where I put my journalism degree to work and devour the latest parenting magazines so you don’t have to!
Fit Pregnancy presents Mom & Baby
Fall 2008/Winter 2009, $4.95
Cover: Mom and baby – yawn. “Survival skills for new moms” – what exactly are they referring to? The ability to burp a baby while making dinner and washing clothes? Being able to pee with an infant on your lap?
Useful advice:
- On page 38, it tells you the basics on how to pump at work. Trust me, I did it for two weeks and still couldn’t tell you the best way to do it. It’s just awkward all the way around.
- “Be a Baby-Care pro” on page 81 gives good tips most parents don’t think about until the little one comes home. For example, it teaches the five “S’s” to soothing a crying baby: Swaddle her, place her on her side or stomach, swing her back and forth, shush in her ear or let her suck on a pacifer or a finger.
Worthwhile articles:
- Um, the…article on…wait a minute, I know there has to be one article in here that’s worth your time…Hmm. Just read the pumping at work one that I mentioned above.
Skip it:
- “7 days, 7 ways” is supposed to be about seven stylish pieces for the “fourth trimester.” I took one look at the clothes and thought to myself, “Have these chicks ever been pregnant? Do they not remember what the post partum period is like?” Why, for instance, are they urging you to buy a pair of $200 jeans? Regular jeans. Don’t they know that you still wear your maternity jeans because your regular ones won’t fit for a while? Then they want you to go out and drop $200? I.don’t.think.so.
Rating: 2.5 pacifers out of 4
1 pacifer – skip it entirely
2 pacifers – browse it at the bookstore or library
3 pacifers – keep some articles for reference later
4 pacifers – Good job, magazine editors. Darn good job.
Are young moms represented? No. Not at all. So keeping visiting me! 
Do you have this issue? Agree with my review? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!
I love your editorials!!! Especially the pacificer ratings. So cute and creative
Looking good while pregnant equals feeling good. Wear fashionable maternity clothes and feel great for nine months and beyond http://www.newmommyteesandjeans.com
I have skipped the whole “baby magazine” thing for a while. Possibly because my baby is 5 or possibly because as you pointed out, I just can’t relate to a lot of the information. I mean, either their advice isn’t a good fit for my lifestyle or they say things that I already know.
Cool review. Keep em’ coming.
Exactly why I too skip “Mommy & Baby” magazine altogether. Recycled ideas aren’t worth my time. Once in a while, I peruse a few in my local bookstore, but that too is short lived. Good thing young Mommies like you and I do this thing, because we’d all be looking around wondering who the hell gets us?!? Thanks for posting this!!
@Ms. Bar B and Execumama – These mags are so weird. You’d swear they were written by men or something. It’s useful information, sure, but for women who are totally clueless about motherhood. Anyone who read at least one book or talked to at least one mom would know most of this stuff.
I want to see them be a little more “real” and a little less “corporate.” By that I mean, deal with the real issues of motherhood. Tell me how to make it through the first week of motherhood (when you’re getting absolutely NO SLEEP and you’re still recovering) with at least half my sanity, tell me how to deal with a munchkin who refuses to be put down or he will let out an ear-piercing wail. Tell me how to get in a shower everyday, or how to avoid the “saggy belly” that happens after childbirth. Be real. Be honest. It’s all I ask…
Love love love the rating system!