It's every mom's worst nightmare: she feeds her baby some sweet morsel -- a strawberry, peanut butter -- but as soon as he gobbles it up, his face turns red. He starts gasping for air.

Fear of food allergies is rampant among parents for good reason: 1 in every 13 kids is allergic to some food, according to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). Luckily the steps are pretty simple for keeping an eye out for food allergies and even lowering the odds of them happening. Here's how to tell if your child has a food allergy:

1. Introduce foods one at a time. To help you home in on any foods that might trigger an allergy in your baby, it's best to feed him simple, single-ingredients foods to start -- that way, if he has a reaction, you know exactly what the culprit is! "Starting around 6 months, the first food offered is usually a single grain cereal like rice cereal, but fruits or vegetables may also be introduced," says Dr. Bridget Boyd, MD, a pediatrician at Loyola University Health System. If all goes well, try a new food about every three days. Once you know by "taste test" that certain single-ingredient foods are fine, you can start introducing "stage 2" foods that are combos of the above, like cereal mixed with strawberries.

2. Know which foods to watch for. "The top eight food allergens are dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, and peanuts," says Shari Zucker, co-author with her twin sister Judi of The Ultimate Allergy-Free Cookbook. These account for 90 percent of all food allergies, so keep your radar on high around these foods.

More from The Stir: When Kids With Food Allergies Are Treated Like Outcasts at School

3. But don't avoid them! Swear a peanut will never touch your child's lips? We get it, and in years past, doctors used to recommend that parents hold off on feeding their babies certain highly allergenic foods like eggs, fish, and strawberries. But that's no longer necessary. In fact, introducing foods late may actually increase your baby's risk for food allergies, says Amanda Krupa, an editor at HealthyChildren.org.

4. Keep an eye out for the signs of a reaction. The most common signs of a food allergy are body rashes including eczema, itchy eyes, and trouble breathing, says Zucker. An upset stomach and ear pulling (called otitis media) can also be a red flag.

More from The Stir: 10 Things Never to Say to a Mom of a Kid With Food Allergies

5. Consider genetics. "The number one reason for a food allergy is genetics," says Zucker. So if you've got food allergies, you'll want to be especially vigilant. That said, just because you're allergic to shellfish doesn't mean your baby will be, or that he'll avoid this allergy if you did. Kids don't inherit allergies to particular foods as much as they inherit the likelihood of having food allergies in general.

6. Have your baby tested. While allergy testing is the best way to get an accurate diagnoses, the traditional skin test -- where small amounts of allergens are injected under the baby's skin -- isn't always possible. One, your baby's so small, you'll run out of space fast! Plus, having your child poked dozens of times may just sound too torturous. But there is an alternative: a blood test, which entails only one needle. So consider asking for this less arduous option instead.

Is there a food allergy in your family? What is it?

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Whether you call it co-sleeping, having a family bed, or bedsharing, more and more families today are sleeping together. It's been a popular practice for years in many other parts of the world, but here in America, views are split. Some parents think sharing a bed creates a dangerous sleeping environment for a baby. (Not to mention puts a serious cramp in their sex life.) Other moms swear this close-in arrangement makes for a happier, healthier baby.

So how do you make the choice? Should baby come to bed with you or have their own, personal sleeping space?

Here, we break through the speculation (and there is a lot) to give you some hard scientific facts about co-sleeping.

Number two may be shocking to some moms; was this the case in your house?

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In all the hubbub about whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed, one question is often lost: what if you want to do both? Maybe you want to breastfeed in the evenings but have your baby bottle-fed while you pump at the office. Or, maybe you breastfeed but want your baby to take the occasional bottle (like when you're traveling or just plain pooped). All that should matter is what works for moms, but sometimes it's not that easy. Some babies experience what's known as "nipple confusion" or "nipple preference," making it difficult to switch from breast to bottle or vice versa.

"Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are different and require a newborn to suck in different ways," explains Bridget Boyd, MD, a pediatrician at Loyola University Health System. Breastfeeding, for instance, requires baby to suck pretty hard to get milk; whereas with a bottle it flows with little effort. "When both methods of feeding are used too early, the child may become confused."

But that doesn't mean you have to feed baby from the breast and only the breast. There are things you can do to help your baby avoid nipple confusion and be happy taking both breast and bottle. Try these tips to cultivate a switch hitter at feeding time:

Wait until baby has the hang of breastfeeding. Since it can take a while for a baby to get a hang of breastfeeding, try to avoid introducing bottles (and pacifiers) for the first two to three weeks. That way, your baby can really master nursing from you without distractions, and won't prefer bottle to breast. 

But don't wait too long! Once baby has a good handle on breastfeeding two to three weeks in, try introducing a bottle once a day. "This is especially important if mom will return to work or needs to be away from her baby and a caregiver can provide pumped breast milk in a bottle," says Dr. Boyd. "If the family waits longer -- for example, at the end of a three-month maternity leave -- the baby may refuse to drink from a bottle." In other words, don't let baby get too set in his ways. Try a bottle early on, in small doses, so it doesn't feel so abrupt.

Try a bottle nipple that mimics the breast. Since nipple confusion is caused by differences between bottle and breast, try to minimize those differences by getting a bottle with a "slow flow" nipple -- meaning one that only releases a tiny bit of milk. This way, feeding from a bottle will feel similar to feeding from the breast so the baby doesn't mind switching.

More from The Stir: 8 Bottles for Breastfed Babies -- Recommended By Moms

Make your breast mimic the bottle. Likewise, you can make your breast feel more similar to a bottle by squeezing the tissue near the areola so baby doesn't have to open his mouth so wide to latch on. "Make a ‘ledge’ of breast tissue to offer the baby something firm against his tongue," says Cindy Leclerc, a nurse and lactation consultant.

Offer the option baby dislikes when his defenses are down. "Try offering the bottle when baby is sleepy or just waking from a nap," says Leclerc. "It will be more difficult if baby is already hungry and upset."

Warm the bottle. Breastfeed babies are used to body temperature milk, so if baby refuses a cold or room temperature bottle, that may be your reason. To warm the bottle, place it under warm tap water for 5 to 10 minutes (not the microwave since that can heat unevenly). Drip the milk on the inside of your forearm to test it before giving it to baby.

Have dad do the honors. Is baby refusing the bottle from you? Well, that's understandable -- your breasts are right there, within reach! "Most breastfed babies will never take a bottle from the mother," says Dr. Boyd. "So dad or another close caregiver will need to train baby to feed from bottle."

Get help. If you're still struggling to get baby to take both bottle and breast, get help from a lactation consultant or La Leche League at 877-4-LA-LECHE.

What's your biggest struggle with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding?

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Move over, attachment parents and helicopter parents -- the latest rage on raising kids has arrived, and it's called RIE parenting. Celebs like Penelope Cruz, Helen Hunt, and Tobey Maguire are all fans of the RIE (pronounced "rye"). The name stands for Resources for Infant Educarers, and while it's recently exploded in popularity, this philosophy actually isn't new.

Aonprofit organization by the same name was founded in 1978 by infant specialist and educator Magda Gerber and pediatric neurologist Tom Forrest. Still, though, what is it?

The basic gist of RIE: stop treating babies like babies -- meaning helpless objects who must have everything done for them every second. Instead, show them some respect! Here's what that means:

Rule #1: Explain what you're doing before you do it.
Stop thinking you're doing things to your baby (such as dressing, feeding, carrying him) as if he were an inert object. Instead, clue him in by telling him what you're doing before you do it -- i.e., "I'm going to pick you up and put you in your stroller now" or "I'm going to leave the room for a minute but I'll be back." You can even solicit your baby to help by saying, "I'm going to change your diaper now, could you stop wiggling?"

"I've seen 5-week-olds lift their bottoms to help with diaper changing," says Deborah Carlisle Solomon, former executive director of Resources for Infant Educarers® and the author of Baby Knows Best: Raising a Confident and Resourceful Child, the RIE Way. "For some people it feels peculiar to talk to a baby who can't speak back to them. But once you internalize it, it makes perfect sense. Babies can understand a lot more than you think."

Rule #2: Don't assume you know what your baby needs.
Your baby is crying. What do you do? You scoop him up to comfort him; only he cries harder. That's because you've ignored a cardinal rule of RIE: you assumed you knew exactly why your baby was crying without really giving it much thought, or reading his cues.

"It's important to respond to an upset baby, but it's really important that respond accurately," says Solomon. "One mom in my class kept on picking up her crying baby to comfort him, and I pointed out, 'what's he looking at?' He was looking at an object on the floor that he couldn't quite reach yet -- that's why he was upset!"

Moral of the story: if your baby's upset, try to ignore that raging impulse to swoop to his rescue. Instead, ask yourself why is he crying and try to read his cues, from his body language to his eye contact. You may not always be able to figure it out, but it's worth a shot.

More from The Stir: 5 Celebrity Parenting Styles That Will Surprise the Heck Out of You

Rule #3: Don't assume your baby needs "baby-specific" things.
High chair? Sippy cups? They may occasionally come in handy if you're taking baby out to a restaurant, but at home many RIE fans consider them an insult to baby's true capabilities.

"They presume babies are are feral animals that need to be caged and controlled, when that's not the case," says Solomon. "Babies as young as 5 to 6 months can learn how to drink from a cup. Adults also say that when they give their baby a cup, they're more attentive and focused on it, so babies learn faster how to use it, and what the house rules are. As a result, they're better behaved at the dinner table."

Rule #4: Baby-proof your home so you don't have to hover.
Sure, maybe you've "baby proofed" by covering the electrical outlets, and locking the kitchen cabinets. But if you still spend your days yelling "don't touch that!" or rushing toward your tot before he climbs up the shelves or tips over your TV, then your home isn't truly baby proof... and no wonder you're stressed out!

"An RIE playroom is one in which a baby would be completely safe if left in there alone, so that nothing in the area is off limits and the baby can be free to explore independently," says Sara Connolly, a pediatrician at Bundoo, a website that enables parents to consult with doctors online. "The RIE playroom has a few very simple toys -- no electronics or toys that require parental help -- instead of the mountain of toys that are typical in many play spaces."

"This is one of the RIE principles that people are slow to implement, but it makes such a difference when you have a play space that's 100 percent safe," adds Solomon. "One couple in class decided to empty their dining room of all furniture and put up two gates, and they said their lives had changed. They can finally relax!"

More from The Stir: Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About Attachment Parenting?

Rule #5: Give yourself a break!
RIE parenting doesn't just help you cultivate a calm, competent baby. It also gets you off the hook from assuming you have to do everything for them, 24/7.

"Years ago a mom came to class with her son, and after we let our babies crawl around, she started crying tears or relief," recalls Solomon. "She'd been to a 'mommy and me' yoga class where they had to dangle things in front of her babies, only her son wasn't happy, and it didn't feel right to her, either. She said, 'I feel there's this noise about what I should be doing with him. And I feel so relieved to know that I can just sit here and enjoy watching him play and seeing what he's going to do.'"

By slowing down and just watching and listening to your baby, RIE parents foster the one thing all parents want with their kids: intimacy.

"Long ago, in my desire to be a good mom, I kind of missed a lot of what my son was conveying to me because I was doing, doing, doing," says Solomon. "But RIE helped me see there's no hurry, or reason to worry. A friend of mine was at a playground and her 3-year-old daughter had climbed to the top of some structure and was sitting there like a bird. She could sense other parents were wondering why she wasn't closer by, but my friend didn't meddle, because she trusted her daughter. And her daughter was more sure of herself as a result."

What aspects of RIE parenting do you practice?

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Talk about embarrassing: there you are, laughing and bouncing your baby on your lap during a mommy and me music class when -- yikes! -- you feel some urine leaking onto your skivvies. Sure, you kinda knew that having a baby might be rough on your nether regions, but this rough? If it's any consolation, many women experience urinary incontinence after giving birth -- and there's plenty you can do to stem the flow.

According to Cynthia Brincat, MD, a urogynecologist at Loyola University Health System and co-director of Loyola’s Mother’s Pelvic Wellness program, urinary incontinence affects anywhere from one in three to one in five women.

There are actually two different kinds of incontinence. "Urge incontinence" is where when you've gotta go, you've gotta go -- and if you can't find a bathroom, you're in trouble. It's typically experienced in the elderly. 

Women who give birth, on the other hand, typically experience "stress incontinence" where they leak urine when they cough, sneeze, or laugh.

The reason for these mini-accidents have to do with your pelvic floor muscles, which get stretched and strained as they support the baby growing in your belly. Then these muscles can suffer way more damage once you give birth, especially if you give birth vaginally.

"When we look at vaginal delivery versus c-section, vaginal delivery has about 10 times the rate of stress incontinence as a c-section," says Dr. Brincat.

The good news? Stress incontinence often fades by six months, or at the very least tapers down enough that it's negligible and doesn't make women feel uncomfortable. But in case your problems persist, there are many things you can do about it.

A doctor's usual first-line Rx? Kegel exercises.These are exercises for your pelvic floor that will whip these muscles back into shape. In case you've never done them before: you squeeze the muscles that would stop the flow of urine. Try squeezing 10 times for 3 sets, then work your way up from there. The nice thing is that you can do this exercise anywhere and no one would even know -- so try it while you're killing time waiting in line at the grocery store or while sitting home watching TV with the hubby.

More from The Stir: The Real Reason Women Should Do Their Kegels

If you're a Kegel pro, you can also try vaginal weights. Basically you insert one of these in your vagina, then try to keep them there by squeezing your pelvic floor. The heavier the weights, the harder they'll be to keep put. Or, if you'd rather a machine do your Kegel exercises for you, try the Apex automatic pelvic exerciser, a probe which will use electricity to actually stimulate contractions in the pelvic muscles for you (and don't worry, it doesn't hurt).

Another option is a pessary -- a device that looks like a diaphragm. "But it actually goes in the vagina and provides some extra support of the pelvic floor, which can alleviate stress incontinence," explains Oscar Aguirre, MD, a pelvic surgeon, OB/GYN, and urogynecologist in Denver, Colorado.

If all else fails, women can also consider surgical treatments, like a mid-urethral sling, a mesh strip surgically placed between the urethra and the vagina. While these have been FDA-approved, you'll want a qualified surgeon performing the procedure, so search for a surgeon board-certified in female pelvic medicine. To find a specialist or more information, check out the American Urogynecologic Society for guidance.

How did pregnancy and birth change your body?

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Think potty training starts around 2 or 3 years of age? Surprise! A growing legion of parents say it's possible to potty train infants from the moment they're born. It's called "elimination communication," or EC, and it's slowly been catching on, particularly among fans of the natural parenting approach. And while it seems crazy to train an infant to use a toilet, advocates swear it's possible. 

"Elimination communication is what humans have been doing for thousands of years before diapers hit the market," points out Andrew Olson, founder of godiaperfree who's been teaching EC to parents for four years. She also practiced EC with both her children (now 4 years and 14 months old) from the day they were born. If you don't like changing diapers (and who does?) or what all those diapers are doing to the environment, here's how to put this approach in action:

Consider the age of your baby. EC is best to start anytime from the moment your baby is born up to 18 months. After 18 months, a more "traditional" potty training approach works better, although it can maintain many of the same aspects, such as being non-coercive and tuned in to your child's signals.

Rest assured it's not all or nothing. First things first: EC is not about quitting diapers completely, but about limiting your dependence on them. "Most people only do EC part-time," says Olson. "Infants pee every 15 minutes, so parents would be crazy to catch them all." Instead, try setting small goals where you practice EC when it makes sense for you. Many advocates, for instance, do it only for poops or only for morning pees. Which may not seem like much, but this sets the stage for easier potty training down the road.

Use cloth diapers. For the many stretches when you're not practicing EC, Olson recommended using cloth diapers. The reason: when babies pee in them, this gives them more of a sensation of being wet than disposable diapers, which wick most of the moisture away. And since babies don't like sitting in a wet diaper, cloth will subtly encourage them to hold it until they can relieve themselves on a potty.

More from The Stir: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers: The Pros & Cons of Each

Keep baby clothed. Another misconception about EC is that when you're "on duty," you allow your infant to be naked and pee whenever and wherever he wants. That's not true; because this will teach your baby nothing. "They'll just pee on the floor then crawl away if they can," says Olson. Instead, while practicing EC, keep them clothed in pants and underwear (if you can find any that fit, you can order them for babies as young as 6 months at tiny undies). Yet again, the clothes will make your baby feel wet and encourage him to hold it until he gets to a potty. 

Hone in on baby's signals. The first step to getting your infant to pee or poop on a potty is to keep an eye out for the signals that he's gotta go! Every baby is different, and you'll have to really tune into your baby to figure it out. That said, "the most common signals that they're about to pee is sudden fussiness out of nowhere," says Olson. "They may start to wiggle, or thrash their legs, or squeeze their thighs. Or if you're wearing your baby, you may actually feel like you're wet, but you're not. It's called a 'phantom pee' and it's actually a sign it's about to happen."

For poops, it's a bit more obvious: your infant will probably grunt or make a "face." You've probably seen it and thought, Oh, my baby's pooping. News flash: That "push" doesn't mean the poop is out yet, but on its way. At this point, babies may often hold it, then look to you as if you say: Can you please take me to the potty now?

Head to the nearest sink, bowl, or toilet. Once you spot the "signs," grab your baby and hightail it to the nearest receptacle. The best position is what Olson calls the "point and shoot": holding baby's legs pointing forward and lean his back on your front torso -- that way you not only support his head and neck if he can't yet, but make the baby feel safe and warm rather than dangled at arm's length mid-air. Then wait, and pray, for a pee or poop. If it happens, make a sound -- pssst for pee, a grunt for poo -- while he's relieving himself. "That's the universal noise for poo or pee," explains Olson. This helps babies learn that these "sound associations" go with the action of peeing or pooping. Then, whenever you're trying to encourage your baby to go (before heading out, for instance), make that same noise, and your baby may put two and two together and go on command!

Accept that accidents will happen. Of course, no matter how vigilant you are, you will not catch it all. Only when accidents happen, don't call them that. "We call them 'misses' or 'missed opportunities,'" says Olson. Obviously try not to get angry or upset when they happen, but just change your baby's clothes and move on. Likewise, when your baby does successfully pee on the potty, don't lavish him with candy, sticker charts, or other rewards. "EC should be non-coercive, because we believe that natural processes should not be rewarded," says Olson. "This is just what we do; a matter-of-fact approach works best. That said, there's nothing wrong with praising your baby for a good job or saying, 'Wow! You did it.'" 

What age do you plan to start potty training?

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Nothing's cuter than a chubby baby. Those chipmunk cheeks! Those cute rolls of pudge on their thighs! And it's long been thought that fat = healthy for babies, a sign that they're clearly thriving. And yet ... research argues otherwise.

Evidence is mounting that many babies are overweight and that having a "fat baby" means having an unhealthy baby.

"Studies show that 10 to 40 percent of babies worldwide under age 2 are overweight," says Lisa Gittner, a professor at Texas Tech University who's conducted research on infant and childhood obesity. What's more, American babies are at the high end of that spectrum.

Yet very few parents are worried about this, since in many pediatric waiting rooms, brochures abound saying, Don't worry if you baby is chubby, that's just baby fat -- he'll grow out of it! But Gittner's research shows that's not true.

"Once obesity appears, you 'turn on' regulatory pathways that allow the body to store more fat and stay fat," warns Gittner, whose research shows that overweight infants are more likely to turn into overweight kids and overweight adults.

This does NOT mean moms with overweight babies should put them on a diet! But they should make sure to talk to their pediatrician ... and avoid some common mistakes that can lead to their baby to pack on the pounds.

More from The Stir: It's Mean to Call Your Baby Chubby

First things first: is your baby overweight? To find out, you'll need to calculate his BMI, which takes into account a baby's weight and height. At sites like the NIH or Baby Calculators, for instance, you can plug in these numbers. A 1-year-old baby boy who is 20 inches and 11 pounds has a BMI of 19.3. That means his BMI is higher than 96 percent of babies his age and gender -- and any baby over the 85th percentile is considered overweight. 

Whether your baby is overweight or you'd just like to keep your baby from joining the ranks, here are a few things you can do:

Breastfeed. Formula contains more fat, protein, and calories than breast milk. So it's no wonder that research shows that formula-fed babies are bigger than their breastfed counterparts.

Don't make babies finish the bottle. If you formula feed or give your baby breast milk in a bottle, don't force them to finish it if they seem full. And definitely don't add rice cereal to the formula -- it's an old wives' tale that it makes babies sleep longer; all it does it add unnecessary calories to your baby's diet.

Don't start solids until 6 months.Babies don't need solid food until 6 months. Start earlier, and you're just packing on the calories.

Ban juice from your home. Babies may love that sugar, but it's extra calories they don't need.

Keep baby active. We know it's tempting to plop baby in front of a TV or iPad, but try to keep it to a minimum. Instead, give them challenges appropriate by age -- things to reach for overhead, or tummy time, or a safe area to crawl around. 

Only feed babies when they're hungry. Seems obvious, but all too often parents will assume their baby is crying because he's hungry and offer to nurse or give him a bottle. But babies cry for all kinds of reasons, so don't rule out other possibilities. Generally, babies should not eat more than every four to five hours. 

Have you ever worried your baby was overweight?

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Finding a sitter? Hard. Finding a sitter you love, even tougher. Tammy Gold feels your pain. Even as a licensed psychotherapist with years of training, she, too, felt overwhelmed when she became a parent and had to hire someone to watch her daughter for the first time.

In fact, it made such an impact on Tammy that she became a parent coach to offer the emotional hand-holding she wished she'd had. Now a mom of three, she has a book out: Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer: A Practical Guide for Finding and Achieving the Gold Standard of Care for Your Child.

In an exclusive to The Stir, Tammy shared what parents need to look for in a caregiver (hint: there's something more important than experience), the question you should always ask their former employer, and how to set your sitter (and kids) up for success.

Do take the time to find a good sitter. "Ninety percent of the human brain grows by the age of 3, so the people who spend a great deal of time with children have a huge impact on them," explains Gold. "If there's a sitter who is feeding and changing the child but on her phone, distracted, and not interacting, she's not fostering the brain growth process." For instance, a preschool-aged child needs a caregiver who's willing to let them explore. "If the caregiver doesn't want to paint because it's too dirty or doesn't want to go to the park because it takes too much time, that nanny isn't meeting the developmental needs of the child," Gold says. "Every day, so much happens to children socially, educationally, and emotionally. Parents need to find caregivers who can stimulate and nurture these areas."

More From The Stir: 6 Signs Your Baby is Ready to Be Left With a Sitter

Do take your time to find someone. Rush into hiring a sitter, and you may miss a red flag. "Take time to outline your 'musts,' so you don't waste countless hours interviewing, doing trials, and background checks when a person can't even fulfill the basic outline of their needs," Gold says. And make sure to match the skills of the sitter specifically to your needs. Just because the sitter was great for your neighbor doesn't mean they'll be great for you.

Don't ask former employers how she was at her last job. Typically, you'll call a sitter's former employer and ask how they did at that job. But Gold recommends asking instead how they think the sitter would do at your house. "You want to focus on the future of your job, not the past of other jobs that might be very different. You may find that she's not good with infants, isn't proactive enough to handle the needs of a full-time working mom, and could never handle homework on a nightly basis," she says.

Do think about sharing childcare costs. In a nation where the average cost of putting an infant in daycare is higher than the costs to feed a family, watching the bottom line is paramount. So how do you afford a babysitter? "Sitter shares, where you and another family share a sitter for the entire week or split up the week, are a great alternative, especially for young babies who may need closer contact and 1-to-1 care," Gold suggests. "It works well when the caregiver has experience with multiple children and your kids are of similar ages. Also, some parents mix daycare or preschool with a part-time sitter."

Don't be afraid to tell your sitter when she's done something wrong. "A lot of parents hold things in and are not as clear as they can be, then get angry when the sitter does something wrong," Gold says. "So many sitters have told me, 'I wish she would have just told me to cook dinner, not said 'if you have time!'" She recommends parents use what she calls, "Nanny Speak 1-2-3." First, you say what you want for your children. ("They're going to music class at 9 a.m.") Two, say what you need from the sitter, such as, "I need you to dress the kids and pack their snacks." And three, be clear about what you need for yourself. (For instance, "I'll be late today so I need the kids bathed and fed by the time I'm home.") "The clearer you can be," says Gold, "the more easily your sitter will understand."

How did you find your favorite sitter?

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Babies might be tiny, but they eat so much and so often -- every two to three hours. And if you're breastfeeding, your newborn may need to eat even more often (breast milk is digested more quickly than formula). Pediatricians and lactation consultants often advocate feeding schedules that, of course, moms want to stick with -- but what happens when baby is sleeping? Many moms agonize over the decision of whether or not they should wake their little ones for feedings. 

And it's no wonder we're confused, since experts are divided on this issue as well.

"There is no need to wake a baby for feeding if the baby is healthy, born at term, and gaining weight well," says lactation consultant Leigh Anne O'Connor. That said, many newborns won't fall in this camp. At first, infants struggle to get the hang of feeding (and if you're breastfeeding, it can take a few days for your milk to come in). As a result, newborns often lose weight after heading home from the hospital -- which is why some experts urge parents to wake the baby until their weight is back where it was when he was born.

"For the first couple of weeks, until the baby is back to birth weight, we suggest parents wake their baby to feed every two or three hours in the day, and every three to four hours at night until he is back to his birth weight," says Cindy Leclerc, a registered nurse and lactation consultant. She also feels babies should be woken up to be fed if they were born premature, born weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds, jaundiced, or struggling with medical problems like an infection, since all of the above babies may be more delicate health-wise and could stand for more vigilance.

Another situation where parents should consider a wake-up call for their baby is if he (or the mom, and baby by extension) received some sort of medical intervention during the delivery or afterward.

"In this day and age of multiple intervention births and a cesarean section rate over 33 percent, the majority of babies are born with some medications in their system or will be subjected to pain medications post-delivery," says lactation consultant Tina Castellanos. "In the case of a sedated baby, the parents should be sure to wake the baby a minimum of every three hours for feeding."

More from The Stir: Breastfeeding 101: Surviving the Hospital & Newborn Days

And even if baby and mom survived the whole process med-free, Castellanos still thinks her advice holds true, at least during those first two weeks of life.

"Ensuring that baby is eating vigorously at least eight times per day is important during this stage," she says. "That is approximately every three hours, from the start of one feeding to the start of the next. One longer stretch of sleep with this alert baby as long as other feedings are going well is usually acceptable."

Keep in mind a sleeping baby may be hard to rouse -- or be cranky on waking. If that happens, try stripping baby down to just a diaper and putting him skin-to-skin with the mom, which can provide both the comfort and stimulation he needs to focus on feeding. Or if baby drifts off again during feeding, try tickling his feet or walking to keep him alert.

When in doubt, keep an eye on baby's output (the number of dirty diapers) to gauge if baby is eating enough. On day one, there should typically be one bowel movement, two on day two, three on day three, then three to four bowel movements and three to six wet diapers a day going forward, says O'Connor. You can also gain peace of mind by weighing your baby; newborns should gain about one half to one ounce a day. And once you're through the woods of the first few weeks and baby's got a better handle on feeding, you can let him snooze to his heart's content.

What's your biggest question about newborns?

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Babies: they’re cute, cuddly, and some can cry a lot. What else is there to know about the tiniest among us? The answer: more than you'd think. From sleeping to stomach size, babies are very different from older kids. Take this quiz to see if you are up-to-date on the basics for the under-20-pound set.

Babies: they’re cute, cuddly, and some can cry a lot. What else is there to know about the tiniest among us? The answer: more than you'd think. From sleeping to stomach size, babies are very different from older kids. Take this quiz to see if you are up-to-date on the basics for the under-20-pound set.

You've given birth to a beautiful baby. There's just one problem: he's looking a little ... yellow, and your doctor says it's jaundice. First thing's first: don't panic! 

The sallow complexion may not be what you were expecting, but jaundice is a common condition that affects around three in five newborns. Most of the time, symptoms (yellow skin and eyes) crop up within one or two days of birth, and while it may look strange, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for why it happens.

"In the womb, babies live in an oxygen-poor environment and therefore have high levels of red blood cells to compensate," explains Deena Blanchard, MD, a pediatrician in New York at Premier Pediatrics. Once babies are out in the world breathing good old air, their bodies realize they don't need all those red blood cells so they start to break down. This process creates a byproduct called bilirubin.

In adults, bilirubin is "cleared" from the body with the help of the liver, gallbladder, and intestines. Because these systems are still immature in newborns, however, bilirubin can build up -- resulting in yellowish skin and eyes.

More from The Stir: 7 Things Moms Must Do Immediately After Giving Birth

Rest assured this discoloration is not uncomfortable for your baby -- and most times it's of little concern and will clear up on its own. But there are times when jaundice can cause more serious problems in babies, such as irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, and (in most severe cases) seizures.

"Because bilirubin at high levels can cross the blood brain barrier, it can cause neurologic disorders similar to cerebral palsy," says Ashanti Woods, MD, an attending pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

So when should you call your doctor? If your baby is significantly more yellow from the time you were discharged from the hospital, is refusing to eat, or simply wants to sleep all the time, those are red flags, and you should consult your physician.

The good news is that jaundice is easily treatable by placing your baby under ultraviolet light -- often called the "bili lights" for bilirubin -- which breaks down the bilirubin into molecules that can be excreted in urine or feces. In more extreme situations, IV hydration, IV medicines that boost the immune system, and blood transfusions can also help.

What's your biggest health concern with your newborn?

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Once you're home with your newborn, your first mama bear urge may be to hunker down and stay put. After all, babies' delicate immune systems aren't used to all the germs out there, and the last thing you want is for your infant to get sick.

As hard as it may be to face this, one of these days you're going to have to go out and about with baby in tow. If you're wondering how soon is too soon, here's what the doctors have to say:

"There is no correct medical answer to this question," says Jenny Thomas, MD, a pediatrician with Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee.

In other words: it largely boils down to your personal preference and what makes sense for your life. For instance, if you have an older child and need to drop him off at school in the mornings, taking your baby with you in a carrier is perfectly fine.

Yet while there is no rigid timetable for when baby should make his debut, many doctors do stick with a "wait until 6 to 8 weeks" rule if outings can be avoided.

Acknowledging personal preference and location play a big role. Genevieve Fairbrother, MD, an OB/GYN at Northside Hospital, the largest birthing hospital in the US, says, "It's best to avoid public crowds and non-essential outings until that time.

"This is because during the first 6 to 8 weeks, the baby's immune system is still developing," Dr. Fairbrother explains, "making them at risk for serious infections that coincide with fever."

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Other factors to consider: Was the baby born premature? Is the baby already acting fussy or unwell? These are reasons to consider steering clear of crowds or unnecessary outings. Meanwhile, moms who breastfeed may also enjoy knowing that their breast milk adds an extra layer of protection against illness.

"If a baby is exclusively breastfed, that child is getting factors that enhance his immune system and therefore makes us less worried about taking them into public," says Dr. Thomas. "As long as mom and baby are together, mom will make antibodies against the diseases the two of them come across. If the baby is formula fed, he doesn't have the same protections and therefore more caution should be used when exposing the baby to other people or to large crowds."

If and when you do go out, it can help to exercise a few rules of caution. For instance, make sure that people wash their hands with soap and water before handling your baby. Avoid anyone who is sick or recovering from sickness.

And while it may come as a surprise, here's some good news for moms: time spent outdoors is actually less germy than in, since air isn't easily circulated and cleaned in close quarters.

How long do you think it's good to wait before bringing your baby out in public?

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Babies master a new trick just about every day -- and one of the most frustrating is when they figure out how to remove their diaper. They tend to keep removing it, even after you beg and plead with them to keep it on. Talk about a mess! And unless you can figure out why your baby's so determined to rid himself of this very essential article of clothing and reverse this trend, it means you're on carpet cleaning duty 24/7.

If you're at your wits' end with a baby who just won't keep that diaper on, have heart. There are things you can do!

1. Make sure baby's comfortable. Sometimes baby is removing the diaper because they're uncomfortable when it's on. So check for anything that could be causing such discomfort.

"One common reason is diaper rash, which is characterized by red skin and can be fixed with diaper rash ointment containing zinc," says Tammy Gold, a therapist and author of Secrets of The Nanny Whisper. Another possibility is a yeast diaper rash, which is characterized by red itchy bumps and can be easily treated (check with your pediatrician for a prescription for an anti-fungal). Dry chapped skin rubbing against the diaper can be fixed with Aquaphore ointment -- or by keeping the diapers a little looser around the waist so it won't rub on those areas.

2. Switch brands. Even without a rash, some babies are just plain uncomfortable in diapers, particularly if they're made of plastic -- which can trap heat and make babies uncomfortable. If you suspect this is the case, consider switching to cloth diapers, which are more breathable. Gdiapers, a brand of cloth diapers with disposable diaper inserts, even has tabs in the back, which are harder for baby to reach.

More from The Stir: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers: The Pros & Cons of Each

3. Stay calm. If you can't find any medical reason why your baby is determined to jettison his diapers, his motivation could be rooted in a desire for control -- not only of what he's wearing, but of you.

"Babies who are able to remove their own diapers are often just exploring and learning about their physical world and advancing their own fine motor skills," says Harry Broome, MD, a pediatrician with MVP Kids Care in Phoenix. Then, once they see you kick up a fuss, they start removing their diaper because it's a surefire way to get your attention. If you suspect this is what's up, try as hard as you can to stay calm and not overreact when the diaper comes off; otherwise, you're just validating your baby's behavior. 

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4. Foil your baby's removal method. Since this problem is so common, moms have devised various ways to keep diapers on; some even resort to using duct tape over the tabs. But Dr. Broome advises against this, since if the baby does remove the tape, it's a choking hazard. Or it may be SO hard to remove that you'll have trouble, too!

A better solution? Dress your baby in a onesie -- the snaps are often tricky for babies to detach and will keep the diaper tabs under wraps. Another solution is to put the diaper on backward so the tabs are in the back, or double up your diapers, putting one on the regular way, then one on backward on top. If the problem is mainly at sleep time, put a sleep sack on backward, which can't be opened.

5. Consider it may be time for potty training. Last but not least, if your baby is older (around age 2), don't discount the possibility that his habitual diaper removal means he's ready to try toilet training! So if your toddler is expressing curiosity about the potty, maybe it's time to start leaving the diapers behind for good.

What's your biggest struggle with diapers?

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend we vaccinate our kids to ensure their good health. Yet the anti-vax movement is bigger than ever, and many moms who do vaccinate their kids are choosing to do it on a delayed schedule. Ultimately, whether or not you vaccinate your child is up to you, but it's vital you make an informed decision. The question is: Have you done your research? Take this quiz to see how much you really know about vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend we vaccinate our kids to ensure their good health. Yet the anti-vax movement is bigger than ever, and many moms who do vaccinate their kids are choosing to do it on a delayed schedule. Ultimately, whether or not you vaccinate your child is up to you, but it's vital you make an informed decision. The question is: Have you done your research? Take this quiz to see how much you really know about vaccines.

It's an unthinkable tragedy when any mom dies, but what happens to her baby if she's still breastfeeding? In the case of Liz Marquez, 32, who died after a sudden heart attack in December, moms across Southern California have joined together and are donating breast milk. They're hoping their effort, called Milk for Brixton, will ensure the youngest of Liz's five kids, 5-month-old Brixton, can continue nursing until his first birthday.

On December 7, 2014, a sudden heart attack left Liz in a coma. Although her family has asked for privacy regarding the exact details of her condition, friend Kristina Pulistar, 29, Liz's friend and the founder of the Milk for Brixton project, says that after nine days, tests revealed a lack of brain activity. Her devastated family decided to remove her life support.

"Her husband, Brian, was a wreck," Kristina recalls. When Kristina heard the news that her friend was gone, she worried about Liz's older kids, ages 11, 6, 3, and 1, but especially Brixton, who had only recently come home from the hospital.

"He was born prematurely at 32 weeks, and Liz had been breastfeeding to get his strength up," says Kristina. "Liz's goal was to breastfeed him for a year, and I know how important that was to her."

With the blessing of Brian and Liz's sister, Stacey, Kristina reached out to local babywearing and breastfeeding groups on Facebook and asked if any moms would be willing to donate their breast milk to Brixton.

The response was so enthusiastic that soon after, Kristina started the Milk for Brixton page on Facebook. "The amount of people who want to help has been overwhelming," she says.

So far, 30 moms have donated more than 3,000 ounces of breast milk for Brixton. Some live nearby. "Others are driving from hours away to help out," Kristina says.

Their goal: to keep Brixton nursing through the next seven months -- to Liz's goal of Brixton's first birthday. Right now, Milk for Brixton is taking in-person breast milk donations at various drop-off locations within an hour of the family's home in Diamond Bar, California (They're not accepting shipped donations due to safety reasons.) A GoFundMe page has also been set up to purchase a deep freezer to store the breast milk.

More From The Stir: 7 Ways to Keep Baby Safe When Using Donor Breast Milk

Breast milk sharing from mom to mom is unregulated in the United States, but sharing resources like Eats on Feets suggest babies do best when donated breast milk comes from mothers nursing a child around the same age. Milk bank donations are more stringent. For instance, donors undergo blood testing to rule out conditions such as HIV. Donors for Brixton cannot smoke, drink, or take recreational or prescription drugs. Breast milk must have been placed directly into a deep freezer and be no more than 5 months old to qualify for the project.

Because Liz's husband has needed to return to work, their kids are splitting time between various relatives' homes. Donations to provide each with toys, clothing, diapers and wipes are being accepted through a separate GoFundMe page.

Adjusting to the loss of their mother has been tough, Kristina says. "The 3-year-old wakes up in the middle of the night, calling for his mom," she says. "I cry every time I leave their house. I can't imagine what they're going through."

Kristina says her friend was always generous and thinking of others, whether donating baby carriers to other moms or donating her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys after death. Her loss is a blow to the local babywearing community, but seeing the outpouring of sympathy, says Kristina, "makes me feel there's still good in the world."

For more information about donating breast milk or supplies, email Kristina at milkforbrixton@gmail.com. Or consider donating your breast milk to another baby whose mom can't nurse. For a premature baby or baby hospitalized in the neonatal intensive unit, shared breast milk is the next best option to their own mom's milk. Go to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America to learn more.

Have you ever donated breast milk? How did it work?

Images courtesy of Stacey Villanueva

Baby fevers can send many moms into a tailspin of worry. You're torn between whether to call their doctor, hightail it to ER, or just take a wait-and-see approach.

The first thing every mom should know when baby's temperature starts to rise: it's not a "fever" until you hit 100.4 Fahrenheit or 38 Celsius. And a fever isn't an illness per se, but a symptom that your baby could be fighting one (like a cold or virus).

What you should do when a fever hits depends on a variety of factors. Consider this your guide to figuring out whether to call the pediatrician or grab your car keys for a trip to the hospital with a feverish baby:

Head to the hospital if ...

Your baby is less than 3 months old. "A baby 3 months of age or younger with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should be seen right away by a medical professional, even if that means a trip to the ER in the middle of the night," says Tanya Altmann, MD, associate medical editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. The reason: infants this age lack mature immune systems, so sickness can spread quickly and must be contained by medical professionals.

Your baby is 3 months or older with a 104+ fever. For older babies, mild fevers are usually not an emergency since their immune systems are more developed to fight off infections. But fevers higher than 104 are another story, especially if accompanied by other troubling symptoms. "Other symptoms that should make parents rush their baby to the ER include trouble breathing, bluish color of lips or face, vomiting more than two feeds in a row, poor feeding, not waking up to feed, or inconsolable crying," says Dr. Altmann.

Call your doctor if ...

Your baby is 3 months or older with a mild fever and other troubling symptoms. "I go less by temperature and more on how the baby looks," warns Bridget Boyd, MD, a pediatrician at Loyola University Health System. So if your child has a fever under 104 and seems particularly sluggish, irritable, isn't eating, or otherwise seems uncomfortable, those are all signs you should call your doctor for advice, not to mention peace of mind.

The fever lasts five or more days. "Once you hit that five-day mark, it could be a more serious issue," says Dr. Boyd. The main illness doctors will want to rule out is Kawasaki disease, an inflammation of the arteries, as well as meningitis or pneumonia. That said, "most likely your child has just caught two difference viruses in a row," says Dr. Boyd. Even so, by five days, it's time to call and probably come in for a checkup.

Wait and see if ...

Your baby is 3 months or older with a fever under 104 but is otherwise acting fine. "If your 3-month-or-older baby has a fever but is feeding normally, sleeping well, and otherwise acting well, it’s fine to observe him at home and call your pediatrician if anything changes," says Dr. Altmann. Plus, by this age, it's fine to give your baby medication to ease his discomfort, such as an age- and weight-appropriate amount of acetaminophen. Children older than 6 months can have ibuprofen to treat the higher temperature.

More from The Stir: 6 Natural Ways to Bring Down Your Child's Fever

That said, "Cold medications should be strictly avoided in children under 6 years old and used with caution in older children," according to Dr. Boyd. The reason: according to the Food & Drug Administration, cold medicines can cause dangerous side effects in kids including rapid heart rate, convulsions, decreased levels of consciousness, and even death.

Bottom line: Until the fever breaks, parents should also keep an eye out for serious symptoms, and when in doubt, call their doctor. But rest assured that in most cases, a fever is not a reason to freak.

What's the highest temperature your baby has spiked?

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Sometimes things manage to come together just as if they'd been planned that way all along and the result is a room like this, total win! I love seeing new ways to make the best of a small space, and this nursery has plenty of inspiration to offer, click through to see what I mean...

That big window is the best feature in the room, streaming in plenty of light and helping things to feel open and airy. I love the light hardwood floors peeking out under that fabulous rug, and can we talk about that light fixture? The coolest! 

This little corner is about as crowded as things get, which is to say, not hardly at all. I am a fan of the simple crib and that homey quilt (looks handsewn to me, a treasure!), and you can never go wrong with an Eames style rocker, so classic.

The trusty IKEA Expedit wins again, this time filled with treasures and a few functional storage baskets as well. You can also get a pretty good view of the dresser turned changing table, an excellent dual purpose piece if I do say so myself. 

I love a simple and stylish space, especially one as bright and welcoming as this one. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this neutral nursery, let's talk it over in the comments below! 

Think fast, parents! Do you know what to do when your baby is choking? Take the guesswork out of the panicked moment and prepare yourself with this one 40-second PSA from St. John's ambulance, a first aid charity in Britain.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Don't be that "tragic irony!" That's no laughing matter.

More from The Stir: 7 Foods Toddlers Choke On & How to Make Them Safe

Nationwide Children's Hospital lists choking as a leading cause of death among children, especially in toddler and infants under the age of four. In the United States, a child dies every five days from a choking-related accident. And the biggest culprits? Food, toys, and coins.

Little pieces of food can be dangerous, especially if a child has yet to transition to solid foods. And those choking hazard signs? Important warnings for us all.

So take the 40 seconds out of your day to watch this video. It could be life-saving.

Are you prepared for an emergency like this?

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Anywhere between the ages of three months and three years, your baby's teeth will start coming in. And frankly we're not sure who teething is harder on: the baby, or the mom who doesn't know how to make their little one's sore gums feel better. What's more, the FDA recommends against using popular over-the-counter teething treatments that contain benzocaine, which can lead to life-threatening health problems.

So what's a mom with a baby in the throes of teething pain to do? Luckily there are plenty of natural treatments for teething pain in babies that can help nip it in the bud.

You'll never believe what the teether in #5 is made out of!

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You've chosen an organic formula because you're assuming it's the healthiest choice, right? Well, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it might not be after all. Some organic formulas contain ingredients no mom would want to feed her littleone.

"Just because a formula says it has organic ingredients doesn't mean it's the best choice," cautions Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, author of First Bites: Superfoods for Babies and Toddlers, and nutrition expert. "There's a lot more to it than that."

More From The Stir: 15 Good Reasons for Formula Feeding Every Mom Can Agree On

Here, things to watch out for when you're going the organic formula route:

1. It may contain corn syrup.

Some organic brands have been accused of replacing their lead ingredient of lactose with corn syrup or corn syrup solids. "[Manufacturers want] to increase volume so the formula company gets more bang for their buck and [to achieve] a texture that pours like milk," explains Stephen Cowan, MD, a board-certified holistic physician who practices in New York City. But giving babies that unnecessary ingredient can do more harm than good. "The risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease all begin at birth," Cowan says. "Sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup sets up a cascade of metabolic changes in every cell in the body."

2. Some brands have a chemical found in ... rocket fuel.

The Centers for Disease Control has found small amounts of perchlorate, a chemical found in rocket fuel, in powdered infant formula. None were organic, but considering only 15 brands were tested, who's to say percholorate isn't also residing in some organic formulas?  In small doses, perchlorate may be safe. But since it's also found in drinking water, infants fed with powdered formula could be getting a double dose. And at high levels, perchlorate can block the thyroid from doing its job.

3. It may contain a carcinogen.

Another icky offender that could be lurking in organic formula: carrageenan, an additive derived from seaweed. Back in the '80s, sufficient evidence was found to consider it a carcinogenic, yet it's still widely used today to thicken and stabilize many processed foods. Studies show that too much carrageenan can cause inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal tumors.

More From The Stir: An Open Letter to Moms Who Think Formula Is 'Poison'

4. It could harm your baby's tummy.

You've probably heard about DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that's been shown to be beneficial to the brain, eyes, and heart. DHA occurs naturally in breast milk. But some baby formula manufacturers -- even organic ones -- are using artificial omega oils, "which are extracted from soil fungus and algae, using Hexane, a neurotoxic agent," says Cowan. Many babies can't tolerate these oils and experience diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.

5. Drinking it could be bad for your baby's bones.

Palm and palm olein oils are used in some infant formulas, including organic, to blend fatty acids. But they've been proven to lower calcium and fat absorption and can actually decrease bone density in infants who drink it.

So what's a mom to do?

Cowan's top choice for formula is Earth's Best Organic Formula, which has natural DHA omega-3 and no corn oil and palm oil additives. Kerry Bajaj, a certified health coach at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, suggests Holle Organic Baby Milk Formula, which is made in Switzerland. Or, with some careful planning, you can simply make your own formula.

What brand of formula do you give your baby?

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