This summer, get your baby and toddler style cues from some of the most fashionable tots!

Do you get style direction for your tot from celebrity kids?

Plus, more from The Bump:

15 Cutest Baby Swimsuits

How to Buy: Baby Clothes

Adorable Baby Clothes

The latest research reported in the medical journal BMJ Open and conducted in the U.K. found that parents who co-slept with their children are five times more likely to have a baby die of SIDS compared to other babies left in their cribs.

In the past, specialists and scientists have made steps to try and revise official guidance on co-sleeping and cot death, to recommend that parents should never let their children sleep in bed beside them (currently, only the Netherlands and the US advise against bed-sharing until baby is at least three months old).

Led by Professor Bob Carpenter of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the findings of the study are significant because they relate to babies under three months whose parents are thought to be at low-risk for their newborn dying because they do not smoke and the mother does not drink alcohol and does not take illicit substances (factors which are all associated with SIDS).

The research shows that about half of parents sleep with their baby occasionally or regularly (either deliberately slept with baby or because they unintentionally fell asleep beside them). Researchers found that cot death caused about 2,000 deaths a year but recent changes in behavior (especially in parents putting their child to sleep on their back), have seen fatalities fall to just 287 a year across the U.K in 2010. Only about half of those deaths occurred, Carpenter said, in cases when parents and baby were sharing a bed.

Throughout the study, Carpenter and his team of researchers looked at the results of five previous SIDS studies which involved 1,472 cases of cot death and 4,679 normal babies. From the study, researchers concluded that 81 percent of cot deaths among babies under three months whose parents did not exhibit the normal risk factors associated with SIDS could be avoided if parents always ensured their child was sleeping separately from them. They found that doing so could prevent about 130 of the U.K.’s annual toll of sudden infant deaths.

Carpenter said that, “Bringing a baby into bed temporarily to feed or comfort it is acceptable, but only if it is put back into its cot immediately afterwards.”

Currently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents not to place their infants to sleep in adult beds, affirming that the practice puts babies at risk of suffocation and strangulation. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the practice of room-sharing with parents without bed-sharing, stating that room-sharing is a way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Within the United States, parents who do co-sleep feel that it strengthens their bonds with baby and is a natural way to breastfeed throughout the night.

Do you think that the U.S. guidelines on co-sleeping are safest for baby?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Decrease Baby’s Risk of SIDs

Myths and Truths About Co-Sleeping

Co-Sleeping With Baby?

Kate Middleton Shows Off Growing Bump in Adorable Yellow Coat — Us Weekly

Beyonce Shares Photos of Blue Ivy Carter on Tour — CelebrityBabyScoop

Mom Spent More Than $25k on Her 8-Year-Old’s Clothes — MSN Living

10 Patriotic Crafts You Can Do Before Memorial Day — POPSUGAR Moms

Check Out Hilaria Baldin’s Bump at Cannes — CelebrityBabyScoop

Safest Sunscreens for You (and Baby!) — POPSUGAR Moms

Malin Akerman Says Her Postbaby Body Has ‘Cellulite’ — Us Weekly

Mom Arrested After Leaving Baby Locked in Hot Car — MSN Living

The very pregnant Kim Kardashian set sail for Paris (she called it her “final trip” before she can’t fly anymore via Twitter) with mama Kris Jenner in tow. The girls, sans Kim’s boyfriend, Kanye West, took in the sights and sounds around the darling city. But just because the reality TV star was abroad didn’t mean there wasn’t any time for shopping — or stocking up on baby items! She said on her personal blog that she and her mom “were doing some baby shopping and checking on our place here before heading to LA for a while.” So what exactly did the mama-to-be scoop up on her trip?

Looks like our girl Kim was in full on nesting mode. The duo reportedly stumbled into Ovale, a high-end baby boutique in Paris that’s specifically known for its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on baby’s gender (and on leaking news to the press). The boutique specializes in gender-neutral clothing — lots of whites, ivories and creams! — and only fitting, it comes with a high price-tag.

Kim eyed Ovale’s chic selection of mini silvery jewelry (again, no hints as to whether it’s gems for baby boy or baby girl West) and this plush, oversized and handmade teddy bear. Not that I’m at all against the white decor, but here’s hoping Kim has a heavy duty washer! Babies are not known for their clean habits — just their cute ones!

Here’s the teddy that Kim was reportedly eying:

And it’ll be absolutely perfect for the many mornings, afternoons and pre-bedtime play occasions that Kim, Yeezy and Kimbryo will have together! Hope Kim specifically ordered it right then and there, because it looks like the item has since sold out on the boutique’s online store.

Are you surprised Kim is nesting?

Plus, more from The Bump:

What Do You Think of Kim Kardashian’s Over-the-Top Baby Shower Invitations?

The 13 Most Confusing Things Kim Kardashian Has Said About Her Pregnancy So Far

What Will Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Baby Look Like?

LaNisa Allen was a new mom, trying to juggle nursing (and likely sleep deprivation, and postpartum recovery) with her job at Totes/Isotoner Corporation in Ohio. Her four-month-old son, Travian, ate every three hours, which meant that in order to keep her supply up, she needed to take frequent pumping breaks from her manual labor position. Unfortunately, her employer was only willing to offer her a single pumping break, five hours into her shift. By that point, she was engorged, leaking and in pain. When LaNisa began taking extra breaks, to pump for 15 minutes here and there in the bathroom, she was fired.

Plenty of pregnant women plan on breastfeeding their child throughout their first year of life. Why not? It’s free, it’s portable, it helps you drop the baby weight and there’s no bottle warmer required.

According to a recent Michigan State University study, half of affluent women who plan to nurse for a year are successful in meeting their goal. Now compare that with the 1.8 percent of low-income women like LaNisa who are able to say the same. The reason? Mostly, it’s a case of a lack of resources to help these new moms tackle the breastfeeding obstacles that come their way. When money is tight, dialing up a lactation consultant might not feel like a feasible option; it’s hard to pump at a job where you are earning $8 an hour… or when a $300 pump is out of the question altogether.

That’s why I was so excited to hear about this new Get One, Give One partnership between theBoppy Company and the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a national nonprofit organization that helps improve the lives of low-income, first-time moms — many of whom are teen moms – and their babies. I am absolutely in love with this idea. A nursing pillow is more than just some cotton filled with stuffing — it’s comfort, encouragement, intimacy, nourishment and dedication. Formula babies get all of these from their moms too, of course, but formula costs between $1400 and $2800 per year; for a low-income mother, breastfeeding a child could be the difference between being able to comfortably shop for groceries one week versus needing to scrape by. Breastfed kids are also less likely to be obese as adults, be diagnosed with allergies, leukemia or diabetes, or die from SIDS, leading to further health savings.

Our daughter nursed for 13 months — I would have loved to go longer but some personal medical issues got in the way — and it was one of the most meaningful and enjoyable experiences of my life. (Yup, I was that mom.) My husband and I are fortunate to be in a position where we could have afforded formula if we needed it, but were lucky enough that my milk came in, our baby latched well and my job as a freelance writer offered me the flexibility needed to make it work. In my opinion, anything that helps remove roadblocks to nursing is a winnerand this program qualifies.

Summer’s just about here, so Kyler and family celebrated his first birthday with a few preppy sea creature friends!

Birthday Kid: Kyler, age 1

Party Details: Argyle accents, an octopus and whales… oh my! Kyler’s mom decked out his birthday fete with this modern twist on the traditional ocean theme. Though she’s not a professional baker, this mama got creative and made her own cake-topping whale out of fondant!

Where to Buy: Party supplies: Party Pail

Got a fabulous fete you’d like to submit to us? Check out our submission guidelines here!

Plus, more from The Bump:

August’s Amazing Animal Cupcakes

Georgia’s Floral Fantasy Party

Gorgeous Rapunzel Cake

We finally gave my twins their first solid food: avocado. They were 26 weeks and three days old — at the time it felt like my sweet little babies are growing up so fast. Since then, we’ve progressed and have been giving them some vegetables and fruit or meat once or twice a day. At first, we gave them the vegetables lightly boiled, no salt added and cut into long strips or “finger” shapes, giving them a good handle for the babies to grip.

My twins are now nearly eight months old and have never eaten a puree, or anything off a spoon. Instead, they enjoy feeding themselves a variety of foods that I make for my husband and myself, including green beans, eggplant, butternut squash, bananas, roasted chicken. Baby-led weaning describes the process of letting babies self-feed from the very beginning.

There is a whole range of methods, but the main steps each method has in common are that:

1. Baby decides the pace — no force feeding!

2. Baby gets to eat “real” food, as long as it is cooked healthfully with little (or no) salt added.

The main reason our family subscribes to the BLW method is because it made sense for us. We were on an exclusively breast-fed, nursing on-demand schedule — as natural and as baby lead as it gets. Every time I would have any down time, I tried to read about introducing solids — the purees, the timetables, and making sure that the babies would eat correct amount of teaspoons then increasing the amount over time… but I was just so overwhelmed by the process of it all.

Additionally, I wasn’t trying to wean my babies off breastfeeding completely. Instead, my goal was to simply introduce a new experience for them and let them play with the new textures and flavors. Sure, it gets a bit messy and they are still playing more than actually eating, but we are slowly getting a routine down.

It is a little bittersweet, since the days of exclusive breastfeeding are done. But, so far so good — even if it is a little sad for me. I will let my twins set the pace for their eating as long as they continue to thrive and judging by their chunky thighs and chubby cheeks, they are doing just fine!

How did you start introducing solids into baby’s diet?

Plus, more from The Bump:

When to Start Baby on Solids?

New Study Says Your Baby Is Starting on Solids Too Soon

Safest Solids for Baby?

It’s easy to make excuses for why we don’t exercise. Especially as new mothers, the daunting tasks of finding a sitter or fitting a class into a busy schedule make it seem too difficult and not worth the hassle. But there are several exercises you can do with your baby, right on your living room floor. Once you learn how to incorporate your baby into your exercise, a half an hour of playtime is transformed into an effective workout,\ and before you know it you will be making big advances toward your fitness goals. (Score!)

Try these four fun exercises, excerpted from Baby Weight, to give you a feel for it:

Do you find time to exercise with baby?

Plus, more from The Bump:

25 Things to Do With Baby

Mommy and Child Exercise DVDs

10-Minute Workouts While Baby Naps

As our girl’s due date draws nearer and nearer, it’s no surprise to see that Kate Middleton has started nesting! The Duchess was spotted a few weeks ago shopping for decor for her home with Prince William. But lately, rumor has it that the Duchess of Cambridge has been taking cooking classes from the newest royal housekeeper, Antonella Fresolone. Before joining Kate and Will’s staff, Antonella worked at Buckingham Palace (where she was well-know for her Italian cooking) but now, she’s got a new home with the Prince and his leading lady.

Currently, it seems that Antonella has her hands full teaching Kate the lay of the kitchen land — and apparently she’s teaching the mama-to-be how to whip up “a number of new dishes.” While I love that Kate’s in the kitchen cooking up a storm,  in just a few months Kate’s attention will be directed elsewhere — you know, to the very royal arrival of her very royal baby. Since her cooking might take a back seat while she and Will adjust to love with a plus one (will it be a boy? A girl? Y’all, the anticipation is killing me!), it’ll be good for Kate to know that there’s a whole laundry list of recipes she can cook ahead of time and freeze before baby arrives! Even on the occasions that said royal baby is snoozing through dinner (or if he’s eating!), Kate and Will won’t have to forage for food — they’ll have it ready to go, right in their freezer.

So Kate, if you’re listening, squirreling away some precooked meals in your freezer before baby arrives will cut down on some of the stress (and take-out!) during your first weeks as a parent. (Not like we’re worried about you running up the tab on the royal bill, but still, it’s nice to know you’re eating a meal you’ve prepared. Less wait time, too!) After a sleep-deprived night and exhausting day of tending to baby’s every need, you’ll feel like you hit gold when you open the freezer and see it stocked with delicious, homemade, heat-and-eat meals. Soups, stews, casseroles, lasagna, and pasta sauces are best for freezing. Dishes like turkey chili, lasagna, baked pasta with mushrooms, beef casserole and squash soup make great dinner dishes, as well as double batches of household favorites like: marinara sauce, macaroni and cheese, bean and cheese enchiladas, and even freezing grilled chicken works wonders! You can just add them to whatever you’re cooking and boom, protein provided! Since Kate’s latest reported craving was for curry, we recommend scoping out a few Thai-inspired meals that mama-to-be can also made ahead. Many of the sauces can be made in bulk, just the same way double batches of marinara go.

Meals can be stored in the freezer for up to three months before they spoil or before flavors are affected.

We’re getting up close and personal with mothers who are savvy innovators and businesswomen and finding out their secrets to success. This time, we got the scoop from Romy Taormina, co-founder and chief of nausea relieve for Psi Bands.

The Bump: Romy, what inspired you to start Psi Bands?

Romy Taormina: I suffered from terrible morning sickness during my pregnancies, and I found nausea relief using acupressure wrist bands. But I was dissatisfied with existing products on the market. They were drab and uncomfortable. So I hatched the idea for Psi Bands, a drug-free, stylish and functional alternative for nausea relief. They’re available in several fun designs; uniquely adjustable at two areas (around the wrist like a watch and at the acupressure point for personalized comfort and fit); waterproof; reusable; and affordable.

TB: What are your top three pieces of advice for women looking to start their own business?

RT: 1) Don’t let fear or doubt get the best of you. 2) Stay true to yourself and your business. 3) The only way to score is to take a shot.

TB: What has been your biggest challenge? Biggest joy?

RT: Our biggest challenge has been cash flow. We have turned away business because of it. This past fall, we secured a line of credit which allowed us to move forward with a national rollout.

There have been many joys. Some of my favorites include: seeing our product on the retail shelf for the first time; landing key national accounts; having a feature in O, the Oprah Magazine; winning the Huggies MomInspired Award; and getting an offsite office, which allows me to better separate between work and family time than my former home office did.

TB: Looking back, is there anything you’d do differently?

RT: Yes, I’ve made my share of mistakes. But those mistakes were learning opportunities. I think Jessica Herrin of Stella and Dot said it well: “You have to fail your way to success.”

TB: What has been the most rewarding aspect of starting your own business?

RT: Bringing a product to market that makes a measurable improvement in the lives of those who suffer from nausea is, by far, the most rewarding part of my business. It is also fulfilling to know that I’m a role model for my children. I’ve shown them that hard work results in tangible positive outcomes. I take pride in financially supporting my family, and in providing meaningful jobs for others.

TB: What inside scoop do you have that entrepreneurs never tell you about starting a business?

RT: Running a business is like raising a child in that there are no books or resources out there that will completely prepare you for the experience. There are road maps, but until you’ve done it, you haven’t done it. And, no two experiences are alike. Because we can’t live life fully prepared, we sometimes just have to jump in with two feet and take the plunge. Sometimes it’s best just not to know what lies ahead. So, if you have a great idea that has legs — you’ve researched the marketplace and determined that there’s a need for it — and have the resources, drive and courage to turn that idea into a reality, then go for it!

TB: What’s a typical day in your life like?

RT: Go, go, go. Just like every mom I know! I’m fully immersed in what I do, whether I’m at home or at the office. Because I love what I do, I remain steadfast in my commitments, even during the hurdles. Those are the truest tests.

TB: Would you say that being a mother makes you a better businesswoman?

RT: Yes! Moms have an understanding that the only thing you can truly count on is change. It’s about the journey. Savor it.

TB: What’s the best part about having your own business?

RT: I’m invested 100 percent — emotionally, physically and financially — in my business. My husband and I have reversed roles — he’s now a stay-at-home dad and I’m the sole financial provider for my family. I have a responsibility not only to my employees and business partner to make this business a success, but I have the large responsibility to provide for my family. As one might imagine, there are aspects of this that are rewarding and some that are, at times, stressful. Working for myself definitely provides flexibility, and for that I am most grateful.

TB: Is there anything new and exciting you’re working on that you’d like to share?

RT: By June 2013, Psi Bands will be rolled out into all 7,500 CVS Pharmacy locations in the nation, which brings our total US retail store count to more than 13,000 locations, including Rite Aid, Babies “R” Us, Whole Foods, REI and more. We’re also  working on a new additional unisex design for Psi Bands which we will release within the next few months.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Finding Work-Life Balance

The Truth About Being a Working Mom

Advice for Morning Sickness