Pampers, the largest brand of disposable baby diapers in the world, has celebrated the launch of its Best pampers ever “Pampers Premium Care” .To make this occasion extra special, Pampers would never thought of more valuable gift to present to the Egyptian moms than Heidi Murkoff, the International renowned author of “What To Expect” book series.
During her first pregnancy, she discovered that most books only added to her questions and worries. Determined to write a guide that would help expectant parents sleep better at night, Heidi delivered the proposal for What to Expect just hours before delivering her daughter, Emma. She teamed up with medical writer Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway, BSN, to write what has been called the pregnancy bible, with 17 million copies in print.
In fact, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” was named one of the 25 most influential books of the last 25 years by USA Today. Read by 93% of expectant mothers and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. It has been translated into over 40 languages and has remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over 440 weeks.
Heidi went on to write an entire bookshelf of titles dedicated to helping parents learn what to expect. The What to Expect series, which has sold more than 32 million copies, includes What to Expect the First Year, What to Expect the Toddler Years, the What to Expect Pregnancy Organizer, the What to Expect Pregnancy Planner, the What to Expect Babysitter’s Handbook, and What to Expect: Eating Well When You’re Expecting. Her latest book What to Expect Before You’re Expecting is a step-by-step guide to making a baby, from prepping for conception to overcoming fertility bumps. She’s also written nine What to Expect books for children, designed to hold their hands as they venture off to face life’s first experiences. The What to Expect Kids series includes What to Expect When Mommy’s Having a Baby, What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home, What to Expect When You Go To The Doctor, What to Expect At Preschool and a lot more
We met with Heidi for a little chat on what did she expect through her journey of motherhood and writing her amazing books.
What were your major worries when you were pregnant with Emma?
It would be hard to narrow down, I had so many. Let’s see, I didn’t find out I was pregnant until six weeks plus (it was an oops pregnancy…as in, got married, three months later, oops…I was pregnant). So by that time I had already done a few things to stress me out, like have drinking coffee (and cocktails), taking a hormone to bring on my period (which was apparently late for a very good reason), not eating well, and more. Then there the four days in a row when I didn’t feel Emma kick, the fact that I never got morning sickness, the belly flop I did on a busy NYC sidewalk at eight months. You name it I worried about it.
How did working on those books help you with raising your own kids?
Well, since my kids were sort of always one step behind. I was pregnant and a new mom without the benefit of WTE. That said, being a mom has helped me write my books, in fact I couldn’t have written the books without that experience. You have to have walked a mile in a pregnant woman’s shoes to know that they don’t fit because her feet are swollen! I’ve literally been there, done that, lived to tell about it, lived to write about it. We moms get each other.
What would you say is the number one concern for pregnant women?
Every mom and dad wants the healthiest baby possible. But let’s face it; there are plenty of other things on her mind, like how do I keep my weight gain on target? How do I manage to eat vegetables when I’m feeling green? Why does my mouth taste like metal? What’s with that gas? And of course, will I be a good mom (the answer: yes!)
How did you put together the medical team?
There’s a medical advisor on each book, to cross this medical t’s and dot those eyes. The books are meticulously researched, but then the medical advisor reads the manuscript over to vet it. The doctors are top academics in their specialties and great guys!
Raising a teenager is as hard as raising a kid. Did you ever consider publishing a book regarding teenagers?
Probably the most asked for book – but no, think I will stick to the little ones. Meantime, I just tell parents to use the same advice and strategies I give for toddlers. There is a reason they call toddler the first adolescence…it’s the first time you glimpse negativity, temper tantrums, power struggles, ambivalence about separating, but not the last. And the same strategies work, too – pick your battles, keep your sense of humor, offer some choice, set limits, love unconditionally, even when behavior makes it difficult. Essentially toddlers and teens are the same creature, except one of them is bigger than you, and has keys to the car!
Gearing up to make a baby? Already pregnant? Almost ready to meet your precious new arrival?
Try these 3-Heidi tested tips to develop healthier babies:
Tip-Top Tips for Sending your Baby off to Dreamland.
Try rocking, swaying or patting him gently on the back.
Sleeping in a bassinet, cradle or baby carriage offers your baby a cozier, more contained space to settle in to.
Swaddling your baby with a blanket will offer him an extra dose of comfort and security.
The right kind of background noise like the hum of a fan or some soft music might do the trick.
It’s better to dim the lights and create a dark sleep-inducing atmosphere.
Tip-Top Tips for Soothing a Fussy Baby.
Swaddling soothes your baby because it creates a womb-like feeling.
Nonnutritive sucking calm your baby’s nerves. Help your baby find his thumb, fist or finger; pacifiers can also do the trick.
Wearing your baby and walking around is a great way to sooth him. While he is enjoying the feeling of closeness and rhythm of your steps, your hands remain free for multitasking.
Tip-Top Tips for Bottle Feeding Baby with Love.
Stay in close contact: the physical connection and eye-to-eye contact are linked to optimum brain development.
Take it slow: let your baby take her time and truly enjoy the pleasure of sucking and cuddling.
Don’t prop the bottle: Propping your baby up with her bottle while you tackle the dishes is not a good idea. It increases the risk of choking, ear infections and tooth decay.
Switch it up: help your baby see the world from a different perspective by switching arms halfway through her feeding.
