Posts Tagged health
Your Kids And Sleep
Posted by in Pregnancy on February 27th, 2010
During infancy
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For three or four weeks after birth the infant sleeps more or less, day and night, only waking to satisfy the demands of hunger; at the expiration of this time, however, each interval of wakefulness grows longer, so that it sleeps less frequently, but for longer periods at a time.
This disposition to repose in the early weeks of the infant’s life must not be interfered with; but this period having expired, great care is necessary to induce regularity in its hours of sleep, otherwise too much will be taken in the day-time, and restless and disturbed nights will follow. The child should be brought into the habit of sleeping in the middle of the day, before its dinner, and for about two hours, more or less. If put to rest at a later period of the day, it will invariably cause a bad night.
At first the infant should sleep with its parent. The low temperature of its body, and its small power of generating heat, render this necessary. If it should happen, however, that the child has disturbed and restless nights, it must immediately be removed to the bed and care of another female, to be brought to its mother at an early hour in the morning, for the purpose of being nursed. This is necessary for the preservation of the mother’s health, which through sleepless nights would of course be soon deranged, and the infant would also suffer from the influence which such deranged health would have upon the milk.
When a month or six weeks has elapsed, the child, if healthy, may sleep alone in a cradle or cot, care being taken that it has a sufficiency of clothing, that the room in which it is placed is sufficiently warm, viz. 60 degrees, and the position of the cot itself is not such as to be exposed to currents of cold air. It is essentially necessary to attend to these points, since the faculty of producing heat, and consequently the power of maintaining the temperature, is less during sleep than at any other time, and therefore exposure to cold is especially injurious. It is but too frequently the case that inflammation of some internal organ will occur under such circumstances, without the true source of the disease ever being suspected. Here, however, a frequent error must be guarded against, that of covering up the infant in its cot with too much clothing throwing over its face the muslin handkerchief and, last of all, drawing the drapery of the bed closely together. The object is to keep the infant sufficiently warm with pure air; it therefore ought to have free access to its mouth, and the atmosphere of the whole room should be kept sufficiently warm to allow the child to breathe it freely: in winter, therefore, there must always be a fire in the nursery.
The child up to two years old, at least, should sleep upon a feather bed, for the reasons referred to above. The pillow, however, after the sixth month, should be made of horsehair; for at this time teething commences, and it is highly important that the head should be kept cool.
During childhood
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Up to the third or fourth year the child should be permitted to sleep for an hour or so before its dinner. After this time it may gradually be discontinued; but it must be recollected, that during the whole period of childhood more sleep is required than in adult age. The child, therefore, should be put to rest every evening between seven and eight; and if it be in health it will sleep soundly until the following morning. No definite rule, however, can be laid down in reference to the number of hours of sleep to be allowed; for one will require more or less than another.Regularity as to the time of going to rest is the chief point to attend to; permit nothing to interfere with it, and then only let the child sleep without disturbance, until it awakes of its own accord on the following morning, and it will have had sufficient rest.
The amount of sleep necessary to preserve health varies according to the state of the body, and the habits of the individual. Infants pass much the greater portion of their time in sleep. Children sleep twelve or fourteen hours. The schoolboy generally ten. In youth, a third part of the twenty-four hours is spent in sleep. Whilst, in advanced age, many do not spend more than four, five, or six hours in sleep.
It is a cruel thing for a mother to sacrifice her child’s health that she may indulge her own vanity, and yet how often is this done in reference to sleep. An evening party is to assemble, and the little child is kept up for hours beyond its stated time for retiring to rest, that it may be exhibited, fondled, and admired. Its usual portion of sleep is thus abridged, and, from the previous excitement, what little he does obtain, is broken and unrefreshing, and he rises on the morrow wearied and exhausted.
Once awake, it should not be permitted to lie longer in bed, but should be encouraged to arise immediately. This is the way to bring about the habit of early rising, which prevents many serious evils to which parents are not sufficiently alive, promotes both mental and corporeal health, and of all habits is said to be the most conducive to longevity.
A child should never be suddenly aroused from sleep; it excites the brain, quickens the action of the heart, and, if often repeated, serious consequences would result. The change of sleeping to waking should always be gradual.
The bed on which the child now sleeps should be a mattress: at this age a feather bed is always injurious to children; for the body, sinking deep into the bed, is completely buried in feathers, and the unnatural degree of warmth thus produced relaxes and weakens the system, particularly the skin, and renders the child unusually susceptible to the impressions of cold. Then, instead of the bed being made up in the morning as soon as vacated, and while still saturated with the nocturnal exhalations from the body, the bed-clothes should be thrown over the backs of chairs, the mattress shaken well up, and the window thrown open for several hours, so that the apartment shall be thoroughly ventilated. It is also indispensably requisite not to allow the child to sleep with persons in bad health, or who are far advanced in life; if possible, it should sleep alone.
To learn about potty training tips and tips on getting pregnant, visit the Free Tips Online website.
Article Source: Your Kids And Sleep
Baby Boy Or Baby Girl…Find Out!
Posted by in Babies on February 4th, 2010
After a woman gets married, getting pregnant is her most beautiful and long awaited dream. Pregnancy is nature’s best boon as you become complete. A woman is called complete only after she gets pregnant and delivers healthy and normal baby. Anyway, the gender of the baby is secret till the baby arrives in this remarkable place. Generally, all the parents want to know what will God give them as their first child, a boy or a girl . It is merely the Divine who has knowledge of the gender of the baby. Also there are many couples who leave this decision on the almighty, though they may have their own preferences. Nevertheless having knowledge of the gender of the baby in mother’s womb is always an utmost secret till the baby comes in this world and the secret which every parent likes to know. Now just by clicking the mouse, you can know the gender of your baby. Internet has ascertained to be a great blessing to folks who want to know their newborn’s gender earlier than he or she arrives in this incredible humankind.
Normally, through Sono-graphy a lot of couples can come to know the baby gender, but this process is banned and now sonography is used to check the health of the unborn baby. Nearly all the parents commenced taking excessive advantage of this gender revealing method. But people, who just want to know their baby’s gender due to eagerness, may browse on the internet as there are various websites that help to determine their unborn baby’s genders. All you have to do is, connect to the net and you conduct a little survey. You will surely find some reliable websites where you just have to put in a few details and you come to know the gender of the unborn baby. You must fill in minimal details such as the mother’s genetic details (year and month of birth) and moreover father’s genetic details (year and month of birth) and ultimately you must fill in the year and month of conception. Once you submit these details, you immediately get to know your baby’s gender. It is indeed the simplest and most exciting system to discover your newborn’s gender. Though there are some couples who follow old traditions to choose their baby’s gender before planning the family. And you will be amazed to know that there are techniques by which a couple can really decide the gender of their baby.
Fertilization is a process by which an egg and a sperm fuse together to nurture a new life in the mother’s womb. This is a very biological and blessed process to confer a deep significance to the couple’s bond. But with advanced technology, the baby’s gender can be influenced before the conception. The sperm possesses XY chromosome and the egg carries XX chromosome. For a baby boy, the XX chromosomes are fused together, whereas for a baby girl, the XY chromosomes are fused together. Y chromosome is active but stays for smaller period as compared to X chromosome. You can be confident you will deliver a baby boy if the ovulated egg is fused with the Y chromosome, thus the ovulation period should be known!
But the fact is millions of sperms are released at the time of intercourse. You need to know the perfect time for conception. Thus, if you plan your intercourse rightly, you could possess the preferred gender of your baby. Usually, there are some websites that help you with this too. You have to fill in your and your husband’s genetic details next to the preferred gender of the baby and submit the details. Just after the click, you will know the exact month of conception to get the desired baby gender. Therefore, you can plan your conception accordingly. Just connect yourself to the internet and see what’s in tore for you. Get a baby boy or a female child, the preference is yours!
If you really want to find out baby gender and are inquisitive to know your baby gender, check out findoutbabygender.com
Article Source: Baby Boy Or Baby Girl…Find Out!
Tips for Stretch Mark Prevention
Posted by in Pregnancy on January 21st, 2010
There is nothing more exciting than getting the results back from a pregnancy test and knowing you are a pregnant. For a first time expectant mother, the news can be both exciting and scary. If you’ve had children before you will know that your body will go through a lot of different changes. As a new mom, you probably have read about changes you will experience and how to keep yourself healthy. One change that almost every mother will go through during their pregnancy is getting stretch marks.
Stretch marks occur in 50 to 90 percent of all pregnancies. They start to show on your stomach around the six month of your pregnancy. The skin stretches as your baby grows. Fare skinned women are more susceptible to stretch marks, and they are also hereditary. If your mom or sister got them, you probably will too. However, there are some things you can do to prevent stretch marks and keep your skin looking good and healthy. Here are some tips you should follow for stretch mark prevention.
It is important to make sure your skin stay pretty elastic so that it can stretch as your baby grows. One way to maintain elasticity is to drink a lot of water. Not only will this keep your skin in great condition, but it is important to stay hydrated for the health of you and your baby.
In addition to drinking lots of water, you should also eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Natural foods that contain a lot of vitamins are fruits, vegetables, and leafy green vegetables. Eating these types of foods will provide proper nutrition, keep weight gain down, and will keep your skin healthy as well. One way of preventing stretch marks is to avoid rapid weight gain. You will gain weight during your pregnancy, but keep the pounds in healthy range which is 25 to 35 pounds.
Keeping your skin moisturized is imperative in preventing stretch marks. Your skin can become dry and itchy, but try your best not to scratch as this can cause stretch marks. Most pregnant women prefer to use lotions with cocoa butter in them, but there are other types of oils and lotions you can use. Lotions or oils used with emu oil are great to use. Oils, such as belly oils or eczema oil, that contain ingredients such as kukui nut oil, premium emu oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil will prevent stretch marks, minimize existing stretch marks, ease dry, itchy skin, hasten the healing of hemorrhoids and minimizes scarring.
These stretch mark prevention tips are easy to follow and manage. Using these tips can minimize the amount of stretch marks you may get or prevent them all together from appearing. Enjoy your pregnancy, stay healthy, and stay happy.
Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.
Article Source: Tips for Stretch Mark Prevention
Airbrush Tanning While Pregnant?
Posted by in Pregnancy on December 22nd, 2009
Because you want to do absolutely everything to ensure the health of both you and your baby while you are pregnant, you may want to learn all of the facts about airbrush tanning before you make an appointment. While there are generally no serious problems caused by spray tans or the ingredients that are used, pregnancy is a time to watch the things that you do carefully especially in regards to your body. After all, your skin is your largest organ and it is imperative that you take care of it at all times whether you are pregnant or not.
Certainly, prolonged exposure to the sun or tanning beds will always be a concern for most people. While there are always arguments as to the safety of tanning beds while you are pregnant, there are a number of mothers who stay away from them simply because they do not want to risk any potential harm to their unborn child. When it comes to airbrush tanning, you still have several factors that you want to consider. This is why it is important to gather all of the knowledge that you can about the salon that you are thinking of visiting for your airbrush tan, including the procedure as well as the ingredients that are used in their spray tan solution.
Because of the nature of the airbrush tanning procedure, pregnant women are encouraged to wear some sort of a mask just to help reduce their risk of breathing in any of the spray tan solution. However, when you try to wear a mask during this type of tanning, your chances of having a tan line in the area around your mouth and nose is very high. This is something that you may want to speak with the technician at the salon about as they may have a method that other pregnant tanners use when they visit.
Depending on the spray tan solution that is used at the salon or spa that you will be visiting, you may even find that you will be introducing a wide variety of nutrients to your skin as you enjoy your airbrush tan. Many of the ingredients that can be found in spray tan solutions are well known for softening the skin and even improving the skin’s elasticity. Improvement of elasticity is key when you are pregnant, simply because your skin has to go through so much excessive stretching.
One unfortunate fact about airbrush tans is that people tend to think that every spray tan system and product is the same. The truth is, an airbrush tan can vary from location to location. If you visit a salon or spa that has particular ingredients that are deemed to be safe for your unborn baby, it does not mean that the next place that you visit can tell you the same. Take the time to double check with any place before you make an appointment just to remain on the safe side.
Before you embark on any sort of tanning while you are pregnant, it is crucial that you speak with your physician. He or she is aware of your body and your pregnancy and can better guide you on whether or not airbrush tanning is something that you can partake in. If you stop to think about it, you are carrying precious cargo. Airbrush tanning has many benefits, however you should educate yourself before making an appointment before your child is born.
Kristy Klien is a professional stylist with http://www.SalonHive.com
also specializing in Airbrush Tanning Equipment.
http://www.salonhive.com/airbrush-tanning-equipment
Article Source: Airbrush Tanning While Pregnant?
BPA Free Baby Bottles
Posted by in Babies on November 22nd, 2009
As a new mother having a baby can completely transform your life. This beautiful and amazing tiny person needs you day and night to teach, love and to provide for on a constant basis. Whether you have chosen to breastfeed or introduce infant formula into your baby’s diet choosing the safest brand of bottles is very important.
We all know that breast is always best when it comes to baby’s health, but when you are a mom on the go you may consider the option of pumping and storing your breast milk for those times when you are already running late for that doctors or dentist appointment or you simply just need to give your sore breasts a break. A lot of experts will say if you switch from breast to bottle and back to breast your baby will experience what they refer to as “nipple confusion”. This is when baby decides he or she prefers the bottle over the breast and will refuse to latch onto the breast. You can prevent this from happening if you decide to use a bottle with a nipple that is most similar to a woman”s nipple. You want to consider the shape and feel of your own breast as you shop around for a brand of bottle. You will also want to take into the consideration the size of the nipple hole and how fast the flow is. The type of nipple you choose should depend on your own milk production and how hard your baby has to suck to get a good flow. If your baby is sucking fairly hard and has to work for the milk then you will want to choose a slow release nipple. This way baby still has to put in the effort to receive the milk and will be less likely to overeat which could result in nipple confusion.
Of course you want the best for your child. You want to be absolutely sure that the bottles and other baby accessories are safe and will not harm him or her in any way. When choosing a brand of bottle be sure to double check that the label on the bottle packaging clearly states that the product is FDA approved, and BPA free. BPA stands for Bisphenol A, which is a building block of plastic that can be hazardous to humans. Many retailers still have products containing BPA on their shelves so be extra careful and do not assume that a product is BPA free unless it is clearly stated on the products label.
There are just a few more choices to make before you finally decide on a brand of baby bottles. There is always the option of whether you want a bottle with a silicone nipple or a latex nipple. Many women prefer silicone because it will not wear off and will not retain odors. It is comfortable, sturdy, durable and easy to clean. You will want to make sure your bottle is dishwasher safe as well as refrigerator safe and can be sterilized properly. It is also crucial when choosing a bottle to pick one with an air venting system. Bottles that have the proper air ventilation will reduce babies chance of swallowing air, which can sometimes lead to colic.
So whether you choose to breastfeed or introduce infant formula into your baby’s diet, choosing a brand of bottle is very important. Careful shopping around and researching the type of bottle that will suit your baby best is crucial to prevent nipple confusion and to prevent harmful chemicals from entering the breast milk or formula. By taking your time you can choose the best possible bottles for you and your baby. I would strongly recommend searching the Internet for baby bottles and accessories as this will provide you with the widest range of options and you can shop from the comfort of your own home.
Victoria Fitton has a store on the internet at Pots.Pans ‘n Such- Specializing in high quality Stainless Steel Pots and Pans, Cast Iron Cookware, Pot Racks, FDA Approved and BPA Safe Baby Bottles and Glasslock Food containers.
Our product information site has valuable information on selecting your cookware needs. Product Information
Article Source: BPA Free Baby Bottles
Use Cloth Diapers During Potty Training
Posted by in Babies on November 8th, 2009
There are many advantages for using cloth diapers that go far beyond the health of your baby’s skin. First and foremost, cloth diapers are less abrasive against your baby’s soft, sensitive skin which causes fewer rashes than disposable diapers. Cloth is more economical because you wash and reuse the diapers instead of throwing them away after one use like how disposable ones are designed. Diapers can be very expensive if you have to keep buying them, and cloth is a onetime investment that gets multiple uses. They are also better for the environment because disposable diapers are often times not biodegradable and cloth isn’t meant to be thrown away.
The best advantage that most parents have experienced with the use of cloth diapers is that their babies potty train earlier than most kids that wear disposable ones. On average, babies that wear cloth potty train up to six months earlier than expected which have been proven in studies about potty training. If you talk to parents that use cloth, they will likely tell you that their babies were potty trained before they were two years old. Cloth diapers also make potty training easier in addition to happening faster. Disposable diapers are too absorbent and babies can’t feel when they are wet. You may think this is an advantage because it’s more comfortable for your baby, but that can become a problem during potty training. It is thought that babies want to potty train earlier because they don’t like the wet feeling from cloth. Also, your baby will know when to go to the bathroom because they can feel when the diaper is wet.
It is common for babies to have a lot of accidents during potty training. It is a new feeling that they have to learn to understand when they need to go to the bathroom. Another advantage of using cloth during potty training is that you’ll save a lot of money. Instead of having to buy a lot of disposable diapers after each accident, you can just wash the cloth ones and reuse them. Cloth diapers have come a long way and can be bought with Velcro attaching or even fitted for your baby. More parents are switching to cloth because of this convenient feature and they don’t have to use pins to secure the diaper. Because of the newer features of cloth diapers that are fitted, it makes them easy to use during potty training. They act just like a pull up but have more advantages.
Cloth diapers should be used during potty training, and before as well, because of the advantages they offer to both the parents and babies. They are convenient, more economical, better for your babies’ skin, better for the environment, and most important they will make your baby potty train earlier and easier.
Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.
Article Source: Use Cloth Diapers During Potty Training
Elective C-Sections and Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Posted by in Pregnancy on November 4th, 2009
When you are faced with the decision to have a cesarean (c-section) or a natural birth there are often
concerns that go beyond things like scarring, recovery, future births etc., there are also concerns that can affect your baby. In other words, is there a possibility for long term or even short term side effects that can affect your baby’s overall health?
One problem that I have read about in my research that I wanted to discuss in this article is the issue concerning the scheduling of your c-section surgery and the affect it may have on infant respiratory problems, specifically Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The issue seemed immediately alarming to me and upon consideration of such a possibility I examined it closer.
Studies have shown that during a vaginal delivery the mother’s body releases hormones from the thyroid that help the baby maintain normal respiratory rates and also helps the infant cope with the trauma of birth. If these hormones are not absorbed by the child upon delivery Respiratory Distress Syndrome can occur causing abnormal respiratory results in the infant. However, it’s interesting to note that for a non-scheduled emergency c-section the mother is almost always in labor allowing for such hormones to reach the child before the procedure.
What’s important to note here is that c-sections scheduled at the forty week mark of pregnancy have shown no difference in respiratory readings than those children vaginally delivered; so scheduling a C-section before the 39th week is not recommended. Ideally, to avoid such complications, you want to schedule your C-section as close to your normal labor date as possible.
Scheduling your c-section for the appropriate period in the growth and development of your child is important; operating too soon or too late is definitely something a new mother needs to consider.
If you know you will be having a c-section sit down with your doctor and discuss all the pros and cons of having a cesarean versus a vaginal birth, make sure to bring up the possible problems associated with the timing of your procedure and Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Ask about alternative schedule dates or what you should do if you do not go into labor the week of your scheduled date. Also find out if there are things you can do to reduce the risks of respiratory problems during birth and what happens if a respiratory related problem does occur during delivery.
Always do your research and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. The immediate as well as the future health of your baby may depend on it.
Elizabeth McGee is the author of “The Worry Free C-Section”, a guide that advises and supports women through the procedure and their C-Section Recovery
Article Source: Elective C-Sections and Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Why Can’t I Fall Pregnant Quickly?
Posted by in Pregnancy on October 28th, 2009
If you have been trying to conceive for some time and have not been successful, you may be asking the question, “Why can’t I fall pregnant quickly?” It sometimes feels that all around you, women are having babies and you are having to face yet another month with a negative pregnancy test and the arrival of the dreaded monthly period.
There may be a number of reasons why you can’t get pregnant and fortunately, a knowledge of these barriers are sometimes all you need to achieve a pregnancy.
Firstly, it is important to understand that fertility issues can apply to either or both partners and if you are asking yourself the question, “Why can’t I fall pregnant quickly?”, you need to look beyond yourself and at both of you as a couple. Sometimes, the man’s role is very much overlooked and something as simple as sperm quality or quantity can be the answer.
For some couples, a poor diet can be the problem. We all know how important a healthy diet is for overall health, but how many of us really ensure that we are getting optimum nutrition? A good diet can benefit sperm quality and can make the woman’s body more likely to function correctly, with balanced hormones ensuring that ovulation happens when it should and the menstrual cycle functions correctly.
For others, the answer to the question, “Why can’t I fall pregnant quickly?”, can be as simple as the timing of intercourse. It is crucial that you have intercourse around the time of ovulation otherwise there is no chance of achieving a pregnancy. Ovulation occurs 14 days before the first day of the period. The ovum can live for up to 24 hours and the sperm can live for up to 72 hours. This means that you will maximize your chances of conception by having intercourse for two days prior to ovulation, on the day of ovulation itself and the day afterwards.
There is a holistic system which has been clinically researched over 14 years and which guarantees to help couples become pregnant quickly. Containing secret natural infertility cures, powerful techniques and the step-by-step holistic infertility cure system which is all you will ever need to permanently eliminate infertility within weeks, most women will become pregnant within 3-4 months.
This “no stone unturned” system does not use drugs or surgery and has no side effects. However, it is powerful and potent and comes with a 100% guarantee.
To see comprehensive answers to the question, “Why can’t I fall pregnant quickly?”, please visit How To Become Pregnant Quickly.
Article Source: Why Can’t I Fall Pregnant Quickly?
