Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Breast Feeding Diet - Eating Right While Breast Feeding

If you do not have a healthy breast-feeding diet that includes a variety of foods after pregnancy, you will expose yourself to a host of breast feeding problems. Your body will use the food that you eat to make milk for the baby, (the nutritional requirements of the baby are satisfied before those of the mother) and you may run short of nutrients for your self, causing you to fall sick.

The Importance of a Healthy Breast Feeding Diet Post Pregnancy

You must have a healthy breast feeding diet post pregnancy. This means, you should consume at least 2500 calories a day, if not more, if you have been breast-feeding for more than three months. Eat at least a gram of protein for every pound you weigh. Do not eat sweets no matter how tempted you are. You should spread your calorific intake over five meals during the day. You should eat vegetables, fruits, fortified cereals, whole grains, and pulses and continue to take your prenatal vitamins and minerals.

You should drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. A nursing mother tends to feel thirstier, but you should avoid drinking too much water, as it can affect milk production.

Things to Be Careful Of

Nicotine passes from mother to baby via breast feeding. Therefore, smoking at this time can be dangerous for the baby. Similarly, alcohol also passes through the mother’s milk into the baby. Alcohol thus consumed can retard a baby’s growth. You must also never take over the counter medication or any medication, without first asking your doctor, while you are breast-feeding. It can harm your baby immensely. And be careful of pesticides, these come in the form of aerosol cans or coils. You should also always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, because they have pesticides residues on them.

Those were some important points about your breast feeding diet post pregnancy. Make sure to read a lot about this topic in good books and magazines, to help you stay well informed.

Breast-Feeding Cover For Your Baby

A breast-feeding cover allows you to breast-feed your baby in public, without the fear of getting exposed. This means that, you can breast-feed in public, without being indiscreet.

A breast-feeding garment consists of a breast-feeding cover and a flexible shoulder clip. To make it stable and secure, this clip is fixed to the cover.

The breast-feeding cover consists of a see-through breathable fabric and an opaque privacy part, which is near the centre of the cover, to hide the breast-feeding baby.

When not in use, you can easily fold the breast-feeding cover and put it into a purse, a diaper bag, or your baby’s stroller.

Some Points about a Breast Feeding Cover

A breast-feeding cover lets you breastfeed your baby in public, without others being able to see you doing so. There is a viewing window, from which you can see the baby while it breast-feeds.

You can attach the breast-feeding cover to your shoulder and wrap it around your neck. The front panel of the cover has a small window protruding out of it, just above the breast, so that you can see your baby while breast-feeding it. When you wish to feed your baby from the other breast, all you need to do is to reverse the cover.

Therefore, a breast-feeding cover is just what you need when you want to feed your baby in public, but with that little extra bit of privacy, whether it’s at a shopping mall, at the doctor’s office or at a restaurant. While you can easily see your baby through the window of the breast-feeding cover, it also provides increased circulation to let your baby breathe easy.

So don’t miss out on buying a breast feeding cover. It is very useful for you and your newborn infant. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Breast Feeding Clothes - Smart, Stylish And Sexy

Don’t you want to wear smart and stylish breast feeding clothes? You may not want to look stodgy and dull after pregnancy and there is certainly no reason for you to do so. Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful of all times in a woman’s life. It is a well known fact that men find you more attractive at this time. Of course the pregnancy hormones play an important role in giving that amazing glow to your face and body.

Don’t Look Dowdy

This is certainly no time to dress up in dowdy looking clothes. You can be breast feeding and still wear breast feeding clothes that make you look and feel like a queen. You must consider three things while buying maternity clothes, function, comfort and your preferences. Comfort is very essential. As a first-time mother you are learning to breast feed your baby and will not want any awkward clothes play up in public. Not just that, you would like to be comfortable in the clothes you wear to be able to potter about the house with your new born as well.

Choose Attractive Attire that is also Convenient and Comfortable

Remember, while you may think it’s a good idea to ransack your spouse’s cupboard and wear his loose fitting clothes, why dress in ill- fitting baggy clothing when you can have the most fabulous of well fitting maternity clothing to dress up in. In fact we won’t be surprised if you get addicted to your maternity wear. Clothes in different cuts and colors, perhaps clothes that have high waists and a loose body that flatter your look and make you flaunt your tummy at the same time are easily available. Choose clothes that look good and are very convenient too. So that when you want to breast feed your little one you can do so easily.

Lots of Choice on the Internet

There are some amazing choices on the internet, where you can shop till you drop. So forget all those post pregnancy blues and go on a shopping spree for some really cool breast feeding clothes.

Monday, February 4, 2008

The Benefits Of Breast Feeding- A Baby Is Better Off Being Breast Fed

Breast Milk is Very Nutritious

The benefits of breast-feeding are enormous, not just to the newborn infant, but also to the mother. Breast milk contains lactoferrin, which allows the absorption of iron and protects the stomach from harmful bacteria. It contains lipases, which helps in the digestion of fats. It contains hormones, which aid the healthy growth of the newborn infant. The milk strength is naturally regulated. It tastes of as many flavors as the variety of food a mother eats. It is a living biological fluid and it is best for the child and its benefits cannot be easily replicated by formula milk.

Breast Milk Builds Immunity

Here are some more benefits of breast feeding. A breast fed baby will develop a stronger immune system than a formula fed one. This is because; breast milk consists of antibodies, which protect the child from various intestinal and respiratory infections. These antibodies also prevent ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and gastroenteritis. The baby will not have cancers of the immune system, if it is breast-fed. In addition, the benefits of breast-feeding are immediate and increase with the increase in duration of breastfeeding. Those babies, who are born in families with a history of asthma, eczemas, or allergies, benefit greatly from breast-feeding.

Breast Milk Means Higher IQs

Research shows that, breast-fed babies do not grow into obese adults. They also have better IQs than their formula fed counterparts. There are other benefits of breast feeding too. Babies who are breast fed, do not suffer a risk of baby bottle tooth decay. Suckling the mother’s breast also increases hand- to- eye coordination and finally the child probably enjoys the close contact with you and you can get real pleasure out of nurturing your little infant. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Baptism - Some Ideas On Keepsakes For The Baptism Ceremony

Are you looking for some great baptism or christening keepsakes for the baby? Remember that these keepsakes should create fond memories for a lifetime. Here are some baptism keepsakes ideas.

Baptism Gown

Remember, that whether you stitch the baptism gown yourself or buy it from a baby shower store, you should get good heirloom fabric which can be stored and preserved for the future generations.

Some Other Accessories

Here are some accessories that make great baptism keepsakes. Baby shoes, socks, bibs, a baby blanket, bonnet, towel and head band make for nice mementos.

Favors

Favors are a vital part of the christening ceremony. The guests who arrive to greet the pregnant mother on this happy occasion are all well wishers of the family, and it is a good idea to give out personalized favors that will make the guests feel appreciated.

Baptism Certificate

Why not have written records of the baptism or christening ceremony by creating a baptism certificate? You may also want to hang or frame the certificate.

A Baptism Bracelet

A mother will be thrilled to hold her little new born infant in her arms and what could be more appealing than a lovely baby bracelet to adorn the baby’s tiny hand.

A Personalized Baby Gift

Baptism is a wonderful occasion to give a personalized gift to the couple. You could buy them a photo album, a pretty photo frame, the Bible, a doll, a prayer bear or even a beautiful candle.

Keeping Baptism Memories Alive

It is advisable to remember that baptism is the beginning of the spiritual journey of the new born infant. You should do everything in you capacity as a parent to keep the memory of the baptism ceremony alive. Baptism keepsakes are a great way to do this. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Here Is Some Help For Back Pain During Pregnancy

Most women suffer from back pain some or the other time in their lives. Here are the reasons for back pain during pregnancy. Weight gain from the growing baby in your abdomen is one reason. Production of the hormone relaxin which causes laxity of the pelvic region and the joints can also cause back pain. The change in the centre of gravity due to your expanding abdomen, poor posture, poor lifting techniques and lack of exercise are all reasons for back pain during pregnancy.

How Do We Prevent Backaches In Pregnant Mothers?

During pregnancy you should be very careful not to make jerky movements or trip and fall. You should bend at the hips and the knees rather than bending while stooping. Avoid carrying heavy loads, especially on the back or head and do not twist your back. It is also important to sleep on your side with pillows to support you. When sitting or standing, maintain a good posture and try not to stoop. A good massage by a masseur who is trained in prenatal massage can be very helpful. You may also want to go swimming as the feeling of buoyancy can make an aching back feel much better. Another very important thing is to wear good flat healed shoes that don’t allow you to trip and fall easily.

A Good Fitness Instructor

Those mothers who do pregnancy exercises regularly during and after pregnancy know the benefits of being active. It is women who live a sedentary couch potato lifestyle who suffer the most with problems like backaches. That is why it is advisable to get a good fitness instructor who specializes in prenatal exercise for your self. He will teach you exercises that can give your back relaxation and relief. However, before you start any pregnancy exercises, you must inform and ask your doctor about whether you can proceed on an exercise regimen for your back pain during pregnancy. We wish you a safe pregnancy.

Baby Toys To Aid Your Baby’s Growth And Development

Baby toys are not just attractive playthings for your little baby, but if chosen wisely, they also aid in the baby’s growth and development. These toys in fact act as tools that help your baby to learn, grow, and make their way in this world. They stimulate the senses in your little baby. They are also a distraction; that allows the mother to have some spare time for herself. Toys come in various forms, shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some types of baby toys.

Toys That Stimulate Hand Eye Coordination

Hand Eye Coordination is the ability to see and reach out for objects. The baby takes its first steps in hand eye coordination, by the fourth month of its birth. At this stage, the baby tries to grab objects and pick them up. This is a very important skill and the sooner your baby learns it, the better. Nowadays, there are toys available in the market that help the baby develop this skill. Some of these toys are baby blocks and stacking toys.

Textured Baby Toys

Textured baby toys stimulate your baby’s sense of touch. They teach your baby about shapes, colors, and various textures. There are a number of toys such as bumps, curves and toys with crinkly material and other fabrics, which can be bought for your baby to play with.

Baby Toys With Music

There are many baby toys with music available in the market. These toys stimulate your baby’s sense of hearing, and stir its imagination. They also introduce your baby to a whole range of feelings and emotions. They are lovely toys, such as musical instruments specially made for children of young age and musical CDs that enrapture your child and allow it to build on its creative instincts.

Therefore, it is always good to start early with baby toys for your little one, choose wisely to stimulate the baby’s senses and help it grow and develop healthily. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Baby Shower- A Time To Celebrate

The baby shower is a traditional welcoming ceremony of a new life into this world. It is a celebration of pregnancy. An expectant mother has had a difficult time for the past seven or eight months. She has gone through a lot of physical and emotional changes. Mood swings, nausea and back aches and body aches are just some of these pregnancy symptoms. So it’s unquestionably a great time for a pregnancy celebration so that the pregnant mother can relax a bit and be made to feel special.

The Host

Generally, the host of the pregnancy celebration is someone close to the pregnant mother, a close friend or relative. Nevertheless, any one who knows the likes and dislikes of the expectant mother can host the baby shower.

History And Importance Of A Baby Shower

Baby showers were celebrated in some form even during the Egyptian and Roman eras. At that time handmade gifts were gifted to the pregnant mother. Usually, it used to be an all women event. Nowadays a baby shower has become quite the norm in American culture and there are various traditions and customs associated with it. Without doubt it is a pregnancy celebration. Friends and family gather together to have a good time, and at the end of the day, happy memories abound! Another reason for a baby shower is, to present the couple with gifts and save them the additional expense of having to buy the gifts themselves. It is quite understandable that the couple could be financially stretched to their limits during the pregnancy period.

A Theme For The Baby Shower

As a host you have to think up a theme for the baby shower. You may want to ask the pregnant mother some questions and based on her answers decide what theme to have. Cartoon characters, fairytale characters, personalities, teddy bears, cuddly and furry animals; these are a few themes you could go in for.

Remember that your baby shower should be planned in such a way that it suits the personality of the pregnant mother.

Baby Shower Tips For A Fun Filled Baby Shower

A baby shower is a name for a pregnancy celebration. And all celebrations must be organized in such a manner that the guests take back some wonderful memories along with them. Of course, the guest of honor is the pregnant mother and her husband .They should be treated like royalty, after all it is their day. And the guests should also be treated very well. Here are some baby shower tips.

The Host

First of all, you need to decide who is going to be the hostess? This should be someone who is really close to the pregnant mommy. This person will be able to create a theme that is personal to the mother to be. This will ensure that the mother feels extra special the entire time. It could be a friend or a relative or even a group of friends. Here are some more baby shower tips.

Invitations

The invitations should be based on the theme of the baby shower. They should be attractive, well designed and neatly done. They should be sent well in time, about four to six weeks before the baby shower party. It is preferable that a road map leading to the venue be printed on the invitations. We certainly don’t want any of the guests to get lost, do we?

Greeting The Guests

Every guest should be made to feel special. So as each one enters, the host should greet them personally and introduce them to the other guests.

Games For The Baby Shower

This is a baby shower party. It’s a time for fun and enjoyment for all, be it the elders or small kids who have come with their parents. So why not have some games to break the ice and make everybody enjoy? Ask everyone to participate and join in the fun.

Food For The Baby Shower

To conclude our advice on baby shower tips, here is some advice on the food. It should be simply irresistible. It should also be based on the party theme and if it is delicious and tasty, you can be rest assured that you will have everyone making it the focal point of their conversation for the next several days. For more information visit pregnancy period.