Being pregnant can be stressful enough without worrying all the time about things like “can I bake with poppy seeds?” Or “can I drink tea with peppermint?” Recently I had a caller tell me that “it seems like every time I turn around, there is something else that either I should not cook with or drink in a tea during pregnancy. What about when I am breastfeeding? Help!” As a specialist who answers questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, I hear these kinds of questions all …
The Baby Blog
About Our Baby Blog
Every person wants to know what’s best for their baby, especially when it comes to knowing how to minimize exposure risks. Our relatable stories are packed with practical information from our rotating staff of MotherToBaby expert bloggers. Whatever topic you’re looking for, our blogs will provide you a great foundation to learn more.
To Boost or Not to Boost, That is the Question
Morgan called late Friday afternoon with a question about COVID-19 booster shots. She shared that she was 37 weeks along and had received both shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine back in February, at the very beginning of her pregnancy. Morgan wanted to do what was best to protect her baby, and asked if she qualified for the booster shot that was now available. As a Teratogen Information Specialist at MotherToBaby California, COVID-19 vaccine questions are my number one inquiry right now. …
Using E-cigarettes to Quit Smoking during Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
I recently received a phone call from Molly. Molly told me that she had just found out that she was pregnant; this was a surprise, but a welcome one. However, Molly confessed that she smokes a pack of cigarettes per day and her doctor recommends that she quit smoking since cigarettes can present a number of hazards for her pregnancy and baby. Molly’s friend told her that e-cigarettes were safe in pregnancy and would help Molly with her efforts to reduce use of traditional …
What’s the Skinny on Skin Care?
“What products can I use on my skin during pregnancy and breastfeeding?” As a MotherToBaby information specialist answering our texting service, every day I get questions about any type of product you can think of that can be applied to your skin! Anything from itching and antibiotic creams, vitamin C products, essential oils, homeopathic creams and gels, acne products, to cosmetics and skin care products. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can be stressful times, and since we always want what is best …
Botox & Baby: What We Know about The Risks during Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
There are a variety of uses for botulinum toxin, marketed as Botox, that include both cosmetic procedures and treatment for some medical conditions. The experts at MotherToBaby get questions about the safety of being injected with Botox during pregnancy and breastfeeding. While more studies are still needed, we can answer some of your questions with helpful information as you decide whether or not you feel comfortable using it. What is Botox? Botox and Botox Cosmetic are used by …

