We have completed our preparations for the arrival or our new baby as much as we could. I went out for one last time to buy things which were on my missing stuff list. After my son, we did not have that many missing items anyway. I only bought containers for milk, garbage bags for diapers and boppy pillow. The old ones were really old. I found an … [Read more...]
Nasal Congestion and Runny Nose Remedies for Babies
It's change of seasons. A runny nose, nasal congestion, cold, and flu are common spread amongst children. We go the library, or during playtime and everyone’s nose is running and sneezing. Especially if you have children that are going daycare or school, this is unstoppable. The hardest is the babies with the cold or a runny nose. They can’t … [Read more...]
Hospital bag checklist for labor and delivery
The other day, I got in over my head and decided to run around with my son. Of course, I fell short of breath at night, got cramps on my feet, and just couldn’t wait to lie down. At that moment, it dawned upon me that I am only a month away from my due date. If she has taken after her brother, we might wait for a little longer, but this girl is … [Read more...]
Natural Potty Training Alternative: Elimination Communication
I came across this book, Diaper Free Baby, entirely by coincidence. Fifteen minutes before setting out for our long flight to the other side of the Atlantic, I was looking through potty training section in the library to find a solution to my son’s terribly delayed potty training situation, I got my hands on this one. Funny enough the other books … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding – Other questions
I decided to answer a couple of the common questions about breastfeeding. These questions are great for my readers who don’t read the comments:1- If your baby is just playing at the breast instead of nursing:This usually happens when your baby is about 3 months old and when (s)he can see better and chooses to observe his or her … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 107 – Storing Breast Milk
Even if you do not go to work after your baby is born and become a stay-at-home-mom, you might find pumping and storing your milk helpful. You have to use either a hand pump or an electric pump to express your milk and store it in the refrigerator. Here are the advantages of storing breast milk:If you have to go out, so that you can have milk … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 106 – Troubleshooting for nursing problems
Probably the most common breastfeeding problem would be the sore nipples, nipple pains and cracked or blistered nipples. It would be helpful to read my post on "Tips for correct breastfeeding techniques" in order to prevent this from happening. As a precaution and a remedy you should start using a lanolin cream during the last weeks of your … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 105 – Increasing mother’s milk supply
During the nursing period, there is a time when every mother wants to increase her milk supply. As I have written before the main ingredient of milk is water in our bodies. You need double the water intake during nursing period. Without cutting down on water intake, you can also supplement with other food and drinks that will help produce or … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 104 – Comfortable and healthy nursing positions
You have the correct and complete latch on, created the Voltron and you are nursing really well. Great! But if you are sitting incorrectly, for 15 minutes to half an hour, 6 times a day, then it is inevitable to have neck and back pains. That’s why it is very important to nurse your baby in a correct posture and hold your baby correctly.One … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 103 – Tips for correct breastfeeding techniques
It is a tough art to be able nurse the first days after giving birth. The picture that is drawn in our minds by others that, you give your baby your breast they start sucking easily and right away. Unfortunately, the reality is far from that. I don’t want to scare my readers so I can definitely say just after a few months, you will become an … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 102 – First Experience after Birth
Every pregnant woman looks forward to nursing their babies with with a curious wonder. This is the bond that connects the baby to the mother after carrying him/her inside hew womb for 9 months. I cannot exactly describe the feeling that comes over during nursing. You kind of feel elated or in seventh heaven, a total bliss of motherhood (once you … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding 101 – Amazing Mother’s Milk
I am going to write a series on breastfeeding, just like the one I wrote on sleeping by composing the information I read in the books, recommendations I received from other mothers and my own personal experiences.First, I want to write about the physiological features of mother’s milk as well as its production. I don’t want to act as if we are … [Read more...]
Could you scratch my back, please?
Have you ever thought that your baby might need his/her back scratched as well?I am not going to write that "according to this or that professor’s research" they itch a lot. I don’t have any scientific research or information in hand but my back always itches and I love to have my back scratched. I literally purr when my husband scratches my … [Read more...]
What to do when you’re past your due date
When you are past your due date provided by your ob/gyn at the beginning of your pregnancy, it's not a big red flag unless advised by your ob/gyn. Based on my experience, I know expectant mothers look for ways to help initiate the labor. I want to share some of the things you can do, if your due date has passed.Having experienced this once … [Read more...]
Power windows in cars pose danger for children
Apparently many kids are victims of strangulation or asphyxiation after their necks were caught by power windows. According to the families, these accidents happened in a milisecond when they weren't paying attention to their kids who were playing in the car or trying to get out of the car through the window.See the difference in the two … [Read more...]
Avoid unforeseen! accidents by taking simple safety measures
My husband is the chief of homeland security and safety in our household. He sets up and maintains the babyproofing, and anything related to the safety within and outside the house. He checks on me quite a bit as well because to be honest, sometimes mommy brain takes over and you never know what kids are up to when mommy brain is in charge.The … [Read more...]
Magnetic toys: Potential hazard for children
A news article I've read today, prompted me to write another post under "Safety" subject.This time the hazard is the magnetic toys. The consumer product safety commission recalled all Magnetix magnetic toys after being notified of more than 30 incidents involving small magnets, one of which was the death of a toddler. The magnets, when … [Read more...]
ICE- In Case of Emergency
I would like to continue my posts about Safety, following "Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Living Room / Play Room", "Safety: Car safety for babies and children", "Safety: First Aid and CPR for babies and children" and "Parents’ emergency phone list".ICE- In Case of Emergency, is a program that helps emergency personnel such as … [Read more...]
How lactation consultants help breastfeeding mothers
After the birth of your baby, while you are still in the hospital, one thing I would definitely suggest you, is to consult “Lactation Consultants”.If you have a natural birth, you will stay at the hospital for two days. If you have a C-section, you will stay for four days. During this time at least once, better twice, talk to these … [Read more...]
Product Review: Supplemental Nursing System
We might insist on doing things a certain way with the passion of wanting to be "super mothers" during the first days of motherhood. I am guilty of this crime as well.Despite the fact that I started breastfeeding and my colostrum came immediately after I gave birth, my son started losing weight rapidly in the next few days. My doctor and nurses … [Read more...]