Outside the Womb - The First Year

Month 1

Most babies are able to . . .

• Lift head briefly when on stomach

• Startle at loud noise

• Blink at bright lights

• Stare and focus at faces

• Fixate on objects held about 10 - 15cm from face

• Turn towards familiar voices and sounds 

• Hold up head at 45 degree angle

Month 2

Most babies are able to . . .

• Smile in response to your smile 

• Make noises other than crying

• Hold up head at 45 degree angle while on stomach

• Make smoother movements

• Hold head steady when upright 

• Raise chest and head while on stomach

• Bring both hands together

• Bear weight on legs

Month 3

Most babies are able to . . .

• Hold up head at 45 degree angle while on stomach

• Hold head steady when upright

• Laugh and smile

• Recognize your face

• Open and shut hands

• Kick legs

• Recognize your voice

• Hold up head at 90 degree angle while on stomach

• Bring both hands together

• Squeal and coo in delight

• Do small mini pushups

• Bear weight on both legs

• Bat at toys

• Reach for toys and objects

• Turn to familiar voices

• Make a razzing sound

Month 4

Most babies are able to . . .

• Hold up head at 90 degree angle while on stomach

• Bear weight on both legs

• Coo when you talk

• Laugh and smile

• Grasp a rattle or toy

• Pay attention to small object held in front of his or her face

• Roll over  

• Reach out for objects

• Do small mini push ups

• Turn in direction of familiar voices

• Hold head level with body when pulled to sit

Month 5

Most babies are able to . . .

• Roll over

• Do small mini push ups

• Pay attention to small objects held in front of his or her face

• Reach out for objects

• Grasp a rattle or toy

• Hold head level with body when pulled to sit

• Make sounds

• Turn to new sounds

• Recognize own name

• Get upset if you take a toy away

• Pass object from one hand to the other

• Try to get toy or object that is out of reach

• Sit momentarily without support

• Repeat sounds like mama or dada

Month 6

Most babies are able to . . .

• Keep head level when pulled to sitting position

• Sit momentarily with minimal support

• Roll back and forth in both directions

• Imitate sound and facial expressions

• Reach for and grabs objects and toys

• Sit without support

• Feed itself a biscuit or bottle

• Get upset if you take a toy away

• Pull up to standing position from sitting

• Work at getting a toy that is out of reach 

• Start crawling

• Get into a sitting position from stomach

• Say mama or dada

• Pick up small objects with fingers

• Babble and combine two syllable sounds

• Separation and stranger anxiety may begin

Month 7

Most babies are able to . . .

• Sit without support

• Imitate sound 

• Work at getting a toy that is out of reach

• Feed itself

• Start crawling or lunging forward

• Get upset if you take a toy away

• Play peek-a-boo

• Distinguish emotions by your tone of voice

• Pass object from one hand to the other

• Separation and stranger anxiety may begin

• Stand while holding onto something

• Wave goodbye

• Clap hands

• Bang objects together

• Say mama or dada

• Pull up to standing position from sitting 

• Walk holding onto furniture

Month 8

Most babies are able to . . .

• Start crawling

• Sit without support

• Pass object from one hand to the other

• Respond to own name

• Mouth and chew on objects

• Reach for spoon when being fed

• Turn away when finished eating

• Say mama and dada

• Stand while holding on to something 

• Crawl well

• Pull up to standing position from sitting

• Walk holding onto furniture

• Clap and bang objects together

• Separation and stranger anxiety may begin

• Indicate wants with different gestures

• Use thumb and finger pincer grasp to pick things up

• Stand alone momentarily

• Wave goodbye

• Understand the word no

Month 9

Most babies are able to . . .

• Stand while holding on to something

• Look for dropped objects

• Pull up to standing position from sitting

• Clap and bang objects together

• Combine syllables into word like sounds

• Separation and stranger anxiety may begin

• Use thumb and finger pincer grasp to pick things up

• Walk holding onto furniture

• Stand alone momentarily

• Wave goodbye 

• Drop object and then looks for them

• Understand the word no

• Begin to identify self in a mirror

• Say mama and dada to the right parents

• Play patty cake

• Play ball

• Drink from a cup independently

• Stand alone well

• Say one word other than mama or dada

Month 10

Most babies are able to . . .

• Stand holding on to someone or something

• Walk holding onto furniture

• Pull up to standing position from sitting

• Wave goodbye

• Crawl well

• Use thumb and finger pincer grasp to pick things up

• Say mama and dada to the right parents

• Understand the word no but doesn’t always obey it

• Respond to own name

• Indicate what he or she wants with gestures other than crying

• Stand alone momentarily

• Drink from a cup independently

• Stand alone well

• Play ball and patty cake

• Walk for a step or two

• Say one word other than mama or dada

• Put toys or object into a container

Month 11

Most babies are able to . . .

• Say mama and dada to the right parents

• Wave goodbye

• Clap hands

• Understand the word no but doesn’t always obey it

• Stand alone momentarily

• Play ball and patty cake

• Say one word other than mama or dada

• Drink from a cup independently

• Indicate what he or she wants with gestures other than crying

• Imitate others

• Put toys or object into a container

• Stand alone well

• Babble that sounds like her or she is talking a foreign language

• Say two or more words other than mama or dada

• Drink from a cup independently

• Understand simple instructions

• Walk well

Month 12

Most babies are able to . . .

• Imitate others sounds and activities

• Babble different word like sounds

• Indicate wants with gestures other than crying

• Clap hands and bang objects together

• Say one word other than mama or dada

• Crawl well

• Walk holding onto furniture well

• Fearful of strangers

• Pull off socks

• Say two or more words other than mama or dada

• Take a few steps

• Understand simple instructions

• Test parents responses to certain behavior

• Stand well

• Walk with help

• Shake head no

• Walk well

• Scribble on paper or anything else they can get their hands on

• Say three or more words other than mama or dada

• Respond to command

• Babble that sounds like her or she is talking a foreign language

• Drink from a cup independently

When Will I Feel My Baby Move?

What does my baby's movements feel like in the beginning?

It is often quite difficult to tell when exactly your baby is moving in the early stages. Your baby is still so small and if this is your first pregnancy it will be even more difficult to tell. A baby's first movements feel like butterflies in the tummy. It can also feel like bubbles popping inside or like a tickling sensation against the inside of your tummy.

When should my baby start kicking?

In your first pregnancy noticeable kicking may only start after 22 weeks. If you have had previous pregnancies you may notice the kicking earlier. Every baby differs and some baby's are less active than others.

How active should my baby be?

In the beginning your baby may not move everyday. At about 22 weeks your baby should be moving regularly, everyday and normally most active around a certain time of the day. You should keep track of when your baby moves, how often it moves and at what times it is most active. If you notice a change in pattern then you should notify your doctor as this could be a bad sign. Towards the end of your last trimester you should notice a decrease in fetal activity, this is because it is more cramped in there for your baby and he/she has less space to move about.

How to record fetal movements?

You should notice that your baby is more active at a certain time of the day. During that time of the day, lay flat on your back and count your baby's movements. Your baby should move at least ten times in two hours. If you are ever worried about your baby's decrease in movement, lay on your back during that time of day and count to see if your baby moves the same amount as it usually does. If your baby does not move ten times in two hours then you should consult your health-care provider.

When should I call my doctor?

You should call your doctor if your baby is moving less than ten times in two hours. You should also call your doctor if your baby's movements are weaker or take longer to reach the ten movements mark. It may be that nothing is wrong and that it is getting a bit too cramped in there for pronounced movement but it is always best to make sure and to give yourself ease of mind.

IUD - What to Expect

An IUD (intrauterine device) is a small, coin-sized object shaped like a T with a string attached to it which hangs out the uterus. It is inserted through the cervix into the uterus as a method of birth-control or a method of emergency birth-control. It is put in place by a doctor and is also removed by a doctor when it has reached it's expiry date or when you choose to have it removed. The IUD works by preventing the sperm from joining with an egg and changes the lining of the uterus so that implantation can not occur. There are two types of IUD's:

The copper IUD:

The copper IUD is a T-shaped piece of plastic which is covered in a think coil of copper. Copper is toxic to sperm, with the copper T your uterus and fallopian tubes create a fluid which kills sperms. The copper IUD can last between 10 to 12 years but it is suggested that you use the same one for no longer than 10 years. The copper T is a highly effective form of birth control with a failure rate of less than 1%. The copper T is a better choice if you are breastfeeding.

LNg/Mirena IUD:

This is a hormone based IUD. It releases hormones for up to 5 years which kill or damage sperm. It makes the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky so that sperm can not enter into the uterus. It also keeps the uterus lining thin so that a fertilized egg can not implant and grow. The Mirena IUD is slightly more effective than the copper T and it also decreases the chances of pelvic inflammatory disease. The Mirena can regulate your menstrual cycle, decrease the amount of bleeding and relieve menstrual cramps.

The risks and disadvantages:

• Increased menstrual bleeding and spotting between periods, this only occurs in 12% of woman using IUD's. This only lasts three months with the Mirena and then periods almost disappear completely.
• 1 in 1000 woman will experience a punctured uterus which only occurs during insertion. The IUD must be removed immediately if this occurs. 1 in 1000 woman experience the IUD getting stuck in the uterus.
• Although extremely rare, the IUD may puncture the uterus after insertion and if left untreated may become embedded in the uterus wall. This will require surgery to be removed and may cause you to become sterile.
• About 2 to 10% of IUD's are expelled from the uterus. When this happens you are no longer protected from pregnancy.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can be quite painful and uncomfortable but will clear up with a course of anti-biotics.
• No protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Insertion:

An IUD is inserted by a doctor. You might have a local anaesthetic but it is often unnecessary especially for woman who have had a vaginal childbirth in the past. Your doctor will do an ultrasound on your uterus to make sure it is in the right place. After insertion you may experience some cramping and spotting for the next two days.

When not to get an IUD:

• If you currently have an STD or have had one in the past 3 months.
• You do not want to use condoms to protect you from STD's
• If you have an active infection of your cervix or vagina
• If you have PID or have recently suffered from PID
• If you have a history of problems with IUDs
• If you have abnormalities of your uterus
• If you have an allergy to copper

Make sure you do not have any vaginal infections when getting your IUD inserted as the infection may spread to your uterus. Check that the string is still in place after every menstrual period. Get all the information from your doctor before getting the IUD inserted. If you experience any pain or heavy bleeding after insertion consult your doctor immediately.

The Ins and Outs of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is caused by the increase of hormones in your body when you are pregnant. Morning sickness is called what it is because you are more likely to suffer the most severe nausea in the morning when your hCG levels are highest but despite the name morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night. Most women only experience morning sickness in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, others are not that lucky and may experience morning sickness throughout their whole entire pregnancy. If you are carrying multiple fetuses you are even more unlucky and even more likely to suffer from severe morning sickness.

Here are a couple of simple tips which will help you get you through the morning sickness:

• Even though the last thing you want to do is eat when you're feeling nauseous, it is the best thing to do. Make sure you eat breakfast.
• A dry piece of toast, as nauseating at it might sound is good to eat first thing in the morning.
• Eat smaller meals and snack throughout the day.
• Have a small snack at bedtime or when you wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Avoid greasy, rich, fatty and spicy foods.
• Suck on hard candy.
• Ginger helps a lot with nausea
• Wear an acupressure wrist band. Studies have shown that acupressure helps with nausea.

Because you lose fluids when you throw up, it is important to stay hydrated. Try sucking on ice chips or ice pops. Take frequent small sips of water instead of drinking a whole glass of water all at once. Some women find that taking small sips of ginger ale or peppermint tea relieves their symptoms. Ginger ale works especially well. Try not to resort to medication or herbal remedies as both can be harmful to your unborn baby, speak to your doctor before taking anything.

You need to keep hydrated, even though it is difficult it essential for you and your baby's health. Speak to your doctor if you have experienced any of this:

• You have not been able to keep liquids down for more than one day.
• You're vomiting blood, which may appear bright red or look like black coffee grounds.
• You lose more than 2 pounds.
• You have vomited more than four times in one day.

Severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) may require a stay in the hospital and treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids and medications, including anti-emetics, which control nausea.

Bleeding and Cramping during Pregnancy

What causes vaginal bleeding during pregnancy? How do you know if it is serious and when should you do something about it?

When you're pregnant, even the smallest amount of vaginal bleeding can be frightening. However bleeding does not always signal trouble. In fact, many pregnant women experience light vaginal bleeding at some point during their pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Often, such bleeding is the result of a normal event during pregnancy, such as the embryo's implantation in the uterine lining a little over a week after conception.

Don't panic if you experience vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy but at the same time bleeding should always be taken seriously when you are pregnant. Monitor your bleeding closely and take note of related symptoms, such as abdominal cramping. By understanding the most common causes of bleeding during pregnancy, you'll know what to look for and when to call your healthcare provider.

Bleeding in the first trimester

Many women have spotting or bleeding in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, women who experience light bleeding in the first trimester go on to have normal, successful pregnancies. There is no rule about how much you are bleeding but take note anyway as you will need to tell your healthcare provider about your bleeding and any other symptoms you may be experiencing.

What causes it?
Common causes of early pregnancy bleeding include:

• Implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding causes spotting or bleeding 10 to 14 days after fertilization. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. It's usually earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a normal menstrual period, and it doesn't last long. Some women actually mistake this light bleeding for a period and don't realize they're pregnant.
• Cervical changes. When you're pregnant, there's an increase in the blood supply and blood flow to your cervix. So you may experience light spotting after contact to this area, such as after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. This type of light bleeding in pregnancy is usually normal.
• Miscarriage. Bleeding in the first trimester can be a sign of miscarriage. Miscarriage occurs most often in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. 15 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, bleeding doesn't necessarily mean you're having a miscarriage — at least half the women who bleed in the first trimester don't have miscarriages.
• Ectopic pregnancy. This condition occurs when the embryo implants in a fallopian tube or somewhere outside the uterus. It's much less common than miscarriage. An embryo implanted outside the uterus can't develop into a normal baby, and it can cause serious internal bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies must be removed to save the life of the mother. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain, which is usually worse on one side, lightheadedness and an urge to have a bowel movement.
• Molar pregnancy. In this rare condition, an abnormal mass — instead of a baby — forms inside the uterus after fertilization. Bleeding is the most common symptom of a molar pregnancy. This is an uncommon cause of bleeding in the first trimester.
• Other reasons not related to pregnancy. Trauma or tears to the vaginal wall can also cause spotting and bleeding. Some cervical infections also may cause bleeding in early pregnancy.

When to call your health care provider and what to expect

If you have slight spotting that goes away within a day, tell your healthcare provider at your next visit. If you have any spotting or bleeding that lasts more than a day, call your healthcare provider within the next 24 hours. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have:

• Moderate to heavy bleeding
• Any amount of bleeding accompanied by pain, cramping, fever or chills
• Passing of tissue from the vagina

Your healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Depending on the seriousness of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order tests or an ultrasound to assess the status of your pregnancy. These tests can detect the presence of an embryo that has a heartbeat and determine if it's growing according to schedule. Treatment for spotting or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy depends on the cause.

Bleeding in the second or third trimester

Common conditions, such as cervical growths or inflammation, can cause minor bleeding in the second half of pregnancy. But bleeding can also pose a threat to your health or the health of your baby. The most common cause of heavy vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy is a problem with the placenta, such as placenta previa or placental abruption.

What causes it?
Bleeding in the second trimester may come from:

• Miscarriage. Although miscarriage is less common in the second trimester than the first, a risk still exists.
• Problems with your cervix. A cervical infection, inflamed cervix or growths on your cervix can cause vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimesters. Occasionally, light bleeding from the cervix may be a sign of cervical incompetence — a condition in which the cervix opens spontaneously, leading to preterm delivery. This condition occurs most frequently between 18 and 23 weeks of pregnancy and requires prompt medical care.
• Placenta previa. Moderate to heavy bleeding in the late second or third trimester may indicate placenta previa — a problem in which the placenta lies too low in the uterus and partly or completely covers the opening to the birth canal. The main sign of placenta previa is painless bright red vaginal bleeding. The bleeding may stop on its own at some point, but it nearly always recurs days or weeks later. This is a serious condition that requires immediate care. It occurs in one in every 200 pregnant women, most often in the third trimester.
• Placental abruption. In this condition — which affects only 1 percent to 2 percent of pregnant women — the placenta begins to separate from the inner wall of the uterus before birth, causing bleeding within the uterus. The bleeding from placental abruption may be scant, heavy or somewhere in between, but it's usually accompanied by abdominal pain. This condition usually occurs in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• Uterine rupture. In women who have had a previous Caesarean birth, a disruption of the surgical scar in the uterus is a rare but dangerous cause of vaginal bleeding, intense abdominal pain and abdominal tenderness. It causes the baby to be partially or completely expelled into the abdomen.
• Preterm labor. Light bleeding from 20 to 37 weeks may indicate preterm labor, especially when accompanied by pelvic or abdominal pressure, dull backache, abdominal cramps or uterine contractions. If you have any signs or symptoms of labor before 36 weeks, call your health care provider right away.
• A sign of labor (bloody show). During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus seals the opening of the cervix to prevent bacteria and other germs from entering the uterus. As your body prepares for labor, the cervix begins to thin out and relax, and the mucous plug is dislodged. When this happens, you may notice a thick or stringy discharge that may be tinged with blood. Known as the bloody show, this is a normal sign of labor that may occur up to a week or two before delivery day.

When to call your health care provider and what to expect next

See your healthcare provider if you have any spotting or bleeding in the second or third trimester. See your health care provider immediately if you have any amount of bleeding accompanied by:

• Pain
• Cramping
• Fever
• Chills
• Contractions

Many times, there will be an explanation for the bleeding that isn't threatening to you or your baby but it is important to find out the cause of this bleeding to make sure that you and your baby are not at risk

Your doctor will likely suggest an ultrasound to check for placenta previa. If placenta previa is ruled out, you'll have a vaginal exam to see if your cervix is dilated. You may also be hooked up to monitors that can detect contractions and track your baby's heart rate.

Treatment for vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy depends on the cause of the bleeding, your health and the gestational age of your baby. Treatment may include bed rest, medications or even urgent delivery of your baby.

Details are key to diagnosis

Although you may be embarrassed to talk about vaginal bleeding, your health care provider has to know all the details so that he or she can identify the cause of the bleeding and the necessary next steps. Don't be shy about explaining your symptoms — including how much blood you passed, what it looked like, and whether it included any clots or tissue. If you use pads to soak up the blood, keep track of how many. All this information can help your health care provider decide if your spotting or bleeding is a normal part of pregnancy or something more serious. Then, the two of you can decide what to do next.

Cramping during pregnancy:

• Implantation cramping. Some women will experience cramping upon implantation. Implantation usually occurs 8-12 days after ovulation. You should not experience implantation cramping after a positive pregnancy test, however many woman experience cramping throughout their pregnancies for other reasons.
• Stretching of the uterus. As your body prepares for it's new baby your uterus will stretch and expand. The ligaments that support the uterus will stretch and with this stretching may cause mild cramps. This is the most common cause of pregnancy cramps.
• Miscarriage. Cramping during early pregnancy, especially accompanied by spotting or bleeding, is a warning sign of a possible miscarriage.
• Ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy include cramping and abdominal pain (particularly on one side), spotting, or bleeding.
• Other causes. Constipation or pains due to gas. This is very common in pregnant woman.

Causes of Cramping During Your Second & Third Trimester

• Round ligament pain - The infamous round ligament pain strikes pregnant women often in their second and third trimester. As in early pregnancy the uterus continues to stretch and grow. As the uterus expands the ligaments stretch to support it. Mild cramping may occur.
• Pre-term labor - Cramping, mild or severe, diarrhea, and back pain can all be indicators of pre-term labor.
• Braxton Hicks contractions - In the second and third trimester pregnant women will often have Braxton Hicks contractions.. Braxton Hicks contractions are the irregular intermittent contractions that occur during pregnancy, natures way of preparing you for the real thing.
• Labor - During early labor cramping is a common symptom.

Whenever you have any bleeding or cramps during your pregnancy you should always see your healthcare provider about it as it can lead to or be something serious.

How to be Prepared for Your New Arrival

You think you've bought all you've needed to buy then suddenly you realize you've forgotten the cot.... This might sound funny but I actually know of someone this has happened to and she had to go shopping for a cot on the day of her and her baby's release from the hospital! Here is a list of things you need for your baby so as not to be caught unaware.

The hospital:

Labour bag:

• Soothing music
• Birth plan
• Comfortable T-shirt
• Massage oil
• Camera or video camera
• Something to read
• Lip-balm
• Snacks and drinks

Your bag:

• 2 or 3 pairs of pajamas. The night-shirt should button up at the top to make breastfeeding easier.
• Slippers
• Night-gown
• Socks
• Underwear
• 2 Feeding-bra's
• Breast-pads
• Nipple-cream (Lansinoh is the best)
• Hair brush
• Soap and shampoo
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Nail clippers (to make sure your nails are short so as not to scratch your baby)
• 2 Packs maternity sanitary pads
• Camera and video-recorder
• Change of clothes for when you leave the hospital.

Babies Bag:

• 3 changes of clothes, vests, socks, mittens and beanies
• A small pack of newborn size diapers
• Bum cream
• Wet-wipes
• Shampoo, body-wash, moisturizer and cotton-wool
• Hair-brush
• 2 Receiving blankets
• 2 Fleece blankets
• Gripe-water
• Soother/dummy/pacifier
• Surgical spirits to clean the umbilical cord
• Bottles and formula if you are going to bottle-feed.

Remind the person who is fetching you to bring the car-seat and Baby-on-Board sign along.

The nursery:

• Change table
• Cot and cot mattress
• Set of drawers or cupboard to store your baby's clothes. Drawers work best.
• Chair to feed in. Rocking chair is ideal.
• Heater
• Night-light
• Baby monitor
• Nappy holder on a hanger, such as this one, is very useful.

Sleep time:

• Cot bumper
• 3 Fitted sheets
• 4 Receiving blankets
• 4 Fleece blankets
• 2 Duvets (for really cold weather or going out, make sure you keep a close eye on them when using a duvet as they can be quite dangerous.)
• A wedge if they are to sleep on their side but a rolled up blanket works best.
• A pillow is not necessary until they are much older but if you want get to "breath-easy" baby pillows.
• Soothing music or white-sound incase your baby won't settle

Bathing and grooming:

• Baby bath and stand
• 4 Hooded Towels
• Baby shampoo. Elizabeth Anne's is the best because it does not cause cradle cap.
• Body wash. Using a lavender scented one will have calming effects.
• Moisturizing lotion. Using a lavender scented one will have calming effects.
• "Johnson and Johnson's" lavender moisturizing oil gel I found to be wonderful as it is great for massage and keeping baby warm after a bath. It heats up and really helped to put my baby to sleep.
• Baby-powder
• Cotton wool
• Safety ear-buds (these prevent you from going into the ear canal)
• Baby safety nail-clippers or nail-scissors
• Soft bristled hair-brush as brushing the scalp prevents cradle-cap.

Toiletries:

• 2 Big Packs of newborn sized diapers. (Pampers are the best and have the best fit)
• Wet-wipes (they use plenty). The best are the one's that are not in the canisters but rather in the refillable packs.
• Wet-wipes container that can be refilled
• Bum-cream (they use plenty of this too)
• A small sized garbage bin with a lid to dispose nappies in.
• Nappy sacks. Scented ones are great.

Clothing (for size newborn and 1-3 months):

• 8 vests (the reason you need so many is because of "accidents")
• 6 baby-grows
• 6 outfits
• 6 beanies
• 3 jerseys or jackets
• 2 super-warm fleece baby grows
• 3 pairs of mittens (socks also work great as mittens!)
• 3 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of booties
• 6 bibs

Going places:

• Car seat
• Pram/Pushchair
• Nappy bag with portable change mat
• Baby carrier, "kanga-carriers" are lovely because they keep your hands free and give your back support.
• Camp-cot
• Insect net
• Rain-proof breathable pram cover.
• First-Aid kit specially for babies.
• Baby-on-Board sign for your car

Fun, stimulation and soothing:

• Cot musical mobile
• Pram/Car-seat mobile
• Baby bouncer that vibrates
• Musical night-light
• Toys
• Play mat

Feeding and soothers:

Breastfeeding:

• Breast-pads
• 4 Feeding bra's
• Breast-pump
• Nipple-cream
• 2 Bottles
• 2 Nipple-like teats
• Sterilizer
• Bottle-brush

Bottle-feeding:

• 6 Bottles
• 6 Teats (the orthodontic type are best)
• Sterilizing equipment
• Bottle-brush
• Bottle-warmer
• And of course the formula of your choice

Soothers: the orthodontic type are the best. You need about 3.

Medicines (these are good to have from day 1):

• Gripe-water (non-alcoholic) for winds, acid-reflux, heartburn and colic.
• Ponado or Calpol syrup for fevers or pain (it's especially handy to give before and after they go for their immunizations)
• Arnica oil - this is also very helpful for the swelling and bruising when they get their immunizations.
• Saline drops and aspirator incase they get a stuffy nose as this interferes with their feeding.
• Syringes - this is the easiest way to feed medicine to a baby.
• Bactroban or a similar anti-bacterial cream
• Thermometer

Remember: Do NOT administer medicines without consulting a doctor or healthcare professional first!

Smoking During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy is the perfect time for you to quit smoking. You have an excellent reason to quit and the expectance of a new baby should inspire you to rid your body and your home of all the toxins smoking releases. You will feel better and have more energy to go through your pregnancy. You will also reduce your risks of future health problems such as heart disease, cancer and other lung problems.

Facts About Smoking During Pregnancy:

When you smoke... so does your baby. When you smoke you inhale poisons such as nicotine and carbon monoxide. These poisons enter into the placenta through your blood, the placenta connects you to your baby and sends oxygen, nutrients, and eliminates wastes. These poisons restrict your baby from getting the proper supply of nutrients and oxygen that your baby needs in order to grow healthily and steadily.

Smoking during pregnancy can cause pre-term delivery, low birth-weight and infant death. Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of pre-term deliveries, and about 10 percent of all infant deaths. Smoking during pregnancy or around your baby has been proven to increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Second hand smoke CAN cause problems for your baby. New studies have shown that if a woman is around second hand smoke during her pregnancy, there are also risks. You have an increased chance of having a baby that is underweight and may have health problems.

There can be long term health risks for your baby. Smoking during pregnancy can cause your baby to have colds more frequently, lung problems, learning disabilities and physical growth problems.

If a mother continues to smoke after her baby is born, the baby may get more colds, coughs and middle-ear infections. Babies have very small lungs and smoking makes it harder for them to breathe. This often causes the baby to get bronchitis and pneumonia.

Nicotine replacement therapy such as the patch can still affect your baby. Before using any nicotine replacement or cessation aids, you should discuss it with your health care provider since nicotine is very harmful to your baby and will still travel through the placenta even if you are just chewing nicotine gum or using a nicotine patch. You and your provider can discuss what is more beneficial for you and your baby since severe nicotine cravings can cause you to become stressed, your body will then release hormones which are also very bad for your unborn baby.

Facts about smoking while breastfeeding:

This picture used for a Czech campaign against smoking during pregnancy also suggests that when you smoke your baby smokes, even so it is still healthier for a breastfeeding mother who smokes to continue breastfeeding than for a smoking mother to formula feed. This is because the immunities that are released in your milk help your baby fight illness and can even help counteract some of the effects of cigarette smoke on your baby. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the negative effects of cigarette smoke on a baby's lungs. It's definitely better if breastfeeding moms do not smoke, but if you can't stop or cut down, then it is better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and formula feed.

The more cigarettes that you smoke, the greater the health risks are for you and your baby. If you can't stop smoking, or don't want to stop smoking, it's safer for your baby if you cut down on the number of cigarettes that you smoke.

What happens to babies when they are exposed to cigarette smoke?

• Babies and children who are exposed to cigarette smoke have a much higher incidence of pneumonia, asthma, ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, eye irritation, and croup.
• Colic occurs more often in babies whose mothers or fathers smoke or if a breastfeeding mother smokes. Researchers believe that not only does the nicotine transferred into mother's milk upset baby but the passive smoke in the home acts as an irritant. Babies of smoking parents fuss more, and mothers who smoke may be less able to cope with a colicky baby (due to lower levels of prolactin).
• Heavy smoking by breastfeeding mothers occasionally causes symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
• Babies of smoking mothers and fathers have a seven times greater chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Children of smoking parents have two to three times more visits to the doctor, usually from respiratory infections or allergy-related illnesses.
• Children who are exposed to passive smoke in the home have lower blood levels of HDL, the good cholesterol that helps protect against coronary artery disease.
• Children of smoking parents are more likely to become smokers themselves.
• A recent study found that growing up in a home in which two parents smoked could double the child's risk of lung cancer later in life.

How does does smoking affect breastfeeding?

Smoking has been linked to:

• Earlier weaning. One study showed that the heaviest smokers tend to wean the earliest.
• Lower milk production
• Interference with milk let-down
• Lower levels of prolactin. The hormone prolactin must be present for milk synthesis to occur.
• One study indicated that smoking mothers who live in areas of mild to moderate iodine deficiency have less iodine in their breast-milk (needed for baby's thyroid function) compared to non-smoking mothers. The study authors suggested that breastfeeding mothers who smoke should consider taking an iodine supplement.

How to minimize the risk to your baby if you smoke

• The ideal: Stop smoking altogether.
• Cut down. The less you smoke, the smaller the chance that difficulties will arise. The risks increase if you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day.
• Don't smoke immediately before or during breastfeeding. It will inhibit let-down and is dangerous to your baby.
• Smoke immediately after breastfeeding to cut down on the amount of nicotine in your milk during nursing. Wait as long as possible between smoking and nursing. It takes 95 minutes for half of the nicotine to be eliminated from your body.
• Avoid smoking in the same room with your baby. Even better, smoke outside, away from your baby and other children. Don't allow anyone else to smoke near your baby.

Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Some foods can prove to be really harmful to your unborn child or nursing baby. Here are a few foods you should avoid eating when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Don't eat:

• Raw meat such as sushi, seafood, rare or uncooked beef, or poultry because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. These viruses are deadly to babies.
• Raw eggs, or foods containing raw egg such as Caesar dressing, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custard, unpasteurized eggnog, or Hollandaise sauce because raw eggs may be contaminated with salmonella.
• Soft cheese such as blue cheese, feta, Brie, Camambert, and Latin-American soft white cheeses such as queso blanco and queso fresco because they may harbor harmful bacteria.
• Fish containing accumulated levels of mercury in their fatty tissues such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish.

  When a pregnant woman consumes large amounts of mercury, her baby may suffer brain damage resulting in developmental delays (for example, delays in learning to walk or talk).

• Fish containing high levels of an industrial pollutant called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their fatty tissues such as bluefish and striped bass, and freshwater fish such as salmon, pike, trout, walleye from contaminated lakes and rivers. Consumption of large amounts of PCBs by pregnant women is linked to decreased attention, memory, and IQ in their babies. Check with your local Health Department to determine which fish in your area are safe to eat.
• Chocolate,cocoa, caffeine, coffee, cauliflower, cabbage, onions or garlic when breastfeeding as these foods cause a lot of gas which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Especially if you have a colicky baby.
• Very acidic foods such as vinegar, oranges, wine, champagne etc, they can cause your baby to become uncomfortable. Their urine may burn them and they may develop rashes on their bodies, especially a nappy rash.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drugs while pregnant or breastfeeding.

I know it may seem like a long list but there are so many foods you can still enjoy or substitutes for the foods that you do enjoy. For example you can have cooked sushi instead of raw sushi, it can taste just as good or you can have vegetarian sushi which is just as tasty. And some foods are good to avoid for your own health to and your post-pregnancy figure, like chocolate! :)

How to Avoid Cradle Cap

Cradle cap, also called seborrhoeic dermatitis, looks like a very bad case of dandruff. It causes a baby's scalp to become red and flaky. Cradle cap can also appear on you baby's face, mostly around the eyes and on their eyebrows. Although the condition can look unsightly, it's very common and nothing to worry about.

What causes it?
It's thought to be a result of hormonal changes which stimulate secretions from the oil glands in the skin. Some shampoo products can set it off. How long does it last?
It usually disappears on its own within a few months of birth, but can persist or recur in patches for longer. It can last anywhere from a couple of days to, in extreme cases, a couple of months.

Can it be treated?
Cradle cap can be treated or better yet avoided by massaging baby oil into your baby's scalp every second night. Brush the scalp with a soft-bristled baby brush while the baby oil is still on the scalp this will moisturize your baby's scalp and help to remove the scales. Then wash the oil of with baby shampoo and warm water. Use of the right baby products will also help cradle cap such as Elizabeth Anne's baby shampoo.

Tell-Tale Signs That You Are Pregnant

The first indication that you might be pregnant is if you have missed a menstrual period. This indicator is not a sure pregnancy sign, as a missed period could be caused by stress, illness or the onset of menopause. Another indicator is if the period is just unusual - longer, shorter, heavy, or lighter.
You might just feel like you are pregnant. Female intuition is a sense worth trusting. You might be experiencing nausea or vomiting for no apparent reason. This is called "morning sickness" even though it can occur during different times of the day. The reason it is called this is because when you are pregnant your HGC levels are highest in the morning thus making you more prone to nausea and vomiting in the morning.
Your desire for sexual intercourse may change when you become pregnant. You could either enjoy it a whole lot more or you could be put-off completely by the idea of having sex. Either could be indications that a hormonal change is going on in your body due to a pregnancy.
Another pregnancy sign is enlarged and sore breasts, especially in the first trimester. You might also find bumps on the aureole of your nipples which look like goose-bumps, these are called Montgomery's Tubercules.
You may find yourself urinating more often as the baby pushes on your bladder, and the tale that women have strange food cravings during pregnancy is true as well. I think it is your body's way of letting you know that you and your baby need these nutrients.

Your skin can give you several indicators that you may be pregnant, including stretch marks and increased sweating, hair growth in unusual places, thinning of your nails or accelerated nail growth and something called linea negra. This is a light brown line appearing on your skin and extending from your navel to your pubic bone. You might also suffer from an acne outbreak.

If you have any of these pregnancy symptoms it is time to take a pregnancy test. You can either do one at the doctor or you could get a home-pregnancy-test which is pretty accurate. The doctor will most likely do a blood test. If you do a home-pregnancy-test, this will be a urine test. You get two main different types of urine tests, one you will need to urinate in a cup and then dip the pregnancy test into the urine. The other type is a test which you hold into the urine stream and just urinate on a strip, this is a more convenient way but both are equally accurate. You have to do urine tests with your first urine of the day because that is when HCG levels are highest and the test will be most accurate. After you have urinated on the strip you need to wait three minutes before reading the result. In most pregnancies if there is one stripe it means that the test is negative and you are not pregnant, if there are two stripes it means that the test is positive and you are most likely pregnant. Pregnancy tests do however differ and you need to always read the instructions before proceeding with the test.

If the pregnancy test appears to be negative you need to do another one in a weeks time, using the first urine of the morning. If the test appears to be positive you need to go to you gynaecologist for a scan to determine how far along pregnant you are and to discuss the next step of your pregnancy journey.

Breast is Best!

There is no denying that breast-feeding is the most nutritious source of food for your baby and although it's a major responsibility it pays off when you think about the health benefits breast-feeding has for your child.
Colostrum is very important for your bay's development. Colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced when you are pregnant. It's two main benefits are it's immune-enhancing abilities and growth-promoting abilities. Colostrum contains antibodies which will keep your little one healthy and less susceptible to illnesses. Colostrum also provides anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal protection, creating unfavorable conditions for growth of numerous harmful microorganisms including those responsible for common health problems such as colds, influenza, diarrhea, ulcers, gum disease, and yeast infections. Here are a few more benefits of colostrum:
It regulates numerous auto-immune conditions including allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease.
It improves the state of chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and HIV.
It helps ward off and fight various types of cancer.
It acts as an antioxidant.
It binds and transports iron in the body and is beneficial for iron-deficiency anemia.
Aids in digestion.
Breast milk is magical, it changes its composition throughout the day and throughout the course of lactation. It changes its nutritional value according to your baby's stage of development.
Breast-feeding provides uninterrupted bonding time. Your baby will love the skin-to-skin contact achieved with breast-feeding. Breast-feeding allows a lot of eye-contact which is not only good for bonding but also good for eye-coordination. The more time a baby spends trying to fix his eyes on something, the better he will get at it and there is no doubt a baby will spend time of time staring into it's mothers eyes. Professionals say the best distance for a baby to see the clearest is the distance from the breast to the face. This means they can see your face clearly which is a big plus when it comes to learning how to talk. Your baby can see your lip and tongue movements very clearly when it is at your breast, this aids in the learning of speech and language.
Breast-feeding has it's calming effects too. While your baby is latched on it can hear the familiar sounds of your heart-beat and other sounds it heard while in the womb. Your breathing so long as you are calm will calm your baby too. Breast-feeding is especially calming for a colic baby because of the close contact they will feel with their mothers.
Breast-feeding is definitely easier and more convenient too. You don't have to worry about washing and sterilizing bottles or preparing bottles. You don't have to worry about getting the temperature right. Breast-milk is always at a constant 30d/C which is the perfect temperature for your baby's immature digestive system. Breast-milk is more easily digestible because it's composition adjusts to the needs of your baby. There is nothing worse than listening to your baby screaming for food and then still having to prepare a bottle or even running out of formula. With breast-feeding you can instantly gratify your baby which is very good for their self-esteem and confidence. A baby needs constant attention and to feel loved and cared for in order for them to thrive in life. The kind of love and caring they will experience through your breast-feeding!

The Colic Baby

Colic is a condition in infants where the gut goes into a painful spasm, it is even more painful if air gets trapped while the gut is in a spasm. It is characterised by long bouts of crying especially in late afternoon and after feeds.

Being a first time mom can be very stressful especially if your baby suffers from colic. It is the most awful thing in the world watching helplessly as your baby suffers terrible stomach cramps so here are some very handy tips to help you through those difficult times.

The second most important thing to make sure of is not to over-feed your baby because colic is aggravated by an expanding stomach. A colic baby appears to be hungry when going through a cramping episode, this is because they need sucking- comfort. Sucking helps to relax the gut and soothe the baby so try giving your baby a pacifier when he/she is going through a cramping episode.

The first most important thing with a colicky baby when you are breast-feeding is to watch your diet, foods which create a lot of gas should be avoided. Here are a list of foods and substances to avoid: Cocoa (even in small amounts is harmful to a colicky baby), cabbage, large quantities of yeast, caffeine, coffee (even decaffeinated), alcahol and nicotine.

Water is also a very soothing source for babies because it reminds them of the womb. Add a few drops of infantile lavender drops to a warm bath. The combination of warm water and lavender oil will help calm your baby and release cramps, your baby will also sleep much better afterwards.

Massage with lavender oil will help to relax your baby's muscles which in turn will help relax your baby, allowing you to dislodge air bubbles more easily and causing spasms to release. Here are a few simple massage steps:
Step 1: The paddlewheel. Place your palm under your baby's chin, with your fingers pointing toward her shoulder. Rub your hand down his chest and down to the pelvis. Your stroke should be smooth and firm. As your hand is around the belly button, place the opposite hand under the chin and stroke downward, so your hands are making circles over your baby, with one hand always stroking. Do this for a few minutes.
Step 2: Your baby should still be on her back. Place your baby's heels up to her bottom by bending her knees sharply. Move the leg, still sharply bent, until the top of the thigh rests against the tummy. Take your baby's ankles and gently shake her legs in an up-and-down motion, unbending the knees gradually, until her heels rest on the blanket and her legs are straight. Repeat many times.
Step 3: Using as much of your fingers/palm as possible, circle the belly button in a clockwise motion. This gets any remaining gas moving in the proper direction for your baby to easily pass it.

A baby with colic needs to be swaddled tightly so that they can feel secure. Tight swaddling causes pressure to be applied on the stomach easing some of the discomfort of gut spasms. Here is one method of swddling:
Step 1: Spread out a blanket on a firm surface. Fold one corner of the blanket down. Place your baby in the middle of the fold with his head above the edge. Handy Tip: Recieving blankets are ideal for swaddling because they are thin which makes it easier to tuck the pieces securely.

Step 2: Pull the left side of the blanket snugly across your baby's chest, making sure his right arm is wrapped close to his body. Then lift your baby's left arm and tuck the blanket securely under his body. Step 3: Bring the bottom of the blanket up and tuck it into the first swathe. Then pull the last corner of the blanket across your baby's chest, securing his left arm near his body.








Step 4: Tuck the blanket under your baby's back as far as it will go. Keep your baby snugly wrapped as you pick him up.

Vibrations also help in soothing and calming a colicky baby. A vibrating chair (which you can purchase from any baby store) works wonders and they normally come with calming melodies, if that doesn't work a car ride certainly will. The vibrations help to dislodge uncomfortable winds and rock baby to sleep.

If none of these methods help to soothe your little one you may need to look at medications. None alcoholic gripe water is great for breaking air bubbles. Bennetts colic mixture also works wonders for severe cramps, it soothes pain, relaxes baby and contains Belladonna which is an anti-spasmodic. Contact your trusted health care practioner before administering medications.

Remember breast-feeding is best for all babies. I hope these tips will help you to help your baby, allowing you to enjoy your little one.