Hold on Baby!

It's been said that if a mother doesn't hold or nurse her newborn child in the first few hours of life the bond between mother & child may not be as strong. Fortunately many experts agree that this is pure myth. It's been suggested that there is only one chance to do things right as a mother and although research does show that the first few hours of baby's life are an important bonding time these hours do not dictate the bonds that will last a lifetime. Experts have seen time and time again that mothers having 

C-Sections, cases where newborns are in need of immediate medical attention apart from their mother or in the instances of infant adoption, very strong life long bonds are developed quickly. A loving relationship over the child's lifetime more than make up for those missing few hours, days or even weeks of separation at the beginning of life.

Fun Facts Friday

Don't let the heat get to you!!!

Summer pregnancies can be difficult for a couple of reasons. There are so many more scheduled events that you feel obligated to attend but your energy levels are low and on top of that the summer heat & stickiness can be unbearable. Even when you in air-conditioning it may never feels quite cool enough. Happily with a little preparation and these simple tips can help keep you cool and enable you to manage and enjoy your summer pregnancy.

Tips for staying Cool & Healthy during your Summer pregnancy

•          Schedule outdoor tasks in the early morning or evening when the sun is lower and temps are not too high.
•           Avoid going out of doors when temps exceed 90F try to be near a fan or in air conditioning. 
•           Wearing light-colored clothing will help cut the heat.
•           Keep yourself well hydrated. Adding sports drinks can help to replace essential electrolytes.
•           Sipping on a yummy “mocktail” is a sure way to stay cool – try out the delicious recipe below.
•           Carry a spray bottle of water with you at all times.
•           Sunscreens not only protect against over exposure but also can help keep you cool. Start with a SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before you go out and then reapply throughout the day.
•            Take several quick showers to keep cool.
•            Keeping your feet up will help reduce swelling.
•            Being careful of your salt intake will also help to minimize swelling.
•            If you take several short naps throughout the day your energy levels will stay elevated.
•           Asking for help when you’re feeling tired is a MUST.
•           Don’t make unnecessary commitments, if it doesn't absolutely need to be done don't do it.

MOCKTAIL RECIPE:

Pina Colada Smoothie: Combine 6 ounces frozen coconut yogurt, 1/2 a frozen banana, 1/2 of a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, and 1 cup milk; blend until smooth.

Fun Facts Friday

SUM-SUM-SUMMERTIME

In many areas of the US, August can be the hottest month of the summer. In this kind of intense heat your baby’s skin can burn fast. Fact is that even using sunscreen labeled specifically for children does not mean your getting the protection your baby’s skin needs. 

Here are a couple of important things to keep in mind to help insure your child gets the best skin protection possible this summer. 

UVB Rays are the shallow penetrating rays of the sun. They are responsible for tanning and even burning the skin it can also contribute to skin cancer and aging. UVB protection is measured by the Sun Protection Factor better known as SPF. The number that follows signifies how many times longer you can stay in the sun without getting burnt as apposed to going out without any sunscreen.

UVA Rays penetrate much deeper and they do not physically tan or burn the skin, but they are the rays that are the primary responsible for skin cancer and premature aging. Because the UVA Rays are so powerful SPF will not protect against them. There are only four ingredients proven to protect against UVA Rays; zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, and mexoryl. Be cautious however as avobenzone and mexoryl are highly unstable and break down quickly in the sunlight. When selecting a sunscreen that will protect your little one from the harsh sun parents should look for sunscreens that contain no less 7% zinx oxide or titanium dioxide.  Even in direct sun these ingredients will protect against UVA rays for at least two hours.

Be sure your not using the best products on your baby's precious skin...check out  EWG's 2012 Sunscreen Guide (Environmental Working Group) 

Wednesday Chuckle

Fun Facts Friday

A Short, Sweet & Chubby Little Fact...

Although May 2011 has passed the following baby fact is true each & every May. If someone asked which month of the year the heaviest babies are born you might answer January or February after all the holiday eating, but truth be told the lovely month of May produces the chubbiest babies. On average babies born in the month of May weigh over a 1/2 pound more than babies born in any other month. The jury is still out on why this is so but I thought it was a very interesting fun fact worth sharing.

Wednesday Chuckle

there must be an easier way to tell someone to "GO AWAY"...