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Your baby: week 12

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Over the hump
Are things feeling a little easier to manage these days? Experts often refer to the first three months after birth as the “fourth trimester” because you are completely focused on postpartum recovery and straight-up baby care, while your newborn is getting used to life outside of the womb. But there’s something about the three-month mark that feels a little like the sun breaking through the clouds — many parents have gotten into the groove of feeding, changing, talking, and playing with their baby, and finally feel like they know what they're doing. Mostly, anyway.

Urinary incontinence (you’re not alone!)
Did you know that one in every three women experiences urinary incontinence? And three-quarters of the time, giving birth is to blame. Incontinence means that if you start laughing or coughing hard, sneeze, jump up and down or go out running, you're liable to accidentally pee. For most women it’s a mild problem, and the solution is Kegel exercises — lots of them. So before you resign yourself to a lifetime of stifling your sneezes, here’s what you should know.

Tips from the trenches
“I found that folding a receiving blanket into a wide “belt,” warming it in a microwave for 20 seconds, then wrapping around baby's waist, was amazing to relieve gas pain.” — Ashley, mom of one

Good Question: I know tummy time is important, but my baby just hates it. What should I do?
Not only does tummy time prevent a flattened head (which can happen when babies spend too much time on their backs or in car seats), but it helps your baby develop the strength and skills he will need for crawling, walking and using his hands. But your baby doesn’t care about those things! If he doesn’t like tummy time, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to take place on the floor. These other tummy time techniques will help you both enjoy the experience.

Baby-proofing, round one
Your baby is a long way from crawling, but still, the days of him staying where you put him are numbered. That means it's time to tackle baby-proofing your home. The best way to start is to get down on the floor right at your baby's level and take a good look around. Is there a web of electrical cords in reach? Does Fido leave clumps of dog hair that he might choke on?

Baby-proofing your domestic universe is an ongoing process. It's your challenge to stay one step ahead of him, so that he can explore safely.