Baby Care

Archive for October, 2009

Physical exercises during pregnancy are important and useful, this is a common knowledge. But what kind of sport should expectant mothers choose? They shouldn’t go in for sharp sport. So they have to choose among swimming pool, yoga and walking.
When I got pregnant, I wanted to lead a wonderful life – have medical tests, breathe fresh air, drink fresh squeezed juices, and even, oh, finally, go in for sport.
At home I have a juicer, I have already concluded a contract of pregnancy, tests are normal and even sex is allowed. It remains to understand – which kind of sport to choose. Before being pregnant I didn’t even thought about exercises. Once bought a subscription, but after 2 months gave it back, because the sports club attendance has steadily sought to zero. And I hate walking in principle. And I drive a car. Yes, I go everywhere by car. And the shop is around the corner. And I have a mother in law, who every day says: “You have to walk more. I began to tremble and I fumbled to learn special exercises for pregnant. After all, sport is better than walking.
Well, let’s take for example yoga. During pregnancy, the essence of yoga is not limited to the beauty and health, but to the beauty and health of your child – I was explained in this way. There is something logical in this, I decided, and went to trial lesson. You can start this from the second trimester and … … well as you can. It is possible in the prenatal period, I think. In general, those who went to this sport, say that yoga perfectly prepares to childbirth, and has a very positive effect on pregnancy especially breathing exercises.
The next point was to study aqua-aerobics. First, I love swimming in sea. Secondly, I love swimming very much. Classes were somewhat similar to yoga. We breathe and move smoothly, but in water. Besides they promise prevention of swelling, it is to the point as I can not take off my engagement ring in the morning! Here it is pregnancy! Exercises in water are perfect.
To be honest, I became quite lazy and sometimes I even didn’t want to leave home. Traffic jams and wheel presses the stomach, well, you know what I mean. I myself decided to maintain their pregnancy. Breathing exercises are very plain. In general, for each month there are happily different exercises. But all these “slopes” and “circles” for me are very boring. Even at home.

We went to the countryside for the weekend. Nature, fresh air… beauty!
There I went with my husband to the bath … but returning, I wondered, can I go to the bath during pregnancy … and this is what I found out.
Visiting bath doesn’t do any harm to a pregnant woman, on the contrary, it can be very useful. Before visiting you should learn the subtleties of bath art.

Can pregnant go to bath?
Many obstetricians prohibit pregnant women attending bath or sauna. In fact, woman needs going to the bath. Why do people go to bath?
To relax, gain strength and positive emotions, cleanse the soul and body – in short, to have fun.
It seems as if we wash away everything alien, superficial and superfluous.
In the hot atmosphere of the steam room all background information is relegated to the background. Rubbing salt cleans and pores skin. Honey inflicted on the body, nourishes and regenerates the skin. But be careful not to causeallergies! A cool shower or bath after the swimming pool continues the process of revitalizing the body. Hot tea with honey and lemon also helps to remove all unnecessary things. Visiting bath excellently trains respiratory and circulatory system; improves blood supply to the placenta and prevents premature aging. All of this is prevention of intrauterine fetal hypoxia and gestosis of pregnant women, takes a higher tone of the uterus. Most actively responds to the bath circulatory system and detoxification. Under the influence of the steam, skin disease (urticaria, itching) during pregnancy may regress or even disappear. Taking the bath strengthens the immune system, retreating colds, flu, SARS. Pregnant women, who regularly visited the bath during labor, have significantly less pain likely requiring admission antispasmodics and analgesics. This is associated with an increase in the elasticity of the ligamentous device, reduction of excessive muscle tension, the positive influence of baths on the autonomic nervous system and psyche.
Bath is absolutely contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases with high fever, epilepsy, cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, II and III stage. You can not go to the bath with bronchial asthma, after recent surgical interventions, with complicated pregnancies (threat interrupts, placenta previa, high blood pressure).
Before the sauna you should consult with a gynecologist!
What should be remembered when visiting a steam room
The head should always be covered with something. There are special hats.
Do not outstay in the steam room. It is better to go there a few times, than once staying for a long time.

In anticipation of the child, prospective parents do not often realize what problems they may encounter in the first months of baby’s life.
Therefore, when there are any signs of illness mothers and fathers often get lost and do not know what to do. One of these pitfalls, delivering a lot of anxiety to kids and their parents, is intestinal colic. The overwhelming majority of kids have such a problem and, nevertheless, it becomes a matter of excitement. What do you need to know about colic?
First of all, parents need to understand what infantile colic really is. For the entire period of prenatal development the stomach and the intestines of the child do not work, because the baby receives its food through the umbilical cord. Now the gastrointestinal tract needs to master difficult job. Setting and synchronization of the digestive process usually takes several weeks.
During this time, the processes of fermentation and gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract cause painful for the child intestinal spasms. There is no need to be afraid of this – in most cases, colic passes together with the growth and development of the baby. However, this does not mean that you have to sit without taking any steps: colic delivers child serious suffering and he/she always needs help. You can help him/her in the following way:
- First, mothers and fathers should calm down, because it was proved that the excitement of adults passes to kids and worsen their condition.
- It is necessary to try solving the problems of breastfeeding: for the first time baby should be fed on demand, but it is desirable to observe the intervals between feedings at least two hours. Whilw breast-feeding you need to ensure that he/she tightly clenches lips around the nipple and does not swallow “portions of air”, which aggravate the painful spasms of colic. In that case, when child restlessly catches nipple with a mouth, you should help him/her holding the breast.
- If a child is on artificial feeding, it is necessary to seize the nipple away from the end. Also, to secure the child from the “excess air” during feeding keep a bottle at an angle of 30-45 ° – in this situation the air accumulates at the top and does not enter into his/her body. Another option – you can use special “shrinking” bottles or fitted with a valve (the so-called anti-colic). They also prevent the uptake of “excess air” and reduce the risk of colic.
- After eating, the child (both on breast-feeding, and on artificial feeding) should be held straight that he/she could “take out” extra air from body.
- It is important to regularly to put the child on the tummy (7-10 minutes); it contributes to a discharge of gases and strengthens the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, which favorably affects the intestinal peristalsis.
- Do not neglect the massage. It should become a mandatory part of everyday life of your baby. Daily do massage light strokes in a clockwise direction (about 10 turns)
- Nursing mother should pay particular attention to her menu, because everything she eats gets into her breast milk and the baby’s intestines. If a child has colic, you should carefully avoid foods rich in fiber (cabbage, whole-grain bread, apples, eggplant), and food, reinforcing the processes of fermentation (buns, beans, grapes).
- To cope with painful cramps helps a warm diaper, applied to the tummy. The heat allows the baby to relax, so the colic after some time diminishes and ceases to disturb the baby.
Using the whole set of measures you can successfully cope with intestinal colic. Your child will be happy, will develop, learn about the world and grow to the delight of his/her mother and father.

The first year with children will not be burdened with unnecessary problems and doubts on different occasions if you follow the advice of this article.
1. Toy
It turns out that children experience the greatest joy from what (or rather, whom) you can not buy in the store. From you! Playing with their parents is much more interesting. But, do not argue, sometimes bright soft toys from different materials (for development of tactile abilities) for teeth can compete with you.
2. Rescue (especially for mothers)
The main cause of damage and inflammation of the nipples is a poor latch. Perhaps the baby does not catch the areola during suckling or you remove the nipple from his/her mouth in a wrong way. Some training together with a consultant on breastfeeding and you’ll find a solution to this problem.
3. Wardrobe
You should never even think of synthetics clothes! Buy clothes made of natural materials.
Linen is perfect for summer. Its main feature is to keep cool.
Cotton is the most useful for health as it provides excellent air flow.
It is warm and cozy in terry robe. Access of air to the body is not limited.
Fleece, albeit artificial material (its base – polyester), does not cause allergies and breathing, so it has a right to exist in your wardrobe.
4. Milk
Child requires breast, guided by a natural sense of hunger and thirst. The best way to feed babies on demand that is whenever he wants. From the 4th month the breastfeeding decreases. In general feeding is associated with sleep: babies usually eat before going to sleep or after awakening.
5. Developing
Scientists, in particular, Masaru Ibuka, say: the ability to absorb information in the child’s brain is higher than in adults. Do not be afraid that the baby gets tired. When new information is too much, the brain ceases to receive the information.
Up to three years a child is able to master more than one native language, learn to swim, to evaluate the music of Bach, and even to understand algebra. This helps your story games, books (with the first day!), drawing (can be under Bach) and just communication.
6. Practical
The first sound, which children hear, is their mother’s heartbeat. Therefore, the baby sleeps well under your left “wing”.
And your smell! From the first seconds of life newborn unmistakably knows mother by smell. Just like to know that mother will immediately react on cry.
Try on slings or backpack-kangaroo (from 6 months). They help the child understand that the world around is friendly and open, and mother is beside him/her. You will become more mobile and be calm for the baby.
7. Clean
To care for a baby requires a set of cosmetic products. Remember: in their composition should not be flavors, dyes, emulsifiers – anything that can cause allergy.
8. Moveable
In order for the child to crawl, you do not need to do anything special. The child himself/herself is able to turn the chaotic motion of the hands and feet into move in one direction – give him/her only to cope with the force of Earth’s gravity!
9. Loyal
With grandmothers everything seems easier: they help! Yes, there may be conflicts. However, the sharp points in upbringing and care, you need to discuss in advance. Respect their rules and clearly set your own ones. And do not forget: grandmothers love the baby as you do.
10. Protection
You are tired of walking after your child who makes the first steps? Put the protection on everything that constitutes a danger to the child: sockets, corners, windows, shutting door…

At this period you have to replace some food. For example, milk is a substitute for cheese; instead of meat it is better to eat fish or other seafood, sugar is a substitute for honey. Good honey has healing properties, and that is why it is the best food. It contains important elements necessary for the formation of blood cells, and it can be used to strengthen the nervous system, normalize sleeping, etc. As a bonus, honey helps to prevent constipation. Full meal can be called an egg, because it includes all the necessary components for forming, like a chicken, and man.
Vegetable salads contain essential minerals, so adding them to your diet is essential. To increase the hemoglobin in the blood can help the liver, eat it once a week and get the necessary vitamins for you and your child. Eating nuts is also healthy because they increase the fat content of breast milk.
You can give up some food for the health of your child at this period. Of course, diet during pregnancy and lactation is best to plan with qualified professionals in this field. And do not forget that during this period you may have an allergy to certain foods, for example, on citrus fruits or nuts, so that consultation with the allergist will never be superfluous.Correctly made diet will never harm you and your child. So carefully study your diet at this period.

Each woman will sooner or later wonder at what age it is better to give birth. There are different opinions. Recently a trend has been noticed that women decide to become mothers after 30 years, having received a good education and a career. But, unfortunately, many of them do not know that conceiving after 30 years is much more problematic than at younger ages. This occurs because the supply of eggs from women is reduced, thereby reducing the likelihood of successful conception.
Ovum has its roots in the follicle, where a woman is given a laid still while the girls in the womb. Mortgaging follicles more than 5 million, and by the time of puberty, girls have still only 400 thousand. And just one hundredth of this number of follicles reaches full maturity and ovulates, giving life to the egg. After 35 years the number of follicles in the ovaries of women sharply decreases, and when their numbers fall to 1000, reaches a natural menopause.
Likelihood of pregnancy depends on the ability of the female body to conceive. The greatest chance of conception is for healthy women aged 20-25 years. This is the age scientists consider the best for the child’s birth. After 25 years the possibility of successful conception and reduced to forty years is only 5%. The main reasons for reducing the likelihood of conception is the age, genetic predisposition to premature depletion of ovarian disease ovaries.
Modern science has different methods of determining the reduction of the stock of follicles.
Conception can be made through IVF, but its effectiveness in such cases is about 20%. The second version of the problem – is the use of donor eggs. But such a step is very expensive, not every family is ready, to take a donor egg from a strange woman.
To avoid such problems, you should have children at a young age. A career and education will wait!

The birth of a child is a long-awaited joy for each parent. Young father and mother can not rejoice about the concerns that are associated with his/her birth. Sleepless nights and days, constant feelings about whether the head of the baby is placed in a convenient position, whether it is not cold – day by day parents start feeling them and their child as a whole. Therefore, when the child grows up, most parents are faced with a sense of guilt when leaving their child in kinder garden. Parents start missing their sweetheart; sometimes they feel that they betrayed their child.
Some people think that it would be better to spend all day with the child without working. But those feelings are associated with grief and natural experience for the child.

But soon they will disappear. You can also speed up this process.
First, make inquiries about the institution where you send your child. Check yourself the competence of staff of kinder garden. Visit it and watch over the work and methods of child rearing. Make sure that your little baby will feel comfortable there and will be provided with proper care and concern. Talk with your friends about the kinder garden and what employees they like best. Make sure of the appropriate safety facilities. The more information you have about the location of your child, the less you will be assailed by conflicting feelings of guilt.
Especially troubled parents sometimes come to visit the child during the day. They silently watch how their child behaves, how he plays with peers. Make sure your child is really happy. The guilt eventually disappears.
But if the guilt increasingly pursues you, then you should take any steps to resolve the situation. Study the benefits that your job gives you. It may be that the cost of kinder garden does not justify your efforts. Maybe it would be better doing your own child-rearing.
Parents must work together to consider whether they can adequately support a family on one salary. It makes sense to just try to talk to your employer. After all, together you can organize schedule, so that you and he/she are pleased. And if you can find a day off, which you will spend with the child, the feeling of guilt will be less.
And finally if you find extra time for your child, then try to spend the existing time with your child. Plan your leisure with all the possible options and interesting pastime. This will greatly relieve you from the unpleasant feelings associated with separation from a child. And knowing that you give all yourself for your baby, will treat your guilt differently.

Pregnancy is one of the most serious tests in woman’s life, which she must overcome. It is divided into several main phases concerning the important changes in mother and baby.
Due to the fact that science has been noted and recorded major changes in the body of a pregnant woman, you can prepare for these phases in advance without future surprises. All this will benefit prospective parents, as well as help in planning pregnancy. You can prepare your and your child’s body to these changes in advance.
Of course, it is easier to identify and observe the changes taking place with the future mother. But it is much harder to detect any changes in the body of your baby. The calendar of pregnancy for each woman is strictly an individual process. But there are some general phases that occur in the life of every expectant mother.
The very first phase in this process is conception, which occurs during the first four weeks. Conception is the fertilization of female ova with male sperm. This is the starting point of pregnancy. Then within five to eight weeksbaby’s heart starts beating and arms and legs are already formed. Then baby begins to perform some motions. In the womb, this period begins in nine to twelve weeks. At this time the child is still quite tiny, and the mother can not immediately feel these movements. Upon reaching the thirteen-sixteen weeks mother already feels these motions performed by the child. Doctors at this stage can determine the sex of the child. Children even acquire bad habits – they can suck big finger. During the seventeenth to the twentieth week, the doctors can confidently tell you whom you will give birth – a boy or a girl, because at this stage are forming the genitals of the child and hair.
At the next phase of development the child becomes quite capable. Some fat appears which protects him/her against extreme temperatures. This process occurs within 21-24 weeks.
Then the organs of hearing are formed, he/she feels the external noise. This stage occurs at 25-28 weeks of development.
He/she feels the restriction in space and begins to move less, but starts kicking.
At the next phase begins to grow his/her head, he/she already moves eyes, and by the end of 32 weeks all organs except the lungs are formed. At the 33rd week, the child already blinks. And at the 40 th week finally the baby’s lungs are formed. Now he/she waits only for childbirth.
For women and men the calendar of pregnancy is a great opportunity to stay close to their baby throughout all phases of its development. This is an interesting, exciting occupation; the calendar of pregnancy will help them more clearly and properly to conduct themselves in each new stage of development of their baby. Do not throw it; it’s a real remarkable thing that belongs to your child. So it can become your family heirloom. When child grows up and becomes adult, probably he/she will be very interested in seeing his/her life’s path, starting from the source. Yes, and he/she himself/herself will need parent experience, when taking care about his/her children and family.

Most of the parents before the birth of their first child have no experience in raising children. When they are on their way to create a family way, a lot of questions on child-raising, and in general on this matter appear. When parents begin to understand that the child entirely depends on their care and attention, they are attacked by fear, because they are often not prepared to answer many questions concerning the child. This emotion can only be overcome after studying all that is necessary for the child in detail.
In the period up to four months takes place the child’s adaptation to the world. He/she almost always sleeps. Then he/she gradually starts waking up for a long time. This is the time when parents must be very sensitive to the child, because at this time he/she can not do without you. He/she needs help in everything. The more he/she grows up, the more he/she begins to show interest in the outside world. At this time the child starts crying, because it is the only signal that he/she is able to make in order to attract attention. He/she begins muttering and shaking hands. At this time, he/she learns rising head, playing with his/her hands and sucking fingers. Baby begins to show signs of pleasure, writhing body. He/she responds to loud sounds.
In the period up to eight months, the child begins to explore the world around him/her. He/she already feels when he/she is home. It is his/her territory and he/she likes to be there with mother and father. At this time, he/she begins to recognize and respond to their name. He starts holding objects with his/her hands, rising the head and chest. He/she can laugh and squeak. He/she understands the separation from parents.
From eight months to a year the child becomes more independent and physically strong. He/she crawls around, trying to explore all around, without missing anything. He/she is constantly sticking his/her head in various subjects. Now baby feels his mother and wants her always to be near. At this time the child already can: show the objects and voice the gestures to express emotions by crying, play happy games, creep, stand for a long time, hold objects in his/her hands, worry about the presence of strangers, eat with his/her hands and look for items that interest him/her.
From a half year child begins walking. At this time all the senses are already developed, only the sense of danger is a little behind. He/she starts walking literally everywhere, so it is required to be very careful. Child shows interest in other children, he/she wants to play with them. In this period of life, children are able to: pronounce some words, follow the instructions, dance, play with toys, climb stairs, etc.
From birth to 18 months takes place the most intensive growth of the child. During this time he/she learns many new things. This rich period of learning will never repeat in his/her life. At this period parents should provide the child with care and attention, as well as help him/her in discovering this world.

Finally long, complex process of preparing for pregnancy and carrying your baby will come to its end. Now you have no less difficult and important task – childbirth. For this you are carefully prepared. And soon your child will see the white light.

Deliveries are accompanied by profound emotional and, above all, physical stress. Therefore, future mothers should take most comfortable position, so as not to be distracted by discomfort in the most inopportune moment. Choosing the position, just think that you need to help your baby. Deliveries for him are not easy too. Lie down, sit, recline. Choose a convenient place – bed, couch, maternity chair. Calm down, take it easy. When it starts, keep your back straight. The doctor and obstetrician are always near. They will help you mentally, give the right advice. Most importantly do as they say. Between contractions breathe properly. This will help to calm down, and will also facilitate relaxation of the pelvis, rectum and anus.

At a time when the baby’s head appears in the vagina, you need to calm down. This moment is called discovery. Now it is very important to follow the advice of a doctor. He/she will tell you when you need to push and when to relax. If you do not get nervous, but quietly comply with the physician, you can avoid gaps in vagina. Once the head appears further process will go much easier.

Sometimes, at first birth, or because of incorrect disposition of the child episiotomy happens. The idea is to cut between the vagina and anus. As a result, conditions for easier passage of the head of the child are created. Before doing episiotomy, the doctor must obtain the consent of women. During this anesthesia is done. Fabrics vagina relax and the process becomes easier. After the release of the child, followed by the placenta, the incision is stitched.

The appearance of the head is the most difficult moment, as it is the widest part of the baby. Since its inception, thephysician sees that the umbilical cord is not wound around the neck. Over time he/she cleans the mouth and throat of the child from the liquid. Then the doctor will turn, with contractions, the child’s shoulders so that they open the vagina. The rest of the body slips out itself, under pressure from uterine contractions. And now you will feel an incredible relief. Now your kid screams, letting the world know about his/her appearance. But not everyone starts screaming. Some kids just whine, other just breathe.

Finally, this fairy-tale moment came. You can take your little miracle in your hands. He/she claps eyes and looks at you without understanding what happened. But now he/she feels your care. He/she knows that you can protect him/her. These moments are worth all the difficulties and hardships, through which you had to go. You are still physically inseparable. At the time of cutting umbilical cord, attach the child to your heart. Let him/her feel your breath, and the beat of your heart, your velvet skin, your endless love for him/her. Enjoy this time. You will never forget it. Now you are a mother. Life of this little creature depends on you.