Breastfeeding for Beginners

By: Lisa Ebbing

Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful and most natural things you, as a women, can do, yet no one really tells you of the struggles ahead. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions and while many are glorious, it really helps to talk about the issues on breastfeeding with other women, so you are prepared and ready for this exciting and challenging time ahead.

As a business owner I have struggled with balancing working and breastfeeding but I am very pleased to have been able to successfully breastfeed all three of my beautiful daughters. However, I also totally appreciate how hard it can be with issues ranging from a lack of milk supply, to incorrect positioning, sore nipples, flat nipples and mastitis to name a few. Yet the benefits of breastfeeding are so important. Not only are you providing your baby the perfect mix of nutrients but you are also sharing the antibodies of your own immune system with your baby, who as yet has none of their own, thus helping them to stay healthy and strong and giving them the best start possible.

With my first child I definitely found it the hardest. We had to go home from hospital on the day my daughter Aria was born, due to the crowded hospital situation, something I was happy about initially as I was so tired and I just wanted peace and quiet. But without that expert help to ensure I was putting my baby on the breast properly, things quickly deteriorated. I didn't really have any idea about whether I was meant to feed from one breast then the other, or was it just from one side per feed, and then swap at the next feed. Every book had a different answer. Then my breasts hurt so much, it got to the stage I would cry if my husband would tell me my baby needed to feed. The pain of her latching on was so horrible, and the after pains were so intense I felt like I was in labour all over again. Day four was the day I wanted to give up, it was ten o'clock at night and I had to send my husband out to get those plastic nipple protectors just to get through the next feed. To be honest, I don't really think they helped me physically, but mentally they did help me get through that night, and the next day it was a little bit better, then the next a little more. It actually took six weeks for it to stop hurting completely, which sounds like an eternity, but time passes quickly.

Choosing the right breastfeeding bra is important too, not only for fit but also for 'feel-good factor!'. Spoiling oneself with sexy new lingerie can really brighten a woman's day and can actually give you more confidence and a more positive outlook; all essential in this complex time in your life. But sexiness aside, a good breastfeeding bra has specific requirements too. Look for a bra that :

* Fits well and offers support while still allowing room to move
* Has cotton lining which allows the breast tissue to breathe and
*One without a harsh seam running across the nipple (yeow!)
* Also strongly recommended is a soft cup bra as an underwire can apply too much pressure to the milk ducts, therefore further increasing the risk of problems arising.

I now have three beautiful daughters and I was fortunate to be able to breastfeed them all. Second and third time around was so much easier. I won't say it was all smooth sailing, but it really was a great deal easier and this gave me the time to really enjoy the experience and the wonderful closeness it creates with you and your child. I actually found it quite hard to stop with my third child as it was just such a wonderful bond.

The main advice I would offer to people is simply to ask for help. Ask the nurse or midwife to come and check out how you are positioning your baby etc. People are there to help, we just need not be afraid to ask. As rewarding it can be, breastfeeding can also be a tough time in your life, but not one you need to go through alone.

Having a Successful Twin Pregancy

By Robyn Painter

Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.

Adjusting to the Idea of Twins You just were told the greatest news that you're bringing two beautiful little angels into the world. How exciting! This will be a big adjustment for you and your partner. Start doing your research. I can not stress this enough. You will need all the information you can get on twin pregnancy and childcare for this is very different than just your normal pregnancy. Prepare yourself and your partner (or the person that will be helping you out) with the daily stresses of money, worries and fears of having twins. To help you in this area you will definitely want to build a support system. This can include family and friends of course, as well as neighbors, parents of a Twin Parent Organization, teenagers willing to baby sit, or a nanny. You get the idea. You will need all the help you can get with daily activities such as bathing or errand running.

Mothers of many twins including myself will suggest to you to do as much organizing and planning as you can before you new babies arrive. That takes you back to all that research I told you to do in the beginning by getting on the internet where you can find lots and lots of information to help you along the way. Don't forget to also get one on one feedback from your doctors and other mothers of twins who can teach you from their experience. Also, start those parenting classes early because your babies might come a little early.

The Risk of Prematurity Along with the miracle of twins comes a price. I'm not going to run you down with a bunch of statistics but the risk of prematurity is a lot higher in twin and multiple births than with singletons as we call them. The bigger the babies get, the less room there is inside which will force them to want to come out.

The most important aspect to keep those babies healthy and get them fully developed before this happens is good nutrition. Start good nutrition early on. Double the intake of your proteins, carbs, and fats. What you need in a normal pregnancy, double or triple (if pregnant with triplets). To ensure the longest time in your womb, it is highly recommended to reduce your activities after 20 weeks. Drink water, water and drink more water. This can keep your uterus from contracting and going into early labor. Stay hydrated. Your goal is to keep your babies in the womb as long as you can.

Having twins is a once in a lifetime miracle so don't take it for granted. God has blessed you twice over and it is your job to be a great mother and father to your two little angels. To ensure the best possible pregnancy get the proper education, planning and await their arrival. You will learn so much along the way as well. It is a stressful job being parents of twins or multiples but it is very rewarding.

Robyn Painter is experienced in pregnancy and childcare having written many articles and blogs on the subject. If you would like more advice, readings and inspiration just click on the link provided http://robynpainter.blogspot.com

What is the better choice of the toys for a baby in the period of 6-9 months old?

By: Angela Minster

It is always a challenge to find a proper and useful toy for your child. On the one hand a toy must be useful for the baby’s development, on the other- it must be harmless. To select a correct toy for the baby you know some of his or her peculiarities of thinking and behaviour at stages of his or her development. Let us help you to discover the interesting and beautiful world of baby toys for your child from the ages of 3-6 months old.

In the period of 6-9 month the agility of your baby develops and becomes more complicated. He or she is grabbling freely and even tries to stand up onto two legs. Simultaneously small hand mobility develops: little one tries not just to grip the object in his palm, but also take it with his or her fingers.

Formerly a baby got acquainted with his or her surrounding objects occasionally, now their actions are purposeful. Liberalisation of the little person’s horizon will depend on adults. It is a serious thing for you to show your baby how to play with various toys: how to bang a little drum, how to play the small piano and press the keys, how to handle and ring the ball. At this age babies still chew and play with the rattles and tweeters, but they are also interested in more compound toys like little cars and books with bright pictures (note, always buy books with thick cardboard for small children!).

This age is a special period of time for the parents. Expression “being all eyes” more precisely describes the given situation. Some parents try to restrain the moving activity of their children from considerations of safety or not having enough time to look after them. But you must protect your child only against that is really dangerous to them. Children must learn out from their mistakes.

At the 9 months old the child understands that he or she can play with two toys simultaneously. For example, if they beat one toy on another, a sound will appear (tinkling, rattling) and the child likes these kind of sounds. Now they can play with bricks and pyramidions. In the beginning the child will smash and destroy the built houses and castles, but with time he or she will try to build them on their own. There are special meccanos of flexible plastic for 7-9 month old babies. As a rule, these are open-ended rings, which are linked easily together (though children like to nibble them).

By now a child can play simple games with the adults like “clapping palms”, “cuckoo”, and “let’s fly” etc. Ask your baby to find this or that toy, asking “Where is the rabbit?” If your child does not understand or finds a difficulty in finding the toy, help him “See, the rabbit is here!”
Attention!

1) Toys must not be broken or cracked easily; these contain fine details, which can get into child’s mouth or nose.
2) Plush toys are given to the child only in case if they are easily cleaned.
3) When the child begins to open the surrounding world in his or her room, cover the sharp corners of the furniture with something soft, close up plug sockets, and clear the wires away from the floor.
4) When entering your child’s room, dear parents, do not forget that your child might be standing behind the door.
5) Look carefully after your child and what he or she plays with. Among their “toys” can be not only the safe Mother’s slipper, but crackling plastic sachet (your child certainly will want to try it on).

Any baby store can offer you a wide range of toys, but, dear parents please see carefully what toys you buy your little one, as not all are good and safe for them.

http://www.1stbabyshop.com © 2007 First Baby Shop.

An Introduction to Baby Car Seats

By: Simone Butler

Becoming a parent for the first time involves a huge amount of learning, as there are hundreds of things involved which childless people will have had no reason to come across before, nor had any incentive to learn about. When you first learn of the impending new arrival, your thoughts will probably be taken up with decorating and equipping a nursery, buying clothes, bottles, and much more, but many people don't think of a baby car seat until later on in the pregnancy. It's very important to make sure you know what to look for in a seat, as after all, you'll need one on your baby's very first journey, from the hospital back to home.

For this first journey, you'll need a seat which faces towards the rear of your vehicle. This provides the best protection in the event of an impact for an infant who is unable yet to support the weight of their own head. The seat will be nicely reclined backwards, providing a safe and comfortable coccoon for your baby.

It's important to choose a rear-facing seat which is sturdy and dependable, yet light to carry. Young babies sleep a little and often, and the last thing you want to do after finally getting your child to sleep in a car journey is to wake them by removing them from their warm and cosy seat. Having an easily detachable model which is light to carry means you can ferry your baby from car to house with as little disturbance as possible.

These rear facing seats are only suitable for younger infants. Once they've grown to weigh around 20 pounds, or the top of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat and thus no longer protected properly, you'll need to move to a forward facing seat.

These seats are much more upright, but better models can be adjusted to provide a more horizontal position to help your toddler sleep during longer journeys. Because of the upright position, it's essential that your child is able to sit up on their own before using this kind of seat. Forward facing seats are built to last for a fair few years, and most will be good until your child reaches the age of 4 or 6.

Before we finish, there are two extremely important things to bear in mind when buying a car seat.

Firstly, you should be very careful when buying one that isn't brand new. Although it might seem like an economy to get a second hand seat, there's no way of knowing for sure its history. It may have been involved in an accident at some point in the past, resulting in weaknessess that may not be visible to the naked eye. These weaknesses could endanger your baby even in a minor accident. You should only buy a used seat when you can be absolutely sure of the history - such as when buying off close friends or family.

Finally, baby car seats shouldn't be fitted in front seats where an airbag is fitted. In an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious injury or suffocation to a child, so always fit car seats in the rear of the vehicle in this case.

Simone writes for http://www.nappiesfromhell.co.uk/ which is a guide for new parents, covering a range of subjects on coping with your new arrival

Thoughts On Choosing The Right Baby Toy

By: andy2007

Choosing the right baby toy at the toy store
Babies learn a lot through play. Although it may seem like they cannot do a lot they develop fast -- and the toys they play with can have a specific effect on how they develop. So, when visiting a toy store to find a toy for a baby keep an eye out for toys that will help here. If in doubt, have a chat with the parents first to see what toys the baby already has and what they like to play with.

Popular baby toys
There are a lot of choices in the baby toy sector. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:
Playmats/Activity centres -- babies can lie safely and comfortably on these mats and explore them. Some mats come with an arch from which toys can be hung and some come with special areas that make noises or that feel different to stimulate their senses.
Mobiles -- mobiles help a baby learn how to focus as they look at them. Some are electronic and can play music which can also be useful when getting them to sleep.
Bath toys -- there are all kinds of toys that a baby can play with in the bath from individual animals/characters through to play-sets that encourage them to construct and pour as they get older.
Rattles -- babies love rattles and noisy toys which are good from a hearing perspective and also help them learn how to hold.
Teethers -- teethers aren’t just a useful aid to teething, they can make noises and help with motor skills
Soft books -- it’s never too early to introduce a child to books and soft books can be given from an early age. Babies enjoy looking at the pictures and can also learn about touch through the different textures.
Musical toys -- musical toys and music can help babies sleep and can also help them learn about problem solving as they work out how to make noises on the toys.
Push/Pull toys -- as babies get older and more active a push/pull toy will help them develop physically.
Stacking/sorting toys -- as babies become more mobile they will enjoy stacking, building (and knocking down!).
Walkers -- walkers can help babies develop the skills they need to walk. Some walkers double up as brick cases and ride-ons which can also be useful.

Safety and age restrictions

When buying baby toys it’s recommended that the toy should match the age of the child (toys should show this on a label) and that it meets all necessary safety requirements. Age restrictions on toys for babies are there for a purpose -- many toys for older children use small parts that a baby could choke on or may have hard parts that could hurt them.

From a safety perspective look for a BSI Kite Mark, a Lion Mark or a rating of CE or EN. These ratings show that the toy has passed tests and is considered to be suitable for use by a baby of the specified age.

Conclusion

Like adults, babies have their own preferences when it comes to the toys they play with. To make sure that the toy will suit the baby check with the parents first who will be able to give guidelines on what is suitable, what the baby likes and what the baby needs.

Go With The Flow-How To Survive The First Year Of Motherhood

The First Year of Motherhood is a happy and joyous time filled with exciting events you will always remember. It can also however, be a stressful time filled with life altering events. Having a new baby inevitably changes your life. If you don't learn to go with the flow you may very well start to question your sanity!

A person who is very organized and schedule oriented will often become overwhelmed by the life changes that take place after the birth of their new baby. Gone are the days of perfect routines and smoothly running schedules. The first year of motherhood is instead replaced by random feedings and diaper. This is when you suddenly have to stop, breathe and learn to go with the flow. It is the time to realize that things will get done when they get done. If your baby is a fussy sleeper through the night, and your starting to greatly resemble the walking dead, stop, slow down and take a nap when your baby takes a nap-even if its 2:00 in the afternoon.

Children will always require care, but during your first year of motherhood you will devote almost all of your time to constantly caring for them. If you don't learn to roll with the punches, you will surely loose your mind! Do not let yourself fret over that stack of dishes in the sink because your baby is fussy and wants to be held. Those dishes aren't going anywhere and will be there when you get to them. The easiest way to go with the flow is to learn to maximize your time. Just do a little bit here and there whenever you have the chance. Do not overwhelm yourself with trying to get everything done at once. Break your chores into small tasks. This will give you a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a chore. You may not get all of the laundry done in one day, but if you get just one load washed and dried, well then, you've accomplished something! If you can learn to get just a little bit at a time done, while the baby is napping or playing, you will be able to get more accomplished with a great deal less stress.

Learning how to go with the flow with your daily schedule can take some adjusting but it can be done! Don't set a concrete schedule. Instead, make your plans tentative. Obviously there are some things, such as doctor's appointments, that must be kept on time. However, many of the other tasks you perform can easily be switched around. Once you start to realize that life does not have to run on a die-hard schedule, you will more easily be able to enjoy your time with your baby and save yourself a great deal of stress.

The most important thing for new moms to remember is that the first year of motherhood will only happen once. The experiences that you have in the first year of motherhood will be memories that you will cherish forever. Learn to go with the flow so you can remember your first year of motherhood with happy memories and not as stress overload!

DON'T Do This If You Have A Baby! Here Are 18 Practical Tips

By: BabyCareSecrets.com

(1) Don't let your baby nap or sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. It could cause tooth decay.

(2) Don't let your baby fall asleep with a pacifier because she may wake up and start crying if it falls out.

(3) Don't keep loose objects in the back seat of the car when baby is in the car seat. Sudden stops may cause objects to fall on the baby.

(4) Don't heat bottles in the microwave because the milk could get too hot and burn your baby.

(5) Don't forget to make time for a romantic rendezvous with your husband after the new baby comes.

(6) Don't feel pressured to finish housework - caring for your newborn is top priority.

(7) Don't feed your baby with honey - it can cause health problems.

(8) Don't dress your baby in any clothing that has strings or loose ties because these could cause strangulation.

(9) Don't give your infant any small, hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn or raisins.

(10) Don't use pressure gates at the top of stairs because your baby could lean against it, push it over and go tumbling.

(11) Don't take your baby out of the car seat to breastfeed, even for a few minutes, while taking a car trip. Take the time to pull over and prevent any accidents before they happen.

(12) Don't put too many large toys in the playpen with an older baby who can pull herself up. She might use these to climb out.

(13) Don't put off decorating your nursery because you might not have time after the baby arrives.

(14) Don't put magnets on the refrigerator door because they can break and the small magnetic piece is a choking hazard.

(15) Don't let your baby snack on crackers or other bread products all day. These can fill her up, making her less interested in more nutritious foods at mealtimes.

(16) Don't let your baby sleep with dolls or stuffed animals that hold cassette tapes because if the tape unwinds it could cause strangulation.

(17) Don't let your baby play with balloons or plastic bags - they could be a choking hazard.

(18) Don't bathe your baby more than 2 to 3 times a week during her first year or her skin may get dried out. If a bath is part of the daily bedtime routine, then keep it brief.

Things to Do in Preparation for Baby’s Birth

By: Patricia Bennett

Finding out that you’re pregnant can be very exciting, especially for those that have been trying for some time. You’ll find yourself dreaming of the features that come through in your child. Who will they look more like? What is the gender of the child? How will you make him/her most comfortable and safe when you bring him/her home? The arrival of your child opens a new page in the book of your life. All the excitement and emotions can get overwhelming at times. In order to help keep your emotions in check and give you one less thing to worry about, it’s important to know how to prepare for you baby’s arrival.

Read up on everything while you can. Once your baby comes you will have precious few opportunities to sit down and read about parenting. Make that something you do ahead of time. There are a lot of books out there that focus on parenting from first time parents to parents in their later years. When you take the time to read about everything that is happening to your body as well as the reasoning for the tests that you’ll be taking throughout your pregnancy, you won’t be as worried every time something changes or you feel something different inside.

Take it easy, but don’t forget exercise. In your pregnancy you obviously won’t want to run a marathon, but getting some exercise regularly will keep you healthy no matter how much weight you put on. Remember, you’re not dieting. It’s not good for baby to diet during the pregnancy due to the artificial sweeteners and low fat foods. Your baby needs the fat to grow. However, getting regular exercise will help you have easier labor and will keep your body in shape under the child growing.

When registering for your baby shower ask others that already have children. There are lots of “things” out there for babies. If you talk to someone that’s recently had a child of their own, they’ll be able to tell you the items you won’t want to be without and the ones that are not so great. Additionally, if you ask your guests to bring one package of diapers each and play a game with them such as the person with the heaviest package wins a prize or something along those lines, you may not have to buy diapers for quite some time.

Prepare your child’s bedroom and pack your bag. Many women will carry their baby to full term, go in to labor, and deliver their child with very few problems. But some women will go into labor suddenly or early. It’ll be easier on your nerves as you come closer to the end of your pregnancy to know that when the time comes, all you have to do is go the hospital. Even if you don’t know what you’re having, if the bedroom is prepared, you know that everything will be ready when you come home from the hospital.

These tips will help you prepare for the arrival of your baby. You’ll be able to rest your mind as you come close to those last few weeks before delivery because everything will be done. Having a rested mind will help you through labor and delivery because you’ll know you’ve done everything to prepare.

Popular Gender Neutral Baby Names

By: Julie ann Tomaro

Choosing a name for your new baby can be a difficult task for some. With so many options and variations of different names, you have a lot of thinking and consideration to do because whichever name you choose will last for a lifetime for your baby!
This article lists some of the popular gender neutral baby names for both boys and girls.

Addison – This name is more popular among baby girls than boys.
Alexis – This name is popular for both genders.
Ashton – Influenced by celebrities, this name can be either for a baby boy or girl.
Cameron – This name is used for both boys and girls, but more often then not it is used for a boy.
Casey – This is another popular gender neutral baby name.
Dakota – This is another favorite gender neutral baby name.
Harley – This can be for either a boy or girl and is very popular on the popular baby names list.
Jessie – This name can be used for either sex.
Justice – A popular name for either gender.
Madison – This name makes the popular baby names list of 2007.
Payton – This spelling is for a girl’s name.
Peyton – This is the popular spelling for a boy.
Reese – A popular celebrity’s name, this name is rising on the charts amongst either gender.
Riley – Another very popular baby name rising on the charts.
Shannon – This name can be for either a boy or girl.
Skylar – This spelling is popular for girls.
Skyler – This is the spelling used for boys.
Taylor – This name can go either way.

Remember to keep a small notebook with you at all times, circle names in magazine’s that you may consider naming your new baby with. Say the name out loud with your own last name, does it sound like the right fit?

Remember, your baby’s name will last a lifetime so be sure to choose a name that reflects both you and your partner.

Using Natural Ways to Increase Fertility

Using Natural Ways to Increase Fertility
by: Lyta Humphris


Are you finding it difficult to become pregnant? If so you can do many simple things to improve your chances of conception, the way we live can have a big effect on the reproductive system of both men and women and most people prefer natural ways to increase fertility. You may both have to change your life-style to incorporate healthy influences, and eliminate things you enjoy that reduce your fertility.

Increasing or improving your fertility is something you can both do. You can make sure your weight is within the range that is helpful for conceiving. You can make sure you incorporate a regular gentle exercise programme into your daily life such as walking; cycling or swimming, being fit and active is beneficial for fertility. You can make sure you and your partner are eating healthily, and eliminate habits that may lower your chances of conceiving.

Alcohol Reduction

Alcohol can put pregnancy at risk. According to some studies, the risk of miscarriage appears to increase with moderate drinking during the first three months of pregnancy, particularly in the first weeks.

Reducing Stress

Stress can have a big effect on fertility. In women under stress, the reproductive hormone prolactin is over-produced and this can interfere with ovulation. The hypothalamus stops secreting gonadotrophin hormone, which in turn will affect the release of both the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. As these hormones stimulate ovulation - fertility is affected.

Self help for stress is regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, hypnotherapy and visualization - a combined approach can include the following:

- Acupuncture
- Nutrition
- Hypnotherapy

Fertility is a whole-body event, not something that happens just in our reproductive organs - that is why a holistic approach often works well. There may be a need for more fertility awareness and lifestyle changes to improve the chances of starting the pregnancy, or there may be a need for nutritional supplements, relaxation and de-stressing techniques, acupuncture, and massage.

Nutritional Improvement

You should not overlook nutrition in fertility treatment – it is important to have a good level of nourishment that will allow your body to function well, and it is of course a very natural way to increase fertility! Bad eating habits can lower the reserves of nutrients that are necessary for reproductive hormone systems to work properly. Your hormonal balance and fertility are affected by what you eat, your nutrient levels and how well your digestion works. If you are short of essential fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants, then your hormone production may be blocked - resulting in an imbalance that makes conception less likely.

Acupuncture

Have you ever wondered about the treatment of infertility with traditional medicine and acupuncture? Good candidates for trying medical acupuncture are people who have unexplained infertility - acupuncture is effective for balancing the body's energies and raising the receptiveness of the body for conception. Men and women with a physical problem, such as damaged fallopian tubes, or a low sperm count, would be encouraged to try acupuncture in addition to their medical treatment.

When skilfully applied, acupuncture is effective in correcting many of the imbalances that underlie the complex physical and hormonal disorders that lead to a reduction in fertility.

Smoking Cessation

Women who smoke are more likely to take longer to conceive, they have an increased risk of miscarriage, and lower oestrogen and progesterone levels. Men who smoke are likely to have decreased sperm density, less motile sperm, reduced testosterone, and an increase in abnormal sperm. These risks for both men and women increase with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is exceptionally beneficial and natural way to increase fertility. Hypnotherapists are already using Hypnotherapy to help women give birth peacefully, and teaching them that a normal birth should be a calm and natural process. Learning simple but specialised relaxation, and breathing, and other techniques, make the whole birth easier and more comfortable.

With unexplained infertility, hypnotherapists teach you to let go of the stress you have been holding on to, using specialised relaxation, and breathing techniques. It teaches you to let go of any emotional blocks or worries you may have that can create infertility issues – Hypnotherapy can help you identify and process emotional issues that might be interfering with conception.

In addition to dealing with deep-seated fears, hypnotherapy is effective in stress reduction, and this in turn allows for hormonal rebalancing. This has been seen in cases where there is too much prolactin being produced which can inhibit ovulation. In a relaxed environment at a clinic, you can work together to bring about positive attitudes and beliefs.

You can give your unconscious mind free rein here and allow yourself to be creative, free, and prepared to follow your heart's wishes. So there you have it - a range of natural ways to Increase infertility . Choose as many as befits your lifestyle and make things easier for yourself and your baby.


About The Author
Looking to increase infertility is nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, thousands of people look for methods to improve fertility every year. Improve your chances of having a baby at http://www.hypnospot.co.uk