give birth to anything other than a picture-perfect baby. Consequently, those couples that do end up giving birth to babies with special needs can find themselves feeling shocked and alone.

Your child has been sick. You need to be at work. When can he return to daycare? Do siblings need to stay home? Since illnesses are transmitted differently, answer can vary. Find out for these common diseases (listed in alphabetical order:

Choosing someone to care for your child is a big responsibility -- one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. That's why it's important to avoid making any of these all-too-common mistakes. Within this article, you find a list of daycare problems as well as methods to overcome.

Sleep. It's the stuff of which dreams are made -- particularly when you have a newborn baby. If you're feeling a bit frazzled and exhausted by your baby's erratic sleep patterns, you're not alone. Ann Douglas, author of The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, has some information about your new baby's needs.

Feeling good about yourself is the key to making the most of the childbearing year. A woman who feels good about herself will celebrate the changes that her body experiences during pregnancy, look forward to the challenge of giving birth, and willingly accept the physical and emotional changes of the postpartum period.

Your baby is here! You've heard a first cry! The announcement of boy or girl has been made. The first test, the Apgar, has been administered and everything is great, but there's more. What can you expect to happen? How might you feel? Find out!

Motherhood is a long journey, a marathon, not a sprint. If you regard motherhood as a long marathon, spanning twenty years or more, how might you shift the demands you place on yourself? How might you assert yourself to get more help from others? How might you take better care of your body? Or better nourish your inner being? Or simply be nicer to yourself?

Considering breastfeeding for your baby? Anai Rhoads addresses some common questions ranging from latching issues, benefits, effects on birth control and more!

Kangaroo care is a form of skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their preterm baby. The baby, wearing only a diaper, is held in an upright position against the parent's bare chest. The baby is held this way for 20 minutes to four hours a day. This is called Kangaroo Care because it is similar to the way a baby kangaroo is snuggled against its mother. Discover more and get started making the most of your time with your preemie today.

If your preemie could talk, he might say, "I am so excited to be going home. I am also a little scared. It is okay if you are feeling a little scared too. Even if I have had a big brother or sister, I may be different because I was born so early and so small. I decided to write this list of activities that can help preemies like me learn how to use our bodies and minds as we grow..."

If you have other children, deciding how and when to tell them a new family member is on the way can be a challenge. A good rule of thumb is to tailor the news according to the child's age. Here are some "pointers from parents" you may find helpful:

Selecting a doctor who will care for your new baby is an important decision. Schedule interviews before your baby is due with potential pediatricians. In addition to getting specific answers to questions about your baby's care and the office procedures, you'll know if you feel comfortable with him/her.

Now that your baby's here, what can you expect from the hospital staff? Along with caring for you and your baby after birth, the hospital staff can answer any questions you may have, help you and your partner get to know your newborn, and build your confidence as your baby's caregivers and parent.

As parents, time is our most valuable resource, our most precious commodity. Most important, when it comes to your children, finding the time for them will not only benefit their development but, particularly for us fathers, can make all the difference about how we feel about what is of real value and meaning in life.

Becoming a father and a parent can be a transformational process for a man. When a man becomes a father, through loving his child, partner and family, he comes in contact with a deep paternal masculinity. When a child enters a man's life, a new depth of feeling and emotion are awakened within him.

Many new fathers -- not all, to be sure -- love their children enormously, but from a safe distance. We all know that it's important for a dad to help with the baby. But how do you accomplish that, especially if his idea of childcare is putting her in a motorized swing while he watches Sportscenter?

Being discharged without your baby may feel like the most devastating separation. Even if you knew you were likely to deliver prematurely, you probably didn't envision leaving the hospital with empty arms. Seeing other mothers being discharged with their healthy newborns presents an unbearable cruel contrast with your situation. To cope with being separated from your baby, try any of the following ideas that feel right to you:

Are you considering or have you adopted a child from another culture? Parenting an adoptive child presents unique set of circumstances. Cross-cultural adoption presents further challenges. Authors Amy Coughlin and Caryn Abramowitz offer some important Do's and Don'ts as you get started.

Besides hold up glasses, what is your nose good for? One very important thing -- your nose allows you to smell. Without your nose you wouldn't know how wonderful a flower smells. Holding up your glasses and allowing you to smell the flowers are only 2 of the many reasons we have a nose. Every time you take a breath your nose is very busy doing many different things.

Occasions are a wonderful excuse for a unique, home-made card -- birthdays, holidays, thank-you's, get-well wishes or just because. Everyone loves a child's creative, one-of-a-kind endeavors! Harness that commodity with these tips.

When a baby finds that her signals are validated and responded to appropriately, that troubles are soothed and pleasure enhanced, she begins to sense that her feelings, expressions, of her very being, are of value and important. A baby learns that she counts for something. This is the foundation of the development of self-esteem -- a combination of who you are, how you feel about yourself, and what you think about your future potential.

From Aaliyah to Zvi, the range of name choices is dazzling. If you're a sleepless parent-to-be, it can look like a vast landscape with no road map. To make sure you keep your bearings, here are some basic principles for understanding names -- and finding that one perfect name that speaks to your heart.

Many families believe it best that they re-home their dog when a baby is joining the family. Concerns range from safety issues to lack of time. Good News! There are many proactive steps that can be taken ahead of time to help things go smoothly. Obedience, leadership as well as management are all essential keys to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all.

It is Saturday night and you have a date with your spouse. You give hugs, kiss the kids goodnight and give a pat to your pup as you head out. In your car you mentally go over the details to be sure you told the sitter everything. But have you? What about your dog?

So, you're throwing a baby shower. The date is set and the invitations have been sent. The anticipation is brewing. But what are you going to do once you get everyone to the party? How can you make your shower a memorable one that the parents-to-be and the guests will remember always? Plan some fun games!

Children of all ages love birthday parties! As a parent, you probably know that planning a birthday party that all the guests will enjoy depends on using your imagination to come up with some great party ideas. To help you out, we have compiled our list of favorite party themes that you can use to help with your party planning.

Planning a birthday party for your little one and unsure where to begin? Check out our tips -- covering everything from the invitations to cake to party favors -- to make your day a success!

When we were expecting our first child, we decided I would stay at home full-time with the baby. I had visions of watching Oprah every morning with a cup of coffee in my hand and a bundle of babe in my lap. The truth is, I found that I worked harder at home taking care of one baby boy than I had teaching nearly 100 teenagers each day.

The umbilical cord provided nourishment to your baby throughout your pregnancy. Now he or she has a purplish-blue stump that is about a half inch to an inch long. It will take some time (approximately 2 weeks but occasionally up to 8 weeks) before the stump dries up and falls off. How do you care for it? What are signs of infection?

Babies born before the 37th week of gestation are born prematurely. Premature newborns are sometimes given the nickname, "preemies." Mothers who have their baby prematurely are often scared and nervous. Below is a brief description of what to expect when it comes to the care for your newborn preemie.

I could desperately use some advice on pumping. My daughter is 15 days old and in the intensive care unit. She will most likely be there for months and I have been pumping, trying to build up a supply for her. She currently has a feeding tube and is only getting 3cc an hour, so even the little I have been able to get should last a while. But I am at the end of my rope and am about the give up.

The 13th chromosome contains blueprints that direct a baby's development in the early weeks following conception. When a child has an extra 13th chromosome, as is the case in Trisomy 13, the genetic messages are confused and contradictory. Even the mildest forms of this syndrome are devastating.

The FMLA stipulates that companies which have over 50 employees must offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. I intensely look forward to the day when paternity leave will be considered a normal benefit of employment. One day, perhaps, society will be organized in a way that recognizes the tremendous, far-reaching value of knitting fathers, mothers, and babies together.

After I discuss how to determine who the "best doctor in town" for you is, I'll give you some hints on how to become his or her patient, even if that doctor doesn't take your insurance. One of the best ways to identify great doctors is to ask nurses in that field whom they would recommend. Nurses see both the professional and the human sides of doctors.

My wife and I have a beautiful new baby girl. We were both excited about having her (we were infertility patients). Now that she is here, my wife is miserable. She cries all the time, and I am at my wit's end. I find myself feeling angry, which I don't want to do.

One of the things you will quickly learn about being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) is that it can sometimes be difficult to shift gears from Mommy to Hot Mama. When it's 9 p.m. and your husband is giving you that look, it can be a challenge to look at your husband with little more than indifference. Here's a few ways to make that S in SAHM stand for Sexy!

Adoption can give a couple the opportunity to experience the joys of parenthood; it can give a child a stable, loving home. What can it do for the birth mom? Enjoy this adoption story from the perspective of a birth mom.

Most parents find a baby carrier to be invaluable during the first year of their baby's life. There are many types and styles to choose from. The different types of baby carriers fall into three main categories: slings, front packs and backpacks. Elizabeth helps you decide which is best for you and your baby.

A grateful reader recently wrote to me and said she had a better chance of getting Brad Pitt to call her for a date than to get her kids to eat their vegetables. And her name was not Angelina. Well, fear no more. The days of the picky eater are over, and there's a new life for those super healthy foods we could only wish our kids would eat.

Babies younger than four months old have very different sleep needs than older babies. This article will help you understand your newborn baby's developing sleep patterns, and will help you develop reasonable expectations when it comes to your baby and sleep.

For those with children, here's a look at how family life can influence sexuality. We will begin with an overview of the key developmental phases in children's lives, and how these might affect a woman's inclination for and enjoyment of sex.

"From the journey down the birth canal to afternoons at the park, a child will register every experience in the circuitry of his or her brain. Whenever a mother strokes her baby, whenever a father plays with his daughter or son...

Breastfeeding is the natural, physiologic way of feeding infants and young children, and human milk is the milk made specifically for human infants. Breastfeeding should be easy and trouble free for most mothers. A good start helps to ensure breastfeeding is a happy experience for both mother and baby.

Because more and more women are now breastfeeding their babies, more and more are also finding that they enjoy breastfeeding enough to want to continue longer than the usual few months they initially thought they would. What are the advantages of extended breastfeeding?

After you leave the hospital, you will be in close touch with health care providers for the first months of your newborn's life. If you leave go home within 48 hours you'll probably be asked to see your pediatrician when your baby is 2-4 days old. Learn what you can expect to happen at that first appointment.

You've no doubt seen all the scary statistics on the costs of raising children -- numbers that may very well have you second-guessing your decision to toss your birth control pills in the trash! Starting a family doesn't have to lead to financial ruin. There are plenty of practical steps you can take to minimize the impact on your family's budget. Here are a few ideas.

There's a popular myth -- one of several surrounding autism -- that you can't diagnose this disease until a child is well into childhood. In reality, the signs are evident as early as 18 months of age, or sometimes even sooner. The signs often show up early in a baby's life: He doesn't babble or coo like other infants. Later, he may fail to gesture, point or make eye contact.

No matter what you may think about divorce. No matter what you may feel about divorce. No matter what your situation or experience, life will change for you and your children. Follow these guidelines of how you can help them cope.

He "plays" with the baby in the only ways he knows how. He plays catch. You yell at him for throwing toys at the baby. He plays hide-and-seek. You screech that he's trying to suffocate the baby with the blanket. He gives the kid a hug, and you explode in fury. Is it any wonder that your toddler is confused? How can you smooth things out?

Do you have little kids in the house? They love creative crafts and then, of course, they want to give their creations to someone they love as a gift, eager for applause. With Christmas coming, start a craft box with a few basic supplies so they can make amazing little gifts for family, friends and teachers. A handmade gift is always special and unique. There is pleasure in the making and then more pleasure in the giving.

Raising readers is not about teaching young children to read. It is about helping children to enjoy reading and language by exposing them to colorful, wonderful books. Want to find out how to raise a reader? Check out these steps and you'll find you are on your way!

Toddlers and small children face a host of possible safety issues every time they enter a bathroom. Thinking about potential pitfalls of the bathroom from a small child's point of view helps to create a safe and enjoyable environment for the whole family.

I need help with how to be a NICU mom. My baby was born at term, but was transferred to another hospital because of trouble breathing. Now he is being slowly weaned off the oxygen to room air, and once he can breathe well on his own he has to prove to them he can eat.

Last fall thousands of babies in China were hospitalized after drinking formula contaminated with melamine. Another health concern is melamine tableware. Does your toddler have a cute plastic plate, bowl and spoon? Melamine, formaldehyde and other chemicals can leach into food served on this tableware. Read on for recommendations for your child's dishware.

The new world of school brings many changes. Even for children who have been in child care or preschool, starting kindergarten will be a new world that is quite different from what they've experienced. So spend the last few weeks of summer easing your child into this new transition by following these ten simple tips:

For many parents, the thought of finding a babysitter or nanny can be terrifying. Get the scoop on how to interview a sitter or nanny with this helpful checklist!

If you're a parent who lives near close relatives, chances are that you'll turn to those family members to a little free babysitting every now and again. Hey, why not? It's reliable, safe, loving and more than affordable or is it?

Do you need a babysitter or a mother’s helper? How is an au pair different from a nanny? What does a doula even do anyway? If you’ve ever been confused about your child care choices, use this handy list to help sort through the definitions.

Hiring a babysitter used to be such a simple process: plan a night out, call the neighborhood girl to come over, pay her a few dollars an hour and enjoy your evening. These days it isn't so easy. Check out these helpful tips!

It's rare and challenging enough for a stay-at-home mother to get time to herself away from her kids. Since such freedom is so precious, your time off shouldn't be spoiled by the person left in charge in your place calling during your time away to ask...

Being a mother to a toddler is an exercise in patience and love. Suddenly, this tiny infant who has depended upon you since the day he or she came wailing into this world, has a vocabulary consisting of 'no!' and the capability to ignore every single person in your household. Read "Motherhood and The Terrible Toddler Years" to learn more.