SAGE ADVICE DURING PREGNANCY
By Lianne Castelino  www.whereparentstalk.com

There seems to be a little baby boom going on among my friends and acquaintances – and
the proud parents-to-be couldn’t be more ecstatic, as they should be!

The whole magic of pregnancy complete with the morning sickness, cravings, anxiety and incessant planning is a wondrous time in a couple’s life!  And so it should be.

I loved that period — all 3 times — even though I felt like throwing up more often than not!
There is one observation though that is increasingly becoming a worrisome trend.  How prepared are expectant parents for the upcoming miracle of birth and the care of a new human being thereafter?

With families living further away from each other, a lack of access to specialized physicians or pre-natal classes, socio-economic factors that prevent proper pregnancy instruction and other obstacles, the education of a pregnant couple seems to be taking a back seat.   And that is really too bad considering “parenting doesn’t come with a manual”.

There appears to be more time spent analyzing the latest nifty baby gadget or the adorable wardrobe options than what counts – preparing to take care of a newborn.  There seems to be this false belief that learning to care for a newborn comes naturally – after giving birth.  WRONG.

Anyone who asks will always get the same answer from me:  Pregnancy is the best time to get prepared.  That time will never come back so use it wisely.  There is so much to learn and precious little time to learn it AFTER the baby arrives.

Goodness knows, despite our best intentions, giving birth is a physical and emotional event
for which no one can predict the outcome.  How will you feel, how long will the recovery take?  Will the breastfeeding work or will the bottle have to enter the mix?

NOT TO MENTION the dramatic changes that occur in the couple relationship – good and bad.   Anyone who asks will also get the same answer from me:  “you will never learn more about your spouse or partner, than after you have a baby.”  It stands to reason, doesn’t it?  Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, added stress, crying baby, diaper-changing, visitors..the list of changes and things to cope with is endless once a baby enters your life.

What doctors should be telling pregnant women and expectant couples is to GET PREPARED.  Save yourself some of that upcoming anxiety.  Knowledge is power so empower yourself.  Try to learn as much about newborn care BEFORE the baby arrives so you and your spouse can cope together.

Sure the room, the gear, the clothes are important.   However, the single most critical thing is
to learn how to take care of that new little life.  PREpare during PREgnancy.   It’s sage advice that expectant couples should listen to – so they can navigate rather than resent the steep learning curve that comes with the arrival of a new bundle of joy.

Watch excerpts from our award-winning baby-care DVD ‘Bringing Baby Home’ Coming Soon

Have a look at some beauty and lifestyle tips for Moms-To-Be:

• Enjoy the miracle of pregnancy – start a journal
• Join Yoga / Fitness classes
• Choose clothes that make you feel great
• Treat yourself to a trendy haircut & makeup
• Pick a simple skin care routine
• Watch your posture
• Eat high fibre foods to avoid constipation
• Drink lots of water, it’s great for your skin
• Moisturize your tummy daily
• Get lots of sleep
• Improve your smile & health. Floss daily
• Plan “date night” with your partner every week
• Indulge in massage for couples

By Rishma Lalani,
Owner of Itsabelly LLC, www.itsa-belly.com, Baby Concierge & Planning Services for New and Expectant Parents

Congratulations – you’re having a baby! Learning about your new arrival brings an onset of many emotions from the initial excitement and happiness to anxiety and confusion as the time gets closer to bring baby home.

Amidst all the planning and preparation here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind:

1. Plan and Develop a Support System

· May consist of your spouse, parents, other family, friends, baby planners and doulas.
· Consider a division of “labour” schedule. Decide ahead of time who is responsible for tasks such cooking, cleaning and laundry.

2. Save Money on Baby Products

· Consider your lifestyle, where/when/what type of activities you plan to do with your baby in order to determine what type of gear and/or products to purchase and what may/may not be necessary.

3. You Can’t Spoil a Baby

· Infants typically do not develop manipulation skills until after 6 months. Newborns need to feel loved, secure and re-assured that their basic needs are being met.

4. Mark Your Calendar for the 6 week and 3 month Milestones

· The first 6 weeks are a whirlwind of healing for the mother and feeding/changing/soothing on demand for the newborn.
· Around the 3 month mark is when baby’s eating and sleeping patterns become more predictable. This will enable you to start establishing some simple routines.

5. Establish a Schedule

· Babies are creatures of habit – identify a routine – an order of eat/activity/sleep/personal time.
· A schedule doesn’t mean things have to happen at the exact same time everyday – it means consistency and some predictability about what to expect next.

6. Rest/Take Time for Yourself

· Even if you don’t follow the “sleep when the baby” sleeps advice, it is important to relax/rest everyday in order to have the energy to be the best parent you can be.

7. Manage Your Expectations

· Every mother/father/baby is different so give yourselves the time to figure what works best for your family.

8. Bond with Your Baby

· Aside from the feedings and diaper changes, take time to bond with your baby, this is a precious moment in your lives and it goes by very fast. Talk to each other, play with each other – cherish each other.

9. Loose Control

· Allow others to help with household chores, meals and taking care of the baby.
· Don’t sweat the small stuff. As long as you are meeting your and your baby’s needs, it’s ok if the dishes and laundry don’t get done today.

10. Trust Your Instincts

· As well planned and researched you are as a parent; one of the most useful tools you have is yourself. Do not underestimate the value of your instinct.

Breast milk is nature’s way of providing the best nutrition to a new born. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding to babies for the first six months after birth. There are a number of reasons why mothers should breastfeed their babies, some more important than others. Here are 10 important reasons which should encourage non-breastfeeding moms to start breastfeeding their baby right away.
1. Breast milk is easily digestible by the baby
As opposed to formula milk, breast milk is easily digestible by the baby as it is completely natural and does not contain any synthetic or artificial nutrients like those present in formula milk. The protein content in breast milk is also as much as your baby requires, which is easily absorbed by your baby. However, in case of formula milk, more proteins are present, which cannot be absorbed by the baby’s immature digestive system. This is why the stools of formula-fed babies are bulkier than those of breast fed babies.
2. Reduce the chances of breast cancer
This is one of the most import reasons why mothers should breast feed their babies. Moms who breastfeed their new born are at a reduced risk of suffering from breast cancer at a later stage in life. Moreover, it has been researched that baby girls who are breastfed also have a reduced risk of suffering from breast cancer at a later stage in life.
3. Breast milk increases levels of IQ in children
Children who are breast fed develop higher IQ levels than bottle fed milk. This is directly related to the growth hormones which are present in breast milk and are essential for the cognitive growth of the child. Whether the baby received breast milk directly through the breast or pumped, like using Avent Breast Pump or Medela Pump, studies show that it is the consumption of human milk that causes higher levels of IQ in school going children.
4. Breast milk helps pass meconium
Meconium is the sticky, black tar-like substance that passes from the babies intestines after birth. A mothers breast naturally produce colostrum in the initial days after birth which contains natural laxatives, along with antibodies and hormones to help clean the baby’s intestines. Formula fed babies often have problems getting rid of meconium after birth.
5. Breast milk helps build the baby’s immune system
Since breast milk is naturally produced, it contains all the essential nutrients, minerals, growth hormones, antibodies and other vitamins required by the baby. These substances help the baby to build a stronger immune system, helping the baby to fight against infections, diseases and illnesses. No formula milk can provide these disease fighting antibodies. According to a research, about 80% cells found in breast milk are macrophages, which are cells that help kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. This is why beast fed babies visit the hospital less often.
6. Increases the emotional bonding between the mother and the child
Breastfeeding is a natural process and it helps the mother and the child to bond with each other by spending quality time together. This emotional bonding is essential for the baby to grow in to a good human being. Bottle fed babies who are not able to make this bond can develop feelings of “neglect” over time. Touching and holding gives a very comforting and soothing feeling to the baby.
7. Breast feeding releases hormones in the mothers body
Breast feeding is known to release the hormone oxytocin in the mothers breasts, which helps in stimulating the uterine contractions, helping the mother to recover quickly after birth. Oxytocin helps the uterus to return back to its normal size. It also helps mothers to regain their figure more quickly. Non-breastfeeding moms are never able to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size.
8. Reduces the risk of diabetes in children
Infants that are breastfed are at a reduced risk of developing diabetes in the later stages in life. Studies show that lack of breastfeeding is directly associated with the development of Type I diabetes over time. Non breast feeding babies are usually introduced to dairy products at an early stage. This increases the level of cow’s milk antibodies in the child’s system, increasing the risk of insulin dependent diabetes. Infants that are breastfed are also known to be at a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
9. Prevents post-partum hemorrhage in mothers
The release of oxytocin in the mothers body due to breastfeeding helps to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size and also helps to expel the placenta. The contractions that allow this to happen also shut off the maternal blood vessels that fed the baby during pregnancy, discouraging excessive bleeding after child birth. Mothers who do not breast feed often have to take artificial oxytocin to help prevent post-partum hemorrhage.
10. Protects the baby against illnesses, infections and diseases
This reason makes breast milk the best gift for babies provided to every mother by nature. The natural antibodies present in breast milk allow the baby to fight against infections such as ear infections, infections of the respiratory system and intestinal tract, as well as reduces the risk of asthma in infants. Not only this, but breast milk also reduces diarrheal infections, vision defects, bacterial meningitis and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, known as SIDS.

These factors are just a tiny part of more than 100 other reasons why breast milk is best for you and your child. So if you are a mother who has just given birth, or will be soon, should make every effort to give the best to yourself and to your child.