Touch…What A Priceless Gift
Posted by in Babies on March 19th, 2010
Touch…a free, priceless and vital gift for health and well-being. But it is more than just an awareness of textures and temperatures. It also conveys emotions.
Studies of babies in orphanages show that lack of it can result in sickness or even death.
Preemies gain more weight more quickly when they receive touch therapy.
And for the child who is blind, it is one of his windows to learning.
However, there are children who are tactile defensive. If you suspect your child has tactile defensiveness, just enter the words “tactile defensiveness” in your favorite browser to locate more information.
With that caveat aside, let’s turn to ways to use this sense to increase and enhance your child’s development.
As a newborn, he’s cuddly. The warmth of his body nestled in your arms or next to your face comforts, calms and reassures him. It conveys your love for him.
Rhythmic, firm pressure as you rub her back soothes fretfulness and you both fall asleep!
A light, skimming touch alerts him.
Strangely enough, she senses textures more with her mouth in the early months. Now you know why everything goes to the mouth! She probably won’t be able to actually tell the differences tactually until he’s about 6 months old, and even then it will not be well-developed until later.
Soft textures comfort the new born. So a colorful quilt can also be tactile.
Make your own using a dark fleece and a white or light nubby or loopy fabric. Stitch those two together and you have a high-contrast quilt that is tactually pleasing and captures her visual attention.
When her parents moved our granddaughter to her own room, my daughter-in-law asked if I could make a very simple doll to comfort her. So I made a pattern, purchased the “Here Kitty” flannel, stuffed it and there was the doll. Add teddy bear ears to the doll pattern, buy some fleece (or faux fur), and a Teddy Bear results.
It’s okay to expose her to different tactile experiences before she’s six months old even though she won’t be able to distinguish them well.
Her first tooth is about to erupt, so…she’ll enjoy a cool, textured teething ring.
As she adds solid foods to her diet she learns still more textures and temperatures.
Board Books with Textures are available. Children love these books. When they know a book is tactile, they often rub their hands across other pictures expecting that they will also be tactual.
Design your own colorful tactile book. Fabrics yield themselves nicely to this creative enterprise. Use solid colors of corduroy, fleece, faux fur, net, satin and sparkly fabrics. Best of all…it’s washable!
Begin to name them for her…soft, smooth, slick, rough, hard, etc. You can even do this in the early months.
She continues to explore her physical world through touch.
She also explores her emotional world through touch. She enjoys giving and getting hugs, and proper touching is life giving and enriching.
Beth is a retired teacher of the visually impaired, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She has created a web site http://www.child-enriching-gifts.com drawing on her experiences as a teacher and a grandmother. To learn more about sensory motor development and ways to enhance it check out
Article Source: Touch…What A Priceless Gift
Discover the Risks of Being Overweight and Pregnant
Posted by in Pregnancy on March 19th, 2010
Women should take care of themselves and their unborn child during pregnancy. There are a lot of complications associated with pregnancy especially if pregnant women are gaining too much weight. Women should know the risks of being overweight and pregnant to avoid health issues while pregnant.
Going through pregnancy can be very hard for most women due to morning sickness and other physical discomforts. Pregnant women tend to become sedentary and make pregnancy an excuse to eat all the time. Lack of physical activities and eating too much can lead to excess pregnancy weight. Although it is important to gain weight for the development of the unborn child, women should be aware of the risks of being overweight and pregnant.
Women with a healthy weight before pregnancy should gain between 25-35 pounds and most of the weight gain on the last 3 months. Unfortunately, most pregnant women gain more that the required weight gain. If you are pregnant and gaining too much weight, you should know the risks of being overweight and pregnant. It is important to consult your doctor about your weight issues while going through pregnancy to make sure you and your unborn child are safe and healthy.
Obesity and being overweight in pregnancy does not only endanger the health of the mother but it can also cause complications on the baby. Here are some of the risks of being overweight and pregnant:
Birth defects. Babies of overweight women have an increased risk of spinal cord and brain defects, prematurity and stillbirth.
Delivery problems. Overweight pregnant women have an increased risk of Cesarean delivery and may encounter complications during the procedure. They may also encounter problems associated with surgery and anesthesia.
Pre-eclampsia. Overweight pregnant women are at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy. This condition can be very dangerous not only to the mother but also to the unborn baby.
Gestational diabetes. Diabetes or high blood sugar during pregnancy commonly occurs on women with excess pregnancy weight. Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs on women for the first time during pregnancy. High blood sugar can be very harmful to the baby.
Go through pregnancy without the extra pounds, visit All About Pregnancy.
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author’s name and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction. Also visit Prevent Excess Pregnancy Weight
Article Source: Discover the Risks of Being Overweight and Pregnant
Top 3 Methods to Avoid Gaining Excess Pregnancy Weight
Posted by in Pregnancy on March 19th, 2010
Weight gain during pregnancy is important for the development and growth of the unborn child. However, most pregnant women are gaining excess pregnancy weight which can be very dangerous. Gaining too much weight can also affect the self esteem of women because they feel unattractive and fat. It is important to avoid gaining too much weight to be healthy and look good while pregnant.
The adequate weight gain during pregnancy for women who have healthy weight before pregnancy is between 25 to 35 pounds with most of the weight gain on the last 3 months. Gaining more than the required is not healthy and can cause postpartum weight retention and delivery problems. Pregnancy is not an excuse for gaining excess pregnancy weight because you can go through pregnancy looking great and healthy.
What pregnant women can do to avoid excess weight?
Monitor your weight gain. It is important to have a regular check up with your doctor to monitor your weight gain. Your doctor can also help you on the proper diet for gaining the necessary weight for your health and for the development of your unborn child.
Avoid those extra calories. You need a certain amount of calories as a source of energy during physical activities and to keep your body functioning. But if you are gaining too much weight, cut back on calories to avoid gaining excess pregnancy weight. Extra calories on soft drinks, fatty foods, fried foods and desserts can add too much on your weight.
Exercise. It is not good for pregnant women to stay sedentary. Exercise can help you avoid excess weight. Aside from preventing excess weight, exercise has many health benefits. It can relieve leg cramps, varicose veins, lower back pain, fatigue and sleeplessness. Walking and swimming are good physical activities for pregnant women. But of course you need to listen to your body and ask the advice of your doctor before you get started on an exercise program to know the best physical activities for your condition.
Gaining excess pregnancy weight can be avoided if you will practice self discipline and if you care for your heath and the safety of your unborn child.
Go through pregnancy looking great visit All About Pregnancy. Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author’s name and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction. Also visit Avoid Excess Pregnancy Weight
Article Source: Top 3 Methods to Avoid Gaining Excess Pregnancy Weight
Get Pregnant Faster – Important Tips For Faster Conception
Posted by in Pregnancy on March 19th, 2010
Having a baby is a blessing for any couple. Sadly, conception doesn’t always happen immediately even if you beg for it. Before you start to wonder if the problem is associated with infertility reasons, may be you would like to first learn how to get pregnant faster. You might just need to pay attention to certain simple things you do to make all the difference.
If you want to know how to get pregnant quickly, then you need to know how to take care of your own health first. If you smoke, quit. Smoking will cause more mucus production inside the cervix, and this will make conception more difficult. Smoking is dangerous for the fetus too when you do get pregnant. Perhaps the thought of having a healthier baby will be the motivation for you to stop smoking.
Exercise should be part of your daily routine. You’ll want a healthy body weight. That doesn’t mean thin, you’ll want to know your body mass index (BMI). The optimum BMI for conception is 19-24. You’ll want to make sure you eat a healthy diet. Taking preconception vitamins is a great way to ensure your daily nutrients need is met. Adding folic acid to your diet is essential.
Another thing for you to consider if you want to know how to get pregnant faster is your menstrual cycle. For a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually occurs around the 14th day. Having relations on the 12th day, the 14th day, and the 16th day will increase your chances of conception. If your cycle isn’t normal than you may want to purchase an ovulation kit. It will help determine when is your fertile days, so that you can increase your chances of getting pregnant by having intercourse on those days.
One more thing to think about regarding how to get pregnant faster is your partner. His diet plays a big role too. A zinc-rich diet will help improve sperm count, helping to him to increase fertility naturally. Shellfish and eggs are good sources of zinc.
Another thing that you will need from your partner is patience and understanding. Increasing the amount of relations will not increase the chances of conception. It takes time to build sperm count back up, so taking a day off will help increase your chances.
If you try these suggestions and you haven’t become pregnant within six months, you might want to speak to your doctor.
Meanwhile, you may want to learn about diet and fertility to help you increase fertility naturally, and increase chances of getting pregnant naturally.
Article Source: Get Pregnant Faster – Important Tips For Faster Conception
Cute OVERLOAD: The Ultimate Concern Edition
Preorder Will Grayson, Will Grayson: John Green’s new book, written with David Levithan: http://bit.ly/willgrayson
In which John and his newborn baby Henry discuss the idea of an Ultimate Concern: Should you have one, what’s yours, and what should it be? Also, Henry does adorable stuff, because he is adorable.
Huge thanks to ChateauOfADoubt for helping me get this video up with my new camcorder: http://www.youtube.com/ChateauOfADoubt
Breast Lactating Problems
Posted by in Babies on March 18th, 2010
For the longest time breast feeding has been available as the only way for mothers to nourish their new infants. This implied that there have continually been extra breast lactating women who were able to illustrate to inexperienced moms tips on how to breastfeed their newborn infants.
Once bottle feeding got widespread, breast feeding have taken a back seat to the point where even the scientific rules which regulated bottle feeding became of use for breastfeeding. In our day and age science has established that breast is best!
Now new mothers are trying out breast feeding almost as if it is something new. There are not quite as many moms available from whom a new mom can be taught in which manner to breastfeed her newborn infant. Various difficulties which would without difficulty be fixed many years ago have at this time turn into the reasons why women surrender when it comes to breastfeeding. Our era are marked by a requirement to be much more educated about breast feeding.
Every time I came across difficulties like engorged breasts as well as sore nipples, I kept reminding myself about breast feeding advantages. Amongst all these benefits are a long record of ailments in addition to infections for which breastfeeding provides protection or a lower threat for mother as well as her newborn. All these advantages were of particular consequence to me as my babies arrived early.
Notwithstanding the information booklets on breast lactating which I had acquired, it was not enough to work out every single one of my difficulties. Some of the instructions did not quite work, certain topics like the nursing of premature babies were almost unheard of and other matters weren’t simply explained. In this generation detail is wanted!
I learned many painful lessons during the time I was nursing my eldest as a consequence of erroneous as well as partial info. There are the matters which the experts declare which is assumed to be correct but are found inadequate at times. Then there are all the old wives’ tales from other moms – oftentimes I discovered that they have never breastfed their kids! It is considered as fairly inappropriate to inquire of particularly older women whether or not they have breastfed their babies and as a result you can wind up having no clarity concerning the capacity of the person who are explaining things to you.
Difficulties are an ordinary part of our existence and a likely segment of breast feeding too. We unravel problems by discovering the best information. Considering all the lessons I learned while I was breast feeding my eldest, the breast lactating of my youngest (presently at fifteen months) have been almost problem free. Being rightly clued-up is quite important.
Lorna Maralack has breastfed both her two premature babies and in doing so obtained a good deal of know-how that she has put in an ebook.
For more info on breastfeeding visit her blog for first hand assistance.
Article Source: Breast Lactating Problems
Breast Feeding Problems
Posted by in Babies on March 18th, 2010
For the longest time breast feeding has been around as the only way for women to feed their new infants. This implied that there were at all times other breastfeeding mothers who could reveal to inexperienced moms easy methods to breastfeed their newborn infants.
As soon as bottle feeding turned prevalent, breast lactating have taken a back seat to the point where even the scientific guidelines which governed bottle feeding were to become applicable for breast lactating. At present science has established that breast is best!
Now new moms are discovering breast lactating almost as if it can be regarded as rather modern. There are not as many mothers around from whom a new mom can find out in which way to breastfeed her new infant. Several difficulties which would with no trouble be rectified many years ago have at this time turn into the reasons why moms let go of breastfeeding. Our era are marked by a desire to be much more informed on breast feeding.
Every time I experienced problems including engorged breasts as well as sore nipples, I reminded myself about breast feeding advantages. Amongst all of these advantages are a long inventory of diseases as well as infections for which breast lactating gives protection or a lower risk for a mom and baby. All these advantages have been of special significance to me since my babies came prematurely.
Regardless of the info books on nursing babies that I came across, it did not suffice to work out all of my problems. Some of the suggestions did not quite work, particular matters like the breast feeding of premature infants were almost unheard of and additional subjects were not clearly defined. In our day and age detail is required!
I learned various painful lessons during the time I was breastfeeding my eldest owing to wrong as well as partial info. There are the things that the experts declare which is presumed to be without question but are found lacking at times. Then there are every one of the old wives’ tales from other women – oftentimes I learned that they have on no account breastfed their children! It is seen as fairly inappropriate to inquire of particularly elder women whether or not they breastfed their babies and thus you can end up having no clear knowledge concerning the capability of the person who are advising you.
Troubles are an accepted element of our existence and a natural segment of breast feeding too. We decipher problems by studying the right info. Taking into account all the lessons I learned whilst nursing my eldest, the breast lactating of my youngest (presently at fifteen months) have been virtually problem free. Being correctly informed is quite important.
Lorna Maralack has breastfed both her two premature babies and in doing so obtained lots of experience that she has put in an ebook.
For additional info on breastfeeding go to her blog for first hand guidance.
Article Source: Breast Feeding Problems
Home Treatment For Stretch Marks
Posted by in Pregnancy on March 18th, 2010
Stretch marks are something the majority of pregnant women are experiencing. Once the stretch marks develop they will stay with you forever, but with time they will be less noticeable. The only way to avoid stretch marks is preventing them. If your healthy and maintain a fitness regimen and get daily exercise regularly, chances are you already are getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats in your diet.
However there are specific vitamins that you should be looking to consume that are directly related to your skin. These vitamins should include vitamin A,C, E, and zinc in specific. Remember we use zinc to combat sun at the beach; why wouldn’t we want to consume it as well? You will want to make sure to eat these specific foods that will provide these vitamins.
Whatever skin type you have is mostly hereditary. However there are things that you can do to improve your natural skin type. Stretch marks are most likely to occur where skin is dry and chapped and just overworked etc. When it’s in this condition, the skin looses its elasticity which is how stretch marks come about in the first place. To improve this, make sure to take enough vitamins and apply a moisturizer or vitamin E to the skin once or twice a day.
Here are some things that will also help you to avoid getting stretch marks. It is very important to exercise in order to get rid of stretch marks. When you are toning your muscles this helps your skin to firm thus preventing stretch marks. Make sure in your diet you are getting plenty of protein and foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E because they help to promote good tissue growth.
For a do-it-yourself at-home remedy like those that have been tried and actually work. Massaging your body with olive oil or Vitamin E may help. You can also try this homemade recipe which is very good. Basically you mix one ounce of carrier oil (try avocado, sweet almond, jojoba for best results) with seven drops of lavender and five drops of chamomile. You can also apply the famed cocoa butter and/ or elastic cream. These are very good for stretch marks.
Once the stretch marks develop they will stay with you forever, but with time they will be less noticeable. The only way to avoid stretch marks is preventing them.
Green Tea is also a great herb in prevention of “stretch marks” as it offers you three major benefits. First of all, it is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to lower free radical damage in the skin. Secondly, it is a very potent anti-inflammatory agent, which reduces inflammation in the skin. Find more about “stretch-marks ” at my web site.
Article Source: Home Treatment For Stretch Marks
Morning Sickness Cures – Nausea Relief Home
Posted by in Pregnancy on March 18th, 2010
The first trimester of pregnancy for many women brings about nausea and vomiting. The severity of the condition varies widely among expectant mothers.
Some women never experience the condition at all. Others have it only in the morning, and some poor unfortunates wonder why it is called morning sickness when they suffer with it for days at a time, around the clock, without any relief.
For those who do experience the discomfort of this condition while expecting, here are a few morning sickness cures that may help. Not all of these home remedies work for everyone every time. Experiment until you find the ones that produce the best results for you.
1. Nibble Regularly
Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day rather than the big three. The acids in your stomach get lonely without any food to digest, which in turn causes you to become nauseous.
Take snacks with you wherever you go. Some convenient items that travel well are:
* string cheese sticks or packaged cheese slices
* pudding, fruit, and Jell-o snack cups
* saltine crackers
* snack packages of peanut butter and cheese crackers
* bananas, apples, grapes, tangerines
* celery and carrot sticks (carry along a convenient pack of Ranch dressing for dipping)
* baked Lays potato chips or snack packs of popcorn
2. Avoid Solid Foods
When morning sickness is severe, solid foods can make it worse. During these times, try a liquid diet until the symptoms subside. You can still get protein, vitamins, and nutrients if you make good selections. Here are a few options:
* Broths made from beef or chicken bouillon
* Natural fruit juices (opt for those with less sugar that count for servings of fruits and vegetables – an excellent product is Infusion made by V-8)
* Ginger relieves nausea for many women. Sip on ginger ale throughout the day served over crushed ice. For some reason, it is very soothing ice cold and sipped through a straw.
3. Avoid the Spice of Life
Bland is better right now. Bold and spicy foods are known to make nausea conditions worse. The smells alone are enough to send some women on a sickness binge. Foods that are peppery, salty, blackened, curried, gingered, and so forth should be avoided.
4. Avoid Grease
Steer clear of greasy foods. Opt for grilled, not fried. There are many different types of oils used in restaurants to fry foods. Some oils are more irritating to pregnant women than others. You don’t know how often the oils are changed either. Fried foods simply aren’t good for you anyway, pregnant or not.
Take this as an opportunity to wean yourself from fried foods altogether. Opt for a healthier lifestyle now that you can continue after pregnancy. Your child will also benefit from growing up around health conscience parents and learning nutritious eating habits early on.
The discomfort of pregnancy nausea usually subsides after the first three months, so take comfort in knowing that “this too shall pass.” Hopefully, the above morning sickness cures will alleviate the unpleasantness and bring you some comfort. Just keep telling yourself that it won’t last forever.
Margaux Hall enjoys few things more than helping other women to beat morning sickness and enjoy their pregnancy again. To find out more about morning sickness cures visit her site BestMorningSicknessTips.com now!
Article Source: Morning Sickness Cures – Nausea Relief Home
