Best of the Web

12.04.09 Hits of the week

• Cute alert: The trailer is out for an upcoming documentary called Babies, which follows one year in the life of fives babies in different countries.

• A new study finds that phthalates may shorten a woman's pregnancy. Experts have been urging moms-to-be for years to avoid these chemicals, which are listed in our Toxic Top 10.

• A tragic accident this week in which breastfeeding mom smothers her baby while on a United flight. It's caused quite a buzz, but experts are warning that breastfeeding shouldn't be blamed for this unfortunate incident. Nursing your baby is one of the most natural of all human interactions, but it does take knowledge and practice. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding to help you along the way.

• A woman in Minnesota gave birth to a 15-pound baby. There seems to be a rash of big baby stories in the news lately ... remember the "big baby" who was denied health insurance?

• Newborns don't need much gear, except a few must-have items like these. To help you figure out what's essential and what can wait, check out our Absolute Basics checklists for your baby's first year.
   
•  Your man might be telling the truth: New study finds most dads don't hear babies crying while asleep. If your guy is about to become a first-time dad, he might enjoy hearing some advice from those who have been there, done that: other dads.
   
• The newest rage in maternity trends: baby planners. If you don't have the cash to hire one, use our Registry Checklist to help you as you cruise the baby store aisles.

Maria Vega is Fit Pregnancy magazine's copy editor.