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Created on Thursday, 17 May 2012 02:30

Written by Jessica Burde

As the sole income earner for my family and work-at-home mom, I can honestly say it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It is also one of the hardest. Juggling baby's need, work, my needs and little things like cleaning the house, running errands and taking care of laundry is a constant balancing act. And to be honest, I find myself dropping balls regularly.

For many mothers, working from home is becoming an increasingly attractive option. It has some of the benefits of having a job, and allows you to stay home and take care of your children. There are a number of options for working from home, varying from starting a small business to telecommuting to getting consulting or freelance work.

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Created on Thursday, 17 May 2012 02:16

Written by Jessica Burde

If you haven't heard from at least five different sources, about how important it is to expose your child to reading as early as possible, I have to believe you've been living under a rock. Most parents assume this means that they should be introducing baby to picture books as early as possible, and reading about Spot playing hide and seek or a hungry caterpillar. Its true that reading books to baby can help introduce them to books and encourage them to learn to read, but what you probably haven't heard is that there is something you can do that is even more important if you want baby to love reading.

You need to read yourself.

Children whose parents read books frequently are more likely to grow up wanted to read and enjoy reading, whether or not their parents read to them. Parents who read to their children, but don't read themselves, will have an easier time interesting their children in books than parents who don't do any reading, but their children are less likely to enjoy reading than the children of parents who just read a lot of books.

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Created on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 19:07

Written by Jessica Burde

Baby's Development During The First Trimester

You can't see it yet – in fact for part of the first trimester you aren't even pregnant yet – but these three months are when some of the most important and active development happens. By the end of the first trimester baby will be almost four inches long, weigh one ounce, and have grown all the most important organ systems.

Month One

The first month of your pregnancy starts with your last period, so you actually get pregnant about halfway through the first month. After fertilization occurs, the fertilized ovum will implant in the uterine wall and start growing. Part of the ovum will become the placenta and the rest will eventually grow into your baby.

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Created on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 18:32

Written by Jessica Burde

Cloth Or Plastic

Like many baby-related debates, the question of cloth or plastic diapers can take on rabid proportions. The reality is that this is in many ways a personal choice, and unless your baby has particularly sensitive skin, won't make any difference in his health or well being.

Sensitive Skin Babies

On the subject of sensitive skin, some baby's with very sensitive skin due tend to react to the chemicals in plastic diapers. This kind of reaction is especially common if your family has a lot of skin allergies or if you need to be extra careful with the kind of soap or moisturizer you use.

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Created on Sunday, 13 May 2012 18:35

Written by Andrea H

The Guide Of A Healthy Nutrition During Pregnancy

For sure, the biggest wish you have during pregnancy is to do everything that depends on you to make sure that the baby will have an optimal development. It is the perfect moment to think about your diet and what should it contain for offering your baby everything he needs to be healthy.

Whit every meal try to have a glass of orange juice because it helps the iron absorption.

The number of recommended calories is of: 2500 calories a day - during pregnancy and 3000 calories a day – during breastfeeding period.

You should avoid:

- unpasteurized milk and cheese, feta cheese

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Created on Friday, 11 May 2012 18:26

Written by Andrea H

The first year of life is full of phases and milestones but it is important for you to know that each baby has its own rhythm of development.

Even if you're anxious for your baby to "jump" to the next phase, it is good to understand that he has his motor abilities in a quite predictive order.

Start training

Lots of parents are tempted to literally follow what's written in books, without paying attention to their own baby's motor development. It is true, usually at 6 months the baby can stay seated, between pillows or with his hands on the floor. But this age is only as a rough guide; don't worry if things are a little bit late. In the meantime, try to help him by placing him in the corner of the couch or on the floor, with feet placed in V position for a better support, and with hands between legs.

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Created on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 01:52

Written by Jessica Burde

Welcome to the home stretch! The third trimester of a pregnancy can often seem like the longest, as you eagerly await baby's arrival. Try not to stress about it – he'll come when he is ready. While you are waiting, here are a few of the things you can expect over the next three months.

Physical changes in the third trimester

The constipation and heartburn from earlier months continue, and the back becomes a near-permanent ache as your belly and baby both keep getting bigger. You should be putting on one pound a week throughout the third trimester. The swelling in you ankles and feet will probably get worse, and may spread to your hands. If you had heartburn during the second trimester it may continue into the third trimester.

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Created on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 01:34

Written by Jessica Burde

For many mothers, the second trimester is the time when it sinks in I'm going to have a baby! The physical changes, the baby's increasingly strong movements, and the frequent reactions of friends and family are reinforcing the reality of the new life growing inside of you. Let's take a look at some of what is coming during the next three months.

Physical changes during the second trimester

Your belly is starting to show, and by the end of the second trimester it will be obvious that you are pregnant. As your belly grows, you will probably start developing stretch marks. Unfortunately, nothing has yet proven to prevent or get rid of stretch marks, no matter what the various gels and creams claim. You may develop varicose veins or hemorrhoids, but unlike the stretch marks, they are temporary. This is the major trimester for weight gain. Try and keep to around one pound a week unless your doctor tells you other wise.

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Created on Saturday, 05 May 2012 19:37

Written by Andrea H

It's been a few days since you gave birth and you're trying to face a deeper and deeper concern? You are overwhelmed by your new responsibilities, you are tired and sometimes discouraged, so any advice that can help you is welcomed.

What childbed really is?

It is the period when the body recovers after pregnancy and birth. It starts right after placenta's expel and lasts for 6 weeks from then.

The main modifications that occur in this period are:

Uterus

A uterus "on time" (without counting the baby, placenta and blood etc) weights about 2.2 pounds. Immediately after birth, uterus begins to decrease in volume, so in this period of 6 weeks he will get back to the weight it had before pregnancy, 3.7-3.5 oz.

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Created on Thursday, 03 May 2012 19:08

Written by Jessica Burde

The Circumcision Debate

While not as publicized as the breastfeeding mantra, the circumcision debate is just as full of missionaries, personal attacks, and lordly denunciations as any discussion about breastfeeding. The strong feelings, on both sides of the issue, have led to a scorched earth policy and 'debate' – take no prisoner and damn the torpedoes! Which is great, if you like that sort of thing. Unfortunately, in these kinds of – ah – acrimonious discussions, logic, reason and facts often get left by the wayside.

For the interest of parents who want to learn about the reality behind the slogans, here is a brief introduction to the opposing parties – there beliefs, biases and reasoning.

Pro-Circumcision

The pro-circumcision camp is actually a coalition of several groups. Here you find the people for whom circumcision is a part of their religious or cultural traditions, the doctors and medical professionals who believe circumcision offers real health benefits to boys and men, and the people who really don't have an opinion one way or another, but think that it should be up to the parents and everyone else should just shut up.

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Created on Thursday, 03 May 2012 01:40

Written by Jessica Burde

The first trimester of pregnancy is an exciting time.

You are pregnant! While you won't see many physical changes, your body will definitely find ways of letting you know that things have changed. Here is a quick look at some of what you can expect during the first trimester.

Physical changes during the first trimester

There aren't many outward physical changes during the first trimester. By the end of the third month those who know you best may notice something, but most people won't. You shouldn't be putting on much weight during the first trimester, thought your breasts may grow a little larger and your waist may start to thicken – your pants may start feeling a little tight during the second month.

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Created on Thursday, 26 April 2012 18:44

Written by Andrea H

There are moments when the fresh mommy feels overwhelm with the new position, and that's when postpartum depression occurs. Pay attention to the symptoms you pass through and treat them early!

This affection can be classified according to symptoms' intensity in two types: the so-called "baby-blues", a short term problem, which generally automatically passes, and major depression, a severe affection which must be treated. This kind of situation must be seriously considered because if not treated it can affect life's quality, affecting the mommy but the baby too.

What is postpartum depression?

"Baby-blues" occurs in 50-80% of the mommies, so you don't have to worry if you'll pass through emotional changes or you'll cry with no reason, you'll be irritated, nervous, or you'll have sleep disorders.

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Created on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:20

Written by Andrea H

Fruits are healthy and good for all of us. But how we offer them to our babies? What is the appropriate quantity for them?

The recommended quantity of fruits for babies under 3 is of one fruit a day!

Apples

As we know, they are considered to be the symbol of health. A medium apple (as a tennis ball) is a good source of vitamins – A, C, K and folic acid. Due to its content of potassium, calcium and phosphorus, apple is a source of hydration – whether in the summer time, or after a feverish episode. Don't give apple to your baby if he has diarrhea, but neither to the healthy baby in big quantities as it contains a big volume of fibers – 0.14 oz!

That's why apple juice is not recommended to babies having colic. Raw apple is good in constipation. And due to its content of vitamin A, apple is good in growing and in eyesight's health.

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Created on Friday, 20 April 2012 17:15

Written by Andrea H

An ice cream, a soda or a cream cake? Summer's temptations are many and after the pleasure of the first bite there comes the disaster: diarrhea, number one stomach's enemy in the summer time.

You can consider that your baby has diarrhea if you notice accelerated digestion and if ejections are watery and sometimes they're coming together with mucosities. Diarrhea usually occurs spontaneously and persists for a period between 3 and 7 days.

Causes and symptoms

The most common cause of diarrhea is gastroenteritis, a stomach and intestine inflammation which occurs after eating food contaminated with viruses and germs.

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Created on Friday, 20 April 2012 16:51

Written by Andrea H

Mommy, if you had made a top of the most important things in your life you would discover that family and dear friends are one of the most important elements in your personal happiness's equation.

Time that you spend with your baby, a big laughing time with your best friend, a romantic dinner with your husband are moments that remind you to be yourself, not just a wheel in a mechanism which must always perfectly function.

There are duties that can be done only by you. But others can be delegated. And so, you win some time for yourself!

Time for walking

The baby discovers the world and he ask questions he always waits an answer for.