Food Cravings During Pregnancy

Do pickles and ice cream sound good to you?  How about red peppers and peanut butter?  If these do, you are probably a pregnant woman who has just gone looking for that ice cream carton you know you have buried in your freezer. More than three quarters of all pregnant women experience cravings at some point.  The most common cravings are for sweets, dairy products and salty foods although there are some weird cravings out there.  Some women have been known to put black olives on cheesecake, while others have been known to dip fruit in salsa.  As bizarre as some cravings can be, they are mainly perfectly safe.

There are old wives tales that believe what you crave could be a good indication of the sex of your baby.  If you are craving sweets you are having a girl.  If you crave meats or cheeses, it is believed you are having a boy.  Cravings are something that most women love most about pregnancy.  It is when a woman is craving dirt or clay that an alarm should go off.  If you should find yourself craving dirt, soil, or chalk call your doctor right away.  Not only could these be harmful if you do eat them, but chances are they are a sign of iron-deficiency anemia.

Most doctors believe that cravings can be nutritionally based. That is to say the cravings are a message from your body on what it needs to eat.  If you are craving salts foods it could be because your body needs more sodium as your blood volume increases.  If you are craving fruit, your body might need more vitamins C.   The problem is sometimes the message gets lost on the way to our brain.  You may find yourself craving something sweet and instead of getting berries or fruit, you find yourself gulping down snicker bars by the cart full.  Cravings can be the downfall of your weight gain especially if the message is getting scrambled.  There are some ways though you can help curb your cravings.

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Source: Food Cravings During Pregnancy

Foods to Avoid While Pregnant

Almost every woman knows the basic of what they should and should not do during pregnancy.  They know that caffeine should be cut back; they should not smoke, drink alcohol or spend time in any hot tubs.  However more and more studies are being done to see if pregnant women should avoid certain foods for the duration of their pregnancy.

It is essential that pregnant women eat a well balanced meal at all times to provide their growing baby with the vitamins, nutrients and minerals that the baby needs to grow.   There are some foods though that needs to be avoided due to the risk they pose to not just to the mother, but also to the growing baby.

For starters, raw meat needs to be avoided due to the risk of toxoplasmosis and salmonella.  This means no more rare steaks, or rare burgers.  Pregnant women should take caution and make sure that all of the meat they eat is cooked well done.  Cold deli meat should also be avoided because of the risk of listeria.  Listeria can cross the placenta and can cause an infection or blood poisoning to the baby.  Keep in mind though that deli meat can be reheated until it is steaming and this will help reduce the risk.

Speaking of listeria there are other foods that can contain this bacteria.  Some soft cheeses such as brie, feta, and gorgonzola.  These cheeses are commonly made with unpasterized milk.  Unpasterized milk often contains listeria, so pregnant women need to make sure that any soft cheeses they are going to eat are made with pasteurized milk.

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Source:  Foods to Avoid While Pregnant

Eating to Beat Pregnancy Fatigue

Ask any pregnant woman who is in her first or third trimester how they are feeling and the answer will almost always be “tired”.  One of the first clues that many women have that they may be expecting a visit from the stork is the fact that they find themselves droopy eyed in the middle of the day for no reason.

You may find that doing a simply task as walking around the block leaves your desperate for an afternoon nap. The energy you use to have is now faced with the challenge of growing a baby and your body is hard at work. You are also producing more blood, using more water and nutrients and have a higher heart rate and metabolism when you are pregnant. While the best defensive against the tiredness you will face is to get more sleep. There are also some healthy foods choices you can make that will help you get through your day if you do not have the opportunities to take naps.

First, adjust the size of your meals.  Anyone who eats a large meal is going to feel tired afterwards regardless of if they are pregnant or not.  Being pregnant is going to make the effect of a big meal that much worse.   Most of your energy is going to be used towards digesting the meal so of course you will feel sluggish and drained.  Eat smaller meals and eat more often.  Eating six small meals a day will help you combat fatigue.

Eating a good breakfast is the best way to start your day.  You are refueling your body after a long foodless night with a good breakfast.  A good breakfast is not a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. You want to stick to complex carbs and protein.  Whole grain cereal and a banana for example.  These foods will stay with you and keep your blood sugar and energy level up for quiet a while.

Source: Eating to Beat Pregnancy Fatigue

Eating Well For Your Baby

Congratulations, you are pregnant!  The next nine months are going to be an exciting time, not just for you but for your growing baby!  Think of all the things a baby has to accomplish in only nine (ten) short months.  They start as a single cell and then divide at an enormous rate.  Their organs develop, the heart forms and starts beating and all five senses form.

Basically your baby goes from a little blob that can’t be seen with the human eye into a seven, eight, nine or even ten pound adorable newborn baby.  In order for your baby to develop as healthy as possible, your diet should play a big part.  This is because your diet is how your baby is going to receive all the vitamins, minerals, protein and fluids that he or she needs to grow and develop.  The best thing you and any other pregnant mother can do for your growing baby is to eat as healthy as you possibly can.  Let us look at all the benefits eating well can do for your baby.

First, eating right is going to help your baby’s organ development.  Your baby only has a short time to develop vital organs such as their heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys.  Eating a diet that lacks vitamin D or calcium can interfere with your baby’s bone and tooth growth.

Next eating too lightly through out pregnancy might stop your baby from growing as it should in your uterus.   You might find yourself measuring behind for where you should be in your pregnancy.  Small babies are at a greater risk for healthy problems once they are born.  On the other hand, eating to much can cause your baby to grow too big to fast.  Babies who are measuring ahead are at a greater risk for delivery complications.  Babies who are too big usually can not be delivered vaginally without the assistance of instruments such as forceps or a vacuum.  Some women are forced to have a cesarean section because they can not deliver their baby vaginally.

Source: Eating Well For Your Baby

Bathing and Cleanliness During Infancy and Childhood

During infancy
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Cleanliness is essential to the infant’s health. The principal points to which especial attention must be paid by the parent for this purpose are the following:

At first the infant should be washed daily with warm water; and a bath every night, for the purpose of thoroughly cleaning the body, is highly necessary. To bathe a delicate infant of a few days or even weeks old in cold water with a view “to harden” the constitution (as it is called), is the most effectual way to undermine its health and entail future disease. By degrees, however, the water with which it is sponged in the morning should be made tepid, the evening bath being continued warm enough to be grateful to the feelings.

A few months having passed by, the temperature of the water may be gradually lowered until cold is employed, with which it may be either sponged or even plunged into it, every morning during summer. If plunged into cold water, however, it must be kept in but a minute; for at this period, especially, the impression of cold continued for any considerable time depresses the vital energies, and prevents that healthy glow on the surface which usually follows the momentary and brief action of cold, and upon which its usefulness depends. With some children, indeed, there is such extreme delicacy and deficient reaction as to render the cold bath hazardous; no warm glow over the surface takes place when its use inevitably does harm: its effects, therefore, must be carefully watched.

The surface of the skin should always be carefully and thoroughly rubbed dry with flannel, indeed, more than dry, for the skin should be warmed and stimulated by the assiduous gentle friction made use of. For this process of washing and drying must not be done languidly, but briskly and expeditiously; and will then be found to be one of the most effectual means of strengthening the infant. It is especially necessary carefully to dry the arm-pits, groins, and nates; and if the child is very fat, it will be well to dust over these parts with hair-powder or starch: this prevents excoriations and sores, which are frequently very troublesome. Soap is only required to those parts of the body which are exposed to the reception of dirt.

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Expect Only The Best From Your Child

Expect the best from your child. If you expect the best behavior and performance you’re your child, it’s often what you will get. Children pick up on our beliefs about them, form a self-concept that matches that belief, and perform accordingly. If we expect them to be lazy, they’ll be lazy, which will confirm our expectations for them, and the cycle toward failure is started.

If, on the other hand, we expect our kids to be successful, productive, creative, and responsible and honestly believe it to be true, then our children can’t help but rise to the occasion and confirm our best opinions of them with their positive actions. So expect nothing but the best from your children and watch them fulfill your expectations.

Praise your child often when they perform a good deed or accomplish a new task. Set simple, clear and consistent rules so your child knows exactly what is expected and the consequences of misbehaving or breaking the rules. Maintain a consistent daily routine for your child as much as possible, and make sure your child gets lots of physical activity and time to play and socialize with their friends. Encourage your child to learn how to make appropriate choices, and encourage your child to do things for themselves. Allow your child to talk about strong feelings, which will help them work through their anger and frustration[...]

Source: Expect Only The Best From Your Child

Help for Curing Stretch Marks

Stretch marks basically occur when the skin loses its elasticity and resilience due to over stretching. There are various reasons why your skin could undergo overstretching at various stages in life. The most important amongst them include excessive weight gain or loss and pregnancy.

As the repeated research studies have shown, stretch marks can never be fully cured once they have occurred. The cracks that have occurred in the elastic fibers below the skin can never be repaired. Hence the main aim of treatment of stretch marks is to lighten the stretch marks. There are various specialized creams which you can apply before as well as after your delivery for this purpose.

Another important step to be taken is to follow preventive care in pregnancy and at the time you are gaining or losing excess weight. There are special pre-bath creams and stretch mark creams that can be used for this.

Of course, prevention is better than cure! You can prevent stretch marks using the therapeutic-grade essential oil blend “Gentle Baby”. Rub this oil daily mornings and evenings on your belly to prevent stretch marks. You can dilute the essential oil with V-6 Massage Oil.

If stretch marks area already visible, use the oil blend to soften and smooth your skin. Over time, “Gentle Baby” will take care of your stretch marks completely.

Brought to you by aroma-essence.com, Nature’s Most Trusted Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Store!

Soure: Help for Curing Stretch Marks

The Effective Nursery Setup

by Maria Schasteen

The most important part of any baby nursery is the crib. You want to make it safe and cozy. No matter what type of crib you get, make sure it conforms to all safety guidelines and standards. Make sure the crib mattress fits snugly against the rails, so the baby can’t get wedged between them. You also want to be sure the crib sheet fits snug and tight, nothing loose or bunched up.

Until the baby is at least a year old, you don’t want to use sheets or blankets. A comforter or quilt should be for decoration only in that first year. Make sure the baby’s sleepwear is clean and soft and appropriate for her age and for the weather. You don’t want them too warm or too light, as babies can’t regulate their own body temperatures at first. check the room temperature of your baby nursery regularly.

The only crib accessory that you want inside the crib when the baby’s sleeping is perhaps a small, foam wedge that you can use to keep the baby from rolling on her stomach. Sleeping on her back or on her side is the position many experts recommend at first.

The sheets should always be fresh and clean; use unscented detergent in case your baby is sensitive to fragrances. Better yet, wash your baby sheets with Thieves Household Cleaner. Your sheets will be thoroughly cleansed of bacteria, and since no chemicals are used in the soap, there won’t be reactions to harsh chemicals or unnatural fragrances. More over, your sheets will smell naturally good and baby will appreciate the scent of nature in her baby nursery.

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Exercise During Pregnancy

For some women the thought of exercise during pregnancy is as appealing as a root canal without novacane.  In their minds they have a nine month pass to keeping up with their gym routine.   The first three months they are battling morning sickness and exhaustion.  The next three months they are beginning to show.  The last three months are so uncomfortable that walking ten feet to the bathroom is pure torture, so there is no way they will be able to walk on a treadmill for ten minutes.

On the other side of the coin, there are some women who do not let something as little as creating a life stand in their way of exercise.  These are the women we might see actually teaching a class at the gym, or speed walking throughout our neighborhood with their protruding bellies.

Most of us however fall somewhere in the middle and that is just how their doctors like it.  Exercise comes highly recommended when pregnant.  Not only does it help control weight gain, but some women swear it helps with delivery also.  There are some things to keep in mind in order to protect yourself and your growing little one.

For starters you need to keep an eye on your heart rate as you are working out.  Letting your heart rate rise to high could be dangerous to your little one especially in your first trimester.  You want to maintain a steady heart rate and should do the talk test throughout your workout to make sure you are at a safe level.  The talk test is when you talk during your workout.  If you are having a hard time talking and wind up huffy and puffing more than getting out actual words, then you are working too hard and need to take it down.  Most doctors recommend that you work at a pace where talking is challenging but still doable.

Source:  Exercise During Pregnancy

Baby Care: Trial and Error of a New Mom

Baby Care: Every mother, whether a first-time mom or an experienced one, has to make those decisions about what’s best for her baby. You can start out with books by “experts” and of course friends and relatives always have advice for a new mother and baby.

These are a way to start, but if what you’re doing doesn’t work, then you have to try something new. Try different things at bedtime to see what works for you and your baby. She’s unique and not like any other baby, after all!

You can try different types of foods at night, or the timing of her last feeding. Are her pajamas soft and not scratchy? Be sure to use special detergents made just for baby clothes, especially in the beginning. Can you hang her clothes and bedding outside in the sunshine to dry? Who doesn” feel all cozy and comfy when going to sleep in bedding that’s been dried outside? Just make sure no critters get into the bedding or clothes.

Do you have a ritual at night? Maybe it starts with a nice bath and then a feeding while holding her close to you. Nothing feels more wonderful than holding a baby right out of the bath when they have that wonderful baby smell. It’s just important to make this a pleasant and relaxing time for both of you, especially when your baby is very young, in the first months of her life[...]

Source:  Baby Care: Trial and Error of a New Mom

The Home Aromatherapy Spa – Your Recipes

For all the mothers out there who’s planning to have a spa in their home. Here’s some tips for you.
If you are going to create a home aromatherapy spa then it is worthwhile to plan your treatments ahead of time, know who else is going to be attending, what specific treatments you are going to have to make up, and working out the costs. If cost is an issue, then try making two or three different but more economical treatments.

Make sure you clear a room and have it set out ready for your spa. Make it clean and tidy; getting rid of any clutter so that you can create the right atmosphere before you begin your all-important preparations is vital. For a spa to be successful, it needs the right ambiance. You can light candles, have incense or oils burning and suddenly, you are feeling ready to relax and unwind.

Whether the spa is just for yourself or if you are planning to invite others, ensure that you know just how to create the recipes needed and that they are fairly simple to make. If others are attending, check that no one is allergic to certain things like nuts, as if you are using almond oil, they may get a reaction.

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Choosing Popular Baby Names for Twins

by: Sarah Mitchell

Choosing a baby name for your new born can be quite a stressful decision. With thousands upon thousands of names at your disposal, you may begin to feel a little over whelmed. Well, for twins, you can double the trouble! This article is aimed at helping soon to be moms and dads of twins to choose those perfect baby names[...]

Source: Choosing Popular Baby Names for Twins

Personalized gifts for Baby

Personalizing a baby’s gift is an excellent idea, making the gift distinct and special and grows into a cherished token through the years. When giving or making a gift sooner, before the baby’s due, you are faced with a problem, that is, you are not yet certain of the name and the birth date. An option to consider is by giving a gift certificate for an etching or engraving design along with your gift. This way, when the wonderful day arrives, the parents can take your gift and have it personalized.

Choices for personalized gifts are baby cups, picture frame, jewelry or a cutlery set. There are wide selections of items that can be personalized; all you have to do is look.

A blanket for baby embroidered with the baby’s name alongside the name’s meaning would make an excellent gift for both mom and baby.

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To know more things about babies and mommies, you can always visit us at aromatherapy4moms.com and aroma-essence.com.

Gift Baskets in Different Themes

Baby shower gift baskets come in different themes. Some of these baskets concentrate on the baby’s bath time needs. Items like: towels, washcloths, comb and brush sets; and of course, the quintessential giant rubber duckies are included.

This puts variety, and a fun twist on the baby shower gift basket idea! So you’d actually have quite a selection to choose from.

These baby shower gift baskets vary in prices, depending on the intricacy of the lay out, and items included in the basket. The average price for a baby shower gift basket is around $70.

These baskets are usually divided into girl themes, and boy themes. The girl- themed baskets usually come in pink, and contain items suitable for a baby girl. While the boy-themed gift baskets offer things that a baby boy will need[...]

Source: Gift Baskets in Different Themes

Right Words for a Baby Shower

Baby showers are a prelude to miracle which is the birth of a newborn baby. It is this occasion where friends, family and other people who know the parents to be, are gathered together to give gifts and make this occasion memorable to everyone present.

This baby shower usually happens a month or 2 in advance and making the right invitation can be just as challenging as planning the entire event.

There are many ideas and themes one can think of to make the invitation a good preview of what is to come during the baby shower itself. The important thing is that the invitation should set the mood for the occasion and with the proper planning and a little imagination with friends or professionals, it will surely make this baby shower stand out over others that people have gone to.

The one who will host this event is usually a very close friend of future mother. That person can start by talking to the mother and other members of the family what kind of theme will be appropriate for the party.

The proper words should express the love and anticipation that the future mother has for the newborn baby. The host must do it by putting oneself in the shoes of the mother. If that person has had children in the past, it will be quite easy to relate to that situation. If this person has not had any children yet, then it is best to ask the help of those who have so that person can help empathize what the future mother is experiencing.

Just like any other invitation, it should have the name of the person to be invited, when and where the event will take place, the contact number of the one hosting the event, the gender of the baby and the theme of the party[...]

Source: Right Words for a Baby Shower

Baby Shower Graphics

Uses:
1. Baby shower graphics can catch the attention of your guests.
2. Baby shower graphics can give a hint or a suggestion to your invitation, about what the affair is all about and the theme of the affair.
3. It is used in invitations to catch the reader’s attention.
4. A baby shower graphic, without any wording, can provide a clear demonstration of the occasion.
5. It gives beauty, attraction and life to any invitation.
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To know more things about babies and mommies, you can always visit us at aromatherapy4moms.com and aroma-essence.com.

Source: Baby Shower Graphics

Peanuts and Pregnancy

Ask any parent who has a child who is allergic to peanuts how difficult their live has become.  Food shopping can take hours because every food label must be read it and studied to make sure it contains no traces of peanuts.  Arrangements for peanut free foods must be made with the child’s school ahead of time and other children’ birthday parties can be a parent’s worse nightmare.  Peanut allergies although common can be one of the most fatal allergies a child could suffer from.  Some children are so sensitive to their peanut allergy that if they come into contact with peanuts just from someone else skin, their life can be at risk.  Peanut allergies can lead to anaphylactic shock which is a sever allergic reaction that can be fatal.

Peanut allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child reaches the age of 2 or even three years old.  The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents who have a peanut allergy in the family should wait until their child is at least three years old before giving them peanuts or anything containing peanuts.  There are even some conservative obgyns who advise their pregnant patients not to eat peanuts especially if when they are in their third trimester regardless of if there is a history of peanut allergy in the family or not.

The reason for this is because in order for a peanut allergy to develop, the child has to come into contact with small traces of a peanut.  This contact sensitizes the child so that they later have a severe allergic reaction.  Some experts believe that this first sensitization can occur during pregnancy.  It is believed that a tiny amount of peanut protein can cross the placenta.   In fact a recent study showed that if a women ate peanuts or peanut butter while pregnant their baby could be four times more likely to develop a peanut allergy than a child whose mother didn’t eat any peanuts during her pregnancy.

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Invitations For Your Baby Shower

Create your own:

Computer made

With the Use of graphics program found in your computer, simply make a design for a baby shower invitation then print it out onto card or board stock.  With this option, you can send the invitation in an envelope or send without an envelope similar to a postcard.  Be sure that your invitation will contain all the necessary details such as date, place, time, theme, who is it for, and the rsvp number.  There are a lot of websites offering free invitations that can be printed.

Velum Overlay

One adorable but very simple way of making a baby shower invitation is by using a velum overlay.  You can buy a paper style that attracts you; buy this along with a coordinating ribbon at your favorite craft or scrap booking store.  Buy too, a few pieces of velum. Working on the computer, write down any wording that you would want to appear on your invitation then have it printed unto the velum.  At the top or the front of a craft paper, fasten the velum. The result is a fun and fancy invitation that was also fun to do.

More invitation ideas:

1.    The most practical and easy idea is to buy your ready made invitations at a store that specializes in it, fill up all the blanks then mail them.

2.    You can order professional invitations in online stores or from a party store.

3.    Make your own custom-generated invitation cards at any greeting card store; some offer computers wherein you can design your own invitations.

4.    Make your own using a computer software or through Word or clip art or a blank or pre-printed invitation which you can acquire from Wal Mart, Michael's, office supply stores, Hobby Lobby, etc.

5.    Sending a postcard.

Invitation information:

1.    A phrase or a poem that indicates a baby shower party or simply the words “baby shower”, to make certain that your guests is well informed what they are getting invited to.

2.    Make sure to put the name of the mom to be.

3.    Include the address as well as the directions and the map of the place where the party is to be held.

4.    Date and time of the occasion.

5.    Theme, if any

6.    RSVP number or an email address

7.    The name of the hostess.

8.    Your store registry

Choosing an invitation:

1.    Keep a budget, stick to always.  The market for invitations is overwhelming.  Only spend within your budget, do not get carried away.

2.    Think of a theme and make certain that your invitation gives the guest a hint of it.

3.    Make, purchase or have the baby shower invitation made at least a month in advance prior to the baby shower date.

4.    Before selecting a certain design, as there are so many choices, go through each design carefully, pick out at least five that you like best, then from the five, pick out three, until you narrow down your choices to one.

5.    Spend a lot of time browsing through the web.  Here, a lot of invitations are available in different themes, sizes, colors, patterns and styles.

6.    Know how many invitations to buy or order.  Make a guest list before you order and make sure to order for extras.

Resource: Maria Schasteen is editor of aromatherapy4moms.com, the online resource with articles, tips and recipes from moms for moms.

How Eating Well Can Help During Pregnancy

There are a number of aches and pains that come with pregnancy.  While back in the day many doctors just brushed them aside and said that is part of pregnancy, now a days more and more doctors are recommending a well balanced diet to help.  Here are just a few pregnancy aliments that a good diet can help.

A common complaint during pregnancy is tooth and gum problems.  To help keep your teeth healthy and your baby’s teeth healthy, make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin C.  Always keep some sugarless gum near you or chew on some nuts and cheese.

It is also not uncommon for many women to feel dizzy or lightheaded during pregnancy especially if they have gone to long without eating. This is why it is so important to eat through out the day and snack also.  Keep your snacks as healthy as you can and stay away from junk food whenever you can.  These foods will give you a quick rush of energy but ultimately leave you feeling worse than you did before you ate them.  Keep yourself hydrated also.  Snacking and drinking will help boost your blood sugar and keep you hydrated which can help you fight dizziness.

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