What Daddy Should Pack for the Hospital

June 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There’s so much emphasis on the mother-to-be throughout pregnancy, and often the dad is overlooked. As he is just as important a part of the process, there should be some thought put into the role that he plays. Without the dad or a similar system of support, the entire experience is made much more difficult for the mom. Both partners need each other and that’s why it’s so important to ensure that dad is available and present.

The dad wants to be a part of the birthing process just as much as anybody. He can offer comfort and support as the mom makes it through all of the different stages of labor. Every dad wants to be there to meet their new little bundle of joy for the first time, as it’s one of those precious moments in life that you will always treasure. So just as the mom has to get ready for the big arrival, the dad should be prepared and packed for the hospital stay as well.

Playing the Support Role

Though this role is crucial to the birth of his child, the dad will ultimately play a support role. As he packs for the hospital, he should ensure that many of the items on his checklist reflect this role and are in place to help mom through the stages and get everything in order after the birth. Take a look at this checklist for example whereby many of the items recommended for daddy to bring include those which will support his partner. Consider bringing items such as a stop watch and a pad of paper to write down contraction times and track the labor overall. Be sure to bring along a video camera, regular camera, and anything else that can be used to capture every aspect of the birth that you will surely want to remember later on.

Bring whatever is necessary to keep your partner comfortable and focused. This can include massage oils, scented items to keep her calm, pillows, special comfort items, and of course music. Talk to your partner in advance and be sure that you know what she would like to help keep her calm and as happy as can be throughout the birth process. This is where your support role becomes very important and therefore you want to be prepared to help out in any way that you can.

Getting Yourself Comfortable

Chances are that you’re going to be in the hospital for a while. Either the labor may carry on longer than you had anticipated, or you may be staying with your partner throughout the duration of her hospital visit. Either way you want to be sure to pack a change of clothes and even something comfortable like pajamas for the occasion where you spend the night. Bring some pillows along for you as you can’t always be sure of what the sleeping arrangements will be.

Pack some snacks for yourself as you need to keep your energy up during the long birthing process. Also be sure to bring some money as you will surely have to grab a meal or a snack from the cafeteria during your stay. Along with the camera and any other items that you bring to capture the precious moments, be sure that you bring along the phone numbers of anybody that you’ll want to contact with the good news after the birth. All of these things will make your stay more comfortable and allow you to focus on your partner and your new baby.

Baby’s First Tooth

June 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Has your baby not quite seemed like themselves lately? Many parents can tend to pinpoint when something is amiss and when their baby seems to just be a bit off. It can be a sign of the baby being sick, or it may be a sign of something more routine and common that every baby goes through.

Teething is an aspect of baby’s first year that is on the minds of parent, and it can be a rather challenging one to contend with. The reality is that every baby is different and therefore to say when it will happen or how strenuous it will be on parent and child is hard to predict. Some parents will tell you that their baby was virtually unaffected by the teething ritual. Others will tell you that it was one of the most challenging parts of the first year. Every baby is different and therefore how they cope with teething can be a completely unique experience.

Planning for the Milestone

Every parent looks anxiously in their baby’s mouth from early on to see if that first tooth has finally popped through. Even when they are showing signs of teething, though, it may be a long road until you see the first tooth. As you can see from this baby development chart, the average age for a baby to get their first tooth is anywhere between four and seven months. This, however, is a rather wide range and there are babies at either end of the spectrum. Some may not even have their first tooth by their first birthday, and that’s just the way they are built. This is not a sign of imperfection nor of any sort of developmental issues. This is just how each baby is built and how they develop, so it’s nothing to be concerned about. You can plan for the milestone with a few simple supplies that can make any potential teething issues run much smoother.

Are They Showing Any Signs?

Sure there are some parents that will tell you that they had no idea that it was coming. That they woke up one morning, looked in their baby’s mouth, and suddenly a tooth was staring back up at them. While this does happen, it’s an exception to the rule. Even if your baby doesn’t necessarily have a difficult time with teething, they will often show some sort of signs to indicate that it’s coming.

So what are the signs? One of the first and most obvious signs is that the baby is drooling a lot. This is due in large part to the excess fluids gathering in the mouth as a result of the teething, and therefore comes out almost constantly. You will see your baby drooling, sometimes almost like a faucet, and the only thing you can do to contain it is to put a bib on them.

Many babies are also known to put absolutely everything in their mouth. If they are chewing on their toys, your hand, or anything else in sight that they can fit in or around their mouth, then they may be teething.

You will notice in some babies that they get fussy or that their sleeping or eating patterns get disrupted. This may go on for a bit of a while as the tooth actually breaks through, but it’s a good thing overall. That tooth will come in no time and you can enjoy yet another milestone with your little love.

Baby’s Preparation for Delivery

June 5th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You know that the moment is nearing because your due date is just around the corner. You are now at the stage where you go in for weekly appointments, and therefore the time is coming closer and closer. You feel as though you are ready though you have anxiety about the big arrival. It’s an exciting time and you give much thought to what you are ready for and how you will fully prepare.

You’ve probably not given that much thought to what your baby goes through in anticipation for the big arrival. As your body gets ready, you know that things are happening as you can just feel it. There are many stages and things happening that get you ready for the big delivery. Just as you prepare both physically and mentally for the baby’s arrival, the same things are happening with the baby. Though they can’t really prepare emotionally, they are going through some changes at the last minute to ensure that they are ready for the big arrival as well.

Is Baby Really Getting Ready Too?

There are certain things you can feel and certain things that you can’t. You will be made aware of some of the changes that are occurring as you go through the weekly doctor appointments. Your doctor is checking to see if you are dilated at all or if your cervix is thinning in preparation for the big arrival. While all of these things are going on with you and your progress, baby is going through some important stages as well. You may be feeling a bit less movement than you have throughout the second and third trimesters. Not only has baby run out of room to romp about, but she has also begun her descent downwards towards the birth canal.

Your baby has developed all of their organs and body parts by the third trimester. However what they are doing up until the moment that they are born is bulking up, that is adding a whole lot of weight onto their tiny little frame. By week 38, they have fully developed lungs that they are working at until that very week. These are all important sings that they are getting ready for their big debut, though there’s a good chance that you’re not feeling a thing at all. The baby will do everything on their own time schedule and will get themselves ready for the arrival all on their own, often without you knowing a thing.

Getting Into Position

The most important thing that baby does to get ready for the big arrival is to get into position. This is something that you may or may not feel, and the way it works out will determine the type of delivery that you can have. If all goes as it should, then baby will move into the “heads down” position as she prepares for her entry into the big world through the birth canal. This may be felt by mom as a flip or some major movement as they move lower in the uterus and work towards the necessary “heads down” position.

Sometimes baby doesn’t really want to cooperate and may be “bottom down” which presents some problems for a vaginal delivery. If this happens, then the baby is considered to be breech and a C-section may very well be necessary. Remember that baby will do everything that she can to get herself ready for the big arrival, and they will do son their own timeframe.

Developing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

June 4th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Developing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Your legs have always been one of your best physical attributes. All of a sudden during pregnancy they feel achy and heavy and just not quite right. What in the world could it be? You know that it’s not always easy to be on your feet for an extended period of time, but can it possibly be contributing to an actual health problem.

Though we may not wish to admit it, pregnancy changes our bodies in many different ways. Some for the better and some for the worse. Some of the changes will only exist during pregnancy, and some will linger on well after the baby is born. So the reality is that we need to understand what these changes are and learn how to properly cope with them and eliminate the possibility of an everlasting health issue. When it comes to varicose veins, many women don’t even realize that they are developing them. However pregnancy is such a prime time that it’s become all too common.

So What Is That Feeling?

Here’s what happens during pregnancy that contributes to the likelihood of varicose veins developing. As you can see from varicose vein during pregancy, when you are pregnant the uterus puts extra pressure on a great deal of things. One such part that is affected is the vein running down the right side of your body. This is responsible for moving blood and happens to be what puts pressure on the veins in the leg. This is nothing that you can prevent, but something that happens as you move throughout your pregnancy. The problem with this is that the additional pressure happens to create the likelihood for varicose veins to develop. This is especially true if you have a family history of them or if you happen to be on your feet a lot.

You’ll know that they’re coming by the achy feeling in your legs. You will also often feel that your legs are really heavy. At times, there can be an itchiness or even a burning sensation around the area that may be affected. You can sometimes see the varicose vein starting to develop beneath the surface. As progesterone builds up within your body during pregnancy, it slows everything down and this contributes to the development of varicose veins as well as the symptoms that you may feel.

Can They Be Avoided?

For many women, the development of varicose veins happens to be short lived. They may very well clear up on their own once you deliver the baby. If you didn’t have them before, then they may go away on their own and you will be back to normal in no time. If however you were overweight before your pregnancy, if you happen to gain a great deal of weight during your pregnancy, are carrying multiples, or had them before then they may be there to stay.

The best thing you can do is try to stay off your feet for long periods of time. If you must be on your feet, then do your part by taking rests whenever possible. This will help to ensure that they don’t develop and that they subside a lot faster. When you start to feel that achiness or that burning or itching sensation, this is usually a good indication that you want to get off of your feet and rest up. All of these measures will help you to avoid them or at least ensure that they go away shortly after delivery.

Getting In Shape and Recapturing Your Pre-Baby Body

June 3rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Getting In Shape and Recapturing Your Pre-Baby Body

Most women don’t really think too much about their body shape during pregnancy. No matter what you do, your body is going to change. Though it is most certainly recommended that most women incorporate exercise into their pregnancy, it’s not often the first thing that they think about. Many women either don’t have the energy or the desire to handle exercise, and therefore they put it off.

Though exercise is recommended, the reality is that you are going to gain weight throughout your pregnancy. Your body is going to change shape and size in preparation for that little baby. So long as you know that and accept it, then you will be just fine. However once that baby is born, it’s a whole different story altogether. Women are quick to look at celebrities and wonder why they can’t get back in shape that quickly after they deliver a baby. These aren’t always realistic depictions and therefore it’s quite important to think through what is best for you and your body after delivering your baby.

Know Your Limitations

The first thing to remember when you think about getting your pre-baby body back is that you may have some sort of limitations to work against. If you had a C-section, then you can realistically count out exercise for at least six weeks. It’s crucial to let the incision heal properly and if you exercise that puts your recovery at risk. You need to be sure that you are cleared for exercise first and foremost.

You also want to be sure that you are personally ready for that bout of exercise. If it’s been at least nine months since you last exercised, then just take it slowly. Even if you exercised throughout your pregnancy, you should still take your time as your body may very well respond differently to things now. Go with what feels good and comfortable within your body so that you don’t put any unnecessary strain on your new body.

Use The Right Exercises

Though every woman is different and therefore every body is different, you want to be sure to get into exercises that are right for you and your needs. Consider walking or hiking as a good first exercise to get into. It’s easy on the body and is something that you can start slowly and then build your way up to. This is common amongst many new moms who want to exercise but aren’t sure where to start.

You can also look to popular exercise options amongst new moms such as swimming, yoga, elliptical, low impact aerobics, or even the bike. Get into a routine and go with what feels good. Know that you are dealing with a different body now. Though you will eventually uncover that pre-baby body under there, you need to give it time.

It took you plenty of time to put the weight on and for your body to change in shape and size. Therefore as much as you may want a recovery in a matter of days or weeks, it may not happen. Just be patient with it and know that it will come in time. Don’t go by celebrities as they have different resources at their fingertips that most of us don’t. Just put forth the effort, do your very best, and build your way up in your fitness needs as it feels good and comfortable with your body.

Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool

June 2nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool

The first years of your child’s life fly by so very quickly. In an instant, you may feel as though you are dealing with a baby one day and a big kid the next. Though it may not seem like it at the time, the years fly by and so too do all of the many milestones. Before you know it, you are looking at an almost school aged child and wondering to yourself if they are ready for the next big step.

Preschool can be a huge step for many kids, while others just float into it with great ease. Just as every child has a different upbringing and different care each and every day, they will be different in their readiness for preschool. Though age is a big determining factor in their readiness, it’s certainly not the only one. You should think through other factors, particularly personality, when you make the decision to put them into preschool or not.

Is Your Child Really Ready?

First and foremost, there are certain age limits or restrictions that may help to make the decision for you. In many preschool programs, kids can start by the age of three but they must have turned three by December first of the current year. If they aren’t there yet, then they’ll need to wait for the next school year to start. This isn’t always a bad thing as it can give you plenty of time to prepare for the big step, but it is something worth looking into before you get them signed up for a preschool program. Some kids start preschool at four years old, but it is becoming more and more common these days that they start at three years old and then work their way up.

You also want to decide if they are ready in other ways too. Take a look at this preschool guide for example. Consider if your child can bear to be without you for a couple of mornings a week. If they have never been away from you at all, then this can be a shock to the system. It can also make their adjustment to preschool very difficult so plan accordingly. You also need to ensure that your child is potty trained before you enroll them in preschool. Many schools won’t even take a child unless they are potty trained and can work independently in this and other areas.

Helping to Prepare Your Child

Preschool is a big step for both of you, so it’s important to work with your child ahead of time to get them ready for it. First and foremost any exposure that you can give them to a school like setting can be a big help. Sign them up for a parent and toddler class beforehand to get them acclimated with the structure and feel of a real classroom. Be sure that they get plenty of exposure to other kids, because this will be a big help.

Though you want to be present for every big moment in their life, do your best to let them work independently whenever possible so they get used to that feeling. Work with them on lessons like the “ABC’s” or painting. Though you don’t need to put them through boot camp, any steps that you can take to get your child ready will really benefit them when that first day of preschool comes upon you.

Losing the Weight After Baby Arrives

June 1st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Losing the Weight After Baby Arrives

It sure was easy to put the pregnancy weight on. You went from being your normal self to having that cute little baby bump in no time at all. It probably had a lot to do with those pregnancy cravings. It also had a lot to do with just how hungry that you were after you got past the nauseas phase. Though it’s easy to put on the pregnancy weight, it isn’t quite as easy to take it off.

The reality is that some of the weight literally melts off after you give birth, and that’s always nice. There is however that unwanted extra few pounds that tend to linger, and you wonder to yourself if they will ever go away. Sure your body will get back to the shape that it was in before pregnancy at some point, but will you be dragging around those few extra pounds? It won’t last forever and fortunately there are some simple but effective ways to lose the weight after that sweet little baby arrives.

Get Back to Basics

Though you may initially be reluctant, you are most certainly going to have to make some changes and adjustments to your lifestyle if you want to drop the weight. Take a look at how to lose weight after pregnancy and you will quickly notice that in order to get the pre-pregnancy body back, you need to get back to basics.

Whatever you may or may not have eaten during pregnancy needs a serious evaluation. Chances are that you took a few liberties and if that is the case, then you need to get rid of the junk or high calorie foods now. You need to focus on eating the right foods and doing so often. Many women make the mistake of cutting out eating or going for only low fat foods. Be careful and read the labels, and when in doubt go for healthy and natural foods that can keep you going strong and losing the weight.

You also need to learn to embrace exercise in your life. Even if you weren’t a big fan of exercise before or during pregnancy, this is by far one of the quickest and most efficient ways to lose the weight after the baby arrives. Be sure that you are cleared for exercise from your doctor, because that’s a very important consideration as your body heals. Once you are though, you want to start slowly by incorporating walking, biking, swimming, or even the elliptical into your regimen. This is an important step towards your health and an important one towards taking off the unwanted baby weight.

Take Good Care of Yourself

Though we spend so much of our time and energy caring for our new little baby, you do want to get into the habit of caring for yourself. This is a great way to ensure that you lose the baby weight and that you get into the right habits. So getting plenty of rest for example is one of the most important ways to get fit, take off the weight, and ensure that you are caring for yourself as you care for everybody else. You want to take your vitamins, and you want to ensure that you drink plenty of water. These are important steps towards a healthy lifestyle, but they will also help you to drop the baby weight and get back to yourself much faster and more efficiently.

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

May 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

There are many aspects of pregnancy that you can’t even explain to others. The way that you feel, that first kick from the baby, so many things are just miraculous and difficult to put into words. One such aspect of pregnancy that is rather difficult to put into words is the absolute exhaustion that you feel.

For many women, exhaustion during pregnancy is a tired feeling that you’ve never quite felt before and it just beats you down. You can barely keep your eyes open during normal and rather routine activities, leaving you feeling drained so very easily. This is very common at the very beginning of a pregnancy and in the first trimester. Usually you feel much better by second trimester, though you’re certainly not up as late as you used to be. Then by the time that third trimester comes around, you feel that exhaustion again. There are many factors that contribute to it, and learning how to properly manage it is always a good idea.

It Seems to Come Out of Nowhere

One of the first indicators to many women that they are pregnant is that absolute exhaustion that you feel. It’s hard to describe, but as you have difficulty getting up in the morning or keeping your eyes open through dinner; you somehow know what’s going on. Though it is a very common symptom of pregnancy, it can be very frustrating for many women. If you have other children to care for, have a full time job, or simply have responsibilities that you must maintain then it can be very trying.

It may seem that the exhaustion comes out of nowhere, but it does make sense if you think about it. In the first trimester, the exhaustion is often attributed to the major change in hormones. As it often is, progesterone is usually the culprit and contributes to everything slowing down and you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. You are likely experiencing other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and these can take a lot out of you as well. You are also building another person and as you work through the process of building another human being and the placenta, it’s only natural that you feel tired. You will feel this again towards the end of your pregnancy as you are carrying around a lot of extra weight and your body gets ready for delivery.

So How Do You Manage Pregnancy Exhaustion?

Since the exhaustion can be so debilitating and frustrating, many women want to know how to properly manage it. As you can see from these ideas, there are some rather simple but effective measures one can take which will help the exhaustion to subside a bit. Though it may sound counterintuitive, getting in a bit of exercise can be a real lifesaver when it comes to restoring some of that lost energy.

Along the same lines, eating the right foods that are loaded with nutrients and natural energy boosters can help you to feel more like yourself again. You can also rely on short little naps to help you get back to a normal state. Shutting your eyes for just twenty minutes when you feel tired can be a real energy booster. Getting more sleep at night and taking it easy throughout the day will always help you to feel more energized and ready to take on the world.

Managing Your Expectations During Pregnancy

May 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Managing Your Expectations During Pregnancy

There are many points of view of what realistic expectations are during pregnancy. Though this may be quite different for every woman, it is most certainly something to consider. Have you ever really thought about what your expectations are throughout your pregnancy?

Even if you have been pregnant before, you may quickly find that each and every pregnancy is different and therefore brings about all sorts of different thoughts and concerns. If you’ve never given much thought to it, then it may be something to sit and contemplate. Are you fully prepared for what pregnancy will be like? Have you talked to your partner about each of your expectations to ensure that they are realistic and in line with each other? All of these things are good to think through, but the bottom line is to expect the unexpected. This is often what will happen in a pregnancy and in parenthood, so getting used to that philosophy can work quite well.

It Is a Change Physically and Otherwise

If you think that pregnancy is simply a physical change, then you are in store for some big surprises. It is a stage of life that contains a great deal of physical changes, that’s for sure. You will watch your body change and morph into something that you never envisioned. You will change in shape, in size, and in some instances, you may not even recognize your own body. That will all change back with a bit of hard work after the baby is born, but for the time being it can be a lot to take in.

Pregnancy also contains a lot of mental and emotional changes as well. Your hormones will be on a roller coaster at times, and therefore preparing yourself for that is always a good idea. You may feel less than joyous at all times. You may feel anxious, sad, nervous, angry, or just plain run the gammet of emotions on any given day. So know this in advance and ensure that you set this as a realistic expectation or both you and your partner. If you don’t, then it may come as quite a shock when these changes occur.

Expect the Unexpected

Anybody going into pregnancy thinking that things are going to be and stay a certain way will be shocked when that is not the case. Expect the unexpected and you will be just fine. This is also the case for parenthood, so it can serve as great preparation. You can do everything right throughout your pregnancy and take care of yourself really well, and yet still can develop high blood pressure. You can eat all the wrong foods and eat far too much sugar, and yet never develop gestational diabetes. You may be a tiny girl with a tiny frame, and yet you may still have a rather large baby.

There are no assurances, so do your best to get prepared and get ready, but also to be flexible. That’s the best lesson that any pregnant woman can learn as she heads into her pregnancy. You can have expectations and do your part to manage them, but just know that they may change up a bit from time to time. So get ready for a long and crazy journey, and above all be sure to expect the unexpected and enjoy every minute of it.

Planning for Baby’s First Birthday

May 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Planning for Baby’s First Birthday

It may be hard to believe, but you are staring down a major milestone. Baby’s first birthday is just around the corner and you feel just amazed by this fact. Wasn’t it just yesterday that you had that little bundle of joy?

If it feels like the time has simply gone by too fast, you’re not alone. Many parents are in awe of just how quickly the first year goes by and aren’t sure what to do when the milestone of a first birthday comes upon them. Many parents not only feel overwhelmed by the fact that their baby is turning one, but they may not know quite where to start in terms of the planning. This is a huge milestone and you do want to celebrate it with glee, but you have to ask yourself how much money, time, and effort that’s ultimately worth. So here are a few guidelines that can help to make planning your baby’s first birthday much easier and more enjoyable.

Keep It Simple

Here’s the reality of the situation-your little darling isn’t going to remember a thing! Sure they’ll look back on pictures and therefore you want it to be something special, but they are not going to remember any details of the event whatsoever. So before you get yourself all crazy thinking of which theme to select or what sort of elements to incorporate, remember that this is a party that is really more for you than for your baby. Not to burst any parent’s bubble, but the parents get far more out of the first birthday party than the kids do. That will change in years to come, but for now suffice it to say that simple is the way to go.

If they have taken to a favorite cartoon character or symbol then by all means incorporate it. If not though, don’t worry and just go with simple and effective. Fortunately there are many different first birthday “themes” out there that you can run with. Keep the decorations simple and just use the plates, napkins, and any decorations in a certain color theme or something else unified in nature. A cute idea is to put out pictures of your little one throughout their first year. These can serve as centerpieces on tables or just adorn the space of the venue that you’re working with. So try this out as a way of honoring your little one, and of course as a way to help decorate the party space.

Make The Baby the Center of Attention

Spend some of the money that you may have spent on extraordinary decorations on a cute outfit for your little one. This is their special day after all, so be sure that they are dressed in something cute and fitting for the occasion. Invite close friends and family, as the first birthday is usually one of the larger celebrations to mark such a special and memorable milestone. Have everybody around that is meaningful to you and your baby, as they will surely want to be a part of the celebration.

One of the most important parts of the first birthday party is most definitely the cake. Be sure to not only make or buy an adorable cake for your adorable guy or girl, but get them their own little smash cake as well. A first birthday party isn’t complete until you put that cake in front of the birthday person and let them go wild as they eat their way to stardom. That’s what first birthday parties are all about after all!

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