pregnancy and baby

How to Choose The Best Baby Shower Gifts

2011-01-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

Is your neighbor, sister , colleague or best friend pregnant? Are they eagerly waiting the new arrival to their happy home? babies are God s gifts and merely knowing that person you love is pregnant will give you a rush of happiness to your mind and soul. As a good friend of the mom-to-be, you would want to organize a baby shower that they d need to care for the child. Baby shower gifts are the most necessary details in this event as it allows the parents with necessary things to aid raise their loving child.

Some individuals who come for the baby shower tend to be a bit clueless about the baby shower gifts. Most of them would either be single or not have their own kids yet. A baby shower is an critical event and giving the parents something useless shouldn t be on your agenda. It is after all a gift and should not be something inexpensive for the moment. Fortunately most of the information regarding baby shower gifts, such as types of gifts and the budget can be easilt found through the resources such as the internet.

Unlike in the past, today you d find moms-to-be ready with a baby gift registry. Having an online registry will give you an idea as to what sort of baby shower gifts you must purchase, and check on what others have already purchased so you won t end up purchasing the same thing. Regardless of what this registry says, you can also opt for any of the following baby shower gifts.

Although these may seem of low price, these are what will really be required by the mother when all the excitement has died and the baby decides to make life a little rocky. Baby diapers are quality baby shower gifts. Most diapers are very absorbent and make it easier for the mother to handle the baby. Since there are several packed in one pack, it is a great idea to get a few packs.

Having a newborn that is invariably hungry can sometimes restrict your outings. But this doesn t forever have to be the case if you have a set of nipple shields. Among the better baby shower gifts, nipple shields are the prominent as it allows the new mother to breastfeed the baby with out any problem. In addition you could also gift them clothes, feeding bottles, etc and make the baby shower a memorable one.

Author: lisa lucero, Read morefrom her at http://www.articlealley.com/article_1924907_40.html?ktrack=kcplink

Baby in the Womb video; 10 to 14 weeks

2011-01-02T23:21:00.000-08:00

At ten weeks and barely the size of a kumquat, your baby is entering the fetal stage of development. His facial features are defined, and his tooth buds are forming. Over the next weeks, his tissues and organs will rapidly grow and mature.

The webbing is gone between his fingers and toes, and his nails and fingerprints are developing. Your baby can open and close his fists and curl his toes. Thanks to his developing muscles and reflexes, he's now moving his limbs and kicking up a storm. If this is your first baby, though, you likely won't feel his flutters until 18 to 20 weeks.

Through translucent skin, his vital organs are visible and functioning, including his growing brain, nervous system, intestines, and liver, which are making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac.

The umbilical cord is working hard now. One vein delivers oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to your baby. Two arteries then carry the blood away.

Around week 12, the kidneys have begun producing urine, which your baby will soon start excreting into the amniotic fluid. He'll swallow the fluid, and the process will begin again. By week 14, your baby's eyes and ears have moved into place, and he can squint, frown, and grimace. You're now beginning the second trimester of pregnancy, which many women say is when they feel their best.

source: babycenter uk

Baby In The Womb video: 1 to 8 weeks

2011-01-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

Within a week of conception, your fertilised egg, known as a blastocyst, will make its way to your uterus. The egg is about the size of a pen tip.In days, the cells in the egg arrange themselves into groupings. The inner cell mass will become your baby. The outer cells will become the amniotic sac and placenta.

The blastocyst then sheds its protective casing in a process called hatching, and burrows into the lush uterine wall.Around week 5, your developing baby is the size of a sesame seed. The cells that once formed the blastocyst's inner cell mass begin organising and arranging, giving shape to the young embryo and forming primitive organs.

Your baby's brain and spinal cord are visible through his translucent skin.Right around this time, your baby's circulatory system also forms and his heart begins to beat.Your baby looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's drawing nutrients and oxygen through the newly formed placenta and umbilical cord.

By week 9, the embryonic tail is gone. Your baby's looking more human every day, with protruding limbs and fingers, a defined nose, mouth, and eyes, and tiny earlobes.Your new resident is about the size of a grape and weighs only 1g (a fraction of an ounce).

It's hard to believe how rapidly one cell evolves in such a short time into the unmistakable body of a baby.

video source:babycenter uk

Home Remedies for Getting Pregnant- How to get pregnant fast

2011-01-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

Every woman dreams of a happy life with their husband and children but some women cannot fulfill their wish to become mother. They always find the answer for the question: “How to get pregnant?” Below are proven home remedies for getting pregnant:

You should concern more about nutrition that improve fertility. Vitamins and minerals are the most important factors for your daily diet. The basics that you need are Vitamin C, calcium, iron, and Vitamin E. You should also choose a multivitamin that provides other essential nutrients such as berry extract, an element which is useful for building your organs, nourishing your cells and improving your immune functions. Herb extract is also a great multivitamin to prepare for your body before and during pregnancy. Some other foods such as alfalfa and dandelion also have special utility to aid your body to welcome pregnancy.

Aside from a high quality fertility supplement, you should include your diet with fertility super foods to increase the rate of getting pregnant. For example, cod liver oil is rich in animal-based nutrients like vitamin D and vitamin A. And certainly, you should avoid toxins such as alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. Especially, do not take any medications without the advice from your family doctors.

Stress is another reason which can reduce your odds of becoming pregnant. If you’re trying to have baby, you should think about and choose a suitable relaxation techniques to accompany your treatments. There are many ways that can relieve your stress and increase your ability of conception: acupuncture, massage, yoga and meditation. Especially, remember to get enough exercise and sleep to improve your body’s health. Infertility is one of the major strains on marriage. You should share feelings with other people to decrease your worry and be supported to get over this difficult period.

The most important advice for both men and women is remembering to have sex every other day throughout your fertile period. Women should use an ovulation prediction kit and chart basal body temperature to have the best preparation for having baby.

These home remedies for getting pregnant can help many couples improve their chances of getting pregnant. Some ways can have immediate results, and some take longer. However, do not worry and try your best to get your dream come true.

Baby Weight Percentile Calculator - Know Your Baby's Weight and Height

2011-01-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

To ensure that their baby is developing without any complications, it is necessary for parents to regularly check certain things, such as the circumference of the head, the length of the baby and most importantly, the weight gain experienced by a child.

A steady gain in weight proves that the child is feeding well and is developing muscular and skeletal strength, as is expected at that particular time in his or her life. Baby weight percentile calculators have been designed to help parents get an approximation on the expected weight gained by their child from the time of birth. Information, such as date of birth of the child, and weight at birth, must be provided for the calculator to work efficiently.

A baby weight percentile chart is another commonly used option to keep a regular check on expected weight of a baby. Parents are required to feed in information on the chart to help record the weight of the growing child. Baby weight percentile charts are designed in the form of graphs to show the steady growth of the developing baby.

After having recorded the baby’s weight on the baby growth chart, a parent will be able to determine whether the baby is in the percentile of healthy children or those that need to be supervised. A large number of children eat unhealthy foods, causing obesity at a very young age. The weight percentile charts carry information on good foods that should be consumed to regain good health and lose unnecessary weight.

Although weight percentile charts and calculators are available all over, it must be kept in mind that the percentile is calculated on the basis of data collected from specific regions. Therefore, children in European countries may weigh more than children from Asian countries because dietary habits in both continents are very different. Thus parents in one particular part of the world shouldn’t be too alarmed if they find that their child is either underweight or overweight, because the chart that is being used may have information collected from a different region altogether. Baby weight percentile calculator and charts are easy to use and are of great help in monitoring growth and development of a child.

Author: Jenifer Jackson is an experienced gynecologist from America who writes articles about pregnancy & baby care. Jenifer has a very good knowledge about pregnancy, birth weight percentile calculator, preschool care, pregnancy stages & different conditions during pregnancy.

Common Skin Rashes in Babies

2010-11-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

A rash is eruptions of red spots or patches on the skin and is a sign of an underlying problem caused by reactions to substances, allergies or infections.

Cradle cap is a condition whereby patches of greasy yellow flakes and small pimple-like bumps appear on the scalps of healthy babies. Sometimes it may appear on the eyebrows, ears and other areas where sebaceous glands are located. It can occur in any baby, and appear during the early weeks of life and will clear by the sixth month. Some dermatologists think that high levels of maternal hormones are transmitted to the baby during the final weeks of pregnancy. This makes the sebaceous (oil) glands in the baby’s skin hyperactive which trigger overproduction of sebum which not only overstimulates the growth of new skin cells but also binds the old skin cells into flakes and crusts. It often has a mild unpleasant smell and does not cause any discomfort to the baby.

Some doctors recommend leaving it alone but I prefer to treat it early because I have seen many cases whereby the crust becomes so thick that whenever it is rubbed, large chunks of hair comes off leaving a very red and raw looking area. Treatment is to apply a liberal amount of baby oil to the affected area about 20 minutes before the baby’s bath. This will allow the crust to become soft and easy to remove. During the bath, apply a little baby shampoo to the head and using a soft hair brush or face cloth, gently brush or rub the crust off. Do this once a day until the crust has been completely removed. Sometimes it may recur after a few days so continue to wash baby’s hair in the same way. Once the baby’s sebaceous (oil) glands settle down the condition will disappear.

N.B. The oil application must be shampooed out to prevent an oily buildup which may make the condition worse. Do not try and remove the crusts and scales with the tip of a fingernail.

Heat rash consists of tiny blisters filled with sweat. It forms when the pores become blocked and prevent the sweat glands from releasing the sweat or when heat and humidity exceed the ability of the sweat glands to cool the body. Babies are especially vulnerable because their ability to sweat is not fully developed and they often wear or lie on waterproof materials. It normally develops around the neck, face, armpits and sometimes on the chest and back.

Western medication includes applying calamine lotion and antihistamines for severe itching. Sometimes applying a light dusting of corn starch powder may help to relieve the itchiness. Chinese traditional remedy is to bath the baby with boiled dried bitter gourd vine daily for 3 days.

It is best to prevent the condition from developing by dressing the baby in light cotton clothes especially in warm or hot weather. Avoid laying the baby on a plastic covered mattress or pad. Do not apply moisturizing cream or lotions or use bath oils for babies under 3 months as these products may clog the pores. Do not over wrap the baby in layers of clothes and swaddling blanket.

Nappy rash is often due to infrequent nappy change causing irritation from ammonia which is released when bacteria starts breaking down the contents of a dirty nappy. It could be due to an allergy to your washing powder or fabric conditioner if your baby wears cloth diapers or a food/drug allergy especially antibiotics. The genital area, buttocks, groins and sometimes the upper thighs will look red and inflamed. It can be dry or moist and sometimes look pimply. Babies with nappy rash may be very fussy and cries frequently or does not seem bothered at all.

“Prevention is better than treatment” so the best defence against nappy rash is a dry bottom.

Infantile eczema is an itchy dry scaly rash usually seen on the cheeks or chin, but may show up on the head, trunk, back of arms, or front of legs and is not contagious. It is first noticed at 2 to 5 months of age and is most common in families with history of allergies or asthma. In most cases it will settle down by the time the child reaches school age but for some it may continue to be a life long problem. The frequency and severity of flare ups can be dramatically reduced with careful daily washing using a hypoallergenic soap and applying moisturisers, topical steroids when needed. Avoid trigger factors such as excessive sweating, woollen clothing, soaps and bubble bath. Sometimes it may be necessary to give baby antihistamine if the itch is very intense and is making the baby very irritable.

Sometimes the eczema can become infected by bacteria and this causes extensive redness, swelling and weeping of the affected area. In this case it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic cream together with a steroid cream. Children with severe eczema usually also have hay fever and asthma.

Urticaria or hives are red or pink raised areas on the skin that are very itchy and warm to the touch. It may appear on any part of the body and usually last from a few hours to a few days, but can stay for weeks or even months in some cases. Hives are usually caused by food allergies with the most frequent culprits being eggs, shellfish, chocolate, food additives, colouring or preservatives. It can also be due to allergy to certain drugs or in response to contact with animals especially cats or from insect bites.

It may come on after exposure to extreme temperature especially heat or chemicals. Most often hives will disappear on its own after the allergic reaction is over. If it causes itching and discomfort, the doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine and calamine lotion to apply on the rashes. Avoid giving your child allergy causing food until the hives have subsided. Later try to find the offending culprit by reintroducing the food item one at a time and once you know the offending food it is important to let your child’s caretakers or school teachers know so that the food is avoided. This is because very rarely, hives can develop in the mouth and throat which can obstruct the child’s airways. You can put this information on sticker labels on your child’s feeding utensils especially in preschools when your child is too young to tell the caretakers.

Traditional Chinese therapy recommends not bathing the child as it will cause more rashes to appear and make the rash itch more. Treatment is to heat up some rice wine and apply it on the rashes 3 times a day. Most often the rashes will disappear after 2 days.

Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a skin rash with flat or raised red spots on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and sometimes on the buttocks. Often the rash will form tiny blisters which look like the chickenpox rash but it does not itch. A day or two later the child may develop sores or blisters on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. They begin as small red spots on the tongue, gums or mucous membranes which then develop into blisters or sores.

It is caused by Coxsackie virus A16 which belongs to a group of viruses called enterovirus and is normally not serious. Infection is spread by direct contact with saliva, nose and throat discharges, fluid from the blisters or the stool of an infected person who is most contagious during the first week of the illness. All infected cases recover without medical treatment by 7 to 10 days. It is most common between ages 6 months and 4 years. Very rarely, it may be caused by another strain of Coxsackie virus EV71 whereby the child develops aseptic meningitis or encephalitis (Inflammation of the brain). This strain may be fatal as in the case in Sarawak in 1997.

Treatment is to provide relief from fever or pain from the mouth ulcers and give plenty of fluids. There is no immunization for HFMD.

Thrush or candidiasis is a fungal infection from Candida albicans. It appears as a red bumpy rash in the diaper area and the bumps are sometimes pus-filled. It may be worse in the skin folds and does not respond to diaper cream. Often the primary source of infection is in the mouth which then spreads to the nappy area from the contaminated stools. It normally starts as a couple of white patches on the sides of the mouth and if not treated quickly can spread until the tongue is coated as well. This makes it painful for baby to suckle. The creamy patches look like milk curds and therefore is easily missed. Use a cotton bud to wipe the white patches. If the patches cannot be removed it confirms that the baby has thrush therefore should be taken to the doctor who may prescribe Daktarin gel for the oral thrush and cream for the nappy area. If the infection is severe it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe Daktacort which has a small amount of steroid in it to speed up the healing process. All feeding equipment must be boiled thoroughly for 10 minutes to prevent recurrence.

Roseola infantum or false measles is a viral illness in young children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The rash is pink and may have small flat spots or raised bumps. These spots may have a lighter "halo" around them and may turn white if you press on them.

Roseola usually starts out with a sudden high fever often over 103° Fahrenheit or 39.5° Celsius. During this time, the child may appear fussy or irritable and may have decreased appetite, mild diarrhoea and swollen lymph glands in the neck. The fever typically lasts three to five days and end abruptly followed by the telltale rash which is usually seen on the trunk and neck, but it can extend to the limbs and face. The rash may last for several hours or days.

A diagnosis of roseola cannot be made until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another infection.

Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.

Treatment is to keep your baby well hydrated with lots of fluids and to control the fever to prevent a febrile seizure as about 10 to 15 percent of children with roseola have a febrile seizure.

Knowing the different types of rash and treatment is important to help alleviate your baby's discomfort.

Search Amazon.com for other effective rash treatments

Article Source:
Cecilia Koh is a registered nurse/midwife with over 30 years working experience in England and Malaysia. She was a parentcraft educator before setting up her own childcare centre for children aged 1 month to 2 years.
To view her articles in pictorial form go to http://www.babiesconsult.com

How to get rid of baby rash naturally

2010-10-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

I have a 22 months old baby who just developed a rash. I tried a mild hydrocortisone cream but it seems to take too long to go away, so I decided to go ''natural''.

I remembered that the last rash I had was cured with a simple harmless home remedy called ... GARLIC. Yes, garlic! the stinky sister to onions. I made an oil mixture with it and it worked like magic.

This is what I did:

I crushed a clove of garlic and place it into a small container and covered it with extra virgin olive oil. I warmed it up in the microwave and applied it on my baby’s rash (be careful not to put it in baby's eyes, it stinks the eye).

The next day , the rash was gone.

I believed it would work but I was still amazed at the power of nature.

You can get a garlic oil if you don't have the time to do this.

Give me your feedback. Have a great day

BLOGUZZ-6e7a170a8b

2010-07-10T22:22:00.001-07:00

Hola Bloguzz

Functions of the amniotic fluid

2009-08-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

The Amniotic fluid also called liquor amnii is the protecting and nourishing fluid surrounding the baby in the amniotic cavity or sac of a pregnant woman. The amniotic fluid is covered by the amniotic membrane within the amniotic cavity, and is formed very early in the development of the human embryo. The amniotic fluid gradually changes its constituents as pregnancy advances.

Functions of the amniotic fluid.

The amniotic fluid provides a liquid environment in which the fetus( unborn baby) can develop and exercise in absolute freedom.

The amniotic fluid provides an environment of constant temperature for the baby.
Its constituents changes as pregnancy progresses , in that way it meets the nutritional requirements of the fetus as it changes.

It causes enlargement of the amniotic cavity (and therefore of the uterus) so that the developing fetus is not distorted by pressure from the walls of the uterus.

It provides a means of excretion of substances like urine from the fetus

The fetus also swallows the amniotic fluid. It is not known how much nutritional benefit this may have for the fetus , but it enables it to develop its mouth ,as well as its swallowing and breathing mechanisms.

The amniotic fluid also functions as a shock absorber which is most efficient in preventing damage to the fetus as a result of a blow or undue pressure. If undue force is brought to bear upon any particular part of the uterus then the placenta may suffer damage or may even be separated, but it is virtually impossible to damage the fetus itself as a result of direct or indirect injury.

Many women fear that their baby might be hurt by a fall or a direct blow on the uterus or abdomen during pregnancy. If a woman does suffer from direct injury or if she falls down on her abdomen she is unlikely to cause any harm to her baby but it is advisable that she consults her doctor ,if she develops pain or if she is unduly concerned.

The three most common causes of abdominal injury during pregnancy are falling down the stairs, tripping over the edge of a pavement , and motor accidents . But no matter the kind of fall or accidents that a pregnant woman goes through, she should make it known to her doctor in her next antenatal visit or check up, just in case of any strange occurrences.

Dangers of caffeine in pregnancy

2009-08-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Caffeine which is usually found in coffee,colas,tea and some soft drinks have been found to cross the placenta and enter the circulation of the fetus. A recent test of caffeine on developing animal fetus showed lots of harmful effects.

Apart from the reason stated above there are other valid reasons why you should give up caffeinated coffee, teas and colas during pregnancy (or at least to cut down the consumption).

First of all, caffeine has a diuretic effect, drawing fluid and calcium (both vital to the maternal and fetal health) from the body. If you are having problems with frequent urination anyway caffeine intake will compound it.

Second, coffee and tea especially when taken with sugar and cream are filling and satisfying without being nutritious, and can spoil your appetite for the nutritious food you need. Colas are not only filling but may contain some chemicals in addition to unneeded sugars.

Third, caffeine can exacerbate your normal pregnancy mood swings and also interfere with adequate rest.

Fourth, caffeine may interfere with the absorption of the iron both mother and baby needs

Fifth, consumption of caffeine by pregnant women, according to recent research, might result in her baby eventually developing diabetes.

How you can break the habit
First you need to understand why you are breaking the habit in the first place, which is for your baby’s health and yours as well.

Second you need to determine why you indulge, and which beverages you can use to substitute the caffeine containing ones you usually take. If it is the taste of coffee or tea that appeals to you then switch to a naturally decaffeinated replacement. If it is the caffeine lift you crave ,you will get more natural long-lasting boost from exercise and good food, especially complex carbohydrates and protein or from doing something that exhilarates you, like jogging,dancing,taking a walk. If you take your caffeinated beverage as part of a daily ritual, change the location of that ritual and change the beverage that accompanies it.

How to minimize caffeine withdrawal symptoms
Caffeine is an addictive drug .lots of caffeine lovers or imbibers who quit just like that can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and irritability.which is why it is better to ease off the caffeine gradually.

Here are some tips to help minimize withdrawal symptom:

1. Get some outdoor exercise each day
2. Make sure you get enough sleep and rest
3. eat frequent small meals that are rich in proteins and complex carbohydrate foods (don’t forget to take your pregnancy vitamins)
If after this your taste buds still crave the flavor of coffee, continue to satisfy them by using a brewed decaffeinated coffee.

Breastfeeding through infection: Risks to baby

2009-08-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

Image by NestleCSV via Flickr

Infections of the breast are very rare during pregnancy but unfortunately they are more frequent after delivery and during lactation or breastfeeding.

It’s safe to breastfeed your baby during common illnesses such as colds and flu.

But it depends on what is causing the cold or flu symptoms. If for example the cause is a cytomegalovirus. Breastfeeding will be dangerous to the baby.

Mastitis (an infection in the breast), thrush, cracked nipples, breast abscesses, Milk stasis (Milk stasis is when a milk duct is blocked and cannot drain properly)

Does not pose any risk to your baby. But there are a few situations, however, in which breastfeeding is not advised.

1. Contagious pulmonary tuberculosis: this infection can be very dangerous to the baby’s health if the mother does not undergo complete treatment. But Breastfeeding can be continued as soon as the mother has undergone treatment and is no longer contagious.

2. Herpes simplex: There are two different Herpes Simplex strains:

Herpes I - generally produces cold sores on the lips and mouth

Herpes II – is generally genital lesions.

Breastfeeding is safe if there are no lesions on the breast. But if there are lesions, they must be well treated, and since Herpes sores are spread through contact, the mother should cover her breast and must be careful to avoid direct contact on baby’s mouth or food. In other words, she should always wash her hands.

3. Chicken pox: If you have chickenpox, avoid contact with other pregnant women and new babies until at least five days after the rash appears, or until all the blisters have crusted over. It is advisable to separate mother and baby from each other and the baby should be nurtured by another individual during the mother’s period of infectivity. The baby will be offered varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG). Breastfeeding is safe as soon as the mother is noninfectious, meaning all spots are crusted over.

4. Hepatitis A: Breastfeeding is safe after the mother receives a dose of gamma globulin.

5. Lyme disease: Lyme disease is caused by a microorganism known as a spirochete, which is carried by ticks. There is no research documentation confirming the presence of the spirochete in human milk or transmission by breastfeeding, to be absolutely safe, if a mother is suspected of having acute Lyme disease, she should stop breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is safe as soon as the mother initiates treatment.

6. HIV infection or HTLV-1: Breastfeeding is not recommended if a woman is infected with HIV, there is a chance that her baby also will become infected with HIV during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. HIV transmission through breast milk is more likely among mothers with advanced disease, reflected in low CD4+ cell counts.

7. Hepatitis B: Breastfeeding is safe after the baby receives a dose of Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). The baby should also be started on the first of three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.

If a woman is diagnosed with HBV, her infant should receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 48 hours of birth, as soon as possible thereafter. Subsequent doses of the vaccine should be given with routine childhood immunization at one month and six months of age. There is no vaccine for the prevention of HCV infection.

How to deal with colic in babies.

2009-07-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

Image by London looks via Flickr

What is colic?

That all babies cry is a reality anywhere in the world. Generally, between three weeks and the three months of age is when they cry the most and, frequently, especially during the afternoons or nights.

The duration of a baby’s weeping depends on his/her temperament and the circumstances or cause of his/her cry ,but the experts call it " colic" when it lasts three or more hours a day, for three to four days a week, for a period of four or more weeks.

For the parents, colic can be a source of frustration and stress, especially because it is not clear, what the cause or cure might be (only the duration is known.

The best explanation apparently, is that the baby absorbs the experiences his/her new world and its day to day activities and arrives at a point in which his/her immature nervous system is overloaded. And due to the fact that the baby uses every nerve of his/her immature body during all this processes of assimilation, they tend to cry and feel pains, especially in the stomach, which is one part that works non-stop.

Luckily, as the baby grows and his/her nervous system matures, he/she will be able to develop more abilities to separate his/her mind from some things and be able to stay calm. However, until that moment, the family life can be difficult. What be done meanwhile?

How to calm a baby with colic

Here are some verified tactics that will help calm the baby:

- Movement: swing, rock, take your baby out for a walk, and make him/her dance in the arms of mother or papa. Apparently, the movement practically eliminates the restlessness. You can experiments with different types of movement, since all babies are different

- Sound: music (not heavy metal), songs, originating smooth noises of a fan or another mechanical device (vacuum cleaner) or white noise. can also help soothe babies.

- Touch: research has shown that carrying babies in a frontal knapsack or baby-carrier during the first hours of the day (when the baby is not crying), really will reduce to the duration of the night cry, but not to be done frequently.

Once the baby begins to cry, you can massage him/her smoothly at the back, caress his stomach exerting a slight pressure and wrap him/her in a blanket to help him stay calm.

What happens if it is not colic?

In many occasions, some components in the mother’s diet during the period of breast-feeding, might be altered or might change. It can help a lot if the mother diminishes her intake of caffeine or cabbages, spices or scented vegetables. See if these alleviate the problem. If the baby is bottle fed, you might change it, but don`t change his/her formula, without consulting the pediatrician. In addition, you should also be alert for any sign that the baby might be ill or has an injury; naturally, these also can make babies cry.

How to protect your child's skin from the sun

2009-06-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

The major exposure age level of the skin to the sun takes place before the 20 years of age. Protecting the vulnerable skin of children helps to reduce the future risk of skin cancer.

Although children of white parents are more susceptible and have more probabilities of getting sunburnt, but nevertheless dark skinned children are not free from the risks. Most parents are not aware that sun burns in early childhood are one of the causes of skin cancers (malignant melanoma, carcinoma of basal cells, carcinoma of flaky cells.et Ce tra) and early signs of aging in adult age.

In general, it is advisable, to keep children, away from exposure to sun in the hours of greater intensity (between 11a.m and 4p.m on sunny days), when the sun’s intensity is at its highest, that is when 70% of the ultraviolet radiation take place.

Sun protecting Cream

- make sure kids are protected with a sunscreen or sun block, and one with a solar protection factor of at least 15(SPF 15). This means that the time for a sun burn to occur is reduced at least 15 times than when the child wasn’t wearing a sun protecting cream.

- It must be a cream with protection of ample phantom, which means blocks UVA rays as well as UVB rays. The lotions that blocks the more dangerous UVA rays with titanium dioxide leaves a white layer on the skin, but this does not bother the children. It’s advisable to avoid the lotions that contain PABA (p-amino benzoic acid). PABA produces frequent allergies, and stains the clothes in an indelible form.

- remember that you must apply the cream or lotion 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and, then, every two hours and after each bath (except if the product’s prospectus or guide says that it is water resistant).

T-shirt and hat

• Always cover to babies and younger children with a clothing e.g. t-shirts (made of cotton) and hats.

• encourage the kids to bathe with their t-shirts on: this also helps to reduce the sun’s penetration. The sport stores sell whole body bathing suits that also offer major protection.

-make sure the kids are dressed in cotton clothes, with bright colors ,because bright colors reflects the sun rays and help the child remain in the right temperature.

Parasol

-do not forget that the skins of new borns are extremely sensible. Until recently, the pediatricians recommended avoiding solar creams until the baby turned six months. Now, several studies have discarded injurious effects on babies, but it should only be used with care, that is, in small quantity. Even with them, the babies must always be protected from the sun.

• Always cover baby’s car with a parasol or make sure his/her hat is always on.

If, in spite of everything, the child get sun burnt:

• Apply a humid cloth in the burned area.

• If the child is above five years, apply congealed vegetable packages (always wrapped in a cloth, never apply directly) on the reddened zone.

• bicarbonate of soda diluted in water or aloe Vera cream helps refresh the skin and calms the burns.

• The creams with a small percentage of hydrocortisone (from 0.5% to 1%) reduce the pain and contribute to the healing process.

• If the child has about 10% of the body sun burnt, and has signs of dehydration (dry skin and lips, confusion, lethargy…), has blisters, fever or complains of pain, you have to call the doctor.

How to prevent accidents in the home

2009-05-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

When they begin to crawl or to take their first steps, the house becomes a fascinating world that the children need to explore. Everything draws their attention: from the switch of the television and the controls of the washing machine to the handles of the drawers and the toilet seats. Discovering their surroundings is a prerogative for children; but these surely depend on a series of absolutely essential measures, since the home is the place where the majority of the infantile accidents occur.

Basic norms

- The plugs with earthen wares are safe-- In any case, it is necessary to cover them with plastic protectors. In the market there are models that make it difficult for children to unplug with ease.

- To eliminate the access to windows-- never put chairs or furniture too close to the window panes, because kids might climb on them and fall out of the windows. Better still, if it is possible, you can block their opening.

- In the balconies, the railings must be high and the distance between the bars very short.

- keep away the sewing and tool boxes out of children’s reach.

- protect the corners of the furniture especially and those of the crystal tables with quilted protectors

- Place nonskid underneath the carpets

- make sure that the toys are adapted for the age of the child and do not contain small pieces which they can swallow and choke on.

- To avoid that the children stick and injure their fingers with the doors, exist in the market, door protectors that prevents the door from closing completely.

- don’t leave small batteries, burners or matches in eyeshot of the children, or either small objects like coins or buttons which can be taken to the mouth.

- With plastic bags also it is necessary to take precautions. The small children can asphyxiate themselves if they put their head in them. Please keep away from their sight

- Dangerous products such as, medicines of all kinds, must be outside their reach, in closets, under lock and key.

- To try not to take medicines in front of children (they have the tendency to imitate adults) and in no occasion should you tell them it is sweets or candy, (for example, even when you want to convince them to take it when they are ill).

In the kitchen

- Never leave children alone in the kitchen when cooking or when the oven is ignited.

- The oven is better in a high place, if it is not then, it is necessary to avoid children coming close to it.

- why frying ,make sure that the handles of frying pans and casseroles always are facing inwards, so that they do not extend outwards ,that kids might pull at them and get burnt . In the market they exist in addition protective for kitchen fires.

- Sharp Knives, scissors and other utensils must be outside the reach of children

- The cleaning products (detergents, bleaches, chemicals and soaps) should be kept in a high closet instead of underneath the sink.

- In the market there are also protectors for refrigerators, to avoid easy opening by the children

- The door of the washing machine must always be closed when not in operation.

- The pressing iron, even when not connected, must always be outside the reach of the children

In the bath

- The falls or injuries here can be serious due to the hardness of the toilets and the ground. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to make sure that the ground is always dry.

- At the head of the bathtub it is necessary to always place a nonskid carpet

- make sure that the temperature of the bath water is always suitable

- Never leave children alone in the bath: it is possible for a child to get drowned in little water too. For greater security a special chair for bathtubs can be used in the tubs.

- Never leave hanging around the basins, razor blades, shaving sticks, cosmetics, scissors, etc

- The small electro domestics (hair dryer, hair,) should never be left connected after use and not even kept near the bathtub or the washbasin

- The toilet is another pole of attraction for the children, but also it can be a center of infections. In order to avoid them opening it you can install a simple safety clip which you can get in specialized stores.

- When the toilet is cleaned, it is necessary to avoid kids coming close to it. The cleaning products give off toxic steam, for that reason when finalizing it is necessary to flush again to clarify well.

- The bath is not the best place for the medicine kit due to the humidity, but if it is placed there, it must be inaccessible to kids and must be under lock.

In the garden

- If there is a swimming pool, never leave the children without monitoring them. In order to avoid accidents a security fence can be installed. It is necessary to be especially aware of the risks that involved in the water purifier, the filters and the falls near the curb

- The cork sleeves or bubbles are safer than the floaters for the children who do not know how to swim. With the floaters the child might turn face down and be submerged under water.

- Whenever the gardening tools are used, it is necessary to make sure you return them to a place that must be inaccessible to the children

- The insecticides; fertilizers, installments and the chlorine for the swimming pool must be stored in a safe place.

- It is necessary to consider that some plants are toxic and their fruits, mostly those with red colors, might be very poisonous.

5 reasons babies cry

2009-05-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Image by joelwillis via Flickr

Have you ever wondered why your little bundle of joy can't stop crying no matter how hard you try to console her.......I guess like I did before I found out this tips too.........you also tried singing to her and doing all that you used to hear on the TV and books you've read.
Sure ,crying is a baby's only way of communication-----but that doesn't mean you'll always know exactly what he or she is trying to say.,
Well ,not to worry ,I've got good news for you ,the reasons for those wails, whimpers and shrieks aren't farfetched.

• reason 1.......I'm hungry
This kind of cry is a short low-pitched cry that rises and falls rhythmically and has a pleading quality to it........and usually associated with lip smacking, finger sucking, and pity-eyes gaze at you, and if you are nursing, baby makes little grabs at your blouse.

• reason 2........I'm bored
This cry starts out as coos ,then turns into fussing.......when he or she isn’t getting the attention expected, then builds to burst of indignant crying, alternating with wimpers.This crying can only stop when the baby is picked up or given the desired attention.

• reason 3..........I'm uncomfortable or Exhausted
A whiny, nasal, continous cry that builds in intensity is usually baby's signal that he or she feels cold or hot, needs a diaper change, fresh clothes, or simply overtired.

• reason 4...........I'm in pain
This cry begins suddenly (usually as a response to a stimuli--for instance a jab of a needle) and is loud, panicked and long, leaving the baby breathless. It’s followed with a long pause, and then repeated, long high-pitched shrieks. Sometimes the solution (mostly for nursing babies) is to feed them.

• reason 5...........I'm sick
This cry is often weak and nasal sounding, with allow pitch. It’s also accompanied by other sign of illness and changes in the baby's behavior (for example, fever, refusal to eat, and/or diarrhea.
With this tips in mind you can be sure to decode every whimper your sweet bundle of joy makes............hope u feel elated now
Do leave your comments you have some extra tips that might benefit other mums and dads.

Concepts of Nutrition and diet

2009-05-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

In many occasions nutrition and diet are used like synonyms, nevertheless they are different concepts.

A diet is a set of food we take, that forms part of our nutritional habits. There are many different diets: for example Mediterranean diet, Japanese diet, there are even also special diets like diets for diabetic people, diets to lose weight.

Nutrition nevertheless, is defined as the set of biological processes in which we assimilate and use up food and liquid for the operation, growth and maintenance of the daily functions of our system. Nutrition therefore includes the processes of digestion, absorption and metabolism of the foods that we take in the diet. (For example, imagine that we have a diet that is varied and balanced but is deficient in iron, calcium or some other essential mineral or vitamin ,this can lead to health problems due to lack of these vitamins or minerals).

Digestion

The digestive system helps to breakdown the complex matters, animal as much as vegetal, in elementary particles. Thus, it transforms proteins into amino acids, carbohydrates in glucose, fructose or galactose and the fatty acid into fats and oils. Also through the digestive system we absorb water, minerals and vitamins directly.

Many scientific studies have demonstrated that between 40% and 60% of the digestive process are carried out before the food arrives at the mouth. We can say that the first stage of digestion is all a mental process. And it is sight of the food and its aroma that stimulates the secretion of digestive juice. For that reason it is absolutely inadvisable to eat watching the television, working on the computer or reading the newspaper. When we are seated at the table, it is good that our attention be focused on the food, because otherwise the digestion process will suffer.

You have certainly heard that it is advisable to chew foods well, because the digestion process begins with mastication. The salivary glands secrete enzymes able to digest some carbohydrates, but when we don’t chew well, we do not give time for this to happen.

Absorption

The main zone of absorption of nutrients is the small intestine. Once the nutrients have been absorbed, it goes to the liver and from there to the rest of the system.

the intestinal flora plays a role fundamental in the absorption of the nutrients, which, has two functions: to contribute to the digestion and assimilation of some nutrients that we eat and to synthesize some of the vitamins that we need, for example vitamin K. Vitamin K is fundamental for the coagulation of the blood, helping to prevent internal hemorrhages and is important in the metabolism of the bones (in some treatments of osteoporosis usually it adds this vitamin).

Another very important function of the intestinal flora is to help protect the intestine from infections.

Advice that will help us to renew the intestinal flora

• take Rich fiber foods: wheat, vegetables, and cereals

• take at least 1 Yogurt a day

• drink between 1 and 2 liters of water daily

• avoid consumption of fatty foods

• avoid consumption of refined flour

• avoid or reduce consumption of caffeinated drinks, like coffee and the Coca-Cola.

How to make your own baby food

2009-05-29T19:23:00.001-07:00

Making your own baby food will ensure that what your child is

Eating is fresh, nutritious and free of additives. By making

Your own baby foods, you'll be saving money, up to 50%. And to

Top it off, it's easy; making baby food at home is probably a

Lot less time-consuming than you may have thought.

In order to make your own baby foods, you'll need something to

Cook in. A steamer basket is cheap and by cooking fruits and

Vegetables in it, you'll be sure of keeping the nutrients in the

Food, instead of in the cooking water.

To puree your foods, you can use a fork, a food mill or blender.

A blender quickly purees almost anything into the finest

Consistency. When your baby first starts on solids, you'll be

Pureeing things to a very fine consistency and, as baby gets a

Little older, you will make foods a little coarser.

You may wish to buy a food mill which comes in large and small

Sizes. It is very handy and inexpensive. The food mill strains

Most cooked foods to a very smooth consistency, although meats

Can be a problem as they will have a coarser texture.

As babies are susceptible to digestive upsets, you'll want to

Take note of the following tips concerning the handling of foods:

- Always work with clean hands.

- Always use clean utensils.

- prepare foods immediately upon removing them from the

Refrigerator.

- freeze immediately after cooking any foods you want to store.

You can prepare large amounts of foods at once and freeze them.

Take your prepared foods and plop by spoonfuls onto a baking

Sheet.

Freeze the plops right away and then take them off the

Sheet when they are frozen and put them into plastic bags.

Label and date. You can also freeze the food in plastic "pop

Out" ice cube trays. Small Tupperware jars with lids serve the

Same purpose and stack easily. Frozen baby foods can be stored

For up to two months.

When you take frozen foods out for baby, warm the food in a cup

Placed in a saucepan of boiling water with a lid on.

Cereals are typically the first foods given to a baby because

They contain lots of iron. You can buy the commercial baby

Cereals, or prepare your own, by running oatmeal through your

Blender, for instance.

Fruits are generally given next. Except for raw, mashed banana,

You will need to cook all other fruits till they are soft.

Try making your own applesauce and pear sauce; don't add any

Sugar, as these fruits are sweet enough on their own. You can

Also peel peaches, plums and apricots and boil or steam them.

Use fresh vegetables whenever possible in order to provide the

Best nutrition and flavor for your baby. Frozen vegetables are

Better to use than canned. Steaming vegetables is the best

Method of preparation. Carrots and sweet potato are two popular

Choices to begin with.

Yogurt, mashed cottage cheese, mashed pumpkin, baked potato,

Avocado and tofu (oriental soy bean curd) are all popular with

Babies. One good idea is to blend together cottage cheese,

Banana and fresh orange juice - delicious!

Meats should be added slowly. They can be boiled or broiled,

Then put in the blender with a little milk and perhaps banana or

Cream of rice to get the right consistency. Chicken is

Generally the first meat baby is introduced to and usually goes

Down fairly well.

There is no rush to start your baby on solid foods. Milk is his

Most important food. Your doctor's recommendations and your own

Intuition will help you to know when to begin introducing solids

To your baby's diet. Always remember to be patient with your

Baby and allow at least a few days between newly added foods to

Make sure baby doesn't suffer any reactions

How to teach your baby to sleep

2009-05-29T19:20:00.001-07:00

How to teach your baby to sleep

Although many do not believe it, parents can help their baby to sleep for very long hours. If you have not slept well in a single night since the arrival of your baby and think that the situation is going to extend indefinitely, you are very wrong, because you can still take care of your little bundle of joy and still have a good night rest or nap. This article will help you recover sleep rhythm and tranquility

Sleeping rhythm

New born babies sleep for about 16 hours a day, but most of these sleeps hardly last for 2 hours. You don’t have to take an erratic step now, but little by little as the nervous system of the baby matures and the night feedings are reduced, your baby would wake up less at night. At about 3 months, most babies already sleep for 5 hours at night. And At 6 months, they can sleep for about 9 to 12 hours continuously.

Teach him/her to distinguish between the day and night

The night time feedings can also alter your baby’s sleeping rhythm. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to establish a good sleep pattern for your baby. One way to do this is to teach your baby to differentiate between the day and night. This can be done by keeping the baby busy through the day ,with the noises in the house,games,toys,and also allow light into the house, by drawing up the blinds… and try to avoid extended day naps, because babies tend to stay awake when they have lots of sleep during the day.

Follow fixed routines

Bath, rhymes, lullabies, and music can be an excellent way to prepare kids for sleep even in very small babies, who little by little would learn to associate these activities with the necessity for sleep. (Advice: do not vary the songs and music: repetition is the key). Don’t lay down the baby when he/she is already asleep. For your baby to learn on its own you have to lay him/her down while he/she is a bit sleepy or drowsy, so that he/she can associate the bed with sleep. Always remember to lay the baby face-up and not face-down.

Give him/her time

It is normal that the baby cries a little while trying to hold on to sleep and to find a good sleeping position. But if the weeping does not stop, come closer to its cradle, talk gentle and calmly to him/her, with light soothing taps at the back. Your presence and your voice can be everything your baby needs to get back on the wings of sleep.

The pacifier

If your baby has difficulty getting to sleep, the pacifier can be a good idea. In fact, the use of the pacifier reduces the risk of the Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the cradle. One disadvantage : if the baby is accustomed to the pacifier, he/she can awake in the middle of the night crying if the pacifier is no longer in his/her mouth.

Don’t rush to the cradle at every whine

Babies move and cry during the night and soon they fall asleep again. Unless the cries intensify or that you believe that he/she might be hungry or needs a diaper change, you do not rise. Delay a few minutes to see what happens.

Don’t break the night

If you have get up during the night, do so with low lights, move quietly and speak in a low voice. The baby must learn that it is moment for sleep, neither to play nor to speak. Some babies from the onset sleep many for long hours and only awake for feeding and go back to sleep immediately after. Others have difficulties getting back to sleep. If your baby demands attention several times during the night and is already 6 months old, consult the doctor. In any case, remember that each baby is a world of its own, and that you are learning to know him in all facets, including its preferences at the time of sleeping.

How the baby grows in the womb

2009-05-29T19:19:00.002-07:00

Doctors and midwives time pregnancy, not from conception but from the first day of a woman’s monthly period. So what is called ‘four weeks pregnant ‘is actually about two weeks after conception. On this timing, pregnancy lasts for forty weeks.

Of course, forty weeks is only an average .some pregnancies are usually short, while some longer.

If you are not sure about the date of your last period, then an ultrasound scan can give a good indication of when your baby will be due.

How the baby develops

In the very early weeks the developing baby is called an embryo .then from about eight weeks onwards, it is called a fetus, which means ‘young one ‘.

WEEK 3

This is 3 weeks from the day of your last monthly period...the fertilized egg moves slowly along the fallopian tube towards the womb. The egg begins as one single cell. This cell divides again and again. By the time the egg reaches the womb, it has become a mass of 100 cells and is still growing.

Once in the womb the egg attaches itself to the womb lining .this is called implantation

WEEKS 4-5

The egg now settles into the womb lining .the outer cells reach out like roots to link with the mother’s blood supply. The inner cells form into two, and later three layers. Each of these layers will grow to be different part of the baby’s body. One layer becomes the brain and the nervous system, the skin, eyes and ears. Another layer becomes the lungs, stomach and guts. The third layer becomes the heart, blood, muscles and bones.

The fifth week is the time of the first missed period, when most women are only just beginning to think that they might be pregnant. Yet already the baby’s nervous system is beginning to develop.

A groove forms in the top layer of the cells .the cells fold up and round to make a hollow tube. This is called the neural tube. It will become the baby’s brain and spinal cord, so the tube has a ‘head end ‘and a ‘tail end’. At the same time the heart is forming, and the baby already has some of its own blood vessels. A string of these blood vessels connect baby and mother and will finally become the umbilical cord.

WEEKS 6-7

There is now a large bulge where the heart is, and a bump for the head because the brain is developing. The heart begins to beat and can be seen beating on an ultrasound scan.

Dimples on the side of the head will become the ears, and there are thickenings where the eyes will be. On the body, bumps are forming, which will become muscles and bones, and small swelling called limb buds show where the arms and legs are growing.

At seven weeks, the embryo is about 8mm (1/4 in) long from head to bottom (or from ‘crown to rump’)

WEEKS 8-9

At this time, a face is slowly forming. The eyes are more obvious and have some color in them. There is a mouth with a tongue. There are now the beginnings of hands and feet, with ridges where the fingers and toes will be. The major internal organs are all developing-the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver and gut.

At nine weeks, the baby is about 17mm (3/4in) long from head to bottom.

WEEKS 10-14

Just twelve weeks after conception, the fetus is fully formed. It has all its organs, muscles, limbs, and bones. From now on, it has to grow and mature.

The sex organs are now well developed. But at this early stage, it is impossible to make out the baby’s sex in an ultrasound picture.

The baby is already moving about, but the movement cannot yet be felt

By about fourteen weeks, the heartbeat is strong and can be heard using an ultrasound detector. The heartbeat is very fast –about twice as fast as a normal adult’s heartbeat. The baby is about 56mm(2 1/2in)long from head to bottom .the pregnancy may just be beginning to show, though may vary from woman to woman.

WEEKS 15-22

The baby is now growing quickly .he body and head are now more in proportion, the face begins to look more human, and the hair is beginning to grow, as well as eyebrows and eyelashes. The eyelids still stay closed over the eyes.

The lines on the skin of the fingers are now formed, finger and toenails are growing, and the baby, has a firm hand grip.

At about the twenty-two weeks the baby becomes covered in a very fine, soft hair called lanugos .this finally disappears again before birth, although sometimes, just a little is left and disappears later.

At about the 18^th-22^nd week, you will feel your baby move for the first time. If this is your second baby you will feel it move earlier, at about the 14^th to 16^th week, after conception.

At first, you feel a fluttering, bubbling or a very slight shifting movement, maybe bit kike indigestion, later you can’t mistake the movements, and you can even see the baby kicking about. You can often guess which bump is a foot or a hand.

Make a note of the date you felt the first movement; it might also be used to check your expected date of delivery.

WEEKS 23-30

Now the baby is moving about vigorously and responds to touch and sound. Sometimes the baby may get hiccups, and you can feel the jerks of each hiccup. The baby may also begin to follow a pattern of sleeping and waking, which may often be different from yours. So when you go to bed at night, the baby wakes up and starts kicking.

The baby’s heartbeat can now be heard by your partner, when he puts his ears to your tummy .the baby is now covered by a white, greasy substance called vernix.this mostly disappears before birth.

WEEKS 31-40(or 42 for later birth)

At this stage the baby is growing plumper so the skin, which was quite wrinkled before, is now smoother. Both the vernix and the lanugos begin to disappear.

By about 32^nd week ,the baby is usually lying head downwards ,ready for birth.Sometime,before birth the head may move down into the pelvis, and is said to be ‘ engaged’ ,but sometimes the baby’s head does not engage until labor has started.

how to prepare your body for pregnancy

2009-05-29T19:19:00.001-07:00

A woman’s health and behavior in pregnancy affects the baby. A poor diet, some drugs, certain illnesses, smoking, alcohol…these and other things can hold back the baby’s development or even cause abnormalities. Most women know this, and the knowledge can be worrying.

It is the early months of pregnancy that are especially important. In the twelve weeks after conception, all the baby’s organs are formed, including the brain .the nervous system, and the heart. Yet during this vital early time, you may not even know that you are pregnant. So since no couple can know exactly when they will conceive, it makes sense to ‘prepare’ for pregnancy.

Then you can be certain that from the moment of conception onwards you will be giving your baby the best possible chance of being healthy. And you will be less likely to be worried or anxious during pregnancy. Some women don’t like the idea of’preparing’for pregnancy. They feel pregnancy is something that ought to happen without a lot of planning and they don’t want to think too much about it until it’s happened.

A few even feel that if you think too much about it, it won’t happen. Other women feel that preparing for pregnancy is a good idea but, find it difficult to do. Giving up alcohol for the sake of your baby, for example is much easier once you know the baby is there. Even if these are your feelings, read through, you may not follow all the advice, but there may still be one or two you may want to take before you try for a baby.

Stopping contraception
If you are taking the contraceptive pills, it is probably best to stop about three months before you try to conceive. A condom, spermicidal gel, a cap or sheath can be used instead of pills .the reason why many doctors suggest leaving a gap between stopping the pills and starting a baby is because the pill alters the amounts of certain substance in the blood.

A gap allows you to get back to normal before you become pregnant. Also,if your monthly circle is back to normal before you conceive, then you can be very sure of you baby’s due date ,when you get pregnant. If you use a coil, then it has to be taken out at the end of a period. Then there is no need to wait before you try to conceive.

Rubella (German measles) If you catch rubella while you are pregnant, your baby can be severely damaged, especially if it is during the first 3months of pregnancy. Rubella can damage the baby’s heart and nervous system and cause deafness and blindness. It can also be the cause of miscarriage and stillbirth.
What to do: make sure you are immune to rubella before you get pregnant. Most girls are now routinely vaccinated against rubella while they are at school, so it may be that you have already been vaccinated. You are also likely to be immune if you have had it before, but it is safe to take a blood test to be completely sure. If you become pregnant before you are immunized, and then come into contact with someone who has it, do tell your doctor at once, he would tell you what next to do.

Stopping Smoking Besides the harm that smoking does to your own health, it is known beyond any doubt that the smoking can hurt the developing baby. Some people dispute this. Their own experience or that of others makes them doubt whether there is really any harm in smoking. The truth remains that smoking does harm the baby.
What to do: deciding to give up smoking, even for the sake of your baby isn’t always easy. Many women have to weigh up what for them are real advantages of smoking against what they know to be the dangers, and they find that the advantages can weigh heavily in the balance

It will help you a lot if you can decide to stop with your partner, or with someone else who smokes. And even if your friends and family don’t smoke you will need their help and support.

Once you have decided to stop, you are half way there, now fix a date, and stick to it. So how do you do it?well,just throw out the cigarettes,lighters,matches,ashtrays and anything that reminds you or draw your attention to smoking and just STOP .

Find something to do with your hands, to replace holding a cigarette—knit, sew, doodle. You can also find other ways of relaxing, like some deep breathing, a long bath, or go for a walk Whenever you want a cigarette, do something, no matter what: eat an apple, sing, and drink water, anything but smoking.

But never sit still and think about how much you want to smoke Get through one day and then another, eventually it begins to get easier and you begin to enjoy the advantages of not smoking-feeling healthier, having more money and so on.

Stopping alcohol Just like smoking, drinking during pregnancy can affect the development of the baby, especially during the early weeks. Even when you drink moderately or a little, the alcohol that enters the blood stream passes into your baby’s bloodstream.
What to do: remember that, from conception onwards, the less you drink, the better your chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. It is true that if you limit yourself to just an occasional drink (not more than 1 or 2 units a week, the risk to your baby will be small. But it is safer to cut off alcohol completely.

Inherited abnormality Just as characteristics like hair and eye colors passes on from generations to generation through the genes ,so also are certain abnormalities (in those who have them)can be genetically inherited.

If either you or your partner have some sort of inherited conditions (such as sickle cell disease,haemophilia or cystic fibrosis, muscle dystrophy)or have a relative with such a condition, then you may want to know ,what sort of risk, if any, you would be taking by having a baby. Let your doctor know everything, this is not the time to hide anything. Your doctor might refer you to a genetic councellor,who can tell you much more about the sort of risk you would be taken.

AIDS HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. If you have this virus ,becoming pregnant can be dangerous for both you and the baby. What to do: take a blood test to be sure of your status, and then your doctor will tell you what the risk are. Although, there had been many reports of infected mothers having healthy babies, but it all starts before conception.

Other infections It is really advisable to see your doctor for a general body checkup, before conception. Every sexually transmitted diseases, must be treated and other like candida, thrush and the lots should also be treated completely so as not to affect the baby.

What you eat If you are already eating a healthy diet at the timer you conceive, you will be increasing your baby’s chances of being healthy at birth. Your developing baby depends solely on you for all its food the moment he is conceived, so if the mother’s diet is healthy, the baby is more likely to be healthy. Also ask your doctors for good vitamins you can take while preparing for conception. For example, folic acid, is good taken, three months before conception and continued while pregnant, as prescribed by your doctor.