Hey gals,
I wanted to let you know about a wonderful resource: Birthing with Guinever. Here you will get lots of wonderful advice for pregnancy and birth from a natural birth perspective. Check it out!
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Doula Blog
Is Your Child’s Car Seat Safe?
By: Kay Green
We keep hearing about how 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly. How can you be sure your child’s is installed correctly? One way is to read the instruction manual that came with your child’s car seat and your car’s owner’s manual. That will give you some good clues. You can also have it checked by your local fire station or car seat safety clinic.
Parent’s January Magazine tells us the 8 most often made mistakes? Have you made any of them? http://www.parents.com/articles/health/5198.jsp
Mistake #1: Seat Too Loose
The seat should not move more than one inch right to left.
Mistake #2: Harness Too Loose
You should not be able to pinch the fabric of the harness belt.
Mistake #3: Facing Wrong Way
Forward facing can not happen until the child is 1 year old AND more than 20 pounds.
Mistake #4: Wrong Angle
Rear facing infant seat should be at a 45 degree angle.
Mistake #5: Retainer Clip Wrong
This clip must be at arm pit level.
Mistake #6: Wrong Slots
Read your car seats instructions.
Mistake #7: No Booster Seat
Children up to 8 years, 80 pounds and 4′9″ need to be in a booster seat.
Mistake #8: Recalled Seat
Check your car seat against the recalled list often.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Harness Error - Another mistake I see often is taking kids out of the 5-point harness too soon. The child needs to stay in the harness until they are 4 years and 40 pounds. When you switch to a booster with no harness for a child over 4 years and 40 pounds remember to belt the booster seat into the car even when your child is not in it. If not the booster seat can become a flyer projectile in a wreck.
Right Size Seat - Is your child in the right size car seat? I saw a mom with a 17 mo old in an infant car seat. She said “He is under 20 pounds so I can not move him” WRONG. Car seats have weight, height, and age requirements. Most babies will be out of the height requirements for an infant car seat at 5-7 months. Their head should be at least one inches from the top of the car seat.
My daughter was under 30 pounds in her 40 pound limit convertible car seat and I thought fine. But then saw the straps were not staying on her shoulders well. She was too tall for it and had to move to a booster seat (with 5 point harness) that held 22-80 pounds. The forward facing car seat should have the straps coming from above their shoulders. When the child’s shoulders are taller than the highest slot it is time to move them to a new seat.
SEAT SIZE GUIDELINES:
Check your seats instructions to verify these for your seat.
Newborns birth to 26 inches - infant rear facing carrier seat
Babies over 20 pounds PLUS 1 year - rear facing convertible seat
Toddlers 1 yr PLUS 20 pounds to 40 pounds - forward facing seat with 5 point
Preschoolers 4yrs/40 pounds to 8yrs/80 pounds - Booster seat with cars belt over the top.
Emergency Contact Card - Additionally your child’s car seat should have emergency contact info attached. In a car accident professionals need to be able to reach dad at work or grandma if you are not able to help your child. A car seat ID card with a medical release signature will protect your child in a car accident giving medical professionals all the information they need to treat your child immediately.
Booster Seat Rules - Most state rules now require that children’s stay in the booster seat until 6 years AND 60 pounds. Some states say 8 years AND 80 pounds. The new federal guideline is until age 8 or 4′ 9″ tall. This means safer kids and fewer fatalities for children in car wrecks. I am glad to keep my child in her comfortable car seat. She is happier and healthier every time we go in the car. Since she is so comfortable in her favorite booster seat she travels much better.
Keep your child in a booster until the right age/weight for your states rules AND until your child can sit on the seat and have the seat belt fall across the chest without touching their neck/face, and until their legs bend correctly at the end of the seat. (Usually 4′9″)
BOOSTER SEATS & the “5 STEP TEST - In order to work properly, a shoulder belt needs to be across the collarbone and the lap belt needs to be on the hipbones. However, children often slip the shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back, losing all upper-body protection. Or, they slide forward so their knees bend comfortably over the edge of the seat, making the lap belt ride up on the abdomen. In these cases, the seat belt CANNOT work properly! Children can slide down and out of the restraint, or the belt can be forced into the stomach, causing damage to internal organs. These types of injuries are known as “seat-belt syndrome.”
Use the following 5 Step Test. If you answer “No” to any of these questions, your child must be in a booster seat:
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Is the lap belt touching the top of the thighs, not the tummy?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Children 4-8 years - Children over 4 and 40 pounds should be in a booster seat without a harness (unless you have the one Britax seat that has harnesses rated to 65 pounds or the RADIAN rated to 80pounds). Most all boosters have harnesses only rated to 40 pounds so using them for your child heavier than that puts them at risk. I recently learned that my daughters booster seat should NOT be connected with the latch system and anchor strap when using it for her with automobiles seat belt (not the 5 point harness). The seats have not been tested with both latch belt, anchor belt and cars seat belt over the top. They have been tested with the cars belt only over the top.
Please take the time to be sure that your car seat is installed correctly, fits your child, has emergency contact information. Go to one of the many free Car Seat Safety Inspections to make certain. If the event of a wreck you will be glad you covered all the bases.
CAR SEAT REQUIREMENTS
Infant car seat: until 20 pounds or 26 pounds or their head is one inch from top of seat. (The Graco SAFE SEAT goes to 30 lbs and 32”)
Rear facing car seat: until at least 20 pounds PLUS 12 months. It is preferred they stay rear facing until 18 months or more.
5 point harness car seat: age 1-4 years or more
5 point harness limit: most end at 40 pound weight limit. If you have a child heavier than 40 pounds and less than 4 years get the Radian or Britax car seat for higher weight limit.
Booster Seat: Age 4-8 or until 4’ 9”.
Our State rule says: until 6 yrs PLUS 60 pounds.
Federal guideline says: until 8 yrs or 4’ 9”.
Buckle Buddy: When moving a child over age 6 and less than 4’ 9” use the BUCKLE BUDDY to make the belt fit correctly.
Car Seat Safety Guide. Find out what the weight and height limits are for the car seat you own or are considering buying.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Kay Green is the founder of www.MyPreciousKid.com Children’s Safety Products and Baby Gear. Kay has a passion for keeping kids safe and giving parents peace of mind. Kay & Russell, her husband of 27 years, live in Oregon with their 4 children. www.KayGreen.com www.PreciousKids.org www.123HomeBusinessGuide.com COPYRIGHT 2000-2007 My Precious Kid®, Kay Green. All rights reserved.
Gorgeous Photography!
Thursday August 16th 2007, 7:28 am
Filed under: Photos
Filed under: Photos
Hey gals,
Check out this wonderful photography web site. If you click on the links at the bottom of the page (Life, Soul, etc.) you will get to enjoy some outstanding slide shows. WOW!
Paperback Swap and Swap a CD
I’ve been swapping books for over a year now and love it. Almost every book I get is in very good condition. I use the Wish List feature a lot and have gotten several hard-to-find books this way.
Although I can sometimes get books from the library, it isn’t always convenient for me to pick them up or return them on time, and I often don’t have time to get the book read before the due date. So, PB Swap has been very helpful in getting me the books I want to read but don’t want to fiddle with the library for.
You don’t just have to trade paperbacks, either. You can also trade hard cover books and audio books. If you don’t have many books that you currently want to trade, you can always hit a used book sale on bag day and get a few books to get you started. (You get free book credits just for listing a few books to start with!) You can also buy credits with your paypal money which makes getting books cheaper than half.com too!
Swap a CD works the same way, only it’s for music. This is way better than trying to rid yourself of old CDs at a yard sale!
Exercise During Pregnancy - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Are you pregnant? Has your doctor told you to get moving in some way, to do some sort of exercise? (By the way, ALWAYS check with a doctor before beginning an exercise program.)
Exercise can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Here is some food for thought if you are struggling with starting an exercise program during your pregnancy.
==> The Good.
You need to exercise during pregnancy. You need to gently stretch and stay as flexible as possible. This can make a huge difference in the quality of your delivery and recovery.
I know. I’ve had four full time pregnancies and I’ve experienced firsthand the difference staying flexible can make. Exercise also keeps your body working at a higher efficiency rate which will help you sleep better and improve your digestion, two things not to be taken lightly during pregnancy.
The difference exercise during pregnancy can make for your post-partum recovery is amazing. Again, I can tell you from firsthand experience, that a comfortable and reasonable fitness routine (simple walking is terrific) can help your body ’snap back’ like nothing else.
Physical exercise has been shown to improve moods. Girlfriend, we know how to have moods when we’re pregnant, don’t we? Enough said.
And don’t forget this vital point. A healthier mom means a healthier baby. How can you argue with that?
==> The Bad.
Exercise performed during pregnancy is different than exercise at other times. You’ve got to be extra-sensitive to your body needs. You’ve got to go slower and be willing to stop sooner. You must be willing to be flexible in your choice of exercise, too. If you like to run, you probably won’t be able to keep that up your entire pregnancy. Of course, that choice will be between you and your doctor.
Still, all those points have a silver lining. A great exercise for pregnancy is swimming. And hey, no one cares what you look like in a bathing suit! In fact, being pregnant is a wonderful time to celebrate the beauty of your body. Take advantage, buy a cute suit, and head for the water.
An additional safety point to consider when you exercise is not to overheat. I’ve experienced this, as well, and it is not fun. I was only fourteen weeks pregnant, but the weather was hot and humid. I was playing horseshoes (hardly an aerobic sport), but after a short time I was feeling terrible. The people around me were commenting on how flushed I looked. When I went inside it took a very long time for me to cool down, much longer than normal.
So be careful. Exercise during pregnancy is meant to benefit you and your baby, but that means it needs to be moderate and regulated. Save the Olympics for later.
==> The Ugly.
You’re pregnant. You feel sick. You’re tired. Exercise?? Are you crazy?
It’s true. Even the most die-hard fitness gal often finds motivation for exercise during her pregnancy much more difficult. So if you are not a regular exerciser, you’re wondering how you can possibly pull this off. Even if you know it’s very important to your health and your baby’s well-being, it can be hard to simply get started.
The number one recommendation I can give you is to not to do this on your own. It’s just too big of a leap during this season in your life. The great news is you have some excellent options that can make your exercise time downright fun.
Look for an exercise system or group specifically designed for pregnant women. (For a detailed review of such a system, see the author’s resource box following this article.) Look for one that gives abundant support. This is crucial! You need to be in regular contact with other exercising pregnant women. This will give you the motivation you need to keep up your exercise program even when you don’t feel like it.
Let’s face it. You’ll need someplace to vent and share openly about your pregnancy experiences. An exercise group of other moms-to-be could be a very, very helpful thing to you. I highly recommend it.
So do something wonderful for yourself and your baby today and get moving!
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 25 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at www.paintedgold.com . Learn more about exercise during pregnancy at her site today.
The Symptoms of Pregnancy with Twins
By: David Viniker
If your pregnancy symptoms are earlier and more pronounced than you’d normally expect, you may be carrying a twin pregnancy. However, only a health professional can tell for sure.
1. You just feel that you are carrying more than one baby. Some mothers of twins (or higher order multiples) say that they knew right from the start that they were carrying more than one baby.
2. You experience more nausea and/or morning sickness. If you are having more than one baby, you may have an elevated hCG level (hCG is a pregnancy related hormone). This hormone is the one associated with morning sickness.
3. Other typical pregnancy symptoms may be exaggerated. Many women — but not all — who are pregnant with twins have more intense pregnancy symptoms, probably related to the extra hormones circulating through their system. You may find that your breasts are extremely tender, you have to urinate frequently, you are hungry all the time and you are always very tired.
4. A higher than average weight gain in the first 16 weeks may be your first clue that you’re carrying more than one baby. Good weight gain in early twin pregnancy is associated with a favorable outcome.
With each additional fetus a woman carries, the range of weight gain will increase. For example, a woman who starts a pregnancy in a healthy weight range might expect her weight gain to be as follows:
One fetus, 11 kg (24 lb) to 16 kg (35 lb)
Twins, 16 kg (35 lb) to 20 kg (44 lb)
Triplets, 20 kg (44 lb) to 23 kg (51 lb)
Quads, 23 kg (51 lb) to 25 kg (55 lb)
5. Your uterus seems large for gestational age. If your last menstrual period indicates an eight-week gestation, your uterus may feel more like 10 to 12 weeks to your obstetrician. This may prompt a request for an ultrasound examination.
6. You are told that you have elevated levels of AFP. AFP is one of the chemicals tested to screen for Down’s syndrome and spina bifida abnormalities. AFP levels are higher in twin pregnancies.
7. Your health care provider hears two fetal heartbeats. Two separate heartbeats can be distinguishable with a Doppler in your care provider’s office from around 18 weeks. At around 28 weeks, it may be possible to differentiate two fetal heads and multiple small parts when doing an abdominal exam.
8. You have a positive ultrasound. If you believe you are pregnant with twins, an ultrasound can be performed quite early in pregnancy. With a skilled ultrasonographer, two gestational sacs, two embryos and two distinct fetal heartbeats can be seen six weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. Many twins have been diagnosed as early as five weeks — when you’re just one week late for your menstrual period.
9. In later pregnancy, you may experience difficulty catching your breath, swelling (edema) of the hands and legs, an unusual rate of weight gain and abdominal enlargement and excessive fetal movement. Anemia or low iron (decreased hemoglobin) is also common with twin and multiple pregnancies.
10. There is considerable disagreement among medical professionals as to whether a woman carrying twins is more likely to feel movement earlier. But many mothers do claim that those early flutters and flips were their first clue that they might be having more than one.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: David A Viniker MD FRCOG is a London Consultant in OB/GYN who strongly supports patient choice. You are welcome to visit his websites which explain the pros and cons of the various options for women’s health, pregnancy and childbirth: www.obstetric-health.com www.2womenshealth.com
Learning To Breastfeed Can Be Such A Vulnerable Time
Learning to breastfeed can be a difficult and frustrating time for first-time mothers and their babies. Under the best circumstances, most of us have patience and determination to learn a new skill. However, after the physically draining effects of labour and birth, breastfeeding can easily become frustrating if the baby is slower to learn to latch at the breast.
Birthing a baby is the most energy draining, intense physical and mental marathon of your life. And while it is exhilarating to hold your baby after all the anticipation, wait and worry, you are then obligated to pick yourself up and respond to the needs of your newborn at the expense of your own. Your body aches, you are exhausted, urinating is uncomfortable, the menstrual-like discharge can be messy and first time mothers especially can be unsure of themselves when it comes to caring for newborns.
During this period just after birth, your internal resources are fragile and you can be vulnerable to outside criticism or disapproval. With respect to breastfeeding, “well intentioned help” can easily sabotage the breastfeeding process. Many new mothers are offered suggestions from people who truly believe that they are providing great advice, when the advice is dated and can actually interfere with the breastfeeding process. Here are a few situations that can arise, the problems that they can create, and suggestions on how to handle them.
The Postpartum Period
“You are so very tired. Why don’t you sleep and let us take care of your baby?”
Yes, it is true that you are tired after giving birth. However, if you let your nurse or someone else watch your baby while you sleep, you won’t know if they decide to feed your baby formula to give you a longer rest. The colostrum that your breasts produce just after birth is extremely concentrated with nutrients, immune factors and energy-rich natural sugars, and a newborn baby drinks colostrum approximately a teaspoon at a time. Because her stomach is extremely small, this amount of colostrum is a normal and healthy amount for her to ingest per feeding in the first few days of her life. If your baby is fed an ounce or more of formula, her stomach will become used to a larger volume and suddenly the colostrum that your breasts produce is not enough.
To counter this approach, keep your baby in your room with you, sleep when she sleeps and feed her on demand. If you can sleep while a family member or a friend is visiting, ask him or her to wake you as soon as the baby starts to stir so that you have time to latch her to your breast before she becomes wide awake and angry. It is difficult to breastfeed a hungry, angry, crying baby– have you ever tried to eat when you are supremely upset? To help conserve energy, you can ask a nurse to help you position the baby so that you are feeding lying down. This position gives you extra rest while you cuddle and bond with your baby.
The baby is losing body weight and we are going to have to supplement her with formula.
Actually, it is normal for a baby to lose weight after birth. When a baby is growing inside her mother’s uterus, she is constantly fed nutrients and liquids through her umbilical cord. After birth, the constant stream of food and drink ends and breastfeeding begins. However, a baby can be really tired after birth, and it can be difficult for her to stay awake long enough to have a good feed. The answer is to let her breastfeed often and to do your best to keep her alert while she eats. You might want to wake her every two hours to feed to ensure that she’s getting a good supply of breast milk. Unwrap your baby, place her naked onto your bare chest and snuggle under the covers together. She is then able to breastfeed more easily and the smell of mom helps her to relax and feel secure. Keep offering the breast and encourage her to suckle even if it is a gulp at a time. Once your milk comes in, it will be easier for her to get more fluids and nutrients in each breastfeeding session. It can take up to three weeks for a newborn to regain her birth weight.
There is a point, however, when a baby can become dehydrated and that is cause for concern. At 7% loss of body weight, your health care practitioner will want to monitor the baby’s breastfeeding times and whether or not she pees and poops regularly. Supplementation may become necessary, but offer the breast first and then supplement afterwards. This allows your baby to continue to practice learning a proper latch and helps to establish a good supply of breast milk. It can take time for the baby to learn the physical act of breastfeeding, and once she does, supplementation will no longer be required.
Once You Are Home
“You should feed your baby on a schedule.”
Our mothers and grandmothers were advised since 1946 by Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care book to bottle-feed their babies and put them on rigid schedules because it was “more sanitary and more scientific.” At that time in history, scientists and pediatricians did not realize how much more breast milk offered besides nourishment–Secretory IgA that coats the lining of the baby’s intestines to provide better immunity from bacteria, viruses and parasites; Bifidus Factor that helps to establish good bacteria in the baby’s large intestine, natural fats that promote brain and nerve development; and the exactly perfect proportion of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that the baby needs.
While ill-advised, it is possible to achieve a schedule for a bottle-fed baby because the cow’s milk proteins found in formula take more time to digest than the proteins found in human breast milk. An example of the difference would be eating a serving of tofu compared to a New York Steak. Tofu digests more easily than steak just as human breast milk is more easily digested than cow’s milk formula. Breastfed babies are supposed to eat often—the baby leads the “breastfeed on demand” process because her sole purpose at this beginning stage of her life is to ensure her survival by establishing a good and abundant milk supply.
You always get to feed the
baby and I can’t. Couldn’t you let me give her one bottle at night?
The problems with introducing bottles into a baby’s schedule when she is busy establishing her milk supply are twofold:
First: a newer baby can become confused with the two different types of feeding. Breastfeeding is a very active process. A baby draws a good amount of breast tissue into her mouth (more than you realize) to form a teat. She has to suck for quite a few seconds before the letdown reflex begins and the milk begins to flow. When a baby is feeding well, the rhythm that develops is to suck a few times and then to gulp the milk that pools in her mouth.
Bottle-feeding is a totally different process. A bottle-fed baby doesn’t have to work at all to get milk. The milk dribbles from the nipple of the bottle and the baby gulps away to her heart’s content. If a breastfeeding baby encounters two types of feeding, one that she has to work at and one that is incredibly simple, she might just opt for the easier one, especially if she is having difficulties learning how to latch.
Second: it is the physical act of sucking at the breast that stimulates the brain to increase milk production. If a baby is using one of her feeds to drink formula, the mother does not get the stimulus to produce more milk. This results in less milk available for the baby, which causes her to be hungry and fussy. The same problem arises when soothers are introduced into a newborn’s life before the breast milk supply is firmly established. A soother can provide comfort, but it interferes with the baby sucking at her mother’s breast. Soothers and bottles should only be introduced after the breastfeeding process is comfortable for both mother and baby, not before.
One way to satisfy the needs of your partner, your parents, your in-laws and other family members who want to feed your baby is to give them an activity to do that is special just for them. Partners can take over bath time and actually climb into the bath with the babies to enjoy skin-on-skin closeness. Other family members can be shown infant massage techniques that promote the bonding process between themselves and the baby, or suggest that they hold the baby on their chests and drape a warm blanket around the two to provide the satisfaction of a good cuddle. Be creative, there are lots of ways to show love that don’t involve bottle-feeding.
In Conclusion
It is important to remember that learning the skills of parenting a newborn take time and quite a lot of energy. Breastfeeding is one of these skills and if you can remain as calm as possible, you have a much better chance of success. Here are a few tips to make breastfeeding easier from someone who learned the hard way:
1. Latch your baby as she is waking up. Babies wake up hungry and if you wait to latch a baby until she is fully awake and crying, you have lost a good five minutes of time that the baby is sleepy and relaxed and better able to take the breast. You have extra time to get a proper latch and if it isn’t right, you are able to try again without you or the baby becoming upset. Once your baby starts to twitch and smack her lips in her sleep, prepare yourself for breastfeeding: go to the bathroom, get yourself a big glass of water and a snack, grab the portable phone, get yourself comfortable and organized and try to latch her while she is still half asleep. You get much better results if you do.
2. Get as much sleep as you can–you have more internal strength (and patience) if you have plenty of rest. One way to accomplish this is to spread out your available help after your baby is born and schedule visits from family members for after your partner goes back to work. This is a great approach because you have alone time to bond as a family and you can learn how to breastfeed without an audience. If your family members can come to see you and the baby after your partner returns to work, you have extra help with the chores that need doing such as cooking and laundry and you can take that extra time to rest and bond with your baby.
3. Delay the visits of the more critical people in your life to when you are feeling stronger and more secure in your parenting skills. New parents are quite vulnerable during the first month or so of a new baby, especially a first baby. This is not a time to have to defend yourself from an overcritical family member or friend.
4. If you get advice that is contrary to your way of thinking, all you have to do is say “thanks, I’ll think about that” or “I’ll talk to _________ (partner’s name) and we’ll think about that.” The person giving the advice feels heard and you are not obligated to do the suggested activity on the spot. Both of you save face this way.
Breastfeeding can be frustrating to learn for some women and if you find that you and your baby are struggling, get help immediately! The help of a positive, knowledgeable person could make the difference for a new mother to be able to successfully breastfeed her baby.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Dr. Melanie Beingessner is a chiropractor, a breastfeeding counsellor, a certified infant massage instructor & the mother of three fabulous kids. She is the author of The Calm Baby Cookbook, written to help breastfeeding moms calm their fussy babies by changing their diets. Dr. Melanie’s website provides information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, ADD/ADHD, chiropractic, health and wellness at drmelaniebee.org
Induced Lactation-Adoptive Breastfeeding
Saturday August 11th 2007, 7:29 am
Filed under: Adoption, Babies, Breastfeeding Stories, Educational, Parenting, breastfeeding
Filed under: Adoption, Babies, Breastfeeding Stories, Educational, Parenting, breastfeeding
By: Kay Green
I have the wonderful privilege of breastfeeding ( induced lactation ) my adopted daughter Haley. We began this journey when she was 18 hours old. It is a day I will always remember looking into the eyes of this precious angel as her birth mom sat there and watched us. She later told a social worker that it helped her so much to see Haley and I bond at that moment.
When we began that day I was producing 3 or 4 ounces a day. By the time she was 6 months old I had achieved a full supply of breast milk for her. Her doctor told me that even 2 ounces a day would greatly benefit her over formula alone. She would receive my antibodies. Today she is a healthy happy walking nursing 1 year old.
I have so many who wonder about the details of adoptive breastfeeding/induced lactation I thought I would give you all a mini course in it. It has been going on for many centuries. In bible days it was called wet nursing. In 3rd world countries women will induce lactate to care for orphans. Here we do it for adopted children. WHY? Why not? It is better for the babies. They receive antibodies, better nutrients and enzymes, bonding and much more. It is a wonderful way to bond with a newly adopted child. Many have successfully nursed an older adopted child too. I know of several who have gotten 6-9 month old’s to nurse after being adopted.
Pregnancy is not necessary for breastfeeding. Prolactin (a hormone) is. Pregnancy does change the breast tissue so helps but is not necessary. Many adoptive moms who have never been pregnant have produced 30-100% of the breast milk their child needs. Pumping, sucking, herbs and drugs all help raise the prolactin level.
I started by pumping every 3-4 hours with a Hospital grade breast pump (Medela Lactina double pump). http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/pumps.html#lactina The light weight pumps available at most stores will not do the job of Induced Lactation. The Lactina is $700-900 to buy so I rented it for 3 months.
I also started taking herbs: 9 Fenugreek (an Indian spice that makes your sweat smell like maple syrup), 6 Blessed Thistle (NOT Milk Thistle), 6 Marshmallow Root (make the milk thicker and higher in calorie). I also drank Mothers Milk Tea and lots of water. Eating oatmeal. pineapple, and Henry Weinhart’s Rootbeer will also help.
I got milk drops 10 days after starting the pumping/herbs routine. By 4 weeks I was getting enough to freeze an ounce a day. By the time she was born I was freezing 2-3 ounces a day.
When she was born I nursed first, 10 minutes each side, switching sides 4 times (YES 45 minutes of nursing) then I would give her 1-2 OZ of formula or donated breast milk in a Lact-aid supplementer. http://www.lact-aid.com/ The Lactaid allows the formula to go thru a tiny tube at my breast so she got my milk and formula at the same time. This also stimulated me to produce more milk. I chose to nurse first without the supplementer because I wanted her to nurse both with and without the supplementer. She was always willing to nurse 45 minutes without the supplementer so I would often times offer the extra 1-2 OZ in a bottle.
There are two drugs available that many choose to help with milk supply. DOMPERIDONE is one. http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidonewhere.shtml It is not available in the USA. It is available in Mexico $102 a month, Canada $50 a month and New Zealand $25 a month. It is used for stomach/digestion problems with a side effect of increased milk production. You need to take it the whole time you nurse or your supply will probably drop.
RAGLAN is the other drug. It is available very inexpensively from your local doctor. It is also used for stomach issues. You take it for only 4 weeks. I chose not to take either drug since I had nursed 3 bio children before (even if 12 years earlier).
I have many more adoptive nursing links and information on my web page at http://www.preciouskids.org/adopt/adoptnursing.html
I hope this answers your questions and you can tell a friend about the wonders of adoptive breastfeeding! Spread the word! I would also be happy to talk with others interested in adoption and adoptive breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding an adopted child is a great way to give them better nutrition and antibodies but it is an even better way to bond with them. I know I have a special connection with my nursing angel Haley. She loves her mama’s milk.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Kay Green is the founder of www.MyPreciousKid.com Children’s Safety Products and Baby Gear. Kay has a passion for keeping kids safe and giving parents peace of mind. Kay & Russell, her husband of 27 years, live in Oregon with their 4 children. www.KayGreen.com www.PreciousKids.org www.123HomeBusinessGuide.com COPYRIGHT 2000-2007 My Precious Kid®, Kay Green. All rights reserved.
When Is The Right Time To Potty Train?
By: Susanne Myers
There isn’t a simple answer for this question. The truth is each child decides on his or her own when it is time to start peeing in the potty. There is however a general age range and somewhere during that time your child will be ready for potty training. We’ll talk about what the age range is and how you will be able to tell that your child is ready.
Most children will potty train when they are between 2 and 4. Girls tend to be ready a little sooner than boys. If there are older siblings in the house, your younger child will also get interested in using the potty sooner than a single child. I have seen children as young as 18 months, who could barely walk wanting to use the potty like their older sibling. These children were ready for potty training and were out of diapers in no time.
Your child will give you quite a few signals to let you know he or she is ready to give the potty a try. Pay attention to your child’s behavior and you will know if it is time to start the training.
A child that is ready for the potty will start showing interest in what mom, dad and older siblings are doing in the bathroom. Take some of the mystery out of the potty for your toddler, by allowing him to accompany you to the bathroom, or leave the door cracked. Curiosity will get the better of him and sooner or later he will take a peak. When he does, explain what you are doing in a simple, straightforward way.
Does your child start pulling on his clothing or ask to have a diaper change? Is he getting increasingly more uncomfortable running around in a wet or soiled diaper? This is another sure tell sign that it is time to start potty training.
If you think your child may be ready, give potty training a try. If you read your child’s signals wrong, he will let you know and you can just give it a little more time before trying again.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: For more information about potty training, potty training tips and a free ecourse to help you potty train your child visit www.mypottytraining.com
Feeding Baby - Coping With Messy Mealtimes
By: Calbury
There’s no doubt about it — feeding babies is a messy business! It may seem easy at first, when you’re in control and feeding your baby from a spoon. But once you give him finger foods, or his own spoon for self-feeding, then you’ll be amazed by the amount of mess he can create!
As hard as it may be, it’s important not to let concerns about mess stop you from enjoying these special times with your baby. If you are a very tidy person, watching your baby cover everything with food can be very stressful and your instincts may scream at you to clean it all up.
But babies actually need to be allowed to explore food at first. This helps them learn more about different textures and tastes and also gives them the freedom to control what they are eating. And this is an important point — your baby has an innate ability to regulate his own calorie intake. If you do not allow him the freedom to feed himself, you can “confuse” this natural ability by giving him more calories than his body actually needs — and this can lead to weight problems in later life.
Plus, of course, your baby should be given the spoon in order to develop the necessary skills to spoon-feed himself.
So what are the best ways to keep mess — and stress — to a minimum?
* Use a good bib to protect your baby’s clothes. When he first begins to feed himself, a “coverall” bib with sleeves is ideal. Alternatively — and when the weather allows — feed him with no clothes on!
* Protect the floor all around your baby’s highchair (not just underneath… sometimes a little food goes a long way!). Either invest in a highchair splash mat, or improvise and make your own, using any wipe-clean material. A shower curtain or liner is ideal for the purpose — not only is it easy to clean, but it’s nice and big too!
* Consider investing in a highchair cover if the highchair you’re using is particularly difficult to clean.
* Give your baby a bowl with a suction pad that you can attach to the tray on his highchair. This will limit him to only being able to throw the food that is in the bowl… and not the bowl itself!
* After preparing your baby’s meal, spoon only a small amount into HIS bowl and keep the rest beside you! This is less messy than allowing him to handle a large quantity of food and also means that you have some food left in reserve if too much of his ends up on the floor!
* As your baby learns to feed himself from a spoon, make his life easier by serving foods that he is able to scoop up without too much difficulty. Try thickening runny foods (like soup) so that they will cling to the spoon — some great thickeners include mashed egg yolk, wheat germ and pureed silken tofu.
* When the meal is over, invite the family pet in to help you clear up!
Don’t discipline your baby for being messy.
Quite simply, it is out of his control and he would not understand why he was being punished. Of course, if your baby is a little older and is throwing his food on the floor, then it’s time to gently set some family mealtime rules…
* When your baby throws food, try to determine if he’s doing it because he’s full. This is the actually the most common reason for doing so. If this is the case, then simply remove the food and say to your baby something along the lines of “I’m full”, “I’m done” or “No more”. This teaches your baby that he can actually communicate this fact rather than demonstrate it!
* If you feel that your baby is throwing food for fun, then try removing it for a minute or two, keeping it where he can see it. Calmly explain that “we don’t throw food”. (Keeping calm is important — your baby will very easily pick up on any sign of anxiety and the dinner table can rapidly turn into a battleground!). If your baby is hungry, he will be upset about the removal of his food, so return it to him. But be consistent — by removing his food each time he throws some, he will quickly learn that this is unacceptable behaviour.
* Sometimes, babies throw food to get attention… and it works! So be sure to give your baby lots of attention when he’s eating nicely, too.
Above all, keep things in perspective. Most babies go through a very messy phase and, although it seems to last for ages, he will have grown out of it before you know it! Then, of course, you will look back fondly at those happy days when he learned to feed himself! There is plenty of time for good table manners (and vacuuming!) later on in your baby’s life… for now, just have fun and encourage your baby’s delight in the wonderful world of food!
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Christine Albury is a mother of four and the author of Homemade Baby Food Recipes - your complete guide to solid feeding during baby’s first year. Homemade Baby Food Recipes, which was recently featured by the BBC, includes a very active blog - keeping parents up to date with all important baby food news - plus a free monthly newsletter.
Breastfeeding - Even if you don’t plan to breastfeed
By: Veronica Davis
When I was pregnant, I got the question all the time. “Are you going to breastfeed?” The answer was always no, or probably not. The thought of another little human being attached to me just striked me as odd, and I didn’t want anyone to see me doing something like that. Uncommon, because I am not a bashful person but I felt weird at the thought of it.
So the day came when I had my son, and when they brought him to me and said “let’s nurse” I was uncomfortable. However, once they helped me get him in position and we started, that was it. I knew I wanted to breastfeed my precious little man.
There was tons of support at the hospital. I thought they were making such a big deal out of it. What was so hard about this? He roomed in with me much of the time, except for when I wanted to get a little sleep, or I wanted to go outside for a walk. (I had to have an emergency c-section, so my hospital stay was a little longer). During those times, the nursery ladies would ask me if I wanted them to give him a “supplement” if he woke up and was hungry. Of course I did! I didn’t want him to be hungry, right?
So time passed and soon I was home with my new little man in tow.
And it begins…..I can’t get him positioned correcly all of a sudden. He is always, always hungry. He seems to not want to breastfeed at times. Ok, so I can just give him a “supplement” to sooth him, and we can go back to sleep. Right? Soon, I get badly engorged. Then right behind that, I can’t seem to produce enough milk. We are seeing a lactation consultant constantly. My precious little man has realized he gets his food easier and he gets more of it when he eats from a bottle. And for months to come I am struggling with getting him back to the breast, and trying to increase my milk supply.
Had I not been so closed minded to the thought of breastfeeding I would have known:
-Don’t let the baby have a bottle or pacifier in the first few weeks of life. Let you and your baby get into a steady breastfeeding relationship so you both get the hang of it.
-For every ounce of formula he recieves from a bottle, that is one ounce less of breastmilk you are telling your body to make.
-Baby can begin to prefer the bottle, and make it very difficult to breastfeed.
-Once you lose your milk supply, it is very hard to get back.
It is a very trying time when you get into the situation I was and am in. Your baby seems to “refuse” you, and it can create such agony. In essence, your baby is NOT refusing you. They are simple doing what they know, and what they have accustomed to.
If you do not plan to breastfeed, I urge you to research it some. Learn the basics of it, know how it works. Read, read, read. Go to an LLL meeting. Anything. You never know, you just may decide to breastfeed. And if you do, you do not want land in the spot I did just from a lack of knowledge.
Best wishes to you and your baby!
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Author: Veronica Davis About the author: Owner of “Breastfeeding is the best”, a resource network for all breastfeeding moms. Website: Breastfeeding is the Best www.allnatural.cashhosters.com/breastfeeding Email: fruteloop23@yahoo.com Other websites include: BD’s Profit Pro www.boriginaldesigns.com/
Once Upon a Family
How often do you start looking through a catalog and find yourself moved to tears because of the beautiful products and vision that the company is offering? For me, never! Until Once Upon a Family came along.
OUAF rep Amy Gill kindly sent me their catalog and some of their products for me to look over. Right from the start I could see that this company has something really, really special to offer.
Not too many of us need more shoes, shirts, or toys. Our kids don’t need more ballet lessons or soccer games. But one thing most of us could use more is family connections, family traditions, and a tangible way to remember our journey together as a family.
And Once Upon a Family offers that to you.
Wow.
Every time I’ve thought about getting started on this review, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it justice, so I’d put it off some more. And then, you know, nobody even hears about it from me. So, the time is now.
Once Upon a Family has some of the most beautiful, thoughtful products for building family traditions, cherishing childhood memories, staying in touch, family celebrations, family values, and more.
One of the coolest things they have that I think will especially appeal to scrapbookers, is their Live, Laugh, Love Club. This is a program where you can get together a regular group of women from your church, neighborhood, family, etc. and do a monthly project that will help teach family values and preserve family memories. What a great idea for an inexpensive and completely worthwhile Mom’s Night Out hobby! (only $12 a month!!)
Here’s some info from the web site:
Live, Laugh, Love I workshops focus on the upcoming holiday, a cherished family value and an important keepsake project. The January Workshop, for example, is about Valentine’s Day and Gifts of Love. You will read about and understand the 5 Languages of Love, create a Love Journal for someone you cherish, and take home the Hearts of Loving Kindness tradition to start with your own family. You do not need to complete these workshops in any order. You may start with Level I or Level II. It’s up to you!
Live, Laugh, Love II workshops focus on a cherished family value and an important family celebration: Weddings, Birthdays, New Babies, Graduations, Family Reunions, etc. The January Workshop, for example, is about Anniversaries and Respect. You will read a short article which will cause you to think about how to show and teach Respect at home; you will write a letter to someone whom you hold in high esteem, you will fill in a “Story of My Life” booklet to pass on to future generations, and take home 3 “Love Puzzle” cards to do at home with your loved ones.
Once Upon a Family is not only a wonderful company to support with your purchasing power, but it offers a wonderful consultant program as well. Rep Amy Gill shared with me,
I am looking for like-minded women to join my team to help me spread the mission that it is the little things that we take the time to do now is what is going to matter in 20 years.
My daughter was very ill and almost died (15mths) and I realized that all that I was busy with wasn’t important. Once Upon A Family was just beginning and I heard their mission and signed before there was product. I travel and speak, do home parties, speak to moms, women’s ministries, and teach PTA that we need to get back to the basics. I don’t want a mom out there to have to go through what I went through in order to learn that. If I can help bring one new tradition into a home that will bring that family closer together than I have not wasted the gift God has given me.
Amen, Amy! Honestly, after looking over this catalog and the product samples, I feel confident in telling you that this is one of the most worthwhile ventures I have ever had the pleasure of learning about. Spread the word!
Simple Steps to Healthier Eating Online Class Starts SOON!
Monday August 06th 2007, 1:25 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized
Filed under: Uncategorized
Do you want to eat healthier, but don’t know where to begin?
Have you tried healthy eating plans, but weren’t able to keep up because it was too hard, too extreme, or too weird?
Are you afraid that your husband and kids won’t want to eat anything “healthy”?
Do you wish you had someone to coach you along the way toward eating healthier and achieving your goals?
Have no Fear….Supermom is Here!
By popular demand, “Supermom” Erica Johns (owner of the Baby Boutique at Womb’s Window, too!) is now offering an Interactive Online Class and Coaching to help you achieve your goals!
What you’ll get:
-Internet-based lessons that you can read and work through when it’s convenient for you.
-Personal internet-based coaching that will help you overcome obstacles, brainstorm, and achieve your goals.
-Assignments that will help you take the leap into trying new recipes and new products that can help your whole family eat healthier.
-Convenient access to healthy eating products that can be difficult (or impossible) to find in regular stores.
-Tons of ideas on how your family can eat the kind of foods they like, while improving the healthfulness of their diet.
-Many thrifty, quick, easy, and healthy recipes that even the busiest family can put together.
See all the details HERE.
Comments Are Now Off
Monday August 06th 2007, 9:17 am
Filed under: Uncategorized
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey gals,
I’m sorry to say that I’ve had to turn comments off. I’ve been inundated with hundreds of spam comments every day, and I have to go through all of them to make sure I don’t accidentally delete YOUR comments. Ugh. I’m just too busy to keep up with it, so for now am turning the comments off to stop spammers in their tracks.
However…I DO want to hear from you! If you have a comment, please use the Contact Us form to let me know what’s on your mind. I can even add your comments to the post you’re referring to.
If I was more technically savvy I’d probably be able to figure out some way to fix this differently. For now, this is all I’ve got….
Why Small Children Need Snacks
By: Jenni Hunt
Are you worried about your child’s current eating habits? Instead of worrying about it, plan a routine for feeding your little one. If you are unsure about how to plan your child’s diet regime, follow the tips below:
· Well-timed snacks can help in balancing out an uneven diet and will surely help your baby be happier and healthier!
· If your children are being difficult when you are trying to feed them, then the best option is to engage them in conversation during this time, preferably by sitting together and eating as a family.
· Cook more than one dish, so that your child has a few options to choose from. Also try to make the dishes look tempting.
· Don’t force your child to eat a large portion of a food item. Allow them to eat a small portion if that is what they want.
Children can be finicky eaters sometimes. They like something one day and a few days later they simply detest it. Also, sometimes they don’t like to eat too much at one time and prefer to eat at regular, but frequent, intervals. For this reason, snacks form a very important part in a child’s diet.
It is very essential that you take charge of your child’s diet now, otherwise it will be too difficult to monitor their eating habits when they are older. Since they are still dependent on you and can’t run to the nearest store to get food for themselves, they rely solely on what you serve. So, now is the best time to take advantage of this fact. Choose the most nutritious food you can. Give them foods with higher content of proteins, nutrients, minerals etc.
It is a known fact that with a proper routine, children eventually develop good eating habits. If you start serving your kids healthy snacks at regular intervals from an early age, they will get accustomed to it and prefer these healthier foods to junk food.
Now let us see why small children need snacks?
Young children have small appetites and they need adequate nutrients for healthy growth and development. So nutrient rich snacks through the day, will provide all the necessary nutrients their bodies need, ensuring proper development.
Many children decline certain foods at certain times. By offering small snacks frequently will make your child happy and at the same time, fulfill their dietary requirements. With healthy snacks, your child can be prevented from over eating as well as under eating, helping to maintain a good balance.
Healthful snacks are imperative in providing essential nutrients and energy. Avoid giving heavy snacks too close to mealtimes. Giving nutritious snacks will ensure maximum energy in the young kids. To give them appeal, make the snacks as interesting as possible. Some popular, yet healthy, snack ideas would be fresh fruits, cheese, peanut butter, raisin bread, fruit loaf, muffins, biscuits, vegetable sticks, etc. Treat your baby with something new each day. They will simply love it!
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Looking for new snack ideas? www.snacksfortoddlers.com offers healthy snack ideas for busy children to help get them through their day.
The Homemaking Cottage
Sunday August 05th 2007, 11:34 am
Filed under: Uncategorized
Filed under: Uncategorized
The Homemaking Cottage is a great web site filled with lots of ideas for cooking, home and garden, decorating, holidays, health, and lots more. Not only do they have a lot of free articles, but you can gain access to over 800 more articles and resources when you sign up for the Deluxe Edition! Check it out!
Five Best Ever Children’s Books for Toddlers
Start your children off early with their love of reading. Read to them whenever you get a chance so they can learn about books and how special they are. Once they begin to read, they will return the favor by reading to you. Here are my picks for the five best ever children’s books for toddlers.
1. Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell- When Emily Elizabeth gets her very own puppy, neither she nor her family have any idea of how he will change their lives. She names him Clifford. Clifford is a special dog as Emily Elizabeth soon finds out. Clifford grows up and up and up until he’s too big for their apartment. That’s when Emily and her family move to Birdwell Island so Clifford can have some room to play. Through Clifford’s adventures, children learn the values of sharing, apologizing, making friends, and helping out.
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle- All of Eric Carle’s stories feature loveable creatures from nature in bold colors and shapes. As soon as you see a cover, you know that it is one of his books. The first one that I ever read was about the caterpillar. It seemed that caterpillar was never satisfied and always hungry. Why was he so hungry? Then one day, he disappeared inside something called a cocoon. What happened to caterpillar next will surprise and amaze your toddler. Carle’s books teach practical lessons about nature and how animals function in it. Children will learn about the animals and their native habitats.
3. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein- This book is one that your toddler will ask you to read over and over again. The Giving Tree is a touching book about life and love as told through a young child’s relationship with a tree. Sometimes, though we forget what our parents and friends have done for us. It hurts them when we turn out backs on them, but they always welcome us back with open arms. Parents will like this story because it mirrors a parent’s bittersweet love and sacrifice for a child.
4. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne- Who hasn’t heard of Winnie the Pooh? Pooh belongs to Christopher Robin, a young boy who joins him on many adventures. Winnie the Pooh lives in the Hundred Acre Wood in a tree house surrounded by his friendly neighbors. Your toddler will meet Tigger, the orange and black tiger that bounces around on his tail. They’ll also meet Kanga and Roo, the mother and son duo who live near Pooh. There is Rabbit who tries to keep order in the community and seems to be the only responsible party besides Kanga. Pooh’s favorite fearful friend is Piglet, who runs to Pooh when he’s in trouble. I don’t exactly know what Eeyore is, but the pinned up tail suggests that he is a blue donkey of sorts. He may seem sad, but he comes through for his friends when they need him most. Owl is the wisest of the group, always giving advice to the others on practical matters.
5. Corduroy by Don Freeman- Children love animals especially cute, cuddly teddy bears. Corduroy is a stuffed bear that sits on a shelf in the department store day in and day out waiting for someone to buy him. When a young girl’s mother points out that he has lost a button, Corduroy goes in search of it. As he explores his surroundings, he notices all of the wonderful things that are kept in the store. Does Corduroy ever find his button? Read the book and find out. Corduroy will become one of your toddler’s favorite stories.
When they are not old enough to read, you must do the honors. Any of these books will offer adventurous and heartwarming stories your child will love. If you don’t own any of them, get a copy today.
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Are you ready to challenge your preschooler’s mind even more? Take a look at www.kidsactivitycalendar.com for Alphabet Fun for your preschooler. The alphabet audios, coloring sheets and other activities are a great way to prepare your little one for kindergarten. To get your free sample lesson, stop by www.kidsactivitycalendar.com/letter-a-sample.htm today.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Are you ready to challenge your preschooler’s mind even more? Take a look at www.kidsactivitycalendar.com for Alphabet Fun for your preschooler. The alphabet audios, coloring sheets and other activities are a great way to prepare your little one for kindergarten. To get your free sample lesson, stop by www.kidsactivitycalendar.com/letter-a-sample.htm today.
The Sleepless Challenge: Battling PostPartum Fatigue
By: Demetria Zinga
For me, it was “welcome to motherhood”. Ready or not, I was in for a wonderful experience. But my first challenge was to overcome the first few months of literally no sleep. It was my first baby, and I felt the pressure of doing everything “just right”. I wanted to be a perfect mom. But I quickly learned that parenting was going to be a lifelong journey and that I would make plenty of mistakes along the way.
After stumbling out of bed frequently for middle of the night feedings I’d wake up around 6 a.m. to my newborn crying a joyful solo for yet another feeding. After about three weeks of this, and then another month I was completely worn out! Following a cesarean section, I immediately thought I could be Supermom, Grand Interior Decorator, and the House Cleaning Company all at once, and of course I thought I could simultaneously juggle the responsibilities of a baby that I was so certain would sleep through most of the day and night.
After a few restless nights, and having noticed that my sweet infant was rarely sleeping at all, be it night or day, I began to really wonder about her. Was this going to be the norm? Did infants really stay awake for hours at a time demanding a feeding every hour and half? Was I doing something wrong? I couldn’t help but wonder if this pattern would ever end. I’d read all the many parenting articles that tell you when your infant should stop waking up so frequently and begin sleeping peacefully through the night. Well, I dare say that my little one kept waking up again and again for nights on end. After a few months I began to think I was the only mother out there suffering from severe sleep deprivation! Of course, I knew that I wasn’t REALLY the only one, but it sure hits home when it happens to you.
My young one is now an active toddler, and things have definitely improved as far as her sleeping habits go, but I learned quite a few things during those seemingly never ending nights of sleeplessness and days of extreme fatigue. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely wouldn’t have tried to be the Grand Interior Designer and the House Cleaning Company (and following a c-section at that)! Here are some handy tips that I should have used and will keep in mind when I have my next baby:
• Rest, rest, rest! Okay, it sounds trite, and while pregnant you’ve probably heard everyone in the world tell you to rest, but once you’ve given birth it’s even more important that you still adhere to the resting phase the first few days you are home from the hospital. I can’t even begin to explain how much rest is needed after a cesarean section…but in either type of delivery, your body needs time to recuperate, so take it easy. What does resting mean? It could mean using paper plates so there are fewer dishes to wash. It could mean having a friend or relative come sit with you a few hours a day and help you around the house (which is especially helpful if you have other younger children). And if you have older children, it could mean having them help out with more chores around the house. Most of all, it means to just let some things go. The dusting doesn’t have to be done right away…perhaps it can wait a few more days, or weeks even.
• People say to sleep while the baby is sleeping. Well, that didn’t work for me, mostly because I was attempting to get things done around the house that I couldn’t do efficiently when my daughter was awake. So here’s what I say: REST while the baby is sleeping. Sit down, take a break. Schedule that time, and give yourself at least 30 minutes to do absolutely nothing.
• Thicken baby’s milk. I breastfed my daughter for several months. In the beginning nurses were telling me that breastfed babies need to get fed more often because breast milk apparently “goes right through” their systems. After my daughter was a few weeks old they gave me the go-ahead on thickening her breast milk with rice cereal (about a teaspoon full). It did wonders for her nightly waking ritual. Instead of waking up every hour and half she slept about two hours longer than usual. I say that’s good for mom and baby! Of course, check with your pediatrician first, and again, there are differing views on thickening baby’s milk, so do (or don’t do) what you feel is best.
• Breastfeeding mothers take a break. For mothers who nurse, I highly recommend pumping so the baby can be given a bottle by other members of the family while you rest up. Breastfeeding is a demanding job and takes quite a bit of energy reserves. Did you know you burn approximately 500 calories during one nursing session? That’s equivalent to the amount of calories I burned on the treadmill a few days ago. So there’s another reason for you to take a breather.
• Take your prenatal vitamins. Keep taking these. You’ll need them, especially during this time of recovery. Your body needs all the minerals and vitamins necessary to boost your immune system and promote overall health. You’ll be glad you took them daily.
• Continue to eat for two. If you are nursing, this is an especially important concept, since you’ll need to eat enough to keep your milk reserves flowing. It’s very easy for postpartum women to want to begin dieting right after giving birth. However, the healthiest choice is to simply continue the intake of nutritious foods, and to eat enough to keep your energy levels up, because you will definitely need energy in the wee hours of the morning! In addition, doctors recommend that postpartum, nursing women intake anywhere from 2000-2400 calories per day. So eat, and eat healthy.
• Keep others in your life. Don’t ever feel alone or isolated. If you don’t have relatives nearby who can help, seek for help within your community: churches, civic groups and non profit organizations, as well as friends. In addition, there are a host of online communities and discussion groups specifically geared toward pregnancy and parenting issues that are helpful for new moms.
Most of all, do the things you like to do most: read, meditate, write, and work on crafts. Do something you truly enjoy every day for as much as you can. With time, your baby will start sleeping through the night, and one day you will realize that you can finally catch your “z’s”.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Demetria Zinga is a Navy wife and mother of a fun preschooler. The founder of Christian Ladies Connect www.christianladies.net/ and Christian Ladies Talk Radio, a ministerial ezine and online radio podcast for Christian women, she has a passion to help other women.
Five Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food
By: Nancy Miller
Are you undecided whether you should prepare your own
baby food or just buy it from the store? If so, then take
a look at these 5 good reasons for doing it yourself - they
may help you make up your mind…
1. It’s Healthier and More Nutritious
Commercial baby foods contain additional fat, salt,
sugar, fillers or other ingredients that are completely
unnecessary (and often inappropriate) to your baby’s diet.
These additives are an attempt to add flavor, texture and
bulk to poor-quality products. They contribute nothing at
all to your baby’s health or well-being. By preparing the
food yourself, you can be sure that your baby is getting
exactly what his/her little body needs - and nothing that
it doesn’t.
2. You’re in Control
By preparing your baby’s food yourself, you know exactly
what your baby is eating. When you prepare an apple sauce,
you know he/she is getting fresh, pure apple and all the
goodness it contains. However, when you buy apple-sauce
at the store, you’d almost need a degree in nutrition
just to decipher the list of ingredients.
3. It’s Easy
Once you get started cooking for your baby, you’ll quickly
realize just how easy it is. All you need is a food blender
and some fresh ingredients to quickly prepare healthy,
tasty, home-made meals for your little one. Furthermore,
by making large amounts of his/her favorite meals in
advance, and then freezing them for later, you’ll be able
to serve up delicious, healthy meals in minutes — every
day of the week.
4. It’s Much Cheaper
The prices that baby food manufacturers charge for their
products is nothing short of scandalous and are in no way
justifiable. The reason they can charge so much is because
they’ve conditioned most parents to believe that they have
no choice but to buy from them. By preparing your baby’s
food yourself, you can avoid being a victim of this
daylight robbery, and find yourself with extra cash to
spend on all those other things that a growing baby needs.
5. It’s Very Gratifying
Watching your baby enjoy the meal you’ve just prepared for
him/her is already a very gratifying experience. On top of
that, however, you have the satisfaction and pride of
knowing that you’re giving your child the gift of a healthy
and nutritious diet - and saving yourself money as well.
And finally…
If all that weren’t enough, here’s another great reason to
do it yourself: home-made baby food is much tastier than any
commercial product. Delicious food is one of life’s great
pleasures and your baby deserves to enjoy the rich flavor
and texture of real home cooking just as much as you or I.
After all, none of us would enjoy eating ‘TV Dinners’
morning, noon and night - and that goes for your baby too!
So, don’t put it off. Get started today. Your baby will
thank you for it in more ways than one.
Nancy.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
About The Author: Nancy Miller is author of ‘How to Make Your Own Healthy Baby Food’ and a full-time working mom. Visit Nancy’s website at www.healthy-baby-food.com
Thoughts and Feelings of Being a New Mom, Again
By: Alyssa Avant
Sitting here days after giving birth to my second child, my head spins with thoughts, feelings and emotions. I am not sure exactly how a person is suppose to feel after becoming a mother for the second time, I’m not even sure how she should feel after becoming a mother for the first time. However, I can assure you the two experiences are very different. With my son, I was overprotective, emotional, and scared. I remember coming home from the hospital and wanting everyone to just go away so I could be alone with him, hover over him, and not let anyone else touch him. Visitors came and visitors went, it seemed like they’d never leave. I remember thinking and so I’m told even saying out loud, “I’m really tired, I think I need a nap”, in hopes that they would get the hint and leave. My husband says at times I was on the verge of rude, and I’m not normally a rude person.
This time was different literally hours after giving birth to my second child, a daughter, I had a room full of friends and family, at the hospital I might add and I was literally sitting up in bed laughing my head off at their antics. After coming home, more friends and family flooded in and I just sat back smiling as they ooohed and ahhed over my daughter. It was not until the thought hit me that I was going to be caring for two that I even got the least bit scared. My husband was home for a week therefore; I had not yet experienced trying to do that on my own. However, as soon as the thought hit me, another one did as well, “If she can do it, I can do it.” She being all those moms you see in the grocery store, with newborn in the car