TagParenting

• The Best Advice:
  • Frozen mini bagels make the world’s best teething rings.
  • When out with a stroller — reverse through doors.
  • To reset, put babies in water or bring them outside.
  • Read the manuals for baby gear you get before the baby arrives.
  • Use dye-free Tylenol so it doesn’t stain anything when they vomit it back up.
  • The shoulders in the onesie are so you can pull it down when there’s a poopsplosion.
• The Winner: The most popular category of advice was what I call “It’s a phase,” which 16% of people said some version of.
• Just relax: A lot of responses centered around a version of “It will be fine” or “Do what works.”
• Value yourself: As parents, we are not always the best at recognizing that we — or our relationship — needs attention too.
• Sleep-related: Many of us benefit from advice on sleep. Bedtime routines, encouragement to sleep train, permission to co-sleep, and embracing the concept of “wake windows” are all helpful.
• The best advice givers: Moms, friends, pediatricians, and therapists are the best advice givers.
• A final note: “If one is to be a parent, one must adopt the disposition of a placid cow.”

Published February 27, 2023
Visit ParentData to read Emily Oster’s original post From the Archive: Your Best Parenting Advice

• Stages of labor: Labor has three stages: first, when the cervix dilates to 10 centimeters; second, the pushing stage; and third, the delivery of the placenta.
• First stage of labor: During the first stage of labor, the key question is whether you will labor in bed or be able to walk around. Evidence suggests that labor is shorter and outcomes are improved when women are able to be upright and walking around.
• Second stage of labor: In the second stage, the question is about position. Pushing upright, in a squatting position or similar, may result in a slightly shorter labor, but the data is not very consistent. There is no clear evidence of a difference in perineal tearing.
• Water birth: There is no compelling evidence to suggest that water birth is either more painful or less painful. Safety is generally assured, but infection is possible in rare cases.
• Concluding thoughts: It is important to consider personal preference and hospital constraints alongside the data when making decisions about labor position.

Published February 23, 2023
Visit ParentData to read Emily Oster’s original post Labor Positions

• Wins and Woes has received over 1,000 submissions since its launch last April as a community space to help us all feel less alone. It has grown to include stories, reader questions, chatrooms, and illustrations.
• Proud Mom of a Strong Girl shared a heartwarming story of her 2.5-year-old daughter’s self-confidence.
• Mountains of Mom Guilt shared her story of recently finding out she is unexpectedly pregnant while struggling to care for her daughter with feeding challenges.
• Kinder Kids shared how she overcame sibling conflict through a unique “kindness points” system.
• Today’s Reader Question is about moving forward after an autism diagnosis. Elizabeth is seeking advice as she and her 3-year-old son start occupational therapy and are on waiting lists for autism specialists.

Published February 21, 2023
Visit ParentData to read ParentData Team’s original post Wins, Woes, and Autism