Nine Months of Knowledge
It takes this many weeks—give or take a craving—for a full-term pregnancy to run its course
What is 40 weeks?
This pain management technique involves the injection of medication into the spine to block pain during labour
What is an epidural?
This essential piece of furniture is where baby safely sleeps, ideally on their back
What is a crib?
This parenting style involves hovering just a little too closely over your child's every move
What is helicopter parenting?
Most babies begin doing this around 4-6 months, often while lying on their tummy
What is rolling over?
This doctor specializes in pregnancy and delivery
What is an obstetrician?
When baby’s about to make their grand entrance and the opening needs a little extra room, this procedure makes a strategic incision
What is an episiotomy?
It's soft, absorbent, and your laundry basket will be full of them after every feeding
What is a burp cloth?
This common phase involves toddlers testing their independence by asserting themselves—whether that means “no” to snacks or full-on tantrums
What is the terrible twos?
Somewhere between 6-10 months babies begin doing this movement, often backwards before forwards
What is crawling?
This mighty little nutrient is a neural tube’s best friend and can be found hiding in leafy greens and fortified cereal
What is folic acid?
The medical term in which the baby's buttocks or feet are positioned to come out first during delivery
What is breech?
This cozy item helps a newborn feel snug and secure, mimicking the womb
What is a swaddle?
This technique involves offering praise or rewards to encourage positive behaviour in children
What is positive reinforcement?
Pediatricians often check if a baby can do this by 12 months, it’s a major motor milestone (that leads to walking)
What is pulling up to stand?
It’s not a fancy spa treatment—it’s the fluid that cushions baby, delivers nutrients, and keeps things flowing in the womb
What is amniotic fluid?
The softening and thinning of the cervix that occurs in preparation for labour
What is cervical effacement?
Not a torture device, despite the name—it helps babies learn to self-soothe and gives parents a few minutes of peace
What is a sleep training sound machine?
This term refers to the practice of encouraging children to do things on their own, even if it means they make mistakes along the way
What is fostering independence?
Babies sometimes exhibit this behaviour at around 7-9 months when they realize mom isn't in the vicinity
What is separation anxiety?
If your shoes stop fitting and your rings won’t budge, you might be experiencing this oh-so-fun third trimester symptom
What is edema?
This is the head-first position everyone hopes for when it's showtime—the ideal direction for baby to come out of the womb
What is cephalic presentation?
This often-forgotten but life-saving product helps avoid midnight sprints to the pharmacy when baby gets stuffy
What is a nasal aspirator or snot sucker?
This term is used to describe parents who provide their children with too much freedom and avoid imposing rules or discipline
What is permissive parenting?
Around 9-12 months, babies develop this important social milestone, when they realize mom and dad still exist even when out of sight
What is object permanence?