The baby sling has been used for centuries, and has recently gained great favor among modern mothers. It's felt that a small infant has more privacy with a sling (Actress Keri Russell says her sling is her baby's "paparazzi shield"!), and it's especially useful for nursing mothers.
There are several important things to consider when choosing a sling or front carrier. First, check the sling to see what size / weight it is rated for. Is the sling padded? Padding is excellent for protecting toddler's sensitive legs. When debating between baby carriers and baby slings, keep in mind that front carriers are designed for infants from 8 to 25 pounds, while baby slings can be used for preemies all the way up to toddlers at 35 pounds.
For soft carriers, make sure that it's washable and has adjustable straps. This allows you to keep the same great fit as your baby grows. Your baby should fit snugly, and have good head support, and their weight should be evenly distributed. Only use a carrier to move the baby about when you are walking. Never use it to transport the baby on a bike, in a car, or any other means of transportation. Check the carrier from time to time for any damage: things like a ripped seam, a missing or loose snap or strap, or a place where the fabric has worn through and a sharp edge is protruding.
Some car seats convert to lift-out-and-carry baby carriers. While these can be heavy and bulky, some mothers prefer them to traditional carriers. Many are designed to snap into a car seat base, or into a stroller. Only use those types of models together. Never take a base from one model (maybe that someone has given you) and try to rig up something to hold your carrier in it. In an accident, the carrier will break free, and your baby will become a projectile! If you own a new car, never put your baby's carrier / car seat in the front. In the event of an accident, the airbags could cause serious injury to your child.
In the case of a backpack carrier, consider getting one that can be worn on your back, side or front. It gives you more options depending on the age and temperament of your child. Some carriers provide a sun shield (which doubles as a rain guard) as an added bonus. Remember, the heat of the sun is much more damaging to an infant's head than an adult's. You want your baby's weight evenly distributed, so get a backpack carrier that's adjustable. Make sure the fabric is washable, and easy to remove; filthy cloth is a breeding ground for germs. Follow these tips, and your baby will stay safe and healthy and so will
Senin, 09 Januari 2012
Baby Breastfeeding
While many new moms have the best intentions to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, a new survey found that nearly one-third (29 percent) of new mothers who breastfeed stop prematurely due to work-related issues. These issues include having no designated place to pump (57 percent) and no place to store pumped milk (27 percent).
"While the health benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother are undisputed, returning to work can leave breastfeeding moms feeling overwhelmed and frustrated," says Sue Huml, international board-certified lactation consul-tant and member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board.
"While many mothers may fear returning to work will disrupt the breastfeeding routine they've worked so hard to establish, it is possible and common for women to breastfeed and return to work outside the home. It does take planning, commitment and flexibility, however," advises noted pediatrician Dr. James Sears.
Dr. Sears and Sue Huml offer some tips to help moms successfully ease the transition back to the office and continue to breastfeed while working:
• Invest in a Quality Electric Breast Pump: Many women find that using an electric breast pump helps to keep up their milk supply better than manual pumping and allows for pumping enough milk to have on hand while they are at work. "Look for a pump where you can control the speed and suction, which can enhance the milk flow by mimicking your baby's natural sucking pattern," adds Huml. "The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is quiet, which is good for being discreet, and uses a patented system that keeps condensation/breast milk from getting into the tubing and damaging the motor. It also comes with an instructional DVD."
• Stock Up: If possible, mothers should start pumping and freezing their milk about a month before returning to work. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are specially designed for freezing expressed breast milk safely.
• Talk with Your Employer: It is important to talk to your supervisor about your pumping schedule and work out a designated area that is safe, clean and private, where you will be able to pump without being disturbed. You can also point out the many benefits of breastfeeding for the employer, such as reduced absenteeism.
Most moms create a pumping schedule that mimics their baby's feeding schedule. As a general rule, it is best to pump every two to three hours that you will be away from your baby.
"Whenever you are not working and can be with your baby you should breastfeed exclusively in order to maintain and build up your milk supply," adds Dr. Sears.
"While the health benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother are undisputed, returning to work can leave breastfeeding moms feeling overwhelmed and frustrated," says Sue Huml, international board-certified lactation consul-tant and member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board.
"While many mothers may fear returning to work will disrupt the breastfeeding routine they've worked so hard to establish, it is possible and common for women to breastfeed and return to work outside the home. It does take planning, commitment and flexibility, however," advises noted pediatrician Dr. James Sears.
Dr. Sears and Sue Huml offer some tips to help moms successfully ease the transition back to the office and continue to breastfeed while working:
• Invest in a Quality Electric Breast Pump: Many women find that using an electric breast pump helps to keep up their milk supply better than manual pumping and allows for pumping enough milk to have on hand while they are at work. "Look for a pump where you can control the speed and suction, which can enhance the milk flow by mimicking your baby's natural sucking pattern," adds Huml. "The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is quiet, which is good for being discreet, and uses a patented system that keeps condensation/breast milk from getting into the tubing and damaging the motor. It also comes with an instructional DVD."
• Stock Up: If possible, mothers should start pumping and freezing their milk about a month before returning to work. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are specially designed for freezing expressed breast milk safely.
• Talk with Your Employer: It is important to talk to your supervisor about your pumping schedule and work out a designated area that is safe, clean and private, where you will be able to pump without being disturbed. You can also point out the many benefits of breastfeeding for the employer, such as reduced absenteeism.
Most moms create a pumping schedule that mimics their baby's feeding schedule. As a general rule, it is best to pump every two to three hours that you will be away from your baby.
"Whenever you are not working and can be with your baby you should breastfeed exclusively in order to maintain and build up your milk supply," adds Dr. Sears.
baby showers list
When you create the guest list for your baby shower, you will probably see that you have gathered together an eclectic group of family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church friends – most of whom won’t know each other! The best way to break the ice is to play a few baby shower games and get everyone laughing and comfortable.
Baby Shower Game - How Much Does It Cost?
From the local grocery store or drug store, gather together a grab bag of baby items – wipes, diapers, baby food, lotion, baby wash – and keep the receipt. When you get home, print up lists of everything in the bag, one for each guest, and leave a space for them to guess the price of each item. Everyone at the baby shower guesses the cost of each item and whomever comes closest to the correct total, wins a prize. The shopping bag, of course, goes to the mom to be.
Baby Shower Game 2 – Primetime Parenting
What are your family’s favorite shows? Is it re-runs of Roseanne and Bewitched or the latest primetime sitcoms? For your baby shower, make a list of your favorite shows, leaving the correct number of blanks for the number of children in each show. Each guest at the shower tries to fill in all the blanks (correctly!) and the one with the most right answers, get a prize!
Baby Shower Game 3 – Feeding Time
If you’re having a hard time drawing the guy’s interest in your baby shower, try the Feeding Time game. Fill up one 4 ounce bottle for each male at the baby shower with a palatable drink, like juice. On your mark, each guy will drink from his bottle and not stop until it’s empty. Keep a stopwatch if you like or simply watch closely to see who finishes first. The one who does gets a prize!
Baby Shower Game 4 – Now I Know My ABCs…
On an index card or pieces of construction paper, write down one letter of the alphabet until you have a card for each letter. Each of the guests at your baby shower will pick a baby item that starts with their letter and turn it in to the host. Everyone guesses which item was chosen and the first one to answer correctly gets the card. The guest with the most cards at the end of the alphabet wins the game!
No matter what games you choose to play, make sure that everyone is included. A baby shower isn’t a party until everyone is laughing!
Baby Shower Game - How Much Does It Cost?
From the local grocery store or drug store, gather together a grab bag of baby items – wipes, diapers, baby food, lotion, baby wash – and keep the receipt. When you get home, print up lists of everything in the bag, one for each guest, and leave a space for them to guess the price of each item. Everyone at the baby shower guesses the cost of each item and whomever comes closest to the correct total, wins a prize. The shopping bag, of course, goes to the mom to be.
Baby Shower Game 2 – Primetime Parenting
What are your family’s favorite shows? Is it re-runs of Roseanne and Bewitched or the latest primetime sitcoms? For your baby shower, make a list of your favorite shows, leaving the correct number of blanks for the number of children in each show. Each guest at the shower tries to fill in all the blanks (correctly!) and the one with the most right answers, get a prize!
Baby Shower Game 3 – Feeding Time
If you’re having a hard time drawing the guy’s interest in your baby shower, try the Feeding Time game. Fill up one 4 ounce bottle for each male at the baby shower with a palatable drink, like juice. On your mark, each guy will drink from his bottle and not stop until it’s empty. Keep a stopwatch if you like or simply watch closely to see who finishes first. The one who does gets a prize!
Baby Shower Game 4 – Now I Know My ABCs…
On an index card or pieces of construction paper, write down one letter of the alphabet until you have a card for each letter. Each of the guests at your baby shower will pick a baby item that starts with their letter and turn it in to the host. Everyone guesses which item was chosen and the first one to answer correctly gets the card. The guest with the most cards at the end of the alphabet wins the game!
No matter what games you choose to play, make sure that everyone is included. A baby shower isn’t a party until everyone is laughing!
Throwing A Baby Shower
Throwing baby showers is a time-honored way to celebrate the impending addition of a new member to a loved one's family. Traditionally, a baby shower is a "girls only" event, often hosted by the baby's godmother, but today baby showers can be hosted by any friend or relative of the mother-to-be, and can be attended by whomever the host wishes to invite. The general purpose of a baby shower is to give useful gifts to the expectant mother, such as layette items, baby toys and clothes, and often gift certificates for useful things. It is not untoward for the expectant parents to draw up a "wish list" of items they especially need but may be having difficulty affording.
Baby showers are a relatively recent tradition, generally credited as having their start in the US. A baby shower is usually a relatively casual event, held in the afternoon or early evening, often with refreshments provided and sometimes party games held as well. It is not uncommon to have a potluck shower, where guests each bring a food item along with a gift, although fully catered showers are also quite common. Party games, if the host chooses to have them, generally center around the general theme of the baby and pregnancy, ranging from themed versions traditional games like charades to activities such as guessing the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor.
While many parents-to-be look forward to having a baby shower, some social groups feel such celebrations are best left as family affairs, or believe that it is bad luck to celebrate a birth before it happens. If you offer to host a shower for an expectant friend, don't be hurt if she politely declines. In other cases, the mother-to-be may have multiple showers! Perhaps one for co-workers and casual friends, and one for close friends and family. Some women have a baby shower only for their first child, while others may choose to have one for every pregnancy.
Baby showers are not bound by rigid traditions to the same extent as weddings and other life events, so don't be surprised if a new friend's baby shower is nothing like the last one you attended. There is really no "wrong" way to throw a baby shower, so if you have been charged with hosting a shower for a friend or relative, it's an "anything goes" affair (so long as you have the guest of honor's stamp of approval for your plans!).
Baby showers are a relatively recent tradition, generally credited as having their start in the US. A baby shower is usually a relatively casual event, held in the afternoon or early evening, often with refreshments provided and sometimes party games held as well. It is not uncommon to have a potluck shower, where guests each bring a food item along with a gift, although fully catered showers are also quite common. Party games, if the host chooses to have them, generally center around the general theme of the baby and pregnancy, ranging from themed versions traditional games like charades to activities such as guessing the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor.
While many parents-to-be look forward to having a baby shower, some social groups feel such celebrations are best left as family affairs, or believe that it is bad luck to celebrate a birth before it happens. If you offer to host a shower for an expectant friend, don't be hurt if she politely declines. In other cases, the mother-to-be may have multiple showers! Perhaps one for co-workers and casual friends, and one for close friends and family. Some women have a baby shower only for their first child, while others may choose to have one for every pregnancy.
Baby showers are not bound by rigid traditions to the same extent as weddings and other life events, so don't be surprised if a new friend's baby shower is nothing like the last one you attended. There is really no "wrong" way to throw a baby shower, so if you have been charged with hosting a shower for a friend or relative, it's an "anything goes" affair (so long as you have the guest of honor's stamp of approval for your plans!).
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