Breaking Binky, Sensory Issues and 'Mother Rage'

We're experimenting with a second newsletter here at NYT Parenting — a roundup of recent advice and personal stories from our site. This week, we have guides to baby proofing your home, ditching the pacifier and avoiding plastics as well as help understanding Sensory Processing Disorder, and a surprising look at the evolution of human weaning practices. Plus, in our debut "Ask NYT Parenting" column, Christina Caron gets expert guidance on a question most of us have: "I Use My Phone for Everything. Is That Harming My Kids?"

We also want to make sure you don't miss the stories readers are talking about on our Instagram, like Minna Dubin's essay about "mother rage." "It can change you, providing access to parts of yourself you didn't even know you had," she writes.

Find links to these stories and a Tiny Victory below. (We'd never send a newsletter without a Tiny Victory at the end.) And, we'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Is it useful? What else would you like to see? Drop us a line here.

Thanks for reading!

— Jessica Grose, lead editor, NYT Parenting

Pete Gamlen

Yes, You Absolutely Need to Baby Proof

It can help prevent many childhood injuries.

Where to start.

Alex Citrin

What's a 'Normal' Amount of Time to Breastfeed?

Clues from our evolutionary past can help explain why we wean and when.

Get the history.

Getty Images

Breaking Binky: How to Ditch the Pacifier

There are ways to make a not-so-fun process smoother.

Read our guide.

Ori Toor

Sensory Processing Disorder is Not Just Being 'Picky'

Children who are deemed 'sensitive' might be struggling with a treatable condition.

What to look for.

Getty Images

Plastics Families Should Avoid

If it seems like plastic is everywhere, that's because it is.

How to limit your exposure.

Nicole Ruggiero

I Use My Phone for Everything. Is That Harming My Kids?

We asked you to send us your most pressing questions about parenting in the digital age.

Get this week's answer.

via Minna Dubin

The Rage Mothers Don't Talk About

"Motherhood is relentless provocation! And yet we are expected to be saintly and patient, to lovingly hold and care for our babies, even at their most challenging."

Read the essay.

Tiny victories

Parenting can be a grind. Let's celebrate the tiny victories.

My willful, bed-wetting toddler daughter was enraged when I brought home plain overnight Pull-ups for her to wear to bed one night, but then I remembered her penchant for arts and crafts and said, "Oh, you're supposed to use markers on these and decorate them yourself!" She got out the markers, got to work, and I gave myself a Mommy Gold Star for the day.

— Jenn McKee, Farmington, Mich.

If you want a chance to get your Tiny Victory published, find us on Instagram @NYTparenting; email us; or enter your Tiny Victory at the bottom of this page. Include your full name and location. Tiny Victories may be edited for clarity and style. Your name, location and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. By submitting to us, you agree that you have read, understand and accept the Reader Submission Terms in relation to all of the content and other information you send to us.