Quantcast
Channel: Parenting Tips & Advice for Babies & Toddlers | SheKnows
Viewing all 1267 articles
Browse latest View live

Space travel baby names that are out of this world

$
0
0
Are you looking for a baby name that is out of this world? From Skylar to Luna, check out our picks of space travel baby names that will have you over the moon.
Baby out of this world

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

Are you looking for a baby name that is out of this world? From Skylar to Luna, check out our picks of space travel baby names that will have you over the moon.

Space baby names are the hottest new trend on the playground. Erykah Badu named her daughter Mars, while Sex and the City star Chris Noth named his son Orion. Actress Constance Marie jumped on the trend when she named her daughter Luna, while Rachel Zoe named her son Skyler.

Looking for your own space-inspired baby name?

Beautiful baby names from the stars

Why not name your baby boy or baby girl after the stars in the sky? Starting with the most obvious, the name Star or the alternate spelling Starr, is a beautiful choice for a baby girl.

Sirius is another great name that can be given to a boy or a girl. Sirius is also known as the Dog Star and is the brightest star in the sky. If the name Sirius only has you thinking of XM satellite radio, then consider these other options:

Cool constellation baby names

Perhaps you would like to name your baby not after just one star, but an entire group of stars that form a cool pattern called a constellation. There are actually 88 recognized constellations — and we hand-picked the best names from the batch.

Perfect planet baby names

The following planet baby names have a celestial sound to them.

Planets and moons and comets

Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but a “planetoid” — but still makes a cute name.

The moon is characterized as a satellite of the Earth, however moon in Italian is Luna— which makes a lovely baby girl name.

Aurora, after aurora borealis is another beautiful name for your baby girl and is from the Roman goddess of Dawn.

You can also consider using the names of comets, such as:

More baby names

Cool mythical baby names
Best and worst celebrity baby names
We predict the hottest baby names of the year


From Mac to Siri: Baby names for the tech obsessed

$
0
0
For those parents who are tech obsessed and must have the newest gadgets and electronics to hit the market, these baby names are just for you!

Baby on smartphone

Tech-obsessed tots unite! We have rounded up some seriously cool computer-inspired baby names for your baby boy or baby girl.

Some parents took the tech crazy to a whole new level when they named their son Hashtag or the Egyptian family who named their son Facebook. Now we aren't suggesting you go that extreme! We have a great range of names ranging from the more unique to the more traditional that are great for your plugged-in family.

Computer geek names that are suddenly cool again

Nerd names rule! If you expect your baby boy or baby girl to have the next billion-dollar start-up , they will need a computer geek name. Plus, these “geeky” names are suddenly cool again! For example, Kate Hudson gave her son the geeky name of Bingham, while Drew Barrymore named her daughter Olive.

Silicon Valley baby names

Silicon Valley is located in the San Francisco Bay area in Northern California and is a hot spot for technology and start-ups, with companies including Google, Yahoo!, Intel, Apple and eBay. Whether you live in Silicon Valley or hope to one day, the following names would fit right in to a tech-obsessed family.

  • Apple
  • Atari
  • Samsung
  • Siri
  • Mac
  • Cloud

Gamer baby names

We have rounded up the coolest baby girl names and baby boy names from video games, including Mortal Kombat, The Legend of Zelda and even Super Mario Bros! These names are modern, fresh and perfect for your little gamer:

  • Zelda: The Legend of Zelda
  • Raiden: Mortal Kombat
  • Jade: Mortal Kombat II
  • Kairi: Kingdom Hearts
  • Dante: Devil May Cry
  • Niko: Grand Theft Auto IV
  • Lara:Tomb Raider
  • Kratos:God of War
  • Jak: Jak and Daxter
  • Sephiroth: Final Fantasy VII
  • Augustus: Gears of War
  • Peach: Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros.

Modern baby names

If you are looking for a baby name that is modern and forward thinking, you will love these buzzworthy baby names. Most of these names are unisex, with a futuristic sound to them perfect for your future trailblazer!

If you are having trouble picking the perfect name, you could follow Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer's path and crowdsource her baby name by tweeting and asking for friends online to help her pick a name. She finally settled on the name Macallister Bogue.

More baby names

How to buy a domain name for your baby
Should you reserve your baby's Facebook or Twitter name?
Modern baby names

Celeb bump day: Kate Middleton, Evan Rachel Wood, Shakira

$
0
0
We have rounded up the cutest pregnant celebrities of the week, including newly pregnant Evan Rachel Wood and Jessica Simpson. Pregnant Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian are both due in July and you can compare their bumps! Lastly, Shakira bares her baby bump for a good cause.

Pregnant Shakira andd Gerard Pique

Shakira

Her bump don’t lie! Shakira bared her baby bump in a sexy photo with her shirtless boyfriend Gerard Pique via Twitter.

“We’d like to celebrate the imminent birth of our first child with all of you,” Shakira wrote, with a link to the UNICEF charity website promoting her “World Baby Shower to help UNICEF save children’s lives.”

“To celebrate the arrival of our first child, we hope that, in his name, other less privileged children in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts and donations,” Shakira and Gerard write. “Thank you for sharing this unforgettable moment with us.”

“Every expectant parent around the world shares all the same hopes and dreams for their children that we do/ Yet many don’t share the same opportunities. Together we know we can change that,” she said.

The couple is expecting their first child, a boy, very soon and has asked fans to donate to UNICEF to help buy things like mosquito nets and food for underprivileged kids.

Next up: Kate Middleton is reportedly around 13 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Is she showing yet?

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop: Celebrity Mom and Baby News

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton

Pregnant Kate Middleton wore a belted red dress as she viewed her controversial new portrait of herself by Paul Emsley at the National Portrait Gallery in London on January 11. The Duchess is gorgeous and glowing — however no sign of a baby bump just yet!

Middleton is reportedly around 13 to 14 weeks pregnant and the Palace released a statement after a recent ultrasound to confirm the due date — and it appears to dispel rumors she is expecting twins.

“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July,” the statement reads. “The Duchess's condition continues to improve since her stay in the hospital last month.”

Middleton will be sharing a due date with Kim Kardashian, who is also due in July.

Next up: Want to compare baby bumps? Check out Kardashian’s pregnancy curves next!

 {pageBreak}

Pregnant Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Pregnant Kim Kardashian dresses her bump in a black dress as she arrived at the SiriusXM Radio station in New York City on January 15.

Kardashian recently told Kathie Lee and Hoda on the Today show that she has similar fertility issues as her sister Khloe Kardashian.

“It's kind of a miracle that I even got pregnant,” said Kim, who is pregnant with Kanye West’s baby after dating nine months.

“Khloe has been very open about her fertility issues and I think I was always really kind of quiet about mine, and I have similar issues,” said Kim.

Khloe and her husband Lamar Odom have been married for three years and have been trying for a baby.

"It was a pleasant surprise when so many doctors were telling me one thing and then the opposite happens,” she said.

The reality star said she is still coming to terms with being pregnant. "I think until I really start seeing, like, a belly, it won't really sink in. It's just like a weird realization until you really start seeing the physical changes," she said.

Next up: Pregnant Evan Rachel Wood is showing!

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood holds her baby bump as she films scenes for her new movie, 10 Things I Hate About Life in Malibu on January 7.

Wood, who just married actor Jamie Bell last year, took to Twitter back in November to dispel pregnancy rumors after a photo was snapped of her touching her belly.

"Sorry to disappoint. But no baby on the way here," she tweeted.

Fast forward to January, and her rep made this announcement to Us Weekly:

"Evan Rachel Wood and husband Jamie Bell confirmed that they are expecting their first child later this year. "The couple is thrilled."

In case you are keeping track, the True Blood star was once engaged to Marilyn Manson.

Next up: Jessica Simpson shows off her bump in a tight leopard print dress

 {pageBreak}

Pregnant Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson

Pregnant Jessica Simpson appeared on The Tonight Show and opened up about her second pregnancy and her pending wedding to Eric Johnson.

"We've had two different wedding dates, but he keeps knocking me up," she joked.

Simpson found out she was pregnant again when her daughter Maxwell Drew was only 6 months old.

In typical Simpson fashion, she didn’t hold anything back when recalling how her surprise pregnancy happened:

"I was extremely shocked because I was going through a lot of hormonal changes, trying to get back to the old, vibrant Jessica. You know, it was kind of like a one-night stand. And it happened, all over again!" said the Fashion Star judge.

The Weight Watchers spokeswoman said she gained more weight than doctors would recommend during her last pregnancy. Simpson lost 50 pounds with the program before her surprise pregnancy.

"I was really happy to be pregnant and I didn't ever step on the scale. I didn't realize you could gain that much weight that quickly," she confessed.

“We're doing it very backwards, I know... I'll just keep my legs crossed, I guess, this time,“ she mused. “Apparently it was a part of God's plan for my life."

From Channing Tatum's wife to Kristen Bell, check out more pregnant celebrities here>>

Photo of Jessica Simpson courtesy of Celebrity Baby Scoop: Celebrity Mom and Baby NewsAll other photos WENN unless noted.

Busy Philipps joins the Mommalogues

$
0
0
You probably know Busy Philipps best as Laurie Keller from the hit show Cougar Townm, and you surely remember her from Freaks and Geeks, Dawson's Creek, White Chicks and Anatomy of a Hate Crime as well. In addition to all her acting talents, she's also a wife and a mother. For the month of January, she's a SheKnows Mommaloguer too!
Busy Philipps is now a Mommaloguer
Busy Philipps

newest celebrity vlogger

You probably know Busy Philipps best as Laurie Keller from the hit show Cougar Town, and you surely remember her from Freaks and Geeks, Dawson's Creek, White Chicks and Anatomy of a Hate Crime as well. In addition to all her acting talents, she's also a wife and a mother. For the month of January, she's a SheKnows Mommaloguer too!

Celebrity vlogger

For the month of January, Busy Philipps is SheKnows' guest vlogger and she'll be sharing her thoughts about life and motherhood along with our regular Mommaloguers. You'll love learning more about the actress as she talks about balancing celebrity life with everyday parenting. Philipps will share her thoughts about health, family, pregnancy and much more.

Philipps, who is currently expecting her second child, follows other celebrity moms that have raised their voices on the Mommalogues including Kendra Wilkinson, Alison Sweeney, Alanis Morissette, Candace Cameron Bure, Cindy Crawford and Mayim Bialik.

Busy on screen

Philipps first garnered attention at the age of 19 in Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s series, Freaks and Geeks as tough but sympathetic rebel teen Kim Kelly. Philipps went on to play Audrey Liddell in the teen drama Dawson's Creek. She has starred as Laurie Keller on Cougar Town since 2009.

Philipps has grown into a very dynamic actress and consistent scene-stealer with roles in films such as the 2011 release of I Just Don’t Know How She Does It starring Sarah Jessica Parker; the comedy romance He’s Just Not That Into You; and Made of Honor alongside Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. She shows her wide range of talents from her lead role in the Shawn and Marlon Wayans comedy White Chicks to her critically-acclaimed performance in Anatomy of a Hate Crime.

Busy off screen

Busy Philipps pregnant

In 2007, Philipps married screenwriter Marc Silverstein. She gave birth to her daughter, Birdie Leigh Silverstein, on August 13, 2008. On December 10, 2012, Philipps announced her second pregnancy by showing a picture of her positive pregnancy test on Twitter.

You can follow Philipps on Twitter at @Busyphilipps25.

All about the Mommalogues

In addition to the Mommalogues' celebrity vloggers, the online conversation includes eight regular well-known and up-and-coming mom bloggers who discuss topics such as how real moms juggle careers, marriage, hobbies, family, health and wellness and the chaos of modern parenthood.

While the moms and celebs provide plenty of content, readers are encouraged to share their own experiences with the Mommalogues community through the reaction buttons, social media share features and comments sections.

Image: WENN.com

More on the Mommalogues

Kendra Wilkinson joins the Mommalogues
Alison Sweeney joins the Mommalogues
Alanis Morissette joins the Mommalogues

Holding on to hope during infertility

$
0
0
According to the National Survey of Family Growth, one in seven couples grapple with secondary infertility, a couple’s inability to conceive a baby, even though they've had at least one child in the past. My husband and I are one of these couples.
My story. My infertility. My hope.
Tonya Wertman and family

Coping with infertility

According to the National Survey of Family Growth, one in seven couples grapple with secondary infertility, a couple’s inability to conceive a baby, even though they've had at least one child in the past.

My husband and I are one of these couples.

Four years ago, my son was conceived with zero reproductive intervention. My husband and I had been married for six months, decided to start a family and six months later I was pregnant.

I had a better than textbook pregnancy — no morning sickness, no heartburn, no swollen ankles. It was strange, wonderful and amazing to feel and watch my body grow. And grow. Toward the end of the 40 weeks I felt HUGE but also strong and beautiful and couldn't wait to do it all over again. I'm still waiting.

My infertility struggles

Since my son's first birthday, I have had five miscarriages, one through the aid of in vitro fertilization treatments. After IVF, I had four failed natural cycles with a hormone replacement regime and three failed intrauterine inseminations .

I am still not pregnant.

I never thought it would come to this... tens of thousands of dollars, hours upon hours of waiting in doctors' offices, countless blood tests, ultrasounds and other invasive procedures, painful progesterone shots, timed intercourse, more negative pregnancy tests than I care to recall, more heartache and frustration than one person should be allowed and all the while holding on to a strong hope and longing that this will be the cycle we add a fourth member to our family, this will be the cycle we give our son a sibling.

Trying again

My reproductive endocrinologist remains positive that I can get pregnant, but also maintains that time is not on my side. I am 40 now and age appears to be the only obstacle standing in our way. We are now facing IVF again.

Secondary infertility is actually more common than not being able to conceive in the first place. In some ways I believe it's more difficult to endure because I have proof that I have done this successfully in the past in the form of a three-foot child running around my house asking me to play "Go Fish."

Finding support

I have found support in many forms — my husband, of course, who is not only my partner on this roller coaster ride, but my grounding force. I also read as much as I can on the subject of infertility and secondary infertility, seek counsel from a licensed therapist, who specializes in individuals and couples experiencing infertility, attend a monthly Resolve meeting, belong to several online support groups, practice yoga, see an acupuncturist and write about my journey.

Infertility does not discriminate and it's important that for those who are fighting this battle to stick together. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my story here and I hope that if you or someone you know is struggling with infertility or secondary infertility, you will read along, comment and ask questions. Let's support each other while we hold on to hope together.

More on secondary infertility

Secondary infertility struggles
Secondary infertility: Finding support
Secondary infertility: Why can't I get pregnant again

Spread the love with a valentine-themed baby shower

$
0
0
Did you know that February is one of the busiest months for hosting a baby shower? It makes perfect sense! Stores are overflowing with festive heart candies, pink and red decorations, stickers, heart doilies and roses. Take advantage of all of the cuteness by hosting a valentine-themed baby shower.

Check out these easy and affordable ideas and tips for creating an amazing baby shower that is filled with love!

Tissue paper letter decor

Tissue paper letter

Start out with an easy decoration idea like this tissue paper letter. You can use "B" for baby or the first initial of the baby's name, if known.

What you'll need:

  • wooden or cardboard letter
  • pink, red, and white tissue paper that have been cut into 2-inch squares
  • glue gun

What you'll do:

Tissue paper letter

  1. Wrap a tissue square around your finger.
  2. Apply a dot of glue to the center of the tissue paper, pulling your finger out a bit so you do not burn yourself.
  3. Press the tissue paper onto the letter.
  4. Repeat until the entire letter is covered.

5-minute pink boa wreath

Pink boa wreath

If you are looking for simple, low-cost baby shower decorations, making this pink feather boa wreath will be right up your alley.

What you'll need:

  • Styrofoam wreath
  • 3-4 feather boas
  • glue gun
  • ribbon for hanging

What you'll do:

Pink boa wreath

  1. Start by securing the end of one of the boas to the wreath by adding a dot of glue.
  2. Wrap the boa around the wreath, snug enough so the Styrofoam doesn't peek through.
  3. Add dots of glue here and there to keep the boas in place.
  4. Tie a cute ribbon around the top and hang on the front door to welcome guests as they arrive.

"Baby Kisses" free printable favor tags

Free printable favor tags

Baby shower favors don't have to be expensive. It is possible to make extra-cute favors that guests will love for under a dollar!

What you'll need:

  • package of paper favor bags
  • Hershey's Kisses
  • clothes pins

What you'll do:

  1. Place a few Hershey's Kisses in each bag.
  2. Secure bags with clothespins.
  3. Print out these free "baby kisses" tags and add them to the clothespin with a dot of glue.
  4. Hand a favor to each guest as they leave as a way of thanking them for coming to the baby shower.

Easy valentine cupcakes

Valentine shower cupcakes

Bake up a batch or two of the mother-to-be's favorite cupcakes, frost, add a few sprinkles, and poke these free printable cupcake picks into the top! Dessert has never been so easy!

Free printable LOVE sign

Free printable LOVE sign

Download and print this free LOVE sign onto white laser paper and pop into a 5x7-inch picture frame. Use to decorate the baby shower gift table, food table or hang on the wall.

Candy vase centerpieces

For an easy baby shower centerpiece idea, fill clear glass vases with valentine-themed candies, add a candle and tie a pretty ribbon around the vase.

Valentine candy vase

Fun tip: Place a candy vase centerpiece on each table and raffle them off at the end of the shower. An easy way to do this is to place a sticker on the bottom of one chair at each table and the guest who finds the sticker under her chair wins the centerpiece!

Festive valentine menu ideas

Make sure everyone stays well fed by serving up some simple, yet fancy food and drink options!

Valentine food

Heart strawberries

Bring the valentine theme to your table with heart-shaped food.

  • Strawberries: Hull several strawberries and cut them length-wise to make hearts. You can even dip the tips in chocolate, yum!
  • Fruit kabobs: Cut several different types of fruit into hearts by using a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter. This works well with watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. If you want to get extra fancy, you can add them to skewers and serve them as fruit kabobs.
  • Sandwiches: Cut sandwiches into heart shapes by using a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
  • Cookies: Make heart-shaped sugar cookies and frost with pink and red frosting.
  • Candy: Have candy dishes around the room that are filled with traditional Valentine's Day candies. Some popular ideas are Red Hots, conversation hearts, chocolates and cinnamon bears.

Valentine drinks

Valentine drinks

  • Wrap it up: Wrap strips of cute, valentine-themed scrapbook paper around bottles of sparkling juice and secure with tape.
  • Sweeten it up: Add sweet flavor by serving water and sliced strawberries in a pretty glass pitcher. Add a sprig or two of mint if you'd like.
  • Whip it up: Whip up a batch of yummy valentine punch! This punch is so easy to make and it tastes delicious! All you need is two 2-liter bottles of Sprite, 1/2 gallon of raspberry sherbet and a bag of frozen raspberries. Place ingredients in a punch bowl and serve.

Hopefully these ideas have inspired you to create an adorable, low-stress valentine baby shower! For more baby shower tips and free printables, visit CutestBabyShowers.com.

More about baby showers

Chevron chic twin baby shower
Actress Christie Lynn Smith celebrates her baby-to-be
How to plan the perfect baby shower

Magical baby names from fairy tales

$
0
0
From Tiana to Flynn, baby names from fairy tales are the hottest new trend for girls and boys. We have rounded up our favorite picks from classic fairy tales to the newest Disney prince and princesses lighting up the big screen.
Princess baby

From Tiana to Flynn, baby names from fairy tales are the hottest new trend for girls and boys. We have rounded up our favorite picks from classic fairy tales to the newest Disney prince and princesses lighting up the big screen.

Baby names from another world

Fairy tales bring to life wonderful characters with great stories — and great names as well! Many of these baby names have a magical quality that you are sure to love.

Magical princess baby names

Princess names are the hottest trends for parents. The name Tiana shot up in popularity after the movie was released in 2009. In fact, it climbed over 300 spots on the Social Security Administration’s baby name chart in one year!

Here are more princess baby names that will have you wishing upon a star:

  • Arista: The Little Mermaid
  • Ariel: The Little Mermaid
  • Aurora: Sleeping Beauty
  • Jasmine: Aladdin
  • Buttercup: The Princess Bride
  • Aravis: The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Giselle: Enchanted
  • Mulan: Mulan
  • Pocahontas: Pocahontas
  • Belle: Beauty and the Beast
  • Rapunzel: Rapunzel
  • Irene: The Princess and the Goblin
  • Kiara: The Lion King II
  • Tiana: The Princess and the Frog
  • Merida: Brave
  • Fiona: Shrek
  • Anya: Anastasia

Prince names for your charming baby boy

There aren’t quite as many prince names as princess names, however there are still some magical names in the mix. As an interesting tidbit, the name Flynn wasn’t even on the Social Security Administration’s top baby name list until after the movie Tangled was released in 2010.

  • Caspian: Chronicles of Narnia
  • Eric: The Little Mermaid
  • Flynn: Tangled
  • Naveen: The Princess and the Frog
  • Phillip: Sleeping Beauty
  • Aladdin: Aladdin

You can also consider naming your son the name Prince, which has been steadily moving up the popular baby name chart to the current standings at number 481.

You can also consider names of "real life" royal princes with the most famous being Prince Harry and Prince William. Here are more prince baby names taken straight from the royal family:

King names also have a powerful punch to them, such as Triton from The Little Mermaid or Fergus from Brave.

Fairy tale names

Grimm’s Fairy Tales brings us the unique names Hansel and Gretel from their story of the same name. You can consider the classic names Peter and Wendy from Peter Pan or even Goldilocks .

The TV series Once Upon a Time is about fairy tale characters that are brought into the “real world” and feature some great name choices including:

Fairy baby name generator

Just for fun, you can also check out this “Fairy baby name generator” which asks the all-important questions including, “Do you love to run your fingers over the tops of streams?” and “Is your smile sometimes childish and your eyes dance with mischief?”

In case you were wondering, my fairy name is Whisteria, the Girl of the Mist.

More baby names

Mythical baby names
50 Pretty baby girl names
Cool modern names for boys

City baby names for girls

$
0
0
One of the baby name trends that stood out on the Social Security Administration's list of top girl names was the prevalence of destination or city baby names, such as London, Alexandria and Paris. Check out our pick of the top city baby names for girls.
Baby with globe

One of the baby name trends that stood out on the Social Security Administration's list of top girl names was the prevalence of destination or city baby names, such as London, Alexandria and Paris.

Cool destination
Baby girl names

Check out our pick of the top city baby names for girls.

Why a city name?

Some parents name their baby after a city, state or country because it was a place they visited during their honeymoon, anniversary or other special trip. Some places have a historical or family tie that they want to acknowledge. Other parents admit that this special place is where the baby was actually conceived or maybe even born.

Whether you are looking to name your baby girl after a memorable city or are just looking for a unique name, check out our pick of the top destination names or city baby names for girls.

Celebrity girl names after cities, states and places

The Social Security Administration listed the top city names that ranked on the popular name lists for girls.

Celebrity girl names after cities, states and places

Many celebrities name their baby girls after cities — and some even have city names themselves! Check out some of our top picks:

Delightful destination names

Even though these names didn't make the list of top baby girl names, we think any of these would make a unique and lovely first or middle name.

Although we have listed these under city girl names, many of these destination names are unisex and can be easily given to both girls and boys.

Brooklyn, Logan, Paris, Peyton and Dakota are just a few examples of names that can be given to girls or boys.

Tell Us

What is your favorite city name? Are we forgetting any cool city names?

More baby name ideas

Retro baby names
Middle name trends for girls
Top 100 baby girl names from Social Security Administration


Infertility: With a little help from your friends

$
0
0
I attended my first RESOLVE support group meeting with much trepidation, and now that I’ve been attending for over a year, I have a strong tribe of equally determined women surrounding me.
Infertility support group

I attended my first RESOLVE support group meeting with much trepidation, and now that I’ve been attending for over a year, I have a strong tribe of equally determined women surrounding me.

Finding support on your infertility journey

I remember the first time I visited the RESOLVE website to find a local meeting. I had been crying copious tears after receiving a phone call from my RE with another negative pregnancy test result.

My husband was away on a business trip and my son was napping. I have many friends who are familiar with our struggle to have a second child that I could have reached out to, but I didn't want to be a burden. In that moment, I felt so alone. I soon realized no matter how well I thought I was keeping it together, inside I was a mess and needed help in the form of peers — other woman going through exactly what I was.

Someone to lean on

Over a year later, I am still attending monthly RESOLVE meetings and consider several of the women I have encountered friends. I am grateful for each and every woman I've met through these gatherings and appreciate their insight and personal stories.

"It is through the support of others we become empowered ..."

I feel like a member of a band of strong-willed women with a common longing. There is a lot of comfort knowing nothing I can say will shock these women into silence and that each of our successes and failures are shared and accepted.

Finding support throughout your infertility journey is imperative! Sometimes we like to think we are invincible, capable of handling whatever comes our way, unwilling or unable to share our deep dark secret, but facing something as difficult as infertility requires being able to lean on others, ask for help and know without a doubt we are not alone.

It is through the support of others we become empowered, gain empathy and strength to face each new infertility hurdle.

You aren't alone

Support can come in many forms: online communities, group meetings, one-on-one therapy sessions or sharing candidly with trusted family and friends.

According to RESOLVE, "one of the most important benefits of participating in a support group is a decrease in the sense of isolation so many people feel when they are experiencing infertility. Plus, a study conducted in 2000 found that attendees of RESOLVE support groups had higher pregnancy rates than women who didn’t attend a support group."

Support can start right here! Check out our SheKnows infertility message boards to connect with other women struggling to conceive or visit RESOLVE or the Association for Reproductive Medicine.

Wherever your comfort level lies in regards to seeking support, there is no shame in it and no getting around the fact that daily strength is needed to face the challenges of infertility.

More on finding infertility support

Benefits of finding the right support group
Emotional support for infertility
Secondary infertility: Finding support

Celeb bump day: Lisa Ling, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, Holly Madison

$
0
0
Happy Wednesday Hump Day — also known to us as Celebrity Baby Bump Day! Pregnant Lisa Ling was glowing at the Boom Boom Baby Room event, as is Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott. Holly Madison showed off her baby bump in an LBD, while Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Busy Philipps round out our list of cute pregnant celebrities.

Pregnant Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling

Pregnant journalist Lisa Ling looked adorable showing off her baby bump in a flowing top paired with a blazer at the Boom Boom Baby Room event, which featured the newest baby products. What was on her wish list?

“This is honestly my first introduction to the whole baby product thing, because I have been working the whole time,” she told Celebrity Baby Scoop. “I’ve been blown away. It’s definitely overwhelming, but there have been incredible products. I was really excited about the chemical-free detergents by Molly’s Suds that you can use on adult clothes as well. I am definitely going to be purchasing a lot of that stuff.”

The 39-year-old TV personality is expecting her first child with Paul Song and has been open about the fact that, due to a previous miscarriage, she has been nervous throughout this pregnancy.

She told the Huffington Post back in November that this pregnancy has made her appreciate all that women go through. “Even though I’m seven months along, because I’ve miscarried, I’m still nervous every day. I’m constantly feeling my stomach to make sure she’s moving.”

“She’s really active, so it’s like, ’Is she moving, is she moving today?’ You live in these months of fear. There is just so much more pressure on women. I’ve gained more of an appreciation for all of the challenges women have to deal with: Pregnancy, fertility, juggling what’s professional and personal,” she said.

Next up: Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop - Celebrity Mom and Baby News

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum

Hillary Scott

Pregnant Lady Antebellum singer Hillary Scott was spotted leaving a Hollywood hotel with her band wearing a striped tunic top and leggings. The 26-year-old singer is expecting her first baby with her husband, drummer Chris Tyrell, in July.

She told TheBoot.com that they don’t know the sex of their baby, but have already started a list of baby names.

”If it's a boy, there aren't very many girl names that could be boy names. But if it's a girl, there's a bunch of boy names on the list that could technically be girl names. I'm hoping I can at least cut it down somewhat, because there's a lot of names to choose from and a lot of really cute ones and family names that are important to us. So, it's a tough decision.”

She also said she plans on including the sound of the baby’s heartbeat on one of the tracks of their newest album!

”That's definitely something we're going to try to capture, and it was Charles' [Kelley] idea,” Scott said. ”I walked into the studio and we had just had the doctor's appointment and I was like, ’Here's the heartbeat, it's beating 158, really strong and fast.’ And he goes, ’We have to do something with that!’”

Next up: Pregnant Holly Madison wears a sexy Little Black Dress

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Holly Madison

Holly Madison

Pregnant Holly Madison does her signature baby bump pose on the red carpet at the 29th Annual Black & White Ball honoring singer and actress Mitzi Gaynor at the Bellagio Resort.

The Girls Next Door star and her boyfriend Pasquale Rotella are expecting their first child together — and it's a girl!

”She's such a mystery right now,” she told Us Weekly. ”I mean, I can feel her move around, but it's still such a foreign, abstract feeling.”

Madison said that she is designing two baby nurseries — one for their Las Vegas home and one for their Los Angeles home. ”It's gonna be a lot of different colors,” she said of the Vegas nursery. ”I want to do Alice in Wonderland. I want to paint flowers on the wall.” She said her Los Angles nursery will be mostly pink. Both nurseries, however, will have plenty of storage.

”You get into these rooms and there's just so much baby junk,” she said. ”You need a lot of storage space.”

Next up: Pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Channing Tatum go for a hike!

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Channing Tatum

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

Pregnant actress Jenna Dewan-Tatum was spotted hiking with her Magic Mike husband Channing Tatum at Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles. Jenna wore leggings and a jacket as she walked alongside the couple’s two dogs.

Jenna, 32, is pregnant with her first child and recently revealed on Twitter that she is having strange dreams.

”Ok my fellow preggars ladies.. about these hormonal dreams,” she wrote. ”Is it normal to fly on a magic carpet while presenting at Golden globes?? Lol.”

Channing, who was recently crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive, is taking a break from acting to focus on behind-the-scenes projects.

“Channing is so excited for the baby,” a friend of the couple told Us Weekly. ”He's been wanting this a long time.”

Next up: Busy Philipps looks fab on the SAG Awards

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Busy Philipps at SAG Awards

Busy Philipps

Cougar Town star Busy Philipps looked glamorous showing off her baby bump in a long gown during the 2013 SAG Awards. Philipps, who is expecting her second child, wore a Gabriella Candela gown with a fab statement necklace.

”It was hard to decide which way to go. Do you hide the bump, do you show it off?' she told E! News. ”I went with show it off! I embraced it!”

Philipps is due in June and already is a mom to a daughter named Birdie. She announced her second pregnancy by tweeting a photo of her positive pregnancy test!

”I love Twitter because…it’s your voice, it’s instant access to your fans and your friends,” she said. ”I thought that there is no better way. I didn’t want people to think that I was just getting chubby. I was excited to share the news.”

From Kate Middleton to Kim Kardashian, check out more pregnancy celebrities here>>

All photos WENN unless otherwise noted

Baby names for your future football star

$
0
0
If you have visions of your baby boy being a football stud , then you will love our football-inspired baby names. From cool names from NFL stars to boy names we think would look pretty darn good on the back of a football jersey, get ready to score a touchdown with our sporty baby names.

Football baby

We have our fantasy football list of baby names together! Who made the team?

How to find a cool football-inspired baby name

Some of our favorite players are not only amazing on the field, but they often have a cool name that catches our attention. For example, Robert Lee Griffin III sounds like pretty cool name, but his nickname of RG3 is awesome. For you own great nickname, consider naming your child initial names, such as J.J. or T.J., or you can pass down a name and give him a II or III title.

Whether you are a fan of Tim Tebow or not, it is hard to deny that his name catches your attention because his first and last name start with the same letter. Use our advanced baby name search to look for names by a starting letter.

You can also consider virtue names which describe a characteristic, such as NFL player Champ Bailey. Names like Lucky or Ace are also good options.

If you have a long last name, such as Ben Roethlisberger, a short first name is a good choice to help even out the name.

Names that would look good on a football jersey

Need some inspiration? The following baby names are for those parents who want a name that sounds unique both on and off the field. We guarantee that these rockin’ names will look great on the back of a football jersey. Ready, set... hut!

All-American sports stars

If you are more a fan of the All-American sports star names, such as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, perhaps these cool, classic names will be the perfect match for you.

Perhaps the names of actual NFL superstars will help inspire you baby name choice?

Boy names with football-inspired meanings

You can also find a sporty boy name by searching for names with football-inspired meanings. Here are some of our favorite picks of names that mean strong, fast or quick:
  • Bo: Hebrew name meaning strong and fast
  • Celonio: Latin name meaning fast
  • Gati: Hindi name meaning speed, fast
  • Gatik: Hindi name meaning speed, fast
  • Felix: Spanish name meaning lucky

Still haven't found the perfect football-inspired boy name? Perhaps our list of tough baby names will be just what you are searching for >>

Tell us

What is your favorite football-inspired baby name?


More baby name ideas

Baby names dads will love
All-American boy names
Baby boy names with serious swagger

Famous February birthday baby names

$
0
0
Which famous celebrities have birthdays in the month of February? Whether you are expecting a baby in this romantic month — or celebrate a birthday yourself in February, find out if you share a birthday with Steve Jobs, Rihanna, Elizabeth Taylor — or former U.S. presidents George Washington or Abe Lincoln.
Baby holding a heart

February celebrity baby names

Which famous celebrities have birthdays in the month of February? Whether you are expecting a baby in this romantic month — or celebrate a birthday yourself in February, find out if you share a birthday with Steve Jobs, Rihanna, Elizabeth Taylor — or former U.S. Presidents George Washington or Abe Lincoln.

It is always fun to find out who your baby will share a birthday with — and perhaps their birthday buddy will have a name that will also inspire you. Cool baby names inspired by famous February birthdays include Lincoln , Rihanna and Axl .

Here are the celebrities who celebrate their birthdays this month. Click on the names to find out the meaning and origin of the name.

Feb. 1

Feb. 2

Feb. 3

Feb. 4

Feb. 5

Feb. 6

  • 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan
  • Babe Ruth
  • Bob Marley
  • Axl Rose

Feb. 7

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

Feb. 10

Feb. 11

Feb. 12

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 15

Feb. 16

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

Feb. 19

  • Smokey Robinson
  • Haylie Duff
  • Seal

Feb. 20

Feb. 21

Feb. 22

Feb. 23

Feb. 24

Feb. 25

Feb. 26

Feb. 27

Feb. 28

Feb. 29

More names

February horoscopes and holidays

If you were born between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18, you are an Aquarius. If you were born between Feb. 19 and March 20, you are a Pisces. The most popular holiday in February is Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. Groundhog Day is celebrated on Feb. 2, while the Chinese New Year is celebrated on Feb. 10. The next Leap Year, which is on Feb. 29, is not until 2016.

More baby names

Famous January birthday baby names
Naming Cupid: Valentine's Day baby names
Best and worst celebrity baby names

Naming Cupid: Valentine's Day baby names

$
0
0
Valentine’s Day symbolizes love and romance and if you are expecting a baby in the month of February you will adore our Cupid-inspired names for boys and girls.
Valentine baby

Romantic and sweet baby names

Valentine's Day symbolizes love and romance and if you are expecting a baby in the month of February , you will adore our Cupid-inspired names for boys and girls.

February is the month of romance and love, and our Valentine's Day inspired baby names are perfect for baby boys and baby girlsborn in this lovely month. Or if your baby was conceived in this sexy month or you are a sucker for romance, let love carry you away with these fun and unique names.

Valentine's Day inspired baby names

The name Valentine would make a cute and unique name for your baby girl, as would Valentina. Love would make a beautiful first or middle name, such as Jennifer Love Hewitt. Heart and Cupid are also unique names for romantic parents. Beyonce named her daughter Blue Ivy and Alicia Silverstone named her son Bear Blu -- so why not give your child a colorful name such as Red or Pink?

Virtue names, such as Romance, Hope, Grace or Faith, are also romantic and beautiful names. Your Valentine baby boy can be given the cool names of Valentino, Val or Hart.

Get more romantic baby name ideas here>>

Baby Names that mean "love"

These baby names are not only romantic, but they actually mean "love!" These unique baby names will always be close to your heart.

Get more baby boy name ideas here >>

Romantic destinations

There are locations that are traditionally thought of as romantic, such as Paris, Venice, London and Maui -- all of which would make great names. You can also think about what locations are romantic to you, such as a first date or honeymoon. For example, Victoria Beckham named her son Brooklyn because she was in New York when she found out she was pregnant.

Check out more names inspired by romantic destinations:

  • Ireland
  • York
  • Lanai
  • Tahiti

Names of romantic couples

Why not be inspired by some of the most romantic couples that graced the silver screen?

Also check out: Unique names from classic books>>

Names that sound romantic

Perhaps it is the elegant and sophisticated sound of these names, but there is something about longer names that gives them a lovely and romantic feel to them. These classic names could be just the right name for your Valentine's Day baby.

More baby name ideas

50 Pretty baby girl names
Namingi Picasso: Artistic baby names
Preppy baby names

The infertile library

$
0
0
Throughout my infertility journey I have learned so much about myself. One of the most important discoveries is to be my own advocate through education. With each new test or term I don’t understand, I not only ask my RE , but I also turn to the library, bookstore and the internet.

Education is the best way to become proactive and empowered and in doing so, you'll know you're doing all you can to beat infertility. These 10 books will answer questions you may have and inspire you.

After being in the trenches of infertility for close to three years, I have read countless blogs, books, journals and studies on all things infertility. I'm always searching for the next puzzle piece, the next cure-all, the next answer. I love reading moving memoirs of heartache and ultimate success and devour books on Eastern philosophy and healing from the inside out.

I believe these 10 books should be on every infertile couple's bookshelf.

Resolving Infertility

Resolving Infertility

Written by a former executive director of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, Resolving Infertility , by Diane Aronson and Suzanne Levert not only covers the medical issues, but the emotional, financial and legal issues surrounding infertility.

Inconceivable

Inconceivable

Inconceivable: A Woman's Triumph over Despair and Statistics , by Julia Indichova is the story of one woman's triumphant, albeit heartbreaking, story of overcoming infertility. Even when five reproductive endocrinologists told her she wouldn't get pregnant, she didn't give up hope.

Conquering Infertility

Conquering Infertility

Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility is a book about keeping it all together, when sperm and egg stubbornly and inexplicably remain apart, offering advice on coping with infertility in a more positive way.

Preventing Miscarriage

Preventing Miscarriage

In Preventing Miscarriage: The Good News , Dr. Jonathan Scher provides the latest medical information on preventing recurrent miscarriages. You'll also read accounts from women who have experienced the heartbreak of miscarriage several times over.

The Infertility Cure

The Infertility Cure

Another must-read for couples dealing with infertility is The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies by Randine Lewis, Ph.D. A licensed acupuncturist and herbalist shares hopeful and practical advice on healing yourself naturally.

Waiting for Daisy

Waiting for Daisy

Waiting For Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother , by Peggy Orenstein takes a very honest look at the challenges one woman faced while maintaining a refreshing wit.

To Full Term

To Full Term

To Full Term: A Mother's Triumph Over Miscarriage , by Darci Klein is another wonderful book for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage or is facing infertility. After years of disappointment and despair, this moving memoir is of a woman's fight to bring her fifth pregnancy to full term after several losses.

Budgeting for Infertility

Budgeting for Infertility

Infertility treatments can be very costly and Budgeting for Infertility: How to Bring Home a Baby Without Breaking the Bank , by Evelina Weidman Sterling serves as a wonderful reference tool and must-have for anyone who has looked at a statement from their RE glossy-eyed and confused.

The Infertility Cleanse

The Infertility Cleanse

After each failed cycle, I go on a major detox, clearing my system of all harsh chemicals. The Infertility Cleanse: Detox, Diet and Dharma for Fertility , by Tami Quinn and Beth Heller has been instrumental in that process providing a step-by-step guideline for better eating, exercise and overall health.

What He Can Expect

What He Can Expect When She's Not Expecting

Most books on infertility are targeted toward women; this one is for the men that are right there alongside us. What He Can Expect When She's Not Expecting: How to Support Your Wife, Save Your Marriage, and Conquer Infertility! , by Marc Sedaka makes a considerate gift for your husband or partner.

Without a doubt, communication is crucial to good healthcare, especially when dealing with infertility. When people take an active role in their care, research shows they fare better — in satisfaction and in how well treatments work. A passive patient is less likely to get well or reach their desired results. In an ever-changing field, the more you know, the better.

More on infertility references

5 Books for infertile couples
Best infertility blogs
The TTC dictionary: Conception and fertility terms and definitions

Lovely baby names

$
0
0
Are you looking for a lovely baby name for your baby girl or baby boy? We have rounded up our picks of the prettiest baby names, such as Eloise, and cool baby boy names, such as Oliver, that you are sure to hold close to your heart.

Lovely baby

Finding the perfect baby name for your baby girl or baby boy is an emotional decision. Many parents are looking for names that are unique, yet not too weird or out there — which is why these lovely baby names are the perfect pick.

Oldies but goodies

One great way to find a lovely baby name is to consider oldies but goodies. Look at your family tree or ask you grandmother about family names from the past that you could pass down to your child. We also love the following baby girl names:

For boys, we love these cool, classic names:

Freshly picked names from nature

Let the beauty of nature inspire you when naming your baby! From floral names to animal names and even cool constellation names, here are some of top picks for girls:

Here are our top picks for boys:

The trendiest baby names

For those trendsetting parents who want the hottest baby name on the playground, this list is for you! India is one of the trendiest baby names of the year. This lovely baby name is a favorite of celebrity moms including Sarah McLachlan, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman and Thor star Chris Hemsworth.

For boys, Camden is one of the hottest names, with both Kristin Cavallari and Vanessa Lachey choosing this cool name.

Destination names are another trendy choice and they all have a lovely ring to them. Reese Witherspoon named her son Tennessee; while Girls star Jemima Kirke named her son Memphis. Shakira got in on the trend when she named her son Milan, as did Alicia Keys when she named her son Egypt. Brooklyn is another trendy name that would great for both boys and girls. You can also consider romantic destinations such as Paris, London or Rome.

Beautiful exotic names

For a worldly flair, you should consider an exotic and beautiful sounding baby name. You can search for names by origin— or consider some of our top picks:

Tell us

What is your favorite lovely baby name?

More baby names

50 Pretty baby girl names
Baby boy names with serious swagger
Magical baby names from fairy tales


Celeb bump day: Penelope Cruz, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Evan Rachel Wood

$
0
0
Happy Wednesday Hump Day — also known to us as Celebrity Baby Bump Day! We spotted a newly pregnant Penelope Cruz looking adorable with her son Leo, while pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum showed off her envious maternity style. Pregnant Evan Rachel Wood, Holly Madison and Busy Philipps round out our list of cute pregnant celebrities of the week.

Pregnant Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and son Leo

Penelope Cruz

Actress Penelope Cruz and her husband, actor Javier Bardem, are expecting their second child together! The 38-year-old actress was spotted covering up her midsection in a jacket as she and Bardem took their 2-year-old son Leo to a marine theme park in Madrid.

Cruz is reportedly around three months pregnant — and, wouldn’t you know it, her sister Monica Cruz is also pregnant!

“From the first second, you feel so much in love. It is a revolutionary experience. That's the best way I can describe it. It transforms you completely, in a second,” she told The Mirror about having kids.

Don’t expect to see a photo spread of the couple’s baby in any gossip magazines, as the actress says she likes her privacy.

“I'm 100 percent against that. Children aren't a handbag. I want my son and my kids — if I have more — to grow up in a way that is as anonymous as possible,” she said. ”The fact that his father and I have chosen to do the work we do doesn't give anybody the right to invade our privacy.”

Next up: Jenna Dewan-Tatum stripes her baby bump!

{pageBreak}

Pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

Channing Tatum’s pregnant wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum looked casually chic as she was spotted furniture shopping at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. We love Jenna's maternity style— and she looked adorbs in a striped maxi dress paired with a cropped denim jacket and flats.

Speaking of Channing, he recently told People.com that he is working hard to keep Jenna happy during her pregnancy.

“Oh man, I'm not even getting into what I do to pamper Jenna. I'm doing anything that she asks for,“ he said. “She jokes to me all the time by saying, ’If I feel good, then the baby feels good or if I'm happy, then the baby is happy.’ And I'm like, ’That is such an urban myth. You're just saying that to get me to do everything for you.’“

“I know it's probably true, but I like to joke about it and she hates it,“ he continues. “I'll go to the store to pick up shakes or give her 1,000 foot rubs. A foot rub now through the nine months if I have to, just to keep her happy and comfortable.“

Say it with me... lucky girl!

Next up: Evan Rachel Wood is pregnant in plaid

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop - Celebrity Mom and Baby News

 {pageBreak}

Pregnant Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood

Actress Evan Rachel Wood dressed her baby bump in plaid as she was spotted heading home after promoting her new movie, The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. Wood, 25, and her husband Jamie Bell are expecting their first child together.

Wood gave the standard Hollywood response when asked about her pregnancy: “I’m over the moon.”

“Motherhood is my dream and my husband is always the one I wanted to do it with,” she told Access Hollywood. “So, I’m very happy!”

Wood, who was once engaged to Marilyn Manson, is due with her child later this year.

Next up: Holly Madison’s floral baby shower dress

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Scoop - Celebrity Mom and Baby News

 {pageBreak}

Pregnant Holly Madison

Holly Madison

Holly Madison wore a floral dress paired with a pink jacket to her baby shower at the Meatball Spot in Las Vegas last Saturday. Madison, who is due in early March with her baby girl, was joined by her boyfriend Pasquale Rotella and 25 of her close friends.

The “Valentine’s Day” themed shower featured pink tulips on the tables, pink heart-shaped balloons — and meatballs, of course.

Guests sipped on alcohol-free drinks called “The Holly Go-Lightly” and were asked to donate gifts to Baby2Baby charity instead of bringing Holly gifts.

“I’ve been depending heavily on stretchy Roberto Cavalli dresses for evening looks lately. Most people probably think prints are a no-no during pregnancy, but I figure I’m going to look like a beach ball no matter what so I might as well have fun with it!” she recently wrote on her blog.

Next up: Pregnant Busy Philipps spotted shopping at Target

 {pageBreak}

Pregnant Busy Philipps

Busy Philipps

Pregnant Busy Philipps wore a printed maxi dress and flats as she stocked up on kid items at the Target in West Hollywood. The Cougar Town actress, who has a daughter named Birdie, is expecting her second child later this year.

Philipps may dress down for Target, but she looked amazing on the red carpet at the SAG Awards in a bump-hugging gown.

“It was hard to decide which way to go. Do you hide the bump, do you show it off?“ she told reporters at the awards show. “I went with show it off! I embraced it!“

She recently said that her daughter Birdie is excited for a sibling. “My daughter is very excited… it’s actually something that she has asked for quite some time,” she told People... “My husband and I were on the fence about whether or not we were going to add to our family, but now that we’re on our road, we’re really excited.”

From pregnant Kate Middleton to Kim Kardashian, check out more pregnant celebrity photos here>>

Photos: WENN unless noted otherwise

Fantasy-inspired baby names

$
0
0
Looking for a baby name that's a little on the geeky side? Try baby boy names and baby girl names inspired by fantasy literature, movies and television.

Fantasy baby names

The key to giving your baby a name inspired by fantasy stories, mythology and literature is to avoid the pitfall of names that are so out there they seem totally made up. Before you slap a bunch of vowels and consonants together, check out our guide to fantasy baby names. From Azrael to Zeus, here are names that will get your imagination soaring.

Baby names inspired by mythology

If you want to give your baby a name that calls to mind wisdom and power, look no further than the names of the gods of mythology. But remember, the gods had complicated lives. They were the reality TV stars of ancient times. Before you choose a mythological name, make sure you’re certain you want to name your child after an infamous trickster or a goddess of lust.

Baby names inspired by fantasy literature

Whether you were a lit major or a big time reader, you may want to choose a baby name from the pages of your all-time favorite stories. These literature-inspired baby names remind us of grand adventures and tales of magic. From epic sorcerers to daring women, the characters who first wore these names are namesakes any kid would love.

Find baby boy names with serious swagger>>

Baby names inspired by fantasy films, TV and games

Maybe you’re more into classic fantasy films than epic novels. These fantasy names from beloved entertainment call to mind battles, wizardry and adventure. Fantasy names are a little bit nerdy without being totally alienating. Just remember, by the time your little one grows up, the movies and games you loved may have been forgotten or worse, remade.

Discover cool and exotic girl names>>

Tips for choosing a fantasy name

When you’re choosing a fantasy name for your child, make sure people will know how to pronounce it. Try not to choose a name that’s spelled so obtusely that your child will spend the rest of his or her life patiently explaining how it’s spelled. Try pairing an unusual fantasy name with a classic middle name, or pair a popular first name with a fantasy middle name. In the end, be prepared for a kid who grows up preppy and uses a nickname so no one will know his parents were huge nerds.

More baby names

Retro baby names
Search for baby names by decade
Old fashioned baby names: Classic and cultured

Spiritual girl baby names

$
0
0
Spiritual girl baby names have taken off as a popular name trend. In today’s fast-paced world, many parents are looking to reconnect with their faith and their basic values — starting with a spiritual baby name. Check out our list of spiritual names, including biblical names, virtue names and celebrity spiritual names that are perfect for your baby girl.
Baby at Christening

Spiritual girl baby names have taken off as a popular name trend. In today’s fast-paced world, many parents are looking to reconnect with their faith and their basic values — starting with a spiritual baby name.

Faithful girl names

Check out our list of spiritual names, including biblical names, virtue names and celebrity spiritual names that are perfect for your baby girl.

Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or practice another faith, spiritual baby names can be as specific or as general  as you'd like. Some parents let the meaning of the name guide their choice, while others choose baby names based on a saint or person in the Bible or other sacred text.

Biblical baby names

Biblical girl names were way up in the charts on the Social Security Administration's Top 100 Baby Names list. The name Nevaeh, which is Heaven spelled backwards, is moving up the list and is currently at #35! Here are some are biblical girl name ideas to consider:

Get more biblical girl name ideas here!>>

Celebrity spiritual girl names

Trendsetting celebrities have been naming their celebu-tots spiritual names to honor their faith — and because they like unique names. Some celebrities even have their own spiritual names. Here are some of our top picks:

  • Aisha: Name of Stevie Wonder's daughter. Aisha was the Prophet Muhammad's last wife.
  • Lourdes: Madonna named her daughter after the place where a young shepherdess had a vision of Mary.
  • Honor and Haven: Actress Jessica Alba named her daughters these spiritual names.
  • Assisi: Daughter of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Named after the birthplace of St. Francis, patron saint of animals.
  • Faith: Singer Faith Hill has this beautiful virtue name.
  • Sistine: Sylvester Stallone's daughter is named after the famous chapel whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo.
  • Uma: Actress Uma Thurman is named after a Hindu goddess.
  • Seraphina: Actress Jennifer Garner and her husband Ben Affleck named their daughter this Hebrew name.
  • Heavenly Joy: Daughter of music producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and wife Joy Enriquez.
  • Helena Grace: Daughter of Gossip Girl's Kelly Rutherford and Daniel Giersch.
  • Heaven Rain: Brooke Burke named her daughter this spiritual name.

Love celebrity baby names? Check out our list of the top celebrity girl names here>>

Virtue baby names

Virtue baby names describe a particular spiritual quality. These names were very popular in the 1600s among Puritans, who commonly named their children Deliverance and Repentance. For more mainstream yet unique and spiritual baby name options, check out this list of virtue girl names:

Baby names that mean 'spiritual'

Are you looking for a literal translation of a spiritual name? Chinmayi is a baby girl name that means "spiritual joy" and "extreme happiness" in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India.

We also love these baby names with spiritual meanings:

  • Batya: Hebrew girl name meaning "daughter of God"
  • Celestiel: French girl name meaning "heavenly"
  • Celeste: French name meaning "heavenly"
  • Angelique: French girl name meaning "like an angel"
  • Angela: Spanish girl name meaning "angel"
  • Gwyneth: Welsh name meaning "blessed"

More baby name ideas

Baby girl names with great meanings
Miracle baby names
50 Pretty baby girl names

The shrinking American family

$
0
0
A recent article published by the Pew Research Center explores the declining birth rate in the U.S. What does this mean for our country’s future and why are parents shying away from having more kids?
New parents with baby

A recent article published by the Pew Research Center explores the declining birth rate in the U.S. What does this mean for our country’s future and why are parents shying away from having more kids?

Our diets could be causing a baby bust

Families aren’t what they used to be. Sure, the drama may still be the same but the number of kids has definitely changed. There are a number of reasons for our declining birth rate, including, perhaps surprisingly, our diets.

What’s on your plate?

The declining U.S. birth rate may redefine the American family in the very near future. A recent Pew study suggests that the declining birth rate may be due, in part, to the economic conditions of our country, but diet may be a less obvious cause. "I believe that the reason for the declining birth rate in the U.S. is largely due to the increased infertility rates particularly amongst well-educated Caucasian women," says Adrienne Hew, a certified nutritionist based in New Jersey. "Many, if not most educated women in the U.S., follow strict low-fat or vegetarian diets, making them prone to infertility due to an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone."

Read more about infertility: Is your thyroid to blame?>>

Unintended birth control

Millions of American women intentionally take oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy but millions more may be unknowingly preventing pregnancy with the foods they eat. Popular low-fat and vegetarian diets could be doing more than expected. "Animal fats are necessary for proper hormone production," says Hew. "This imbalance is further exacerbated by the high soy consumption in this country. This includes soy fed to animals, leaving behind high concentrations of phytoestrogens in meat, eggs and milk. In this way, soybeans work as a birth control pill."

Ask yourself: Is soy making you sick?>>

Generational theme

Like today’s birth rates, today’s child-bearing generation is much different from that of the past. Changing definitions of family and shifting priorities may very well contribute to the shrinking family phenomenon. "For others who choose not to have children, it may indeed be that they don't want to ‘grow up’," says Hew. "Compared to past generations, many adult Americans enjoy the freedoms of not having children and may be consciously choosing not to have children so that they can save more money and enjoy more freedoms."

Discover the 5 signs he's never going to grow up>>

Change your diet

If you think your diet may be contributing to infertility and want to make a change, Hew suggests the following action items:

  • Stop all soy products, even organic — Soy is a potent source of phytoestrogens, which throws off your hormone balance. It works very much like a birth control pill. Soy is also one of the most allergenic substances on the planet with almost 300 entries on the FDA’s poisonous plant database.
  • Increase animal foods and animal fats. Cholesterol is vital for sex hormone production in both you and your mate. It is not found in the plant world.
  • Remove all Genetically Engineered Organisms from the diet. GEOs are a very well known cause of infertility. GEO plants are not even able to reproduce from their own seeds. Primary sources of GEOs are soy, canola, corn, cotton and Hawaiian papaya.
  • Identify food allergies and yeast syndrome. Remove those allergens, while building up your gut through careful eradication of excess yeasts and restoring healthy gut flora. All allergies and yeast problems go back to faulty digestion typically caused by diet.

Read more about fertility

Chiropractic care for fertility
What are fertility foods?
Protect your fertility

Birth disappointment: When things don’t go as planned

$
0
0
The main goal of a pregnancy and birth experience is a healthy baby, right? Of course, but you cannot discount a mom's feelings when she suffers from disappointment, bonding issues and depression when a childbirth experience doesn’t go as planned, or complications arise. We talk to experts as well as moms who have experienced birth disappointment.
Newborn baby and mom at hospital

Working toward peace

The main goal of a pregnancy and birth experience is a healthy baby, right? Of course, but you cannot discount a mom's feelings when she suffers from disappointment, bonding issues and depression when a childbirth experience doesn’t go as planned, or complications arise.

We talk to experts as well as moms who have experienced birth disappointment.

You spent time before you had your baby carefully constructing a birth plan — or at least you counted on having an uncomplicated vaginal birth. Sometimes, a birth doesn’t go according to plan — your home birth gets transferred to a hospital, or your desire for few interventions becomes a surgical birth. Postpartum depression can spring forth from a disappointing birth experience, as well as impaired bonding with the baby and problems breastfeeding. What can moms do to help prevent — and treat — birth disappointment and postpartum depression?

Keep an open mind

Birth plans are wonderful, but experts caution against getting 100 percent attached to them. “While I don’t think birth plans, in and of themselves, are bad things, parents need to be educated on the reality that most births do not go exactly the way that they are pictured in their minds,” explained Crystal Clancy, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with pregnant women and new parents struggling with postpartum difficulties, and associate director of Pregnancy and Postpartum Support MN.

Your feelings are valid

Negative feelings are just as valid as positive ones — it’s very important to not let others dismiss how you’re feeling. “Feelings are feelings, and they are all OK,” said Crystal. “Many people, women especially, feel guilty or shameful about their feelings.”

Time may help

You might find that time helps heal the disappointment, as Carrie, mom of three girls, experienced.

"I was very disappointed
afterward and felt
like a failure for a
long time."

She had a C-section with her first baby despite wishing and planning for a natural, unmedicated hospital birth. “I was very disappointed afterward and felt like a failure for a long time,” she shared. “I even had a hard time bonding with my baby for a few weeks and failed at breastfeeding. I dwelled on the disappointment.” Her second and third babies also arrived via C-section, but each time her disappointment was less. “[The third] time I mentally prepared myself that that's how her birth would happen,” she said. “Her birth went well and I had a good recovery.”

Seek help

If your birth didn’t go as planned and you’re having trouble dealing with it — or feel you’re developing postpartum depression — don’t hesitate to seek help. Your obstetrician or midwife can point you in the right direction. “I aim to give moms a space to express their feelings and help them see that their feelings do not make them a bad mom, person, wife, woman… and that they need to honor those emotions,” shared Crystal.

What to say

If you’re feeling blue about a birth experience gone bad, and all you hear is, “All that matters is that you have a healthy baby,” is there anything you can say to let these well-meaning folks understand that your feelings matter too? Yes, said Crystal. “An example response would be something like, ‘I am glad I have a healthy baby, however, I am still allowed to have these feelings and need to work through them.’ And if they can’t say those words to the person, how they can make sure to say them to themselves so that they don’t turn it inward as guilt or shame.”

More on postpartum depression

When postpartum depression needs treatment
Symptoms of postpartum depression
How to prepare for postpartum depression

Viewing all 1267 articles
Browse latest View live